Ignoring Nilly's inner turmoil, Chen Yu excitedly bounced off to organize the army.
This would be an unprecedented military operation!
Their enemies would be the mercenaries, adventurers, vampire clans, and endless undead scattered throughout every corner of the Dark Realm... and possibly even more unknown threats.
According to the confessions of the mercenaries he had previously captured, the Dark Realm was quite vast, even comparable to the Northern Territory which occupied nearly half of the White Horse Kingdom's lands.
Of course, the prosperity and wealth of a human kingdom were not something the Dark Realm could match.
Food crops struggled to grow in the darkness. Aside from the vampire clan's Evernight Domain and the Stone Descendants' Gore, these two relatively established spheres of influence, the Dark Realm had almost no proper large towns, mostly just temporary trading camps scattered in various hidden corners.
For the regular army of the White Horse Kingdom, unfamiliar with the Dark Realm's complex terrain and dark environment, completely eradicating these rats hiding in the shadows was an almost impossible task.
Furthermore, this land was neither as fertile and rich in resources as the Golden Tassel Plain, nor did it possess the diverse variety of magical creature resources like the Eastern Swamp.
What it had were ancient ruins scattered across high mountains and deep valleys, dangerous magical traps, and endless undead creatures.
Over time, it became an ungoverned gray zone.
However, this land that others saw as "worthless" held immense temptation for Chen Yu, who had been lying low in the swamp for so long and urgently needed expansion and resources.
Leaving aside the undead that could serve as "experience packs," just the adventurers and vampire clans who operated here year-round should be able to be squeezed for a considerable amount of gold coins, greatly enriching the kingdom's treasury.
Nothing was more delicious than a weak yet wealthy neighbor.
Soon, Chen Yu's order to assemble the army rapidly spread across the major fortresses of the Eastern Swamp through the gel network covering the entire territory.
Thus, aside from the defensive legions that absolutely had to stay behind to guard each fortress, almost all available combat magical creatures and logistical units were mobilized.
The Poison-stinger Wasp legions blotted out the sky, swarming out from the wasp nest watchtowers scattered throughout the swamp.
They converged into moving patches of dark clouds, emitting a low, heart-palpitating hum as they flew towards the direction of the royal city construction site at the swamp's center.
On the swamp's forest paths, the ground forces also quickly organized their supplies, forming into winding columns as they set off towards the royal city assembly point.
Among these, the most numerous were the beetle transport teams responsible for logistical support.
Viewed from high above the swamp, they were carrying supplies like various magic leaves, dried moss monsters, and Goblin Ripper components, flowing along the crisscrossing forest paths like numerous black streams converging towards the swamp center, presenting a rather spectacular sight.
Accompanying them were the Slime Scholars responsible for tactical support and magical maintenance, as well as the silver Slime Artillery.
The scale of this unprecedented large-scale troop movement was simply too massive, quickly causing panic and unrest among the wild magical creatures in the swamp, even artificially triggering a magical creature migration wave affecting vast swathes of forest.
Such a huge commotion naturally reached the relatively tranquil Dryad domain.
Eserin had just paused her work on the ancient tree ritual and was initially puzzled by the "assembly" Chen Yu mentioned in the gel network.
At that moment, Viola's spiritual form drifted out. Sensing the chaotic mana coming from afar, a look of surprise appeared on her face.
"Incredible, so many magical creatures gathered together. What does this little lord intend to do, prepare to attack someone?"
"Has something happened in the Slime Kingdom?"
"Who knows? But that guy isn't so easy to take advantage of. He's probably the one going to take advantage of others." Viola floated leisurely, returning to her lazy demeanor.
Eserin shook her head helplessly and could only inquire about the specific situation through the gel network with her frequent correspondent, the little slime friend Little Flower.
Soon, she received a reply—the Slime Kingdom was about to assemble a great army to attack the Dark Realm.
Viola drifted over. "Well, Eserin, do you need help? I'll listen to you."
Eserin thought carefully, then looked up and said, "We still need to summon some elves. Within the next few days, we should be able to complete the ritual for ten oak tree guardians."
"The Slime Kingdom's expansion is not bad for us. A powerful and friendly neighbor is always better than those chaotic undead and unknown dangers."
...
Swamp center, royal city construction site.
After half a day of emergency assembly, the legions' Poison-stinger Wasps had finally all arrived.
Looking around, aside from the slimes of various colors, the ground was covered with a black mass of Poison-stinger Wasps.
Surrounding the army were also three tall Arcane Ancient Trees. They stood like moving war fortresses;
merely being there was enough to make any enemy feel intimidated.
After a long summer of expansion and reproduction, excluding the defensive legions that had to remain stationed at each fortress, the number of Poison-stinger Wasps in the assembled reserve legions had skyrocketed to nearly forty thousand.
Among these, the specially enhanced Blood Legion Poison-stinger Wasps numbered around five hundred, almost constituting the core of the army.
The remaining Poison-stinger Wasps were divided into four legions. The first legion had five thousand wasps, almost all Self-destructing Wasp Soldiers, primarily responsible for early battlefield reconnaissance and mopping-up operations. The other legions were conventional combat forces, but due to their massive numbers, they were not to be underestimated.
If not for the constraints of food supply and winter storage pressure, doubling or even tripling the number of the kingdom's magical creature legions would have been completely possible.
This also meant that relying solely on the Dryad domain's food production could no longer meet the future development needs of the Slime Kingdom.
They had to expand outward to obtain more resources and land.
This was the first time since the establishment of the Slime Kingdom that such a massive army had been assembled.
This formidable military power filled the slimes standing at the forefront of the ranks with pride and excitement. They tried their best to puff out their round little chests, accepting their king's inspection.
According to the conventions in the movies Chen Yu had seen, this was the time for an inspiring pre-battle speech.
But looking at the army below, comprised entirely of magical creatures, he figured they wouldn't understand even if he spoke, so he let it go.
After all, with the efficient and convenient gel network, every one of his commands could instantly spread throughout the entire army and be thoroughly implemented.
However, forming a temporary command group was still very necessary. After all, the Dark Realm was so vast, and the battlefield situation changed rapidly;
he couldn't oversee every corner.
So his gaze swept over the ranks below, meeting the slimes' looks of worship and expectation, and he issued appointments through the gel network:
"Little Flower, I appoint you as the command group leader for this expedition. The other Slime Scholars will be command officers. You are responsible for forming a command group in the rear, analyzing intelligence, and formulating strategy."
"Beet, I appoint you as the temporary Grand Army Commander, responsible for the actual command of the frontline battlefield."
"Yes! King!"
The Slime Scholars raised their gel little hands, their faces trying hard to look serious and earnest as they accepted the task.
And Beet, surrounded by numerous Poison-stinger Wasps, fluttered its wings and flew before Chen Yu, solemnly extending its forelimbs to receive that small clump of gel representing the king's will.
"Excellent." Chen Yu shook his gel body contentedly.
"All forces, immediately assemble towards the Gray Mist Lake direction. The primary objective is to clear out all hostile forces entrenched in the Outpost Ruins, establishing it as our bridgehead into the Dark Realm."
"Buzz!!!"
The Poison-stinger Wasp legions erupted in a boiling hum. They arranged themselves in neat square formations, rising into the air one after another like a disciplined aerial legion, advancing grandly towards the direction of Gray Mist Lake.
The ground forces also began marching in long columns, their steps heading east.
"Rumble..."
The three Arcane Ancient Trees slowly pulled up their deeply rooted systems, taking heavy steps into the dense forest, following the great army as they departed, leaving deep imprints on the ground.
Simultaneously, under Little Flower's command, the newly established command group immediately began operating.
The Slime Scholars organized the fragmented maps and intelligence collected through various channels, starting to plan the marching routes and initial strategies for after entering the Dark Realm.
Originally, the fastest way into the Dark Realm should have been directly through Riftrock Pass or detouring through the relatively gentle areas beside the pass.
But if they really held such simple thoughts, before the kingdom's army main force could push into the Evernight Domain, they would likely be ambushed by the emerging Goblin Army, or even have their fragile supply lines cut, ultimately becoming completely trapped within the Dark Realm.
So the best method was still to first capture the Outpost Ruins at the border of the Dark Realm and build it into a bridgehead.
Then, using the bridgehead as a springboard, gradually attack deeper into the Dark Realm.
Given the marching speed of the Poison-stinger Wasp legions, Chen Yu estimated that news of the capture of the Outpost Ruins could come back as early as tomorrow.
However, tonight, many people were destined to lose sleep.
...
"Come, to the alluring treasure, cheers!"
"Drink! Tonight, we don't go home until we're drunk!"
Noisy sounds faintly drifted out from the brightly lit Outpost Ruins Camp.
Here, the Wild Boar Tavern at night was almost the liveliest place in the entire camp.
Adventurers and mercenaries delved into dangerous places during the day, fighting undead, exploring ancient ruins in search of treasure. When night fell, they almost always returned here, ordering a large mug of murky, cheap ale, using alcohol and bragging to numb their tired nerves and dispel the shadows brought by death.
They lavishly spent the gold coins earned with their lives, laughing and talking loudly, playing drinking games and gambling, often drinking until dawn.
Almost every night, this place was packed and bustling with noise.
"Hehe... Hail... Hailam." A mercenary, drunk and red-faced, swayed as he patted the shoulder of a familiar face who had just walked into the tavern.
"You, why are you still hanging around in this dump? Didn't you swear a few days ago that you were going to follow those guys from the Blacktooth mercenary company to that whatever Fald Frontline in the west to make big money?"
He extended a grimy hand, trying to touch the other's face. The mercenary called Hailam slapped it away with a look of disgust.
Hailam took off his dusty, tattered hat and plopped heavily onto a high wooden stool at the bar, spitting viciously.
"Don't mention it. Made me waste a trip for nothing. Who knew that as soon as I ran to that damn frontline, the fighting there ended. Didn't get a single coin's worth of bounty."
"Damn it, believed their nonsense."
The drunken mercenary listened, letting out a gleeful hehe laugh, ruthlessly mocking him. "Blacktooth mercenary company? Hahaha, you actually believed what those untrustworthy hyenas said? Serves you right for running off for nothing."
He waved his mug, spittle flying as he continued exposing shortcomings. "Last time, didn't they also brag about going to take down that castle by Gray Mist Lake?"
"What was the result? Hahaha, burp, beaten to a pulp by those undead and... and slimes, only a few people escaped back in disgrace."
He tilted his head back and took a big gulp of ale, slapping the table hard. "What Blacktooth, they're nothing special. If I went, these soft, only-bouncing slimes, I could squash one with a single step."
Hearing this, Hailam cautiously lowered his voice to advise, "You better not talk nonsense. I heard those slimes are very strange..."
Before he could finish, the drunkard waved impatiently to interrupt.
"I said it, so what? If it weren't for these damn slimes blocking the entrance to the dungeon, cutting off my money-making path, would I need to go mess around in the Dark Realm!"
"If... if they have the guts, let them come here and beat me up. I bet they don't have the courage, only dare to hide in the swamp..."
After uttering these "bold words," he seemed to have exhausted his strength, slumping drunkenly again, leaning against the cold stone corner of the wall. Soon, loud snores erupted.
Another relatively more sober mercenary shook his head, about to mock this drunkard a few more times to the companion beside him, when his ear suddenly twitched, a look of confusion appearing on his face:
"Wait, do you guys hear some strange sound? Like... many wings vibrating?"
"What strange sound? Hahaha!"
The burly man beside him laughed heartily, slapping his back hard. "You, could it be that you've been scared into hallucinations by those screaming ghost banshees in the ruins?"
"Maybe... maybe so." The mercenary wasn't sure either, so he could only assume he was hallucinating.
The clinking of mugs, coarse laughter, and noisy drinking game sounds continued to echo in the tavern. Almost no one took his words seriously.
However, that low humming sound not only didn't disappear but became increasingly clear, increasingly close. Outside the tavern, even some panicked running footsteps and shouts began to be heard.
"What's happening?"
"What's going on outside?!"
The noise in the tavern gradually subsided. Everyone looked at each other, expressions uncertain and alarmed.
A few bolder mercenaries instinctively grasped the weapons at their sides, stood up, and prepared to go out to check the situation.
"BANG!!!"
At that moment, the tavern's wooden door was violently slammed open from outside. A panicked adventurer let out an "ouch" as he tumbled in awkwardly, falling to the ground.
Everyone's gaze was instantly drawn over.
Immediately after, they saw on the back of that fallen adventurer... a small, round shield and a tiny iron spear held by...
A slime?!
This silver slime froze for a moment, then blinked at everyone in the tavern, as if saying, "You keep drinking, don't mind me."
The entire tavern instantly fell into silence.