### Chapter 0: Return to the Hometown (3)
==============================
For the Mage Legion, the Indigenous Residents here were terrifyingly weak.
They first stumbled upon a settlement that, in the eyes of the Demon Race, could barely be considered a tiny city. With just a few nifty little explosive spells, the residents scuttled into their homes like scared rabbits, entirely devoid of any resistance.
Of course, there were a couple of clueless guys brandishing square-like objects at them.
The mages initially thought these were some bizarre weapons, but with a casual flick of their wrists, they turned those chumps into a fine mist.
After that, no one dared to show them any disrespect.
“It’s certainly smaller compared to the Imperial Capital, but look at these buildings—quite exquisite! Maybe with a little renovation and development, this place could become a revered center city in this world in a few years!”
Bel strolled around, quite pleased with himself.
The Mage Legion decided to set up camp right here and enlist the Indigenous Residents to construct some defensive fortifications, just in case enemies decided to show up.
Sure, a few misguided souls ended up being blown to smithereens along with their phones, but clips of the Mage Legion invading this small town went viral faster than you could say “Oops!”
Everyone was shocked.
Oh no! They’re back! Is a repeat of the last battle from two years ago on the horizon?
The Special Operations Bureau quickly compared the appearance of the Mage Legion to Prince Eric’s royal guard from two years ago and realized they appeared to belong to the same species.
Even the bl**d types detected under that crater pointed to them being the same as the invaders from two years prior.
Ha! Not this time—you’re not pulling off another stunt!
After the last epic showdown, the Special Operations Bureau had solidified its position.
In special situations, both the police and the military were now obligated to cooperate without question, taking orders from the Bureau.
So, upon confirmation that the Mage Legion had taken the town’s residents hostage, the Bureau swiftly coordinated an army of 20,000 to advance towards the town from various directions, equipped with at least a hundred armed helicopters.
Given their previous experience, these guys were known to fly.
To win an aerial battle, armed helicopters were a must.
With that in mind, all members of the Bureau were dispatched. Before the official battle commenced, Lin Nan insisted they needed to communicate with the opposition.
If war could be avoided and resolved peacefully, it would be a far better option, wouldn’t it?
“Director, how should we deal with those few suspicious individuals in the crater?” Cheng Qiu inquired.
“Let’s do this: your external team continues tracking down those suspicious soldiers to prevent them from infiltrating the town and causing chaos.”
“Got it.”
For some reason, Cheng Qiu just felt the crater should be their focus of investigation.
But right now, with nearly ten thousand residents in the town facing a d*ath threat—and those interdimensional jerks terrorizing them, annihilating anyone who dared to resist—the remaining townsfolk were quaking in their boots, like slaves forced to build a wall around the town with rocks.
“Who would’ve thought such a prosperous city wouldn’t even have walls? I don’t know how these lucky folks have survived this long,” Bel said, sitting in a clean little restaurant, savoring the local cuisine while genuinely marveling.
“Perhaps it’s a thriving free trade zone, where merchants gather from all corners and don’t feel the need for defenses,” a subordinate speculated.
Since entering the town, they had witnessed a myriad of things they’d never seen before.
Even while trying to maintain their proud imperial demeanor, every surprising and delightful thing they encountered had them internally gasping and marveling at it all.
Bel nodded. “Looks like this place is indeed the most prosperous area in this world.
Get the order out—those walls must be finished within seven days, even if we have to fill the gaps with the lives of these Indigenous Residents!”
To him, these weak Humans were like ants. Losing them would hardly be a loss.
As long as noble Demons could establish a foothold here, how could this place not thrive again?
Barely half a day after they settled into the town, the sky suddenly filled with increasingly loud roars from above.
Bel shielded his eyes, staring upwards.
He spotted a large swarm of black dots on the bright blue sky.
And that strange noise was definitely coming from those dots.
“Could this be some unique species of this world?” Bel pondered, slightly puzzled.
But as they drew closer to the town, he finally got a good look at the newcomers.
They were odd-looking, top-heavy creatures with spinning propellers on their heads, resembling more human inventions than living beings.
Bel was about to send someone up to investigate, but soon these helicopters landed around the town, showing no inclination to charge in.
Seeing the helicopters arrive as reinforcements, the residents who’d been forced to work by the Mages suddenly felt a glimmer of hope.
After all, those who dared to resist or try to escape had been blasted to pieces by those heartless demons.
The remaining few had no choice but to do their best, lugging heavy sandbags and stones at the town’s edge, creating a completely useless makeshift wall in terms of modern warfare.
“Your Majesty, there are envoys outside seeking an audience.”
“Oh? They’re quite quick on their feet. Haha, no wonder—such a big city being occupied, I bet they’re burning with anxiety. Well, let’s meet them and hear what these Indigenous Residents have to say. After all, the surrounding lands will eventually fall under our jurisdiction.”
“Your Majesty is wise.”
Director Lin Nan decided to be the envoy to probe the enemy’s situation.
After all, she held the highest combat strength in the Special Operations Bureau, and if a conflict erupted, she could swiftly exit if needed.
Thus, she disregarded the protests of others and decided to take matters into her own hands.
But this made everyone else nervous as could be, fearing something might happen to their dear Director!
Lin Nan skeptically passed by the makeshift wall of blocks that seemed like a child’s toy, crumbling at the slightest push.
It appeared the adversaries were still stuck in ancient thinking; they apparently had no experience with modern firearms.
Moreover, judging by their abusive attitude towards the Indigenous Residents, they seemed accustomed to treating folks like servants, likely remnants of an ancient noble class.
When she finally laid eyes on Bel, who sat surrounded by guards like a star among planets in a restaurant, Lin Nan was certain he was undoubtedly the enemy leader.
“Upon seeing Your Majesty, you ought to kneel and listen to the decree!” one of the guards barked.
Lin Nan paused, feeling like she’d just been transported back to the glorious days of the Qing Dynasty, when it fancied itself as the central kingdom.
