The Systemic Lands

Chapter XL – Day (1,043) – War Of West And East

Chapter XL – Day (1,043) – War Of West And East

Explosions rippled across the battlefield. I sat on my elevated throne at the rear as both sides kept their distance and jockeyed for position to out flank the other side. Beams of various types of energy cut across the battlefield impacting trenches as I calmly waited for my true opponent to arrive.

We were holding, but not winning. The Astrologer had been sighted, but he hadn’t shown his face since I had turned up. It was annoying. My Lord General was observing at my feet and giving the occasional order to various runners to convey his messages while I listened in.

I did not feel the need to intervene. A beam of radiance type energy came for me. “Null Barrier.” One of the soldiers said, stopping the attack as I calmly remained in my seat. Several return beams struck at the location of the attack.

“Divine Empress, we are holding, but we cannot force an advance without your aid, the city walls lie ahead,” my Lord General said and turned towards me.

“The Astrologer?” I asked.

“He has not been spotted. Nor any of his Valkyries. Attrition has stabilized for now.” I tapped my fingers on my throne and considered moving out. It was tempting, but there were great risks. I could not afford to be distracted when my counterpart showed up.

“What of the shock troops, Master Fleshcrafter sent?” I asked.

“It allowed us to push to their city zone. But the height advantage of their walls stopped our advance. It isn’t a range increase, but the ability to spot our movements more easily. We might be able to advance to the walls, but they have a cannon emplacement.”

“Our flanks?” I asked.

“Our scouts are holding fine. The flanks fluctuate, but there has been no major incursion. Already troops are sweeping into the USC’s territory.” I nodded at this. We were the aggressors, and the advantage was ours.

“We will remain here and draw the Astrologer forth like we had originally planned. When more shock troops are brought up, we can force the issue.” A beam went high over my head and I didn’t flinch or even blink.

“Yes, Divine Empress.” He went back to giving orders as I looked out at the foxholes and trench lines. It would be easy to rush forward and kill everyone. The Astrologer had done so in the past. Which was why I was now here at the front to act as a counter to him and kill him. It would pave the way for my troops.

Summons were called up on both sides, but they were shredded as they approached enemy lines. Beam attacks were the artillery of the battlefield. Both my Empire and the UCS had gathered people in great numbers to constantly unleash them.

Even now the skills were being gathered and soldiers made ready. I had even noticed a drop in my income to fund this war. I was annoyed by this. I did not like waiting and doing nothing, but I could not act personally. It was an infuriating position to be in. It needed to change.

“Lord General,” I said as a thought entered my mind. He quickly stopped giving orders to a runner and turned towards me.

“Yes, Divine Empress.” That was why he was Lord General. Competent and steady while also knowing his place. The qualities needed for my military commander.

“I believe it is time to send the other side my present.” He paused for a moment as he processed my words.

“Yes, Divine Empress. I will send forth your present.” I nodded slightly at his confirmation. This would be amusing. Orders were quickly passed. Over a thousand naked people were brought forth. Their bleeding feet and bodies leaving a trail behind them. The soldiers whipped anyone who hesitated.

“Anyone who makes it to the enemy lines can beg them for mercy. You stay or die!” The shout went up and the naked people were whipped forward into no man’s land. The enemy attacks slowed down.

“Shall I order a follow up?” my Lord General asked.

“No. They will expect that. Let us force their bleeding hearts to act,” I replied and he nodded. The naked people started slow, but began to run more quickly as attacks were sent at them from behind. Yes, kill the helpless, kill these people. If I can’t kill you directly, I would strike at your hearts.

Beam attacks were finally unleashed. The naked people exploded into showers of viscera coating their neighbors who screamed. Some fell. Some turned around. Some kept running. The screams and chaos were some of the most beautiful things I had ever heard.

Some people made it to the enemy lines. There were no bombs, no traps, nothing. They were just naked helpless people whose only value was to die horribly and demoralize the enemy soldiers. It was a shame the punishment pits would be a bit emptier after the most recent arrival, but they were an endless resource. One I would put to good use.

“Full volley!” my Lord General cried out. I smiled as beam attacks cut across the battlefield. Killing hundreds of the people I had sent forward. Burnt and disfigured corpses fell to the ground. The return fire was weak and pathetic. The enemy soldiers hiding would see, smell, and experience the corpses up close and personal.

That was exactly what I wanted. I would build a battlefield of death. Until they drowned in tears and blood. There would be no mercy, no retreat. Soon this world would be mine.

“It appears your present was well received Divine Empress.” A runner quickly came over.

“Level 5 report. Astrologer sighted moving out of the city,” the runner said, and I stilled. The time for our fight had come. My Lord General looked at me. I just gave him a small nod which he returned. He quickly began to make preparations for a full advance the moment the fight broke out.

I scanned the horizon, past the battlefield of corpses. My gaze snapped towards the group in the far distance at the edge of my vision. That gaudy robe and those women around him could be no one else.

“Cease fire,” I said calmly. The cry went out and a white flag was raised. I rose up from my throne and slowly descended. I moved past my battle lines and stood at the forefront of my army. Time to remind everyone why I, Hei Long, was the Divine Empress and possessed the Mandate of Heaven itself to rule.

The Astrologer and his team of Valkyries came to the front of the opposing battle lines. The screams and dying groans of my present echoed out across the battlefield. The perfect backdrop for our fight. I was in peak condition and my Dragon’s Talon Kung-fu had been honed to a razor’s edge.

This fight would be over in a single instant. Victory or death, there was no other outcome. I settled into my stance and brought my right hand up in front of me. The five Valkyries already had drawn their various weapons. The Astrologer stood in the center of them all. Just like he believed he was the center of everything. I would correct him of that notion.

Neither side made a move as we watched each other. I had no fear, but whoever made the first move would be at a disadvantage and open to a counterattack. This was not a fight I could afford to take at a disadvantage.

A slight breeze blew across the battlefield. Enough waiting and planning. It was time to end this and seize victory. I kicked down with my foot. The ground shattered and I moved.