Chapter 426: By the Holy Light! These Undead are Worth Fighting!
“Woo woo woo”
Like the howling of night ghosts, a shrill dragging sound echoed from the black firmant above, followed by teors wrapped in spirit energy flas trailing long tails as they descended from the sky.
Like torches streaking across the sky, they ultimately brought destruction and impact as they violently crashed into the ground. The intense tremors signaled the final monts for the outpost ahead and the soldiers within who were organizing a counterattack.
The teor spell was cast with exceptional precision and ruthlessness. Apart from a squad of Pioneer Army hunters who had already charged into the position to engage the skeleton army in combat, almost all the sentries stationed there were completely wiped out in the impact of the giant rocks and fierce flas.
This wasn’t due to their carelessness or underestimation.
After all, no one could have imagined that a group of gnolls would be capable of using such complex spirit energy spells.
Although East Prussia bordered Transia and there were gnoll threats in the local area, before witnessing the differences between the Dark Mountain gnolls and local gnolls firsthand, even the elites trained personally by Marshal Loren lacked experience in dealing with these fierce foreign beings.
Not just these young soldiers, but even Marshal Loren, the nearly 70-year-old half-dwarf, had never experienced the Black Plague. Therefore, theoretically speaking, they had even less experience dealing with the Black Plague than the crippled Blood Vulture Clan.
The leader of the gnoll mages, Plague Fang, sat mounted on his dire wolf, coldly watching the distant outpost that had been struck down and set ablaze.
The dire wolf between his legs was already agitated by the sll of blood, but Plague Fang himself had no particular thoughts about this small-scale encounter battle before him.
If anything, this silent gnoll would probably think that the humans in these plains were incredibly fragile, able to be defeated by re low-level teor spells without any astral spirit energy enhancent.
Perhaps humans, like gnolls, also had “breed differences”?
After all, when in the Dark Mountains, it had fought against human vassal troops under the Blood Pact Knights, and those agile, silent, and cunning fierce beings had given them great trouble in every action and confrontation.
“No wonder fools like Kenport could gather a large army and move freely back and forth in Transia. The human forces outside the Dark Mountains are weak as the legends say, just like sweet fruit flesh after cracking open the shell.”
The “mouthpiece” beside Plague Fang, a one-eyed gnoll mage, was pouring so strange-tasting alchemical liquid into its mouth to restore its spirit energy.
The teor that had just determined the victory in this encounter battle was cast under its direction.
Looking at the last isolated forces being surrounded and worn down for annihilation by the skeleton army, it said in a cruel tone:
“These guys will make excellent materials, Plague Fang. We can create a true army of undead here! We might not even need support from Plague Town. Perhaps we alone could conquer all of East Prussia for Chief Flesh Render!”
“Hmph!”
Plague Fang made a sound through its nostrils, indicating its disgust and opposition to this terrible idea. Through spirit energy vibrations, its thoughts were transmitted to the minds of the mages beside it.
Chief Flesh Render’s orders were not to conquer East Prussia!
The chief’s requirent for them was to destroy Transia’s armant factories and military camps. They were rely passing through East Prussia when they unexpectedly encountered this outpost blocking their way.
Plague Fang had already lost interest in the inevitable developnts of the battlefield before them.
With a wave of its large hand, the entire skeleton army formation imdiately turned to pass the destroyed outpost, continuing to march rapidly forward along the map provided by Hog.
Hmm, there’s a border village ahead, perfect for resting for a few hours while creating more fresh corpse servants, then making a decisive push through this stretch of road.
All this was watched by Chief Hog hiding nearby. The cunning Blood Claw chief’s eyes were spinning rapidly. After the mages had swaggered away with their elite skeleton army leaving the battlefield, it casually grabbed a guard hunter beside it and whispered:
“You! Go pick out so wounded soldiers who are still alive, give them so potions to keep them alive, intimidate them, and make them go seek help! Be clever about it, and after you’re done, return directly to the woods.”
“Yes, chief, leave it to .”
The gnoll hunter nodded frantically.
Thanks to Hog’s “high requirents” for wisdom among mbers of its clan, its clan was full of “clever ones.” The hunter barely needed any explanation from Hog to understand its task and mounted its dire wolf, hunching down with a shifty look as it rushed out.
The hunter warriors who could be brought along by Hog were all its “confidants.”
Although these fellows might not be as friendly with humans as Hog was, they were all very dissatisfied with the arrogant attitude of the Dark Mountain gnolls.
This alone determined that these guys would never try to curry favor with those who gave them the cold shoulder when choosing sides.
Hog rode its dire wolf far behind the main force, clearly prepared to flee at the first sign of trouble. It knew all this was part of Governor Murphy’s plan.
And in this operation, its part was already nearing its end, ready to wrap up and return to the Smuggler’s Woods for a boxed al with extra chicken legs at any ti.
However, Hog clearly didn’t intend to leave just like that.
It touched the whip mark on its face, baring its canine teeth in a fierce expression. Hey, that whip felt good, didn’t it?
As long as you enjoyed it.
Now it’s ti for this chief to enjoy.
————————
“What did you say?”
In the temporary Goldflower military camp in Transia, Colonel Frayzer, who had just returned here from the Crimson Citadel, was shaken awake from his sleep. While still sowhat confused, he heard the anxious communications officer tell him so terrible news.
This directly dispelled all of Frayzer’s sleepiness, making him jump up from his campaign bed.
“A force of gnolls entered East Prussia and destroyed three of our outposts and two villages? Where did this information co from? Is it accurate?”
The colonel’s stern questioning made the communications officer instinctively straighten his back as he reported loudly:
“The news ca from witch hunters patrolling the Transia border. They personally saw the burning battlefield on the other side of the border and skeleton armies walking through the war mist.
The witch hunters didn’t rashly cross the border but sent this news back to the Adventurer Guild. Their Guildmaster, Lady Natalie, under Governor Murphy’s orders, forwarded the intelligence to Pioneer Fortress and to us.
Colonel, Marshal Loren may have already taken action.”
“The attacked Malo Town is twice as far from Pioneer Fortress as it is from us! Even if the Marshal knows, he can’t organize support imdiately.”
Frayzer had the entire East Prussian battle line layout in his mind. He glanced at the map while putting on his coat and barked:
“The area where the gnolls broke through was previously guarded by border troops. Although there are Pioneer Army recruits supplenting after those soldiers were requisitioned over here, they’re still understaffed. The military fortress the Marshal is building nearby isn’t complete yet, they lack firepower suppression and have no experience fighting undead whatsoever!
Worst of all, that’s where the steam railway terminal under construction is in Banks City, with many unard workers and civilians. Once they’re surrounded by the skeleton army, they’ll quickly collapse.
These damn dogs really picked a good spot.
Summon the officers imdiately!
We must provide support right away. From here to the battlefield across the Anderma Hills is almost entirely flat terrain, we can arrive there before the situation deteriorates to its worst.”
“Colonel! Orders from Pioneer Fortress!”
Just as Colonel Frayzer was forming an action plan in his mind, a second communications officer rushed into the tent, shouting:
“Marshal Loren orders us to head to the conflict battlefield imdiately to maintain the battle line. The Pioneer Army cavalry has already set out, but they need at least 6 hours to reach the battlefield. According to real-ti information provided by the Marshal, our brothers in the 7th Regint have already engaged in combat with the gnoll mages and their skeleton army under their command.
But that regint has too many recruits.
They may not be able to withstand the gnolls’ assault, and they may not be able to buy 6 hours. Once they’re defeated, there will be no more obstacles on the road to Banks City.
There are exactly 200,000 people in that city!”
“No need to say more, sound the horn imdiately to gather the soldiers and prepare to depart.”
Frayzer’s face was stern as he decisively issued the order.
After the communications officer left to relay the orders, he only showed a hint of worry in the tent.
From the current information, the number of gnolls, even including the skeleton army, wasn’t too large. However, the breakthrough route they chose was truly devious, hitting exactly at the most vulnerable area of the Pioneer Army’s defense.
This directly led to Marshal Loren, who had recently been focusing on building the East Prussian fortress group, being sowhat caught off guard.
Could this situation really be entirely explained by the cunning and luck of the gnoll mages?
Frayzer narrowed his eyes.
He felt sothing was off about this whole affair. The intelligence organization capability needed for such a precise raid operation didn’t seem like sothing gnolls could possess.
“Ding”
At this mont, the computation bead in Colonel Frayzer’s hand emitted a light vibration. He looked down to find the communication request ca from a woman he had so resistance to, marked as “Miss Beverly.”
After a second of deep breathing, the colonel activated the communication. Executive Officer Miriam’s tired, businesslike voice ca through:
“I just received the frontline battle report. Considering that the Pioneer Army and Transia have currently achieved a nominal alliance, if you need it, we can provide a rapid mobile force to rush to the battlefield at the East Prussian border.
Nearly 300 people from the Kadman People’s Army’s auxiliary unit, codenad ‘Torrent Knights,’ are already fully equipped and ready to go. The witch hunter cavalry at the border has also been mobilized.
Their garrison is closer to the battle site than yours. If given permission, they can reach the battlefield within 3 hours.”
“This is an internal affair of the Goldflower Kingdom, Miss Regent.”
Colonel Frayzer replied in an equally businesslike tone:
“We can handle these small troubles, no need to trouble you for help.”
“Are you making this irrational decision based on personal face or the face of the Pioneer Army?”
Miriam sighed and said:
“You have no understanding of the battle tactics of gnoll plague mages, and no knowledge of the exponential growth combat tactic of skeleton armies. Just throwing lives at it will only make things worse.
Furthermore, you need not worry about this affecting the face of the Pioneer Army or yourself, because the current combat commander of the Torrent Knights is Miss Becky.
She is a knight of the Goldflower Kingdom, and by all rights and reason can bring her friends to join the battle to defend her own country.”
“Ah?”
Now the colonel was truly surprised.
He asked in return:
“How did Becky join Transia’s army? She clearly… ah, I understand, it’s Lord Kudel’s influence, right? This indeed makes perfect sense.
Alright.
If they can truly enter the battlefield within 3 hours, then I can give temporary authorization to the Torrent Knights.”
“Hmm, a rational and correct choice.”
Miriam gave her approval, and before hanging up the communication, she said:
“Also, regarding that night’s incident, I apologize for not being able to control my emotions, Colonel. My response was truly undignified at that ti. I must thank you for helping reclaim the Beverly family inheritance, but the issue is that as a current baroness of Transia, I cannot accept another inheritance claim from the Anju region.
Regardless of what kind of story happened between that Baron Beverly and my mother in the past…
Honestly, I no longer care about these things.
Therefore, I formally, as Lady Cynthia’s only offspring, commission you to help fully handle that fief in Nantes and the family assets.
If this can make your heart, which was hurt by , feel so comfort, then I will gift those things to you, as a wedding present for you and Miss Becky.”
“I don’t want to discuss these things with you, especially at this mont.”
Frayzer firmly rejected:
“Please understand, Regent, I am a soldier! And I am currently in a war. I have more important things than discussing matters of the heart.”
The other side was silent for a few seconds, then said softly:
“Then, I wish you victory in battle.”
————————
“What what? Why did the transfer order co so quickly? Why did a fierce gnoll undead army appear at the East Prussian border? Why are we being deployed to provide support again?”
In the not-yet-completed military camp “Torrent Fort” near the Anderma Hills armant factory, Knight Liwen, who was awakened by the piercing ergency assembly call, while deftly putting on her armor, shouted to her good friend Becky sleeping in the lower bunk:
“And can this damn midnight assembly call be changed?! What bad habit did these otherworlders bring? Having sothing going on every two or three days! Are they going to let people sleep or not?!”
“Hey, I think it’s pretty good, we need to develop the habit of night battles quickly, this is our proper knight order, Liwen!
You scaredy-cat, stop complaining.
Now we have a battle to fight!”
Compared to Knight Liwen who was full of morning anger, Miss Becky was so excited her eyes were shining.
She had been with the Torrent Knights as a mber for so ti now, helping Typal and Uncle Fording train these enthusiastic but reckless otherworld warriors to beco true knights.
Although their basics were poor, they were really eager to learn and their learning ability was truly super strong.
It had been less than 10 days from not even being able to ride horses well to now being able to charge properly with lances, they were like knight prodigies.
As for why gnolls suddenly appeared at the border…
Miss Becky didn’t want to consider this question at all!
She just wanted to kill kill kill now. In the words of the knight recruits under her command, she didn’t know where she was, she didn’t know where she was going, she also didn’t know why she was here.
She only knew she wanted to go on a killing spree!
The sa emotion also appeared among the mbers of the Torrent Knights who were urgently assembled. At this ti it was night in Transia which was exactly dayti relative to reality, almost all mbers who were online received the orders and mission prompts and rushed back at the fastest speed.
By the ti Becky and Liwen arrived with a squad of family knights, Typal and Uncle Fording were already doing the “pre-battle mobilization.”
Still the familiar crate, still the familiar left-hand-fist-gripping speech gesture, Typal in full armor, under the protection of two NPC cavalry bearing the Torrent battle flag behind him, shouted loudly to the small players full of fighting spirit before him:
“Brothers of the Torrent Knights! I have received intelligence support from the Shadow Intelligence Bureau, I have confird that our combat target tonight is a group of evil gnoll mages and their mad skeleton army!
I cannot guess whether this is fate’s arrangent, but undoubtedly, the first enemy faced by the Torrent Knights, inheritors of the Silver Hand Knights, on this holy land belonging to the Light is the fierce undead plague!
I must admit!
This is the will of the Light!
It demands that we brave knights purify! defend! save those innocent ones suffering from the plague with intense pure Light.
Even though the great power of the Light has not manifested in this land, this is still a test of faith and duty!
Just like the story of Lord Uther and Arthas, just like the great undertaking of Lord Fording establishing the Argent Dawn, just like the heroic epic of countless warriors stepping into Icecrown Citadel!
Brothers!
The legend belonging to Torrent Fort and to us will truly begin tonight!
In the na of the Light, let us set out! Let the intense will of the Light descend upon this land!”
You have to say, Typal, who is usually very rational, always displays amazing preaching talent when caught up in the heat of blood, letting this administrative professional burst forth with so valor at this mont.
Under his call, the knight players mounted their horses one by one.
They wore uniform chain mail with Rage Fist battle robes, with NPC retainers bearing battle flags following behind. Although the Torrent battle armor ordered from the Seville family had not yet arrived, the sight of these more than 300 knights setting out made the villagers who had been awakened and ca to watch the excitent unable to hold back their bursts of cheers.
Transians love battle, they love these battle-related elents.
Although not the locally proud Winged Cavalry, this imposing knight force was at least very impressive in appearance.
“Holy crap, are we recruits going to the battlefield just like this?”
Archmage Marin, holding a staff in the formation, complained to Ranger Captain Patton beside him:
“If we’re all wiped out, wouldn’t this just be recreating the fall of the Silver Hand?”
“Pah! Can’t you say sothing good?”
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