Within the Wildlands, Gemini could spread out his divine sense and see everything that was going on. From what he could tell, this particular rendition of near-omniscience was something that the Gemini a few days ago could do with ease, but now, whenever he tried it, a splitting headache to follow.

For that reason, Gemini had limited his divine sense to only trigger when people were flying since that was almost certainly a Demigod. For some reason, however, the only Demigods of the Five Lands he could sense right now were actually…doubling as a transporter or something. In his mind’s eye, he could see a couple flying towards one of the many forward camps that the various troops of the Five Lands had set up.

That was no cause for alarm, since this particular couple had shown no intention of fighting in an earlier viewing. It did make sense, since a clash between Demigods would devastate anything else around it. Given the fact that the demons were effectively immortal, the only ones that would lose out from collateral damage was the Five Lands.

It was great that the other side had such a consideration too, so Gemini tried to convey his desire for peace by holding back the demons from actually killing. Of course, accidents happened, but that really couldn’t be helped.

However, this particular couple was actually carrying wagons of supplies with them. If the forward camps received these supplies, they would have the energy to continue pushing into the Wildlands, which was an obvious no-go for Gemini.

Conveying the scene in his mind to the Demigods and Exemplars linked to him, Gemini ordered the closest Demigod to intercept the couple.

Letting out a small sigh, he explained to both Lila and Pai-Relix the scene in his mind.

“…and that’s the gist of it. Any suggestions?”

Gemini mulled over the teenage boy he had seen in his mind’s eye. That Demigod’s presence was actually pretty darn scary, to be honest. Under his divine sense, the Demon Sovereign could tell that he was actually a bottomless pit when it came to energy — whatever came in never went back out.

Lila had a thoughtful look on her face. “Those two Demigods are clearly different from the others. Maybe they have a different goal in this war?”

“I kinda figured that out,” Gemini replied sheepishly. “I believe that most Demigods and Paragons wouldn’t really care about Soldiers or Squires. If they died from a resulting battle, so be it. The two of them, however, are clearly concerned about the low-ranking foot soldiers. Heck, they’re acting as an entire logistics train.”

The Demon Sovereign shook his head and turned to Pai-Relix. “Would you gladly carry food and water from the Wildlands to the Five Lands many times in a single day?”

“No.” Pai-Relix nodded. “I see where you’re coming from, my lord. These two are very odd people.”

“They clearly value the lives of those people,” Lila added. “If they’re helping to deliver supplies like this…is it possible that they’re firm supporters of attacking us? After all, that’s the only reason why they’ll do such a thing, right?”

“Seems like it,” Gemini nodded, a grim expression on their face. “These two Demigods are probably firm supporters of attacking the Wildlands.”

He rubbed his forehead. “What should I do about them?”

“I have a suggestion,” Pai-Relix said. “My lord, whenever I look at how you ambush the enemy, I feel that you’re actually not putting our immortality to good use.”

“Huh?”

“You can send us on missions that should be one-way trips, and there won’t be an issue,” Pai-Relix replied. “You could, for instance, order us to attack food stores in those camps themselves, and we won’t blink an eye.”

“Yeah, no. Your immortality doesn’t work forever,” Gemini replied. “Wasn’t there something about a limit or whatnot? You guys wasted enough of your life on stupid frontal charges; I don’t need that from you.”

He closed his eyes for a moment and transmitted another order. “All Demigods, intercept the duo. Don’t attack them directly; bombard the supplies that they’re bringing in. If the delivery’s successful, just attack the delivered supplies, but again, take care not to kill anyone.”

From the web of minds, Gemini could sense the Demigods acknowledge his order. The ground troops were still busy with putting on an act with the Stabiliser’s own troops, but his main goal was to show the Five Lands the true cost of an invasion. Injured soldiers were a lot harder to deal with than dead ones; treatment would cost them greatly, and not doing so would drag down everyone’s morale.

In contrast, dead soldiers could be stacked together in a mass grave. Gemini could remember how the Second Extermination had been stymied at every turn as the beastfolk cities focused on inflicting injuries. Eventually, they dragged out what could have been a war that lasted for two years to that of above a decade, sapping valuable resources from the Southern Assembly.

It was fitting that it was his turn to make use of such a tactic now.

“How long do you think it would take before the Five Lands realises that they’re burning resources in trying to invade the Wildlands?” Gemini asked Pai-Relix.

“I am not certain, my lord, but if things proceed at this pace, I would wager three months. Shorter, if the main body of ground troops are prevented from moving onwards.” Pai-Relix closed her eyes for a moment. “I do not understand why the main body is breaking up into four parts, however.”

Gemini glanced at Lila, who had a thoughtful look on her face. “What’s on your mind, dear?”

“About the four parts Pai-Relix mentioned earlier. They’re…probably trying to stake claims on different areas of the Wildlands,” said Lila. “There was talk about how to divide territory if the Five Lands ever turned the tables.”

“One each of the continents, huh…”

“What?” Lila shook her head. “No. The North has no intention to conquer. The four main troops are from the East, West and the South. The Southern Continent is currently split into two.”

Gemini blinked. He hadn’t heard anything about that last bit.

“What happened to the Southern Continent? What do you mean, split into two?” Gemini asked. It was understandable that he didn’t know anything — he had stayed behind when Ark City fled to the Five Lands long ago. “Did Ark City attack the Southern Assembly on their return?”

“It’s a long story…”