"Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom..."

The Demon King's army, with its immense momentum, approached the vampire territory, but it was only approaching; for the time being... this "purge" would not result in the vampires suffering the same fate as the Gorgon.

Because they are useful.

However, if they truly refuse to change their ways, their fate will be similar to that of the Gorgon. But even if they genuinely repent, no matter how "useful" their repentance may be, they will not receive better treatment than the sirens.

In other words, regardless of the attitude of the four territories in this reckoning, the worst outcome is the same as the Gorgons, and the best outcome is the same as the Sirens, where they just need to undergo some "psychological preparation" and it will be over.

"Senata, are you and the rest of the vampires going to try to persuade them to surrender?"

As Yinla asked this question, wings symbolizing the "Headless Horseman" sprouted from his back. He was currently riding his own headless warhorse and speaking to a small white bat hiding under a miniature parasol, which was standing at the front of the horse's neck.

If you look closely, you'll find that many of the headless horsemen's warhorses have a bat perched on them. These are vampires who have transformed into this form to facilitate their journeys with other units.

It's worth mentioning that these little bats aren't the kind of very realistic bats; on the contrary... their overall style leans heavily towards impressionism and silhouette art.

I Have a Scroll of Ghost and Deity Illustrations

To put it bluntly, it's more like Batman's batarang than a real hairy bat. They made an inflatable toy with the same design, and then used the inflatable toy as a mold to fill in plastic. The plastic toy then grew anime-style eyes and became sentient.

After transforming from human form to bat form, the mass of the body seemed to be compressed... Yes, this is very illogical and unscientific, but this world itself does not follow science.

Or rather, "magical science" is the new science of this world.

In response to Illa's question, Senata, in her bat form, turned her head, her tiny eyes fixed on Illa, and nodded, saying, "This is why we're here... I must take responsibility for that betrayal."

To take responsibility for that betrayal? Wait...

Yinla felt that the logic was a bit off. The betrayal in question was definitely not the betrayal of the insectoids, nor the betrayal of other territories, but the betrayal of the vampires... But shouldn't the one who should be held responsible be the betrayer?

If someone has to take the blame, it should be me, the one who scared those vampires into defecting.

While Yinla was internally complaining, he looked at the vampire bats who were all prepared as the vampire territory approached, and decided to say nothing.

Since it's something Senata and the others have already decided in their hearts, there's no need to try to persuade them otherwise.

Thinking this, Yinla watched as the troops in front stopped at the command of Lotia at the forefront, and he gradually slowed down and stopped as well... The flag bearer on the side of the column, upon seeing the signal, immediately waved his flag to the rear to indicate that he should slow down and stop.

This is a type of flag signal designed for situations where the battle lines are too long in the military. It seems that the same set of flag signals is used all over the world, and Yinla, who has been in the Imperial Army for so long, can understand it.

However, Yinla is currently in a situation where she can understand what's being done, but can't actually crank it herself...

After all, flag signals are not used much on the main battlefield. In most cases, the mana is used to make the sound loud enough. Only in situations like a surprise attack is it necessary to minimize the noise.

"What happened?"

As he rode to the front of the group, Yinla asked the question to Sirina, who was driving the horse in front of Satan Ye, and Senata beside her... Then, he immediately saw the open gates of the vampire territory.

"It could be a trap."

Sernata said simply.

The others immediately showed expressions of understanding. Faced with this obviously strange situation, everyone felt something was wrong, but... Yinla couldn't help but look up at the top of the city wall.

There wasn't a vampire playing the piano under an umbrella over there, so Ira didn't need to feel a strong sense of déjà vu, but... he couldn't help but think of a very classic scheme.

"The Empty City Stratagem?"

Yinla muttered to himself, looking at the puzzled expressions on the other people's faces, and explained, "It's a tactic. In a critical situation, you pretend to give up resistance. If we think too much about it, we might mistake it for a trap and miss the opportunity."

Senata understood what Yinra meant when he said that. She nodded and prepared to issue an order for the army to enter the vampire territory, but he quickly stopped her again.

"Wait, but... it could also be a counter-empty city ploy, which means pretending to use the empty city ploy while actually setting a trap in the territory, waiting for us to make a fool of ourselves; of course, it could also be a counter-counter-empty city ploy."

As Yinla said this, he was considering things like, "I'm on the fifth floor, I thought he was on the second floor, but it turns out he's only on the first floor." While the other leaders were somewhat at a loss, he couldn't be bothered to think about it anymore.

After all, such a tactic doesn't have much effect in this world.

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to think about it anymore. After all, this kind of plan has a fatal flaw..."

As Yinla said this, he directly deactivated the manifestation of [Fourth Wing Pillar - Headless Horseman - Wingspan], and watched Senata flap her wings and fly up. He continued, "Empty City Stratagem, Empty City Stratagem, at least one city needs to be present."

Yes, great achievements can cause destruction, and the unsolvable thing is not just the power itself, but something that both open and covert schemes would fear.

If the enemy attacks with water, then evaporate the floodwaters; if the enemy attacks with fire, then cover it with flames; if the enemy is on high ground, then destroy the mountains and the earth; if a city blocks the way, then demolish the city; if a forest blocks the way, then burn the forest.

"First Wing Pillar - Lich - Wingspan!"

As Yinla spoke, gray-white wings instantly condensed behind him... This was an ability he rarely used after arriving at the Demon King's Castle, but his First Wing Pillar was not bound to the Crimson Dragon after all.

Although the Crimson Dragon is indeed useful.

"The Mage's Hand!"

As Yinla shouted this, accompanied by the massive release of Mana from Vera's body, she stood up anxiously, yelling, "Wait! Yinla, use it sparingly! And what did you say again... Mage's Hand?"

Fortunately, Yinla intentionally controlled the expenditure of magic power, so he left Vera with half of the mana. He waved his hand in the air, and then the city wall, which was by no means fragile, collapsed with a loud bang, as if it had been slapped by an invisible hand.

This power seems to be beyond the capabilities of a mage whose skill is described as "advanced magic".

...

Vera: This guy is eight years old?