Chapter 987: Victory Report!
And in fact, that's exactly what happened.
On Ling Zhan's side, with the endless assault of vines and the pressure from the legion members...
The northern walls also crumbled one after another.
This capital, which had once been deemed impossible to take by commanders from all Kingdoms, was effortlessly seized once Ling Zhan arrived.
It was just too easy!
That was the shared thought of every legion member.
Members of the Demon-Slaying Legion and Amethyst Legion felt like they were just there to coast along.
During the clashes with the Demon Sovereigns, it was Ling Zhan who did all the work.
They were basically just spectators.
Now that Ling Zhan had driven away the Demon Sovereigns, the siege work was finally passed on to them.
Honestly...
The merit felt practically free.
Ridiculously easy.
......
......
At that moment...
In the United Coalition military camp.
The generals of all Kingdoms were seated together, having a meal.
They were enjoying good food and drinks.
Laughing and chatting among themselves.
Perhaps because the Final Demon Purge Campaign was now underway, and they believed their forces no longer fragile, confident they could go toe-to-toe with the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons, none of them felt any tension.
They were convinced the Fortress of Ten Thousand Demons would fall—it was only a matter of time.
Now they were just waiting to laugh at Dragon Kingdom.
"Hmph! Dragon Kingdom is completely overestimating itself! I admit Azure Dragon Meng Zhang is strong, but not strong enough to take on ten Demon Sovereigns!"
"And besides..."
"That non-specialist's siege is bound to go poorly. Heavenly Demon Capital's defenses are top-tier, well-prepared for a protracted battle."
"It'll take at least three months to take it. Rushing now is just wasting troops and sending soldiers to die."
A general from Fusang Kingdom couldn't help but chime in.
Although all the Kingdoms had united to face the global threat of the Abyss of Ten Thousand Demons...
Fusang still looked down on Dragon Kingdom.
If he could, he would have liked to see Dragon Kingdom's entire force wiped out this time.
Honestly, Dragon Kingdom's participation didn't matter to him.
"That may be, but that non-specialist always brings surprises. We should stay cautious."
Another general spoke up—this one from the Beastman Court.
Their views on Ling Zhan were more reserved.
Though they didn't think he could capture the city either...
At least not yet.
It would take at least two months.
"The reports have been consistent. It's a stalemate. Probably will stay that way."
"No need to worry, let's drink!"
The general from the Free Federation raised his glass.
"Cheers!"
The other generals laughed and stood up to join him.
Just then...
"Report!!"
A scout responsible for delivering intelligence suddenly teleported into the tent.
The generals didn't bother looking up. Reports came every half hour or so.
Urgent intel came as needed.
But...
This scout looked oddly happy, even smiling. What was going on?
Soon...
The scout told them everything.
"Reporting to all generals!"
"Our frontlines have achieved extraordinary results!"
"The northern and southern walls have both been breached!"
"Generals Meng Zhang and Ling Zhan have led their legions into Heavenly Demon Capital to kill the enemy!"
"The enemy Demon Sovereigns have been forced to retreat by General Ling Zhan!"
"Only Demon Emperors, Generals, and numerous Demon Soldiers remain in the city!"
"But that's no issue. In an hour, Heavenly Demon Capital will fall!"
"This is a victory report!"
The scout spoke with excitement and joy.
As a scout who had also participated in the battle, he too would earn merit if the fight went well.
So of course, he was happy.
However...
What he didn't know was...
While he smiled brightly, the generals at the table went completely stiff and expressionless.
"This..."
They were stunned!
It was over!
The city was actually breached!
"What the hell happened?! How did they breach the city?! Are you spreading false intel?!"
The general from Fusang Kingdom was the most shocked and upset.
He glared at the scout furiously.
The scout's joy instantly turned to grievance.
"Generals, I'm just a lowly scout. How could I dare lie about military intel?!"
"I don't even have enough heads to lose if I did!"
"If you don't believe me, you can send someone to the battlefield to confirm!"
"Heavenly Demon Capital... has really fallen!"
The scout was practically ready to swear on his life.
The consequences of false intel needed no explanation.
It was not something a low-ranking scout would dare risk.
If he dared say it, that meant...
It was almost certainly true!
And precisely because of that...
The generals' expressions turned from blank to awkward, helpless, and dark.
Especially the general from the Free Federation—his face was pitch black.
The scout looked around, puzzled that not a single general seemed happy.
This...
Wasn't a victory on the frontlines supposed to be a good thing?
Why did it look like...
A tragedy to these generals?
Did they not want victory?
That couldn't be, right?
They weren't spies from the Demon Arrival Organization!
"You may leave. We understand."
The Free Federation general waved him off.
After the scout left...
The generals exchanged looks and all saw the same thing in each other's eyes: bitter smiles, helplessness, and... deep regret.
That's right!
Regret!
They never expected Heavenly Demon Capital would actually fall!
And the worst part was...
They wouldn't get a single scrap of the merit!
It would all go to Dragon Kingdom and the Amethyst Empire!
And of course...
That damned non-specialist, Ling Zhan!
How did he really manage to take down Heavenly Demon Capital?!
Why?!
How?!
None of the generals could figure it out.
It made no sense.
"Were the Demon Sovereigns really that pathetic? They all got driven off by a non-specialist?"
The generals who had fought Demon Sovereigns began to doubt everything.
That city had the Demon Sovereign of Ten Thousand Swords, Spirit Sky Demon Sovereign, and Judgment Demon Sovereign!
Did all three of them fall to Ling Zhan?
That was insane!
"Send someone to investigate the full details of the battle immediately!"
"I want every detail of how it played out!"
The Free Federation general gave the order in a deep voice.
He just couldn't believe...
Those three Demon Sovereigns were defeated so easily!