Chapter 287: Holy war 25

With soft sighs reminiscent of a cat purring, Elena snuggled a little closer to Adrian's chest, her smile never ending as her dreams about him and the happy future they would share burst forth inside her.

"Hehehe~," she laughed enthusiastically in her sleep.

Adrian, who had been gently stroking her soft hair, chuckled. It had been a long time since they had slept together like this, so hearing her oblivious yet cute actions made him smile. He cherished these rare moments of peace and intimacy, especially after the harrowing experiences they had both endured.

It had been a few hours since the two fell asleep, and Adrian had just recently woken up. Seeing that Elena was still deeply asleep, he kissed her forehead gently. Careful not to disturb her, he slowly made his way out of bed, replacing his body with a soft pillow next to her. His escape was a success as his beloved fiancée immediately hugged the pillow, falling into a deep sleep once more.

Adrian stood beside the bed for a moment, watching Elena with a tender expression. He marveled at how serene she looked, the lines of worry and stress smoothed away in her slumber. It was a sight he wanted to protect at all costs.

"She's as cute as ever~," Adrian murmured to himself, watching Elena sleep peacefully.

He could hardly wait for her to wake up so they could enjoy moments together once he had fully recovered from the aftermath of breaking her seal. Although he wanted nothing more than to stay by her side right now, he knew that more pressing matters required his attention.

"I'll be back soon, Elena," he whispered, gently stroking her hair one last time.

Before leaving, Adrian placed a marker rune on the ceiling above her. This rune would alert him the moment Elena began to stir, ensuring he would be the first one she saw upon waking. They had been separated for far too long, and he wouldn't allow her to even remember the pain of that separation in any way.

Turning around, Adrian's body transformed into black lightning, disappearing from the room in a burst of dark sparks. The energy crackled and hummed, resonating with his determination and urgency.

In an instant, Adrian reappeared in the war room, a dark, vast chamber illuminated by various magical projections and maps detailing the ongoing conflict. He scanned the room, his eyes sharp and focused.

His lieutenants looked up as he entered, sensing the shift in the air. Adrian's presence always brought a mix of reassurance and tension. His power was both a comfort and a reminder of the high stakes they faced.

"Report?" Adrian demanded, his voice slicing through the tension in the room.

"Ah, y-yes, we have secu—" the subordinate stammered, but before he could finish, his mouth snapped shut, silenced by an unseen force.

"Please allow me to explain everything to him!" came the mischievous voice of a boy who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It was Loki, his golden eyes glinting with mischief as he scanned Adrian from head to toe.

"So your little baby didn't leave any mark... haah~ haah~ how disappointing," Loki said with a shrug, a playful pout on his lips.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, initially confused, but then quickly understood and smacked Loki on the head.

"Ow~ what was that for?" Loki yelped, rubbing the sore spot.

"For being a pervert," Adrian replied dryly.

"Tsk... You're really just like your sister. Can't take a joke. And besides, sexual jokes are supposed to be out for the window now, you know. After all, you're in the same league as us gods now!"

"That might be true, but there are still boundaries I don't want crossed. And besides, I want to maintain my human morals regarding that matter," Adrian retorted, his tone firm.

"Well, isn't that very noble of you," Loki said with a mocking bow, though his eyes held a glimmer of respect.

Adrian sighed, shaking his head at Loki's antics. "Alright, enough of that. What's the situation?"

Loki straightened up, his demeanor shifting to one of seriousness. "Our forces have secured the eastern front, but we're facing unexpected resistance near the empire's border. The dragons have joined the fray."

Adrian nodded, absorbing the information. "Losses?"

"Significant," Loki admitted. "We've lost over 200,000 demons, including the angel slaves we sent. If we round it off, the total loss is nearly 300,000 uhm no it reached 400,000 just now they are already making a move~ sheesh! These humans really know when and where to strike"

Adrian's expression hardened. The casualties were heavy, but within expected range as long as it doesn't go past the million threshold they still had the upper hand even though they were pushed backl "And the dragons? Any signs of retreat or negotiation?"

"None. They seem fully committed to supporting the humans," Loki replied grimly.

Adrian sighed inwardly. Dragons were formidable opponents, and their alliance with the humans complicated matters. But he couldn't afford to be reckless. He needed to think strategically.

"Understood. Maintain our current positions and fortify our defenses. We cannot afford to lose any more ground," Adrian ordered.

Turning his attention back to the map, Loki glanced at Adrian curiously before posing a question. "Do you have anything in mind, Mr. Angel Eater?"

"Angel Eater?" Adrian echoed, puzzled.

"OOOOOOH!!!!!!!" Came the shouts and screams of happiness from her subordinates.

Ever since this morning, they had been tirelessly fighting against the demons' remaining forces near the borders. When they finally won and reclaimed what was lost, the soldiers were ecstatic.

"Princess..." a voice called out.

"Tristan, huh? What is it?" Christine turned to see her most trusted knight approaching.

"Here," Tristan said, offering the princess a small marble that looked like a candy. Christine looked at him skeptically.

"Ah, please take it. It's a new type of energy potion turned into a candy by Miss Euphemia herself. It should prove to work well," Tristan explained.

"I see." Nodding her head, Christine took the candy and swallowed it. Almost immediately, she felt a wave of refreshment wash over her, the stamina in her body returning.

"Thank you, Tristan," she said, feeling revitalized.

"We need to stay vigilant, Your Highness," Tristan advised. "This victory is significant, but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels."

Christine nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "You're right. We need to fortify our positions and prepare for any counterattacks. Inform the troops to stay on high alert and start setting up defensive measures."

"Yes, Princess." Tristan bowed before heading off to relay her orders.

Christine took a moment to survey the battlefield, the remnants of their hard-fought victory still evident. The sight of her soldiers' triumphant faces filled her with pride, but she knew this was just one battle in a much larger war.

As she stood there, a messenger ran up to her, breathless and urgent. "Princess Christine, news from the front lines. The demons are regrouping near the eastern flank. They seem to be preparing for another assault."

Christine's expression hardened. "We can't let them regain their footing. Tristan!" she called out.

Tristan quickly returned to her side. "Yes, Princess?"

"Gather our best knights and prepare to lead a counteroffensive against the demons on the eastern flank. We need to push them back before they can mount another attack."

"Understood," Tristan replied, his face determined.

Christine turned back to her troops, raising her voice to rally them once more. "Soldiers of the Empire, our fight is not yet over! We must push forward and ensure the demons do not have a chance to regroup. For the Empire!"

"For the Empire!" the soldiers echoed, their morale bolstered by their princess's unyielding spirit.

As Tristan organized the troops for the counteroffensive, Christine couldn't help but think of her father and the burden of leadership they both bore.

She understood his caution, but in moments like this, bold actions were necessary.

She vowed to do whatever it took to protect her people and secure a future free from the demonic threat.

With renewed determination, she mounted her horse and led her troops toward the eastern flank, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Her father may have forbidden her from launching an assault on the eastern flank yesterday, but today's victory had proven the necessity of decisive action. If they had remained still, they never would have reclaimed the Grand Sanctum.

They needed to maintain their offensive momentum before the demons could regroup. Now was not the time for indecisiveness or cowardice.

"You really are a fool, Father," Christine thought, a mixture of frustration and affection crossing her mind. "But that is what makes you kind."

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Christine closed her eyes briefly.

When she opened them again, her green pupils had transformed, mimicking those of a reptilian lineage.

Her dragon blood surged with power, readying her for the battle ahead. No matter what demons awaited her in the east, she would kill them with her own hands.

With renewed determination, Christine spurred her horse forward, leading her troops toward the eastern flank.

She could feel the energy of her dragon ancestry coursing through her veins, granting her strength and resilience.

The soldiers behind her, inspired by her unyielding spirit, followed with fierce loyalty and resolve.