Chapter 229 : The Arachnid Demon King and the Envoy of Natural Selection

Chapter 229: The Arachnid Demon King and the Envoy of Natural Selection

Not only the Ice Dome Research Base, but several other research bases had also been assigned the same mission, each receiving their corresponding commanders and forces.

After a period of preparation, they were to launch a simultaneous assault on the Underground Kingdom.

Li Ye listened quietly and nodded to himself.

This time, the central theme was “Underground.”

Heath briefly outlined the operation plan.

The Three Major Human Organizations would, within a short time, produce five hundred Level 0.5 Mobile Cities. These would serve as the main assault force against the Arachnid Demon Civilization.

With the Silence Agreement abolished, humanity no longer had any reservations about taking action. Therefore, when confronting this Level 3 Monstrous Civilization, they would utilize high-grade weaponry.

That would, in turn, greatly accelerate the progress of the campaign.

“So, does that mean all five hundred Mobile Cities will be fully equipped at Level 4?” Li Ye asked.

Heath lightly shook his head.

“Achieving full Level 4 configuration isn’t something that can be done with mere words,” he replied. “But some of the Level 0.5 Mobile Cities will indeed be fully outfitted. Those elite units will strike directly toward the Arachnid Demon Civilization’s royal city.”

It wasn’t just the cities themselves—humanity’s side would also be equipped with a series of Level 4 weapons.

After all, the Wasteland no longer had any rules left. As long as one had sufficient resources, even deploying a Level 6 weapon against a Level 1 monster would raise no eyebrows.

Just imagining hundreds of Level 0.5 Mobile Cities clashing underground against tens of thousands of Arachnid Demons made Li Ye’s blood stir with excitement.

But he soon noticed something else.

“Archbishop Heath, if humanity is about to move, won’t the Monstrous Forces certainly detect it?” he asked, his expression growing complicated. “They’ll definitely intervene—assisting the Arachnid Demon Civilization to fight against our human forces.”

“We have, of course, taken that into account,” Heath answered. “When the high command drafted the operational plan, countermeasures against the Monstrous Forces were already included.”

Level 0.5 Mobile Cities were small in scale, so their production time was far shorter than that of a Level 1 Mobile City.

Together with existing reserves, the Three Major Human Organizations could assemble all five hundred within three days.

These Level 0.5 Mobile Cities would be deployed across the Polar Continent’s various research bases via the Airborne Mobile Islands.

Alongside them would arrive their assigned combat personnel.

Heath informed everyone that the Ice Dome Research Base under his command would receive seventy-five of the Level 0.5 Mobile Cities.

To Li Ye’s surprise, Heath specifically assigned Ice Dome A1 to A5 under his control.

Not only that—Heath even granted him ten additional Level 0.5 Mobile Cities.

He did so because he believed the Tomorrow Alliance’s Special Forces could coordinate seamlessly with the smaller cities.

“That’s truly generous of you, thank you very much!” Li Ye exclaimed in excitement.

With fifteen Level 0.5 Mobile Cities, the Tomorrow Alliance could hunt Arachnid Demons on a massive scale and harvest their drops.

Although the Tomorrow had three hundred Special Forces members, some were still recovering from injuries, and casualties were inevitable during the operation—thus, reinforcements would be needed.

Li Ye therefore decided to expand the Special Forces to a five-hundred-person unit.

The Three Major Organizations moved swiftly.

Within two days, an Airborne Mobile Island arrived in the Tundra Zone and deployed a batch of Level 0.5 Mobile Cities near the Ice Dome Research Base.

Li Ye was present at the scene.

Upon close inspection, he found that among the seventy-five cities, only five were fully equipped at Level 4.

“So few?” he murmured, slightly disappointed.

Heath, however, showed no surprise.

“Even for world-class human organizations, Level 4 Mobile Cities are scarce—let alone those fully equipped,” he said. “For this operation against the Arachnid Demon Civilization, the Three Major Organizations have already diverted a tremendous amount of resources.”

Hearing that, Li Ye carefully observed those few Level 4-configured Level 0.5 Mobile Cities.

The advanced weaponry they carried radiated a futuristic aura, and the cities themselves looked as if they had journeyed back from the future.

Their power was undoubtedly formidable.

Heath then waved at him.

“The operation’s about to begin. Stop daydreaming and go get ready.”

As Li Ye nodded, Heath added one more thing.

“Oh, and those fifteen Level 3 full-configuration Level 0.5 Mobile Cities are only loaned to you. Once the operation’s over, they’ll need to be returned.”

“Understood,” Li Ye replied.

Indeed—even the landlords had no surplus grain to spare.

Just as he was about to leave, something occurred to him, and he stopped in his tracks.

By now, the final piece of Epic Intelligence should have refreshed.

Sure enough, when Li Ye opened his System Panel, the information had been updated.

【7. One hour ago, the Monstrous World-class Organization “Natural Selection” broke off negotiations with the Arachnid Demon Civilization. The latter refused to hand over its painstakingly built Underground Kingdom to the Monstrous Forces. As a result, the Monstrous Forces will launch a crusade against the Arachnid Demon Civilization. They will deploy the Blood Clan Civilization, Werewolf Civilization, Ghoul Civilization, Hyenafolk Civilization, and Wind Element Civilization. Meanwhile, the Arachnid Demon Civilization has resolved to resist to the bitter end. (Intelligence Value: Epic)】

Upon reading it, Li Ye froze in place.

What was going on? So the other side wasn’t a unified force after all?

He stared at the intelligence with a deepening expression.

It turned out that the Monstrous Forces also coveted the Underground Kingdom, seeking to claim control of the Polar Continent for themselves.

By the looks of it, this would become a three-way war between the Arachnid Demon Civilization, the Monstrous Forces, and the Human Forces.

All within that vast Underground Kingdom spanning an entire continent.

“These Monstrous Forces are really extravagant—sending so many civilizations just to deal with the Arachnid Demon Civilization,” he thought. “Come to think of it… there’s even an Element Civilization among them?”

This was the second Element Civilization Li Ye had learned of, following the Fire Element Civilization.

“If it’s an Element Civilization, then even the most conservative estimate would place it at Level 4 or higher. Hopefully, we won’t run into one this time.”

After sighing with emotion, Li Ye turned his head toward Heath.

“What is it? Is there something else?” Heath asked in confusion.

Li Ye paused, carefully organizing his thoughts before speaking.

“Archbishop Heath, to be safe, before humanity launches a large-scale assault, it would be best to first confirm the current situation between the Arachnid Demon Civilization and the Monstrous Forces.”

“There’s no need for you to worry about that,” Heath replied. “The intelligence departments of the Three Major Human Organizations are quite thorough.”

Li Ye nodded lightly.

That way, humanity would be able to fully grasp the state of the opposing side.

Now, let us rewind time to one hour earlier.

15,000 meters deep within the Underground Kingdom—at the royal capital of the Arachnid Demon Civilization.

The ruler of the Arachnid Demon Civilization, the Arachnid Demon King Ozuma, personally escorted a figure to the gates of the royal palace.

As the supreme ruler of the Arachnid Demon Civilization, Ozuma had always been arrogant and domineering, commanding his subordinates with unquestioned authority.

But now, he appeared uncharacteristically respectful.

Because the other party was Mist, the Antfolk envoy of the world-class organization Natural Selection.

Mist’s physique was far more imposing than the Antfolk commonly seen across the Wasteland. Its chitinous armor was sleek and sturdy, its joints thick and powerful, exuding a naturally intimidating presence. Its mandibles were wide and razor-sharp, while its compound eyes gleamed with a deep amber hue.

Surprisingly, it was dressed in attire resembling that of a human diplomat.

That could only mean the civilization it hailed from possessed a social structure similar to that of humanity.

Mist halted and turned its head toward the reverent Arachnid Demon King standing before it.

“So, you still refuse to relinquish the Underground Kingdom?” Its tone carried a trace of coldness.

Ozuma slightly bowed, even lowering his head a bit.

“The Underground Kingdom is the lifeblood of our Arachnid Demon Civilization—it is our foundation for survival. We cannot possibly give it up. I hope you and Lord Aida can understand.”

“Not only Lord Aida, but also the United Sect and the War Alliance,” Mist replied coolly. “Your Majesty Ozuma, do you truly believe the Arachnid Demon Civilization can resist us?”

Ozuma gave no immediate response, merely narrowing his many eyes.

For many years, the Three Major Monstrous Organizations had repeatedly demanded control of the entire Underground Kingdom from the Arachnid Demon Civilization.

Yet, the Arachnid Demons had the confidence to refuse.

Not because they were strong enough to fight against all three world-class organizations simultaneously, but because—

the long-standing Silence Agreement still existed.

According to that treaty, both humanity and the Monstrous Forces were prohibited from deploying high-level weaponry onto any continent.

And the Polar Continent’s restriction was set at Level 3.

That meant, if the Monstrous Forces wanted to crush the Arachnid Demon Civilization, they could only deploy forces of Level 3 or below.

If they used Level 4 or higher weaponry, humanity would immediately intervene.

The Arachnid Demon Civilization had cleverly exploited that limitation, effectively restraining the Monstrous Forces.

With their unique silk networks and the terrain of the Underground World, they had formed a natural fortress that was easy to defend but hard to attack.

As the envoy of Natural Selection, Mist was shrewd enough to instantly discern what the Arachnid Demon King was thinking.

“Your Majesty Ozuma, it seems the Arachnid Demon Civilization’s intelligence network is somewhat outdated,” he said slowly. “The Silence Agreement… has already been abolished.”

Ozuma’s many eyes widened instantly; even his voice trembled as he spoke.

“…What did you say?”

Mist turned around to face him directly.

“It’s the truth, my dear king,” he said slowly. “For years, humanity exploited the Silence Agreement for their own gain, and the Monstrous Forces have grown intolerant of it. Therefore, we abolished it.”

Ozuma fell silent.

Mist had no reason to deceive him.

The envoy of Natural Selection, after all, was its chief diplomat—renowned for his integrity.

As a ruler himself, Ozuma understood all too well what the abolishment of the Silence Agreement signified.

It meant that the humans and monsters would no longer be bound by any restrictions.

While the Arachnid Demons lived peacefully underground, the humans could at any moment deploy high-grade weapons and annihilate the entire Underground Kingdom.

“Envoy Mist, if the Arachnid Demon Civilization surrenders the entire Underground Kingdom, how will the Three Major Monstrous Organizations resettle my more than ten million citizens?” he asked quietly.

Mist paused slightly, falling into a brief silence as well.

After a long while, he spoke faintly.

“The Three Major Monstrous Organizations will relocate the Arachnid Demon Civilization to a new continent and grant you colonization rights.”

“And what exactly are those ‘colonization rights’?” Ozuma asked again.

This time, his tone was no longer as deferential—it carried a hint of cold disdain.

Mist noticed the shift in his tone but paid it no mind.

“The so-called colonization rights mean that the Arachnid Demon Civilization will be allowed to excavate tunnels, caverns, and dungeons freely beneath the new continent,” he explained. “You may establish a new Underground Kingdom there. In return, the Three Major Monstrous Organizations will guarantee your safety.”

“Oh, I see. How considerate of you.”

Ozuma nodded slightly, his tone warming just a little—as though genuinely touched.

Then, in a quiet, almost casual voice, he added:

“If I’m not mistaken, once we complete our new Underground Kingdom, you’ll simply demand it again—and then offer us colonization rights on yet another continent, won’t you?”

Silence fell over the hall.

In the eyes of the Three Major Monstrous Organizations, the Arachnid Demon Civilization stood out among all Level 3 Monstrous Civilizations.

This civilization possessed exceptional excavation and construction abilities. If they could control it, they could build a vast subterranean network across any continent. Whoever held that network would hold a massive strategic advantage in the war against humanity.

“You’ve never truly cared about the survival of the Arachnid Demon Civilization—you’ve only ever treated us as a tool,” Ozuma said, each word deliberate.

“Not just us. Over the centuries, countless lower-level Monstrous Civilizations have become your sacrifices.”

“The only reason you failed to subdue the Arachnid Demon Civilization was because the Silence Agreement, combined with our unique silk and terrain defense systems, made it impossible for you to act.”

“And now that the Silence Agreement is gone, you don’t even bother pretending anymore.”

To this, Mist merely remained silent.

“Your Majesty Ozuma,” he said calmly, “the law of the jungle is the essence of this world. Humans and monsters alike are no exception.”

“The Silence Agreement lasted one hundred and fifty-two years—it gave both sides the illusion that peace could be earned. Its abolishment simply restores the world to its natural order.”

As he spoke, the Antfolk envoy looked toward Ozuma.

“Don’t see yourself as an innocent victim. We’re well aware of all the things the Arachnid Demon Civilization has done over the years.”

For a long time, the Arachnid Demons had expanded their reach underground—through tunnels, caverns, and dungeons—silently spreading across the entire Polar Continent.

Through this vast underground network, they could freely emerge to the surface to seize resources and hunt lesser monsters.