The campaign against the Ocean Titan, Phagousa, was brought forward. One of the reasons was Styxia's fall. It was extremely sudden.
It is one of the biggest city-states in Amphoreus. It is an aquatic city-state near the ocean's shore. It is the place most frequented by the ocean's sirens.
Unfortunately, it was also the one that was struck by Phagousa's turning the most. Contact between the sirens at the deep sea and the city above was cut off. Hysilens led her remaining kin to the surface, amounting to a dozen or so.
Styxia was the city she stayed in a large part of her life. Only when she felt lost did she leave, not knowing it would be the last time she would see it.
Despite Cerydra's additional reinforcements, the sudden eruption of the Black Tide creatures overwhelmed the city-state. Out of its tens of thousands of residents, only hundreds survived to alert Okhema.
It was fortunate Cerydra amassed great military might.
Under Shi Tian's meddling, the number of city-states she conquered were far more than what her original self did. Be it in stratagems or hard power, they stood no chance. Cerydra's power was recognized by many, even more so amongst the Chrysos Heirs. While they did not have any preferential treatment under her, they suffered no discrimination.
Her most elite army numbered two thousand, followed by thousands of backline support.
All of them are currently positioned on the sea shore, clocked for the most direct confrontation.
Flying jellyfishes, deadly stingrays, hidden octopuses…
The sea is never short of lifeforms. The ones in the front lines witnessed nothing but endless bloodshed.
Hysilens slew yet another Black Tide creature.
'The Imperator's plan…'
She felt something was wrong right after the battle began. Their strategy was too crude compared to their prior battles. Whenever crude strategies were used, it was often followed up by a surprise plan.
Hysilens have a feeling of this entire battle serving zero purpose whatsoever.
She had doubts but could not voice them.
For the feast promised by the Imperator…
For the boy whose circumstances paralleled hers…
She continued fighting.
The army proceeded through the waves of Black Tide creatures. They swept through the shores, pushing back tides of enemies with the blood of their comrades.
Half an hour passed. They proceeded from the shores up to their main destination—the overrun city of intoxication and dreams, Styxia.
Hysilens stared at the familiar city. What was once home to titankins and humans alike now lay in ruins.
A temporary buffer line was made in the middle of the army.
Cerydra, riding her warhorse, stopped right beside Hysilens. Behind her seat was Merlin. The sight of two "kids" riding a horse in the middle of the war feels ridiculous. Cerydra's authority erased this possibility from happening.
"On the signal's count, we will charge towards the heart of the city. The surviving soldiers saw Phagousa's divine body within."
"...Understood."
Shi Tian acted as if he hadn't seen Hysilens' gaze. Once she left, his hushed whisper reached Cerydra's ears.
"The divine lance is working as expected."
"How long will it last?" She asked.
"Three hours."
Three hours of performance.
That was how much time they had.
The past three years weren't just for show. Shi Tian "upgraded" the Targeted Memetic Superimposition System", allowing [Memorias] to last thirty minutes in their usual duration; an hour if they fitted him well.
There was also an overcharge function that allows the [Memoria Charge] to go beyond 100%, allowing the duration to be stacked if needed.
With one charge every six months, Shi Tian accumulated six charges. That was three hours of performance time.
As for who was summoned…
"Tell my thanks to the goddess."
...it was none other than the Divine Spirit, the Lion King who lost her humanity.
"Noted."
Cerydra slightly looked back. The feeling of being a chess master is ingrained in her very being. What she did not experience was having a 'helper' beside her.
To the ordinary and treacherous ministers, Cerydra saw them as a waste of time.
Shi Tian… is different.
"Let's go. You still have a play to complete, Imperator."
*****
Utter destruction.
A meat grinder.
The 'crude' strategy finished the job.
Phagousa faced thousands all by herself. Her power over the sea turned the battlefield into a genuine meat grinder. They did not just worry about the Black Tide creatures, but also the sea itself. One gesture of her hand caused tidal waves that swallowed lives.
Hysilens strolled the battlefield strewn with corpses.
The two thousand elites were reduced to a mere five hundred. The losses of other army divisions were larger.
All because of a direct confrontation.
Had they drawn out the Ocean Titan's power…
Had Shi Tian summoned the heroes out of his stories…
None of this would have happened.
Hysilens felt a sense of emptiness on her chest. She does not know where to vent her turbulent emotions.
Suddenly, Tribios' prophecy flashed in her mind.
"You shall eternally slumber in the sound of tides, and complete your conquest in the ocean at the boundaries of this world."
For the twelve chosen Chrysos Heirs chosen as the Demigods, Tribios held a corresponding prophecy. Hysilens did not actively hear out others' prophecies. Tribios herself knew it wasn't apt to say others' prophecies.
Considering Hysilens' true background, she already saw her as the Demigod of the Ocean; no one else could match her. It was why she unveiled this prophecy a few months back.
Hysilens never believed this prophecy… until now.
'So it has come true? But I haven't fallen yet…'
Gripped with uncertainty, she hurried to find Tribbie.
"...Lady Tribbie."
Her worn-out and raspy voice jolted Tribbie. She oversaw the transportation of the wounded, with those requiring immediate support to Okhema.
"The prophecy you spoke of… The Imperator also possessed one, no?"
"..."
Tribbie turned silent, confirming Hysilens' suspicions. The former stared at Hysilens' dull eyes.
A chilling realization dawned upon her.
'The prophecy… Will it come true like this? Lenny will...'
The reason behind that was simple.
Cerydra's prophecy reads:
"You shall complete your conquest in the ocean at the boundaries of this world, and eternally slumber on the sound of tides."
In other words…
The two are tied together.