Chapter 964

"Your Majesty, above the capital of the Starfall Empire, there is a large detection magic array—our fleet is too numerous; we risk being detected!"

The Crown Princess said.

As a great empire, the Starfall Empire's strength far surpassed that of the former Purple Gold Empire, and its protection of key cities was thoroughly implemented.

The Eternal Night Empire also performed remarkably well in this regard.

In fact, above the major cities of the Flame Empire, large detection magic arrays now also exist.

They can monitor movement across vast areas above the cities.

Of course, if the flying ships fly too high, they cannot be detected—but if the enemy shows hostility and attempts to land, they will be spotted.

Meng Ying stood up: "There's no need to directly seize the capital. Issue orders: all flying ships descend and land outside the Starfall Empire's capital, encircling it on three sides!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Following Meng Ying's command, the massive flying fleet began descending rapidly.

As they descended, numerous Grand Magi below had already cleared obstacles.

Among these Grand Magi, over three hundred had been directly transferred by Meng Ying from prisoners of the Zi Yun Empire.

During war, these Grand Magi served the Flame Empire; in peacetime, they returned to hard labor!

One by one, the flying ships descended, and as soon as they landed, Flame Empire warriors surged out swiftly.

In less than an hour, the entire army had formed its battle formation and advanced rapidly toward the Starfall Empire's capital.

At this moment, the Emperor of the Starfall Empire had just received the news.

"What? A massive army has suddenly arrived outside the Starfall Empire's capital?"

The Emperor of the Starfall Empire was startled upon hearing this news.

"Close the city gates! All defenders prepare for siege! Send magical messages to all nobles and Generals—order them to arm their armies and reinforce the capital!"

The Emperor of the Starfall Empire swiftly issued his orders.

Though the Starfall Empire was a northern giant, it remained vigilant against potential enemies, so it still maintained several million troops—though not all were stationed in the capital, but rather in key cities and fortresses.

The surrounding Nine Kingdoms could also supply substantial reinforcements.

But only if the capital could hold against the enemy's assault.

Now, the Starfall Empire's Saint Realm was absent; the Church's Holy Son and Grand Archbishop were gone; within the capital, only one Legendary existence remained.

Yet the Church still housed several Hongyizhu Sect, beings one rank below Grand Archbishops, who could still pray to the gods.

This time, the Emperor of the Starfall Empire placed all his hopes for defending the capital on the Starfall Empire's deity.

With constant intelligence reports pouring in from numerous spies, the Emperor of the Starfall Empire quickly identified the origin of the army.

Flame symbol!

It was indeed the Flame Empire they had encountered in the south.

The Flame Empire's situation had naturally been reported to the Emperor by Starfall Empire's troops.

And now, the Flame Empire's army had encircled the capital on three sides!

From the capital's walls, the Flame Empire's forces appeared impossibly vast, banners fluttering endlessly.

"Hesite, take a few battle formations and launch a feint attack—scare them."

Meng Ying said to the female dwarf giant.

The elite forces of the Zi Yun Empire, stronger than the Starfall Empire, had been utterly crushed before the Flame Empire.

How much less could the Starfall Empire stand?

Moreover, the Starfall Empire's elite troops were no longer in the country—they were wandering the Great Snow Mountains.

The troops left behind in the country were inferior in quality and equipment by more than one tier.

Meng Ying could swiftly seize the Starfall Empire's capital.

But Meng Ying had no intention of seizing the Starfall Empire's capital.

Instead, she intended to use the capital as bait, luring in endless reinforcements from the Starfall Empire, then crushing them!

This was the siege-and-ambush tactic!

By destroying all of the Starfall Empire's armed forces, stability could be achieved far more swiftly after conquest!