The pressure the Protoss had continuously exerted on the far side of the Abyss Zone finally forced the Fallen Apostles to transfer more troops to the distant frontier. Whatever problems had arisen within their ranks, their overall troop movements and external defense mechanisms still seemed to be functioning normally for now. Their efficiency might have declined somewhat, but they had at least responded effectively enough to the Protoss invasion.
But none of that mattered much. Even if the Fallen Apostles' defensive mechanisms were still operational, they could not possibly withstand the pincer attack of the New Empire and the Protoss at the same time.
What the Protoss excelled at was sustained warfare and steady advancement. Though they were not as fast as the Shilin Apostles, they possessed formidable battlefield replenishment capabilities and resilience. The more fleets the Fallen Apostles committed against the Protoss forces, the deeper they would be drawn in, and the less force would remain to counterattack once the Empire Army began its operation. The enemy commanders surely understood this, but they had no choice but to keep throwing fleets into the spearhead of the Protoss offensive. If they did not, the distant frontier of the Abyss Zone would soon be breached by the Protoss.
Under sufficient pressure, even the Fallen Apostles could make errors in judgment. They would underestimate the threat posed by the New Empire. This was the moment for the Empire Army to act.
At Sandora's command, the massive Empire Fleet slowly disengaged from the starport's containment field, jumping into the void in successive waves and charging toward the Abyss Bulwark that had stood before the Empire Army for years.
"The First Legion has approached the abyss identification zone. The vanguard and main fleet are disengaging their Order Fields... Disengagement complete. Information offset between the