Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 660: All-out war

Chapter 660: All-out war

After successfully fusing their Half-Step Legend demon souls into their hearts, the powers of Fafnir and Ouroboros increased dramatically, elevating the duo to new heights and filling them with great confidence.

Not wasting much time after achieving this breakthrough, they immediately left Vlad’s residence and headed directly to Elder Damian to obtain their promised bloodlines. Once done, they swiftly returned to the battlefield, eager to test their newly enhanced strength against powerful foes.

As for Vlad, he maintained a disciplined and methodical routine. He would spend one full week battling fiercely within the perilous Howling Chasm, steadily improving both his combat skills and his dominion over the formidable Law of Space.

During the following week, Vlad would retreat into solitude within his residence, diligently refining his Runic Master abilities. He tirelessly perfected his Demon Cages, engraving new ones for individuals sent by Janus and Agamenon, while regularly visiting Marshal Maximo’s castle to engrave enhanced Darkness Devouring Runic Formations on wounded warriors.

Vlad carried on with this rigorous schedule for several weeks, consistently advancing in every aspect. One day, in the midst of intense rune experiments, he received a sudden message through the communication crystal stored inside his space ring.

"Report to the Marshal’s castle in two days and four hours."

Vlad was caught slightly off-guard by the abrupt summons. Although curious, he understood that any speculation would be pointless, and answers would naturally come once he arrived. Thus, he returned to his research, patiently waiting for the designated moment.

Two days passed quickly. Vlad rose from his residence early, calmly stepping out and making his way toward the Marshal’s castle. As he traversed the usually quiet inner circle of the Golden Sky Fortress, he noticed many other Sages also moving in the same direction.

Normally, the inner circle had a very sparse population since only the most elite warriors and cultivators were allowed residence there. The sudden appearance of numerous Sages piqued Vlad’s curiosity. As he watched them, he realized that they all seemed to be heading towards the Marshal’s castle as well.

"It appears I wasn’t the only one to receive a summons," Vlad thought quietly.

Just as this realization dawned upon him, two familiar figures approached from behind.

"Brother!"

"Vlad!"

Agamenon and Janus greeted him warmly, each bearing wide smiles.

"It’s good to see familiar faces," Vlad responded courteously, nodding in acknowledgment before continuing in a more inquisitive tone. "Do either of you know what this gathering is about?"

Janus and Agamenon came from powerful backgrounds, so Vlad thought it possible that they might have some insider information. Unfortunately, both the Imperial Prince and the scion of the Solaris Family simply shook their heads, their expressions serious.

"I have no idea," Janus admitted openly.

"I tried using my connections for some insider knowledge, but found nothing," Agamenon added with a slightly frustrated tone.

Vlad’s expression turned solemn. If even these two, with all their connections, couldn’t uncover any details, it meant that whatever was occurring was no trivial matter.

With no time to waste on speculation, Vlad, Janus, and Agamenon continued forward, joining the increasing number of Sages converging at the castle.

Upon entering the Marshal’s grand hall, Vlad noticed rows of Imperial Knights standing at rigid attention along the hallways, their armor reflecting golden light and imposing an oppressive sense of discipline.

Soon enough, Vlad, Janus, and Agamenon joined around forty other Sages standing silently in precise military formations. Not even Vlad, who shared a relatively close relationship with Marshal Maximo, dared to break the protocol of solemn silence.

Quietly observing everyone present, Vlad engraved each face into his memory. To his surprise, Valeria, Cato, and Scipius were also among the assembled warriors.

They quickly noticed Vlad, and Valeria’s eyes flashed with unbridled rage, clearly demonstrating that she had not forgotten the humiliating events that took place within the secret plane of the Dino People.

However, none of them had the luxury of dwelling on past grudges, as the doors soon swung open again, signaling the arrival of important figures.

Marshal Maximo and Elder Damian stepped confidently into the room. Neither restrained their mighty auras, allowing their overwhelming power to flood the massive hall like tidal waves of oppressive might. Several weaker Sages quickly paled, barely suppressing nausea as they struggled against the immense pressure emanating from the two powerful figures.

Marshal Maximo reached the elevated podium first, his gaze cold and commanding, scanning over the assembled cultivators with undeniable authority. Silence deepened as he began speaking, his voice resounding powerfully through the hall, infused with the undeniable strength of lightning and thunder.

"Men and women of the Golden Sky Fortress, the reason for your summoning today is straightforward. An all-out war approaches—we are about to embark on a conquest campaign!"

Each word Marshal Maximo spoke reverberated heavily, shaking the spirits of the gathered Sages. Many of them instinctively clenched their fists, holding their breath in apprehensive anticipation.

In a Doomsday World like the Land of the Three Calamities, warfare was constant, but an "all-out war" and "conquest campaign" had special meanings.

Such campaigns were far beyond simple battles or skirmishes; they were full-scale operations aimed explicitly at capturing or annihilating enemy strongholds, battles of massive strategic significance that would decide the fates of entire territories.

Marshal Maximo continued his announcement with resolute clarity. "Tomorrow, I shall personally lead the full might of our Golden Sky Fortress onto the Eclipse Battlefield. There, we shall obliterate all who oppose us. After achieving victory there, we will begin our journey toward the enemy’s core, aiming directly for the Void Heart Fortress of the Vorometallicae Race."

The Sages stood frozen, absorbing the gravity of Maximo’s declaration. Such a monumental military campaign required meticulous planning, extensive resources, and exhaustive preparations—a logistical nightmare under the best circumstances.

For Marshal Maximo to announce such an ambitious and decisive move just a single day before deployment clearly indicated that preparations had secretly been ongoing for many weeks, perhaps even months.

As the magnitude of the upcoming conflict dawned upon them, fear began to spread quietly throughout the ranks.