Chapter 1300: Cornered
The next few days of the Chasm turned into a cat and mouse game. The demi-humans would move to one spot, Levi’s army would chase after them, causing the demi-humans to move as well.
The only reason why Levi and the Vanderbilt army wasn’t absolutely annoyed by this constant back and forth was the fact that they were always first in every scenario.
This allowed them to fight against demi-humans, which would cause them to sometimes abandon the Magical Monsters they tamed. This allowed Levi to keep their corpses for study.
And it was also good for them that the Goldstone Coalition was always one day behind them. It looked like they were winning the race in the Chasm. And if they did eventually find the demi-human kingdom, they’d be the first one there.
Unfortunately for Levi, it seemed that there was someone following them closely behind.
"I keep hearing about this Oasis," said Peleck. "And it is messing with our plans."
"I have no idea," replied Levi. "But... it is true. There are less adventurers willing to scout for us."
They had offered any adventurer around them a lot of weapons and armors from the Hepheasteus company. Unfortunately, most if not all of them had declined. Yes, scouting was dangerous. But these adventurers should obviously see that the danger was worth it if they were going to be receiving top notch armor.
"I noticed that some of those adventurers already have good armor equipped," said Levi, eyeing Peleck. "You aren’t betraying me, are you?"
In Levi’s eyes, the only reason those adventurers could afford those good-looking armor and new weapons was through the Hephaestus company.
"No, why would I do that?" Peleck said, offended. "But... that doesn’t mean it’s not from Hephaestus. Perhaps, one of my siblings is here causing a little bit of trouble for me."
"That is not ideal," said Levi.
"Certainly not. As far as I know, I’ve made preparations to assure that they can’t enter the Chasm. But perhaps a rat was able to pass through our defenses.
But who? The only ones who I know could create that kind of high-quality armor and be willing to sell them to lowly adventurers would be my elder siblings... but they’re far too busy to deal with things here in the Chasm... who would it be?"
They didn’t know that they were competing with an actual Dwarf, someone who wasn’t even taking his job in the Rebornian camp seriously.
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Eventually, the Vanderbilt army entered a tunnel into the Chasm, thinking that they had followed the demi-humans, not knowing that they fell right into their traps.
Monkeys, lizards, lions, and tigers, all of gigantic sizes looked down upon the soldiers with saliva dripping down their mouths.
"Shit," Levi cursed. There must have been thirty Nascent Spirit-level magical monsters here in total.
And the worst part was that they had separated their army into their different divisions as a way to pierce the demi-humans into a corner. But as it turned out, it was a trap that they fell into nicely.
Now, the Vanderbilts were in a bind.
"This is good, old friend," said Peleck. "Don’t you see that the demi-humans are starting to panic? They’re sending out their entire forces to deal with us. This means that we’re getting too close to their kingdom."
Levi, once he was able to relax, eventually agreed with Peleck’s words. "You’re right. I bet that if we defeat these magical monsters, we’ll be able to find their Kingdom beyond it."
They both were of the same opinion. Whoever defeated these magical monsters would be the first one to enter the demi-human kingdom!
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Michael received word almost immediately. The Shadow Orcs had infiltrated the demi-human Kingdom!
Unfortunately, it seemed that some kind of disturbance had prevented them from sending out any additional info aside from basic telepathy of words.
It seemed that the demi-humans had someone amongst them with the equivalent strength of a Nascent Spirit cultivator.
And just like the Vanderbilt army, they also found themselves facing an entire horde of Nascent Spirit magical monsters.
Thankfully, Michael was able to see them beforehand, so they had the element of surprise against them. He could decide when they would show themselves.
"Supreme Leader, bu to to, I have come to report that the Vanderbilt army is currently undergoing a fight of attrition with the magical monsters."
Even from afar, he could hear the sounds of war echoing off the walls. The ground itself shook as gigantic creatures fell and kicked and fought.
"Looks like it’s time for my army to move."
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Levi sweated as he commanded his army to eventually coalesce into one unit. His Nascent Influence had allowed his soldiers to fight beyond their powers, allowing them to deal a decent blow against the magical monsters.
His Diva, a knight wearing wooden armor, shouted wordlessly to his army. And his soldiers, spurred on, acted with precise movements as if they were robots!
Leading the Vanderbilt armies were none other than five Nascent Spirit cultivators. Levi’s generals.
Their mighty and heroic figures swept through the magical monsters with ease. Their Nascent Armors allowed them to defend against the creatures’ destructive blows.
But as the fight drew on, the sheer number and pure strength of these magical creatures proved to be far too oppressive.
Levi’s Nascent Spirit generals were unharmed. But they were exhausted. They were not only fighting for themselves, but they were also protecting their army behind them. Eventually, fighting tens of those magical creatures would exhaust anyone.
Levi began to consider a retreat. It was the only way. His army had lost thousands of soldiers, with more injured. They were bleeding numbers, while the magical monsters seemed to be replenished to no end.
"Damn it. How did those demi-humans control these magical monsters?! Even a Conglomerate army can’t defeat them?!"
A knock interrupted Levi’s thoughts.
"Sir! The Goldstones have arrived!" said his scout. "And it seems that they have Theresa with them."