Closing In

At five in the afternoon, the main force successfully deployed fifteen kilometers from the Radiant Holy City.

Since the enemy had performed even more poorly than expected, Su Ming changed his orders and had the troops advance another five kilometers. They now faced the Glory Crown Knights deployed in defense outside the city, with ten kilometers of open plain between them.

Compared with the alarm and unease on the other side, the atmosphere here was far more relaxed, marked by an almost buoyant calm. Everyone hurried to set up the battlefield facilities: ammunition areas, landing and takeoff fields, temporary field medical stations, and supply collection points sprang up one after another, while the Feather Race troops established defenses and lookout posts along the perimeter.

For a time, the place looked like a construction site.

Ainuobia personally came to the front to coordinate operations. Having always worked in the rear, she could not help feeling nervous as she looked at the towering Holy City ahead.

"Everyone has expended a great deal of physical strength and Magic Power," she reported to Su Ming, her voice full of concern. "They're riding a wave of excitement as they build the positions, but if we get drawn into a protracted battle later, all that exhaustion will become a problem."

Their troops had fought a grueling battle today and then made a forced march of nearly two hundred kilometers. It had taken an enormous toll.

"Don't worry," Su Ming said. "The main force won't be fighting any high-intensity battles tonight."

Elsewhere, Yise watched the situation on the other side through binoculars, assisted by Eagle Eye. Their conspicuous preparations for battle were clearly putting the enemy under tremendous psychological pressure.

Yet the enemy did not dare venture out of the city to harass them and could only