Chapter 209: The Final Trump Card of the Imperial Forces

At that critical moment, Marquis Kregi sensed impending danger. Several formidable beams struck the protective shield, propelling him back over ten meters.

"What's happening?"

"More powerful foes!"

The force of these attacks rivaled that of a Level 5 overlord. When faced with multiple concentrated beams simultaneously, even Marquis Kregi felt a substantial threat. But it was not just him; Xiang Nanfeng, Hong Xia, Bard, and the powerful aids surrounding them were all subjected to these intense assaults. Several top-tier mercenaries, adventurers, and Heroes of Level 4 and 5 found themselves caught off guard, either severely injured or instantly killed.

Their attention quickly pinpointed the source of these assaults---the Demon King's royal guards. More than a hundred of them, led by Wei Yi, were the perpetrators. Among them, thirty had been enhanced into super guards with the Evil God Cultivator.

Wei Yi beat his wings, brandishing a large sword in his right hand and unleashing tentacles from his left. Ten beholder eyes gathered in his palm, unleashing ten consecutive attacks at the Knight Commander a short distance away. Although they could not penetrate the Knight Commander's golden armor, the relentless onslaught managed to push him back. Seizing this opportunity, Wei Yi swiftly approached Long Yi.

"This one has arrived late!"

"Not at all! You've come precisely in time!"

Bard's face contorted in frustration. "This damned Demon King, he's been hiding this horrifying force all along!"

"This situation is dire," Marquis Kregi muttered, his brows furrowed in deep concern. Initially, he had hoped for a swift victory, teaming up with the other three formidable powerhouses to defeat the Demon King swiftly and minimize their losses. But he had not anticipated the Demon King reserving such a powerful card---a squadron of draconians with overwhelming strength.

Wei Yi led thirty super draconian guards, each boasting a comprehensive combat capability on par with a Level 5 overlord. One or two would not tip the balance, but facing thirty of these elite guards was an entirely different scenario. Ten of them alone could match a Level 6 overlord from the empire, these thirty guards were more than sufficient to engage with three.

Engaged by these powerful draconian guards, the empire was left with just one overlord to fight Long Yi. How could a lone overlord possibly contend with the Dark Dragon King? And beyond the thirty super draconian guards, there were an additional hundred of the usual royal guards, each a formidable force in their own right.

They could not afford to continue like this. The Demon King's magitek citadel was an unstoppable force, acting like a merciless reaper. Yet, it was not the mercenaries or church's troops being harvested; the floating citadel had unexpectedly hit the army from the back, it was the empire's soldiers and noble forces that were being harvested.

The losses were catastrophic. If they persisted, losing two or three legions out of four was all but guaranteed. Even if they emerged victorious against the Demon King, the Marquis would find it incredibly challenging to explain the losses to the Grand Duke. His personal reputation would not soar from the victory; instead, it would plummet dramatically.

"Retreat!" the Marquis issued the order once more. Even Xiang Nanfeng and Hong Xia fell silent this time; circumstances were more dire than any plan they had devised. The imperial coalition was in disarray, their combat efficiency dwindling to less than fifty percent. The Demon King's power and forces exceeded their initial estimations significantly. They had no choice but to withdraw temporarily and regroup before the casualties escalated any further.

However, this retreat shattered their hopes for a swift victory. Both sides would now enter a protracted period of standoff.Reaad the latest stories on novelbin(.)com

"Thinking of leaving?" the Dark Dragon King sneered. "Hah! It will not be that easy!"

Long Yi swiftly activated his domain skill, pulling everyone present into the realm of darkness. He had purposefully conserved his strength during the earlier battle, enduring more physical damage to preserve his MP for this critical moment.

"Oh no!" Count Kregi's face paled. He had not expected the Dark Dragon King to activate his domain at this precise moment. Unless they depleted the Dragon King's power entirely or defeated him outright, with their current abilities, breaking through the domain was impossible.

Xiang Nanfeng quickly instructed Hong Xia, "Use the Domain Sphere!"

Hong Xia retrieved a crystal and activated the magical item, releasing the domain power sealed within it. This temporarily nullified the Dragon King's domain.

Just then, a barrage of dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of abyssal thunderbolts struck simultaneously, targeting Hong Xia. She was sent flying, her magical shields shattering one after another, causing substantial damage and nullifying her teleportation magic.

Long Yi's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Did you honestly think the same trick could work twice before me? I've long anticipated your moves. Since you've ventured here to challenge me with such ignorance, I'll gladly keep all of you here!"

With his words, thirty super draconian guards assembled before him, each raising their left hands, unleashing powerful beams of energy. Long Yi let out a deafening roar, summoning a deluge of abyssal thunder that filled the sky.

The formations of all four imperial legions were in disarray. Mercenary troops, church's forces, noble contingents---all were desperately holding their ground. Meanwhile, the Demon King's army launched an all-out assault. Fifty thousand berserk ogres rampaged mindlessly, while the diamond earth drakes, mystic battlemages' transformed drakes, and golden giants fought under the blessings of the draconian high priests.

The opportune moment for retreat had been lost. Given the current situation, even if nearly a million troops retreated, half of them surviving would be considered fortunate. How could they continue this fight? It seemed inevitable that they would lose.

"There's no choice! We have to request Grand Duke Bachor to intervene personally!"

Marquis Kregi activated a magic scroll, creating ripples in space that formed an instant portal.

Long Yi thought the enemy intended to escape through spatial means. He immediately unleashed his abyssal lightning, attempting to disrupt the stability of the space. But at that moment, a surge of combat Qi burst out from the portal, dispersing the lightning in the sky.

The Dark Dragon King's expression changed. "What is this power? How can it be so overwhelming!?"

The next moment, a figure stepped out of the portal. Standing at two meters tall, he appeared imposing to humans, but among draconians, ogres, and even giants, his size was rather ordinary. However, the moment he emerged, there was a sense of pressure akin to facing a hundred feet tall titan. Even the mighty Dark Dragon King felt a palpable sense of danger, causing him to slow down his approach.

This elderly man, with silver hair flowing like a lion's mane, exuded a regal aura. As his eyes swept across the battlefield upon stepping out of the portal, his expression immediately darkened.

"Kregi! You have disappointed me!"

Marquis Kregi looked extremely fearful. "Grand Duke Bachor, I am deserving of death for my failures. I am willing to accept any punishment."

The old man raised his head, his gaze solid and intense. Finally, his eyes settled on the Dark Dragon King.

"Are you the Demon King of the Chaos Forest? You do have some strength and cunning to force the empire's forces to this extent."

Long Yi's gaze became serious. "And who are you?"

"I am the Grand Duke of the Southern March---Wilcliff Bachor!"

Upon hearing his words, everyone's complexion changed dramatically. This elderly man was the Grand Duke of the south? No wonder the pressure he emitted was so strong. No wonder Marquis Kregi behaved with such deference in his presence. The Grand Duke had personally intervened!

Yet Long Yi remained unperturbed, displaying a cold smile. If His Majesty the Demon King represented the last trump card of the Darkness City and the Chaos Federation, then Grand Duke Bachor symbolized the final stand of the Thunder Empire's southern border and Bachor Duchy. When the ultimate play was forcibly unveiled, it signaled the depletion of all available options. Normally, the paramount figure of a robust and stable faction should refrain from direct involvement, as such a move entailed immense risk, not just to themselves, but also what they stood for.

Yet, Bachor had stepped into the fray, indicating his lack of alternatives but to engage personally.

Bachor suggested, "You possess strength and potential. Should you abandon the Chaos Forest, I might entertain the notion of welcoming you into the empire."

In response, Long Yi erupted into laughter. "You're not entirely without merit. Why not relinquish your futile title as duke? I could consider admitting you into the ranks of the Chaos Federation."

This proposition kindled a fierce intensity.

"You're but a Level 5 monarch. Do you genuinely believe I can't handle you? I've dispatched foes of your caliber before!"

Grand Duke Bachor's latent power surged forth, his emitted aura growing more fearsome, the pressure he exerted becoming increasingly suffocating. It resembled a slumbering volcano now roaring back to life.

"In fact, I haven't personally fought in a war for decades."

"It's such a rare occasion to encounter an adversary deserving of my prowess. I hope you can endure a bit longer, and allow me to enjoy this battle more thoroughly."