“Count the casualties.”
As the battle concluded, the commander’s heart trembled at the sight of their losses.
Despite being well-prepared and having the numerical advantage, they had suffered an appalling exchange ratio.
Both the ferocious leaping insects and the tall creatures that spat acid from a kilometer away were exceptionally difficult to handle.
“Sir, we should retreat.”
“Let’s go.”
To avoid a total wipeout, he immediately ordered a full withdrawal.
At this moment, the battlefield was still littered with pools of acid.
Because the chemical reactions had finished, stepping on it was no longer dangerous. However, the sticky sensation of acid mixed with blood still caused many soldiers deep physical and mental discomfort.
“So these are the monsters that attacked the City of Darkness? No wonder that city fell so suddenly.”
With the sheer ferocity of these magic beasts, it would only take a slightly larger number to bring any city down.
...
Watching the men slowly depart, Xia Jin did not send her troops to pursue them.
“I’ll just take my time mass-producing my army. Count Amelo, I wonder if you’ll actually dare to send your forces to war with me.”
A flicker of a smile appeared in her eyes, clearly showing a hint of anticipation.
Normally, humans would not dare to start a war with a magic beast collective.
Similarly, magic beasts were very wary of initiating wars with humans.
But that did not mean there were no conflicts.
For hundreds of years, large-scale hunting by adventurers and harassment by magic beasts had never ceased.
Xia Jin’s actions were undoubtedly pushing the conflict between the two sides up a notch.
Since the fighting occurred on the outskirts of the forest and the borders of a human kingdom, it would be difficult to classify it as a full-blown conflict between species as long as it didn't escalate beyond a certain point.
In the eyes of the mythic kings, it was likely viewed as: “What does the friction between a minor magic beast lord on the outskirts and your human borders have to do with me?”
In the eyes of humans, it was a unilateral conflict between the kingdom and magic beasts.
As long as both sides showed some restraint once the war actually began and didn't drag in other factions, it would be considered nothing more than a border skirmish.
Xia Jin believed that after she conquered the entire kingdom, the Zerg’s strength would experience explosive growth.
By then, she would have the confidence to actively provoke a species war between humans and magic beasts.
...
The remaining 300-plus soldiers returned to Count Amelo’s territory with their injuries.
The City Guard responsible for greeting them looked on in shock.
“What happened? Did you fight magic beasts?”
“Yes. Prepare a warhorse; I need to reach the Count immediately,” the commander ordered as he stepped forward.
“Yes, sir!”
Within minutes, a fine warhorse was brought to the scene.
With a light leap, he mounted the horse and rode off into the distance without looking back.
Several hours later, the warhorse charged into Tate, over a hundred kilometers away, and went straight to the central manor.
Leaning back in his chair and enjoying a dance performance, Count Amelo straightened up the moment he saw him.
“My Lord, the exploration force was attacked by magic beasts—the very same creatures that raided the City of Darkness. It is now confirmed that the fall of the City of Darkness is related to a magic beast lord.”
“Oh? How is their strength?” The Count frowned.
“Extremely powerful. If not for the mage unit, our losses would have been catastrophic.”
The commander’s words caused the Count’s heart to sink.
Getting into a conflict with a lord-class existence was something he was reluctant to consider.
After all, his own military power could hardly be called overwhelming. It would be very bad if the surrounding lords significantly surpassed him.
“What do you think we should do?” he asked his confidant with a smile.
“From the current situation, these magic beasts harbor extreme malice toward us.”
“Mm.”
The Count nodded.
He thought for a moment, then turned to the man beside him. “General, what do you think the consequences will be if we go to war with this magic beast?”
“Even if we go to war, we cannot give them a pretext to claim that we were the ones who invaded first,” the man said calmly.
“Indeed.”
The Count realized that this point was indeed very important.
“In the coming days, go and spread the word. Say that our exploration team went into the forest to save recently missing adventurers and was subsequently invaded by magic beasts. Also, mention that these magic beasts have seized the territory of the City of Darkness and are now setting their sights on the kingdom.”
“Yes, sir!”
The commander of the exploration force acknowledged the order and immediately left the hall.
Over the next few days, just as the Count hoped, related rumors began to spread throughout the region. Some people even disguised themselves as commoners to carry the news to neighboring areas.
For any power, a war required thorough preparation. Amelo could not launch an all-out offensive instantly like the Zerg could.
He needed to spend time preparing for combat.
Of course, looking at this process, he wasn't particularly eager to start the war with the magic beasts.
Since the opponent wasn't an ordinary magic beast lord, it was necessary to make the most thorough preparations to ensure victory.
Thus, in the days that followed, various messengers scurried back and forth to contact retired mages or hire from the Mages Guild. Meanwhile, the garrisons from different regions assembled toward the forest at a rapid pace.
Communication technology provided by magic undoubtedly accelerated the preparation process significantly.
Through the subordinates she had sent out, Xia Jin had a clear grasp of the situation.
“It seems the Count isn't in a hurry at all.”
Xia Jin watched this unfold, a smile playing on her lips.
Compared to the other side, she was naturally even more composed.
With her army growing by 2,500 insects every day, this war would only become increasingly favorable for her.
In fact, she had recently stopped producing drones, pouring almost all her resources into combat insects.
Rate on N.U.
