The Northern Territory had completely fallen into the hands of the orcs.
From the Frost-Speaking Plain to the Forge Region, orc banners had been planted on every fortress.
The demon forces were compressed into the Royal Capital and its surrounding areas, like a fire trapped in a Fire Pit. Though still burning, its space was running out.
This should have been a victory worth celebrating. The orc warriors had reclaimed this land defiled by demons with their blood and lives. The howls of frost wolves once again echoed through the northern skies.
But Karl stood on the high tower, watching the gradually darkening sky, feeling no joy in his heart.
Only heaviness.
A legendary demon about to be born.
A legend about to pass the Trial of Kingship of the Prime Material Plane, gaining this world's recognition.
What did this mean?
It meant Casaric would no longer be repelled by the plane. It meant he could exert his full power here. It meant he could rule this land like a true monarch.By then, let alone the shattered White Horse Kingdom, the entire north, including the frozen wastelands of the Orc Palaver, would fall under his iron hooves.
Demonic lords were never satisfied with just one territory. Their greed was as boundless as The Abyss itself.
Karl tightened his grip on the tower's railing. His eyes reflected the southern snow, filled with resolve.
"Messenger," he turned.
A Wolf Cavalry warrior ran up and knelt on one knee.
"Commander."
"Go south, find the slimes. Tell them everything that happened in the Forge Region. Tell them to gather their armies, march north to the Royal Capital. Tell them..."
He paused, "The orcs need allies, and they need them now."
"Yes!"
The Wolf Cavalry warrior turned, ran down the high tower, mounted his wolf. The frost wolf's howl sounded as he rode out of the holy city, his figure quickly disappearing into the flower-strewn plain where petals danced in the wind.
Karl watched the direction he left for a long time.
He didn't know if the slimes would come. He didn't know how much help those soft, gelatinous creatures could provide.
But he knew that the orcs alone could not take the Royal Capital. At least, not a Royal Capital garrisoned by a legendary demon.
He needed every usable force.
Even if the other party was a bunch of slimes.
.......
Actually, there was no need for the orcs to notify. Chen Yu had already sent the news back to the Slime Kingdom.
When Chen Yu's main body opened its eyes on the Throne in Slime City, the memories and perceptions of the gel avatar flooded back like a tide.
"Little Flower," he spoke, his voice echoing in the throne hall.
The large slime handling documents looked up and tilted her head.
"Brother?"
"Summon the legions." Chen Yu hopped down from the Throne, landing on the floor. "The Magical Creature Legion from the Dark Realm, the Merchant Alliance army from Misty Bay Harbor, the Restoration Army from the Southern Territory. Have them all assemble. We are going to war."
Little Flower was stunned for a moment, but seeing Chen Yu's serious expression, she immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
She bounced away from the throne hall, her round body hopping rhythmically down the corridor, making a rhythmic *squelch-squelch* sound.
The orders spread out like ripples.
The massive machine that was the Slime Kingdom once again began operating at full capacity.
Meanwhile, Chen Yu's gel avatar was currently leading Nilly and the others back to Iron Thorn Fortress on the northern line of Storm Territory.
They were to wait there for the orcs' message, while also acting as a forward outpost to observe movements in the direction of the Royal Capital.
Chen Yu had thought the first to arrive would be the message brought by orc cavalry. Unexpectedly, a different group of mysterious visitors came to Iron Thorn Fortress.
Outside the City Wall of Iron Thorn Fortress, the blizzard was intensifying.
Snowflakes, swept by the northern wind, churned the world into a chaotic gray-white. Visibility was less than fifty meters. The distant forests and hills were hidden behind the snow curtain, leaving only blurry outlines.
A figure riding a horse slowly emerged from the snow curtain.
It was a knight.
He wore light armor, a dark blue cloak trimmed with fur at the edges. The black warhorse he rode struggled through the deep snow.
Behind the knight, followed another, more massive figure.
It was a centaur... no, not a centaur.
Though it had a similar build, it was more burly, more ferocious.
It also wore a cloak, its hood pulled low, covering most of its face. Its hooves were larger than a horse's, each step kicking up sprays of snow.
They stopped before the City Wall.
The Slime guards on the wall immediately grew alert.
These round slimes lay behind the Battlements, their beady eyes fixed on the uninvited guests below. One guard had a small ribbon tied to its gel body, indicating it was the squad leader.