William brought Qianye into his office.

Returning to his human form inside, he placed a stack of documents in front of Qianye. Take a look yourself.

Qianye went through the papers one by one, his expression turning serious as he did so.

Moments later, he looked up. Why did you not tell me that she became the frontline commander? Dont tell me you dont know about our relationship.

The many things that had happened between Qianye and Nighteye were no longer a secret, and the information only spread further as they rose in status and power. Currently, Qianye held a powerful position on Fort Continent while Nighteye had become the commander of the Evernight alliance in one go. Not only that, she even managed to repel the Profundity Monarchs attack. Qianye killing his way out of the Empire for her thus became a legend throughout both factions.

The surprising thing was that many young girls became fans of Qianye, be they humans or dark race members.

William sighed. Youre no longer related to her, are you?

Thats our business.

William shrugged. She kills whoever dares mention her past. After a dozen or so loud-mouthed fellows lost their lives, everyone came to understand that she doesnt want to hear about it. At least no one dares to mention it to her face.

Qianye listened quietly.

Wiliam said, You know that the werewolves were left out during the early phases of the new worlds opening. We still have no idea how they opened the first doors, or what the true door is. Theres no way well know why she was picked as the commander, nor can we interfere in the choice. And I also felt that you wouldnt want to know.

Qianye sighed as he flipped through the documents. Are these casualty numbers real?

Of course. Why would they bring the werewolves into this if it wasnt for the fact that they cant hold out any longer? Its just that the Evernight Councils conscription methods were simply unacceptable, or I wouldnt have fled here. Our werewolf race alone lost over five hundred thousand soldiers in the first week. Heh! Song Zining and Zhao Jundu are really merciless!

Qianye didnt know how to continue. He sighed in a distracted manner. These contributions

William glanced at the document. The contributions are naturally true as well, all the credit went to her. Speaking of which, shes really awesome. She repelled the Profundity Monarch and tipped the scales of battle all on her own, pushing the humans back to their fortress

He stopped halfway after noticing Qianyes expression.

The latter rubbed his temples, saying, That means at least a hundred thousand Imperial soldiers were killed in her hands?

Thats not entirely the case, they died to the allied army. Shes just the commander. How many can she kill personally? William defended Nighteye. Of course, she was the one who killed that duke whatever. The other two managed to escape, but theyll probably be crippled for a good while. Human names are so annoying, I just cant remember.

Qianye put down the reports after a moment of silence, muttering to himself, How can she be so ruthless?

William patted Qianyes shoulder. Thats where youre wrong. Our factions have been at war for a thousand years. Considering all the accumulated hatred, theres really no room to discuss mercy or ruthlessness. She also has family and friends who died in the fight, what do we say about that? Truth be told, things between us wont be as friendly if not for your darkness origin power and status as the Son of Darkness. Wed probably be fighting to the death, wouldnt we? We might be able to let things slide in private, but on the battlefield, mercy for the enemy is cruelty to your kin.

Qianye said, I understand that logic, but I still find it hard to accept. You dont understand, she loved nothing more than peace and quiet back when we were together. Even when we arrived in the neutral lands after that incident, she never thought about revenge. Sigh, now everything has changed.

If youre referring to those dukes, I say they were courting death. They just couldnt stay put in their fortress and wanted to get in on the action. Who else would be slaughtered if not them?

Williams consolation didnt have much of an effect. Qianye smiled bitterly. I dont know what to do now.

William sighed. I understand. I cant help much, but I can join you if you need to drink.

Okay.

William had his men bring in crates of good werewolf wine and began drinking in the office. Qianye was feeling depressed, so he didnt refuse the offer. In the blink of an eye, the duo was surrounded by empty bottles.

Qianye, did you know? When I first met you

Drink!

Qianye, dont think too much, were not great dark monarchs after all. Well still be bullied all the same, even if we are.

Bottoms up!

Whatever William said, Qianye only responded by offering more wine.

Moments later, Qianye staggered out of the office and flickered out of existence. William was left lying amidst a heap of empty wine bottles, snoring like there was no tomorrow.

Qianye was entirely sober by the time he returned to the great duke residence. He immediately summoned his forces and boarded a warship into the new world.

The only way for him to forget his troubles somewhat was to deal with the holy trees and the beast army. William was right about one thingQianye would not be able to resolve the hatred between the two factions even if he were a great dark monarch. He had no power to solve this dilemma in front of him.

Fort Continents current state of paradise was an exception, something that would not have existed if it werent for the precise time, place, and person. This peace would very quickly turn into a storm of chaos if something were to happen to him.

He could only hang onto a faint wisp of hope that Nighteye, Song Zining, and Zhao Jundu would hold back against each other and not push the other party into a corner.

That being said, Qianye couldnt lie to himself. The dreary casualty numbers and the once-famous names on the document proved that the battle had reached an irreconcilable moment. There was no more room.

Whoever was defeatedbe it Nighteye, Song Zining, or Zhao JunduQianye had no idea how he should face the survivor. He also had no idea how he should face the dead.

All he could do was escape.

The map in the command room of the Empires central fortress was full of markings. There were now dozens of symbols representing steel fortresses around the main stronghold. These fortresses seemed to have popped up from the ground overnight, and they were only growing in number as the war raged on.

Standing in front of the map, Song Zinings eyes were sunken, and even his divine champion cultivation couldnt hide his exhaustion. Rubbing his face to wake himself up, he picked up some new fortress markers and began thinking about where to place them. Every marker meant that a new fortress would be constructed there in a matter of days.

After some field testing, the Empires forces could now assemble these mobile fortresses in a single night.

The echoes of gunfire arrived from outside the window. These sounds had been ringing day and night, so much so that everyone had gotten used to it.

At this point, there was a knock on the door as Zhao Jundu walked in.

Song Zining looked delighted upon seeing him. Youre back, looks like the fight went well.

Not bad, only a quarter of our forces were lost today.

This can be considered good news.

Zhao Jundu said, I came to you to discuss something important. You must know what it is.

Song Zining was dazed, but he nodded after a while. It is time to discuss.

Zhao Jundu said, Well be facing her on the battlefield very soon. My plan is to not launch a lethal strike immediately. Ill observe how she reacts before making a decision.

Song Zining said after a while, Youre playing with your life.

Shes Lil Fives woman when alls said and done, I cant do it. If she attacks with lethal force, then I can fight without holding back, Zhao Jundu said calmly.

Song Zining said, Considering her current strength, you might not be able to take it if she goes all out.

Zhao Jundu said indifferently, It doesnt matter. Tell Qianye that hes not allowed to seek revenge if I die in battle.

You

Im only telling you my plan, not asking for your permission.

Song Zining laughed wryly. Do you think shell remember the friendship from back then?

She will, if theres no one scheming in the shadows, that is.

Very well

The gunfire outside grew louder all of a sudden. One of the central fortress cannon towers began to rumble, firing glowing shells toward a warship in the distance.

An aide ran in, calling out before he had even entered the room, Sire, the dark race army has arrived!

Song Zining frowned. Whats with the panic?! Didnt they arrive a long time ago? Who do you think weve been fighting all these days?

The staff officer calmed himself. Its different this time, their main force is here. They have at least two, no, three hundred thousand troops of all races!

Zhao Jundu glanced at Song Zining. Theyre finally here. A thunderous move from the get-go, as expected of Lil Fives woman.

Song Zining looked worried. Wont you reconsider?

Zhao Jundu said, My judgment cant be wrong. He said after a brief pause, And Ill take sole responsibility if I am.

Song Zinings brows were almost knitted together as he watched Zhao Jundu leave. Finally, he let out a long sigh.

The dark race soldiers covered the entire Blacksun Valley as they surged toward the Imperial fortress.

Countless airships were shuttling back and forth through the air, shipping soldiers and equipment to the front lines. Their desire to win a decisive victory was evident from how they had mobilized all these airships.

The four major races were all present on the ground, their four armies poised to slash at the Imperial fortresses like four giant swords. Additionally, the numerous figures standing in the air were all celebrated characters.

On the deck of an airship above the demonkin army, Anwen was gazing at the distant fortresses as countless numbers flickered in and out of existence around him. Every movement of the army below him would be displayed as a number in front of him.

There were vast amounts of data flowing through his eyes as well. He was clearly serious about this battle, and the worried expression on his countenance only grew deeper and deeper.

Are you sure you can command the army like this? The Demoness voice echoed in Anwens ears.