Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 665: General Tiberius

Chapter 665: General Tiberius

Agamenon and Janus couldn’t help but exchange awkward glances as they observed Fafnir soaring through the skies. More specifically, their attention was drawn toward the massive back of the sixty-meter-tall dragon, where a young man and a small yellow cat were comfortably sleeping.

The Imperial Prince and the scion of the Solaris Family were so tense due to the approaching conflict that even though their bodies ached from exhaustion, they found themselves unable to relax, let alone sleep as peacefully as Vlad and Jormungandr.

In truth, even though the upcoming war would undoubtedly reach a scale far surpassing anything the Sky Seed Depravitas had experienced so far, the intensity itself was nothing new to Vlad and Jormungandr.

They had already survived the horrific Leviathan War, where every waking moment had been a desperate battle for survival against fearless, overwhelming enemies who outnumbered them ten to one. Compared to that devastating and relentless struggle, even the looming battle at the Korokor Mountains seemed relatively manageable.

Still, Vlad and Jormungandr did not rest indefinitely. After a few hours, their eyes simultaneously opened, and they quickly shook off their lingering fatigue.

The Sky Seed Depravitas’ gazes sharpened as they looked ahead, catching sight of the distant horizon where a massive wasteland stretched out, surrounded by immense mountains that towered into the heavens themselves.

"The Korokor Mountains," Vlad murmured solemnly.

These mountains served as a formidable natural barrier. Their imposing heights made crossing nearly impossible for ordinary land troops, and at higher altitudes, arcs of intense lightning constantly struck down, potent enough to severely injure or even kill Half-Step Legends who dared to pass recklessly.

While true Legends could indeed force their way through, doing so alone was virtually suicidal. Although they could temporarily disrupt supply lines, isolated Legends would eventually be trapped and hunted down mercilessly.

A stable blockade of Golden Sky Fortress’s supply lines could only be realistically achieved by massive Vorometallicae battalions, led by multiple powerful Legends, who had to first fight their way through the human defenses and firmly establish a forward position.

With their minds sharply focused, Vlad, Janus, and Agamenon turned their attention toward the human stronghold built precisely at the mouth of the mountain pass, creating a strategic chokepoint to prevent any enemy army from breaking through.

The stronghold itself was not particularly grandiose or extravagantly constructed; instead, it had a stark and pragmatic appearance. Thick walls bristling with numerous defensive turrets and powerful runic formations surrounded the fortress. Clearly, the military architects had forsaken any superficial aesthetics in favor of absolute practicality.

"They didn’t waste resources on appearances and chose functionality instead," Vlad commented with approval, recognizing that this fortified position would serve as their home and battleground for months or perhaps even years to come.

Without delay, the entire group proceeded towards the fortress. As they drew within a thousand meters, one of the stronghold’s energy towers suddenly glowed, releasing an invisible wave that swiftly enveloped them.

[Beep! A scanning force attempting to inspect the host. Should the A.I. Chip attempt to block it?]

"No!" Vlad shouted firmly in his mind, alarmed by the chip’s immediate warning. Blocking the fortress’s scan would mark him as an enemy target, which would be an instant death sentence.

Thankfully, the scan was brief, lasting only an instant. Once it confirmed their identities, the invisible force receded harmlessly, allowing the group to safely continue forward.

Shortly after, Vlad, Janus, Agamenon, and their teams entered the spacious plaza located at the rear of the stronghold, where dozens of other Sages and Imperial Knights had already gathered, quietly awaiting further instructions.

The arrival of Vlad’s group immediately drew attention, especially due to the peculiar presence of Jormungandr, the small yellow cat, and Fafnir, the enormous dragon emanating powerful energy fluctuations. Many were initially wary of these unique creatures, but after sensing their unmistakable aura aligned with The Light, they quickly lost interest and turned their attention elsewhere.

However, Vlad, Jormungandr, and Ouroboros showed great interest in another group of warriors present in the plaza—approximately twenty men and women whose robust, muscular physiques set them apart from ordinary humans. More strikingly, their bodies were adorned with imposing tribal tattoos, each marking a proud heritage unmistakably connected to a fierce warrior culture.

"Vikings," Vlad whispered softly, his voice tinged with curiosity and intrigue, and a flash of excitement.

Jormungandr and Ouroboros immediately perked up, their eyes glowing with intense interest. If these Viking warriors had indeed arrived from Valhalla, perhaps they might possess information about the current whereabouts and condition of Freya.

Freya, the brave Viking princess, had fought valiantly alongside Vlad in the past, and their bond was something very important for Vlad, as she was the woman who had gained his heart. He was determined to search for her after Terra arrived in the higher dimension. If he could obtain information from these warriors about her condition beforehand, all the better.

However, before Vlad and his companions could approach the Vikings and begin their inquiries, an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended upon the plaza, instantly silencing every conversation.

Every head swiftly turned upward, their gazes drawn toward an imposing figure that appeared above the stronghold.

Hovering calmly in the sky was a youthful-looking man appearing to be in his late twenties. He had short, pitch-black hair and piercing blue eyes. A majestic white armor covered his powerful physique, while a seemingly ordinary shield hung upon his back, accompanied by a simple sword resting comfortably at his waist.

Although his appearance did not initially seem extraordinary, the immense pressure and authority radiating from him indicated clearly that this man was a true Legend—and a particularly formidable one at that.

"My name is General Tiberius!" The man’s thunderous voice resonated powerfully, echoing clearly across the entire stronghold. His gaze, sharp and cold like tempered steel, passed methodically over everyone gathered below. "I am the one in charge of the Korokor Stronghold from this day forward. If anyone has a problem with my command—then draw your sword and challenge me!"