Chapter 162: The Flames of Retribution
The steel leviathans of the Celestial Imperium Navy cut through the dark waters, their sleek mana-infused hulls gleaming under the stormy sky. The Iron Dominion, the Imperium's flagship supercarrier, led the formation, its vast flight deck swarming with fighter squadrons preparing for launch. Further behind, Aegis-class battlecruisers and Poseidon-class amphibious warships maintained tight formation, their railguns primed and mana-artillery charged.
This was the largest naval deployment in history.
On the bridge of the Aegis Dominator, Jack observed the unfolding operation through a massive holographic war map, his golden eyes scanning the real-time battle projections.
System Notification:
[Mission Update: Demon War Phase I – The Tide of Steel]
Objective: Conduct a full-scale invasion. Secure coastal strongholds, neutralize high-value demon targets, and establish forward operating bases.
Rewards: Advanced naval blueprints, upgraded battlefield logistics, increased strategic control.
Jack turned toward Admiral Kaspar Voss, the seasoned commander overseeing the Imperium's naval forces. "Begin the bombardment. Make it rain hell."
Admiral Voss gave a curt nod. "All batteries, open fire!"
The Hellfire Barrage—Coastal Purge Begins
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Abyssal Coast, a demon-infested shoreline, erupted as Imperium warships unleashed devastating artillery barrages.
The sky was torn apart as squadrons of Imperium aircraft streaked overhead, fighter jets and bombers descending upon enemy fortifications. Orbital railguns fired, their shots descending like celestial spears from the heavens. Demonic fortresses were shattered, their obsidian towers crumbling into the cursed waters.
But the demons were not defenseless.
From beneath the waves, massive abyssal horrors emerged, their twisted forms lashing out at the Imperium's fleet. Demon-possessed leviathans, draped in black tendrils and molten armor, lunged at warships with monstrous rage.
"Countermeasures deployed! Engaging enemy sea creatures!" came the alert from one of the battleships.
Torpedoes laced with mana-disruptor charges shot through the waters, exploding into columns of blue energy that severed the demonic creatures' abyssal limbs. Imperium submarines surfaced, unleashing concentrated plasma beams that ripped through the eldritch horrors like divine punishment.
Jack's voice was calm but firm. "Deploy the Imperial Marine Corps. Secure the beachhead. We are taking the war to them."
Storming the Shores—The Battle for Black Hollow
Drop pods rained down like comets. Massive armored transports plowed through the waves, opening their hatches to release mechanized infantry, Titan shock troopers, and mana-powered war mechs.
"Go, go, go! Hold the line!" came the commanding voice of General Viktor Halford, leading the first wave of Imperial Marines.
The beach was a hellscape. Demonic beasts and abyssal warriors surged forward, clawing and shrieking as the Imperium's firepower carved through their ranks. Plasma lances burned through demonic flesh, railguns tore apart monstrous forms, and mana-shielded infantry pushed forward with brutal efficiency.
Zar'vok the Unchained, the warlord of Black Hollow, emerged atop a ruined fortress, his massive, grotesque form pulsating with abyssal power.
"Mortals... you come to die!" he roared, unleashing a massive wave of corrupted magic. A storm of dark tendrils lashed out, crushing tanks and war mechs in an instant.
Jack's cold gaze locked onto the towering demon warlord. "Deploy the Hellfire Battalion. We end this now."
A squad of elite mana-shock troopers launched into the air, their energy-laced blades igniting as they descended upon Zar'vok. Anti-demon explosives detonated across his body, severing his limbs and leaving him vulnerable to a final railgun shot that obliterated his head.
The demon warlord fell. Black Hollow was reclaimed.
Jack turned to Eve. "Mark this as the first of many. We do not stop here."
Global Reactions—The Imperium's Might Unleashed
The world watched in horror and awe as the Imperium's flawless, overwhelming military execution wiped out the demon stronghold in mere hours. Magical transmission networks across nations broadcast the footage live.
The Holy Kingdom's high council sat in stunned silence.
The Elven Queen, watching from her grand hall, whispered, "The world will never be the same."
Meanwhile, the Demon Lords themselves watched from the abyss.
A towering figure, wreathed in shadows, growled in displeasure. "The Tyrant of Steel... has arrived."
Kingdom Building Amidst War—Imperial Expansion
With the war machine in motion, Jack ensured that the Celestial Imperium's infrastructure and governance remained stable. Captured demon-infested territories were rapidly being converted into fortified outposts. Engineers and researchers worked tirelessly to extract knowledge from corrupted artifacts and reverse-engineer demonic weaponry.
Mana purification towers were deployed, cleansing the corrupted land, while automated construction units began the rapid rebuilding of ruined settlements. Citizens displaced by the war were given shelter, medical aid, and a chance to serve the Imperium.
Eve appeared before Jack as a shimmering hologram. "Production quotas for the next war phase are at 97% efficiency. The mana-reactor stabilization on the eastern front has begun. The economy remains stable despite war expenditures."
Jack nodded. "Good. Ensure that research divisions continue studying demon physiology and magic-tech integration. If we can harness their power, we will create weapons even they fear."
Next Target: The Abyssal Rift
With Black Hollow secured, intelligence reported that a massive demon rift was still active, serving as a gateway for endless reinforcements. If left unchecked, it could threaten the entire war effort.
Jack's expression darkened. "This ends now. Deploy all necessary forces—we are sealing that rift. Permanently."
The Imperium's war machine moved once more.
End of Chapter 162.