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Chapter 2224 Operation Dreaded Winter -Part 12

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold, the battlefield was alive with chaos. What had initially appeared to be a mere scuffle between the Demon Rats and the Demonish Orcs soon morphed into a full-blown spectacle.

The Humans, perched on the outskirts of the conflict, watched intently, their expressions ranging from confusion to cautious glee. From their vantage point, it was difficult to decipher the true nature of the clash unfolding before them. To the untrained eye, it seemed a brawl born from irreconcilable differences, yet there was an underlying current that suggested a far more complex story.

The cheering that resonated from the ranks of Demons was a curious phenomenon. Each faction rallied behind their champions as if the battles were not merely skirmishes but it looked as if they were grand tournaments. It was a cacophony of shouts and jeers, louder with each decisive strike and triumphant cry.

The Humans, lacking the context of this bizarre contest, could only speculate. Could it be that the Demons were entrenched in a power struggle? Were alliances fracturing, giving way to a new hierarchy among the creatures of the night? These questions lingered in the minds of the military human leaders, who were now weighing their options more carefully.

Inside the war room, voices clashed like swords. Some leaders argued for immediate intervention, feeling the urgency of the moment. Others, however, advocated for a more passive strategy. "Let them fight it out," one senior commander insisted, his voice steady. "If we wait, there's a chance they'll weaken each other significantly. We can strike when they're at their most vulnerable." It was a gamble, one that could either pay off handsomely or lead to dire consequences.

Yet, the allure of a thinning horde was too tempting to resist. On the makeshift duelling arena, the tide turned in favour of the Demon Rats, who, despite their smaller stature, fought with a fierce determination. Their nimbleness became their greatest asset as they dodged the heavy swings of the Orcs, whose brute force was slowly sapped by fatigue.

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The Humans marvelled from afar, their hopes lifting with each victory claimed by the Rats. As the day progressed, the scent of sweat and blood mingled in the air, a testament to the ferocity of the combatants. The engagement reached its zenith when a particularly audacious group of Orcs charged into the fray, their numbers bolstering the beleaguered ranks.

It was a desperate attempt to reclaim dominance, and for a moment, it seemed as though victory was within their grasp. However, the tenacity of the Demon Rats shone through. They fought like cornered animals, and in their eyes burned the fire of survival. The Humans, watching this display of raw, primal instinct, found themselves caught up in the event, their initial fears replaced by an almost morbid fascination. As the sun finally set, casting long shadows over the battlefield, the cheers of the Demon Rats echoed victoriously.

Meanwhile, the King watched from the sidelines with a mixture of concern and relief when he watched the tense atmosphere lingered among his people as the Demon Hordes engaged in fierce sparring matches. But at the same time, he sensed that lady luck might be on their side, at least for the moment. If they were killing each other, surely the numbers would dip, right?

Unbeknownst to him, the Demon Hordes had an ace up their sleeves: the ability to be revived after their skirmishes. With this unique advantage, they felt no need to hold back, fully aware that they could be brought back into the fray whenever necessary. The System, a powerful entity overseeing the events, had also taken a dispassionate stance. It understood that while the current sparring was merely a distraction, it could also serve as a valuable training ground for the Hordes.

The System had amassed countless souls from its numerous search and destroy missions, granting it the resources to sustain these battles. As the Demon Hordes engaged in their contests, the System focused on gathering data, analysing the combat styles and techniques that emerged in the arena.

Within the depths of this intricate network, Jin, a literal commanding figure within the System, had issued an unexpected directive. He had given the Demon Hordes permission to 'starve' the various capitals that had fallen under their dominion.

This decision raised eyebrows, as it seemed counterproductive to weaken their control over these territories. When questioned about his rationale, Jin elaborated on an idea that had begun to take shape in his mind.

He believed that establishing mass automated factories in the territories recommended by Half Ghoul Lord Derek would be more efficient than converting the human populace for resources. Jin outlined his strategy, noting that the remnants of Mong and a few survivors from Ends could suffice for the future production needs of these factories.

The logistics of maintaining a large human population under Ress's control would only complicate matters, making the governance of such a kingdom a daunting task. As whispers of the Demon Hordes' sparring spread throughout the expansive system communication network, it ignited a spontaneous fire among the separate Demon Hordes in other kingdoms.

They felt a surge of motivation, inspired by the battles taking place in Trin. Each faction began to engage in their own sparring activities, not only honing their skills but also fostering camaraderie among their ranks. The echoes of their clashes resonated far and wide, creating a ripple effect that spread through their territories. As the various factions trained, the System monitored the developments closely. It recognized that there was an untapped potential within these Hordes, one that could be harnessed for greater purposes. The competitive spirit fostered by the sparring would ultimately serve to strengthen their capabilities, preparing them for the challenges that lay ahead.

The Demon Hordes, once thought to be mindless beasts, reveal a surprising depth of strategy and cunning. As they engage in their own internal machinations, a false impression of discord arises and it continued providing a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered humans trapped within the besieged Inner Quarters of Trin.

If there were Observers to ponder why these formidable creatures would engage in such tactics, it would eventually become clear that their relentless toil within Jin's Dungeons and Pandas has cultivated a unique dynamic between their role as actors for dungeon instances and when they were a slaughter machine. These demons, bred for dominance and superiority, are now grappling with an inflated sense of self-worth, one that compels them to toy with their human adversaries rather than simply crush them. With Jin's approval, it further solidifies this notion and they worked doubly hard to maintain that approval.

Yet, beneath this facade of infighting lies a strategic purpose in Jin's orders. The monsters are also seizing the opportunity presented by the wintery landscape to explore their surroundings, mapping the terrain as they prepare for an ambitious new venture: the establishment of massive automated factories.

The ongoing siege of key capitals has provided the necessary resources, liberating them from dependency on the System that once governed their every move. This shift grants the System a momentary reprieve, allowing it to recalibrate and enhance its operations, ultimately benefiting Jin in the long run. As the Demon Hordes fortify their positions and gather their spoils, the trapped humans face a dire predicament.

Their resources are rapidly depleting, and the haunting spectre of starvation looms large over the Inner Quarters. The survivors cling desperately to the hope that a miracle might save them, but the reality is far more grim. Rationing their meagre food supplies only prolongs the inevitable, as each passing day brings them closer to a breaking point.

The tantalizing prospect of the demon's leftover provisions in the outer quarters creates a painful tension, yet the fear of retaliation prevents them from even considering a daring escape. The irony of the situation is unmistakable. While the Demon Hordes revel in their newfound dominance, honing their skills and revelling in the abundance left behind by the humans, the survivors grow weaker by the day.

Their spirit is tested as they grapple with the choice between potential salvation and the stark reality of their existence. As the days stretch into a blur of hunger and despair, the demons, oblivious to the plight of their human counterparts, continue their relentless training, unknowingly ensuring their own victory in this grim game of survival. The balance of power, once perceived to be tipped overwhelmingly in favour of the demons, begins to shift even more as desperation mounts among the trapped humans.

It was to the point where most of their military leaders in Trin felt that the time for action was coming. The threat from the Demon Horde loomed larger with each passing day, and the need for a decisive counterattack grew more urgent.

For weeks, they had hoarded magical resources, preparing an arsenal of destructive spells that could turn the tide of battle. The King, ever cautious and astute, had rationed food and supplies, knowing that the kingdom's survival depended on their next move.

On a stormy night, with clouds swirling ominously above, the King made a choice that would alter the fate of his realm forever. He ordered the mages to unleash their magic, believing that the demons would be caught off guard and unable to thwart their impending onslaught. However, unbeknownst to the people of Trin, an unseen force was watching.

The System detected the surge of energy emanating from the Castle's Inner Quarters and this was confirmed based on the Demon Mages sensitivity traits to mana. As the first spell erupted into the night sky, a brilliant blaze that promised destruction, and thus the Demon Mages requested the System to respond with equal force.

Anti-Isolation Barriers immediately sprang into existence, cloaking the area in shimmering light. The magic that the mages and scholars had so carefully crafted was suddenly rendered ineffective. The mages watched in horror as their spells fizzled out, their hopes of a swift victory dashed in an instant.

Panic rippled through the Inner Quarters.

The scholars, who had once held a semblance of confidence, now scrambled to comprehend the situation. "What is happening?" one of them cried, his voice laced with desperation. "Our magic—it's gone!" The realisation struck like a thunderclap: the Demon Horde had somehow manipulated the very fabric of their magical reality, disrupting their powers with a tactic they had never anticipated.

The mages, previously brimming with confidence, now felt vulnerable and exposed, their magical prowess snuffed out like a candle in the wind. With the realisation that their most potent weapon had been stripped away, the atmosphere shifted from one of determination to utter despair. The Inner Quarters, once a bastion of supposed absolute magical strength, was now a citadel of fear. The menacing shadows of the Demon Horde loomed ever closer, and the inhabitants were left with only their physical weapons—bows and swords—to defend against the impending slaughter.

The streets echoed with the sounds of hastily drawn arrows and the clattering of swords as the defenders prepared for what felt like an unavoidable massacre. In the chaos, a group of mages gathered, their faces pale but resolved. "We may not have our magic, but we have our will to fight. We can't let them take our home without a struggle."" one mage declared with his voice shaking in fear, gripping his sword tightly. Everyone's face around him were filled with betrayal since the mages who continuously boasted that they would be the ones turning the tide had failed miserably. This was especially since the humans pin all their hopes, their resources, THEIR FOOD on to them and yet those mages were unable to fulfil their mission.

Instead, they gave such a pathetic excuse.

Yet, the others nodded with a resigned look on their faces, their hearts rage due to the mages incompetency. They know that the only thing they can do was to steel themselves for the battle ahead despite the fact that they knew they were outplayed very thoroughly by the Demon Hordes and their fellow mages.