System's POV

Chapter 1309: The Day Of Reckoning [Part 2]

“I want all of you to think that the next few skirmishes might be the real deal,” Thirteen said, facing the Commanders of the army who had gathered inside the Royal Palace.

“Are you talking about the relics that Castor and Regulus used during the battle in Lyra?” Rana inquired. “Do you think that they are going to use it now?”

Thirteen nodded. “Yes. I have made my preparations, but there might be some places where they could still teleport inside the city. The moment they appear inside our defenses is when the battle will truly start.”

Everyone’s expression turned grim, understanding that the turning point of the war was about to come. The previous battles would be overshadowed the moment that both sides finally decided to go all out against each other.

Zen sighed. “Once Castor, Regulus, and their Elite Squads infiltrate the city, they would immediately do their best to bring down the shields so that the rest of their army could provide them cover fire.”

Erasmus glanced at Thirteen and decided that he would not join the discussion—at least for now.

Rana also gave the teenage boy a sidelong glance before looking at the map of the city.

Two hours before the conference commenced, Thirteen had talked to Erasmus and Rana first, informing them about a daring plan.

Rana was alarmed and tried to make the teenage boy reconsider, believing his plan carried too many risks.

However, Erasmus backed Thirteen’s proposal because he believed that they could use this dangerous gamble to their advantage.

Queen Miriamele was also aware of this plan and fully supported Zion all the way.

Sometimes, risks must be taken to reach a solution that others would rather hand over to fate.

Thirteen didn’t like to take chances, but after careful consideration, he decided that doing this would be less risky than letting their enemies appear randomly inside the city.

In the end, Rana reluctantly agreed to the plan, and the conference was held to shift the city’s defenses to different locations.

As Thirteen explained their new strategy, the Commanders also noticed a small loophole in their defenses.

But before they could voice out their opinions, he spoke up to prevent them from saying anything.

“Our enemy always targets our eastern defenses,” Thirteen said. “Their bombardment has managed to break through six times during the past few days. As such, we cannot afford to let it happen once more.

“There’s a possibility that they will go all out this time and use that opportunity to swarm the city through the hole in our defenses. Once they do that, the eastern Defenders will drop out like flies.

“This is why I decided to add more people there to reinforce the defenses. I believe that this is our best option for now.”

After careful consideration, the commanders thought that there was merit in their Supreme Commander’s words.

Relocating a thousand men to reinforce their defenses was a good way to prepare for any unforeseen situations when the enemy managed to break past their shields in the following days.

“Now, we will talk about what we will do if ever the enemy manages to teleport inside the city,” Thirteen stated. “Since escaping is not an option, we will do these contingency plans. Please memorize it and share it with your soldiers after you return.”

Thirteen handed several documents to each commander. They were the Standard Protocols that the Defenders would follow once their defenses were compromised.

Last time in the city of Lyra, their contingency plan was to escape to Velgrande.

But now, that was no longer an option.

They would have to make their stand and fight with their enemies to the bitter end.

The conference lasted for three hours before the Commanders returned to their posts.

“I don’t like this,” Rana said after everyone in the room had left. “Are you really going to take this gamble?”

“Yes,” Thirteen replied without hesitation. “It’s better to know where they will appear than keep on second-guessing about the power of their relics.”

Thirteen glanced at the western side of the city, where the smithing area was located.

It was the place where people commissioned weapons, armor, and other equipment that were made by the best blacksmiths of Velgrande.

These items were different from the mass-produced equipment made for soldiers of the empire.

The blacksmiths there offered exclusivity, which many people liked.

And now, Thirteen was planning to bait Castor, Regulus, and their elite army into teleporting to that location.

It was the only place in the city where his runic formations were disabled, creating a loophole in their defenses.

Just as Rana had said, Thirteen was taking a gamble.

Letting the thousand defenders leave that place was for their own safety.

All of them would have easily died in the hands of the Celestials, which would make their deaths in vain.

Two days later, the Aerial fleet of the Rebels finally took flight.

“Today, we end this war,” Castor declared.

Regulus nodded. “About time.”

Castor had already recalled the twenty-five Azothralls with golden markings and the fifty Azothralls with red markings back to the flagship.

These Azothralls had the strength of High Archons and Archons, which would become their main fighting force once they entered the city.

The other Azothralls were left to fight underground, preventing their enemies from discovering their strategy.

Regulus’ Artifact could at most teleport a hundred people, and they would need their strongest fighters to accompany them on this trip.

As much as the two Celestials didn’t want to admit it, both of them were starting to feel desperate.

The war had taken its toll on their emotional state of mind, and prolonging it needlessly would be bad for them.

Castor gazed at the city that was now within their strike range.

The hundred-strong army was composed of High Archons and Archons who resided within their domains and had all gathered on the deck of the ship.

“We need to get as close to the city as possible,” Regulus stated. “The range of my relic is limited.”

“I know.” Castor nodded. “That’s why we prepared for this day.”

He had asked the engineers to reinforce the front shields of the Flagship, for they had long planned to charge at the city.

They must be able to endure the magical cannons’ bombardment they would face as soon as they came close to the city walls.

Castor raised his hand, and all the airships came to a complete stop.

“Today will be written in the history books of the Empire!” Castor shouted. “Today, we will emerge victorious!”

“”Victorious!””

“”Victorious!””

“”Victorious!””

Castor narrowed his eyes before pointing at the city of Velgrande.

“Charge!” Castor roared.

As soon as the orders were given, the airship was covered in several layers of shield, as its engine came to life, pushing it straight towards the city, where the final battle would be waged in full.

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A/N: A fire broke out a few houses away from our home yesterday, so I wasn’t able to post any Chapters. I was so shaken by this accident, and was unable to think properly at that time. Thank you for your support and understanding.