Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1034: Trusting the Generals

Beside the Spatial Gate--

Bythor and Robin observed the main armyʼs battle in silence for several minutes. The clash had reached its zenith almost immediately after beginning. Bodies of both men and demons scattered across the field, piling higher with each passing moment as the carnage escalated. Yet, despite the chaos, the sheer scale of the conflict continued to grow.

Ships of the Grand Serpent Empire arrived in an unceasing stream, delivering fresh waves of soldiers, martial emperors, generals, and imperial guards. Some of the ships, having emptied their holds, quickly turned back north to collect reinforcements, racing against time.

Given the Empireʼs practice of targeting and salvaging enemy ships in every conceivable battle, this logistical frenzy seemed only logical. There were far more soldiers than available ships, but the vesselsʼ incredible speed, enhanced by intricate spatial law runes, compensated for their limited numbers. The near-light-speed travel between the northern and eastern regions reduced transit time to a negligible factor. In fact, the time spent loading and unloading troops proved to be the most significant delay.

On the opposing side, the demons charged with an intensity that suggested their very lives depended on it. A significant number of demon generals had already joined the fray, clashing fiercely with the imperial guards. Yet, a notable absence was felt-Amon, the commanding leader of the demons, remained unseen.

This absence stirred unease in Robin but brought a smile to Pythorʼs face. ”It seems my seventh son has managed to keep your general leashed,” he remarked smugly.

Robin chuckled, his expression unconcerned as he gestured toward the endless crimson line stretching over a hundred miles to the spatial gateʼs location. ”I donʼt mind, as long as Amon stays tied up and sends me such a large army, why would I be mad at him.”

The total number of demon troops had already swelled to nearly 20,000 and continued to grow. Their overwhelming numbers and ferocity had forced the Grand Serpent Empireʼs army, which had been closing in on the city and attacking Caesar and his forces, to rethink their strategy. Quickly, they redeployed to reinforce their main army, abandoning all other battlefronts in the process.

”Tch- Considering the sheer size of the demon forces, itʼs no surprise some managed to run away from their main battlefield and come,” Pythor muttered, waving dismissively as his gaze shifted back to Robin. The scene unfolding on the battlefield no longer held his interest. ”But these portals will stop sending reinforcements at any moment now. The moment you decided to attack my nine planets, you lost the battle of the main army.”

”That may not be entirely true,” Robin replied, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he turned to face Pythor.

Pythor however raised a single brow, skepticism etched across his face. ”Why donʼt you draw a quick map in your head of whatʼs happening right now? Do you see any hope at all?”

The numbers were stark and unforgiving. In the northern region alone, the Grand Serpent Empireʼs forces boasted an impressive 700,000 infantry, nearly a thousand martial emperors, 100 imperial guards, and around 20 generals. Even if their retreat from the giantsʼ uprising cost them a portion of their strength, their losses would be insignificant compared to their overwhelming numbers.

On the other hand, the demons, after their crushing defeat at the hands of the shadows, had been reduced to a meager 450,000 infantry and fewer than 400 demon emperors. Now, this already diminished force was locked in battle against the southern army of the Grand Serpent Empire.

This southern force, under the command of the cunning seventh prince, was a formidable legion of 600,000 infantry, 600 martial emperors, 10 generals, and 100 imperial guards. By all accounts, this southern army alone could obliterate the remaining demon forces two or three times over.

”How many of them do you think will manage to escape and join you here? Even if every last one made it, they wouldnʼt stand a chance against my northern forces, let alone those stationed in the south jump in as well.”

Pythorʼs words carried the weight of irrefutable logic, his tone exuding confidence that bordered on arrogance.

Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh

The sound of incoming reinforcements echoed through the air, as more ships descended to the battlefield, each carrying fresh troops ready to tip the scales further in the Empireʼs favor.

Like Music to Bythorʼs Ears; The warships approached one after another, each a small army in its own right. The entire formation of the Grand Serpent Empire had already shifted, the defensive lines morphing into a crescent shape designed to encircle the demons. With ruthless precision, they began advancing toward the portal to obliterate the remaining forces. ”Numbers arenʼt everything.” Robin shook his head calmly at the scene unfolding before them. Of course, he was fully aware of the Empireʼs overwhelming forces, yet his demeanor remained unshaken. ”Quality matters more.”

BOOOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted near the western walls as one of the Empireʼs flagship vessels unleashed its main cannon on the demons below.

”Haha! What quality are you talking about?” Pythor scoffed, his laughter resonating like thunder. ”What does your army have that mine doesnʼt? Our equipment is almost identical. As for the epic-tier crews you boast about, weʼve compensated with a shipment from the middle planetary belt. As for the laws? Weʼve mastered a law from the path of Destruction. And if youʼre talking about portals, we have the ships!”

He pointed, almost dismissively, toward the endless stream of demons pouring through the portal, not even bothering to look. ”Or are you referring to them? Theyʼre savages! Creatures teetering between humans and beasts. Their fearlessness in the face of death doesnʼt grant them any advantage in quality; it just makes them easier to kill!”

”You donʼt know anything about demons,” Robin replied, shaking his head. Then, with a confident smile, he added, ”And second, I wasnʼt talking about them.”

”What else could you possibly have that I donʼt?” Pythor leaned forward, his expression curious yet mocking. ”Name one thing in which you, a ruler whose empire hasnʼt even reached half a century yet, can surpass me!”

Robinʼs smile deepened, radiating unshakable confidence. ”My Generals.”

BZZZZZZTTT!

At that moment, the distant instant spatial portals- over a hundred miles away- emitted a sharp, resonating noise. From its shimmering expanse, a figure emerged, cloaked in a menacing black aura that exuded hostility even from afar. Amon had arrived.

”Hm?” Even Pythorʼs attention was immediately drawn toward the disturbance. Amonʼs overwhelming presence, dark and oppressive, rivaling that of a marshal, was impossible to

ignore.

”Tch~ Your subordinate ran from my son and left his army to suffer in his absence. Is this what you mean by the quality of your generals?” Pythor sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.

As soon as he appeared, Amon scanned the battlefield for a few moments, his piercing gaze taking in the chaos. Then, without hesitation, he raised his right hand and pointed forward.

BOOOO!

Massive horns blared from atop the nearby mountains, their deep, resonant calls echoing across the battlefield. Almost instantly, four more instant spatial portals flared to life. Each one began disgorging demons at the same relentless pace as the original. ”W-what!? Have your followers completely lost their minds?” Pythorʼs brows furrowed slightly, irritation flickering across his face. ”...No matter. Iʼd like to see just how many troops your reckless general can pull through before my seventh son crushes them from behind!”