Ashen Dragon-Chapter 553 - 21 Defense Line_2

On the vast territory of the Empire, a scarlet line suddenly appeared, stretching hundreds of miles, almost enveloping the entire southern part of the Empire.

“I believe some of you have also participated in its construction, just not understanding its purpose at the time.

These defensive works are built from reinforced concrete, very sturdy, containing all sorts of cannons, trenches, fortresses, kitchens, hospitals, factories, etc.

These passages crisscross, and larger works even include steam train tracks.

This is all thanks to His Majesty’s foresight; we began building this line of defense as soon as the Empire took possession of the entire North, which I call—”

“The Magino Line?”

Steel Torrent couldn’t help but speak out.

But sensing Lord Ramp’s warning glance and seeing the prompt [Favorability Decreased], he immediately covered his mouth, wishing he could harshly slap himself.

Why can’t I keep my mouth shut? Why did I blurt it out?

Lord Ramp then withdrew that murderous gaze and continued, “Imperial’s Wall.”

Discussion heated up in the hall again, some people supported it, full of confidence in the Empire’s resistance against demons, but others voiced deep skepticism.

“Is this the plan of the Prime Minister?”

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“Can it defend successfully?”

“So that’s why some people were sent to the mines for a secret mission, they went to build the wall!”

Dolores said somewhat mockingly, “Lord Ramp, facing the enemy’s assault, you actually chose to build a wall? How many resources of the Empire will this consume?

Are we to cower behind walls like those human nations?”

Lord Ramp calmly replied, “Before the Imperial’s Wall lies the flat and open Saviedra Great Plains, and that will become the burial ground for all demons.”

The Ogre’s tone was exceptionally harsh, his injured ear seeming to tremble slightly, the murderous intent in his eyes making Dolores flinch.

Dolores then remembered, the person in front of him was not just any Prime Minister, but an Ogre, a Dragon Vein Ogre at that!

A very brutal being, only often obscured by the workings of the Empire, maintaining rationality.

Lord Ramp’s expression softened, and he said with a smile, “However… Marshal Dolores.

Now, the demons have not yet launched a full invasion, it’s not yet time to use the Imperial’s Wall, let these demons first experience the power of two million Starfallen.

Your Majesty, please review this.”

Lord Ramp turned again, looking towards Cassius on the throne, and with another tap of his scepter, a detailed tactical plan appeared in the air.

Two million Starfallen, for the current state of the Empire, are quite a force to be reckoned with.

Well, that’s simple, just throw them to the South, right?

“Very well.”

Cassius said so.

He slightly tilted his head, the faint golden pupils subtly twinkling.

The Emperor’s gaze seemed to traverse thousands of kilometers, seeing the darkness and chaos deep within the Anstika Group, carrying a hint of anticipation.

…

Saviedra Plains, Blackstone Fortress Suburbs, within Leo Village.

The village, which was quite lively, had now become desolate.

“Old White, are you really not leaving? The Empire’s special task force is here specifically to evacuate the commoners.

There are not many people left in the village already…”

“Don’t try to persuade me,” you go if you want to, but this is my house, and I’m not going anywhere.”

The man known as “Old White” exhaled a puff of smoke as he spoke. He appeared to be in his fifties, his face marked by the ravages of time.

His skin was dark, and his face bore deep grooves, the rough, calloused hands that held his cigarette weathered and tough.

White had been a native of Leo Village since birth, and he was the village Hunter.

The furthest White had ever traveled was to Lait Village, twenty miles away—a not so pleasant experience.

During the rule of the Northern Kingdom, he was the Hunter here, and during the rule of the Ashen Empire, he remained the Hunter—only his bow had been replaced by a civilian model “Breaker of Enemies.”

In recent years, most of the village’s young people had run off to the cities—including White’s own son.

And now, those who remained were urgently relocated by the dispatched Imperial forces, claiming that abyssal demons would soon invade.

But White wasn’t afraid.

He was going to die soon anyway; at fifty-three, his age was already considered longevity among the Northerners.

White just wanted to spend his last moments in the home he had lived in for nearly fifty years, especially since he had a good shotgun.

“Whoosh—”

I wonder what those demons even look like.

Everyone’s left, just me remaining.”

White exhaled another ring of smoke, looking over the empty village, slowly closing his door.

He held no particular “loyalty” to the Ashen Empire, considering it had only been a few years, but he also bore no hatred—at least it was better than his impression of the North.

After the Empire took control here, taxes were significantly reduced.

People no longer had to kneel before knights sent by the Duchy, nor worry about being randomly seized by some noble, reduced to the lowest serf.

For this, White was rather grateful.

However, White disliked the eerie quietness that had settled over the village; it seemed to him the Imperial people had concocted some sort of enchantment that drove the young people to eagerly rush to the cities.

What White liked most, however, were the two “new things” brought by the Empire—cigarettes and shotguns.

Cigarettes helped relieve his worries, bringing rare pleasure into his mundane life,

yet they were quite pricey for White, costing a fine deer skin for just two packs from the city traders.

Thus, he cherished each smoke, saving even the butts in a small box.

The latter became White’s essential tool for hunting. His old body could no longer draw a bow, but the introduction of shotguns rejuvenated his spirit.

Thinking this, Old White brought out his shotgun, carefully wrapped in layers of fabric, and meticulously wiped down the barrel.

“These Imperial people say that the ‘Starfallen’ Immortals will be stationed in this village, but I’ve never seen an undying person before.”

“Creak—”

The window slowly opened, and White looked outside, his ears perked up as they caught some noise.

Then, he incredulously rubbed his eyes.

He saw waves of dust rising from the end of the village road as hundreds of people charged forward.

Most were dressed in simple tunics, and some were naked, sprinting wildly.

“I’m coming!”

“Ohhhhh!”

“Take off!”

“It’s a village! Time to rummage! That’s the essence of an RPG game!”

“Holy shit, cover up! The Holy Light’s about to blind me!”

“What, no NPCs?”

“Don’t forget our mission to kill demons; this is our battleground!”

Old White rubbed his eyes again, feeling as if he were either going mad or his vision was extremely blurred.

Is this what they call the undying warriors, the vanguard of the Empire—the Starfallen?