The Next Morning, Kankal City
With the first rays of dawn, the vast military camp of Kankal City came to life. The deep echoes of war horns resounded through the sky. The clash of iron armor, the neighing of horses, and the synchronized footsteps of countless soldiers spread throughout the entire city.
Today...
It was the day of departure.
One hundred thousand soldiers and thousands of low-level cultivators stood in perfectly organized ranks. Determination was clearly visible upon every face. The command of the vanguard had been entrusted to Lith Yakshini.
She stood at the very front. Her sharp eyes swept across the entire army. Years of experience and the vengeance burning within her had made her presence even more commanding.
She slowly raised her hand.
"Move out!"
With that single command, the entire army advanced together.
The earth itself seemed to tremble.
The thunderous march of one hundred thousand soldiers echoed across the land, while thousands of cultivators followed behind them in disciplined formations, maintaining the army's pace. From time to time, the leaders of the smaller units issued commands to their respective soldiers as they continued marching forward.
Approximately two steps behind Lith, Master Jins walked calmly. The same unwavering composure remained upon his face, as though he had already accepted the outcome of this entire campaign.
The responsibility for the center of the army rested upon Liora and Luna.
Liora continuously kept watch over the formation and discipline of the soldiers, while Luna ensured that not a single moment of negligence occurred in the management of food supplies, water, medicine, and every essential necessity.
At the very rear...
Lily and Snehwal walked side by side.
Neither of them spoke much.
Both of them understood that time had become far more important than words.
The journey to Inferna City would take seven days~provided they marched throughout the day on foot and rested only during the nights.
The journey began. One day passed... Then another... Slowly, the passing days turned into an entire week.
Crossing dense forests, rocky roads, towering valleys, and vast plains, the enormous army continued advancing without pause.
On the evening of the seventh day...
The towering walls of Inferna City finally appeared upon the distant horizon. The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the entire city in a magnificent glow.
The city was alive.
The marketplaces had begun to fill with people. Lamps were already glowing outside the shops. The voices of merchants, the laughter of children, and the bustling sounds of the streets echoed throughout the surroundings.
However... The moment the people laid eyes upon the massive army, the entire city fell into stunned silence.
The disciplined sea of one hundred thousand soldiers slowly marched through the city's main streets toward the palace.
People stood along both sides of the roads, watching the astonishing sight in complete amazement.
Before long, the army arrived at the main gate of the palace.
At that very moment, the enormous gates slowly opened.
The elderly woman who had taken responsibility for governing Inferna City stepped outside.
She walked forward and respectfully lowered her head.
"Master Jins..." The respect in her voice was unmistakable. "Welcome to Inferna City."
She folded her hands and invited everyone inside the palace.
However, in the very next moment, she spoke politely, "The palace is not large enough to accommodate the entire army. If you permit it, the soldiers should remain stationed outside the city and around the outer perimeter of the palace."
Master Jins calmly nodded in agreement. "That would be the most appropriate arrangement."
The exhaustion of seven continuous days of travel was now clearly visible upon every soldier's face.
As soon as the order was given, the army began dividing into different units.
Some soldiers were immediately assigned to guard duty. Some began setting up military camps.
And those who were permitted to rest headed toward the streets and marketplaces of Inferna City, hoping to enjoy the lively atmosphere for a short while after such a long journey.
The coordination of the entire operation still rested upon Lith Yakshini's shoulders.
She continuously moved from one unit to another, personally supervising every single arrangement.
Because she understood very well... This was only a temporary stop. The real war... Had yet to begin.
However... Amidst the bustling streets of the city and the movements of the soldiers, somewhere, an unseen pair of eyes was watching everything.
It remained so perfectly concealed that no one could have sensed its existence.
It was like a silent alarm... one that remained quiet for now, yet would ring directly within King Omas's court when the right moment arrived.
After all... King Omas's network of spies was spread throughout the entire Land of Consciousness.
Their eyes were present in every city, every road, and throughout the entire empire.
For any secret to remain hidden from them for long... Was almost impossible.