System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

Chapter 745: Chapter 745: The Roar Over the Realm

The emergency sirens of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom echoed with a deafening shriek that tore through the tranquility of the sky. Warning beacons across the lookout posts and border fortresses activated almost simultaneously, spreading alert signals across the length and breadth of the territory like a wildfire out of control.

On the displays of the first line of defense, radars flashed in blinding red: a massive military fleet bearing the insignias of the Crimson Sect was advancing relentlessly, heading straight for the heart of the kingdom.

On the defense platforms and artillery towers, chaos lasted only a few seconds before giving way to iron discipline. Metal clashed brutally as runic protective barriers activated with a low hum and heavy anti-aircraft batteries deployed, aligning their barrels toward the horizon.

The Guard Captain, a veteran of a thousand battles with armor scarred from past combats, marched to the center of the command platform. He glanced at the metrics of his own forces and grit his teeth.

The disparity was grotesque. At this post, the Soaring Dragon Kingdom possessed only a single Invictus-class warship, a hundred Raptor-class light fighters, and fifty Hunter-class escort frigates. It was a force barely sufficient for patrolling the borders and maintaining local law, but utterly ridiculous and insignificant against the approaching tide of steel.

Even so, the Captain showed not the slightest hint of hesitation. He switched on the general communication channel connecting every defensive post, artillery platform, and cockpit.

”Attention all units!” the Captain’s voice boomed, steady and roaring like thunder through the fortress speakers. ”Open your eyes and look ahead! That advancing fleet seeks to crush our home, destroy our families, and reduce our lands to ashes!”

He tightened his grip on his hilt as the enemy vessels began to break through the cloud cover in the distance.

”I know what you are thinking. I know you look at our numbers and see a lost cause. We have a single Invictus, a handful of Raptors and Hunters. But this is not just a border post! This is the gateway to our kingdom! If we fall here, there will be nothing left to protect those behind us!”

The soldiers, guards, and pilots gripped their control levers and weapon handles tightly, feeling the surge of adrenaline course through their veins.

”We do not hide behind walls to die like rats! We fight for every inch of this ground! Let them feel the weight of our steel and the fury of our batteries until our very last breath! Hold the line! FOR THE SOARING DRAGON KINGDOM!”

”FOR THE KINGDOM!” thousands of voices roared in unison across the military frequency.

The anti-aircraft batteries finished charging their destructive payloads, and the Raptor squadrons blasted off the runways at top speed, ready to stand their ground against the overwhelming fleet bearing down upon them.

Meanwhile, deep within the kingdom, emergency signals from the border illuminated the star map on the main command center in a bloody red.

Chaos and dread gripped the high command. The situation could not be worse: most of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom’s military force was deployed out of position. The Northern General was still abroad escorting the Fourth Prince on the prolonged crusade against the northern sects, while the Southern General, though urgently summoned, was still en route after being deployed to the frontlines to assist the Kingdom’s Princess.

With the generals absent and the request for reinforcements barely dispatched to the King’s palace, the superiors lost all composure.

”Damn it!” the Vice General roared, slamming his energy-infused fist onto the mystic stone table, shattering it into a thousand pieces. ”They took advantage of the absolute worst moment to attack! Order all surrounding fleets to move immediately toward the border sector! They must intercept and stop them at all costs!”

”Sir!” a communications officer interrupted, his face as pale as wax and his hands trembling over the console. ”An intelligence report from our spies on the front just came in! The message was delayed, but... it has been confirmed!”

The Vice General glared at him. ”What does it say?”

”Sir... this is no routine raid,” the officer stammered, swallowing hard. ”Vanguard forces have sighted hundreds of Invictus-class warships, dozens of Impenetrable-class transports... and at the center of the formation, an Annihilator-class battleship.”

A terrifying silence buried the command center.

”This is not a skirmish...” the officer continued, his voice cracking. ”This is a war of extermination. The Crimson Sect has deployed the entirety of its military might. They are coming to crush us to death.”

At that moment, the armored doors of the command center swung wide open with a metallic hiss. An imposing man strode inside with firm steps, casually adjusting the gauntlets of his armor.

”What’s wrong, Pinky?” the newcomer asked with a confident smirk. ”The General sent me to lend you a hand. He says a fleet is on its way, is that true?”

”Don’t call me Pinky!” the Vice General snapped, his face flushing with irritation.

However, upon realizing it was Marlon standing before him, his anger quickly melted into a sigh of relief. He immediately straightened up, his face turning dead serious once more.

”Marlon... we are under attack,” Rosa reported urgently, pointing to the glowing map. ”The Crimson Sect has launched a full-scale invasion against our borders.”

Marlon’s eyes gleamed with bloodlust as a grin spread across his face.

”Prepare the long-range teleporter!” Marlon commanded the techs, stepping onto the platform. ”I’m going to put a stop to them myself. Does that rabble think that because the others are busy, there’s no one of consequence left in the kingdom? Ha! To hell with them!”

The Vice General stepped forward, gripping Marlon’s shoulder with a grave expression.

”Marlon, be careful,” Rosa warned in a low tone. ”They have deployed an Annihilator-class battleship. Even you will face serious trouble if you try to take it head-on.”

Marlon let out a defiant laugh unfazed.

”Just one?” Marlon sneered, a wicked grin spreading across his face as the teleportation array began to hum with power. ”Ha! Let’s see if they have what it takes.”