Chapter 994: The bait worked
"Aru went to Planet R-1 and took nine individuals with him?!" Robin's tone showed quite the surprise in it.
He had gathered substantial general information about the planet from the Marshal's soul and had previously received reports on the situation on Planet R-1. The Great Serpent Empire had been attempting to eradicate the inhabitants of that planet for thousands of years but had never come close to achieving their goal.
The natives possessed an innate affinity for the Paths of Wind, Darkness, and Sound, in addition to being born with wings that allowed them to fly naturally and more swiftly. Capturing some of them was an arduous task, let alone exterminating them entirely!
Recently, when it became evident that the Great Serpent Empire's army had significantly dwindled in number, the locals launched a devastating rebellion to reclaim their lands. As they pushed forward and victory seemed within their grasp -with fewer than 30,000 soldiers of the Serpent's army remaining—the long-awaited dawn of liberation finally appeared on the horizon.
And then Alexander and his army showed up.
Devastated, the natives found themselves forced to ally with their former oppressors to gain critical information about the True Beginning Empire's forces. From their perspective, as long as the two empires were at war, the soldiers of the Great Serpent Empire were bound to know a trick or two for dealing with these troublesome invaders. However, they soon discovered that their new allies were just as clueless about the intruders' capabilities as they were!
Despite the instability of the alliance, they decided to maintain it, unwilling to abandon 30,000 soldiers and a few martial emperors as allies so easily. The plan was straightforward: join forces to drive out the newcomers, then eliminate the old enemies afterward.
This scheme was far from a secret; the leader of the natives had publicly declared it on more than one occasion, but the Great Serpent Empire's soldiers could say nothing, dying later is better than dying now!
Under such dire circumstances, where Alexander's forces relied heavily on arrays to support their every move, what difference ten individuals -martial emperors or not- could possibly make?
"We were surprised as well, Your Excellency. But there's no doubt that he only brought those nine, even Lady Emily looked surprised and asked if he was sure." King Sharver interjected, seizing the opportunity to speak. "And those nine didn't seem particularly strong wither. They're old —very old-dressed in strange robes with creepy, intimidating tattoos."
"The Step Pyramid Priests..." Robin muttered, his brows furrowing slightly. He had seen them before with Flora. Their appearances and auras were oppressive and unsettling, yet they hadn't struck him as exceptionally powerful. Why would Aru take them on such a mission?
"Your Excellency, should we send part of our army to Planet R-1? We've brought plenty of forces," King Haidar suggested, his voice tinged with pride.
"...There's no need," Robin replied, shaking his head dismissively. "Aru may not seem like it, but he's a masterful schemer. I want to see what he's planning."
With a casual wave of his hand, Robin gestured toward the massive army gathering in the palace courtyard. "For now, I want you to head to the Beastfront. Use several instant space portals to scatter your entry points, giving the illusion that your numbers are greater than they are. Once you arrive, take the front lines and allow the soldiers there to rest. Your presence should halt the beast wave entirely, setting the stage for the decisive battle."
"Oh? We won't be the ones initiating the decisive battle, Your Excellency?" King Dibas asked, his curiosity piqued. Could there be someone else on the way?
Robin patted Dibas's shoulder with a reassuring smile. "Just go and slay some beasts. And don't forget to collect their crystals."
This time, his smile wasn't just an expression -it was an outpouring of genuine emotion. The Greenlanderns' arrival without an official decree spoke volumes. It meant they saw themselves as inseparable from the Empire, willing to fight and bleed as true participants in this war.
This realization stirred something deep within Robin, a mix of pride and gratitude he hadn't felt in years.
Then with a respectful bow and after exchanging a few more formalities, the four kings turned and made their way back to their troops.
Robin remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on the enormous army as it began its disciplined march toward the space portals. The rhythmic clatter of armor and weapons echoed in the air, but his mind wandered elsewhere. Two pressing uncertainties gnawed at the edges of his thoughts, refusing to let go.
Sakaar.
Aru.
Two men who could not have been more different, yet equally mysterious.
One was the empire's most brilliant tactician, a master of plans that often looked like he could see the future. The other was its most cunning and unpredictable mind, always shrouded in secrets and manipulation. Both were now acting independently, moving their pieces across a chessboard Robin couldn't see. And he -despite his position as their emperor- could only stand and wait for the unfolding of their schemes.
He let out a slow breath, shaking off the weight of his thoughts. Trust. That was the cornerstone of an empire. Without it, everything else was meaningless.
His gaze shifted to the horizon where the Imperial Guards lay concealed, and there it was- the confirmation he dreaded.
It was the calm before a storm. The marshals had stopped their bickering, their silence more ominous than their arguments. The guards sat in focused meditation, their breathing deliberate and steady, while others honed their blades with grim determination.
They are undoubtedly preparing to strike the moment the Greenland army leaves. The bait had been taken.
Two Hours Later
The portal buzzed and flashed. For two relentless hours, spitting out battalions without pause. The soldiers that emerged were not mere reinforcements- they were a force capable of invading planets on their own.
Three hundred thousand Terra Riders appeared in total, the pressure from their presence was terrifying. Behind them came one hundred thousand Draco Riders, their winged beasts casting massive shadows that rippled across the ground. Towering above them all were the three Tree Fathers, their presence was extremely eye-catching with their nearly 60-meter
height!
And then there were the martial emperors- eighty of them. Each one radiated power that seemed to bend the air around them, their strides steady and purposeful. This was not a reinforcement, it was the entire elite forces of Greenland!
Once the final group had assembled, three more teleportation portals flared to life. Without hesitation, the Tree Fathers led the charge, their massive forms vanishing into the
shimmering light. The army followed swiftly.
After the massive army left they only left behind a few Rune Masters and Divine Blacksmiths attending to scattered tasks, a small contingent of soldiers guarding the portal, a handful of Shadow Swords lurking in the shadows for reconnaissance- and Robin.
Swoosh! Boom!
A purple projectile came hurtling down from above, like a falling meteor, heading straight for
the space portal. But just before it could strike, it collided with something in mid-air and shattered into fragments. The projectile, with enough power to pierce the Sky Shield Dome and cause rapid corrosion, was stopped in its tracks.
Yet, the Sky Shield Dome's self-healing and adaptive properties activated almost instantly, mending itself and regaining its flawless form.
"Here we go!!" Robin's body tensed with anticipation, he finally opened his eyes. A wide, triumphant grin spread across his face, and his slender spear gleamed in his hand. He was ready for battle, every fiber of his being brimming with excitement!
The big fish has arrived!