135. Massacre 1

Whenever Mo Fei reflected on the performance of the two hundred thousand soldiers from the Longyan Empire, he would often lower his head, lost in thought for a long time. Previously, he had relied solely on the Dwarves and the Berserkers, and his own army was composed primarily of these two races. However, their numbers were limited, and only so many could join the Imperial army. From the performance of that Longyan Empire force, Mo Fei envisioned how the Empire’s future army should be structured.

These ordinary soldiers, after undergoing training by the Berserkers, could also be transformed into elite troops. This proved that the soldiers in the original Imperial armies were full of potential. While their individual combat abilities might not match those of the Berserkers, their coordinated efforts would surely be formidable. Most importantly, the Berserker race needed time to recuperate and could not afford further losses; otherwise, Mo Fei would have a difficult time justifying the cost.

It was decided. Mo Fei resolved to select some of the Berserkers who could no longer serve on the front lines to act as instructors for these new recruits. With their wealth of combat experience, passing on their knowledge would provide the new soldiers with better training—a prospect that could only benefit the Empire.

Having resolved this major issue regarding the Empire’s future, Mo Fei suddenly felt a sense of relief. Ailin sensed the change in his mood and felt better herself; for the past few days, Mo Fei had been absent-minded, and Ailin had been extremely anxious, staying by his side constantly to comfort him. Seeing him recover, she was happier than anyone.

"Ailin, you've worked hard these past few days." Indeed, Ailin had not had a proper rest, and there were faint dark circles under her large, round eyes.

"It's not hard, Brother. I'm just glad you're okay."

"I am fine now. Before, I was just heartbroken seeing so many brothers of the Empire fall."

"I know. I was heartbroken too; they were all so kind to me. Seeing them fall and being unable to do anything made me so sad." Ailin began to weep softly.

"It's alright, it's alright. Everything is fine now. In the future, you can visit their families often. We must never forget them."

"Yes, I will. I will visit them often."

...

Mo Fei held Ailin close; it had been a long time since he had embraced her like this. Outside the room, the Berserker guards did not dare disturb them.

"Let’s go outside and see. We are about to drive the enemy back into the sea; Kane and the others should be ready."

Mo Fei led Ailin outside. His mind was now on the future. To support upcoming campaigns, the recruitment training camp in the capital needed to be expanded, and the capital itself was no longer a suitable location.

As they stepped out, Weide rushed in, nearly colliding with Mo Fei.

"What is it, Elder Weide? Why the rush?"

"Your Majesty, they... they..." Weide stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

"Take your time. No rush." Mo Fei was anxious to know what Weide had to say, but he knew that if he showed his own urgency, Weide might never get the words out.

"I sent people to take over those empires..."

"What happened? Did something go wrong?"

"No, it's like this." Weide finally caught his breath. "The generals we sent to take over those empires discovered countless mass graves. It was tragic."

"A massacre?"

"Yes." Although Weide hadn't seen it personally, the reports from the garrison generals were harrowing. "The royal families of those empires, along with their armies and most of their subjects, were essentially wiped out. Those mass graves..."

"Stop," Mo Fei said, his face turning deathly pale.

"Elder."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Immediately send men to the City of Death to establish a new recruit training camp. Select a group of soldiers injured in this war who can no longer fight on the front lines and send them there to serve as instructors. The area near the Longyan Empire is a vast plain; I will speak to the Emperor of Longyan about requisitioning it. Once you send people there, make the training camp as large as possible—do not worry about the cost in gold coins. Once it is built, notify the Longyan Empire, the Jinshi Empire, and the Doma Empire, and have them send their new recruits there for training. Also, inform the Flying Dragon Empire; if they wish to send people, they can train them there as well."

"Your Majesty..."

"I have thought about it. Relying solely on the Dwarves and the Berserkers places too heavy a burden on your races, which is a significant problem. After we broke through the enemy lines, I observed the two hundred thousand Longyan soldiers we trained; they performed admirably and have become an elite force. The Empire belongs to everyone, and everyone has a duty to defend the land. From the performance of those Longyan soldiers, can we not draw some optimistic conclusions?"

"Your Majesty..." Weide finally understood. If the ordinary soldiers of the Empire could become elites through training, the Dwarves and Berserkers would have more time to rest, and their populations would eventually thrive.

"I will send people to establish the camp immediately."

"Good." Mo Fei thought for a moment. "Also, there must be survivors in the empires we took over. Bring them to the mass graves. Whenever you find people from those empires, send them there to bear witness."

Weide marveled at Mo Fei's brilliance. When the Death Empire announced the annexation of these small empires, there had been much gossip among the survivors and other neighboring states. This move by Mo Fei was undoubtedly meant to send a clear message: only by aligning with the Death Empire could they hope to survive the wars to come. As for their original emperors and armies, they had only surrendered, and now, they had been wiped out in one fell swoop. Did they really think they could restore their nations?

This move left the royal remnants of the old empires, who still harbored dreams of restoration, trembling with fear. They knew all too well that their emperors had done nothing but surrender when the enemy arrived, yet now, they and the commoners alike had been dumped into mass graves. The cruelty of the enemy shattered the delusions of the old royal families; they no longer dared to speak of restoration. Even the other small empires that had been gossiping were so horrified by what they saw during the Death Empire's "invitations" that they returned in silence, never daring to say another word.

These annexed empires were not much weaker than their own, and some were even stronger. Yet, under the enemy's attack, even their emperors had fallen into those mass graves. The Death Empire, which could drive away such beastly enemies, was certainly not an opponent they could challenge. Who on the continent did not know of the Death Empire's power? When the Demon Island invaded their continent twice, the Death Empire built a massive fortress right next to them. It was said that the Bear Clan had no choice but to reconcile with the Death Empire, declaring that as long as the Death Empire remained, the Demon Island would never initiate conflict. It was even rumored that they had collaborated to build a base on another continent, occupying vast territories, where millions of local soldiers had been no match for their combined force of just five hundred thousand.

The pressure from the Death Empire was too great. Whether they liked it or not, they had to submit. But the Death Empire hadn't even attacked them; they had merely taken over the small empires already destroyed by the enemy. Why should they invite trouble?

Suddenly, all the empires began to praise the Death Empire.

Mo Fei had no time for such matters. His invincible warships were ambushing the enemy's escape routes in the outer seas daily, while on land, his army maintained a menacing posture. A massive battle seemed imminent, yet Mo Fei controlled the tension perfectly, keeping the enemy under constant pressure while occasionally sending cavalry to wipe out their supply trains, though sometimes letting a few through to keep the enemy hungry and indecisive.

The enemy commander was now filled with regret, but the morale of the defeated soldiers he had gathered was low, and organizing them was nearly impossible. With food scarce, they were in no position to fight. The commander had no choice but to prepare to retreat.

This was exactly the effect Mo Fei wanted. He wouldn't push them so hard that they fought like cornered dogs, but he wouldn't let them live in peace either. The constant threat of ballistae meant that every day, unlucky soldiers would fall, and the once-arrogant enemy lived in daily terror, praying for the order to retreat.

Mo Fei knew that if he attacked the city now, two possibilities might arise: either the enemy would fight to the death, causing significant losses to the Imperial army, or they would panic and be slaughtered. The latter was less likely, as cornered enemies often put up a ferocious struggle. Mo Fei did not want to take such risks when victory was already assured. It was safer to strike both on land and at sea when the enemy attempted to board their ships.

After a few days of watching, the enemy's lines began to loosen. The South Gate faced the outer harbor of the Doma Empire, and the enemy began sending out probing units toward the docks. The Death Empire's army feigned ignorance, continuing to fire occasional ballista bolts as if nothing had changed.

The enemy truly believed the Death Empire hadn't noticed their escape attempt. Suddenly, the city walls facing the Death Empire were covered in flags, and more soldiers appeared, putting on a show as if they were prepared for a final stand. Kane, however, ignored them, his ballistae continuing to harvest the lives of unlucky soldiers.

...

A few days later, seeing that the walls were draped in flags but devoid of soldiers, Kane sneered. These fellows were certainly quick to run.

"General, the enemy has crowded onto the docks. Most have boarded, and some ships have already set sail for the outer sea. The rest are still scrambling to board," a scout reported.

It was time.

"Warriors of the Empire!" Kane rallied his entire army. "The enemy is fleeing! They are concentrated at the Doma Empire's docks, and some have already escaped to the sea. His Highness has ordered that not a single one shall escape! Brothers, what are you waiting for? Charge!"