Chapter 218. The Enemy Army Marches Forward!

Chapter 218. The Enemy Army Marches Forward!

Near the border created by Fortuna's and Liu Shu's territory, an army of a thousand was gathered. The general looked toward the horizon, barely spotting the far-away Golden Sap Forest. "According to the map, we are around eight kilometers away from the Golden Sap Forest's tree line. We are unsure where the border between them starts and ends, so we will need to be attentive. I want a squad of 20 in each group to switch every two hours and keep constant attention to the terrain."

One of his officers asked. "General, we have already divided the army. We can start the rounds whenever the general asks."

"Good. The real fight starts when we arrive at the forest. We will probably enter the World Tree's detection range around there. We are many, so the World Tree won't ignore us, detecting us and sending troops to ambush us. During that time, I want the defenses to be high and our pace to be moderate. We can't walk slowly and allow them to corner us."

"Understood."

The 1000-member strong army moved at a light pace, eventually entering Liu Shu's detection range. The World Tree was not really paying attention to the surroundings. However, a group of 1000 people marching at a rhythm was too hard to miss.

Her conscience expanded, and she was quick to look over. 'Oh? They are here.' She pondered about what to do, and after thinking, she decided to warn Flor. "I haven't finished these armors, which is a bit of a shame. Well, at least Cinderielle and the others have theirs." Looking around, she quickly spotted Flor in Ignatia's nest, cuddled with the Ant Queen. "Flor!"

Flor jumped, startled. "Yes, love? What's wrong?"

Ignatia chuckled and patted her head. "Don't jump each time she calls you."

Liu Shu didn't lose time and spoke. "The army is here. It is 1000 men strong and at their marching pace they will arrive at the edge of the Golden Sap Forest in forty minutes."

The Ant Queen and Flor paused, and Flor rapidly flew out. "I'll go get everything ready. Liu Shu, please make an announcement to everyone when they reach the edge of the forest so that they return to the town and are protected!"

Ignatia saw Flor leaving and rubbed her chin. "Liu Shu, how far have my children gone in the direction that the army is coming?"

Liu Shu commented. "Around three kilometers from my position in a surprisingly even manner. How did you command them to expand the ant nest so symmetrically?"

Ignatia laughed. "I'll tell you later, now is not the time for this. Liu Shu, do you see the upward holes that are dug all around the ant tunnels?"

Liu Shu hummed. "Yes, I see them. They are much closer to the surface than the tunnels."

Ignatia slowly stood up, her presence surging outward and activating the ant nest. "Those holes are there so that you can open them and catch people one by one. The walls are coated with acid mucus that makes it practically impossible to hold onto them. Make sure to throw a few down those holes; level 20 and above would be quite perfect. Speaking of which, how many of those are there?"

Liu Shu commented. "A lot, to be honest. There are around 700 below Level 20, but the rest are Level 20 and above."

Ignatia nodded. "That's indeed quite a lot. My family can take around ten Level 20+ people simultaneously without casualties. However, if you feel that you need more help, don't hold back and throw down a few more. If I get involved, we should be able to deal with many more of them."

Liu Shu giggled. "Don't worry, I will do ten at a time~. Each time you want one of them, shout 'Food!'"

Ignatia burst into laughter. "Sure.~." Then, she shouted, her voice booming through the ant tunnels. "You heard your biggest sister! Time to feed!"

"Liu Shu!"

Flor nodded and looked at the plant clock on the wall. "They will arrive at the edge of the forest in 25 minutes, time to move."

Meanwhile, back at the army, the general was looking around with a confused expression. He was riding a mount together with a group of fifty-four. A total of fifty-five riders were made of fifty Level 24s and five Level 25s. "Lord General, do we light the forest on fire to move onward?"

The bearkin general snorted. "Right, give us the <Forest Burner> title. I bet that one will be quite fun to have, right?"

The person who suggested it coughed. "Excuse me, General."

A human woman asked. "But General, we are here to attack a World Tree. Won't that in itself give us a title?"

The General sighed. "The World Tree was the one that attacked us first when she killed our delegation, which makes it okay to attack back. The system doesn't like it when people attack innocent World Trees. However, it is okay to do so in retaliation..." The general frowned and looked at the woman. "Is this your first battle against a World Tree?"

The woman nodded. "It is, sir! I have been in the military for a long time. However, my achievements are lacking due to an absence of real battle experience. Thankfully, I've had a few fortuitous encounters and managed to reach Level 24, leading me to my current position."

The General hummed. "I see." He asked, curious. "So, you came even thinking that you would get a title for killing a World Tree?"

The woman laughed awkwardly. "I saw everyone agreeing so readily that I felt off denying my duty..."

"Hahahaha!" The General laughed loudly and then said. "Well, welcome to our <Third Bear Hide Army>! Since you are new, should we present ourselves to make this death march a bit more lively?"

The human woman smiled. "No need to, sir! I know very well about sir and the officials!"

Liu Shu heard that sentence, and she perked up joyfully. 'Free information!'

"General Tharn and his four officers! First, Lieutenant Sylvan Torran! Captain Rhen and also the general's brother-in-arms! One of the best archers in our town, Lady Vaya! Finally, Lieutenant Greth has deep strategic knowledge and personal strength!"

Liu Shu listened to everything the human woman blurted and told everything to the others.

Greth spoke in a low, menacing tone. "Miss, stop speaking. You might be revealing information to our enemy. We don't know where the World Tree's senses start from, so we must be careful."

The human woman nodded. "Yes, sir!"

Liu Shu pouted. 'Tsk. Why did you tell her to stop speaking? Let me know mooore!'

Thankfully, the enemy army couldn't hear her, or they would have spat blood in response to her shamelessness.

General Tharn laughed. "Having enthusiastic new recruits is always a pleasure! Remember this, and remember well. It is a sentence passed down since ancient times."

The human woman listened, and General Tharn smiled aggressively. "When fighting a World Tree, you don't fight a being. You fight the world around it."

The woman had a chill run up her spine, and she focused, her face tensing under the helmet. "Understood, sir!"