Chapter 1298: The Arrival of the Demonic Months

Iron Axe and Edith had arrived at the same conclusion independently: until the full force was assembled and all weapons positioned, the First Army had to hold. Even once the main force arrived, they needed to find the right opening — a chance to eliminate the demons decisively. If they allowed themselves to be pulled into the Red Mist zone, the situation would become unrecoverable.

“According to intelligence from the Taquila witches,” Iron Axe said, pointing at the red curve drawn across the map, “the Red Mist from the Obelisk will eventually cover more than half the Kingdom of Wolfheart. Our defensive line has to extend accordingly.” He traced four points along the curve. “Accounting for alert time and preparation, we’ve set outposts at the Metalstone Ridge, Gust Castle, Sand City, and Sedimentation Bay.”

The four cities formed an irregular polygon straddling the Kingdom of Wolfheart, positioned on the near side of the advancing Mist.

“We don’t have the force to hold all four simultaneously, so we’ve prioritized. The two most critical are the Sedimentation Bay and the Sand City — they face each other across fifty kilometers and sit directly in the path of the Red Mist’s leading edge, only fifty kilometers from the demons’ fortified line. If we lose them, the demons have a clear road to Cage Mountain.”

“Especially the Sedimentation Bay,” Morning Light said. “It’s the closest port to the Mountain. Our supply chain runs through it. Lose the Bay, and our assembly timeline collapses.”

“To be plain,” Edith cut in — she was the only person in the room who said the hard word without ceremony — “if the demons take the Sedimentation Bay, we have half-lost the Battle of Divine Will. Fortunately, the demons are also stretched. They erected the Obelisk on the continental ridge; transporting Red Mist from there isn’t simple.”

Iron Axe acknowledged this with a brief cough. “Whatever their logistical problems, the First Army can’t afford to waste the time they’re giving us. Before they complete a mountain road, we must hold those two cities.” He paused. “Three thousand soldiers are currently stationed between the Bay and Sand City, building trenches and strongholds. I’ve also kept a reserve of a thousand at their rear as potential reinforcement. It isn’t enough.” He turned to the three witches. “I’m asking Miss Sylvie to serve as our scout-sentry at the Sedimentation Bay, as she has before. Miss Lightning and Maggie — the same role for Sand City.”

“Got it.”

“No problem.”

“Coo!”

“The Metalstone Ridge and Gust Castle are less exposed — they’re farther from the Red Mist zone, and any attack there would likely come from Devilbeasts rather than ground forces.” Iron Axe turned to Tilly and saluted. “I’m asking Your Highness to handle the aerial defense.”

“The Aerial Knights were made for Devilbeasts,” Tilly said. “Don’t worry.”

“Last: the Archduke Island.” He pointed at the large island to the east. “It will eventually fall inside the Red Mist perimeter, but strategically it’s still essential. The island isn’t connected to the mainland, so the Mad Demons would need to cross two to three kilometers of open water to land. Spider Demons can’t cross ocean. The flying Devilbeasts are quick but poor at sustained assault, so they won’t significantly impede the construction of our blockhouses there.” He paused for the key point. “As long as we hold the Archduke Island, the Sedimentation Bay is much safer. And as an offensive platform, the island is ideal — cannon fire from its position covers the entire beach and a ten-kilometer radius of land.”

“But it’s inside the Red Mist,” Agatha said, unable to keep the apprehension from her voice.

“We’ve planned for that,” Edith said. “Five hundred people are stationed there. Even under heavy demon assault, there’s enough time for the garrison and the Bay fleet to execute a controlled retreat. We’ve found no evidence yet that the demons command any serious naval capability.”

“May I add something?” Wendy asked.

“Please.”

“I lived in a monastery in the old holy city for more than ten years. I know the roads in the Kingdom of Wolfheart and the Kingdom of Everwinter that lead to the Hermes Plateau — most of the Everwinter routes run through the Impassable Mountain Range.” She chose her words with care. “Could the demons use those roads to reach Hermes? There are God’s Stone mines there.”

The room tightened. If the demons erected an Obelisk at the center of the Four Kingdoms — not on the coast, but on the Hermes Plateau itself — the Red Mist could pour down from the plateau like water from a tipped vessel, flooding the continent below. There would be nowhere left to go.

“It’s a real possibility, though a difficult one to execute,” Edith said. “During both previous Battles of Divine Will, the demons were only able to raise one Obelisk. To reach the Hermes Plateau, their army would have to cross the Impassable Mountain Range — a passage that’s publicly documented and easily monitored. We only need a few outposts to watch every viable route. The moment they moved into those passes, they’d be visible.”

She folded her hands. “Even if they intended a surprise approach, they’d have to move covertly — small units, the way they penetrated the Misty Forest. A squad or two can’t raise an Obelisk fast enough to matter. And the Coldwind Ridge sits immediately adjacent to the Plateau. They couldn’t build anything there without us seeing it.”

Wendy let her breath out slowly. “You’ve already thought it through. That’s good.”

Iron Axe surveyed the table. “That’s the framework of the First Army’s position. We’re still working to determine the demons’ precise direction of approach, and we’ve been short on both information and personnel — which is why having everyone here matters. With adequate intelligence and full strength, we can go on the offensive.” He looked around the room. “Now we assign roles.”

Leaf and Lotus would remain at Cage Mountain’s border and establish a layered network of traps.

Andrea and Shavi would go to the Sedimentation Bay. They were combat witches; the front was where they belonged.

Hummingbird and Molly would work the logistics — port unloading, supply movement, the unglamorous work that made everything else possible.

Echo would raise and sustain the army’s morale.

Everyone had their piece. Everyone knew what it meant.

While the preparations continued, autumn ended.

On the first day of winter, the sun did not rise as expected. Snow came instead, drifting down from a sky the color of old iron.

The first Month of Demons since the appearance of the Bloody Moon had arrived.

Chapter 1298 - The Arrival of the

Demonic Months Translator: Transn Editor: Transn Iron Axe and Edith had made numerous predictions of the war at the frontier. They both concluded that before all the troops assembled and brought all the weapons, the First Army should focus on the defense. Even if the main force arrived, they had to adjust their operation strategies accordingly and looked for an opportunity to eliminate the demons at one shot. If they were trapped in the Red Mist area, their situation would become very precarious. “According to the intelligence collected by the Taquila witches, the Red Mist produced by the Obelisk would eventually cover more than half of the Kingdom of Wolfheart,” Iron Axe said as he pointed at the red curve on the map. “Therefore, we shall extend our defensive line. In consideration of the time for alerts and preparation, we shall set up our outposts in these four cities along the curve, which are the Metalstone Ridge, the Gust Castle, the Sand City, and the Sedimentation Bay. These four cities formed a polygonal chain that spanned across the Kingdom of Wolfheart on the opposite side of the Red Mist area. “But the First Army currently doesn’t have enough force to defend the four cities all at once, so they have to pick the more important ones to build their strongholds. The most important two cities are the Sedimentation Bay and the Sand City. They support each other and are situated at the crest of the Red Mist area, only 50 kilometers away from the demons’ battlement. If we lose them, the demons could directly attack the Cage Mountain.” “Especially the Sedimentation Bay,” Morning Light added. “It’s the port closest to the Cage Mountain. We rely on it to send our supplies. Losing the Sedimentation Bay means that it’ll take the army much longer to assemble. We can’t let that happen.” “Just tell them the truth,” Edith said flatly. “If the demons take the Sedimentation Bay, then we’ve half lost the Battle of Divine Will. Fortunately, the demons are also short of supplies. Since they erected the Obelisk on the ridge of the continent, it isn’t easy for them to transport the Red Mist.” Perhaps, Edith was the only person who did not mind saying the word “lost”. Iron Axe coughed in embarrassment and said, “Anyway, let’s suppose that the demons encounter the same problem as us and are now busy creating a “shortcut” in the mountains. Whatever their reason is, the First Army mustn’t miss this opportunity. Before the road construction is completed, we must hold onto the two cities.” He paused for a second and then resumed, “There are around 3,000 soldiers stationed in the Sedimentation Bay and the Sand City. They’re now building trenches and strongholds. I’ve also built a reserve unit that contains 1,000 soldiers to defend the rear of the two cities as potential reinforcements. Nevertheless, this isn’t enough. I hope Miss Sylvie could serve as a scout to alert us like what we did in the past in the Sedimentation Bay. Miss Lightning and Maggie could help with the other city.” “Got it.” “No problem.” “Coo!” The three witches chorused. “As for the Metalstone Ridge and the Gust Castle, I’ve sent a unit of 500 to defend them. These two cities are relatively far from the Red Mist area, so the demons would not likely attack them. Even if they do, they would normally send the Devilbeasts,” Iron Axe continued as he saluted to Tilly. “I hope Your Highness could help with the defense in the air.” Tilly nodded and answered, “Don’t worry. The Aerial Knights are designed to fight the Devilbeasts.” “The last is the Archduke Island,” Iron Axe said as he pointed at a large island in the east. “It’ll be eventually covered by the Red Mist, but strategically, we still rely on it. Since it’s not connected to any lands, it’s easier to defend. The Mad Demons need to travel two to three kilometers to cross the channel to land. The Spider Demons can’t cross the ocean. Although the flying Devilbeasts could travel anywhere pretty fast, they can’t attack effectively. Therefore, the Devilbeasts won’t create too much trouble to the construction of the blockhouses.” “As long as we have the Archduke Island, the Sedimentation Bay would be quite safe. Likewise, the island is a perfect place for us to attack the demons. If we use cannons in the city, our fire would cover the entire beach, as well as the land within a radius of 10 kilometers.” “But it’s covered in the Red Mist…” Agatha said apprehensively. “The General Staff has considered about it,” Edith interjected. “That’s why we sent 500 people there. Even if the demons attack us fiercely, the army and the fleet at the Sedimentation Bay would still have time to retreat. There’s no sign so far that indicates that the demons have a powerful fleet that can fight on the ocean.” “Er… can I say something?” Wendy asked. “Go ahead.” “I lived in a monastery in the old holy city for more than 10 years, so I know the several roads in the Kingdom of Wolfheart and the Kingdom of Everwinter leading to the Hermes Plateau. The roads in the Kingdom of Everwinter are mostly in the Impassable Mountain Range. Could the demons use these roads to attack Hermes? There are many God’s Stone mines there.” There was instantly a heated discussion. Without a doubt, once the demons erected the Obelisk at the center of the Four Kingdoms, the result would be more fatal than when they did that on the Fertile Plains. The Red Mist could tumble down to the land below from the plateau and permeate the whole continent. By that time, the human race would have nowhere to go. “That’s a possibility, but it’s hard to achieve,” Edith commented in approval. “During the last two Battles of Divine Will, the demons could only erect one Obelisk. First of all, their army can’t cross the Impassable Mountain Range and reach the Hermes Plateau. These paths were all accessible to the public. We just need to build a few outposts if we want to monitor them. Once exposed, the demons would be in a very disadvantageous position.” “Therefore, even if the demons intend to attack the New Holy City, they could only do it secretively like what they did to the Misty Forest. One or two units won’t be able to set up the Obelisk so quickly in Hermes. Plus, the Coldwind Ridge is just one step away from the Plateau. It’s highly unlikely that they’ll build an Obelisk under our noses.” “I see. You’ve already thought about that,” Wendy said, profoundly relieved. “Then it’s OK with me.” “That’s the basic plan for the First Army at the front,” Iron Axe concluded. “We’re now trying to see where the demons are coming from. To tell you the truth, as we don’t have enough information and are short staffed, the First Army have had a hard time recently. I’m really glad that everyone came to support us. With your help, we could, more or less, solve these problems. Once we have enough people and intelligence, we can fight back!” The next was to assign work to the witches. Leaf and Lotus would stay at the Cage Mountain on the border and set up numerous traps. Andrea and Shavi would head to the Sedimentation Bay. They were combat witches, so they naturally were sent to the front. Hummingbird and Molly would support the logistics to help unload supplies at the port. Echo would be responsible for raising the morale of the army. While everyone was busy preparing for the war, fall had passed. The sun did not rise as usual on the first day of winter. Instead, flurries of snow drifted down from the sky. This was the first Month of Demons after the appearance of the Bloody Moon.