In the Name of Empress

Lightning illuminated the night sky, also igniting Munina's longing for survival and freedom.

Who would choose to die when they can live?

After all, she was still young.

Her kin had not abandoned her; her sister had come to rescue her!

She was finally going to escape from the clutches of the human devils.

In the brightness as lightning tore through the sky, she called out loudly to her sister, guiding her to the right direction.

She didn't even notice that even upon seeing reinforcements, she dared not leave the camp gate.

Her fear of Roland had long since been ingrained in her heart.

Hundreds of Sea Demons burst out from the canal, swiftly reaching the shore.

These Sea Demons were mainly male warriors, supported by female singers, forming a formidable combat team.

This troop was the elite of their tribe, not the ordinary warriors who became disorganized just because their numbers were in the hundreds.

They donned leather armor, wielding giant halberds that easily cut through barbed wire, then crossed the trenches to charge the camp.

On their path forward, the few human defenders were terrified, fleeing in disarray.

These human soldiers didn't even put up a decent resistance, quickly dropping their ineffective firearms and running frantically.

They had no will to resist.

Munina wasn't surprised.

These garrison troops were the lowest tier of the human army, with the least pay, the worst equipment, and the lowest morale.

More than being professional soldiers, they were like employees who worked for money.

Ten shillings a month, why risk their lives?

The rout of the human defenders put the rescue team leader Munina at ease.

Everything was anticipated by her.

With such a disparity in numbers, during a rainy night suitable for the Sea Demons to exert their combat power, resisting was courting death, retreat was the wise choice.

Under the night's cover, Munina wore light blue leather armor, majestic and imposing, her eyes full of murderous intent.

Her long tail, covered with closely packed, strong scales, swayed from side to side as she swiftly swam, advancing at a speed far surpassing ordinary humans.

She had meticulously planned this rescue operation for a long time, just persuading the radical rescue faction and the firm abandonment faction within the race took considerable effort.

Especially the head of the male warriors, securing his support required a lot of bargaining.

As a military commander, not only did she need to understand the intelligence on both sides, master army command, but also knowledgeable in astronomy and geography.

She was exactly such a versatile commander.

By observing the changes in cloud patterns, she predicted that there would be a stormy night, decisively devising a rescue plan to move upstream from the canal and into the interior for rescue.

The operation was very successful.

Only, it was a bit too smooth.

From when her kin landed to now, the human garrison hadn't even offered proper resistance, the soldiers quickly dropped their weapons and ran when their firearms couldn't shoot.

The weak resistance made her frown.

Something was wrong.

Though humans are despicable and shameless, they are definitely not stupid.

The human commander they encountered in the last naval battle was particularly cunning.

Even if they hadn't anticipated the rescue, they should have arranged elite forces to guard important prisoners, right?

"Luther, I feel something is eerily quiet around, we must gather our forces quickly, rescue our kin, and leave."

Although Luther was indifferent to Munina's caution, he nodded in agreement.

Within the Sea Demon Race, the status of female Sea Demons was higher than that of male Sea Demons.

The reason was simple, male Sea Demons couldn't resist the alluring song.

Luther's status in the tribe was far lower than that of Munina, the predetermined heir for the next chief.

This brawny Sea Siren Guard slammed his giant halberd onto the ground fiercely and said viciously:

"Now that we're here, what's the use of overthinking? Let's do it!"

Munina smiled, although Luther was brave but not wise, he was right this time.

During the planning phase, one could be hesitant and indecisive, but once action begins, one must move forward relentlessly.

She signaled to her sister with a wave of her arm, urging them to come out and join up quickly.

Munina started moving towards the camp gate.

Just as she was about to leave the camp gate, she hesitated.

She recalled Roland's emotionless eyes beneath his genial smile.

Once she stepped out of the camp gate, there was no turning back.

Her kin had come to rescue, and the human garrison was vacant, she should have been happy, but her hands started to tremble.

She saw the empty sentry post at the camp gate, her soul seeming to freeze.

Where were the soldiers defending the camp?

This was clearly a trap!

She didn't leave the camp, instead yelling forcefully to her sister.

"Sister, run! Run! Leave me!"

Another flash of lightning, the thunder startled splashes, scattering everywhere.

In the moment the lightning illuminated the night sky, the sisters saw each other, and a thin red line appearing on the horizon.

That wasn't a red line, but the red uniforms of the Imperial Army.

Damn, there really was an ambush!

The Imperial Army, unable to use firearms, switched to traditional long spears, still marching in neat formation.

The drummers beat a rapid assault rhythm, the lively tune of the grenadiers' march heralding the prelude to slaughter.

Munina and Luther exchanged glances, their expressions changed drastically.

Their worst fears had indeed come true.

Despicable, cunning humans!

Ultimately, Munina dared not step out of the camp gate, and the remaining twenty or so Sea Demons did not cross the gate.

Fear and obedience seemed to bind them as invisible shackles.

Munina's tears mixed into the rain running down her cheeks, her poignant voice was full of reluctance. This was probably the last time she would see her sister.

Though there had been many conflicts between the sisters, she truly didn't want to part.

Munina was also in tears.

After all, that was her own younger sister.

She wiped away her tears, raised the giant hand crossbow, and shot an arrow with a flick of her wrist.

Her sister and kin had been tamed by humans, they were beyond saving.

If they didn't dare cross the camp gate even at such a time, it showed how terrified they were of humans.