Chapter 179 - 15: Head-on Clash

Chapter 179: Chapter 15: Head-on Clash

In the distance.

Black qi surged to the heavens.

The Demon Army advanced, wreathed in Demonic Qi, like a rapidly approaching abyss.

The subjects of the Red River Territory hadn’t seen such a sight in a long time.

The Demons who had been wandering the outskirts of the territory immediately scattered and fled. But most were weak; they didn’t get far before the Demonic Qi engulfed them, tearing them apart and assimilating them with its surging Magic Power.

Listening to the screams, Hammond, at the very front of the army, wore a smile.

’That Lilia has coddled her subjects into weakness.’

Half a year of living in pampered comfort had caused those Demons to lose even their most basic vigilance.

’Such a feeble territory could never be his match.’

The concept of walled cities didn’t exist in the Spirit Realm, and defensive fortifications like those built by humans were rare between territories.

When two sides went to war, one would typically lead their troops on a direct, unimpeded charge. There were no tactics, much less any finesse.

A "civilized" one like Lilia might send a Demon ahead to issue a challenge before the battle, only attacking after confirming the enemy would not surrender.

Other Demons didn’t bother with such pleasantries.

Less than five hundred meters ahead lay the Red River Territory, ruled by Lilia.

The entrance to the Red River Territory had extremely peculiar terrain.

It was flanked by high earthen slopes, with a straight path in the middle leading deep into the territory.

This was a location Lilia had chosen with great care.

In the Human World, anyone with the slightest knowledge of warfare or experience on the battlefield would understand that such terrain was incredibly dangerous and ripe for an ambush.

But unfortunately for them, Demons never considered such convoluted strategies when they went to war.

Deeper inside the valley, a sentry post was set up, blocked by a three-meter-high wooden barricade in front.

Hammond could faintly see a Demon that had managed to escape earlier, now anxiously saying something to its kin in the sentry post.

But Hammond paid it no mind.

’An obstacle of this level might stop a few stray Demons trying to sneak in and out, but before the army he led, it was no more than an ant blocking the road.’

Under his command, the army behind him didn’t slow down, clearly preparing to charge straight through and flatten the entire territory!

Demonic Qi surged into the sky, instantly filling the entire valley.

Just as the entire army entered the valley.

A thunderous rumbling suddenly echoed from both sides.

Hammond hadn’t paid it much attention at first, until cries of alarm rose and fell throughout his ranks.

Turning his head, he saw vast clouds of thick smoke rising from the slopes on both sides.

Huge boulders and thick logs were rolling down from above, aimed directly at the army below!

Hammond’s brow furrowed tightly.

It wasn’t fear, nor was it panic.

He was simply... confused.

’According to a Demon’s Constitution, falling rocks and rolling logs could hardly cause them any real harm. Even a direct hit would, at most, result in a minor injury that would quickly heal.’

’Of course, that’s not to say these preparations are completely useless, but the minor benefit was negligible compared to the time and manpower wasted preparing so many rocks and logs.’

’Is that Lord some extreme human-lover? Does she just copy every human tactic she sees, regardless of whether it’s suitable or not?’

’All this flashy but useless nonsense... she would have been better off capturing a few human Mages to set up some ambush Arrays. That might have actually inflicted some real, effective losses on his army...’

The thought had barely faded.

The previously orderly ranks suddenly fell into chaos.

Just as Hammond had thought, the falling rocks and logs couldn’t inflict any real damage on the Demons. But he had overlooked a key point.

Namely, that his army was in a narrow valley.

The space to maneuver was already limited, and the moment the debris began to fall, it threw their formation into serious disarray.

Faced with the threat from above, the Demons immediately resorted to their own methods to solve the problem.

Some halted, seeming to silently observe the situation.

Others charged forward, preparing to wrestle with the wood and stone using their physical bodies.

Of course, the majority were more sensible Demons who tried to scatter and evade before the impact.

However, lacking intelligence and any sense of unified action, they dodged in every direction—some forward, some back.

Some Demons even flew straight up the mountainside, probably thinking they’d be safer on high ground than on the valley floor.

Hammond quickly realized the enemy’s intent, but by the time he tried to give orders to salvage the situation, it was too late.

Like a stone dropped on thin ice, the once-solid formation suddenly shattered and fell apart.

And that wasn’t all.

As the concentrated Demonic Qi thinned out due to the scattering troops, blindingly brilliant lights suddenly flared up from all directions—even from the mountainsides themselves.

Hammond’s pupils constricted.

’Is that... a Magic Circle?’

’Did that woman actually capture a group of human Mages?!’

’Human Magic is severely weakened in the Spirit Realm.’

’And considering the properties of Demonic Qi, even large-scale destructive Magic would have a very limited effect against a Demon Army.’

’But limited doesn’t mean useless!’

’With so many Magic Circles, if his army was completely enveloped... even if they were only slightly injured, they would be at a disadvantage in the ensuing melee!’

Seeing his subordinates growing more panicked, Hammond immediately issued a command.

’Retreating or evading now would be extremely foolish.’

’The only way is forward!’

Receiving their Lord’s command, the Demons roared and charged forward.

Amidst the chaotic sound of footsteps, explosions erupted all around.

Hammond could feel Magic Circles being triggered one after another behind him, sending severed limbs and mangled torsos flying everywhere.

Hearing the ceaseless screams, Hammond’s pupils trembled uncontrollably.

...Something’s wrong!

’The power of the Magic is wrong.’

’If this were human Magic, it shouldn’t be this powerful.’

’Not even a High-level Mage could achieve this!’

’But if the one who set up the Arrays was a Demon...’

’Just how strong is that woman?!’

The distance of just a few hundred meters from the valley to the entrance had become an impassable minefield.

But Hammond didn’t look back, nor could he retreat.

He stared intently at the barricade before him.

’At this point, the losses from retreating would be even greater. The only option is to see this through to the bitter end, to charge forward blindly!’

The Demonic Qi in the air condensed until it was almost tangible. With an irresistible force, he smashed directly through the barricade and the sentry post!

Hammond’s momentum didn’t falter. Before he could even get a clear look at what was ahead, crimson flames rushed to meet him!

He had no time to dodge and took the hit head-on.

The flames passed through his body, bringing a searing, bone-deep pain.

"So tough."

Hammond heard a girl’s curious voice. "Are you a High-level Species?"

He snapped his head up.

Not far ahead, a girl stood gracefully.

She had black hair and black eyes, with a petite frame. She didn’t look like a Demon, but rather an exceptionally beautiful human.

Hammond’s pupils constricted.

’Such physical features... He had only ever seen them on a Lord.’

But that wasn’t what he was focused on.

The important thing was... behind the girl, there was nothing.