“Alright, I’m back. Any drastic changes?” Jin questioned Moloch, who was already yawning.
“Compared to the defence of Pandapolis, this is absolute child’s play. I have already cornered most of the possible entrances with the newly acquired Demons. Even send Princess Gapp and her Battalion of Wights into the fray. They are instrumental against the steampunk suits, especially the Soldiers of Sapphire. Ever since Qiu Yue demonstrated how effective ice magic is against the steam equipment, we have been utilising that to our advantage.” Moloch explained as he gave Jin the overall battlefield report.
“Eh, but isn’t it completely useless against rats that are partially infused with those steam tech, as they can detach their equipment and charge against us with melee weapons? According to the System, there is an overwhelming number of those.” Jin stated the obvious.
“Duh. That just means our ice wielders have become their top priority while we take chances to disable their big guys if possible…and that is if they appear.”
“So, they are already starting to adapt to our strategy… Welp, at least if we can keep up the pressure against the rats. They will eventually have to send a large platoon of those armoured fellows out then we can use our heavy hitters to finish them all at once.” Jin suggested, and Moloch told him that he was counting on Frost Echo and his Shaitan.
“That is assuming Shiva is not throwing her usual tantrums and will be willing to come out and play,” Moloch recalled how much of a close call it was last time. “Also, the System had informed me that the significant magic signals at the top of the castle have disappeared. Welihelm and Olgret, the North and South Scholars respectively, have disappeared. According to Weslie and Gold assumption, they most likely have returned to the capital.”
“It probably looked like they felt the raid was a failure and fell back. Quite a tactical move.” Jin believed that those scholars might not be the same as the big bad bosses he had encountered before.
Unlike the Goblin King, King Baal or even Maeve they were more cautious to failures and didn’t hesitate to retreat when the situation turned sour. With the revelation of Jin’s troops as well as a major weakness in their steam technology, the scholars were probably pulling back to perform a few adjustments to their plans before coming back once they felt ready.
“Meh, I think they are just wussies who knew how to run away in the nick of time. Speaking of time, aren’t you going to assist the crisis in your world? I heard things are getting worse.” Moloch questioned.
“Since the System has yet to inform me of something drastic happening or pressure me into joining the frontlines, I assume it is still all good?” Jin said and was waiting for the System’s response.
“The situation in Huizhou is still stable. Both the Snakes and Tigers have managed to suppress the Monster Horde with their combined forces. However, they are not taking any chances. Huizhou Police and its civil defence forces have already been called in to help evacuate the people living near the borders should the worst-case scenario arise.” The System reported.
“Then what about Dongguan?” Jin felt that the System was actually keeping the bad news as the last.
“A portion of their border wall broke down about 4 minutes and 34 seconds ago…the Royal Horse Battalion has managed to scramble and fill the gap as soon as possible, but a few of the Demons slipped through. Ironically, the Demon Exorcists under User’s care are contending against them as we speak. Past Sub System User Yuan has also called for the evacuation early enough, so most of the destroyed buildings were empty, enabling the Demon Exorcists to go all out against those Demons.” The System gave a simplified report.
“Most huh? So there are some who were unwilling to evacuate.” Jin pondered on the report for a moment.
“It happens. Not everyone has the guts to put everything down and run away when all they have is just that roof under your head.” Moloch chimed in as if he knew what those people were thinking of.
“Will the government at least repay them or something? Surely we have some Monster Damage Act or something like that?” Jin asked the System.
“There is the Disaster Repatriation Act. Not everyone is eligible to that act, and even if the poorer class of citizens were to take full advantage of its benefits, it would not be sufficient to buy back an apartment or room.” The System answered, and Jin sighed heavily as he could not do much for them.
He was not a politician who had the power to rewrite those laws, nor was he a philanthropist rich enough to save them from poverty. But there was something he could do which might indirectly affect them and get them through safely.
The counter offensive plan aimed to lure those monsters away and reduce the horde’s size. That should not only lower the battle strain in favour of the Royal Horse Battalion and Border Guards but also fill up his Spiraling Sewers Instance helping him earn a living.
However, the System had recommended not to proceed with the counter offence plan because of the new variable that appeared within the equation.
The Banned Emperor Assassins.
The System had managed to photograph a second person controlling the Demons before the passing magpie was discovered and strangled to death by his summons.
The surrounding magpies had noticed that the revelation of the second person caused the Demons to act even more impulsive and their attacks were noticeably potent against the defending Royal Horse Battalion.
By now, the Royal Horse General Xi Le Ma had long since abandoned his prideful attitude and requested help from the Royal Tigers and Royal Snakes battalion. He even urgently asked for more reinforcements from the main headquarters of the China Armed Forces, begging them to send in air support. Be it bombs or additional personnel, he did not care as long as he could suppress the Monster Horde before it crossed through the border once more.
Of course, the Border Guards were not very optimistic about any sort of reinforcements reaching in time ever since the first crack appeared on their walls. The very same wall which had stood firm for centuries imbued with inscriptions that could not be authentically recreated in the modern world. Those walls were said to be sacred shields to protect the people, and they had done their job with valour for all those years.
A few of those Bone Infused Spirit Demons were able to blast a crater in the forest landscape and yet their attacks were deflected multiple times by the border wall before it started to show weakness, showcasing that the inscriptions were doing their jobs.
Unfortunately, the firepower on the Border Walls had drastically been reduced since the local budget had prioritised economic aspects which had been deemed more important than a few monsters pouncing onto the walls every so often. The guards still had sufficient strength to subdue minor incidents, but throughout the years, it has become a dead-end job or for people who did not worry much about career progression.
That was why the Border Guards were having as much trouble as the Royal Horse Battalion. Some of them even had to resort to picking up rifles from the dead Royal Horse soldiers to continue their fight against the Monster Horde.
But despite the fears for the loss of life and the wounds they suffered, the soldiers were unwavering in their determination to protect the city, which was right behind them.
They knew it was a losing battle. They knew that their tears were running down their face and yet both battalions were buying as much time as possible for people to run away.
For it is the duty of a soldier to serve and protect.
