At the military department of the Dawonru Empire, in the Strategic Conference Room.

Hankley, the great Demon Emperor, placed a thick parchment scroll sealed with the empire's wax seal on the obsidian table.

It was an outline for the full-scale war deployment against the Crossbridge Empire.

On either side of the long table were the empire's military leaders, with the Border Army Commanders Roderick and Gares carefully reviewing every word on the scroll.

The Empire's Chief Executive Officer, Oliver, tapped the table, the sound echoing through the empty hall.

"I suggest reducing the forces by thirty percent for the defense of Sablecliff and the Giant Elephant demon race areas."

"The reduced forces should be redirected to strengthen the eastern border where we are in contact with the Demonwing Empire."

"Additionally, I must remind everyone that the movements of the Dark Corruption Temple need to be monitored with increased troops."

"As for the Noble Council of the Clouds…"

He paused, his gaze drifting across the long table to the stern-faced Demon Emperor.

"Their attitude will directly impact the stability of the empire's heartland, and we must give it the highest level of attention."

Hankley's expression was unfazed.

He naturally understood Oliver's implication.

Fiona's mentor, that troublesome Scarlet Witch, had once studied alongside him!

He remained silent for a moment before coldly responding.

"Your concerns align with the empire's interests."

"The safety of the empire is paramount!"

"Three percent of the central army will be reassigned to Tianzhou, which lies in the empire's heart. Should there be any shifts in any direction, elite forces can be deployed to assist within a day."

The history of the empire's dealings with the Noble Council of the Clouds was a taboo no senior in the Dawonru Empire dared to speak of openly.

As a subject of the empire, Hankley had no right to investigate the truth.

The empire's official archives never acknowledged any accusations about Fiona's birth mother.

The truth had been buried, and he had no intention of uncovering it.

Whether it was his younger sister or the vast Noble Council of the Clouds, should they pose a tangible threat to the empire, his sword would not hesitate due to old connections!

Oliver nodded slightly.

"Then, this war outline should be sent directly to the Sovereign for final approval."

"The longer we delay, the more likely the Crossbridge Empire will form alliances with our other enemies."

"When that happens, we may face a catastrophic war that sweeps across the entire demon realm!"

"Swift action is the best choice!"

Hankley nodded in agreement.

The essence of a war evaluation is essentially calculating the price the empire must pay for victory.

This price often doesn't come directly from the enemies on the battlefield, but from those neighbors lurking, waiting for any cracks in the empire's defenses.

The sooner the fatal blow is struck, the less the cost.

After hours of intense debate, the war outline was finally sealed with the final stamp.

Hankley personally took it to the Sovereign for approval.

...

In Forged Steel Province, at the front-line command center.

Lord Stellan, Sherman, Maurice, and Duke were gathered in the operations room.

Alan, who had just returned from the front line, hurriedly reported.

"The three million troops from the capital have all been stationed on the three outer defense lines of Forged Steel Province."

"The Crossbridge Empire's forces are still maintaining a defensive formation, no changes have been observed."

"But our shadow crows have reported that the energy fluctuations at the Eura continent's dimensional gateway are extremely intense!"

"There have been signs of large-scale troop transmissions over the past five days."

"Large-scale?"

Sherman furrowed his brow.

"What are they trying to do?"

"Consolidate defenses, or…"

"The enemy's reinforcements are estimated to be over ten million!"

Alan's voice became heavy.

"And we've once again detected energy fluctuations from the God General rank."

This statement struck like an ice pick, piercing the heart of everyone present.

Lord Stellan suddenly looked up.

"Are you sure it's not the previous 400,000 God General rank troops?"

Alan shook his head solemnly.

"The elemental fluctuation signatures are different. They are clearly not the same as before."

"With the previous 400,000 God General troops, they can still field more?"

"Not to mention an additional ten million…"

Stellan absentmindedly tapped the strategic map with his fingers.

"This is definitely not a purely defensive posture."

"They are likely preparing for a large-scale counterattack that we cannot even imagine."

"God General rank troops cannot be endless!"

Wesley's voice was hoarse.

His face was now filled with exhaustion, his earlier brilliance gone.

"That ten million strong force is most likely the one stationed in the Godfall Gorge."

"The Crossbridge Empire is concentrating all its strength to find a breakthrough point, or perhaps they've already sensed our movements and are preparing for full-scale war!"

But Stellan and Sherman seemed not to hear his words.

As the defeated general, his words now carried little weight.

Duke, stroking his white beard, looked deeply concerned.

"Beyond this, I am more worried about Barton's safety."

"The Crossbridge Empire's emperor gives me the sense of an endless abyss."

"Every prediction and calculation fails when it touches him, falling into a state of confusion. This is highly abnormal!"

"Barton's dimensional transmission, although considered a miraculous skill, could be countered if they've already prepared traps specifically targeting him…"

Stellan reassured him.

"There's no need to worry, mentor."

"Lord Barton's dimensional transmission is incredibly powerful. Unless a Sage King rank expert has already laid out an impenetrable net in advance, no one can capture him."

"Even a Sage King, without prior knowledge of the skill used, would have a hard time intercepting him."

Duke nodded, but his worry did not lessen.

As an old friend, he did not want to see Barton fall into any danger.

Sherman also spoke.

"Lord Barton is primarily investigating Aurek's personality and tactics."

"This will indeed take some time."

"Understanding the inner workings of the enemy is sometimes more important than understanding their army."

"This information could prove to be the most crucial piece of intelligence for the final battle!"

At this moment, a military messenger hurried into the room and bowed to the group.

"Lord Stellan, Lord Sherman, Hankley, the great Demon Emperor, has issued an order."

"Has the Sovereign given the war authorization?"

Sherman asked urgently.

The messenger nodded.

"The war plan has been delivered to the Sovereign!"

"The great Demon Emperor commands that during the total mobilization of the empire's forces, the Secondary Demon Realm front must maintain its current status!"

"We cannot allow the Crossbridge Empire to detect our strategic intentions."

The group was instantly energized!

The Sovereign had finally made a decision!

Delaying was indeed detrimental to the empire.

"Furthermore,"

The messenger looked toward Stellan.

"The great Demon Emperor orders Lord Stellan to immediately return to the military headquarters and participate in the final stage of strategic simulations."

Upon hearing this, Stellan immediately stood up and said to Sherman,

"Lord Sherman, the command here is yours."

"Please ensure the defense line remains steady."

"Understood!"

"May glory go with you!"

Sherman replied solemnly.

Stellan nodded, then quickly left with the messenger.

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