Chapter 118: Plans for War!

The moment the first war drums of Lumeria thundered across the holy lands, the Demon Kingdom felt the tremor as confirmation.

Deep within Aeternum Noctis, seated upon the Throne of Dominion, Jax felt the shift ripple across the world like a change in pressure before a storm. Divine intent sharpened in the surrounding Kingdoms and faith surged.

Countless prayers were redirected from vague pleas for protection into something far more focused. War, a battle to finally take down the Demon Kingdom.

His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.

“Good,” he murmured.

Immediately, Jax sent out summons. Not through messengers or through bureaucracy which could be delayed, but through his personal authority with assistance from the Throne of Dominion.

Across the Capital, every Clan Leader felt the pull at once, a subtle but undeniable tug in their cores that admitted no refusal.

Within minutes, the Cathedral’s Grand War Hall filled. It was a chamber worthy of empire.

A vast circular space carved beneath the Cathedral itself, layered with floating platforms, elevated seating, and concentric tactical rings etched into the obsidian floor.

Above, a domed ceiling of reinforced spatial glass displayed a living projection of the world map, ley lines, trade routes, borders, divine influence zones, all shifting in real time.

Every pillar of Demonkind stood assembled before him, and thenJax rose.

The Throne of Dominion manifested at the center of the hall, descending from nothingness as reality folded aside to accommodate it. When he sat, the chamber aligned.

Voices died mid-sentence as Jax began to speak.

“You felt it,” Jax said calmly, his voice carrying without effort, “The Kingdom of Lumeria has begun mobilization and we all know the Holy Church is deeply involved with it,”

No surprise rippled through the hall. Only anticipation.

“They will call it a holy war,” he continued. “They will say they are responding to provocation. They will claim justice, balance, and divine will.”

A low growl rolled through from Aurora, still frustrated as she knew her people were always some of the first to be targeted in battles like this.

“They are wrong.”

Jax leaned forward slightly.

“They are responding to fear.”

That landed harder than any roar.

“For the first time, they face a Demon Kingdom that is not fractured and doesn’t retreat. We have clear leadership, good resources and immense power. We do not need to fear them whatsoever.”

He gestured, and the world map above them shifted. Various holy borders flared gold, and many of the common supply routs were illuminated. Merchant arteries spanning continents glowed like veins.

“Their faith gives them power,” Jax said. “But belief is not generated in a vacuum. Armies march on food. Knights fight with weapons. Churches preach with coin.”

Murmurs spread.

“And all of that,” he continued, “moves through trade.”

Xara heard this and narrowed her eyes, immediately seeing through what Jax was planning to do, “You intend to choke them.”

“Yes.”

The map zoomed in, highlighting a sprawling network of ports, caravans, sky-routes, maritime lanes, and neutral-zone hubs. At its center pulsed a single symbol.

THE MERCHANT FOUNDATION OF AURELION

Recognition swept the room. The Merchant Foundation of Aurelion was very well known. A so-called “neutral” institution spanning races, continents, and even divine territories. They controlled the bulk of large-scale trade, weapon shipments, food distribution, mana crystal circulation, enchanted materials, transportation contracts.

They claimed neutrality and funded pretty much everyone on the other side.

Lyla spoke sharply, “They supply the Holy Kingdoms.”

“And us,” Orianna rumbled, “Or they used to.”

Jax nodded once, “They claim neutrality while profiting from genocide.”

The projection shifted again, records over the past few years unfurling before them.

Supply convoys rerouted away from demon lands. Emergency contracts signed with Lumeria. Priority shipments diverted. Prices inflated selectively.

“They are already choosing a side,” Jax said flatly.

Silence followed.

Nulissa laughed as she saw all of this, a grim smile on her lips, “If we cripple them…”

“…the enemy loses flexibility,” finished a Sabrina, “No rapid reinforcement or emergency provisioning, they’ll lose a massive heap of their resources,”

Jax stood and nodded as he heard that, “We will not wait behind our walls,” he said. “Defense alone breeds hesitation and fear.”

His gaze swept the room. “We will go on the offensive.”

The word offensive ignited the chamber.

“You want belief?” Jax continued. “You want Demonkind to believe this city is eternal? Then we show them results. We show them that our enemies bleed first.”

He raised a hand, and the projection isolated key Foundation holdings.

Aurelion Prime Exchange.

Skyport Arbitrium.

The Twelve Grand Ledger Vaults.

Mana-Transit Nexus Theta.

The Sea-Gate of Triune Accord.

“We will strike the Merchant Foundation of Aurelion,” Jax declared. “Not to destroy trade, but to seize it.”

That caused a ripple.

“We will dismantle their monopoly,” he continued. “Expose their corruption. Take control of their infrastructure.”

A Dragon Matriarch’s eyes gleamed, “You mean to replace them.”

“Yes.”

A smile touched Jax’s lips, “All of their Assets will come under our control. I want to see how the Holy Church plans to win a war when they can’t access any resources,”

Xara bowed her head slowly as she understood what was going on,”That will force neutral powers who haven’t interfered with our war to choose. Continue to obtain their resources but make an enemy of the Holy Church, or vice versa,”

“Exactly,” Jax said, “Neutrality will die.”

“Prepare your forces,” he commanded, “We’ll begin our attack sometime soon,”

Across Aeternum Noctis, horns sounded. The first offensive of the Demon Kingdom had been decided.

And far away, in Lumeria, the Goddess of Light smiled as she looked down at her Heroes. Despite her disappointment that Jax didn’t want to join her side, she still had utmost confidence she’ll win.

Everything had always gone her way after all, and this would be no exception in her mind.

Thus, she remained unaware that the knife poised to strike her armies was aimed not at the front…but at the arteries feeding them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep