"Hiss~ Kalakapapa, the wrath of the Demon King will bring annihilation to the Lizardmen!"

The lizardman elder, whose scales were somewhat gray, warned the lizardman leader, Karakapapa, while he seemed to be talking incoherently and was running around shaking the bone vessel in his hand as he issued the warning.

“Prophet…I don’t understand.”

Karakapapa frowned and asked the lizardman prophet in front of him, looking both annoyed and puzzled, "It's been three days since spring, but the Demon King's territory hasn't made a move yet. I don't think they have the strength to deal with us."

But under the watchful eyes of the leaders of dozens of lizardmen tribes, the prophet did not respond to the chief's question... He simply wandered around the territory, staring at the small hole in the vessel in his hand.

This appears to be a bone sphere made by sticking two bowls together. It has three or four small holes of different sizes. When you shake it, you can hear a crisp sound as if some filling material is knocking against the inside of the sphere.

"prophet!!"

Amidst the angry shouts of Karakapapa, the rambling prophet ran to the center of the hall, glanced at the small sphere in his hand, and immediately showed a look of horror.

*thump*

The lizardman prophet collapsed to the ground, his face filled with astonishment. The elderly prophet muttered to himself, "It's over, it's all over, it's too late, hahaha! Waa ...

"..."

"What are you talking about, Prophet!"

Karakapapa looked agitated. He slammed his staff into the ground, and under the watchful eyes of the surrounding leaders, his snake-like eyes flashed with a fierce light as he commanded, "He's lost his mind! Take him away!"

The lizardman guards, obeying their leader, almost immediately entered the lizardman lord's hall, dragging the lizardman prophet, who was both crying and laughing, out... or rather, dragging him away.

The lizardman prophet, gripping the divination tools tightly, did not resist. He simply remained in the position of having his legs held, letting himself be dragged along the ground, his eyes fixed on the small hole in the object in his hand.

"..."

He seemed to have seen something and paused for a moment, then released the divination tool in his hand without any hesitation. He looked up at the lizardman leader... his gaze as if he were looking at an inanimate object.

Those who are prophets are always the ones who get to see the most of the future before they die, because the World Tree and the omniscient and omnipotent gods only know about these prophecies from their ancestors... They cannot speak of them aloud.

Whether you call it pity or grace, in the moment before death, they always seem to see more of the future. So what did the lizardman prophet see before he was executed by Kalakapapa?

...

A crimson starlight danced, accompanied by something indistinct... A jet-black wave followed closely behind, swirling into a vortex powerful enough to devour everything.

——————————

The headless knights led the way, keeping watch over the other infantry and not moving at their fastest speed... but the other infantry units weren't much slower either.

Because where the Headless Horseman passed, mana, resembling many wailing souls, appeared on the ground, allowing other troops to march swiftly by stepping on these patterns.

The army summoned by the [Path of the Underworld] was covered by ghostly, slightly blue, transparent images of spirits, making the rapidly advancing monsters appear as if they had flown, truly like an army from hell.

"Tap tap tap tap~"

As they approached the lizardmen's territory, the headless riders, led by their leader, increased their speed, eventually reaching full speed ahead. Those behind, no longer able to benefit from the distance boost provided by the [Path of the Underworld], turned off their abilities.

Although it won't consume too much Mana, it's always good to save some.

This was, of course, part of Iraq's pre-arranged plan. Although he was the "Governor" most adept at improvisation, he also recognized the importance of a "strategy" planned before the war began.

The way cavalry is used in this world is actually... crude? No, it can't be called crude. It's just that sometimes it's not flexible enough and doesn't bring out its full potential.

Or rather, Iraq didn't quite agree with this cavalry tactic that could be summarized as "all-out assault!"... He still felt that since cavalry had the advantage of mobility, they should tear apart or flank the enemy.

Like a hawk circling and waiting for its chance to strike, it can tear a piece of flesh from its prey every now and then.

However, from the perspective of the large battlefield, this strategy of charging forward with absolute momentum is not necessarily wrong... At least this tactic, which poses a great threat to the Empire's back-line mage units, left the Empire with little power to resist.

The formation will be broken up, and morale will be completely shattered.

A vast expanse of black iron cavalry charged forward at top speed, fearless of death—a sight never seen in Iraq's former world... After all, not all horses are created equal.

Therefore, it can only be said that Iraq will try to be more flexible in choosing different tactics at different times... Although he does not have the talent of a marshal or general, his command ability is still amazing thanks to his extensive knowledge and wide range of experience.

"The timing should be just right."

Ira said with a smile, explaining that he had previously told everyone about his plan... It was very simple, even ridiculously simple, but undeniably effective.

Or rather, it can't really be described as a "plan"; it's more accurate to say that overwhelming troop strength led to overwhelming tactics... Also, Iraq grasped a key point.

"In fact, the people of the lizardmen did not turn to betrayal."

Sataniea seemed to feel she had learned something. Watching the headless riders carrying the construct's parts rushing forward, she said, "We can use this..."

"Hmm~"

Ira nodded as she told Satan Ye a story, saying, "No matter what kind of kingdom it is, when a general leads his men in rebellion and marches towards the capital, he will never directly tell his subordinates, 'I am going to betray the country.'"

As Satanie seemed to be deep in thought, Ira, as if teaching Isabella, patiently guided her: "Those soldiers were deceived by the rhetoric of 'Defend the King! Suppress the traitors,' and by the time they realized it, it was too late to turn back."

“If that general had said ‘I have decided to betray the country’ from the beginning, then that very night, his adjutants would have cut off his head for the reward… You can use that if necessary.”

"..."

"Oh, I see."

Seeing Satan Ye's understanding expression, Ira couldn't help but admire Satan Ye's spirituality and obedience as a student... In contrast, another student from before always argued with her.

And then I often say that she's a nag and a chatterbox... This is probably what the rebellious phase is like.

It's truly remarkable.