Summoning Millions of Gods Daily, My Strength Equals Theirs Combined Chapter 479 -479-Are We Going to Underestimate the Crossbridge Empire Again?

Vivien pressed the Divine Radiant powerhouse for details, as he had been a firsthand witness to the carnage.

Visible tremors still shook the Divine Radiant’s frame as he gave a nod.

"The destruction was instantaneous! We were given virtually no opportunity to fight back!"

"It is clear that the Crossbridge Empire has been orchestrating this for a long time. According to verified intelligence, the Empress herself, accompanied by several imperial consorts, was on-site to direct the assault at Ael Fortress."

"The Empress took to the front lines personally?"

Vivien’s shock was palpable.

It was an extreme rarity for an empress to personally oversee a military campaign.

"To risk the safety of the Empress and the imperial consorts on the battlefield... this emperor is a truly cold-blooded individual!"

"Does he not fear that the Empress might perish there?"

Vivien spoke in a low murmur.

The Divine Radiant offered no reply.

The presence of the Empress along with multiple imperial consorts was a level of boldness and resolve that defied their comprehension.

...

Deep within the heart of the Stone Sea.

The man of draconic blood, who had previously engaged in a strategic game with Vane, was nearly frightened out of his wits by the report. He immediately sent his most reliable agents racing toward Unar Province to verify the situation.

Throughout the Celestial Light God Realm, various major factions were galvanized into action, dispatching reinforcements toward the conflict zone.

This single battle had violently awakened them from the long-standing tranquility of the god realms.

The majestic and seemingly invincible Olympian God Mountain had actually shown a moment of vulnerability!

Every eye was now fixed upon Olympian God Mountain, awaiting the reaction of the Lord of the God Mountain!

...

The Automaton Legion—wiped out.

The Sacred Guard Legion—wiped out.

Legion Commander Cedric—slain in combat.

Eight generals—slain in combat.

Two Divine Oracles—slain in combat.

A succession of grim battle reports reached the inner sanctum of the royal court, delivered to the Hall of Norhe and Blue.

A heavy, deathly stillness gripped the chamber.

The tension was so thick that the rhythm of each person's heartbeat felt audible to the next. Every countenance was a mask of shock, simmering rage, and intense shame.

Silas sat rigidly upon his divine throne, his spirit drowning in fury and disgrace.

The Automaton Legion served as the cornerstone of the nation’s military, a force crafted by Olympian God Mountain through staggering investments and labor to project power in every direction.

Instead of inspiring awe, it had become a laughingstock—a massive scandal reverberating through the Celestial Light God Realm and a permanent blemish on the honor of Olympian God Mountain!

In the wake of this, what remained of his prestige as the Lord of the God Mountain?

How could Olympian God Mountain hope to maintain its dominance over the myriad powers of the Celestial Light God Realm after such a failure?

Ian kept his gaze firmly fixed on the floor.

He had once strongly argued against using the Automaton Legion, viewing it as an unnecessary display of force.

Now, staring at the consequences, he found himself without words.

"What? Have you all been struck dumb?!"

Silas’s freezing glare swept over the assembled ministers.

Roland, the leader of the Ministry of War’s legions, looked grim, but he forced himself to step forward.

As the head of the Ministry of War, he was the one who had to answer for this disaster.

He performed a deep bow toward the divine throne.

"Your Majesty, I implore you to restrain your wrath!"

"The Automaton Legion’s downfall was a result of flawed intelligence—we severely miscalculated the capabilities and the cunning of the Crossbridge Empire."

"This failure rests entirely upon my poor judgment!"

"I beg Your Majesty for one more chance. Permit me to take full command of this situation and wash away my failures through victory!"

"The Crossbridge Empire is currently pushing into Cloudwood Province. Our most pressing objective is to send immediate reinforcements to the front and minimize our losses."

"If they are permitted to secure a foothold, they will undoubtedly pose a threat to the northern regions of our God Mountain!"

Roland had no choice but to accept the blame.

Even though Silas had made the final call to test the legion's prowess, the Lord of the God Mountain could never be at fault. The burden of arrogance and failure had to be carried by the Minister of War.

Silas spoke with a voice that was both sharp and frigid.

"Conduct a thorough investigation of the Crossbridge Empire."

"Afterward, wipe them from existence beneath the stars!"

"I refuse to receive any further reports of their triumphs. Is that understood?"

Silas was well aware of how much this loss would shatter the morale of Olympian God Mountain’s people.

He had sent his most elite force specifically to strengthen the public's sense of pride and loyalty.

Instead, it had resulted in a catastrophic failure.

They were obliterated in an instant without even landing a blow!

The nation’s dignity had been ground into the dirt by the Crossbridge Empire in the most shameful way possible.

This was not just a military defeat; it was a direct hit to the national prestige of the God Mountain, causing him sharp, physical pain.

"You are to stay here and draft the subsequent military strategy immediately."

"You will not leave until a viable plan is presented!"

With those final words, Silas barked his command and strode out of the hall.

The ministers stayed in their bowing positions until he was gone, only then standing up to exchange worried glances.

Roland turned to Ian, who looked deeply troubled.

"It appears we have spent too much time looking down from the clouds. Our perspective has narrowed."

"This time... we have taken a terrible fall."

Ian did not hide his own hubris.

"Lord Roland, if this isn't resolved correctly, it could threaten the nation's very core."

"Who would have guessed the Crossbridge Empire would spring such a lethal and calculated trap?"

One minister sighed, shaking his head.

Olympian God Mountain was organized into four distinct branches: the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Adjudication, and the Ministry of Dominion.

The Ministry of War handled military campaigns and troop movements.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs managed governance and official duties.

The Ministry of Adjudication was responsible for law, oversight, and punishing treason.

The Ministry of Dominion oversaw the various provinces and states.

Both Mason, the Minister of Adjudication, and Harrison, the Minister of Dominion, were Divine Oracles.

"This operation must have been in the works for a long time. How else could they have coordinated such a flawless ambush in Unar Province?"

"The sudden strike by a hundred million God King–level soldiers, combined with their specific focus on the Automaton Legion—it relied entirely on sheer numbers and the element of surprise."

"Otherwise, there is no way the Automaton Legion could have been toppled so easily."

A minister from Internal Affairs tried to rationalize the defeat, searching for a way to lessen the sting of the loss.

Nearby, Bastian and Hedriel shared a look before stepping forward to address the council.

"My lords!"

"To think in such a way is to once again underestimate the Crossbridge Empire!"

As soon as he spoke, the attention of Roland, Ian, Mason, Harrison, and the rest of the ministers snapped toward them.

"What leads you to say that, General Bastian?"

Roland asked, his voice low.

Bastian’s tone was heavy.

"Those hundred million soldiers were not just at the God King level—what is truly terrifying is that they all seemed to have mastered potent heavenly laws."

"Among the units that engaged the Automaton Legion, nearly half were masters of space laws, while the rest focused on soul-based attacks!"

"Their individual power is at least on par with the Sage King rank. I saw Divine Radiant experts fall to their strikes with my own eyes!"

"Furthermore, their backup forces—numbering five to six hundred million or perhaps more—are all at the True God level, and their collective strength is just as frightening."

"The Sacred Guard Legion and the Celestial Mountain Legion were both utterly overwhelmed by them."

As Roland and the others listened, their faces darkened further.

Truthfully, Roland felt a gut-level resistance to these facts, not wanting to believe the descriptions.

If the Automaton Legion’s loss was just a matter of being caught off guard, they could still save face.

But if the enemy was as formidable as Bastian claimed, it meant only one thing—

The Automaton Legion was simply outmatched.

"The Crossbridge Empire must be reclassified as a maximum-level threat!"

Bastian stated firmly, meeting the eyes of the gathered ministers.