Chapter 1015: The effective way -4
"Three Days Later-
Whoosh Whoosh
From multiple openings in the ceiling, a large number of demi-cats began descending- just like Keri did when she first arrived, with closed eyes and arms folded across their chests. They landed one after another as if the ceiling were raining warriors.
Although the cavern was already filled with residents and the ancient, crumbling mud-brick homes that seemed as if they had existed for ten thousand years, the locals didn't resent the new arrivals. Instead, they stood on rooftops, raising their hands and cheering joyfully, "Freedom Fighters! Freedom Fighters!!"
The sight of these young men and women landing amidst them, brimming with enthusiasm and brandishing their weapons, was uplifting. It reignited a long-lost sense of hope. This was the first time in centuries that a unified army, made up of all the available forces from the different clans, had gathered under one roof and one leadership since the calamity of the Valley of Darkness.
Whoosh!
After the flood of soldiers had finally stopped, Keri descended last. Bang!
She looked around at the desolate cavern, now so overcrowded that there was no room to stand. Indeed, many of the Freedom Fighters had already started flying around to deal with the lack of space. But as Keri surveyed the scene, she smiled- this shall be the last time she sees this underground hell!
"Freedom Fighters, listen to me!" Keri raised her long dagger, and with a single shout, drew everyone's attention.
"...Until today, we were forced, with deep regret, to divide ourselves across seven different locations to preserve our race. Yet even in our weakest moments and direst straits, each tribe fought alone and crushed our enemies wherever they appeared!"
"Brrrr!!"
The half-cats raised their weapons in response.
"A new invader has emerged. They have weapons and techniques more advanced than their predecessors, but they are also fools who do not understand how wars are fought. With just two hundred comrades, we turned their formations upside down and sowed chaos among them. And with just myself and Aunt Jata, we lured their leader away and severed her head!" "Brrrr!!!"
The cheers grew louder.
"Today, for the first time in centuries, the seven clans stand united. Today, we have an army of ten thousand Freedom Fighters. Today, we will achieve victory!!"
Keri raised her weapon again, clenching her other hand over her chest, her resolute gaze infecting all who looked upon her.
"Brr! Brr! Brr!"
With a smile that radiated pride and excitement, Keri lifted her face toward the ceiling, her blood boiling and her spirit burning with determination as she listened to the music of impending triumph.
The girl who had opened her eyes to find her mother, the queen, reduced to a mummified shell by the merciless invaders... the girl who had dedicated her life to ensuring the survival of her people... could now see a future free of intruders. She could see paradise!
"Hmm?"
As she gazed upward, Keri noticed something strange. There was a large blue circle, its interior rippling like a disturbed water surface. Slowly, more and more people began to look up, drawn by the commotion.
Bzzzt
Two enormous golden hands emerged from the circle first, followed by a head and torso. Then, with a mighty Whoosh, the massive figure pushed itself fully through the portal and stood revealed for all to see. It was a Warlord!
The Warlord didn't bother flying after his emergence but let gravity do the work.
BAAAAAAAAAAAANG!!!
"Noooo!!"
"Mom... Mom... Waaaa!!"
"Aah-!!"
The colossal warlord landed among them like a boulder falling onto an anthill.
The entire cavern trembled from the impact, and rocks began to fall from the ceiling, leveling dozens of homes under the warlord's feet and the collapsing stones. Hundreds of people were killed or injured in mere moments.
"At-- Attack the intruder!!"
Kiri shouted with all her might after regaining some of her composure, but there was no time to think.
Bzzzt Bzzzt Bzzzt!
Three more blue circles opened above, releasing two additional warlords followed by a number of martial emperors, wreaking havoc with every step. Shortly after, a golden army began pouring down from the four portals like hail.
"Oh no... no, no, no!"
Kiri placed her hands over her head in shock. She instantly recognized this army- it was the army sent west to fight the Great Serpent Empire!
"Aaaaaah!!"
"We need to get out of here!!"
Despite having a larger number of martial emperors and soldiers on their side, the first thought that seized everyone was to flee. Perhaps it was the sudden shock? The destruction wrought on the civilians? Or the narrow space, with the fear of it collapsing over their heads? An innate fear within them for direct combat?
Whatever the reason, the first wave of clash didn't find any resistance...
BAM BAM BAM!
Several soldiers from the Empire of True Beginnings climbed to the ceiling, attacking and sealing every visible gap, closing off all exits completely. The underground cavern was now truly an enclosed trap, with no way out other than the instant space portals!
Next, the fire using martial emperors ignited the ceiling, while wind using martial emperors fanned the flames, making them burn brighter and hotter. The human emperors stationed above maintained the inferno, turning the dimly lit cavern into a blazing furnace as if it were
directly under the sun.
"Ah... Ahhh!!"
The soaring heat reached terrifying levels, scorching the civilians below and even affecting their warriors. Only the True Beginning emperors, equipped with special armor pieces designed for temperature regulation, could withstand it-without them, they too would have
burned.
The worst part? There were no shadows left for the demi-cats to hide in. They were entirely exposed to the three warlords and the organized golden army!
"Grrr!!"
Panic swept through everyone. Like wild cats suddenly caged in a burning trap, clan leaders and soldiers alike began to act on their own instincts. Some tried to break open an exit, while others desperately fought off the golden army.
It was utter chaos.
Step. Step.
Kiri retreated a few steps back, her eyes-once brimming with pride and hope-now filled with shock and fear. Her world was collapsing before her eyes. Even this filthy cavern, their refuge for centuries, would no longer exist after today.
"No... will we even survive today?"
"Help!!"
"Kill the invaders! They are fewer in number, and this is our land! Kill them all!!" Finally, Kiri managed to regain some composure and issued a new command.
But not everyone welcomed it.
"Kiri, you cursed traitor! Why did you gather us here? What did they promise you to betray your own
kind?!"
"I hope you burn in hell! In heeeeeeeell!!"
BAAAAAAANG!
"No..." Kiri took a few more steps back, her eyes reflecting the blazing flames and the crushed
corpses littering the ground. "Me? A traitor?"
She remembered the old calamity. When the cities were destroyed in the Valley of Darkness, she was just a child and hadn't witnessed it herself. But now, she was seeing a similar catastrophe unfold before her-and worse, it was because of her decision to unite the army!
"Oh no, Mother!!"
She suddenly turned toward a specific direction and quickly flew off toward Queen Tao.