novelnext Chapter 455 - 428: Two Orioles
Chapter 455 - 428: Two Orioles
The central manor on Screaming Island.
MacLaren, the acting patriarch of the Fleming Clan, channeled his Ice Power as he tore the letter in his hands to shreds.
A conspirator’s smile played on his lips. "I thought Jesus would be the one to strike first, but I never expected Wushan Castle to make a move before him."
"My lord, what should we do then?" Joss Knight asked.
MacLaren walked to the window, gazing out at the distant sea. "Wushan Territory has been mobilizing its troops for the past two months. Most of them went to Shore City, with some heading to Purple Thunder Territory and Sharp Horn City. Very few remain in Wubei Territory now, to say nothing of Rapids Island."
As he saw it, the entire northern part of Wushan Territory was virtually defenseless.
"Prepare a ship with a Magic Energy Cannon and send it to Ronin’s Wubei Port. Blow that new harbor to pieces."
"My lord, should we land and occupy that area?"
"No need. Wubei Territory is a poor backwater. We wouldn’t be able to loot much even if we did land, and besides, we couldn’t possibly hold that territory long-term."
The Black Gold Brotherhood has a vast hinterland to act as a buffer, but Wubei Territory is bordered by the sea to its north.
Even if he sent men to occupy the land, he wouldn’t be able to send many.
As soon as Ronin returns to his territory, he’s certain to send forces to attack. At that point, my men would have no choice but to retreat.
"Have Viscount Patridge take command of the remaining five ships. Disguise them well and have them all set sail for Rapids Island!"
Joss thumped his chest. "Yes, my lord!"
MacLaren’s eyes narrowed. ’Rapids Island was supposed to be mine. It was only by a fluke that Bruno granted it to Ronin as a baronial fief.’
’Now, after all this, it’s finally coming back to me.’
’Although Ronin has probably dealt with Laren by now, Laren already revealed the island’s military strength to me. Ronin only stationed a single Knight Squad there, led by Karda.’
’Five warships, all equipped with Magic Energy Cannons... Even Karda won’t be able to withstand that.’
Meanwhile, a short while later, Andrea also received a letter from Jesus.
’Ference’s troops have arrived at Moonlight City, and Screaming Island is probably making its move as well. Lurans, even if you win the battle for Moonlight Valley, you and your precious grandson will pay a terrible price!’
He summoned Order Officer Zack. "Tell the Black Gold Brotherhood it’s time for them to make their move!"
"Yes, my lord!"
He had recently reinforced the Black Gold Brotherhood, which had retreated to Black Pine Mountain, sending over a considerable number of freelance Knights and soldiers.
Just beyond Black Pine Mountain lay Ronin’s Purple Thunder Territory, a land perfect for growing grain and raising horses—and one that Andrea was very interested in.
’Heh heh... Lurans, as an old acquaintance, it’s only right that I send a grand ’gift’ your way!’
Neither Screaming Island nor the Villa Duchy possessed the same determination and courage as Wushan Castle.
The pirates and the Brotherhood were both disreputable organizations. Although their numbers had been expanded to the point where they were comparable to a regular army in both quantity and quality, their leaders lacked conviction.
If they truly wanted to carve up Wushan Territory, they needed to show the same courage as Ronin and Lurans—to risk the infamy of invading a noble’s land and lead an attack with the majority of their forces. Only then would Ronin’s defenses be overwhelmed.
But instead, they preferred to feed their troops in piecemeal.
「Time flew by, and soon the day Ronin and Ridder had set for their attack on Moonlight Valley arrived.」
At ten in the morning, the two armies converged on the plains outside Moonlight City.
The combined force consisted of five Knight Orders. Not even counting the regular cavalry and infantry, there were over six hundred Knights who had awakened their Fighting Qi Spirit Seeds. Adding to that, there were seven powerful High Tier Transcendents, including Ronin and Ridder. Though the Alliance Army was small, its combat prowess was formidable.
Everyone was already familiar with the specifics of fighting the Witch Soul Race, so their discussion focused on the method of attack.
On this point, Ronin already had a plan.
"Mephisto has left seventy to eighty thousand Witch Soul Soldiers to guard each of the two smaller towns, to say nothing of their main base in Moonlight City."
Ronin gazed at the sturdy city walls before them. Attacking this prosperous city with conventional methods would be exceedingly difficult.
Furthermore, the enemy forces inside the city numbered well over one hundred thousand—a truly massive number.
If they got bogged down, Ronin and the other elites might be fine, but the weaker Knights would be in a terrible position. They could easily be swarmed and killed by the Witch Soul Soldiers transformed from ordinary people.
Therefore, Ronin had two problems to solve: first, breaching the city walls, and second, suppressing the enemy’s numbers.
"For this battle, Sophia and I will form the vanguard. Ridder, and you, Grandpa, will be in charge of leading the second wave."
Lurans frowned. "What are you planning to do?"
He would rather lead the charge himself than let Ronin take such a risk.
"Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’m just creating a diversion. Sophia will be the one delivering the main blow."
"Oh?"
Lurans looked toward Sophia.
She smiled faintly and said, "The key to the attack lies in my Forbidden Magic."
Sophia explained the entire plan she and Ronin had devised, setting everyone’s minds at ease.
Forbidden Magic was the term for spells used by a Legendary Mage, and it was Sophia’s crucial self-preservation ability.
It was the source of her confidence when she had entered the Golden Feather Palace all alone.
Meanwhile, within the walls of Moonlight City, countless Witch Soul Knights and Witch Soul Soldiers stood at the ready in a classic display of human-wave tactics.
In addition, Magic-Enchanted Archers and Magic Energy Cannons were in position.
Atop a distant mountain, Jesus couldn’t help but grin as he watched the battle of this scale unfold.
"You’ve already promoted Hornasan to Silver Moon Knight. With him leading so many Witch Soul Knights and soldiers to guard the city gates, Lurans and Ronin’s paltry forces probably won’t even make it onto the walls."
Mephisto let out a sinister smile. For him, winning was ideal, but if they lost, he could just run away, relocate, and rebuild.
Therefore, whether he won or lost this war wasn’t particularly important to him. All that mattered was creating chaos and conflict.
Time passed slowly. After finishing their rations and water, Ronin and his party advanced to a position about six hundred meters from the city wall.
Ridder, Lurans, and the other elites stood at the very front, ready to defend against the enemy’s Magic Energy Cannons.
Ronin looked up at the top of the wall. He saw the Witch Soul Knights, and his senses told him that their strength was not to be underestimated.
"It’ll be up to you in a moment, Sophia."
"Go on, don’t worry!"
Sophia said, "Leave this to me!"
Ronin took a deep breath. His Fighting Qi Armor materialized over his body, and the Wind’s Wings flared to life on his back.
SWOOSH!
He shot into the sky, flying straight toward Moonlight City.
"Fire!"
Atop the wall, Hornasan raised his longsword and roared.
Immediately, the Magic-Enchanted Archers in the city drew their bows and loosed a volley at Ronin.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Hundreds of Magic Energy Arrows streaked in a dense cloud toward Ronin, moving so fast they created sonic booms as they tore through the air.
Ronin was flying at an altitude of less than three hundred meters. Although he was within range of the Magic Energy Arrows, he was at the very edge of their maximum distance.
He summoned the Wall of Sighs, blocking every arrow that came at him, and a continuous PINGING and PANGING filled the air.
But not a single Magic Energy Arrow could penetrate the Wall of Sighs, a Sixth-level Magic spell, leaving Ronin completely unharmed.
’Come on, let me show you some real magic!’
Ronin began to cast his spell.
Sensing the shift in the world’s Elemental Power, Hornasan once again gave an order from the top of the wall: "All Magic Energy Cannons, bombard him!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Magic Energy Cannons roared, their reports blending together like rolling thunder.
A smile touched Ronin’s lips. He stopped casting his spell and immediately gained altitude, dodging the volleys from the Magic Energy Cannons.
At that exact moment, hearing the thunderous reports, Sophia used her Spiritual Power to unfurl a Magic Scroll before her, aiming it toward the city wall hundreds of meters away.
Ronin’s feint had successfully drawn the attention of the Witch Soul Knights on the wall, leaving them no time to defend against Sophia’s attack.
In her right hand, she held a pale blue pendant.
As her Spiritual Power permeated it, a powerful wave of energy surged from the Ice Blue Pendant and into Sophia’s body.
It was transferring the vast amount of Magic Power she needed for the spell.
Sophia raised her left hand and pressed it against the floating Magic Scroll.
VMMMMM—
In that instant, all the Fire Elements in the world surged toward the Magic Scroll. The concentration of power was so dense that even an ordinary person could see it clearly.
Sophia’s red lips parted as she whispered, "Forbidden Magic, Dragon’s Breath!"
BOOM!
A terrifying pressure descended, so immense that even the expression of the world-weary Lurans, who had seen countless battles, changed drastically.
It was the pressure of the Legendary Level. Everyone felt like a lone boat caught in an ocean maelstrom, in danger of being torn to shreds at any moment!
FWOOSH—
Crimson flames erupted from the scroll, forming a raging firestorm. It looked just like the Dragon Breath spewed by a Legendary Giant Dragon as it crossed the six-hundred-meter distance in the blink of an eye and slammed viciously into the city wall!