New Calendar 462, late spring.
Central Continent, Seran Plains and Uniel Mountains Borderlands.
The hills and meadows of the past no longer exist.
This was once a thoroughfare for caravans. In spring, wildflowers abound, grass can reach up to your knees, and snow from the mountains in the distance melts to form streams, nourishing the land.
But now, everything has changed.
The area centered on the purple-black crack was corrupted, turning into an exotic landscape of burnt black and dark red.
The land is dry and cracked, and vegetation is dying.
Abyssal Energy gushes out from the depths of the crack like invisible tentacles, continuing to erode every inch of Material Plane's land.
At the same time, a huge fortress is gradually taking shape.
The Abyss substance and the impregnated Floating City wreckage together constitute its main body.
The walls of the fortress are hundreds of meters high. The surface is rough and uneven, covered with spikes and raised bone-like structures. It is mainly purple and black in color, giving it an indestructible texture.
Inside the fortress, the buildings are in disarray.
They are not planned and are completely stacked according to Demon's preferences.
Towering altars, cage-like barracks, mountains of bones, boiling pools of blood...
Everything demonstrates the inhuman nature of this place.
On the majestic city wall outside, a slender and dangerous figure is standing quietly.
That's a female Six-Armed Serpent Demon.
Her upper body is in a humanoid shape, with smooth lines, and her six arms hang naturally by her sides. The nails on each hand are as sharp as knives. Her skin is dark purple, covered with fine scales, and glows with a metallic luster under the light.
She has a beautiful face and long hair hanging around her shoulders.
However, those eyes revealed a heart-stopping coldness, not the slightest bit of charm.
Her lower body is a thick snake tail, more than twenty meters long, covered with shiny black scales, and the edges are as sharp as blades. When it swings gently, it rubs against the surrounding walls, making a subtle friction sound.
Six-Armed Serpent Demon.
Among all the Demon races of Abyss, the Six-Armed Serpent Demon race also belongs to the upper-middle level.
Not only does he possess strong physical strength, but he also possesses considerable wisdom. He is an excellent warrior and tactician, and often serves as a commander or senior officer in the Demon Legion.
Among the chaotic Abyss, there are not many Demon who can stay rational and formulate strategies.
Six-Armed Serpent Demon is one of them.
Viresika is also a leader among Six-Armed Serpent Demon.
Her level is equivalent to Crown Rank in Material Plane, and is called "High Demon General" in Abyss.
At the same time, she is also the commander of the Demon army here in Material Plane, and she came here in compliance with the order of a lord.
The lord promised that if she could successfully defend the rift and create conditions for a more powerful existence to come, she would be promoted to Abyss Archdemon, and she would even have the opportunity to obtain a territory of her own.
"The fortress is built and the legions are ready."
Viresika whispered and glanced at the scene inside and outside the fortress.
In the open space inside the outer wall, Iron Rider Demon is lining up.
These Demon look similar to humans and horses at first glance, but are more ferocious. Their thick hooves have hooked claws at the end, which can easily tear through heavy armor; their bodies are covered with armor-like cuticles, which seem indestructible; their tails are long and powerful, with sharp bone spurs at the end, which can peel off the enemy's flesh.
They are also naturally good at using all kinds of heavy weapons, such as giant axes, flails, war hammers, etc. They are so brave that they are almost stupid, and they don't know what fear is.
These Iron Rider Demon, under the command of most lords, play the role of heavy cavalry, an assault force, and a sharp blade that shreds the enemy's line.
At this moment, they were pawing the ground impatiently with their hooves.
Closer to the crack, countless Lesser Demon and Mane were crowded together, noisy and chaotic, biting each other.
They are cannon fodder and spare food.
When the legion needs to replenish energy, but there is no other food, these bottom Demon are the most convenient source. Therefore, they have the largest number and die the fastest.
On high points throughout the fortress.
Thornlance Demon stretches its limbs covered with spear-like bone spurs, like living ballistae.
Their appearance is similar to a giant hedgehog, but they are more ferocious. Their whole body is covered with bone spurs of different lengths, and their tips are as sharp as spears.
Beside them, Brain Demon is floating in the air.
These Demon have no fixed shape. The main body is a bloated brain tissue with a diameter of about one meter, which is exposed. The surface is covered with beating blood vessels and nerve bundles. More than a dozen tentacles extend from the bottom of the brain tissue, and the ends are suction cups or spikes.
Brain Demon cannot speak, but invisible fluctuations appear and disappear.
That's them communicating.
They are "Sorcerer Order" of the Demon legion, responsible for casting various curses, spiritual attacks and defensive spells.
A single Brain Demon is not too strong, but when in groups, their skills can be superimposed to produce a qualitative change.
In the air, patrols composed of Vulture Demon passed by each other like streaks of black lightning, occasionally emitting ear-piercing screams.
Apart from these.
There is also Berserker Demon, which is like a heavy-duty elite.
Their muscles are all tense, and they will enter a violent state when fighting. They don't know pain and will not stop until they die.
Moreover, Berserker Demon is huge and at the same level, it is far stronger than most biological races. They are scattered throughout the fortress, either training, resting, or fighting with each other.
Even, fight each other.
There is no comradeship between Demon, only the relationship between strong and weak and temporary obedience.
"Everything is going according to plan."
Viresika flicked his tail in satisfaction.
Today, this fortress has the ability to withstand the siege of the Material Plane coalition forces.
Those materials that have been dipped and tempered by Abyssal Energy are far tougher than the metal, earth and stone of Material Plane. They have extremely high resistance to magic and physical attacks and are nearly indestructible. Coupled with the deployment of defensive formations, they can even withstand the onslaught of Abyss Archdemon within a certain period of time.
And based on known information.
On the surface of this continent, there is no Destiny Rank creature equivalent to Archdemon, let alone Demon King Tier.
The strongest one is Crown Rank, and the quantity is limited.
As for the slightly stronger Material Plane empire, Holden Empire, they are too busy to take care of themselves now and dare not approach the surface. They can only linger in the sky for the time being and fight stubbornly.
At the same time, the size of this surface fissure is also slowly expanding.
Every moment, more Abyssal Energy seeps out, eroding the surrounding spatial structure, making the cracks wider and more stable.
It's not far away before the stronger ones can pass.
"Chief."
A voice came from behind, rough and harsh, like a rusty saw cutting bones.
Viresika didn't look back, she knew who was coming.
Reaper Demon Hekas, one of the most impulsive and brave generals under her command.
His appearance is a typical Abyss Reaper.
It has a strong torso, a pointed head, sickle-shaped forelimbs, and mouthparts full of fangs that constantly open and close.
Hekas Climb the city wall.
Then, he walked to Viresika's side, but did not get too close.
"Chief, when can we take action?"
Reaper Demon said impatiently, "I can't wait to chop up those fragile limbs and enjoy the wonderful blood and death. After staying here for so long, my sharp claws are almost rusty."
Not just him, most Demon are enduring.
They came to Material Plane not for sightseeing or to build a city.
In Abyss, they have to fight every day, either with other Demon, with Devil, or with creatures from other planes.
Fighting is their instinct, and killing is their pleasure. Here, they just want to kill and destroy, tearing every living thing they see into pieces.
For Demon, Material Plane's life is a great supplement.
Devouring some Material Plane flesh or soul can allow Demon to advance faster. This is an irresistible temptation for Demon who longs for power.
"Are you anxious?"
Six-Armed Serpent Demon asked.
"The legion has been assembled and the fortress has been built. Those Material Plane people don't even dare to show their shadows yet!"
Hekas's voice rose, "Ah, I'm so hungry. Let me lead a team out. I want to harvest those sweet flesh and blood. I don't need more, just a small team. I'll go around and bring back all the living creatures I can see. We can have a banquet!"
Viresika finally turned his head and looked at Reaper Demon.
Hekas instinctively shrank his neck, but he did not stop talking.
"I think... it's too frustrating for us to sit here and wait for them to fight. Look at those Iron Rider Demon, their hooves are almost rusty, and those Berserker Demon, they will attack each other if there are no enemies. Yesterday, two more fought, and their brains were knocked out."
"Let them fight."
Viresika said, "Chaos is our Demon's nature. It cannot be completely suppressed. As long as the fortress structure is not destroyed and the number of troops is not reduced significantly, let them go. Fighting can keep them in shape, which is better than completely relaxing."
"But..."
Hekas What else would you like to say.
Six-Armed Serpent Demon interrupted him, "Let me ask you, how long did you live in Abyss before you came to Material Plane?"
Reaper Demon was stunned, but still answered honestly.
"One thousand and eleven hundred years, maybe even longer if you include the time in larval form."
"How many battles have you fought?"
"Countless." Hekas said with pride in his tone, "Fight with Demon, fight with Devil, fight with elemental creatures..."
"Ever lost?"
Hekas said, "I have lost, of course I have. The worst time was when half of my body was chewed and I almost died."
"Aside from being weak, why did you lose?"
Viresika continue to ask.
Reaper Demon scratched his head and said reluctantly, "Because of carelessness, sometimes I rushed too fast and followed my teammates without waiting for them; sometimes I was too greedy and chased the fleeing enemy deep into the enemy's formation and was ambushed; another time I was too excited and didn't notice that the opponent had set a trap..."
Viresika glanced at him.
"You're doing the same thing right now."
"Impulsive, impatient, dominated by appetite and desire to fight, regardless of the overall situation... This is why you can only listen to my orders, even if you are not weaker than me, in pure combat, we may be equal."
In Abyss, combat power is not scarce.
The powerful Demon is everywhere, new strong ones are born every day, and old strong ones fall.
The rarest thing is a brain that can think normally.
Viresika has this ability, so she is the commander. Hekas does not, so he can only follow orders and fight.
Six-Armed Serpent Demon turned back to the land outside the fortress.
"What you see is that Material Plane creatures are afraid to show up. What I see is that they are preparing, gathering, and gathering towards us. The scouts reported that traces of large-scale army mobilization were found in the east, south, north, and west. Although they are still far away, they are indeed coming, and it is not one army, but several, coming from different directions."
"That's just right!"
Hekas became excited and waved his sickle limb, "Let them come! The more the better! Let our blades taste enough blood! Haha, I want to eat more human brains. It is said that it can make Demon smarter."
Speaking of which, maybe it was because I was too excited.
Reaper Demon's sickle tip had accidentally cut his head, and black blood flowed out, but he didn't care, and even got more excited, stretching out his long tongue to lick the wound.
The snake demon asked, "What then?"
"Then?" Hekas was stunned for a moment, "Then, of course, kill them all and conquer this Material Plane! Turn this place into our new hunting ground!"
Viresika did not respond immediately.
Her gaze crossed the fortress, past the hovering Vulture Demon, and landed on the purple-black crack.
The fissure is like a huge scar, stretching across the earth, with darkness surging in its depths.
It is spreading slowly, becoming wider and more stable every moment.
And in the deepest part of the crack, some kind of faint pulsation is strengthening, like the heartbeat of a huge creature, low and powerful, and only Demon with a keen sense can detect it.
"Hekas, do you know why we were sent here?"
Six-Armed Serpent Demon asked suddenly.
"Because we are powerful! We are deeply trusted by the lords!"
Reaper Demon answered without hesitation.
"No, because we are expendable."
Viresika turned his head and stared at Reaper Demon.
"The limit that this crack can currently carry is our grade, High Demon General, Crown Rank level. Stronger ones can't get through it for the time being. The space structure is not stable enough. If you force it through, it will be torn into pieces, so we come first."
"We build the city, we hold on, we attract the power of Material Plane, we fight them, we bleed, and we die. When we wrangle with them and the blood flows into a river, the blood, the death, and the dissipated soul energy will be absorbed by the rift and converted into Abyssal Energy, allowing the rift to quickly accumulate enough stability."
"Then, a more powerful existence can come."
She paused, then spoke again.
"So, our mission is not to conquer, not to Hunt, not to enjoy, but to defend this fortress and this rift until the Archdemons, even our lords, and our king come here."
"That's when the conquest truly begins."
Reaper Demon's sickle limb slowly lowered.
He was not stupid, and he understood the meaning at this moment.
"Then... how long will we have to guard?"
he asked.
"As long as it takes."
Viresika sneered and said, "Until the rift further expands and stabilizes, or we all die in battle, no matter which case, the mission is completed."
Her eyes swept inside and outside the fortress.
Iron Rider Demon lined up, noisy Mane group, hovering Vulture Demon, suspended Brain Demon, Berserker Demon fighting each other...
These are her bargaining chips, her consumables.
Just like she is also the tool of the lord.
Viresika knows her position very well, but she never complains or feels dissatisfied, because that is the case at Abyss.
Unless you can become a lord, it's meaningless.
"Don't underestimate Material Plane's creatures."
Six-Armed Serpent Demon continued, as if he was reminding Reaper Demon, and also as if he was reminding himself.
"Don't forget how many casualties Holden caused us in the previous Abyss war. The humans of that empire were crazy, cunning, and did not care about the cost. They once repelled our army, invaded our territory, and even captured a few Archdemon, and nailed them to the edge of the territory for hundreds of years."
As he said that, the snake demon suddenly sneered.
"However, those humans are really arrogant and arrogant. They think they can control everything and get everything from Abyss without paying the price. They finally woke up our king from his slumber."
"Their Immortal One thinks they can defeat Demon King."
"Haha, now they have learned a lesson."
"When more Floating City fall, more cracks burst out, our legions descend here in full force, and our king will also arrive. At that time, Holden Empire will collapse like a sandcastle in the wind. There will be no way out, and those arrogant humans will wail and become slaves or food."
"Then..."
Viresika's lips were slightly curved, revealing a Demon smile, beautiful and dangerous, like a poisonous flower blooming on a corpse.
"This entire planet will become part of Abyss and become ours, and our king, after capturing a new land for Abyss, will go one step further and become a true Abyss Lord, gaining more Divine Power and power. We followers will also receive rewards, become stronger, and even have the opportunity to gain territory."
Having said this, she cast her eyes into the distance again.
On the horizon, something was vaguely moving. It was small, very fast, and fleeting.
Maybe it's a bird, maybe it's a cloud shadow, maybe... it's an enemy approaching for reconnaissance.
"Hekas, pass the order."
Six-Armed Serpent Demon said.
"Each legion is on alert, but is prohibited from attacking. If an enemy team approaches, use long-range attacks to drive them away. Do not pursue them. If a large-scale enemy force appears, report it immediately, but do not take the initiative to engage in battle. Wait for them to attack the city."
"Let them see it, let them scout it, let them bring everything here back to the decision-makers among them."
"When they think they have grasped our details, formulated a plan, and are confident that they will attack us with their entire army."
Viresika turned around and spread out six arms at the same time, like blooming flowers of death.
"Let us let them know what real war is, what despair is, what...Abyss!"
Reaper Demon retreated and left in a hurry.
On the city wall, Six-Armed Serpent Demon stood alone.
The wind brings the smell of Abyss, but it also brings other flavors.
It's the smell of grass, of trees, of living things.
Material Plane's breath of life is so sweet and tempting to Demon, like a traveler who has been thirsty for countless years smelling the fragrance of a clear spring.
Viresika took a deep breath, inhaled the breath into his body, and felt the Life Energy contained in it.
Soon.
She thought silently.
The fortress here is impregnable, and Material Plane's attack will be in vain.
Afterwards, wait for the moment when the lord comes...
All the waiting, all the patience, all the sacrifices will be rewarded.
At that time, she will be promoted, gain strength, and gain status, and the creatures of Material Plane will understand that all their resistance is in vain.
They will all become food for Abyss.
Without exception.
Book recommendation:<The Dark History I Wrote Has Come True>
Introduction: Many years later, Evan, who was sent to the gallows, would always think of the night in his previous life when he first wrote a dark history novel in his notebook.
This book is also called "That Time I Was Reincarnated into a Black History Novel"
Elements: [Adventurer], [Hodgepodge World View], [Pseudo-DND], [Twisted Literature]