"Report: The commander of the Empire of Knight's Third Legion has fled to Riverside Fortress. The entire Third Legion of 50,000 troops has been reduced to fewer than 2,000."
"Report: The Empire of Ymir's Second Legion has crossed Golden City and is now engaging the main Beastmen forces on the Golden Plains."
"Disaster! Bertrand Ymir, commander of the Second Legion, has been slain by King Aila. The Second Legion is in complete disarray."
"Report: The Empire of Knight's Fifth Watchtower Army, stationed in Ashton Territory, was ambushed by Beastmen forces and suffered heavy casualties."
Hearing one piece of bad news after another, Zod Knight, the current Imperial Marshal and a sixth-rank-level powerhouse, rubbed his forehead in helplessness.
He was the youngest son of the former king, Roland Knight, and the most composed among his siblings.
This position should have been held by his second brother, but because his brother was dealing with the demon outbreak in the Snow Velvet Duchy, he and the empire's other strongholds were permanently tied up there.
"Over 300,000 superpowered soldiers… that's nearly half an empire's entire superpowered army. And with the war witch personally here, how are we supposed to fight?"
"If we mobilize the entire nation's forces, maybe our army wouldn't be weaker than theirs."
At that moment, a general approached Zod, pointing at the map on the table. He said solemnly:
"Our disadvantage stems from the Watchtower forces stationed at the Sacrifice Nation line. They've suffered severe losses during the recent Beastmen invasions, and we cannot quickly redeploy other Watchtower units.
However, if we can hold them off for a few days, the Watchtower army rushing from the Honor Nation line can completely cut off the Beastmen's supply line."
"I know that already."
Zod sighed helplessly, looking at the map displaying the Beastmen army positions. His frown deepened.
"You see, the two empire legions and one Watchtower unit cannot slow them down. How long do you think the emergency forces from the Kingdom of Selefis and the two passes can delay them?
These aren't ordinary soldiers; they are superpowered. Ordinary passes are no more than sandcastles to them."
"Actually, there might be a way," the general said, pointing at a fortress on the map—the Mandrake Pass, located at the border between Mandrake Duchy and Selefis City. It's the only road connecting the two territories. The pass was built into a canyon, flanked by towering cliffs.
"If we bury enough magical scrolls here, when the enemy army arrives, we can trigger a collapse of the cliffs on both sides, cutting off their advance."
Zod looked at the indicated location. He had considered this plan before, but if they did it, they would completely abandon Mandrake Duchy and the Watchtower Mandrake defense line.
After being forced to abandon the Snow Velvet Duchy during the demon invasion, giving up Mandrake would risk losing not only that defense line but potentially the Snow Velvet line as well.
"There's no time to hesitate, Marshal. Once Mandrake Pass is destroyed, we can move through the Free Nation. Surely, with some cost, the Ymir Empire will agree to our request."
"Is that so?"
Zod gave the general a meaningful glance. That last sentence revealed the true intention behind the words.
Although the three great empires were supposed to cooperate against the Beastmen, even siblings accounted for everything carefully, let alone three empires with completely different political systems. Schemes and intrigue had never ceased.
Zod could already imagine how the Free Nation would demand exorbitant compensation once they passed through. But he had no choice.
"Do it your way. But we cannot wait until the Beastmen enter Mandrake Pass; we must seal it beforehand. After all, that war witch personally came. Who knows if she has the means to thwart our plan?"
"Yes, sir."
…
On the walls of Heim City, Hel gazed at the distant horizon.
There, dark clouds slowly drifted toward her, as if heralding an impending storm.
Suddenly, a dialogue box popped up before her, and a chibi version of Niv leapt out.
"Master, the war witch has arrived."
"They're still coming?"
"Yes, but they haven't abandoned their westward advance. 20,000 cavalry are racing toward Riverside Fortress, expected to arrive by tomorrow noon. Behind them, another 150,000 troops are in support."
"Only 170,000 have left? That leaves 180,000 remaining."
"Yes, but 80,000 are stationed in Ashton Territory to protect their rear. Only 100,000 are crossing Ashton Bridge toward Heim, including the war witch Nikki."
"I see."
Hel looked at the approaching clouds and murmured to herself:
"It seems I'll have to make a move."
She lifted her golden sword, tilted her body, and descended from the city wall.
As she neared the ground, she seemed to defy Newton's laws, hovering less than a meter above the surface before landing steadily.
Then she stepped forward lightly, almost eerily, and walked across the moat in front of the city.
Her steps were calm, elegant, like a noble lady treading a red carpet, heading toward a stage that belonged only to her.
On the other side, Nikki charged with her elite 100,000 Wolf Cavalry toward Heim City.
This was a force of absolute elites: fully armored, riding tiered magical beasts. Their combat power rivaled that of 200,000 ordinary cavalry of the same level.
Moreover, ten sixth-rank superpowered elites accompanied Nikki, and other high-level superpowered beings accounted for half of the deployed army. This was the true core of the 350,000-strong force.
"It's about to rain."
Nikki looked at the dark clouds overhead, her lips curling slightly.
"Wolf warriors, it's time to show your valor. If you capture the city before the first drop falls, there will be great rewards."
"Awooo!"
The cavalry surged faster, but then a cricket perched on Nikki's shoulder let out a sharp cry.
This was a prearranged signal with the Insect Woman: if enemies appear ahead, the cricket chirps.
One chirp meant the enemy was far outnumbered by them.
Nikki's grin widened, revealing her sharp fangs.
"All units, enemy ahead! Charge with me!"
She roared, gripping the spear on her back.
The enemy could be a scout sent by the Death Witch, or a fleeing soldier from the Third Legion. Either way, it was no obstacle to their charge.
At that moment, it was as if Nikki could hear her ancestors singing the battle hymn, driving her unstoppable army to crush every support of the Death Witch and drag her from her safe castle to beg for mercy.
Her eyes locked forward, determined to see who dared block her path.
As her cavalry surged toward a hill, a lone figure emerged from behind it.
A child barely 1.5 meters tall, yet holding a sword nearly her own height. The slender tip of the blade dragged along the ground, carving a faint trench.
Facing the vast army, the child showed no fear, expressionless, staring as if a god surveying mortals.
She slowly lifted her golden sword, which gleamed brightly in the sunset.