Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 701: Marching Into Hostile Territory

We marched through the vast plains that separated Canisgard from the lionkin border, a force of 20,000 dogkin warriors moving as one. These combatants were warriors born into war, raised by it, and now prepared to use their accumulated prowess to exterminate a fellow beastkin race.

After only a few minutes of travel, we set foot into hostile territory. Instead of the large fields full of rich grass, the dry, cracked soil of the lionkin lands welcomed us. The earth felt vastly different beneath my boots, like it had been drained of life itself.

And then, after only a few more minutes of travel, we saw it.

The remnants of the lionkin settlement we had devastated alongside the resistance army led by Kargrim. The little town that had once stood tall was now but a husk of its former self, with scorched ruins stretching everywhere. The true horror, however, was what lurked within the wreckage.

Even now, after a full dayʼs passing, a few grotesque figures still shambled around on the streets. The undead army the necromancer woman had left behind was driven by nothing but their insatiable hunger to consume life now that they had lost their connection to their master. They were searching through the ruins for signs of life they could extinguish.

Fenrik, the second prince, smirked at the sight as he turned toward us and explained what was going on. ”We used our fastest scouts as bait, drawing them toward lionkin lands instead of ours. Let them deal with their own mess. It seems a few remained behind, though.”

We quickly dispatched the undead and resumed our march.

As we pressed on, we saw more and more slain skeletons, their bodies lying in broken heaps. Yet, something was odd.

”Not many lionkin corpses,” Vargis mused, tapping a boot against a severed undead head. ”Seems like their allies took care of them instead.”

I nodded. ”A fellow necromancer, most likely.”

Minutes passed, and the trail of devastation stretched on for miles. By the time we reached a natural crossroad in the land, Vargis called for a halt. His deep, commanding voice carried over the army, silencing the warriors instantly.

His two sons, Darius and Fenrik, approached alongside a few grizzled veteran warriors, standing beside their leader as he unrolled a crude but effective map of the lionkin lands.

”Weʼre nearing our first major obstacle,” Vargis stated, with his sharp eyes scanning the gathered leaders. ”Three major settlements stand between us and Lionheart, each acting as a key stronghold weʼll aim to destroy.” He pointed at three different locations marked on the map.

”First, Wartorn, a heavily fortified outpost guarding the eastern route. Second, Emberfang, a supply town known for its war beasts. Lastly, Sunscar, the closest to the capital, a major military hub.”

”Weʼll split up from here,” Vargis continued. ”If we march together, we risk getting not only surrounded but coming into friendly fire. We form smaller battle teams and cover for each other. Meanwhile, I will push forward with the main army, keeping the bulk of their forces occupied.”

Fenrik grinned. ”Sounds good to me.”

Darius voiced his approval with a short grunt. ”Efficient. I like it.”

The other leaders also approved of the plan.

Then, Vargisʼs gaze landed on us. ”Red-Eyed Demon, youʼll be leading your own battle team consisting of Consortium members. Mixing our warriors with you people is asking for a disaster due to not having a chance to train together beforehand.” ɽＡℕỔ𝖇ЁṦ

The white-haired beautyʼs lips curled into a smile. ”Sounds good to me, Papa Vargis.”

The chieftainʼs lips twitched in irritation but elected to ignore her remark. ”You humans proved your ability to fight against war beasts in the resistanceʼs skirmish against the attacking lionkin army. Following Dariusʼs team of elites and two more teams, I want you to scope out Emberfang. If you think you can begin messing with them using guerilla tactics, then go ahead; if not, wait for us until we catch up to you after taking over Wartorn. Fenrik, you take another three teams of elites with you and do the same with Sunscar. The rest of you will be covering the main armyʼs flanks.”

Everyone voiced their understanding, and we departed together with Darius. Each dogkin team consisted of ten elite warriors who should be around the higher end of the Shadow Vanguard rank or the lower end of the Veil Walker-ranked Consortium Members, such as Raika and Ignis, while the team captains were definitely Veil Walker equivalents, close to Vex.

As such, our little group was a truly impressive force.

There was one major difference between Earth and Thalorind in how large-scale warfare was conducted.

On Earth, especially in previous centuries, people marched and fought together, shoulder-to-shoulder. Strength was in the numbers. However, when it came to Thalorind, numbers could only do so much because the top-tier combatants were basically bulletproof tanks that could not only outrun sports cars but also hit harder than rocket launchers.

As such, these elites would often form smaller teams of their own who moved separately from the main armies, for the large numbers of their own weaker allies would only get in their way.

It was these small teams that engaged with the enemyʼs small, elite teams while the main armies engaged each other. Usually, the fights of the elites were the true deciding factors on the outcome of war, but there were examples of the bulk made up of weaker members rushing to the side of their elites after winning their fight and turning the tides that way.

We traversed at a fast pace; now, even the less physical members such as Aurora had gained enough Agility stat not to slow us down too much. The fact that we didnʼt meet a single soul for miles upon miles showed just how bleak the opposite sideʼs current standing was. They didnʼt have enough members to protect their borders due to all the enemies they had to face all at once, so they were forced to move further into their territories where they could mount a proper defense. Or so I assumed their strategy to be.

When we reached the 10-mile radius of Emberfang, Blossomʼs nose twitched at long last.

”Ghosty smells lionkin,” she informed, and we each halted.

Doubt flickered through the expressions of several elites as they exchanged surprised glances, subtly raising their noses to the air. They inhaled deeply, attempting to catch even the faintest hint of what Blossom had detected.

Nothing.

Darius frowned, visibly skeptical. ”Are you sure, young lady?”

Blossom nodded confidently and even ventured to detail further. ”Ghosty smells three lionkin. Theyʼre armed in starforged armor and wield metal weapons. Based on their scent, their levels should be in the upper thirties or lower forties.”

This declaration of hers made the skepticism further thicken in the air. A few warriors shifted uncomfortably while others outright furrowed their brows. Even the older leaders narrowed their eyes.

”Little girl,” one of the two team captains finally spoke up. His tone spoke volumes of condescension toward a youth he caught in a lie. ”Smelling oneʼs level is almost impossible. It takes centuries of dedicated learning for our most gifted members, and even then, their results are hit or miss at best.”

I let a smug smile creep beneath my mask. My precious dog girl had evolved beyond a mere Phantom Canine. As a Void Stalker, it seemed her senses were beyond what even these seasoned warriors could fathom.

Vex, who had been silently observing, turned to me with a questioning look, clearly sharing the same doubts as the dogkin elites. But when I met her gaze and gave a firm nod of my head, her lips curled into an amused smile. She understood. And more importantly, she trusted me.

”Letʼs give Ghosty a chance to shine,” Vex declared, using her authority to silence the murmurs of doubt.

With that, we moved.

Blossom took the lead, gliding through the terrain as if she were an unseen shadow, perfectly living up to her given alias of Ghost. Pride swelled in my heart as I watched how much sheʼd improved compared to when we started adventuring together. We followed Blossom in formation, moving as silently as we could. My smug grin only widened when, one by one, the other elites began twitching their noses.

Their expressions shifted.

First, from overwhelming doubt to shocked realization.

Then, to reluctant admiration.

They could smell them now.

Blossom had been right all along.