Chapter 933: The Imperial Fleet Attacks Grigor!

The following morning, Asmodeus entered the council chamber. Several military reports covered the enormous table. Serena stood beside Alice, examining the latest intelligence. Velvet had already joined them after breakfast. Valena followed Asmodeus through the open doors.

"Good, everyone’s here," Serena said, looking up. "We’ve finished reviewing the remaining Imperial positions."

Alice placed several documents before the Emperor. Most enemy facilities had already been secured. Their surviving agents were fleeing towards Grigor. Others had abandoned their equipment and identities. However, two military detachments remained unaccounted for.

"These soldiers haven’t returned to the mainland. Our scouts believe they’re hiding among mercenaries."

Asmodeus examined the reports before nodding slowly. "Have the regional commanders deal with them. I don’t want another week wasted here."

Serena agreed and marked the remaining positions. The Valkyries could handle the scattered resistance. Their commanders already possessed the necessary intelligence. Meanwhile, the captured formations remained under guard. Alice would supervise their conversion and maintenance.

"Then what about the Imperial offensive?" Velvet asked.

"We’re changing our approach," Asmodeus answered calmly. "I won’t march an army across the ocean. Albrecht would have months to prepare himself."

He pointed towards the map of the mainland. Several ports occupied its long western coastline. Beyond them stretched the Human Empire’s heartland. Its Imperial capital remained much further inland.

"We’ll establish our position before he reacts. The army can follow once we’ve secured access."

Serena studied the proposed landing locations carefully. She understood the advantages of moving quickly. However, several considerations remained beyond their control.

"We cannot leave Lumeria completely undefended, husband."

"That’s why you’re remaining here with Alice. Keep the Valkyries ready for another attack. If anything happens, contact me immediately."

Alice frowned but didn’t challenge his decision. Someone needed to manage their captured network. More importantly, the Empire might possess replacements. Their enemies had already demonstrated considerable resources.

Valena approached the table and studied it. Her attention settled upon the Imperial capital. Asmodeus noticed her expression becoming unusually serious.

"Darling, what about my mother’s remaining body?"

"We’ll search for it while advancing inland. But we need information before entering blindly."

Valena nodded, though her fingers remained clenched. She’d waited long enough for some answers. However, she understood the importance of preparation.

Suddenly, the council doors opened without warning. A Valkyrie hurried inside carrying a sealed letter. Its envelope bore Grigor’s royal insignia.

"Your Majesty, an urgent message from Grigor."

Asmodeus accepted the letter and broke its seal. Alan’s handwriting filled the first few lines. However, his expression changed while reading further.

"Hm... So they’ve finally made their move."

Serena approached, examining the document beside him.

"What happened?"

"The Human Empire has recalled its ambassadors. Their remaining merchants received evacuation orders yesterday."

He placed the letter upon the table. Alan had also reported unusual naval movements. Imperial vessels were gathering beyond Grigor’s eastern waters.

Asmodeus looked towards the distant coastline again.

"Serena, contact our commanders and warn Grigor. I want confirmation of those ships’ positions."

If the reports were accurate, Albrecht was preparing something.

And this time, Asmodeus intended to intercept it.

Before anyone could respond, Serena’s communication crystal flashed. She immediately recognised the signal from Erika. However, the moment she activated the crystal, a distant explosion echoed through the connection.

"Your Majesty! The Imperial fleet has attacked!"

Asmodeus approached the table, his expression darkening. Erika’s breathing sounded heavy through the crystal. Several voices shouted orders behind her, followed by another explosion.

"Erika, tell me what’s happening."

"Three Imperial warships opened fire on Grigor’s coastal defences. They’ve already destroyed two watchtowers, and their smaller vessels are approaching the shoreline!"

Asmodeus frowned.

"From the sea? How the fuck are they planning to land? Grigor’s coastal cliffs are practically impossible to climb!"

"They were, darling! But don’t forget what happened during the battle against Leviathan!"

"...Ah!"

Asmodeus suddenly remembered the enormous destruction caused by Leviathan’s beams. Several portions of Grigor’s elevated coastline had been completely devastated, leaving enormous gaps and collapsed sections where sheer cliffs had once protected the kingdom.

"Those bastards are using the damaged coastline?!"

"Yes! They’ve found several openings where the cliffs collapsed. Their soldiers are already landing through those gaps!"

"How many?"

"We haven’t confirmed their numbers yet. Asmodea is tracking the landing vessels now, but the local garrisons weren’t prepared for an invasion from the sea!"

Asmodeus glanced towards the map of Grigor. The coastline had always provided natural protection, but Leviathan’s attacks had changed its geography considerably. Now those ruined stretches had become convenient landing points for the Imperial Army.

’Fuck... So they’ve taken advantage of the damage Leviathan caused.’

And with Grigor’s defenders positioned further inland, the enemy might establish a foothold before reinforcements could arrive.

"Tell the garrison to evacuate civilians. Don’t waste soldiers defending empty buildings."

"Understood!"

Another explosion interrupted Erika’s response, briefly distorting the communication.

Serena immediately summoned two nearby Valkyries. She ordered the southern garrisons placed on alert, while Alice began preparing communications for their allies.

"Should we recall the others?" Serena asked.

Asmodeus considered their positions before answering. Ciela and Elena remained inside the Elven Forest, accompanied by their twenty elite archers. Yumiko and Yuina were investigating the Beast Kingdom, while Erika and Asmodea were already in Grigor.

"No. Their assignments are still important. Warn them about the attack, but don’t recall anyone yet."

Alice nodded and prepared the necessary messages. She also intended to contact Nerim and Mei about the divine markings, though the naval threat now took priority.

"Valena and Velvet will accompany me," Asmodeus continued. "Serena, you and Alice remain in Lumeria. Keep our forces ready for another attack."

Serena frowned, examining the Imperial fleet’s position.

"Are you planning to destroy their ships?"

"Only if they refuse to withdraw. First, I want to understand their intentions."

He looked towards the communication crystal again.

"Erika, how long before those soldiers land?"

"They’re already approaching the first settlement! The garrison is trying to intercept them!"

A tremendous crash followed her answer. Several men screamed, and Erika shouted something away from the crystal before returning.

"Darling, we need reinforcements immediately!"

Asmodeus turned towards Velvet and Valena.

"Get ready. We’re leaving for Grigor."

Neither woman questioned his decision, immediately gathering their belongings while Serena issued the remaining orders.

However, before Asmodeus could leave, Alice stopped him.

"Darling, there’s something you should consider. Those ships appeared immediately after our raids."

"I know."

He glanced towards the distant eastern horizon.

’They’re either desperate to recover their losses...’

His expression hardened.

’Or they’re trying to lure me away.’

Either way, Grigor’s soldiers were already dying. Asmodeus wasn’t prepared to sacrifice them while investigating another possibility.

"Serena, protect the capital while I’m gone. If anything unusual happens, contact me immediately."

Then his enormous wings spread behind him.

The council chamber trembled beneath the sudden gust. Velvet immediately followed Asmodeus towards the balcony while Valena hurried after them, gathering her mana and stretching her dragon wings.

Meanwhile, Serena remained beside Alice, watching anxiously. Neither woman attempted to delay their departure.

Within moments, three figures soared above Lumeria. Asmodeus flew ahead, his enormous wings beating violently. Velvet followed closely, accompanied by the dragoness. Their destination lay beyond the eastern mountains, where Grigor’s damaged coastline faced the ocean.

Meanwhile, along Grigor’s eastern coastline.

BOOOOOM!

Another explosion tore through the coastal defences. Several soldiers were thrown from their positions, while others struggled to evacuate the wounded.

The cliffs were almost unrecognisable after Leviathan’s attack. Enormous sections had collapsed into the sea, leaving uneven passages between the ruined rocks. Imperial landing vessels were exploiting these openings, unloading soldiers beneath the protection of their warships.

"Retreat towards the northern road!"

A Grigorian captain desperately shouted his orders. However, another barrage struck the surrounding cliffs, sending hundreds of broken stones crashing down.

Farther above, Erika fought alongside the defenders, her attention constantly shifting towards the approaching vessels.

’Where are you, darling?!’

She’d already destroyed several landing boats, but their numbers continued increasing. Worse still, the Imperial warships had begun targeting the roads leading inland, threatening the civilians attempting to escape.

Suddenly, a familiar presence approached from behind.

"...?!"

Erika immediately turned towards the distant mountains.

Three figures had appeared above the clouds, approaching at tremendous speed.

"ASMODEUS!"

Her shout attracted several nearby soldiers.

Before anyone could react, an enormous shadow swept across the battlefield.

BOOOOOOM!

Asmodeus descended between the ruined coastline and the approaching warships, his enormous wings spreading as he examined the destruction below.

’They’ve already landed quite a few...’

Several hundred Imperial soldiers occupied the southern passage, while reinforcements continued disembarking farther along the coast.

However, his attention quickly settled upon the warships.

"Velvet, help Erika protect the defenders. Valena, find Asmodea and stop those landing vessels."

"Understood, darling!"

The two women immediately separated, descending towards their respective positions.

Asmodeus remained above the coastline, watching another barrage emerge from the Imperial fleet.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Dozens of enormous projectiles crossed the water, descending towards the retreating Grigorian soldiers.

His expression darkened.

’These bastards...’

Asmodeus extended his hand, releasing a tremendous amount of demonic mana.

BOOOOOOM!

The incoming projectiles exploded simultaneously, scattering flames and fragments harmlessly across the sky.

For several seconds, the bombardment stopped.

Then, aboard the leading Imperial warship, an officer lowered his telescope with trembling hands.

"...The Demon Emperor."

His nearby soldiers immediately turned towards him.

"Sir! What are your orders?!"

The officer swallowed before drawing his sword.

"Signal the other ships! Change targets immediately!"

Within moments, enormous cannons began rotating across the Imperial fleet, their barrels abandoning Grigor’s defences.

Every weapon was now pointing towards Asmodeus.