The northern wind blew low and harshly. The night sky was tinged red by the flame of the torches. Greenish grey smoke clouded the skies. The screams of the people and the sound of crackling flames could be heard from the other side of the earth. It was like the howling of the fierce ghosts haunting the furnace deep in hell.
Lombardy Castle had been coated in black by the smoke. Its tall figure seemed strangely blurry under the starry sky, almost as though it was falling. Within the castle were Deiss warriors that were fully armed. They took over the halls and the hallways. They used their bodies to fill every corner of the castle.
The grand castle from before had completely changed! For the convenience of movement, the Deiss warriors rolled the carpets to one side, their boots leaving behind countless muddy footprints on the floor. The statues in the hall and the memorable decorations that stood for several centuries were thrown to the ground without regards to value. They turned into debris and voicelessly complained of the barbaric behavior of the humans. These valuable murals had knife and sword slashes all over them. The candle base of gold was kicked from here to there by the knights. Broken tiles and weapons were all over the floor. Of course, bodies and fresh blood did the same as well. A grim and solemn atmosphere shrouded the castle.
There was no sound in the castle. Even the horrifying cannons firing at the port had stopped. The Deiss knights stood their ground quietly. For them, the most precious thing was already in the leader of their enemies' hands. That was to say, resisting and killing no longer held their meaning.
O'Neil Andrew Morisette and Opareal Roulexberg faced each other. The man's sword was lightly placed on the woman's shoulder. The women's hands were slightly trembling with her hands draping down unnaturally.
Both of them were rulers. To be specific, they were people who had close connections with their rulers. The most precious wealth they'd obtained in this world was not land or gold or even love; it was the natural superiority. It was the kind of superiority that exceeded any existence. Such superiority was usually presented in the gift of being proud and cold!
It was just like His Imperial Highness O'Neil Andrew Morisette right now. He was holding his sword while heavily surrounded by men. The Deiss warriors around him were uncountable, but this Prince proudly stared at the opponent's leader and coldly scanned the warriors that appeared in every corner.
"I destroyed your home?" Oscar had a disdainful look. "Reela! Even though I would admit this, but as the initiator of the war, you or your country should have predicted the situation today."
Opareal did not speak a word. She carefully perceived the coldness of the sword and stared at this man who did not understand her at all, yet had been given her chastity and emotions.
"Can we talk about it now? Your warriors have stopped resisting!" Oscar raised his head. He stared at the woman under his sword, prideful.
"What more is there to talk about?" Opareal laughed coldly. "The first time was the same. So was the second time. As a Deiss, I have already lost my dignity on the battlefield. I've lost my pride! Eisenstein!"
The husband of Her Royal Highness stepped forward cautiously.
Opareal did her best to raise her head. Even if she was a loser, she would not allow the enemy to look at the pure Yaran people from above.
"Pass this message to His Majesty, Court Services Bureau, Prime Minister's Office and Supreme High Command: I hereby forfeit my right to ascend to the throne. The Royal Family must nominate a new heir after my death!"
Eisenstein suddenly shook his head. "Your Highness, I am terribly sorry! You are in the hands of the enemy. I cannot follow your orders!"
"You...…" Opareal turned her head around in a sudden movement. She glared at her husband.
Eisenstein retreated to the warrior's base behind him, but he kept moving backward. So were the warriors.
Oscar pulled Her Royal Highness Princess to his back. Doramy immediately took control of the Deiss Princess.
Oscar followed the enemy and kept moving forward. His chest seemed as if it was about to be pierced by the enemy's weapon in the next moment. Every weakness on his body was aimed at by the arrowhead of a crossbow, but he kept moving forward. The enemy in front of him was backing away as well.
The people felt a little odd. The bunch from Titan did not go down the stairs. Instead, they went towards the top floor of the castle. Could it be that… they planned to flee through the sky?
Ricky hid in a corner in a room. The Deiss did not forget to catch this fake ambassador. The galleon that was spewing fire at the port had already explained everything. The Deiss was kind enough to toss everyone related to that galleon into hell.
The tranquility of the castle more or less made Ricky a bit hesitant. "Why hasn't the clown arrived?" This huge liar recalled his own companion. If the clown did not carry out his role, then they would not be able to reach Riel safely via the river even if they had a galleon. Even if a third of Riel Kingdom's land was taken over by Titan Guards, they would still have to go through a large area of Deiss' territory before reaching Riel. No one knew what would happen during the voyage either.
"Report!" A quick scream broke the silence of the castle. A Deiss knight who donned the clothes of a messenger ran up the stairs from the direction of the main gate.
Eisenstein turned around. He was surprised. Why would there be a court clerk at this moment?
"Report.... Report!" the person took deep yet quick breaths. A sweaty document was gripped in his hand. "His..... News just came from His Majesty's palace!"
Eisenstein snatched it in a sudden movement! "His Majesty's situation has worsened! Call for the armed forces! Guard the palace! Prepare the funeral!" This... What the hell was this? Why at this moment now? Eisenstein cursed profusely in his heart. The general of the Kingdom Army and half of the wealthy were trapped in Lombardy Castle. Even the heir to the throne was in the enemy's hands! Engerbury Roulexberg, His Majesty the Ninth, had to release such a notice at this time! This..... What exactly was this!
"Harriens! I am leaving this place to you!" Eisenstein instructed as he looked at his lover. He knew that Opareal did not love him, but he had to do all he could for her. He had to ensure that she overcame this safely. He even had to help her to ascend to the throne.
"Something bad has happened in the palace! I must deal with that!"
Opareal was held at the throat with a short sword. She simply nodded slightly.
"If Her Highness has one hair less than right now, there will surely be a duel between us!" Eisenstein glared at Harriens as he turned around.
Harriens did not say a word. He simply let out an extremely strange cold smile at the Prince's group.
The knights in the castle retreated along with the Palace Chief quickly. They ran out of the castle through the back door, avoiding the burning sea, towards the stable not far away. The castle immediately became notably emptier. The Deiss nobles who had suffered a lot also began retreating under the organization of the Royal Army.
Oscar smiled. He was very satisfied with the current situation, but the night attack yesterday night made him a little worried. Judging by the contented look on the highest officer of DeKTer before him, Oscar fully knew that it was highly possible that some problems might have occurred for his team.
Ricky finally came out from his hiding place. He had changed into the clothing of a Deiss warrior in a dark corner. Quickly walking into the hallway, it was as expected! Nobody had noticed the existence of an imposter. The warriors were simply gazing at the situation at the top nervously. Ricky went into a small room that faced the direction of the river. He pushed the wooden window open and placed the candle that was burning in the room by the window. Even though it was dim, the light still attracted the attention of the sailors a few miles away!
"Listen carefully!" The Red-Bearded Captain wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Fill in the fire powder. Change into the hook. The target..... That window on the top floor of the castle! Quick! Quick! Whether we win or lose depends on this!"
Oscar and his bunch had finally stopped outside of the large room on the top floor of Lombardy Castle. The Deiss warriors were all forced to the lower floor by the followers of the Prince.
"What are you waiting for?" Opareal was confused.
Oscar smiled lightly. "Listen!"
The roaring of the cannon once again broke the silence between the earth and sky! The sound of wind being cleaved came whistling! Along with the violent shaking and the dust that fell from the rooftop, Oscar kicked the door open with a cheer. Everything she saw made Opareal jump! This room was in ruins. The windows were gone and the cold wind came billowing in from a gigantic hole. A hook that was as thick as a human arm was clinging tightly to the wall! A cable line was connected to the hook. Looking into the distance, it was almost impossible to distinguish the length of the cable line. It seemed to disappear into the night sky outside of the castle.
Aeolia cried excitedly! It was a good shot! The aiming spot was on point! The thick cable line went across the burning sea outside of the castle until it reached the deck of the galleon on the river. The sailors were pulling at the cable line with all their might before they secured it to the mass of the galleon. Touching the rough cable line, Aeolia was proud of it! Only she could have thought of such a strategy! Only she could use a cable line that was nearly 1900 meters in length! This cable line had been made in four months. Aeolia only got her hands on it last week!
Abruptly, the sounds of chaos could be heard from the floor below them! The people looked below. Along with shrieks and the sound of collision between weapons, a few warriors were pushed from the stairs without a reason.
"Get out of my way! Get out of my way! My friend is up there!" Godot yelled as he waved his hammer around.
"Let him up!" Harriens ordered in a loud voice.
The Deiss warriors made way for a muscly guy who was like a small hill. Godot spat towards the warriors as he walked up the stairs.
"Ola! Why did the guy who's about to become a father come as well?" Oscar hugged his old friend whose body was covered with injuries, without caring that he was surrounded by enemies.
"Ugh...." Godot was very excited. He could not even speak a word. He fought his way up to this place from the defense block of the main castle. He was such a lucky guy!
"Alright! We should leave here!" Oscar pulled the cable line. "Just that we don't know if this thing is stable."
Doramy was still holding the Deiss Princess in captive. "I got a plan! Let Godot go down first! If this thing can hold Godot's weight, then it must be able to hold ours."
"Good idea!" Godot did not care as well. He pulled a belt and placed it over the cable line. Then, he simply slid out. The huge figure immediately glided at high speed through the air. He was seen gliding across the burning sea and the fiery red river. He reached the deck of the galleon in less than 30 seconds. The sailors who wanted to catch the huge guy were hit and fell all over the floor due to the impact.
"Go away! Look at this!" Godot caught the cable line from the deck. He did not forget to wave his hands at the people on the top floor of the castle.
"Alright!" Oscar shifted his attention from the river. "Everyone, speed up! One by one! Follow him!"
"You go first!" Black Devil said cautiously.
"No!" Oscar looked into Opareal's eyes, "I still need to bid farewell to my friend! Doramy, hand her to me. You guys go first!"
Doramy knew this was not the time to be polite. He pushed the Princess into the embrace of the young Prince, then glided downwards via the cable line. Following him was the Paladin Sarlat, then Mendez Blane. Then, it was the Prince's messenger, Ellington.
"Left Hand! It's your turn!"
Wystan shook his head. "No, little guy. I will be the last! You guys go first!"
"Shaw!" Oscar turned to the Imperial Assassin.
The Black Devil merely said 'Be careful', before he too went down.
Oscar looked at his companions at the river, then at the Princess in his embrace. "Reela, I really am going now!"
Deiss warriors had already entered the room at this time. They were cautiously going around the other side, watching their enemies get away one by one. This feeling did not sit well with them. The warriors did not understand. Why hadn't Sir Harriens indicated anything? What was this Sir Chief Commanding Officer waiting for?
"Ha! Your journey will definitely not be smooth!"
Oscar laughed lightly. "Reela, do you want my life so badly? If that is the case, why did you still rush forward? You knew that you couldn't beat me."
Opareal kept her lips pursed tightly, and remained silent.
Oscar kissed the Princess' cheek once again. "Thank you!" this Prince murmured in a low voice that only the Princess could hear.
The Princess stared at the man in front of her. No one knew what she was thinking.
Right at this moment! A strong blade light crashed into the sight of these two people all of a sudden. Oscar's reflex was not slow. He pushed the dazed Princess away in a sudden movement. The Prince looked at Left Hand who had pulled the Princess back to the Deiss warriors. He did not understand this. Also, he looked at the fresh blood that dripped from his arm.
"Why?" Oscar had his doubt. He had known Left Hand for many years. At Damorga, Wystan had even taught him how to steal.
"You can't understand?' Left Hand had already stood by the side of DeKTer's Highest Commanding Officer, "No one wants to be a thief for his whole life. Little guy, your death will bring me a noble title and my own territory."
After saying this, Wystan turned to Harriens. "Sir Marquis, quickly send people to call Duke Eisenstein back. That messenger and the official report are all fake!"
Harriens' expression changed. He quickly instructed his warriors to do something.
Looking at the void behind him, the knights that surrounded him and the Princess who had a strange expression on, Oscar shook his head unconsciously. There was truly nothing odd about this! There was a saying that..... 'If you want to know who betrayed you, it's best to start your search at your closest friend.'
"Who wants to kill me? You can't work for DeKTer! Who contacted these Deiss for you?" Oscar finally said the question in his heart.
"You don't need to know!" Wystan spread his hands out.
The Prince shrugged. He stood alone by the broken wall. Behind him was emptiness, and the ground lurked about 100 meters below. Even though the cable line was right beside him, but he knew that he would be turned into a pincushion by the archers in front of him once he moved.
"Last question," Oscar scratched his head, "Why didn't you move earlier? Why did you wait until this moment?"
Left Hand rolled his eyes. "You have so many questions. To be honest! Aeolia, that smart woman, is too cautious. I couldn't send out messages from the galleon."
Wystan looked at the back of the Prince and suddenly laughed. "Alright! Your Highness, it's time for you to say goodbye to this world!"
Oscar turned around in surprise. He was just in time to see that a Deiss warrior had already raised his bow at the place where the cable line went across the high walls of the castle. This guy had already made preparations to shoot.
Oscar smiled slightly. "Left Hand, your family in Titan will bear your responsibility for your betrayal. You know the rules."
Wystan's expression changed, "You stinking kid! We should really say goodbye!"
"Yes! We should!" Oscar held the cable line and waved at the Deiss warrior who thought he was about to die.
The archer at the tower finally released his arrow. The arrow performed a beautiful trajectory in the night sky! Oscar began gliding downwards along the cable line at high speed. The arrow actually went by his body and flew into the room with the huge hole!
Left Hand grasped at his chest. He looked down at the arrow that pierced his chest unexpectedly. The Deiss rushed towards the opening of the room. No one planned to care about the Titan traitor.
"Why is it this way.... Why is it this way....." Wystan suddenly realized something. He seemed to have made a wrong decision.
Ricky threw the bow away. He stared at the little Oscar who was gliding downwards at a great speed. When both of them were close, the Liar jumped towards him from the opening of the defense tower. Oscar caught this cute old friend of his! The laughter of Titan's Prince could be heard echoing through the sky.
"Release the arrow! Release the arrow!" Harriens shouted as he slashed at the cable line forcefully.
Oscar had not even stopped his laughter when he felt the terrible stab of an arrow into his back! The excruciating pain almost made him lose consciousness. The strength in his hand immediately reduced. Ricky's body that had suddenly dropped jotted the Prince awake at this moment! Oscar shouted as he grabbed the body in his hands tightly. Suddenly! The cable line made an indescribable shiver! Oscar was still gliding. He could already hear the people shouting anxiously from the galleon.
The cable line that had broken off was falling at great speed. Oscar felt dizzy. He shut his eyes as he gazed into the water that was tinted red by the fire beneath his feet!
"No! No!" Aeolia screamed as she ran towards the rail. She nervously stared at the place where Oscar and Ricky had fallen into the water. The water was still rippling, but there was no sign of humans. Only a large amount of blood was dissipating into the river quickly! The Deiss at the shore fired their fire arrows. The mass on the galleon was already burning, and the sailors didn't have time to return the attack. They were all busy putting out the fire under the command of the captain.
Aeolia did not care about the shower of arrows that blanketed the whole river. She actually jumped into the river. Having seen such a crisis, Black Devil quickly followed her with his dagger in his mouth!
The people on the galleon fell into a panic. Ellington and Mendez Blane had many injuries from the previous battles. It was difficult for them to even move. Sarlat Drosha did not know how to swim. He could only panic beside the mass. The Poison Doctor was busy taking care of the injured ones. The Diener was organizing the not-so-many galleon members to fight back against the Deiss on shore. The King of Sins Doramy had jumped into the river as well, but the old man had been blocked by a small boat full of Deiss soldiers. He had no choice but to battle with them by jumping onto their boat!
Finally! Black Devil pulled an almost-dead limp body out of the water. The Red Beard captain sailed the galleon across the river and used its body to block the fire arrows. This was so that their companions in the river would not be affected by the attack.
Shaw wrapped Ricky with the cable line put down from the galleon. The sailors then immediately pulled the Liar up. At the same moment, Aeolia emerged from the other side of the galleon. She held the little Prince and grabbed at the wood planks of the base of the galleon in difficulty. The sailors also put the cable line down, but they were immediately shot at by the shower of arrows that came from the shore.
Aeolia turned her head around in difficulty. She looked at the Deiss warriors in terror as they placed the light sampan into the river. They would soon get close to the galleon. A few arrows splashed into the river water. Aya felt as if her body was swiftly getting heavier. Her vision was blurring and fresh blood spurted into the river. Oscar was getting heavier in her embrace. The light in his eyes was getting dimmer!
"Go! Go! Or else everyone will die here! Quickly!" Aya shouted towards the galleon hopelessly.
In difficulty, slowly and with regret! The galleon pulled its body that was full of injuries and spotted with fire away from these troubled waters among the screams of battle.
Another shower of arrows attacked them. Aya shivered violently. Oscar was almost out of her grip. The headstrong and stubborn Countess shouted and tightened her grip, but all she could grab on was the shirt that was mixed with fresh blood. Along with her unwilling tears, Aeolia who held the Prince went under the water. They left only ripples on the river surface.
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The Deiss warriors formed a compact circle and brandished their shields and weapons towards the outside of the circle. Their Highest Commander stood determinedly in the center of the circle, coldly looked at the enemies around them even though his second Army Base was left with only a circle formation of 1000 people! Following the intense battle after the gate had fallen, their surroundings had been filled with the bodies of Titan soldiers!
The Second Army Base was burning! Burning quietly! The strong army base before was only a few broken walls and fallen buildings now. He believed after a few more hours, the largest army base at the southern border of Deiss would become ruins.
Fire dyed both heaven and earth red. As thick smoke drifted through the sky together with the clouds, the stars only winked into sight occasionally. The ground had also changed for the worse. Blood had congealed into the soil, forming gullies and bloodstained patches.
Actually, the ground was no longer purely dirt. Layers and layers of warriors' corpses have accumulated on the ground, and at the few spots where the battle raged fiercest, bodies had accumulated to the point of forming a small hill, while blood flowed like rivers. Broken weapons were impaled into the bodies, acting as crude tombstones. They stood solemnly on the battlefield, while a cloud of crows hummed lowly as they circled above the fiery sky. They stared at the groups of people that were still moving and took note of the weapons that still reflected light.
Marshal Alan slowly walked across the battlefield that was strewn with bodies. He saw that the warriors of the Guards were still busy checking the bodies. These cleaners of the battlefield held their sabers and stabbed two more times at every body under their feet. Of course, they only did that for their enemies.
Going over to the broken gate of the army base, the densely packed Titan soldiers made way for the Marshal. Alan jumped off his horse. He walked with a slight limp towards the battlefield on which bodies and skulls were littered. This was the last battlefield. Deiss had repelled the three assault attempts of Titan knights and infantry at this place before him. Alan admitted that the Guards who had not experienced a true fight in a long time were vastly inferior as compared to their enemies in terms of quality.
Riding on horseback for a long time had made the joints of the old Marshal ache as though they'd been pierced. Alan moved in difficulty. Titan warriors all kneeled on the ground as the old Marshal passed by. They were paying the highest respect to their Marshal.
The circle formation of the Deiss finally had some movements. Surrounded by many Titan soldiers, a general who bathed in blood stood out.
"Chief Command of Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group. You are....."
"Marshal of Titan Empire's Guards. Van Hewitt Alan!"
"Marshal Alan!" Deiss general looked at the enemy's silver-haired Marshal in astonishment. He did not expect that he would meet the most famous war strategist in this land here, "Then... Marshal, let's begin!"
"You don't plan on surrendering?" Alan knitted his eyebrows tightly.
"I'm sorry Marshal! There is no such word in the dictionary given to the soldiers by our country."
Alan nodded. He stood his ground and saluted the enemy's commander. Chief Command of Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group immediately returned the greeting. When Alan turned around, he sighed lightly. The Deiss people… definitely possessed the courage to fight to the end!
But...… the Deiss people were slightly wary. They saw that the Titan warriors who had surrounded them from all directions were actually retreating. They even backed off until the gate of the army base. The commander of the army group carefully identified the commands given in the Titan base. All of a sudden! This general shouted as he raised his shield!
"Raise your shield! Dense formation! Block the arrows!"
Along with the command, the few remaining warriors of the Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group raised their shields above their head. They used small steps to cluster together. The circle defense formation contracted immediately. All of the shields joined together tightly. Looking from afar, this tight formation was just like a huge mushroom with iron skin. It blocked wind and rain for the people hiding within it.
That was right! It was definitely a shower of arrows! They were surrounded fully by the Titan archers, who had formed a dense, round-shaped assault net outside of the enemy's defense circle. Along with the order of the officers and the angle of the first archer, the warriors released the final wave of iron rain towards the last dredges of their enemy.
The arrows rained from the sky. The light of torches in the dark night revealed the silhouettes of the shower of arrows. Going according to their wonderful trajectories, the lethal shower fell. The clinking of arrows striking against steel rang from the shields. The impact of the arrows made the hands of the Deiss shieldbearers begin trembling slightly! The firm circle formation finally showed small holes from their weakening strength. Lucky arrows slipped into the gaps, and the unlucky warriors were falling to the ground!
The arrow barrage seemed endless! The defenders' formation was slowly crumbling. The steel arrowheads gleamed brightly in the glow of the torches and disappeared into the formation! The light of torches shining upon the eagle logos on the shields made them seem almost alive, but the screams and cursing within the shields had nothing to do with the Yaran's totem full of light. The warriors were surrounded. During the last moment before the elimination of their difficult resistance, they did not even have the chance to fight for the last time with the enemy.
Eventually! The shields were all over the ground. In the shields and bodies were multiple arrows. The huge, mushroom-like formation had been reduced to pieces of thin lotus petals. The lotus petals had all fallen on the ground. But looking from afar, one could still identify a few lively ones among the lotus petals.
Finally! The shower of arrows stopped and the battlefield resumed its tranquility!
The Titan warriors did not cheer. There was no happiness. They quietly walked into the enemy's base and turned over the bodies that have been pierced with countless arrows.
A war priest stood firmly on the last base of the enemy. He placed the Ancestral Tablet on the ground even though the side he represented had attained victory! The ones who fell were warriors that deserved to be sung for! A solemn requiem rang through the battlefield for the fallen ones that had returned to the cold night!
The Titan warriors finally came to clean the inner part of the circle formation. A lucky warrior pushed the bodies of his comrades away in a sudden movement. But there were more than ten arrows piercing into his own body!
The Titan war priest closed his eyes. He did not stop his mantra. He simply did not wish to see the enemy's final warrior's manner of passing.
This warrior shouted in a loud voice. He frenziedly waved his long sword, attempting to force aside the Titan warriors who intended to close in on him. Slowly, the waving long sword lost its target! The eyes of the warrior also lost their focus! This was the Marshal of the Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group. He kneeled on the floor because he was out of strength. This general was still letting out his battle howl. The countless bloody holes on his body were still leaking blood down the arrows. Feeling that there was someone approaching him from behind, the general slashed his sword in that direction. The Titan warriors backed off in terror. They did not dare to move forward again, thus they slowly waited for the enemy to take his last breath.
The fall night brought cool morning dew. The enemy's Marshal finally calmed down. His sword lay on the floor without strength. Only the apparent veins of his hands could show that he was still using his strength. The general let out some quick breaths. This showed that he was still trying to live, trying to battle! Slowly, his breath thinned and slowly dissipated. In the end, he was without breath.
The Titan warriors encircled him. They planned to take a good look at the face of the Deiss general. Even though he was a pitiful loser, but he was no doubt a true warrior of Deiss.
Marshal Alan walked out from among the packed warriors and looked at the general who had taken his last breath.
"Keep his sword. Take care of his body. Then..... Set up a tombstone for him at the ruins of the main building of the army base."
"Yes!" Colonel Payne Lubelly promised his Marshal with a dull expression. This night was too overwhelming for him! Payne crouched down and took a glance at the face of this general. Looking into those soulless eyes, this general seemed to see a kid in the last moment of his life. This kid was pierced by many arrows all over his body. Only his young face was saved from that. Maybe.... He had not even reached the age to drink! Colonel Payne guessed without thinking.
The Colonel then closed the eyes of the enemy's general. When he stood up, he planned to scan this hell that accepted both the living and dead. Payne believed that he could never forget all the things that happened on the night on Church Calendar Year 797 31st day of the 10th month for the rest of his life.
"Report! Sir Marshal!" a Wolfrider blocked the way of Alan, "We blocked the Deiss' injured teams at the other side of the mountain. They did not resist. Should we..."
"Alright! I did not hear anything! We will move out when it's morning. Call your officer to think of how to deal with this!"
This messenger from the Wolfriders was stunned for a moment, but he quickly understood it. The words of the Marshal had clearly shown his intention.
"Yes, Marshal! We will take care of this ourselves!" the Wolfrider said as he rode off on his horse. He ran towards his own unit.
Slowly walking over the hills, the ashes from the fire were still in the air. The air smelled like the interior of an abattoir. Burnt bodies, broken arrows, and weapons were all over the ground. The smoke that rose towards the sky not far from here signaled the end of a huge battle to the people. At this moment, only the firelight and bodies were so blinding, yet so lonely.
**************************************************
Opareal Roulexberg shifted her gaze from the destructive scene. Instead, she turned toward the river surface. A large number of warriors were patrolling the river region on sampans. At the same time, the warriors at the shore were busy boarding their boat. The defense army from the nearby fortress had already closed off the entire downstream area of Laufenkamen River. They used fish nets to scoop up the possible bodies that might be in the river.
"I have already contacted the Supreme High Command!" Eisenstein stood by his wife's side, but his careful demeanor did not seem fitting for a husband, "The whole country will enter a battle-ready state in the morning. The upstream area of Laufenkamen River will also be closed off soon. They will definitely not make it to the Ollier Federation! I have also confirmed on the other side of the palace that His Majesty is currently not in danger! Other than that..... With just our current armed forces, it's not enough to close off the castle's nearby areas. The Supreme High Command has already arranged for the Teutonic Knights to come here. Latest by this afternoon, we can completely control..."
"Alright!" Opareal suddenly interrupted her husband's report, "It has already been more than an hour! If there are still people submerged in the river, they should already be dead. However, there is not even one floating body, and even the guards that closed off the riverside have not found any survivors! What does this mean?"
Eisenstein had no choice but to lower his head, "This means that... This means that it is highly possible that they made it onshore and ran away! I am about to arrange for men to search thoroughly along the riverside and towards downstream. But.... If the Teutonic Knights do not come, our armed forces are not enough to completely close off the entire area...."
"No more explanation! Do something about it!" Opareal almost roared.
Eisenstein did not reply. He turned around and went away. A guard reined in a horse for the Duke. Eisenstein got on the horse. He suddenly hesitated!
"I remember... I instructed you to stay in your room. But you... wearing that and joining the battle...."
"What are you trying to say?" Opareal glared at her husband.
"Urgh..." Eisenstein pursed his lips. Some things could not be said by men. "It's okay... Forget about it!" The bitter Duke turned around and rode his horse off.
Opareal shifted her gaze to her hometown. This place was no longer familiar to her. This was a burning hell!
"Your Highness! How should we deal with this guy?" Harriens rushed over with a ferocious look. Behind this head of agents were a few tall knights. They were pulling a human body which still had a faint hint of breath.
Opareal turned around and glanced at this old hostage, "What is your name?"
The hostage simply laughed coldly, but the Deiss warriors immediately struck him hard on his waist with the sword hilt, "Answer the question of the Her Highness the Heir!"
"Doramy Basinger!" the old man mumbled this resentfully.
The Princess came forward, "Are you the knight of that Prince?"
"No!" Doramy turned his head away and spat blood, "I am his friend. We are all his friends, but that does not include that traitor! But... this damn kid actually forgot about me when he climbed on shore. He went into the forest alone!"
"Did you hear that?" Opareal suddenly shouted in a loud voice, "He is in the forest. Go get him quickly!"
Harriens came forward. He used the whip in his hand to strike at the back of the King of Sins.
"Your Highness, this guy is not honest at all. Maybe he is lying!"
Opareal glared at him. "I don't need you to teach me how to do things! Organize your subordinates to carefully search the few forests nearby."
"Yes!" Harriens could only bow and answer.
"Spare his life. It will be useful!" Opareal instructed during the last minute, then she left the crowd. Under the protection of the Paladins, she walked towards the direction of the castle.
"Old man! You belong to me now!" Harriens let out a coarse laugh.
Doramy spat. The bloody spit flew towards the excited head of agents.
"Alright!" when Harriens wiped away the bloodied liquid, his hypocritical face had already become deformed, "Take good care of our guest!"
DeKTer's fighters rushed forward. They waved an iron club with needles on it and brutally smacked it down onto his back, and used a long whip with iron plates upon it to flog that downed man who was already covered in injuries.
"Ah..." Aeolia let out an uncontrollable shout. Snowstorm covered the woman's mouth tightly in a sudden movement.
The barking of a wolfdog and the shout of the knights could be heard from the riverside!
"There's something there!"
"Quick! Look over there!"
This was a steep hill that was higher than the riverside. The otters had dug up the bottom of the hill under the water. These aquatic animals had constructed a simple yet hidden lair. Under the protection of the withered grass and speedwell, the people on the riverside could not see the situation under the hill at all.
Snowstorm, Black Devil, Oscar and Aeolia, the four survivors, were hidden in the otters' lair. They did not dare to move a bit. They did not even dare to breathe. Snowstorm had just yanked out the arrow in Aeolia's shoulder. He was still internally complaining even now. Doing this for little Oscar, the subject had simply frowned; but this woman actually let out a 'deafening' shriek! Oh god!
Deiss' huge wolfdog was still barking crazily at the river surface. A warrior had already closed off this region of the river. All of a sudden! A sudden sound of water dripping attracted the attention of the people. An adult otter jumped into the water all of a sudden.
"God! It's just an animal. There is nothing here!" a warrior complained in a loud voice as he shook his fire torch.
"Let's go over that side!" the officer in the team finally gave the orders.
Only when the barking had stopped did Paul let go of Aya's mouth. Aeolia's hair was messy. She was as pale as the legendary fierce ghost! She took in huge breaths while blood from her stomach and chest still trickled from the side of her lips.
Oscar was held steady only with the help of Black Devil. His face had no color at all. The focus of his eyes was not clear as well. This Prince who seemed as if he would drop dead anytime held Aya's head all of a sudden.
"Why are you stupid to the extent of jumping into the river? Don't you know that was suicide?"
"I only wanted to save you! If you want to scold me, go ahead!" Aya said this with difficulty.
Oscar's gaze on Aya was extremely complicated. He wanted to say something, but he found himself completely out of strength.
"Alright! Now is not the time for this!" Paul interrupted the two young people who were exchanging aggrieved glances, "We must leave this place as soon as possible! We must think of a way to live!"
"Where else can we go?" Black Devil looked around them carefully, "The Deiss have closed off the river and the riverside. We will be found once we leave this den."
Paul glared at the Royal Assassin impatiently, "Who said we are going up? We are going underwater!"
"Underwater?" Black Devil was completely lost.
"That is right!" Paul pointed to the place below the lair of the otters, "Do you know that? Just as the design of castles like Lombardy Castle will prevent the people from getting trapped, there will usually a well that connects to the underwater tunnel to ensure the water supply in the castle. The exit of that well is right below this place!"
"Are you sure?" Black Devil looked at the King of Sins in doubt.
"You don't have the right to doubt me!" Paul scoffed, "I escaped from the castle using that exact well. How else would I be able to save you guys from the blockade of the Deiss?"
"Then..... Then what do you plan to do?" Shaw Curlink suddenly realized that there seemed to be no need to think about too many questions when he followed Paul.
"Too simple! Go back to Lombardy Castle from this underwater tunnel. That well is in the basement. I've checked it previously. That basement has been abandoned for a long time. No one will find us there! The most dangerous place is the safest place of all. The Deiss will definitely not believe that we will dive back into the castle again! Moreover, such castles will definitely have its own secret passage to run away...."
"Wait a second! Wait....." The Black Devil could not help but interrupted Paul. "Are you fucking crazy or dumb? Diving back into the castle from here? This place is one kilometer away from the castle in a straight line distance! Who knows what that distance will be in that underwater tunnel? It seems that there's no need for the Deiss! We will all drown to out death here. Can anyone dive for one kilometer?"
"You idiot! How can you be an assassin without a little imagination?" Paul hit Black Devil, "I can't fucking understand how did 13 and I lose to people like you!"
"We can dive back into the castle using this!" Paul said as he took out a huge water bag from his waist, "Blow enough air into it. The air is enough for me to make a return trip! I estimate.... It's about the same for four of us!"
"Around the same?" The Black Devil got angry again! "What if it's not enough? The Prince and this lady are injured! If....."
"Alright!" Oscar suddenly let out a shout. "I know a secret passage that leads to the outside of the castle. Going there is our only choice!"
Black Devil no longer said anything. The moving lights at the faraway riverside had already shown that the Deiss people were about to swim over to this side!
"Then it is decided!" Paul used all of his strength to inflate the water bag.
Oscar did not say anything. He simply searched a bit in the water. Finally, he found Aya's hand.
"Just now...… You did not let me go. Then at the next moment, I will not let you go!"
Thinking about the dark water tunnel, the far distance and the water bag that gradually expanded that would support the breathing of four people, Aya finally nodded weakly.
"Promise me! Do your best and live!" Oscar kissed the Countess. He gave a breath to Aya that signified survival!
As the light of fire shone into this den, a sampan created ripples in the water outside. The Deiss warriors stared closely at this hole that was large enough to hide a few people, but except for a few water ripples, they did not find anything.
The northern wind blew low and harshly. The night sky was tinged red by the flame of the torches. Greenish grey smoke clouded the skies. The screams of the people and the sound of crackling flames could be heard from the other side of the earth. It was like the howling of the fierce ghosts haunting the furnace deep in hell.
Lombardy Castle had been coated in black by the smoke. Its tall figure seemed strangely blurry under the starry sky, almost as though it was falling. Within the castle were Deiss warriors that were fully armed. They took over the halls and the hallways. They used their bodies to fill every corner of the castle.
The grand castle from before had completely changed! For the convenience of movement, the Deiss warriors rolled the carpets to one side, their boots leaving behind countless muddy footprints on the floor. The statues in the hall and the memorable decorations that stood for several centuries were thrown to the ground without regards to value. They turned into debris and voicelessly complained of the barbaric behavior of the humans. These valuable murals had knife and sword slashes all over them. The candle base of gold was kicked from here to there by the knights. Broken tiles and weapons were all over the floor. Of course, bodies and fresh blood did the same as well. A grim and solemn atmosphere shrouded the castle.
There was no sound in the castle. Even the horrifying cannons firing at the port had stopped. The Deiss knights stood their ground quietly. For them, the most precious thing was already in the leader of their enemies' hands. That was to say, resisting and killing no longer held their meaning.
O'Neil Andrew Morisette and Opareal Roulexberg faced each other. The man's sword was lightly placed on the woman's shoulder. The women's hands were slightly trembling with her hands draping down unnaturally.
Both of them were rulers. To be specific, they were people who had close connections with their rulers. The most precious wealth they'd obtained in this world was not land or gold or even love; it was the natural superiority. It was the kind of superiority that exceeded any existence. Such superiority was usually presented in the gift of being proud and cold!
It was just like His Imperial Highness O'Neil Andrew Morisette right now. He was holding his sword while heavily surrounded by men. The Deiss warriors around him were uncountable, but this Prince proudly stared at the opponent's leader and coldly scanned the warriors that appeared in every corner.
"I destroyed your home?" Oscar had a disdainful look. "Reela! Even though I would admit this, but as the initiator of the war, you or your country should have predicted the situation today."
Opareal did not speak a word. She carefully perceived the coldness of the sword and stared at this man who did not understand her at all, yet had been given her chastity and emotions.
"Can we talk about it now? Your warriors have stopped resisting!" Oscar raised his head. He stared at the woman under his sword, prideful.
"What more is there to talk about?" Opareal laughed coldly. "The first time was the same. So was the second time. As a Deiss, I have already lost my dignity on the battlefield. I've lost my pride! Eisenstein!"
The husband of Her Royal Highness stepped forward cautiously.
Opareal did her best to raise her head. Even if she was a loser, she would not allow the enemy to look at the pure Yaran people from above.
"Pass this message to His Majesty, Court Services Bureau, Prime Minister's Office and Supreme High Command: I hereby forfeit my right to ascend to the throne. The Royal Family must nominate a new heir after my death!"
Eisenstein suddenly shook his head. "Your Highness, I am terribly sorry! You are in the hands of the enemy. I cannot follow your orders!"
"You...…" Opareal turned her head around in a sudden movement. She glared at her husband.
Eisenstein retreated to the warrior's base behind him, but he kept moving backward. So were the warriors.
Oscar pulled Her Royal Highness Princess to his back. Doramy immediately took control of the Deiss Princess.
Oscar followed the enemy and kept moving forward. His chest seemed as if it was about to be pierced by the enemy's weapon in the next moment. Every weakness on his body was aimed at by the arrowhead of a crossbow, but he kept moving forward. The enemy in front of him was backing away as well.
The people felt a little odd. The bunch from Titan did not go down the stairs. Instead, they went towards the top floor of the castle. Could it be that… they planned to flee through the sky?
Ricky hid in a corner in a room. The Deiss did not forget to catch this fake ambassador. The galleon that was spewing fire at the port had already explained everything. The Deiss was kind enough to toss everyone related to that galleon into hell.
The tranquility of the castle more or less made Ricky a bit hesitant. "Why hasn't the clown arrived?" This huge liar recalled his own companion. If the clown did not carry out his role, then they would not be able to reach Riel safely via the river even if they had a galleon. Even if a third of Riel Kingdom's land was taken over by Titan Guards, they would still have to go through a large area of Deiss' territory before reaching Riel. No one knew what would happen during the voyage either.
"Report!" A quick scream broke the silence of the castle. A Deiss knight who donned the clothes of a messenger ran up the stairs from the direction of the main gate.
Eisenstein turned around. He was surprised. Why would there be a court clerk at this moment?
"Report.... Report!" the person took deep yet quick breaths. A sweaty document was gripped in his hand. "His..... News just came from His Majesty's palace!"
Eisenstein snatched it in a sudden movement! "His Majesty's situation has worsened! Call for the armed forces! Guard the palace! Prepare the funeral!" This... What the hell was this? Why at this moment now? Eisenstein cursed profusely in his heart. The general of the Kingdom Army and half of the wealthy were trapped in Lombardy Castle. Even the heir to the throne was in the enemy's hands! Engerbury Roulexberg, His Majesty the Ninth, had to release such a notice at this time! This..... What exactly was this!
"Harriens! I am leaving this place to you!" Eisenstein instructed as he looked at his lover. He knew that Opareal did not love him, but he had to do all he could for her. He had to ensure that she overcame this safely. He even had to help her to ascend to the throne.
"Something bad has happened in the palace! I must deal with that!"
Opareal was held at the throat with a short sword. She simply nodded slightly.
"If Her Highness has one hair less than right now, there will surely be a duel between us!" Eisenstein glared at Harriens as he turned around.
Harriens did not say a word. He simply let out an extremely strange cold smile at the Prince's group.
The knights in the castle retreated along with the Palace Chief quickly. They ran out of the castle through the back door, avoiding the burning sea, towards the stable not far away. The castle immediately became notably emptier. The Deiss nobles who had suffered a lot also began retreating under the organization of the Royal Army.
Oscar smiled. He was very satisfied with the current situation, but the night attack yesterday night made him a little worried. Judging by the contented look on the highest officer of DeKTer before him, Oscar fully knew that it was highly possible that some problems might have occurred for his team.
Ricky finally came out from his hiding place. He had changed into the clothing of a Deiss warrior in a dark corner. Quickly walking into the hallway, it was as expected! Nobody had noticed the existence of an imposter. The warriors were simply gazing at the situation at the top nervously. Ricky went into a small room that faced the direction of the river. He pushed the wooden window open and placed the candle that was burning in the room by the window. Even though it was dim, the light still attracted the attention of the sailors a few miles away!
"Listen carefully!" The Red-Bearded Captain wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Fill in the fire powder. Change into the hook. The target..... That window on the top floor of the castle! Quick! Quick! Whether we win or lose depends on this!"
Oscar and his bunch had finally stopped outside of the large room on the top floor of Lombardy Castle. The Deiss warriors were all forced to the lower floor by the followers of the Prince.
"What are you waiting for?" Opareal was confused.
Oscar smiled lightly. "Listen!"
The roaring of the cannon once again broke the silence between the earth and sky! The sound of wind being cleaved came whistling! Along with the violent shaking and the dust that fell from the rooftop, Oscar kicked the door open with a cheer. Everything she saw made Opareal jump! This room was in ruins. The windows were gone and the cold wind came billowing in from a gigantic hole. A hook that was as thick as a human arm was clinging tightly to the wall! A cable line was connected to the hook. Looking into the distance, it was almost impossible to distinguish the length of the cable line. It seemed to disappear into the night sky outside of the castle.
Aeolia cried excitedly! It was a good shot! The aiming spot was on point! The thick cable line went across the burning sea outside of the castle until it reached the deck of the galleon on the river. The sailors were pulling at the cable line with all their might before they secured it to the mass of the galleon. Touching the rough cable line, Aeolia was proud of it! Only she could have thought of such a strategy! Only she could use a cable line that was nearly 1900 meters in length! This cable line had been made in four months. Aeolia only got her hands on it last week!
Abruptly, the sounds of chaos could be heard from the floor below them! The people looked below. Along with shrieks and the sound of collision between weapons, a few warriors were pushed from the stairs without a reason.
"Get out of my way! Get out of my way! My friend is up there!" Godot yelled as he waved his hammer around.
"Let him up!" Harriens ordered in a loud voice.
The Deiss warriors made way for a muscly guy who was like a small hill. Godot spat towards the warriors as he walked up the stairs.
"Ola! Why did the guy who's about to become a father come as well?" Oscar hugged his old friend whose body was covered with injuries, without caring that he was surrounded by enemies.
"Ugh...." Godot was very excited. He could not even speak a word. He fought his way up to this place from the defense block of the main castle. He was such a lucky guy!
"Alright! We should leave here!" Oscar pulled the cable line. "Just that we don't know if this thing is stable."
Doramy was still holding the Deiss Princess in captive. "I got a plan! Let Godot go down first! If this thing can hold Godot's weight, then it must be able to hold ours."
"Good idea!" Godot did not care as well. He pulled a belt and placed it over the cable line. Then, he simply slid out. The huge figure immediately glided at high speed through the air. He was seen gliding across the burning sea and the fiery red river. He reached the deck of the galleon in less than 30 seconds. The sailors who wanted to catch the huge guy were hit and fell all over the floor due to the impact.
"Go away! Look at this!" Godot caught the cable line from the deck. He did not forget to wave his hands at the people on the top floor of the castle.
"Alright!" Oscar shifted his attention from the river. "Everyone, speed up! One by one! Follow him!"
"You go first!" Black Devil said cautiously.
"No!" Oscar looked into Opareal's eyes, "I still need to bid farewell to my friend! Doramy, hand her to me. You guys go first!"
Doramy knew this was not the time to be polite. He pushed the Princess into the embrace of the young Prince, then glided downwards via the cable line. Following him was the Paladin Sarlat, then Mendez Blane. Then, it was the Prince's messenger, Ellington.
"Left Hand! It's your turn!"
Wystan shook his head. "No, little guy. I will be the last! You guys go first!"
"Shaw!" Oscar turned to the Imperial Assassin.
The Black Devil merely said 'Be careful', before he too went down.
Oscar looked at his companions at the river, then at the Princess in his embrace. "Reela, I really am going now!"
Deiss warriors had already entered the room at this time. They were cautiously going around the other side, watching their enemies get away one by one. This feeling did not sit well with them. The warriors did not understand. Why hadn't Sir Harriens indicated anything? What was this Sir Chief Commanding Officer waiting for?
"Ha! Your journey will definitely not be smooth!"
Oscar laughed lightly. "Reela, do you want my life so badly? If that is the case, why did you still rush forward? You knew that you couldn't beat me."
Opareal kept her lips pursed tightly, and remained silent.
Oscar kissed the Princess' cheek once again. "Thank you!" this Prince murmured in a low voice that only the Princess could hear.
The Princess stared at the man in front of her. No one knew what she was thinking.
Right at this moment! A strong blade light crashed into the sight of these two people all of a sudden. Oscar's reflex was not slow. He pushed the dazed Princess away in a sudden movement. The Prince looked at Left Hand who had pulled the Princess back to the Deiss warriors. He did not understand this. Also, he looked at the fresh blood that dripped from his arm.
"Why?" Oscar had his doubt. He had known Left Hand for many years. At Damorga, Wystan had even taught him how to steal.
"You can't understand?' Left Hand had already stood by the side of DeKTer's Highest Commanding Officer, "No one wants to be a thief for his whole life. Little guy, your death will bring me a noble title and my own territory."
After saying this, Wystan turned to Harriens. "Sir Marquis, quickly send people to call Duke Eisenstein back. That messenger and the official report are all fake!"
Harriens' expression changed. He quickly instructed his warriors to do something.
Looking at the void behind him, the knights that surrounded him and the Princess who had a strange expression on, Oscar shook his head unconsciously. There was truly nothing odd about this! There was a saying that..... 'If you want to know who betrayed you, it's best to start your search at your closest friend.'
"Who wants to kill me? You can't work for DeKTer! Who contacted these Deiss for you?" Oscar finally said the question in his heart.
"You don't need to know!" Wystan spread his hands out.
The Prince shrugged. He stood alone by the broken wall. Behind him was emptiness, and the ground lurked about 100 meters below. Even though the cable line was right beside him, but he knew that he would be turned into a pincushion by the archers in front of him once he moved.
"Last question," Oscar scratched his head, "Why didn't you move earlier? Why did you wait until this moment?"
Left Hand rolled his eyes. "You have so many questions. To be honest! Aeolia, that smart woman, is too cautious. I couldn't send out messages from the galleon."
Wystan looked at the back of the Prince and suddenly laughed. "Alright! Your Highness, it's time for you to say goodbye to this world!"
Oscar turned around in surprise. He was just in time to see that a Deiss warrior had already raised his bow at the place where the cable line went across the high walls of the castle. This guy had already made preparations to shoot.
Oscar smiled slightly. "Left Hand, your family in Titan will bear your responsibility for your betrayal. You know the rules."
Wystan's expression changed, "You stinking kid! We should really say goodbye!"
"Yes! We should!" Oscar held the cable line and waved at the Deiss warrior who thought he was about to die.
The archer at the tower finally released his arrow. The arrow performed a beautiful trajectory in the night sky! Oscar began gliding downwards along the cable line at high speed. The arrow actually went by his body and flew into the room with the huge hole!
Left Hand grasped at his chest. He looked down at the arrow that pierced his chest unexpectedly. The Deiss rushed towards the opening of the room. No one planned to care about the Titan traitor.
"Why is it this way.... Why is it this way....." Wystan suddenly realized something. He seemed to have made a wrong decision.
Ricky threw the bow away. He stared at the little Oscar who was gliding downwards at a great speed. When both of them were close, the Liar jumped towards him from the opening of the defense tower. Oscar caught this cute old friend of his! The laughter of Titan's Prince could be heard echoing through the sky.
"Release the arrow! Release the arrow!" Harriens shouted as he slashed at the cable line forcefully.
Oscar had not even stopped his laughter when he felt the terrible stab of an arrow into his back! The excruciating pain almost made him lose consciousness. The strength in his hand immediately reduced. Ricky's body that had suddenly dropped jotted the Prince awake at this moment! Oscar shouted as he grabbed the body in his hands tightly. Suddenly! The cable line made an indescribable shiver! Oscar was still gliding. He could already hear the people shouting anxiously from the galleon.
The cable line that had broken off was falling at great speed. Oscar felt dizzy. He shut his eyes as he gazed into the water that was tinted red by the fire beneath his feet!
"No! No!" Aeolia screamed as she ran towards the rail. She nervously stared at the place where Oscar and Ricky had fallen into the water. The water was still rippling, but there was no sign of humans. Only a large amount of blood was dissipating into the river quickly! The Deiss at the shore fired their fire arrows. The mass on the galleon was already burning, and the sailors didn't have time to return the attack. They were all busy putting out the fire under the command of the captain.
Aeolia did not care about the shower of arrows that blanketed the whole river. She actually jumped into the river. Having seen such a crisis, Black Devil quickly followed her with his dagger in his mouth!
The people on the galleon fell into a panic. Ellington and Mendez Blane had many injuries from the previous battles. It was difficult for them to even move. Sarlat Drosha did not know how to swim. He could only panic beside the mass. The Poison Doctor was busy taking care of the injured ones. The Diener was organizing the not-so-many galleon members to fight back against the Deiss on shore. The King of Sins Doramy had jumped into the river as well, but the old man had been blocked by a small boat full of Deiss soldiers. He had no choice but to battle with them by jumping onto their boat!
Finally! Black Devil pulled an almost-dead limp body out of the water. The Red Beard captain sailed the galleon across the river and used its body to block the fire arrows. This was so that their companions in the river would not be affected by the attack.
Shaw wrapped Ricky with the cable line put down from the galleon. The sailors then immediately pulled the Liar up. At the same moment, Aeolia emerged from the other side of the galleon. She held the little Prince and grabbed at the wood planks of the base of the galleon in difficulty. The sailors also put the cable line down, but they were immediately shot at by the shower of arrows that came from the shore.
Aeolia turned her head around in difficulty. She looked at the Deiss warriors in terror as they placed the light sampan into the river. They would soon get close to the galleon. A few arrows splashed into the river water. Aya felt as if her body was swiftly getting heavier. Her vision was blurring and fresh blood spurted into the river. Oscar was getting heavier in her embrace. The light in his eyes was getting dimmer!
"Go! Go! Or else everyone will die here! Quickly!" Aya shouted towards the galleon hopelessly.
In difficulty, slowly and with regret! The galleon pulled its body that was full of injuries and spotted with fire away from these troubled waters among the screams of battle.
Another shower of arrows attacked them. Aya shivered violently. Oscar was almost out of her grip. The headstrong and stubborn Countess shouted and tightened her grip, but all she could grab on was the shirt that was mixed with fresh blood. Along with her unwilling tears, Aeolia who held the Prince went under the water. They left only ripples on the river surface.
****************************************************
The Deiss warriors formed a compact circle and brandished their shields and weapons towards the outside of the circle. Their Highest Commander stood determinedly in the center of the circle, coldly looked at the enemies around them even though his second Army Base was left with only a circle formation of 1000 people! Following the intense battle after the gate had fallen, their surroundings had been filled with the bodies of Titan soldiers!
The Second Army Base was burning! Burning quietly! The strong army base before was only a few broken walls and fallen buildings now. He believed after a few more hours, the largest army base at the southern border of Deiss would become ruins.
Fire dyed both heaven and earth red. As thick smoke drifted through the sky together with the clouds, the stars only winked into sight occasionally. The ground had also changed for the worse. Blood had congealed into the soil, forming gullies and bloodstained patches.
Actually, the ground was no longer purely dirt. Layers and layers of warriors' corpses have accumulated on the ground, and at the few spots where the battle raged fiercest, bodies had accumulated to the point of forming a small hill, while blood flowed like rivers. Broken weapons were impaled into the bodies, acting as crude tombstones. They stood solemnly on the battlefield, while a cloud of crows hummed lowly as they circled above the fiery sky. They stared at the groups of people that were still moving and took note of the weapons that still reflected light.
Marshal Alan slowly walked across the battlefield that was strewn with bodies. He saw that the warriors of the Guards were still busy checking the bodies. These cleaners of the battlefield held their sabers and stabbed two more times at every body under their feet. Of course, they only did that for their enemies.
Going over to the broken gate of the army base, the densely packed Titan soldiers made way for the Marshal. Alan jumped off his horse. He walked with a slight limp towards the battlefield on which bodies and skulls were littered. This was the last battlefield. Deiss had repelled the three assault attempts of Titan knights and infantry at this place before him. Alan admitted that the Guards who had not experienced a true fight in a long time were vastly inferior as compared to their enemies in terms of quality.
Riding on horseback for a long time had made the joints of the old Marshal ache as though they'd been pierced. Alan moved in difficulty. Titan warriors all kneeled on the ground as the old Marshal passed by. They were paying the highest respect to their Marshal.
The circle formation of the Deiss finally had some movements. Surrounded by many Titan soldiers, a general who bathed in blood stood out.
"Chief Command of Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group. You are....."
"Marshal of Titan Empire's Guards. Van Hewitt Alan!"
"Marshal Alan!" Deiss general looked at the enemy's silver-haired Marshal in astonishment. He did not expect that he would meet the most famous war strategist in this land here, "Then... Marshal, let's begin!"
"You don't plan on surrendering?" Alan knitted his eyebrows tightly.
"I'm sorry Marshal! There is no such word in the dictionary given to the soldiers by our country."
Alan nodded. He stood his ground and saluted the enemy's commander. Chief Command of Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group immediately returned the greeting. When Alan turned around, he sighed lightly. The Deiss people… definitely possessed the courage to fight to the end!
But...… the Deiss people were slightly wary. They saw that the Titan warriors who had surrounded them from all directions were actually retreating. They even backed off until the gate of the army base. The commander of the army group carefully identified the commands given in the Titan base. All of a sudden! This general shouted as he raised his shield!
"Raise your shield! Dense formation! Block the arrows!"
Along with the command, the few remaining warriors of the Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group raised their shields above their head. They used small steps to cluster together. The circle defense formation contracted immediately. All of the shields joined together tightly. Looking from afar, this tight formation was just like a huge mushroom with iron skin. It blocked wind and rain for the people hiding within it.
That was right! It was definitely a shower of arrows! They were surrounded fully by the Titan archers, who had formed a dense, round-shaped assault net outside of the enemy's defense circle. Along with the order of the officers and the angle of the first archer, the warriors released the final wave of iron rain towards the last dredges of their enemy.
The arrows rained from the sky. The light of torches in the dark night revealed the silhouettes of the shower of arrows. Going according to their wonderful trajectories, the lethal shower fell. The clinking of arrows striking against steel rang from the shields. The impact of the arrows made the hands of the Deiss shieldbearers begin trembling slightly! The firm circle formation finally showed small holes from their weakening strength. Lucky arrows slipped into the gaps, and the unlucky warriors were falling to the ground!
The arrow barrage seemed endless! The defenders' formation was slowly crumbling. The steel arrowheads gleamed brightly in the glow of the torches and disappeared into the formation! The light of torches shining upon the eagle logos on the shields made them seem almost alive, but the screams and cursing within the shields had nothing to do with the Yaran's totem full of light. The warriors were surrounded. During the last moment before the elimination of their difficult resistance, they did not even have the chance to fight for the last time with the enemy.
Eventually! The shields were all over the ground. In the shields and bodies were multiple arrows. The huge, mushroom-like formation had been reduced to pieces of thin lotus petals. The lotus petals had all fallen on the ground. But looking from afar, one could still identify a few lively ones among the lotus petals.
Finally! The shower of arrows stopped and the battlefield resumed its tranquility!
The Titan warriors did not cheer. There was no happiness. They quietly walked into the enemy's base and turned over the bodies that have been pierced with countless arrows.
A war priest stood firmly on the last base of the enemy. He placed the Ancestral Tablet on the ground even though the side he represented had attained victory! The ones who fell were warriors that deserved to be sung for! A solemn requiem rang through the battlefield for the fallen ones that had returned to the cold night!
The Titan warriors finally came to clean the inner part of the circle formation. A lucky warrior pushed the bodies of his comrades away in a sudden movement. But there were more than ten arrows piercing into his own body!
The Titan war priest closed his eyes. He did not stop his mantra. He simply did not wish to see the enemy's final warrior's manner of passing.
This warrior shouted in a loud voice. He frenziedly waved his long sword, attempting to force aside the Titan warriors who intended to close in on him. Slowly, the waving long sword lost its target! The eyes of the warrior also lost their focus! This was the Marshal of the Deiss Kingdom Southern Border Army's Second Army Group. He kneeled on the floor because he was out of strength. This general was still letting out his battle howl. The countless bloody holes on his body were still leaking blood down the arrows. Feeling that there was someone approaching him from behind, the general slashed his sword in that direction. The Titan warriors backed off in terror. They did not dare to move forward again, thus they slowly waited for the enemy to take his last breath.
The fall night brought cool morning dew. The enemy's Marshal finally calmed down. His sword lay on the floor without strength. Only the apparent veins of his hands could show that he was still using his strength. The general let out some quick breaths. This showed that he was still trying to live, trying to battle! Slowly, his breath thinned and slowly dissipated. In the end, he was without breath.
The Titan warriors encircled him. They planned to take a good look at the face of the Deiss general. Even though he was a pitiful loser, but he was no doubt a true warrior of Deiss.
Marshal Alan walked out from among the packed warriors and looked at the general who had taken his last breath.
"Keep his sword. Take care of his body. Then..... Set up a tombstone for him at the ruins of the main building of the army base."
"Yes!" Colonel Payne Lubelly promised his Marshal with a dull expression. This night was too overwhelming for him! Payne crouched down and took a glance at the face of this general. Looking into those soulless eyes, this general seemed to see a kid in the last moment of his life. This kid was pierced by many arrows all over his body. Only his young face was saved from that. Maybe.... He had not even reached the age to drink! Colonel Payne guessed without thinking.
The Colonel then closed the eyes of the enemy's general. When he stood up, he planned to scan this hell that accepted both the living and dead. Payne believed that he could never forget all the things that happened on the night on Church Calendar Year 797 31st day of the 10th month for the rest of his life.
"Report! Sir Marshal!" a Wolfrider blocked the way of Alan, "We blocked the Deiss' injured teams at the other side of the mountain. They did not resist. Should we..."
"Alright! I did not hear anything! We will move out when it's morning. Call your officer to think of how to deal with this!"
This messenger from the Wolfriders was stunned for a moment, but he quickly understood it. The words of the Marshal had clearly shown his intention.
"Yes, Marshal! We will take care of this ourselves!" the Wolfrider said as he rode off on his horse. He ran towards his own unit.
Slowly walking over the hills, the ashes from the fire were still in the air. The air smelled like the interior of an abattoir. Burnt bodies, broken arrows, and weapons were all over the ground. The smoke that rose towards the sky not far from here signaled the end of a huge battle to the people. At this moment, only the firelight and bodies were so blinding, yet so lonely.
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Opareal Roulexberg shifted her gaze from the destructive scene. Instead, she turned toward the river surface. A large number of warriors were patrolling the river region on sampans. At the same time, the warriors at the shore were busy boarding their boat. The defense army from the nearby fortress had already closed off the entire downstream area of Laufenkamen River. They used fish nets to scoop up the possible bodies that might be in the river.
"I have already contacted the Supreme High Command!" Eisenstein stood by his wife's side, but his careful demeanor did not seem fitting for a husband, "The whole country will enter a battle-ready state in the morning. The upstream area of Laufenkamen River will also be closed off soon. They will definitely not make it to the Ollier Federation! I have also confirmed on the other side of the palace that His Majesty is currently not in danger! Other than that..... With just our current armed forces, it's not enough to close off the castle's nearby areas. The Supreme High Command has already arranged for the Teutonic Knights to come here. Latest by this afternoon, we can completely control..."
"Alright!" Opareal suddenly interrupted her husband's report, "It has already been more than an hour! If there are still people submerged in the river, they should already be dead. However, there is not even one floating body, and even the guards that closed off the riverside have not found any survivors! What does this mean?"
Eisenstein had no choice but to lower his head, "This means that... This means that it is highly possible that they made it onshore and ran away! I am about to arrange for men to search thoroughly along the riverside and towards downstream. But.... If the Teutonic Knights do not come, our armed forces are not enough to completely close off the entire area...."
"No more explanation! Do something about it!" Opareal almost roared.
Eisenstein did not reply. He turned around and went away. A guard reined in a horse for the Duke. Eisenstein got on the horse. He suddenly hesitated!
"I remember... I instructed you to stay in your room. But you... wearing that and joining the battle...."
"What are you trying to say?" Opareal glared at her husband.
"Urgh..." Eisenstein pursed his lips. Some things could not be said by men. "It's okay... Forget about it!" The bitter Duke turned around and rode his horse off.
Opareal shifted her gaze to her hometown. This place was no longer familiar to her. This was a burning hell!
"Your Highness! How should we deal with this guy?" Harriens rushed over with a ferocious look. Behind this head of agents were a few tall knights. They were pulling a human body which still had a faint hint of breath.
Opareal turned around and glanced at this old hostage, "What is your name?"
The hostage simply laughed coldly, but the Deiss warriors immediately struck him hard on his waist with the sword hilt, "Answer the question of the Her Highness the Heir!"
"Doramy Basinger!" the old man mumbled this resentfully.
The Princess came forward, "Are you the knight of that Prince?"
"No!" Doramy turned his head away and spat blood, "I am his friend. We are all his friends, but that does not include that traitor! But... this damn kid actually forgot about me when he climbed on shore. He went into the forest alone!"
"Did you hear that?" Opareal suddenly shouted in a loud voice, "He is in the forest. Go get him quickly!"
Harriens came forward. He used the whip in his hand to strike at the back of the King of Sins.
"Your Highness, this guy is not honest at all. Maybe he is lying!"
Opareal glared at him. "I don't need you to teach me how to do things! Organize your subordinates to carefully search the few forests nearby."
"Yes!" Harriens could only bow and answer.
"Spare his life. It will be useful!" Opareal instructed during the last minute, then she left the crowd. Under the protection of the Paladins, she walked towards the direction of the castle.
"Old man! You belong to me now!" Harriens let out a coarse laugh.
Doramy spat. The bloody spit flew towards the excited head of agents.
"Alright!" when Harriens wiped away the bloodied liquid, his hypocritical face had already become deformed, "Take good care of our guest!"
DeKTer's fighters rushed forward. They waved an iron club with needles on it and brutally smacked it down onto his back, and used a long whip with iron plates upon it to flog that downed man who was already covered in injuries.
"Ah..." Aeolia let out an uncontrollable shout. Snowstorm covered the woman's mouth tightly in a sudden movement.
The barking of a wolfdog and the shout of the knights could be heard from the riverside!
"There's something there!"
"Quick! Look over there!"
This was a steep hill that was higher than the riverside. The otters had dug up the bottom of the hill under the water. These aquatic animals had constructed a simple yet hidden lair. Under the protection of the withered grass and speedwell, the people on the riverside could not see the situation under the hill at all.
Snowstorm, Black Devil, Oscar and Aeolia, the four survivors, were hidden in the otters' lair. They did not dare to move a bit. They did not even dare to breathe. Snowstorm had just yanked out the arrow in Aeolia's shoulder. He was still internally complaining even now. Doing this for little Oscar, the subject had simply frowned; but this woman actually let out a 'deafening' shriek! Oh god!
Deiss' huge wolfdog was still barking crazily at the river surface. A warrior had already closed off this region of the river. All of a sudden! A sudden sound of water dripping attracted the attention of the people. An adult otter jumped into the water all of a sudden.
"God! It's just an animal. There is nothing here!" a warrior complained in a loud voice as he shook his fire torch.
"Let's go over that side!" the officer in the team finally gave the orders.
Only when the barking had stopped did Paul let go of Aya's mouth. Aeolia's hair was messy. She was as pale as the legendary fierce ghost! She took in huge breaths while blood from her stomach and chest still trickled from the side of her lips.
Oscar was held steady only with the help of Black Devil. His face had no color at all. The focus of his eyes was not clear as well. This Prince who seemed as if he would drop dead anytime held Aya's head all of a sudden.
"Why are you stupid to the extent of jumping into the river? Don't you know that was suicide?"
"I only wanted to save you! If you want to scold me, go ahead!" Aya said this with difficulty.
Oscar's gaze on Aya was extremely complicated. He wanted to say something, but he found himself completely out of strength.
"Alright! Now is not the time for this!" Paul interrupted the two young people who were exchanging aggrieved glances, "We must leave this place as soon as possible! We must think of a way to live!"
"Where else can we go?" Black Devil looked around them carefully, "The Deiss have closed off the river and the riverside. We will be found once we leave this den."
Paul glared at the Royal Assassin impatiently, "Who said we are going up? We are going underwater!"
"Underwater?" Black Devil was completely lost.
"That is right!" Paul pointed to the place below the lair of the otters, "Do you know that? Just as the design of castles like Lombardy Castle will prevent the people from getting trapped, there will usually a well that connects to the underwater tunnel to ensure the water supply in the castle. The exit of that well is right below this place!"
"Are you sure?" Black Devil looked at the King of Sins in doubt.
"You don't have the right to doubt me!" Paul scoffed, "I escaped from the castle using that exact well. How else would I be able to save you guys from the blockade of the Deiss?"
"Then..... Then what do you plan to do?" Shaw Curlink suddenly realized that there seemed to be no need to think about too many questions when he followed Paul.
"Too simple! Go back to Lombardy Castle from this underwater tunnel. That well is in the basement. I've checked it previously. That basement has been abandoned for a long time. No one will find us there! The most dangerous place is the safest place of all. The Deiss will definitely not believe that we will dive back into the castle again! Moreover, such castles will definitely have its own secret passage to run away...."
"Wait a second! Wait....." The Black Devil could not help but interrupted Paul. "Are you fucking crazy or dumb? Diving back into the castle from here? This place is one kilometer away from the castle in a straight line distance! Who knows what that distance will be in that underwater tunnel? It seems that there's no need for the Deiss! We will all drown to out death here. Can anyone dive for one kilometer?"
"You idiot! How can you be an assassin without a little imagination?" Paul hit Black Devil, "I can't fucking understand how did 13 and I lose to people like you!"
"We can dive back into the castle using this!" Paul said as he took out a huge water bag from his waist, "Blow enough air into it. The air is enough for me to make a return trip! I estimate.... It's about the same for four of us!"
"Around the same?" The Black Devil got angry again! "What if it's not enough? The Prince and this lady are injured! If....."
"Alright!" Oscar suddenly let out a shout. "I know a secret passage that leads to the outside of the castle. Going there is our only choice!"
Black Devil no longer said anything. The moving lights at the faraway riverside had already shown that the Deiss people were about to swim over to this side!
"Then it is decided!" Paul used all of his strength to inflate the water bag.
Oscar did not say anything. He simply searched a bit in the water. Finally, he found Aya's hand.
"Just now...… You did not let me go. Then at the next moment, I will not let you go!"
Thinking about the dark water tunnel, the far distance and the water bag that gradually expanded that would support the breathing of four people, Aya finally nodded weakly.
"Promise me! Do your best and live!" Oscar kissed the Countess. He gave a breath to Aya that signified survival!
As the light of fire shone into this den, a sampan created ripples in the water outside. The Deiss warriors stared closely at this hole that was large enough to hide a few people, but except for a few water ripples, they did not find anything.
