"Lord Granite, what happened? You look so troubled."
Kali Julio, the Legion Commander of the Mecha Legion, asked Granite with a tense expression.
"You all should take a look. This is the intelligence report from the Intelligence Bureau!"
After Granite finished speaking, he placed the intelligence report on the table, and everyone in the military tent rushed over to examine it.
"This..."
"I didn't expect the Monster Country Federation to act so quickly! Could it be that they all used teleportation magic?"
Gasta, the Legion Commander of the Magic-Engineered Legion, exclaimed in shock.
As the Legion Commander of the Magic-Engineered Legion, he knew better than anyone else the cost of teleporting two million people.
"Our people have been lurking on the outskirts of Chenlu City, the capital of the Monster Country Federation, but they haven't found any trace of a single unit."
"Aside from teleportation magic, I can't think of any other explanation."
Granite stared at the map on the table with a grim expression, speaking in a low voice.
"Are their Magic-Engineered Legions not planning to play a role on the battlefield?"
Gladim, the Legion Commander of the Monster Legion, heard Granite's analysis and asked loudly, surprised.
"Who knows... Perhaps they have other plans."
"However, since the enemy has seized the initiative, we must also make corresponding adjustments."
"Order the Aerial Combat Flying Legion: the four hundred airships are not to gather together; they must all disperse."
"Upon reaching the battlefield, immediately release magicule interference to try and cause a magicule rampage on the Monster Country Federation's side."
"Kali Julio, your Mecha-Engineered Legion is the main force of this war; you must break through the enemy's defenses as quickly as possible."
"Gasta, send all two thousand magic-engineered tanks to the very front. I want the Monster Country Federation to get a taste of what's coming first."
After Granite finished arranging the Mecha Legion's various units in one breath, he turned his head to Gladim and continued:
"Your Monster Legion will temporarily stay by my side as a reserve force."
"Yes, Lord Granite!"
Gladim did not express any differing opinions upon hearing this; instead, he nodded seriously.
"Everyone, all signs indicate that the opponent we are facing this time is no ordinary person. Please take this seriously."
"Yes!"
Seeing the serious expressions on the faces of his Legion Commanders, Granite quietly let out a sigh of relief.
He was afraid these guys would underestimate the enemy.
After all, in their eyes, the Monster Country Federation was just a new country that had recently risen.
And their Eastern Empire had always been known as the strongest empire in the world.
"Where is the Imperial Knights led by Lord Damrada (Fist Saint)?"
Upon hearing Granite's question, everyone present shook their heads, indicating they didn't know.
"The Imperial Knights disappeared after setting off, and their specific whereabouts have not been disclosed to anyone."
"Is that so... Never mind, I suppose Lord Damrada has his own plans."
"Order the entire army to slow its advance. Since the enemy has already set up defenses, we don't need to rush."
"Let the soldiers rest well so they can perform better on the battlefield."
As Granite's orders were relayed to the various legions, the three-million-strong army, which had been on a forced march, seemed to press a slow-motion button.
Their marching speed immediately decreased.
"This Eastern Empire really has some tricks up its sleeve. As expected of the strongest empire before I arrived."
Zhong Chen said, clicking his tongue in wonder, as he watched the Eastern Empire's army marching on the water mirror.
"Well, they've existed for so many years. Not everyone can be as abnormal as you, A Chen!"
Rimuru, who had just scooped a mouthful of ice cream into her mouth, couldn't help but retort after hearing Zhong Chen's words.
"Hmph, what's wrong with being abnormal? I am abnormal, and I admit it today! What about it?"
Zhong Chen raised an eyebrow and shouted at Rimuru with an expression that seemed to say, 'I don't care about my reputation today.'
"Uh... A Chen, you really fit that old saying from your Divine Land..."
"What old saying?"
"'Humans need faces, trees need bark. A tree without bark will surely die. A human without a face is invincible!'"
Hearing Rimuru's retort, Zhong Chen pointed at Rimuru with an incredulous expression and shouted:
"Holy moly!!! Are you from the Divine Land or am I from the Divine Land?!"
"Hmph hmph!"
Rimuru first glanced at Zhong Chen with a disdainful expression, then ignored Zhong Chen and continued eating her ice cream.
"Phew... Phew... Never mind, I'm a big person and won't stoop to your level!"
"Although the Eastern Empire is strong, I only want to say one thing: I'm sorry! Times have changed!"
"Under my comprehensive technological crush, all enemies will turn to dust! Wahahaha!!!"
Veldora and Milim, who were playing chess, looked at Zhong Chen, who was standing on a stool, laughing like an idiot.
They instinctively moved the chessboard to a farther position, preventing Zhong Chen's foolishness from infecting them.
And during the move, Milim deliberately... ahem, accidentally stepped on Ramiris, who was lying on the carpet reading a manga.
"Ah ah ah! Milim, you definitely did that on purpose! Definitely!!!"
Looking at Ramiris, who flew up to accuse her, Milim, with a slightly guilty conscience, argued forcefully:
"I... I didn't do it on purpose. You were clearly blocking my way."
"That's right, it's all your fault!"
Looking at this grand-niece who had taken shamelessness to the extreme.
Veldora couldn't help but mourn for his elder brother in his heart for a second.
"Oh my, how innocent and cute Milim used to be. How did she end up like this?"
"I wonder who she learned this shamelessness from?"
Rimuru looked at Milim and Ramiris bickering, a teasing smile on her face as she glanced at Zhong Chen and said.
"Damn it, that's pure slander! Milim was already shameless; what does that have to do with me?!"
Zhong Chen immediately retorted angrily after hearing Rimuru's words.
"Oh, I don't think I mentioned who she learned it from, A Chen. Why did you jump out immediately?"
"I..."
Zhong Chen was immediately choked by Rimuru's words, his old face instantly flushed. After two light coughs, he changed the subject:
"Today I went to the Commercial Street to find that guy who wasn't paying protection money. Why didn't you tell me that shop was owned by Aisha!"
"You were intentionally trying to make a fool of me, weren't you? No wonder they weren't collecting protection money; it turns out Milim has shares in it!"
PS: Those who have read the High School DxD arc should know that Aisha is a friend recognized by Milim.
Zhong Chen thought about how he had menacingly shown up at the shop, only to be dumbfounded when the door opened.
Rias, Sona Sitri, and others were all there, and they simultaneously looked at Zhong Chen, who resembled a street thug, with surprised expressions.
"Hehe, I own a shop now, so I won't be short on lime coins for food anymore! Wahahaha!"
Milim, who had single-handedly suppressed Ramiris, raised her head proudly and burst into laughter.
"Never mind, I'll just watch the war blockbuster..."
Realizing that there was no normal person in the entire room except himself, Zhong Chen shifted his gaze back to the water mirror.
"Lord Diablo, your subordinate has discovered hundreds of figures with astonishing magicule levels ahead, presumed to be the Eastern Empire's Imperial Knights."
Diablo, leaning against a tree trunk, heard his subordinate's report, and his eyes instantly turned icy cold.
However, a gentle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he said:
"Oh my, it seems these little mice aren't so good at hiding after all..."