The Devourer Civilization's universe
A huge figure sat on a throne; he held something in his hand, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed and chewed.
Liquid could be seen running down from the corners of his mouth.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of the chewing echoed through the whole great hall, making the flesh of those who heard it creep.
"Speak, then: what do we do now? So far we've put 30 million interstellar warships into it. Nearly a month, and it's cost us 10 million interstellar warships and three grade-five Soul Altars." The huge figure looked at the two holograms beside him.
"That fellow was one of your trusted men, wasn't he? Couldn't you give him a chance, instead of just eating him like that?" The thin one in the hologram looked coldly at the fat one's great mouth, still chewing.
He knew that this had been the supreme commander of one of the Devourer Civilization's interstellar legion fleet groups, in command of 1 million interstellar warships,
a trusted man under this fellow.
But it seemed that in this war, in the space of this month, the interstellar legion fleet group of 1 million interstellar warships had been left with fewer than 300,000.
He had recalled this legion commander outright,
and now the man had become food in his mouth.
"A thing that can't get anything done and can only spoil things is a waste just by living," the fat one said, and spat something out of his mouth.
The thing bounced a few times on the floor.
It was a mechanical arm, with blood and flesh still on it.
"To business," the armored shadow said in a deep voice.
When he spoke, the fat one and the thin one wandered off the subject no further.
"This Owl Dragon Empire is stronger than we imagined. They have several quasi-T7-grade interstellar warships, with extremely great fighting power on the battlefield. The three grade-five Soul Altars we sent out were destroyed by one of those quasi-T7-grade interstellar warships. Besides that, they have large numbers of interstellar missile ships, and have even formed a legion fleet group specially for them, said to have nearly 40,000 interstellar warships, all of them T6 and T5-grade interstellar missile ships! Our setback on the battlefield this time was because of that legion fleet group," the thin Sovereign said coldly.
The fat Sovereign said with a faint smile, "I'm rather interested in this Owl Dragon Empire's emperor now. I wonder how he tastes."
As he said it, he smacked his lips.
"I've received the will of the Great Existence again. It requires us to destroy this Owl Dragon Empire's universe in the shortest possible time. I don't know why the Great Existence values this Owl Dragon Empire's universe so, but this is the first time the Great Existence has given us a direct order to destroy an interstellar empire's universe. If we don't do it well, you both know very well what will come of it," the armored Sovereign said coldly.
At these words the two Sovereigns fell briefly silent.
They were powerful; they were the Devourer Civilization's Three Sovereigns,
destroyers in the eyes of other interstellar civilizations.
But everything they had now had been given them by Order, so they knew all the better in their hearts how terrifyingly powerful Order was.
They dared not harbor any thought of going against Order's will.
"Then we'll send a wave of legion fleets into this Owl Dragon Empire's universe battlefield. I hear that basically all the Owl Dragon Empire's interstellar warships have been put onto the main front now, and only lately the Sacred Elf Empire sent another 5 million interstellar warships in support. So long as we make one more round of attack, we're sure to take the Owl Dragon Empire's universe!" the thin Sovereign said coldly.
"Attacking is a given. But how to fight it next is a very big question. The number of legion fleets we can move ourselves isn't large anymore either. After all, there are plenty of fellows watching us," the fat Sovereign said lazily.
The armored Sovereign, for once, stated his own view outright: "This attack, we do it in one go. We send 30 million interstellar warships outright, thirty legion fleet groups."
Hearing the armored Sovereign, the other two Sovereigns were both taken aback, and grave looks came over their faces too.
Moving 30 million interstellar warships, thirty Devourer legion fleets, at a stroke
was no small matter even for the Devourer Civilization!
"And, considering a war of this scale, one of us three needs to hold the field in person. I can't get away for now. So the two of you, see which of you goes to the battlefield." The armored Sovereign looked at the two of them.
"I'll go. It's been a long while since I stretched these old bones, as it happens. And I'm more than a little interested in this Owl Dragon Empire." The fat Sovereign showed a trace of a smile, but there was something in the smile that made the flesh creep.
"No objection from me," the thin Sovereign said flatly.
The armored Sovereign said, "Then command on the battlefield this time is yours, Fatso. I don't want the process; I want only a result. I give you one month. Within one month, there must be enough progress in the Owl Dragon Empire, not a deadlock like now."
"No problem." The fat Sovereign licked his lips with his thick, black-red tongue.
"Skinny, you be more watchful in this time too. Moving so many of our Devourer legion fleets is bound to draw some people's attention; we can't rule out that they'll make some move now," the armored Sovereign warned.
"Rest easy. Anyone who dares make a move, I'll chop their claws off," the thin Sovereign said coldly.
"Good, then that's the arrangement. If anything comes up, we'll contact each other."
"Mm."
"No problem."
The communication ended.
In the gloomy great hall, the fat Sovereign slowly raised his head; his deep, rich voice rang through the whole great hall.
"Pass my order: the Troll is to make ready to set out."
……
The Owl Dragon Empire's universe
"This is the latest news you have?" Zhao Chen looked at the Flame Elf Queen before him, her face grave.
In the battles before, Zhao Chen had never seen so grave a look on this Elf Queen's face.
"Yes." The Flame Elf Queen nodded heavily.
Zhao Chen said in a deep voice, "That rumored Troll Monarch will personally lead a third wave of 30 million Devourer Civilization interstellar fleets onto the Owl Dragon Empire's battlefield."
The Flame Elf Queen nodded. "That's right. You can see the Three Devouring Sovereigns are very dissatisfied with how the war on the Owl Dragon Empire's battlefield has gone so far. So this time they've chosen to send 30 million interstellar warships, thirty Devourer legion fleet groups, onto the Owl Dragon Empire's battlefield in one go, trying to seize the initiative on the Owl Dragon Empire's battlefield in the shortest possible time. And they've arranged for the Troll Monarch to command the fighting in person. Mind you, before this the three Sovereigns rarely took charge of the fighting on a front-line battlefield in person. And these three Sovereigns appearing on the battlefield in person means something else besides. It means that the three Sovereigns' own strongest legion fleets will appear on the battlefield!"
When she spoke of the three Sovereigns' legion fleet groups, Zhao Chen could plainly see a trace of fear flash deep in the Flame Elf Queen's eyes.
And of these three Sovereigns' legion fleets,
Zhao Chen knew something too.
As the name said, they were three legion fleets each formed and led by one of the three Sovereigns in person, of no fixed size.
But among them the Troll Legion fleet group under the Troll Monarch had the greatest number of interstellar warships, on the standard establishment of a Devourer Civilization legion: 100,000 interstellar warships![1]
"And I have reason to believe they'll open new battlefields beyond the present five, to fit more interstellar warships into the fighting. By then, on the battlefields, we may be facing 50 million Devourer Civilization interstellar warships!" the Flame Elf Queen said, her face grave.
50 million……
Zhao Chen's Owl Dragon legion fleets and the Sacred Elf legion fleet groups had fought with everything they had for a month, and had destroyed only 10 million Devourer Civilization interstellar warships.
That is to say, even if they could win, Zhao Chen and the rest would have to fight at least five more months.
Never mind whether the interstellar legion fleets under them could hold out;
the consumption of resources on the battlefield alone was an extremely terrifying figure for the Owl Dragon Empire.
And look, by contrast, at the fleet strength they had in hand now.
On the Owl Dragon Empire's side, nearly 3 million interstellar warships were being kept in good condition.
On the Sacred Elf Empire's side, there were 8 million interstellar warships on the present battlefields.
Over 10 million interstellar warships in all.
10 million interstellar warships facing 50 million interstellar warships.
Looking at that alone, and combining it with the ten-to-one loss ratio the Owl Dragon legion fleet groups had been able to fight to before, and the at least five-to-one the Sacred Elf legion fleet groups could manage,
the two sides seemed evenly matched on paper.
But mind you, the fighting power of the Owl Dragon Empire's legion fleet groups had been piled up purely on logistical resources, above all the strategic resource of interstellar missiles.
As the war went on, the consumption of this resource would reach a crisis.
Then the fighting power of the Owl Dragon legion fleet groups would fall sharply.
As for those few Owl Dragon flagships, and the Hell-Angel ace fleet group,
the first time they showed their abilities on the battlefield, they naturally worked wonders.
But now the enemy knew the fighting abilities of these Owl Dragon flagships and the ace fleet group, and would naturally guard against them on the battlefield.
So the effect of relying on them to take advantage on the battlefield would be far less than before.
The Flame Elf Queen naturally saw this too, which was why she was so worried.
"I understand the situation." Zhao Chen nodded.
Seeing the look on Zhao Chen's face,
the Flame Elf Queen looked at Zhao Chen in some surprise. "You…… aren't you worried at all?"
For there truly was no sign of worry on Zhao Chen's face at this moment; it was even as though what he had heard had nothing whatever to do with their Owl Dragon Empire.
Zhao Chen shrugged and said calmly, "I knew all this already too. I have no way to change the enemy's situation. Since the situation is what it is, what use is worrying about it? Better to spend that time and mood coming up with a way, the sooner the better."
"Then you have a way?" The Flame Elf Queen's eyes lit up as she looked at Zhao Chen.
The corners of Zhao Chen's mouth turned up slightly.
The Flame Elf Queen was so anxious she all but stamped her feet; this elegant Elf Queen had none of her usual poise at this moment.
She wanted very badly to know just what plan for meeting the enemy Zhao Chen had ready here.
Zhao Chen did not keep it from the Flame Elf Queen any longer.
From their dealings and time together of late, he had come to trust this Elf Queen.
And the battle plan to come truly did need this Flame Elf Queen's cooperation.
To go on keeping it from her now would truly be unkind.
"This battle plan was thought up by Charlotte long ago. But up to now it's been kept in absolute secrecy. So even now that you know it, you must promise me not to tell a single person. Not even the Elf Sovereigns on your side!" Zhao Chen said, his face grave.
The Flame Elf Queen nodded at once and promised solemnly, "I swear in the name of the Elf God that I will keep this secret without fail!"
Zhao Chen nodded; then he put the communication under absolute encryption, and told the Flame Elf Queen of the plan.
Because time was short, and they were speaking over a communication link besides,
he could only give the plan in outline.
But even having heard only an outline,
the Flame Elf Queen was left dumbstruck.
She looked at Zhao Chen in astonishment. "You…… you actually mean to do this! You'd thought this out before?"
"We'd considered it before, and made some preparations too. But this plan carries a certain risk, so it's only ever been a reserve plan. But as things stand now, it's our only way. So even with the risk, we have to carry it out," Zhao Chen answered.
The Flame Elf Queen, her expression grave, stood thinking.
Indeed, this truly was the only way for the Owl Dragon Empire to break the deadlock now.
The plan was very risky, but it could succeed too.
"Good. I'll keep this plan secret. And my legion fleet groups here will carry out your orders unconditionally from now on." The Flame Elf Queen's eyes shone; it could be seen that she was holding back her excitement with difficulty at this moment.
That battle plan was stirring just to hear about; if she could take part in it,
for a warlike commander like the Flame Elf Queen, it would beyond doubt be the highest of honors!
"Mm." Zhao Chen nodded and looked at the Flame Elf Queen. "Here's hoping our plan goes smoothly."
"We'll certainly succeed. No! We must succeed!" the Flame Elf Queen said, unshakable.
Then, a few days later,
on the five battlefields, a good many more Devourer Civilization legion fleets plainly appeared.
At the same time, according to the intelligence the Flame Elf Queen provided,
on the other side of the battlefield, in the Devourer Civilization universe's forward positions, Devourer Civilization interstellar legion fleet groups were already packed together in a dark mass.
And that Troll Monarch had appeared on the battlefield too, leading his Troll Legion!
A huge interstellar warship, as burly as its master, stood among the Devourer Civilization's interstellar fleets.
It could be seen from a long way off.
To call it an interstellar warship, perhaps calling it an interstellar fortress would be more fitting.
And its name had indeed been chosen that way.
The T6 Troll Monarch Interstellar Fortress Ship!