My wife is an immortal black snake.

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"what happened?"

Kosiché looked at him with concern. She had received word that the heavily damaged squad was heading to its designated artillery position with the assembly parts for the three naval guns and a trailer.

"No... I feel something's strange. Why would Duke Nikolai recall his aliens? But I have no idea if he's plotting anything..."

"...It's normal for the enemy to be in the dark while we are in the light. With our intelligence units unable to provide us with any more information, we can only make our own preparations while also keeping a backup plan."

"...Um."

Yang Hao nodded reluctantly, acknowledging his wife's explanation. He truly had no way to counter Duke Nikolai's schemes, except perhaps to prepare in advance.

Therefore, now that his plan had largely succeeded, all that remained was to wait—he had to wait until the ship's cannons were set up and the reinforcements began bombarding Duke Nikolai's living city before he could make his next move.

During this time, all he could do was rest well with his wife. And he was indeed hungry.

.....

After having Monica prepare a simple yet delicious lunch for everyone, he thought for a while and decided to assign Teresa and Sonia their next tasks.

“Theresa, I need your sisters to do intelligence gathering at the front during this time—you don’t need to go to the front, but you need to set up observation posts near the front and use your experience to determine what’s happening in Duke Nikolai’s city, okay?”

“Huh? I have no problem with that…” Theresa blinked dryly, then nodded: “But what about the Scales? We’re just spies, after all. Our effectiveness will be greatly reduced when facing a bunch of non-human beings, boss.”

“The snake scales also have their own work to do, and now we can only ask you to carry out this kind of observation work.”

"I understand. I'll arrange for people to come this afternoon. But boss, we need equipment."

"Go directly to the warehouse and get it."

"Yes."

Theresa accepted the task. Seeing this, Yang Hao nodded in satisfaction and then turned to look at Sonia's mother, who had been silently watching him without saying a word.

Feeling the intense gaze emanating from Sonia, he swallowed hard before speaking:

“Sonia, I need you and your juniors to be on standby at the front barricades tonight—I’m worried that Duke Nikolai might launch a fierce attack on our front lines tonight. So I need you.”

"Okay. I understand."

She didn't ask many questions; she simply accepted the task.

After finishing arranging work for the two, Yang Hao checked with Koschche to make sure there was nothing he had overlooked, while also trying to figure out what could be activated on his [Puppet Stage] to change the current situation.

There's no need to consider the national policy tree; the university I selected last time will take three more days to complete—but I can consider modifying that drone into a military unit to give Duke Nikolai a good thrashing.

As for resolutions, since Yang Hao has already spent his political points on Hela's ceremony, he really can't use his remaining political points to come up with any valuable resolutions or policies...

So, influence?

Yang Hao reviewed the information for a long time and found that the only usable influence tactic was to urge His Majesty the Emperor's main force to move faster—but regardless of whether he could influence them or not, His Majesty the Emperor would arrive here on August 30th or 29th to provide support, so... should he just leave it? Stockpile it up and see if it has any effect on Kazimir later...

On another note, a new country has indeed appeared on the diplomatic front now, hasn't it?

Kazdel's Umbrella Security Company... Tsk tsk, Ms. Therese? You really pulled this stunt? Oh well, do whatever you want. But speaking of which, why did your company, which was just founded, immediately go against the legitimate royal family of Kazdel?

Hasn't everyone in Kazdel agreed yet?

Feeling inexplicably much better, Yang Hao muttered some awful things like, "As expected, the suffering of outsiders can make onlookers feel good," while he started looking through information about the Duchy of Nikolai.

It was still shrouded in mystery. Not to mention Duke Nikolai's plans, he didn't even know the official name of that living city.

Sigh, it seems I either have to go and see for myself what happened, or I can only wait?

He sighed, thinking that he could only wait until after the first round of shelling outside to see what Duke Nikolai's response would be.

Just then, Monica brought over lunch—Yang Hao was really planning to rest, since he was indeed completely confused and could only wait for things to unfold.

... .....

Meanwhile, Duke Nikolai is feeding the living city.

It was severely injured and lost so much blood that it was no longer able to launch a new attack on the city with its claws.

Therefore, Duke Nikolai's top priority is to restore the living city and thereby increase his control over the alien soldiers.

It was like playing with clay. At first, Duke Nikolai didn't realize the connection between the living city and the alien soldiers—but soon, as he repeatedly tried to control the alien soldiers, he did.

The aliens would rather follow the guidance of the living city than obey his orders.

In other words, he can give more specific instructions to the aliens by commanding the living city to issue commands.

“Just like a swarm of bees always follows the queen’s guidance…” He licked his lips, realizing he had seemingly inadvertently created a completely new biological form. “In this group, only one highly intelligent individual is needed? I understand…”

He was excited; if his guess was correct, he would be able to deal the biggest blow to the Duchy of Kosiché.

But what to do after the blow? His body has become one of the sacrifices, and he needs to find another body, a body that is youthful, energetic, and has an active brain.

He considered whether to take the Duke of Kosiché's body—but then again, he still wasn't quite comfortable with a woman's body. So, he could only regretfully fix his gaze on the man.

Sigh, I'll just have to make do for now. Once I use my new body to devour the old one and complete my first truly meaningful "complete autophagy," I should be able to go higher and fly higher, right?

Duke Nikolai remained calm. He had not yet noticed the movements of Duke Kosiché's reinforcements outside—and he did not care about those movements.

Chapter 99

It was in the afternoon of August 21st.

Theresa and her sisters set up observation posts on the best-preserved high-rise buildings closest to the front lines in the salient district, while Mother Sonia and her younger relatives were also stationed at the front to be ready for any possible plots by Duke Nikolai.

Meanwhile, the naval gun emplacements in the wilderness were also completed. Each of the three guns carried approximately 40 shells, which should be enough to launch an effective attack on the vulnerable rear of the living city and disrupt Duke Nikolai's ceremony.

should.

Holding those two words in his hand, Yang Hao nervously looked at the map. The naval guns at the gun emplacement had completed aiming and raised their muzzles to target the rear of the living city.

"Um..."

He swallowed hard, turned to look at Kosic, who was also looking at him.

After a while.

He nodded.

"—Then, please begin the plan."

With her husband's permission, Kosice gave her orders through the communicator in front of her. Following her command, the naval guns on the artillery positions officially began shelling the living city.

The booming cannon fire could be heard clearly even here. To prevent the alien soldiers from being attracted by the sound of the cannons, Yang Hao had previously ordered Kosiché to mobilize reinforcements and have them build makeshift earthen ramparts around the naval gun emplacements. Although it was unclear whether these ramparts would be effective, they would hold out for as long as possible.

Yang Hao waited anxiously for the results of the shelling. Seeing this, his maid Monica thoughtfully took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his face.

A while later, just as Monica was about to do something for Yang Hao—accompanied by the rumble of cannons and the mournful sound of an air raid siren in the distance—Yang Hao received feedback from the puppet stage.

[Event: Weakness]

Although the rear of this city is not completely connected to the living city, this is nonetheless the most vulnerable point of the living city.

Damage caused by naval gunfire to the steel structure will also directly affect the flesh and blood parts of the living city. But that's the point—the living city is simply too large. If its core cannot be fatally threatened, then any damage, even damage to its weak points, can only be considered "superficial wounds."

However, this might attract the attention of Duke Nikolai, as he is unable to conduct the ceremony due to the shelling.

I see... Although that iron butt is the weakness of the living city, does that weakness mean it's the "core"?

Yang Hao pondered thoughtfully, thinking that it was like the difference between the heart and the toes—although sometimes you might experience excruciating pain when you accidentally step on a Lego brick, it's not as fatal as the pain of a heart attack.

But that's enough. If Duke Nikolai's ceremony can't be held, then...

"Boss! Something's up!"

Just as Yang Hao was pondering his next plan, Theresa's emergency communicator suddenly rang throughout the not-so-closed space. He paused for a moment, but still took the communicator from Monica and pressed the answer button.

"What's going on?"

Kosichrie was also watching closely, and before Yang Hao could ask, she asked first.

A strange hissing sound came from the other end of the communicator. After a moment, Yang Hao saw a video feed appear on the communicator screen—Teresa seemed to have used a repeater to bring over surveillance footage from her current location.

She was on the rooftop of a high-rise building, pointing her communicator's camera at Duke Nikolai's living city. From where she was pointing, Yang Hao and Kosiché could see that the tower, once the city's control tower but now transformed into some indescribable flesh and blood, was emitting bursts of red light.

The intervals between the appearances of the red light are like the intervals of a human heartbeat; each burst of crimson light illuminates the surrounding land in red.

What exactly is going on? Is this a major move by Duke Nikolai? Yang Hao frowned, and after ordering the soldiers at the front line to go on alert and hold their positions, he asked a simple and straightforward question:

"What about the areas illuminated by the red light? Have you noticed any changes in your bodies? What about Duke Nikolai's aliens?"

"—In the area illuminated by the red light, our area remains unchanged, but tree-like structures have begun to grow from the flesh and blood tissue of the living city. These things seem to ignore the [yellow things] that Ms. Kal'tsit studied and are beginning to extend into our position—"

"Okay. What else?" The thing that broke through the yellow barrier and started spreading towards our positions must be something of a higher material than the fungal carpet? Was it stimulated by the naval gunfire outside? Will it infect our city? Would fire be effective?

Yang Hao ordered the soldiers at the front to prepare strong liquor and torches. But before he could have them throw them out to see the effect, Theresa nervously said:

"We haven't changed, but the aliens have changed a lot—those monsters that used to roam uncontrollably inside the living city and in the wilderness outside have started moving towards our positions!"

"...I understand. Theresa, you continue to observe, I will prepare the rest."

"Yes--"

Yang Hao hung up the communicator. He and his wife exchanged a glance, both understanding that this must be something good that Duke Nikolai had come up with.

“That heart-pounding red light… I understand. Duke Nikolai must have seized the core of the living city to control those alien soldiers. The reason they weren’t under his control before was because he hadn’t found the right method.” Kosiché murmured, frowning. “Now he’s found the method—my dear, we need to mobilize all the wounded and militia immediately to hold off his final attack. If nothing unexpected happens, he can’t wait any longer.”

“That’s what I think too. This is our chance.” Yang Hao nodded.

This is indeed a golden opportunity for the Duchy of Koschei—with Duke Nikolai concentrating all his alien soldiers to launch a fierce attack on the two breaches in the Duchy of Koschei's defenses, all they need to do is allow reinforcements to land in the living city while bombarding it, and then stab it in the back...

Before he could delve deeper into this idea, the communicator rang again.

"Boss?! Claws! Claws from Living City has reappeared!"

Accompanied by Theresa's screams, a deafening roar, and the ensuing violent earthquake.

On Yang Hao's [Puppet Stage] map interface—

The claws of the living city have opened up a third route of attack.

Chapter 100

For some unknown reason, the claws of the living city, now restored to its former strength, have carved out a new battlefield in a peripheral district of the Duchy of Kosiché. Along with its movements, a third sloping passage, which the soldiers of the Duchy of Kosiché needed to defend at all costs, has been smashed open. Moreover, it is quite far from the barricades and the first line of defense on the sloping passage, making it impossible for Yang Hao to immediately mobilize mobile forces to deploy troops there!

The closest forces were two militia squads, each with 3000 men. The nearest regular army wounded troops, however, would take at least twenty minutes to reach the scene... How could two militia squads hold out for twenty minutes right under the noses of those suddenly active monsters? Yang Hao felt incredibly conflicted, but it was the only option.

Not only did he do that, he also immediately dispatched a portion of the Templar Knights protecting the Duke's mansion to the scene to assist in the defense. Moreover, he ordered all the local police and all those capable of fighting to remain. Their primary concern was not to help the injured civilians escape the area, but to use their own flesh and blood and the bricks and stones they picked up from the street to hold off the monsters' attacks.

But that's not enough. Even including all the Templar Knights and the wounded regular soldiers recovering, it's still not enough! There are far too many aliens roaming the wilderness; Yang Hao needs someone to help them...

The soldiers on the barricades and the first line of defense on the ramp cannot be withdrawn. Those civilians, who have no combat skills, wouldn't know how to use crossbows even if given them; they would only risk accidentally injuring friendly forces. Therefore...

Is it possible to only transfer a portion of the external reinforcements originally planned to attack the living city from the rear?

"—No, not yet. Kosichek, I need reinforcements from outside to support the second breach in the ramp! Quickly! I need them to get there by vehicle immediately!"

"understood."

Kosichello nodded, immediately understanding her beloved husband's thoughts. She immediately used the communicator to order the reinforcements in the wilderness to make troop movements. After they had confirmed their origins and formed clear formations, she turned around and said:

"Have Ms. Therese's 5000 Sarkaz mercenaries support our second slope defense line. In addition, the remaining 25,000 reinforcements will directly attack the Living City under the cover of artillery fire, heading towards Duke Nikolai's location?"

"--This is the only way. And we must make Hela stop her ritual. According to Duke Nikolai's actions, his attack will only have two clear outcomes: either we die, or he dies."

Although he felt bad about the resources consumed by Hela's ritual having to be interrupted halfway through, Yang Hao also knew that the most important thing now was to control all the power he could and withstand this wave of attacks.

Furthermore, he firmly believed that this would be Duke Nikolai's final attack—because the enemy had already mobilized all available forces. He wasn't even planning to wait for me to complete my rituals, so why should I foolishly continue performing them, only to potentially collapse due to the lack of Hela's power?

Therefore, he cannot do that.

“Monica—I’m going to Hela now. Koschche, please be careful when I go out.”

"...You are the one."

He got up and left.

After watching his retreating figure with worry, Kosiché calmed down and decided to focus all his attention on something more important.

...... ......

When the militiamen reached the slope supported by the collapsed defensive wall destroyed by the claws, they witnessed a horrifying scene: below, countless deformed soldiers, illuminated by the red light of the constantly vibrating control tower of the living city not far away, slowly crawling towards them.

While most of them had experience fighting on barricades, they had no experience fighting on the ground, which was almost completely exposed. Under the command of their officers, these men, who could hardly be called soldiers, were using trembling hands to gather whatever materials they could find, praying that they could build a defensive line that would give them some psychological comfort before the monsters reached the bottom of the slope.

The sergeant in command was an infected individual and a former veteran. His saber had been lost during the last battle due to unforeseen circumstances, along with a dozen or so of his old comrades. Now, the veteran sergeant, wielding a saber retrieved from the corpse of a regular army soldier, was directing his surviving comrades as they guided these inexperienced men to quickly construct their position.

Seasoned veterans know that when facing monsters far superior to humans in physical strength, a defensive position is less about "hard-line defense" and more about "guiding them in a detour." Therefore, they know that by devising a suitable route, they can cram the vast majority of monsters into one place, subjecting them to a two-pronged attack. However, figuring out how to make their makeshift defense appear "indestructible" is another good question.

The old sergeant pondered deeply, and finally, looking at the metal wreckage on the slope, he had an idea. He ordered some of the bolder militiamen to immediately go down to the middle of the slope and collect the steel plates that looked reasonably intact. He planned to use those steel plates, along with the piles of broken bricks and wood, to form a makeshift barricade, essentially a "decorative" structure.

"Old man, are you sure that thing will work?!"