After achieving victory in the battle at Posi City, the New Imperial Army quickly finished resting and advanced toward the capital of the Saint Luo Empire at the fastest possible speed.
Wade reported to Stella, “Your Highness Stella, we are about to reach the capital!
If the intelligence obtained from Kaiso is accurate, the main force of the imperial army has already been defeated by us. The capital’s defenses are now empty and should be unable to withstand our assault. Victory is right before our eyes!”
“It shouldn’t be that simple. If the situation were truly like that, Soren would have already fled the capital. The fact that he is still remaining here means he still has trump cards he has yet to play.”
Stella was not as optimistic as Wade. Instead, she was filled with worry.
The closer they drew to the capital, the more uneasy she felt, as if something bad was about to happen.
“Your Highness Stella, this is bad!”
A scout on horseback arrived in front of Stella, looking somewhat panicked.
Stella quickly asked, “What happened?”
Before approaching the capital, she had already dispatched reconnaissance units to investigate the situation inside.
“Yes… no, Your Highness Stella, it’s the Holy Knight Order! We discovered that the Holy Knight Order has taken over the duties originally held by the imperial army. They are currently defending the capital.”
“The Holy Knight Order?” Stella frowned. “Could it be that there are still imperial troops left behind in the capital?”
“The Holy Knight Order actually still has combat strength remaining within the empire?”
Stella was somewhat surprised.
She had indeed anticipated this possibility—that at a moment like this, Soren would request aid from the Holy Land.
However, she truly had not expected that the Holy Land had not committed all of its main forces to the empire’s border, and that the reinforcements would arrive so quickly.
“This is bad, Your Highness Stella. Kaiso was probably just a tool used to delay us!” Wade suddenly realized. “Soren never expected Kaiso to defeat us at all. He simply wanted to use Kaiso to pin us down so that he would have time to request reinforcements from the Holy Land. What he truly relied on was the Holy Knight Order of the Holy Land!”
“Soren, you truly live up to your reputation. In order to protect your throne, you actually treated your own blood brother as cannon fodder.”
Stella narrowed her eyes.
As expected, sitting and waiting for death was not something Soren would ever do.
“What should we do, Your Highness Stella? The combat strength of the Holy Knight Order is truly formidable. Should we turn back and return to Posi City to plan things out carefully?”
Wade was somewhat panicked.
This was rebellion. If they lost, it would not only mean losing the power in their hands—it would mean losing their heads as well.
“No. We absolutely cannot turn back. Returning now would mean complete defeat.”
Stella immediately rejected Wade’s proposal. She did not fall into panic.
“Wade, think carefully. Although Soren used Kaiso to delay us, the time we took to deal with Kaiso was also very short. We did not give Soren much time. Even if the Holy Knight Order is being mobilized, they can only mobilize the nearby units. Units farther away absolutely cannot arrive this quickly.
If we withdraw now and wait until all the Holy Knight Order forces remaining within the empire fully gather in the capital, we will truly have no chance at all. We should seize this opportunity right now and launch a fierce assault.”
“That… is true.”
After hearing Stella’s decision, Wade couldn’t help but widen his eyes. He was astonished by Stella’s courage.
Thinking carefully, it might indeed be the case. If they truly returned, the capital would completely become an impregnable fortress. With their strength, they would no longer have any chance of breaking through. If they fought with everything they had now, there was still a thread of hope.
“We have no way out, Wade. If we retreat here, everyone will die. Right now we only have one path—break into the capital, defeat the Holy Knight Order that has not yet fully taken shape, and drag Soren down from the throne.”
Stella spoke seriously.
“Then it shall be as you say, Your Highness Stella. Let’s go all out!”
Wade clenched his fist.
He had already followed Stella and witnessed one miraculous victory. This time, he also believed in her.
Immediately after, he looked toward his subordinates.
“Pass down the order. The New Imperial Army is about to engage the Holy Knight Order in battle. Storm the capital. We must achieve victory in this battle!”
“Demon King.”
“Hmm?”
“The New Imperial Army has encountered some trouble. The Holy Knight Order is currently defending the capital. The clerics’ sacred art barriers are blocking the New Imperial Army.
Within the protection of the sacred art barriers, the Holy Knight Order is continuously launching long-range attacks against the New Imperial Army. The New Imperial Army is being unilaterally worn down. If this situation continues, the outcome will be decided very soon.”
Alef was reporting the frontline situation to Via.
“I see.” Via indicated that she understood.
“Demon King, what should we do next?”
“Since the battle has reached a stalemate, it should be our turn to make a move and change the situation.”
Via stood up from the war chariot. She stretched out her hand and pinched the dragon tail beside her.
Albion, who had been sleeping soundly, opened her eyes with a dazed expression.
“…?”
“Albion, it’s time to wake up. We’re going to the battlefield.” Via pointed toward the sky ahead.
“Mm.”
Albion quickly understood Via’s meaning. She jumped up from the war chariot and, in midair, transformed into a massive Abyss Dragon.
Via leaped onto Albion’s back and looked down at Alef as she issued the combat order.
“Alef, lead the vanguard forces into action now. In a moment, I will tear open a gap in the clerics’ sacred art barrier. Your main task is to intercept the clerics who try to repair the opening and allow the New Imperial Army to break into the capital.”
“Understood, Demon King.” Alef bowed to Via and accepted the order.
“Let’s go, Albion.”
Albion let out a long roar, fully awake, and rapidly flew forward at astonishing speed, quickly arriving above the battlefield.
Via glanced downward and, through mana, confirmed Stella’s position amid the complex battlefield.
Stella also sensed something and raised her head. Seeing Via in the sky, a look of delighted surprise appeared on her face.
Via said nothing. She simply offered a smile.
The two of them shared a strong tacit understanding. Even without exchanging words, they already understood what the other was thinking.
Stella waved her hand forward and issued an order for a fierce assault to the New Imperial Army that was currently defending against the sacred art strikes.
Via turned her head, raised a finger, and pointed toward the magnificent capital enveloped in golden light.
“Albion, charge!”
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