Although Adrosiean's current troops were enough to destroy the fortress of thunder on their own, it will still take a long period of time. The fortresses were meant to defend and stall for time against a larger army with a smaller force.
According to Derroth, Astenora Empire had installed tons of magical devices in each of the six fortresses for many purposes.
There were definitely be a large number of magical devices that could produce protective barriers. The magic items from the Astenora Empire which known as the empire of mages were sure to be more powerful than that of the Solarstras Empire.
Moreover, Derroth had informed that all of the six fortresses had close connection with each other through magical communication devices. If one was attacked, the other fortresses would be alerted and immediately send reinforcements.
Astenora Empire had spent a great deal of forces and funds in these fortresses. After all, the six elemental fortresses were their life line. It was Astenora Empire's main source of income and the reason for it's rising.
Some believed that nearly half of Astenora Empire's military strength was poured into the six elemental fortresses.
Just the great numbers of magical devices installed in the fortresses were enough to be a deterrence against many nations.
Adrosiean Empire was considered the richest nation on the continent by the others. Not only the staple income from selling the monster and beast corpses, Astenora Empire also possessed many precious mines from their mountainous terrains.
In terms of military strength, the Solarstras Empire surpassed the Astenora Empire with their many elite knights. However when it comes to the financial power, no nations on the continent including Solarstras Empire could rival the Astenora Empire.
With their wealth, the Astenora Empire was able to bribe and plant countless spys and pawns across the continent. They had terrifying influence.
Derroth and the crimsom cross were just one of the Astenora Empire's numerous pawns that they had funded and supported to weaken the nations like Crenoth kingdom.
Thus, in normal times without war, Astenora Empire with their unmatched financial power was even more terrifying than that of the Solarstras Empire.
Adrosiean was feeling troubled. Sieging the fortress of thunder head on would at least take days and the other fortresses would have enough time to send reinforcements.
Things will get complicated when the reinforcements arrived. Adrosiean did not want to engage in an all out war with Astenora Empire. He would be exposed and it will be a lot more troublesome.
The empires were not easy opponents like the kingdoms. Adrosiean did not care about the pursuits of the kingdoms but the empires were different.
With all the information gathered, Adrosiean concluded that the strength of the empires in this world and the empires from the game were not very different.
At most, the empires in this world might be slightly inferior due to their lack of knowledge about the worlds.
Adrosiean was confident that he won't get killed and could eveb defeat the Astenora Empire if given enough time. Prolong battles were his forte. He was one of the few players who could fight wars of attrition with the NPC forces in the game.
But so what? There was nothing to gain by defeating the Astenora Empire. It was easy for Adrosiean to defeat the Astenora Empire but destroying it completely was a completely different story.
Adrosiean would have to focus on the war and won't be able to to other things. If he fought with the Astenora Empire now, the solar alliance which was fighting against Azralion would also realized they were tricked and turn around to attack him.
By that time, Adrosiean would have to face the whole continent by himself. His situation would return to the start where he was just summoned into this world.
Thus, Adrosiean did want to get himself tangled with the Astenora Empire. He was racing against time.
"I guess I have to do this myself. The gem of eternal darkness's energy is somewhat restored. I supposed I can use it now."
Adrosiean sighed. He did not want to make a move by himself if possible. He was still recovering and not in his full strength. He wanted to conserve his powers for his fight against the dragon but he had no choice.
That was also one of the reasons that Adrosiean spent a long time to gather the demi-human tribes and beasts to use them as expendable war fodders.
"My lord? Is there something wrong? Should I lead the armies to assault the fortress?"
Seeing Adrosiean lost in thoughts, Derroth came to him and asked.
"No. Stand down and order everyone to continue hiding. I will deal with this myself."
Adrosiean commanded. He changed into his human form and walked towards the fortress gate alone.
_ _ _ _ _
In the crimson forest, a few days had passed.
"Captain the initial construction of the camp had finished. One layer of wall is completed and a few watchtowers are already built. The camp is fully functional now."
A solar knight came and reported to Leanora. Leanora nodded and walked out of her tent. She surveyed around the encampment.
A tall wall made of stones and dirt surrounded the camp. The construction of the wall was completed swiftly thanks to the mages helping with their magic.
They will build more layers upon layers of walls and fortify the camp continuously. These will become important defense lines when the enemies attack.
There were temporary tents set up for the soldiers to live in across the encampment. Archers and a few mages were also stationed on the watchtowers to keep guard of the possible enemy attacks.
The demons had stopped attacking since the vanguard army started constructing their defensive base. Only a few waves of corrupted beasts came to attack occasionally.
Leanora was even more certain that the demon lord was still inside the crimson forest. After all, the movements of the demons had changed way too suddenly.
There was no way it was just a coincidence. It was highly possible that a high rank demon was commanding them.
Azralion was gathering his troops and also scheming against the alliance army. He purposely let the vanguard army felt his presence to indirectly divert the attentions of the human nations towards him.
Leanora will definitely report these strange movements to the solar alliance. Of cause her speculations alone will not be enough.
Even though Leanora was almost certain that the demon lord was here, she still had to march into the crimson forest to confirm it with her own eyes.
The alliance will never accept mere assumptions. The solar emperor might be the alliance leader but he can't possibly control all the other nations and ask them to act according to what he thinks.
With Leanora's report, the nations would be more certain that the demon lord was present in the crimson forest but they won't completely believe it either.
Although Solarstras Empire was creditable, this matter was too important to consider without solid proof especially in these sensitive times.
No matter what, it was still an acceptable result for Azralion. The human nations will more or less pay more attention to the crimsom forest.
At the center of the encampment was a large orb that was radiating with magical energies. Four mages were constantly pouring their mana into the magic orb to keep the barrier operated.
The initial parts of the defensive camp was finished. They can now defend against the enemy attacks more efficiently.
In the future battles, this camp will become like a safe zone and a bridge head towards the crimson forest. In case of a deadlock against the demon lord, their supply line will also be secured.
However this was not what the vanguard army were here for. There was one more duty that the army had to do. They had to go into the deep parts of crimson forest look for the demon lord.
"Contact the alliance. Inform them that the construction for the first base is complete. Ask them to send reinforcements. We will continue advancing into the forest."
When the reinforcements arrived, they will fortify the defensive camp further. This might even became a fortress stronghold. But that was for later.
Leanora left some troops in the camp for defense and ordered the remaining army to move out. The vanguard army gathered and started to advance deeper into the forest again.
_ _ _ _ _
"The humans are moving again? It is quicker than I thought."
Azralion murmured while gazing at the giant crystal in front of him. The surface of the crystal was smooth like a mirror. All the movements of the vanguard army were clearly shown on the surface like a video.
This was a special grade item called 'Crystal Mirror of Visualization.' This was a greater version of projection crystals.
Several invisible bird like demonic creature were silently hovering above the crimson forest sky.
They were carrying tiny crystals that captured the projections of the vanguard army and sending them back to the giant crystal.
Because of that, Azralion could see through every movements of the vanguard army.
"Lord Azralion, should we continue with our probings?"
"Or we could directly attack their camp."
The abyssal guards asked. The demons were itching to fight. They cannot wait to slaughter the humans. It was not for Azralion's overwhelming strength holding them, they would already charged into the human camp.
"It is unnecessary. I already saw through all their strength from the previous battles. They are nothing but a bunch of weaklings. Order all troops to stand down and recall them back.
Let the humans walk into their doom with their own feets. We will launch a devastating attack when they get deeper into the forest. They will eventually let their guards down."
Azralion ordered his demons. The abyssal guards growled and obeyed.