A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2302 - 1553: Intelligence (The Lazy Sleeping Cat)_2
Speaking of the intelligence obtained from the Demon Clan captives, the old General laughed heartily.
Although the old General had previously predicted that the Demon King’s Army would launch an attack because the Hero had not yet appeared in their country, the real reason differed after interrogating the captives.
In fact, the Demon King’s Army was aware that the country had summoned a Hero, hence their large-scale assault.
The reason was simple: previously, the Hero of the Guardian Country had killed one of the Four Heavenly Kings, greatly boosting the morale of the Humans while lowering the Demon Clan’s morale. If all Four Heavenly Kings were killed by the Hero, the Demon Clan might suspect that the Hero was naturally the Demon King’s nemesis, making it impossible for the Demon King to win as long as the Hero existed. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Once this kind of situation undermines the army’s morale and spreads, there’s no need to fight at all. The recent restraint of the Demon Army basically showed this problem.
Hence, the Demon King ordered his men to find a way to boost the Demon King’s Army’s morale. It’s best to kill a Hero to show the Demon Clan that Heroes can indeed die; that would make them easier to defeat.
So, whom to choose?
The Hero from the Magic Tool Country was in the Royal City, and it was unclear when they’d reach the Royal City. The Guardian Country’s Hero proved his skills by killing a Heavenly King, meaning he could kill another.
Thus, after discussing, the remaining Three Heavenly Kings made a swift decision upon learning that the third country had summoned a Hero.
Gathering forces, they stormed the Summoning Country first!
Their decision was simple; both the Hero of the Magic Tool Country and the Guardian Country are local and battle-hardened, with strong combat skills and rich experience. But the Hero from the Summoning Country was summoned from an Isekai, unfamiliar with this world. And what’s a summoned Isekai kid’s combat ability?
The Demon Clan knew to pick the low-hanging fruit!
The Demon Clan even planned if the opponent was foolish enough to come forth, they’d use the terrain to set a trap. If the opponent fled, they could boast about the Hero fleeing from the Demon Army, boosting morale.
However, amidst all the calculations, the Demon Clan didn’t anticipate the Isekai Hero summoned on the other side was no little lamb.
But a Godzilla, and fully developed.
Thus, a tragedy unfolded.
It’s worth noting that this time, the Demon King’s Army sent the best attacker, the Fire Heavenly King (the Earth one was previously killed by the Guardian Hero), who excelled in frontal battles, notorious for his outrageous brutality, even the Demon Clan feared him. Yet, Duanmu Huai pinned him to the ground in a direct confrontation!
This shattered the Demon Clan’s worldview!
In this instance, rather than achieving goals, the Demon King’s Army’s plan exacerbated its woes...
After this blow, the Demon King’s Army would likely hesitate to act recklessly for a long time.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the Four Heavenly Kings are weak. Duanmu Huai estimated during the battle that the Four Heavenly Kings had Demigod-level powers, and the Demon King might be just a Quasi-god. While the Demon King might be the final Boss for this world, for Duanmu Huai, possessing Divine Power from the God of Destruction and the Ancient Dominator, it’s like dealing with a child just entering primary school.
Indeed, it seems normal; after all, this isn’t an enhanced quest of the God of Destruction, but the God of Joy’s enhanced quest, not confronting any particularly formidable figures.
Conversely, if Duanmu Huai wished to be the Demon King, he’d render world destruction unstoppable, beyond any Hero’s ability to stop.
This Joyful quest couldn’t possibly mean being the Demon King and destroying the world, right?
That would be absurd.
"I’ve sent people to deliver the news to the Royal Palace; I believe everyone will be quite pleased."
The old General had no idea what Duanmu Huai was thinking, feeling rather thrilled. After all, their country’s Hero exhibited overwhelming combat abilities and single-handedly pinned and tore apart one of the Four Heavenly Kings, the most powerful Fire Heavenly King.
The old General just wished to roar to the sky.
Can the other two countries’ Heroes do that?!
Hahaha, I bet not!
"Report! General!"
Just as the old General was quietly pleased, a Messenger Soldier urgently arrived, his serious expression causing the old General’s heart to skip.
"What’s the matter? Is there trouble?"
Did the fortress troops overturn? His reputation would be tarnished if so, especially after the Brave Lord cleared one Heavenly King, leaving them vulnerable.
"We’ve received a report from the Shadow!"
"Oh?"
The old General promptly accepted the letter to review. The Shadow was their espionage unit, tasked with gathering intelligence. Previously, the Shadow Army gathered intelligence around the fortress. Their report was delayed as the fortress was overtaken by the Demon King’s Army, leading members to lose contact. It seemed that some members of the Shadow Army discovered the fortress recaptured, prompting urgent intelligence delivery.
"...... Hmm?"
"What’s wrong?"
Observing the old General’s subtle change in expression, Duanmu Huai asked curiously, and the old General finished reading the intelligence, then turned to Duanmu Huai.
"According to the intelligence... currently, the Demon King’s Army has surrounded the Lujiavia Duchy!"
"......... Explain in detail?"
Knowing Duanmu Huai was unaware of this, the old General quickly explained. Lujiavia Duchy is a small country situated between the Summoning Country and Guardian Country, comprised mainly of a city and several villages, primarily serving as a transit point between the two countries. Trade and commerce between both nations passed through this Duchy.
Of course, given the current situation, cross-border trade activity is mostly halted, but that’s not the concern.
"According to the Shadow Army’s intelligence, currently, the Hero from the Guardian Country and their party are in Lujiavia Duchy, and the Demon King’s Army is attempting to trap them by blocking Lujiavia."
"Oh? A Hero?"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai’s interest piqued; he hadn’t yet seen what Heroes from other countries were like since arriving in this world.
Not counting those three idiots.
"Where’s Lujiavia Duchy?"
"Uh...... Brave Lord, you wouldn’t......"
Listening to Duanmu Huai’s question, the old General suddenly had a not-so-good premonition.
"Let’s go see, I’m curious to see what the Heroes are like who combat the Demon King in this world."
