I like traveling the most

In front of me is an extremely desolate, almost grassless reddish-brown land. Because the Kingdom and the Empire have been fighting here for many years, many people call this land of death the blood-stained land.

Kaz Plains.

This is a place where the undead and other monsters are ready to move, and it is also a well-known dangerous area.

What is particularly terrifying is that this place is shrouded in a mist day and night.

This mist that covers the monsters will not hurt people, nor will it have any effect on the living, but its own undead reaction will make the detection skills invalid, and many adventurers have been attacked and killed. Even the Axis believers find it difficult.

This fog has not yet become hazy, as if welcoming the upcoming war to produce more deaths, and the vision is vast and clear.

As the fog dissipated, there is no trace of the undead anywhere. Only a vast land without movement and no signs of life came into view.

The collapsed spire and other buildings from hundreds of years ago protruded from the surface like tombstones.

Needless to say, no building has retained its original shape.

The original six-story spire, more than three floors have collapsed, and turned into broken rubble scattered around, and the thick wall is less than half the length.

It is not caused by the weathering of time, but the result of various monsters fighting for territory.

Like a line of demarcation, this scenery is adjacent to the green grassland, which is why this place is called the cursed land.

The two armies used the gentle hills of the reddish-brown earth to line up their troops and confront each other.

The Kingdom Army has an amazing army of up to 250,000, divided into 70,000 on the right wing, 70,000 on the left wing, and 110,000 in the center, and cleverly used three hills to build a position.

Although it is called a position, it is not surrounded by a fence, but a semi-enclosed crescent formed by the overwhelming army.

Although such a formation is indeed strong and can prevent the enemy from attacking easily, it also has many weaknesses.

If the Empire shoots arrows or casts magic, many people will definitely die.

However, the kingdom does not require these ordinary civilians to perform well, as long as they can block the opponent's first wave of attack.

In comparison, the Empire Army is 60,000, which is much less than the Kingdom Army.

However, the Empire Army is not afraid at all, but looks arrogant.

They don't think they will lose at all. This confidence comes from the absolute gap in individual strength and the fruitful results of previous years.

Professional warriors cannot fight against civilians.

For the Empire, as long as the civilians of the Kingdom can go to the battlefield, they will achieve their goal. They will not deliberately waste precious human resources, and the Kingdom is also very clear about this.

This routine that seems to have been arranged in advance is the war between the Empire and the Kingdom.

Gathering here is just a process.

Most of the nobles in the Kingdom believe that even if there is an additional magic chanter named Ainz Ooal Gown, this time it will only be over after a few rounds of fighting.

Even the Empire will not waste the lives of soldiers in vain, after all, it is very likely to shake the foundation of the Empire.

Therefore, the nobles of the Kingdom are waiting for the Empire to send troops first.

According to convention, the Imperial Army would pass directly in front of the Kingdom Army and then retreat, and the Kingdom would then shout victory.

It was like this every year.

However——

This time, the Imperial Army did not move.

They marched out from their fortress-like garrison, and after setting up their formation in front of the Kingdom Army, there was no movement. It was as if they were waiting for the Kingdom to take the initiative to attack, or waiting for something else.

“Why is there no movement? What does this mean?”

Marquis Rebuen, who was standing next to Gazef and Lin, felt strange looking at the motionless knights of the Empire, and his inner uneasiness grew stronger.

If the Empire did not move, the Kingdom could not move either.

Disrupting the already arranged formation was the most foolish thing on the battlefield, and judging from the beatings in previous years, this formation suffered the least losses. Any rash move would only result in a heavy blow... This was a bloody lesson learned in previous years.

"The other side looks like they are waiting for us to act."

In front of the army, Marquis Rebuen wondered, "We have finally persuaded them, and now the war has begun... Lin, do you know what the Empire is waiting for?"

Thirty minutes ago, in the central area where the two armies were confronting each other, the envoys had already negotiated.

It was called negotiation, but in fact it was just a show of persuading the other side by proposing conditions that the other side would never agree to.

In short, it was hypocrisy, pretending to be compassionate, and trying to avoid war until the last moment. And when the negotiations broke down, the war naturally started.

According to the practice of previous years, the Imperial Army should have sent troops immediately, but this time it was contrary to the norm and remained silent.

Lin shook his head: "No, the intelligence personnel I placed in the fortress city evacuated early, and there was no effective intelligence from the empire. I guess my men have met with an accident."

Lin asked the Akusis believers to collect intelligence long before the declaration of war.

But one day.

They all disappeared.

Lin guessed that these people should have been targeted by the Blood Emperor early on, just like the Imperial spies that Lana had discovered. When the war came, they were all eliminated to prevent intelligence leaks.

"Where is the Warrior Captain?"

"Sorry, I don't know. Alas... Although it's the same thing every time, I really don't like this tense atmosphere. I don't want the Empire to get serious and kill our army, but if you want to launch an attack, please hurry up, otherwise I will be anxious."

"...I see, this may also be one of the Empire's strategies."

Perhaps the Empire is just waiting for them to lose their patience.

It is undoubtedly very difficult to mobilize such a large force to act together, so as long as one of the armies makes a small move, it will cause a big shock when it reaches the end.

Marquis Rebuen, who suddenly realized the situation, quickly issued an order to let the people at the back of the camp move forward.

As long as the formation is changed every once in a while, the army will not be anxious and collapse.

Gazef looked at the Imperial Knights present.

"It would be fine if it was just a little test like in previous years. But if I really charge forward, I might fight alone to kill the enemy's momentum."

He patted the sword at his waist.

This is one of the four secret treasures passed down from generation to generation in the kingdom, the Razor Blade, which is said to be able to cut even magic-enhanced armor like butter.

Not only that, there are also vitality gauntlets that will not get tired, immortal amulets that continuously heal, and protective armor that can avoid fatal blows.

The fact that the four secret treasures are equipped on one person is enough to prove how much the king values ​​this war.

Gazef had gained a lot of confidence.

Except for the triple magic chanter Fluda, there was no one in the Empire that Gazef found difficult to deal with. Even the four strongest knights in the Empire, he was confident that he could beat them. Even against Fluda, there was still a chance.

However, he did not think he could beat Ainz Ooal Gown.

He just couldn't imagine it.

No matter how optimistic he was, thinking in a favorable direction, he felt that he would be killed by a mysterious magic.

"Gazef, your breath is messed up."

"No, it's okay..."

Lin's question made his breathing stagnate slightly.

Everyone regarded himself as the strongest warrior in the kingdom, and if he showed weakness, it would damage morale.

"Gazef, the enemy seems to have finally made some moves."

The Imperial Army split into two as if to make way. Gazef looked at their movements and thought that they might be dealing with the left and right wings of the Kingdom.

At this time, an unfamiliar flag was raised high.

That flag was beyond Gazef's comprehension. It had a strange emblem that did not belong to the Kingdom or the Empire. A group was marching forward with that flag.

Everyone's eyes were focused on that group.

Gazef felt a chill in his heart. Lord Rebuen beside him grumbled. Even Lin frowned.

He knew he was not the only one who was timid. A bitter taste appeared at the root of his tongue and his heart was pounding.

That was an abnormal army.

There were only about 500 soldiers, which was pitifully small compared to the two armies facing each other.

But those soldiers were too abnormal!

They were 2.3 meters tall and did not look like humans. In their left hand, they held a tower shield that covered three-quarters of their body, and in their right hand, they held a giant 1.3-meter-long ripple sword. They wore a tattered black cloak and black full-body armor with red lines that looked like blood vessels.

Sharp spikes could be seen everywhere on the armor, and demon horns appeared on their helmets, and their faces could be seen underneath. The horrible face of decay, the empty eye sockets flashing red light full of hatred and murderous intent.

Even at such a long distance, it still exudes a sinister aura.

The memory of Kahn Village revived vividly in Gazef's mind. At that time, there was a knight-like monster, and Ainz said that he created it.

"Lin, that is...!"

"I know. It's a Death Knight."

The adventurer difficulty of the Death Knight is above 100, and one can destroy a city or even destroy a small country. The most disgusting thing is that the people killed by it will be resurrected as follower zombies of the same level. It is said that one Death Knight is enough to make a country uneasy. And there are 500 Death Knights who are slightly stronger than ordinary adamantium adventurers!

Gazef's body was covered with goose bumps.

Not good, the situation is not good.

Although this feeling is really lacking in content, Gazef can't think of a better adjective.

"Lin, you..."

"I can handle it."

The priest gave a reassuring answer, but soon let him fall into the abyss.

"But, I think it's more than that."

"What do you mean?!"

Gazef panicked unusually.

In fact, he had a premonition, but he just didn't want to believe it. Now Lin pointed it out.

"--This may just be a decoration for the other party to keep up appearances. Something more terrifying has not yet appeared."

What a joke!

Marquis Rebuen wanted to curse out loud, scolding the other party for being a monster, but he knew that there was no time to waste, and the most urgent task was to reorganize the army.

"Marquis Rebuen!"

"I know! Retreat, and retreat in defeat!"

They already knew that the enemy had prepared an astonishing army. In this case, what else could they do except run away?

Just as Gazef was about to speak, he saw a magic chanter wearing a mask standing at the forefront of the enemy army. On his right was a dwarf in a black robe, and on his left was one of the four knights of the empire.

Even at such a long distance, he still would not make a mistake.

"Sir Gown."

"Is that man the great magic chanter, Ainz Ooal Gown?"

"Is that the man who summoned five hundred death knights?"

"What kind of monster are we dealing with..."

The surroundings were in chaos, and their emotions were unstable.

It was not their fault, but everything in front of them was too horrifying.

Ainz waved his arm, and as if in response, a huge dome-shaped magic circle of ten meters long suddenly opened up with him as the center.

"Oh no, this is super-large magic!"

"Super-large magic?"

"Yes, it is a magic that is more powerful than explosion magic!"

"Can you stop it?"

"If I still have some reserve magic power, I can try, but I can't do anything now."

Lin's words made Marquis Rebuen's eyes widen. He had been able to remain calm just now, but now he has completely lost his composure. He shouted to Gazef to protect the king and asked Lin to order the troops to retreat with him, hoping to minimize casualties.

However, everything was too late.

————

"There are no players in the Kingdom Army. Xiaolin didn't react either? It seems that just like what Demiurge said, his stored magic power has been exhausted."

Ainz judged so.

Players who use super-level magic in the game will be regarded as the primary target, and his magic was not interrupted, which means that there are no players in the Kingdom Army, and Xiaolin has not awakened the memory of the game... Or maybe the other party is not a player.

To be honest, he is quite afraid to get along with Lin in this identity.

After all, the opponent was originally a magic caster of faith who could restrain him, and he had someone above him. If Ainz met a player stronger than him, he might not have much chance of winning. So when Xiaolin said he wanted to go on a visit, even though Demiurge said he could show his power to the opponent, he was rejected.

The reason why Ainz was strong in the game era was because he was knowledgeable and had a high chance of winning against players. After collecting enough information, he would gradually win.

Correspondingly, he was also very likely to lose to an opponent he met for the first time.

Xiaolin's level was not high, at most level 40. But the terrible power that the opponent showed from time to time made him have to guard against it.

However, he had the upper hand now!

I'm really looking forward to what the next super-level magic will do to the Kingdom Army.

At the same time, he also slightly frowned his non-existent brows.

There will be a large number of human deaths next, but he has no pity or other feelings at all, which makes him feel a little terrible.

He didn't even shake the cruel thought of stepping on ants, really... he didn't shake any touch.

All he wanted was to see the results of his actions, and how much benefit this action would bring to himself, and to the people of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Ainz clenched his hands.

Then, he activated his super-level magic.

—— Sacrifice of Dark Soil!

A dark breath blew across the Kingdom’s left wing, which had just changed its formation.

No, it wasn’t really wind.

In fact, the weeds on the plain and the hair of the Kingdom’s soldiers there were not blown at all.

However, the 70,000 soldiers on the left wing of the Kingdom’s army fell to the ground one after another, as helpless as wheat being harvested.

Their lives were all taken away on the spot!

Death came, and the tragedy began.