173 The War Begins
Navigating through a brightly lit hallways, Artemis, though not in his body that he usually was, which was still in the Kingdom of Wartenberg, he strutted toward the toppest floor of the Central tower, where the newly developed Department of War had its main offices.
Four Elite Androids similar to Michael and Johnathan followed closely behind him, their steps perfectly synchronized with each other. Artemis soon found himself standing before a set of steel doors, decorated with nothing but a simple sign that said 'Machine Empire Department of War'.
At the moment, the metallic doors automatically opened and he entered, being immediately greeted by reverential bows from his subjects.
He scanned the room and its occupants, mysterious figures were present, as were the General-level Androids.
Standing together, Valentine, Johnathan, and Michael, represented the three brightest strategic minds and great strength and power in the entire empire. Beside the legendary trio was a woman who he considered the most important individual in the room aside from himself and his generals: Caitlyn. Without her, the entire Machine Network that he left will be offline for a long time and bad things will happen, even the brilliant plans drawn up by the Trio of War could never have existed.
Artemis' eyes fell on Valentine, who showed no reaction. "I heard you did your special mission that was scheduled to commence two weeks ago. I also heard you got something, I trust that you will bring me good news?"
Valentine stared straight at the wall, responding emotionlessly, "Your Excellency, my men have managed to turn almost thirty men on our side with our new developed brainwash technology, bypassing their typical Absolute Mind Resistance magic. Even made an individual named Kyler Holland into our side."
Artemis gave a satisfactory nod. "Good. I will partition additional resources for your cause. Have you managed to secure any information on further sabotage plans?"
"Indeed we have, Your Excellency." Valentine smirked internally. With sensations of pride swelling within her, she reported confidently, "Already, we have foiled two of their plots and raided one of their safe houses. This will place them on the defensive and should buy us enough time to complete this special military operation."
"You shall be rewarded generously for your accomplishments, Valentine."
Valentine bowed, thankful for the Machine Emperor's gift.
Artemis then set his sight on the Trio of War. "Caitlyn," he said, "What is the progress of our deployments?"
"Well Zack, our patrols have secured all routes to the border. All units are in position for the commencement of this special military operation, with reinforcements close behind. Michael is ready to move the 8th Army at your command."
"See to it that he does. Ensure that he has not grown overconfident from our victories over the Theocracy. Although the other two superpowers are similar to the Theocracy's power, we mustn't be careless."
"It shall be done, dear."
"And Liz, what is the status of your assassination squad?"
Liz responded, "Mobile Task Force operatives have currently made their way into several countries in the Great Isthmus Region, and are now determining the locations of their leaderships to make those nations in a state of chaos."
"Good," Artemis said, "If they discover anything anomalous, report it to myself, Caitlyn, and Michael immediately." He then turned his attention to Johnathan, "Johnathan, what is the status of our Airfleets?"
"Commander, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Assault Fleets have completed their Engineering efforts from the drones and our Magic-tech department bases...
The First to Fourth Assault Fleets have already moved to enact military exercises in the Theocracy's eastern coasts and hunting down more Leviathans, but inferior and smaller in 30 meters compared to the Terror of the Deep that the Titan faced, though one of them could summon hundreds of large tectacles of water and could shoot water bullets powerful as our hypersonic missile, they really weren't a threat."
"Wonderful, wonderful. When they've completed their exercises, begin preparations for our world domination. The Empire and the Republic shall be ours by the end...
...of the day."
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The Empire pride themselves for having the most powerful military in the world that had surpassed the Theocracy in military strength, if not the Theocracy's vass resources of Magical Items.
The Imperial Army consists of four major divisions: the Armored Corps, the Magic Beast Corps, the Mixed Corps and the Royal Guards. The total number of their military personnel exceeded 4.3 million, far greater than all forces in the midlands combined. This overwhelming military is the backbone of their unshakeable rule.
The supreme decision-making power of the military did not belong to the nation, but the Emperor. The highest ranking officer within the military is the Marshal, like the Supreme Commander Sebastian, followed by the three Generals commanding three major corps. These generals were selected after discussions held within the Marshal, the Emperor, and Imperial Court Magician Pyrrha.
But it's been months that the enemy hasn't moved forward, so they send out scouts or assassins to check or assassinate the enemy's leadership to go on the offensive in the shadows.
But none of them ever return.
As months went by, more and more soldiers of the two nations got mobilized and were patrolling the Fortress border. By the end of it, their number was greater than two million. They didn't believe that the Metal Demons would attack, but they had to defend their country at any cost.
Ghirra's Wall was extremely massive and it was said to be the largest military fortress of the two superpowers. It's on the lands between the territory of the Empire and the Republic, it borders the entire eastern path that leads to the Great Isthmus Region.
Nobody couldn't teleport or infiltrate that said fortress due to having special magic being cast on, any invading forces didn't stand a chance against the defenders, regardless of their numbers.
The wall was first built by Ghirra Codilanno, a legendary general who first built this military fortress 800 years ago, with so many invasions and sieges, and being destroyed and rebuilt all over and over again, it makes it a legend.
The mighty wall fortress was so big and widespread no one saw such a structure in this world ever before, maybe even surpassing the Great Walls of China in length.
Layers and layers of study enchanted stone walls. Thick, reinforced adamantine gates. On the walls constantly patrolling Golem Knights, and Magical Beasts varied in size and type.
A combined force of Battle Mages and soldiers from both empires wearing enchanted armor with durability that even surpasses a Modern Tank. Magic fueled steampunk styled cannons inhabited the walls. Providing long range artillery support if it's necessary.
Under the walls, countless hidden magical traps waited for anyone who dared to besiege the great fortress. In the air, the constantly patrolling Dragonite squadrons units and the mighty Airships of the Republic and Empire numbering thousands watched vigilantly. And anyone who dared to come closer in the airspace hunted down immediately
[IMAGES]
At Ghirra's Wall, they are starting to increase more battle mages and less soldiers because of how the enemy is so powerful that nearly close-quarter combat is almost useless against them. The republican and the Imperial airships begin to lift off to the air and go around lands to protect from any threats, but the few airships only wait for the more Airships to come to aid.
Ever since the existence of the metal demons, both of two superpowers' militaries began to collide their military and mobilize them to the inevitable war, but with the continent's large lands, it'll take weeks to fully mobilize their might against the new enemy.
Grand Marshal Sebastian, together with three Generals and High-ranking officers of the empire were standing on top of the hundred meter tall wall, looking at the horizon till they spotted dots coming from the desolate lands beyond.
Sebastian, also known as the Emperor's Right Hand Man expression did not change. As a Saint Demigod, he did not fear the monsters in the slightest.
But the last few weeks were the hardest times of his life. He sensed multiple floating metal balls moving around while in an invisible state, but nothing could escape his presence, guessing it might be spies, he took them down. The nation was in a state of war and he was tasked to command this enormous army alongside with the other Generals
On top, 500 Airships were dominating the skies, ready to unleash their guns to the enemies below.
"I'm sure I will remember this sight for a long time." Sebastian muttered. He then unsheathed his great longsword that was locked onto his waist and walked until the edge of the wall.
"Lord Groundsword, how are the preparations?"
"Everything is ready. We have two million people ready to fight the enemy, and with the help of the walls' mechanisms, our two narion's combined forces and you Mr. Sebastian, we are confident in defeating them."
Sebastian nodded. "That is good. Make sure to keep the casualties at the minimum. The Empire can't afford to lose much of its combat force."
"I understand." The General replied seriously.
"Very well, I'm off then."
As soon as he spoke, the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army took a step forward.
But instead of falling to the ground, he stepped in the air as though he was stepping on an invisible foothold.
Then, he kicked the air, and rushed towards the enemy at terrifying speeds.
The other Generals looked at that scene with both envious and surprised expressions.
"So that is a demigod, huh. How powerful." A buff man said.
The mage woman nodded, "Just the fact that he can fly makes him almost invincible against non-demigod opponents unless they have a way to fly with magic. Unfortunately, there is a huge gap between an A-rank and Demigods. I don't know if I have a chance to bridge that gap in my lifetime."
The other Generals from two nations nodded.
Seeing such speed. To be honest, not even themselves couldn't catch the speed. If all of them faced Sebastian at once, no matter if they were extremely smart, clever, cunning, or worked together in a very organized manner, no doubt that they wouldn't last long in less than a minute.
Even facing an army of a hundred A-Rank Realm combatants and mages or more against one Saint Demigod, no less it will be a total massacre.
"The enemy is here! Ready for battle!" Shouted one General using a spell that sent a message to every single soldier in the massive fortress, signaling the start of war.
In the distance, Artillery tanks started blasting their cannons towards the walls as Missile Launching Trucks and Anti-air weapons launched countless missiles towards the Demigod.
"[Time Stop]"
The world turns black and white, and as everything around him has come to a halt, he looks back at the attacks, but to his shock...
.
.
.
.
.
The missiles and Artillery shells continue to move... even time has stopped!
"What!?" Sebastian was surprised, but he didn't panic, holding his S-rank Sword, [Flamma Mortis] and he struck all of the missiles and shells in an instant.
"Even if your weapons could travel through the world of stop time, it's not enough to stop a Demigod." He spoke indifferently before raising his sword.
"Fall..." With an ice-cold tone, his sword slashed down.
*Boom!*
The sword slash crashed against the ground. Powerful mana waves exploded in the surroundings, unstable the flow of mana kilometers around him. Just that sword slash was enough to create a five-hundred-meters-long crevice on the ground!
But...
"How unexpected. To think The Emperor's Right Hand Man would appear so far away from the capital." A deep and mechanical voice with a... British accent(?) spoke from the ground.
A bulky man with skin made of steel appeared in Sebastian's sight. He was holding an Energy Sword while defending the Armored vehicles from the attack.
It's Michael.
As he defends from Sebastian's sword like it was nothing...
"Who are you?" Sebastian asked.
"You don't need to know," Michael chuckled, "You only need to know how the missiles and shells, even me, could travel through this Time manipulation ability? Simple, all the Androids, the weapons, Elite Androids like myself, even the Commander himself have Portable Warp drives or hyperspace drives, or tranlight technology that manipulates space time to prevent Time-based abilities from affecting us that we have suffered before. Well, if we don't have one, I can imagine a Demigod that knows Time Stop like yourself would solo us, which my Commander would not like."
"What? Warp drives? Tranlight Technology?" Hearing his words, Sebastian can't help but feel immensely confused. "I don't understand everything what you said, Metal men."
"You don't need to." Michael shrugged his shoulders, "You should've listened in your science class. Are you going to fight or not?"
"Hmph!" Sebastian snorted before a strong sword intent surged out of his body, charging towards the Elite Force of the Machine Empire.
But Michael laughed. With a wave of his energy sword, an energy slash was created that seemed to cut reality itself and easily dissipating the sword's intent completely.
The next second, both swords collided in an earth-shattering clash.
Just like that, the fight between two Demigods started.
But unbeknownst to Sebastian, the actions of Michael, the armored vehicles and artillery that was stationed outside of the fortress was just a distraction.
