"Report! Marshal, the vanguard has been attacked! The enemy situation is unclear, but there are already defeated soldiers retreating towards us!"

The central command of the Purgatory Demon Race was advancing in the middle of the army, not far from the vanguard.

The originally tedious march made the group of peak powerhouses feel bored, their desire for destruction soaring as they longed to engage in fierce battle with the arrogant enemy demons.

Just at this moment, news of enemy contact came from the frontline. Instead of being surprised, the Purgatory Demigods were delighted, not expecting to clear the rebels for the Destruction Demon God so quickly. It was truly exhilarating news!

As for the defeat of the vanguard, that wasn’t important. They only had about eight Demon King Level forces, and it was normal for them to be unable to withstand the enemy’s fierce assault. After all, while the Abyssal Demon Race was severely damaged, the Chaos Demon and Dark Demon races still had some strength.

Especially since the intelligence mentioned that the Seven Great Demon Kings had nearly reached Demigod Level in strength, their actual combat power was certainly not weaker than veteran demigods. With them leading, it’s not surprising if the vanguard lost. Besides, with the mobility of the Purgatory Demigods, even if they couldn’t win, it’s unlikely they would be killed, unless they foolishly fell into the enemy’s encirclement.

"Advance faster! Gather the defeated soldiers along the way. Austin, you take fifteen... better make it twenty demigods to support Mog and the others. We cannot afford to lose too much Demon King Level power; otherwise, future world battlefronts will be tough to develop."

Strong Assault Demon King Rivers, as the Grand Marshal of the Purgatory Demon Race and the strongest among them now, was appointed as the Strong Assault Demon King at level 975 by the Demon Dragon Emperor. Although not as orthodox as the Seven Great Demon Kings, he was still officially titled as a Demon King, unlike ordinary Demon King Level powerhouses.

Now he sat in the central army and oversaw the entire force, unable to personally assist the Purgatory Demigods in the vanguard, so he dispatched his trusted subordinate, a 930-level Purgatory Demigod, Austin, to carry out the task.

With twenty-one Purgatory Demigods to assist, plus the existing eight in the vanguard, this power combination could fight out of any battle scenario unless they were surrounded by over a hundred Demon King Level enemies.

"Yes, sir!"

Austin received the order and departed, shortly later seen leading twenty-one formidable demon shadows skyrocketing, gradually disappearing into the distant horizon.

"They actually have the gall to take the initiative. I thought those few young girls would shrink back in the Demon Realm, even hiding in the Demon Emperor Palace without daring to show themselves."

Having dispatched a powerful rescue team, Strong Assault Demon King Rivers muttered softly. The opponent’s advantage was having an invincible Demon Emperor, but their disadvantage was overwhelmingly apparent. He temporarily couldn’t fathom where their courage to attack proactively came from.

Do they think that by clinging to the new Demon Emperor, they are invincible?

Even a pack of hyenas can kill a lion. Moreover, they too are lions, albeit a size smaller. An invincible Demon Emperor isn’t absolutely undefeated; even if he can’t be killed by dozens of Demon King Level powerhouses, they can at least entangle him, leaving victory to them ultimately, right?

"Report! Grand Marshal, sir, Austin has returned!"

At this moment, the voice of the communication soldier came from afar again.

"Oh? Let them come over."

Sitting on a chariot drawn by eight Purgatory Earth Dragons, Rivers commanded with immense dignity.

Austin’s efficiency indeed did not disappoint, worthy of his promotions all the way through. Although it was just a simple rescue task, he returned within merely ten minutes after departure, indicating the operation went smoothly.

But soon, Rivers couldn’t maintain his composure, as only Austin came back despite being instructed to bring "them," and Austin bore a panicked expression, devoid of his usual pride and composure.

"Grand Marshal, run! It’s the Demon Dragon Emperor attacking!"

Austin, just arriving and not even saluting, rushed to urge escape, realizing that this was the central command post of the entire Purgatory Demon Race. If the Grand Marshal ran, wouldn’t this battle be an outright defeat before officially commencing?

"Calm down! Speak slowly, what’s happening? Is the new Demon Dragon Emperor leading the attack? Also, where are the other demons?"

Rivers gripped Austin’s shoulders, attempting to calm him with the pressure from a supreme being, yet the latter seemed utterly terrified, not even finding security in the powerful aura of a level 975 existence.

"No army, just one demon! Mog is dead, and the eight Purgatory Demigods in the vanguard are dead, too! The rescue team I brought also suffered severe losses. I escaped while he chased the other demons; otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it back!"

"Grand Marshal, run! That’s a real demon! We’re not a match for him at all!"

Austin’s anguished voice echoed persistently, hinting at the terrifying sight he had witnessed, instilling such fear into a veteran demigod, utterly robbing him of the courage to resist.

"You mean the new Demon Emperor came alone, without other Demon King Level powerhouses aiding?"

By then, the other Purgatory Demigods at the central command snapped out of the shock from Austin’s outrageous report, with a newly promoted demigod stepping forward in doubt.

"No, I only saw him. There were no other powerful auras around, but even just him—we can’t confront, we must retreat quickly!"

As Austin’s words fell, all Purgatory Demigods, including Rivers, frowned, casting peculiar looks at the terrified Austin, who embarrassed the Purgatory Demons by conceding before even engaging in battle.

However strong the new Demon Emperor might be, he was alone, while they had nearly a hundred Demon King Level forces. If he truly came alone, the one who should flee isn’t them but the overconfident Demon Emperor!

"All Demon King Level forces gather, follow me to confront the enemy!"

After a moment of deliberation, Rivers made a decision. No matter if the opponent was a Demon Emperor or concealing a grand army, as long as their over hundred Demon King Level forces didn’t scatter, they could handle any battle scenario.

"I’m not going! You guys go! What Purgatory Demigod—he tears them apart effortlessly, our attacks barely tickle him, and even when over ten demigods combined forces to injure him, he healed in a breath. How do we fight? Sacrifice ourselves?"

While speaking, Austin blatantly abandoned his comrades and superiors, fleeing towards the army’s rear, ignoring the risk of being executed for desertion in fear of battle.