Three days after the second prince arrived at Broken Dragon Fortress.
"The emissary sent to Lampard's military camp has returned."
Standing on the fortress wall, Commander Sonia Sasere stared solemnly at the front of the fortress.
"Chapman replied that he is waiting for Your Highness' arrival.
"I'm afraid you will have to leave for the north today."
Thales was lying on his stomach in front of the observation window on the city wall, looking at the wide snow-colored plains in the north.
He could vaguely see the continuous expanse of a vast military camp. The iron fist flag representing the Lampard Family of Black Sand Region was erected there. There were also quite a number of military camps hidden beyond his sight, with smoke rising from the chimneys in the distance.
"Waiting for my 'arrival' with thousands of people?" Thales sighed. "I didn't know I was so popular."
The Fortress Flower turned her head and said to Thales, "Chapman Lampard is the Archduke of Eckstedt, which borders Constellation. After the Eckstedt Diplomat Group was assassinated, he quickly mobilized the vassals of Black Sand Region. Within a few days, he gathered an army of more than ten thousand people and approached the border.
"They have already been stationed there for two weeks. At first, they were just observing and deterring him. But in the last three days, Lampard began to send small troops to clear out the main roads around the area. He even plundered two villages and fought against our patrol troops a few times … We had no choice but to reduce the range of the mounted sentries and retreat to the perimeter of the fortress. "
Thales felt a bone-piercing chill. He rubbed his hands together and exhaled a breath of warm air into his palms. "I have already arrived at the fortress, and the Jadestar Family's Nine-Pointed Star Flag has also been raised … Why hasn't he withdrawn his troops? He obviously doesn't have an excuse to invade Constellation anymore. "
Behind Thales, Putray raised his eyebrows. "Based on Chapman Lampard's unique life, he is a standard gambler. One of the characteristics of a gambler is that he is unwilling to turn back even at the last moment when he loses and leaves the game."
"So my arrival has no effect on this gambler?" Thales snorted. "Even in a situation where he is bound to lose, he still wants to place his bet?"
"Not necessarily," Putray answered seriously.
"What we were most worried about was the other two archdukes who shared a border with Constellation — Trentida of Reformation Tower and Olsius of Prestige Orchid Region — sending their troops. The three archdukes and even more of Eckstedt's vassals gathered their military forces to oppress the Lonely Old Tower, the Watchtower, and Cold Castle, who were mutually supportive of the fortress. In a situation where they could not provide reinforcements, they attacked the isolated Broken Dragon Fortress at all costs. Eckstedt's soldiers are more suited to the cold winter compared to our reinforcements from the north, be it in terms of physical strength or quality. "
"If they manage to take this place, they only need to wait for the coldest Day before the Bitter Cold Winter to pass." Sonia continued Putray's words. "Then, at the beginning of next spring, they will use the fortress as their base of operations and march south en masse — just like they did eleven or twelve years ago."
Putray nodded.
"But after you left for the north as an envoy, the two archdukes have yet to appear … This means that we have completed half of our mission. In the coming Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter, Archduke Lampard cannot rely on his own ten thousand men to take down the fortress before his supplies run out."
"He has already lost."
Putray said faintly.
"In that case, I am afraid that the other half of our mission — completely eliminating the war disaster between the two kingdoms — will have to be completed by me personally walking up to King Nuven, right?" Thales shrugged in resignation.
"First, I have to pass through Archduke Lampard's military camp. There are more than ten thousand strong and energetic Northland men waiting for me there. They have nowhere to vent their energy."
Putray shook his head. "Lampard does not dare to endanger your safety … Attacking the fortress to invade the Northern Territory and plotting to kill the heir to fight against Constellation are two different concepts."
"Lampard may not dare to do so, but his opponents might be happy to see such a thing happen … We still have to be careful." Sonia flashed a hearty smile. "Arracca will bring his Fury Guards and escort you to the entrance of Lampard's military camp."
"Arracca?" Thales recalled the aggressive and dangerous man and the disdainful gaze he had when he looked at him. He shook his head. "Are you sure he is willing to do this?"
"I do not deny that I hate him." Sonia snorted coldly. "But he is indeed the one who has fought against the Eckstedtians the most on the battlefield.
"Moreover, he insisted on this. Originally, I planned to let Miranda …"
Thales could not help but be stunned.
'Insisted on escorting me?'
He began to recall the man's appearance again … Arracca Murkh.
'What a familiar name.
I must have heard it somewhere before. '
At this moment, a black-haired swordswoman slowly walked up the city wall. She bowed slightly to Sonia without any expression on her face. "The diplomat group's team is ready. Please send someone to make the final confirmation, Your Highness."
Even though the swordswoman addressed Thales as' Your Highness', she did not look in Thales' direction nor did she bow to him.
"Hmm." Sonia nodded and turned to look at Thales and Putray.
Beside her, Putray sighed. "I will go with you … Miss Arunde."
Thales was startled again.
'Arunde …'
The swordswoman, Miranda Arunde nodded stiffly and followed Putray down the city wall.
She still did not look at Thales.
"Don't mind her." Sonia smiled faintly. "Miranda is Duke Arunde's only daughter. Her father was imprisoned in the capital. Her family was humiliated because of this. It is normal for her to hold a grudge against you."
"Oh." Thales nodded awkwardly. "I seem to have heard from Wya that there is a particularly famous female Swordsman of Eradication in the fortress. I heard that she is a 'seed' of the Tower of Eradication …"
"She is a 'seed'." Sonia looked at Miranda's back and sighed. "The Tower of Eradication has a large number of battle skills and inheritances of the Power of Eradication from before the Battle of Eradication. Most of them are swordsmanship. Its inheritors are still continuously developing new swordsmanship, skills, and even the Power of Eradication. They are training generation after generation of controllers of the Power of Eradication for the human world. Only a few of the most outstanding students can be given the title of 'seed', such as Miranda."
Thales looked at Sonia and frowned slightly.
'The Power of Eradication.
'The supernatural power that humans awakened on their own.
'Another piece of news worth paying attention to.
'What does it have to do with my fluctuations?'
Sonia did not know what Thales was thinking. She continued to say helplessly, "But even so, Miranda is still in a difficult situation recently.
"After Duke Arunde was imprisoned, the Northern Territory was managed by a few of her father's most trusted vassals. They are waiting for her to return after the crisis is over … But a few of Arunde's cousins and nephews are covetously eyeing the right to inherit the Duke of the Northern Territory.
"Fortunately, although Val Arunde is imprisoned, he is still the Duke of the Northern Territory. His Majesty did not charge him with treason, nor did he strip him of his title and territory. He only accused him of murdering a foreign political figure. This is a little consolation."
Sonia sighed deeply. "It is just that I did not expect him to do such a thing. You know, Val has always been our backup in Broken Dragon Fortress for more than ten years.
"He is a coward!"
At this moment, a sonorous but unsettling voice rang from afar.
"Compared to his heroic brothers, Val Arunde is a complete coward. He is a disgrace to his blood-related brothers … They risked their lives to protect His Highness Horace and did not take a single step back." Arracca Murkh's figure slowly walked up from the bottom of the city wall. His face was filled with impatience.
"In comparison, twelve years ago, that Duke Val was scared out of his wits by the Eckstedtian bastards … He actually still believed in trash like Lampard.
"In my opinion, the only good thing he did was to kill that Prince of Eckstedt."
"At least this time, you only said that after Miranda left." Sonia covered her forehead and sighed. "Should I thank you for being considerate and taking care of her feelings?"
"Her feelings?" Arracca snorted coldly. "Do I look like someone who will consider these things?"
Thales rolled his eyes in his heart. 'Why does this guy always look like someone owes him money?'
Sonia snorted softly. "What do you want this time?"
Arracca gave her a disdainful look.
"I came to look for this brat." Arracca's fierce gaze landed on Thales, making the latter slightly nervous. "The three hundred Fury Guards are ready … If you really want to go to Eckstedt to die, at least don't make me wait too long."
Thales could not help but ask, "It seems like you are not very satisfied with my trip north, Baron Murkh. Then, why are you still sending me to Lampard's military camp?"
Sonia heaved a sigh of relief.
Arracca fixed his gaze on Thales, making the latter a little anxious.
"Because I owe Jadestar a favor." After a while, he slowly said, "And you, annoying, dawdling brat, happen to have the surname Jadestar."
After saying that, Arracca turned around and left without looking back.
"We will depart in the afternoon.
Stop dawdling. "
Thales and Sonia watched Arracca's figure disappear into the distance.
"Do not misunderstand," Sonia said to Thales sarcastically, "That is his unique way of saying 'hello'. You know, Arracca is a little shy."
'Shy?'
Thales could not help but stick out his tongue.
"Is it because of the difference in ideals?" Thales suddenly asked.
"Hmm?" Sonia revealed a puzzled expression.
"The dispute and discord between you and Baron Murkh does not seem to be a specific grudge," Thales said quietly as he pondered.
"Also, what you said about him and my uncle, Prince Horace …" Thales hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Even though he seems rather annoying, Arracca does not seem like someone who would stab someone in the back."
Sonia was silent for a second.
"Those were indeed words spoken out of anger." Sonia smiled bitterly and said, "Back then, it was Arracca who led the remaining troops and fought his way out of Eckstedt's tight encirclement while bathed in blood. He snatched Prince Horace's remains.
"Before the 'Fortress Treaty', the Starlight Brigade headed north to meet up with the remaining remnants of the kingdom's army. They fought three fierce battles against Eckstedt in the Northern Territory, the Land of Cliffs, and Central Territory without caring about the casualties. We suffered heavy losses, but the other party also suffered heavy casualties. I saw it with my own eyes. Arracca was on the verge of madness. His impact and lethality on the battlefield made even Eckstedt's most proud heavy swordsmen fearful … I think this is also the reason why Eckstedt was willing to sit down and negotiate in the end. "
Thales was shocked.
'That impatient looking man is actually …'
"As for ideals, that's right." Sonia sighed and said, "John, your father's uncle, the Starlight Brigade's combat principle is to be steady and cautious, to try their best to protect themselves, to move forward flexibly, and to wait for an opportunity to attack.
"However, Prince Horace's army is known for being merciless and having harsh military rules. Under his command, Arracca is even more used to fighting tough battles and bloody battles. Due to the high number of casualties, Arracca's army always has a large number of new soldiers, but he only keeps those tough men who can withstand blood and death … "
Sonia shook her head. "I don't understand why His Majesty put the two of us together. We can't even reach an agreement on how to advance or retreat on the battlefield."
"Perhaps this is the King's true purpose," Thales suddenly said.
Under Sonia's puzzled gaze, Thales raised his head. "When defending the fortress for a long period of time, he needs a chief commander who is steady and cautious. However, when Eckstedt's army presses on the border, he needs someone who can fight tough battles head-on."
Sonia raised her head and glanced at him.
"Perhaps." Sonia chuckled softly. "They are right. You are indeed not like an ordinary child. His Majesty did not choose you to head north without reason."
"Ahem …"
Thales scratched his head awkwardly and tried to find something to change the topic. "Oh yes, with such a glorious battle record, why is Arracca not very famous?"
Sonia was completely stunned for a moment.
"Not very famous?" Sonia widened her eyes and stared at him with an expression that said 'how is this possible'.
Thales narrowed his eyes in puzzlement.
"No." Sonia came to her senses and shook her head with a smile. "You definitely know him, even if you don't know his real name."
Under Thales' confused gaze, Sonia raised her head and looked at the Eckstedt military camp in the distance. Her eyes shone brightly.
"From the beggars to the King, every Constellatiate knows him.
"At least, they know his nickname."
Thales widened his eyes in shock.
'Everyone knows …'
At that moment, he knew who Arracca Murkh was.
Under Ramon's' treatment ', Chora's injuries had stabilized. However, he obviously could not follow them to the north.
"Yes, we need to replenish our entourage."
Behind them were Wya, who was wrapped in bandages, Ralf, whose arm was in splints, and Aida, who was still extremely dispirited because of the cold.
"At least there are some benefits … The ones we replenish from the fortress are veterans who have been on the battlefield for a long time. They are not the private soldiers from the Jadestar Family's manor who are mainly trained in single combat and protection …"
Thales stared at the thirty veterans in front of him who stood with stern postures and firm gazes. They were equipped with weapons ranging from swords and shields, bows, pikes and axes.
The former duke's personal guard of the Starlight Brigade, Genard, stood resolutely at the front, causing Thales to be a little stunned.
Putray continued to speak.
"Thanks to your trial under the gallows, many veterans are willing to join our diplomat group … even though many of them think that our journey is very dangerous."
They walked past the last row of soldiers. A black-haired young man with two pikes waved at him happily.
Thales frowned. "Veteran?"
"He insisted on coming." Putray looked at the cheerful Willow Ken and spread his hands. "But there are only twenty-nine veterans among the volunteers. The rest are new recruits. If I want to gather thirty volunteers, at least this new recruit who owes you a favor is more reliable." Putray looked at the cheerful Willow Ken.
Thales smiled at Willow. "At least they gave him a new pair of weapons."
Putray shrugged. There were many broken pikes in the warehouse. It was not difficult to cut a pair of short pikes.
"But that suspicious doctor … Do you really want to bring him along?" Putray turned his head to look at Ramon. He pursed his lips and shook his head. "I thought you had learned your lesson from the Duke of Iris Flowers …"
Ramon was cowering in the group. He inadvertently raised his head and saw Thales' gaze. He was slightly shocked and immediately lowered his head.
"Don't worry, I have asked about his background and made an agreement with him." Thales stared at Ramon with a complicated gaze. "And he did save Chora."
'Strange doctor.
'The power in his hands.
'If my guess is correct, then it is …
'I need to know more.'
"If you have no more questions, Your Highness, according to the agreed time, it is time to depart." Sonia walked over from afar. Behind her was a cold-looking Miranda.
"Arracca has already chosen three hundred sword-and-shield soldiers of the Fury Guards." The Fortress Flower squatted down and patted Thales' shoulder. But this time, she used a little more force. "I am sorry, but I cannot bring more people. There are only three thousand people in the fortress, but Arracca has chosen all the old soldiers under his command."
She gestured with her chin at the lightly armored man who was carrying a bow and arrows on his back. He was obviously impatient. "They will escort you all the way to the border."
Thales exhaled a mouthful of mist and stepped on the snow that belonged to Constellation.
He raised his head and said quietly, "Of course."
Sonia nodded at him.
The Second Prince of Constellation flashed a relaxed smile at the group.
"Let us depart.
Follow me to see the Dragon's Kingdom! "
Hence, the Double Cross-Shaped Star Flag that represented Constellation and the Nine-Pointed Star Flag that represented the Jadestar Family were erected at the same time.
Wya mounted the Northland horse with broad hooves unique to the North and pulled Thales onto the saddle.
"I will hold the reins properly with my life, Your Highness," Wya said solemnly, "Please do not worry about your safety."
Thales nodded naturally. "Then I will leave it to you, attendant." He was already used to Wya's attitude of 'using too much force'.
Putray and a few of the remaining Jadestar private soldiers who were trained to ride horses rode on the remaining horses.
Ralf was obviously not suited to ride a horse. For some reason, Aida shook her head violently the moment she saw a horse.
Arracca rode the horse and walked to Thales' side. The sword-and-shield soldiers behind him followed with stern expressions.
"Don't be so scared that you wet your pants, brat," Arracca said coldly, "I heard from the people on duty that Eckstedt has prepared a welcoming ceremony for us."
'Huh?'
Thales was startled.
Before he could react, he heard Arracca shout at the gate rope above his head.
"Open the gate!"
As the sound of metal rubbing against the hinges rang out, the North Gate of Broken Dragon Fortress slowly rose.
Thales took a deep breath. He followed the Constellation Diplomat Group, which consisted of less than forty people, and the escort team of more than three hundred people. They slowly walked out of Broken Dragon Fortress and headed north.
They first passed by the five fortresses to the north of Broken Dragon Fortress. The soldiers on the fortresses had their bows drawn and were ready for battle.
However, Thales soon understood what Arracca meant by the 'welcoming ceremony'.
Many people suddenly appeared on the vast expanse of white snow before their eyes.
Or rather, Eckstedt's army.
There were six battalions of infantrymen. They formed an 'eight' on both sides of the road in front of them.
Putray's pupils shrank. There were nearly four hundred infantrymen in each battalion. In other words, there were more than two thousand Eckstedt infantrymen waiting for them to head north.
The people in the diplomat group could not help but become nervous. Wya tightened his grip on the reins.
"This is our welcoming ceremony?" Thales looked at the Eckstedt army formation not far away from them with an unpleasant expression on his face. "They really crossed the border …"
He turned around and glanced at the fortress. Sonia's figure could be faintly seen.
Arracca, who was walking in front, turned around and said to his soldiers in a deep voice, "Get ready for battle. Do not relax."
Putray furrowed his brows and said, "Maybe it's a show of force, but they don't have to get into formation in front of the fortress … Waiting for us to enter Eckstedt's military camp will have the same effect."
"I have a bad feeling about this," Thales said with a pale face.
"So you want to retreat, little prince?" Arracca said sarcastically, "It's not too late to turn back now."
Thales closed his eyes and exhaled. Then, he opened his eyes. "Let's continue moving forward."
"Don't worry," Putray said in a deep voice, "Lampard will not be so stupid as to kill the prince and heir of Constellation's envoy in front of everyone at the border of the two kingdoms.
"As long as we do not do anything provocative and give the other party an excuse."
They advanced slowly until they entered the area of the 'eight'.
"They did not say that such a thing would happen …" In the group, Ramon anxiously nudged a black-haired soldier beside him. "The diplomat group should be fine, right?"
"Huh?" Willow Ken was stunned for a moment before he reacted. He smiled and patted Ramon's shoulder. "Don't worry! I met them before … Eckstedt's soldiers are quite nice. "
"Quite nice?" Ramon was startled, but Willow's next words made his face turn ashen.
"If they want to kill you, their swords are very sharp, and they will not dawdle. You will not suffer."
At this moment, the six battalions of infantrymen began to move slowly.
The people in the diplomat group immediately became nervous!
But fortunately, the Eckstedt soldiers did not walk towards them.
On the left and right sides of the diplomat group, the two Eckstedtian battalions at the front advanced slowly. They almost brushed past the diplomat group. Thales could even see the Northland soldiers' beards and yellow teeth.
They looked boorish and fierce. The tall soldiers were usually equipped with large axes or huge spiked hammers.
The Eckstedtians also turned their heads to look at Constellation's diplomat group with hostile expressions.
* Thud … thud … thud … *
The sound of heavy footsteps on the snow-covered ground could be heard in a disorderly manner. But the momentum of more than two thousand people from all directions made the densely packed footsteps sound rather shocking to the ears.
They walked past the diplomat group on both sides.
Thales' expression froze.
It was the first time he faced an army of thousands. He was a little flustered.
But he was not the only one.
Even the sword-and-shield soldiers of the Fury Guards could not help but become nervous.
* Thud … thud … thud … *
"Steady yourself," Arracca said in a low voice.
The anxious Thales wanted to calm himself down, so he turned his head and saw the Northland soldiers on both sides clearly.
From their armor, weapons, movements, to their march, Eckstedt's infantry battalion was obviously not as orderly and uniform as Constellation's square formation. Some of them held axes and wore chain armor, some held one-handed swords and only wore breastplates, some held shields and spears, and there were even sword-and-shield soldiers who were similar to Constellation's sword-and-shield soldiers. But Thales could clearly feel that these infantrymen were different from Constellation's infantrymen.
They all had one thing in common: their gazes were unfriendly, their expressions were fierce, their auras were threatening, and their expressions were filled with contempt and disdain.
These infantrymen raised the flag that represented the Lampard Family with the pattern of an iron fist. But they occasionally rubbed, knocked, and swung their weapons as if they were demonstrating their strength. They were murderous, like wild beasts that would go berserk at any time.
* Thud … thud … thud … *
'That's not right.'
Thales told himself in his heart.
'If this is a demonstration …'
"They are all light infantrymen, at least according to Northland's standards.
"Eckstedt's famous two-handed heavy sword infantrymen, heavy-armored axemen, and even Northland's heavy cavaliers are not here. Not even the light cavaliers are here."
Putray pondered deeply and said slowly, "If it were those troops at the back, it would be too easy for them to kill us … If it's the light infantrymen, they should just be demonstrating their strength."
"Then, why don't they use the other powerful troops to demonstrate their strength?" Thales furrowed his brows tightly and asked, "A group of heavy infantrymen trampling on us with a shocking momentum … Wouldn't the effect be better?"
Putray also furrowed his brows.
'It's really strange …'
* Thud … thud … thud … *
"Don't let your guard down!" Arracca Murkh's voice rang.
"Even if there are more than two thousand light infantrymen, if they were to swarm us, it would be enough to chop us into pieces in half an hour." Arracca tightened the silver-black metal bow on his back.
He turned his head and said coldly, "In a battlefield with thousands of soldiers and horses, without support and protection, a supreme class elite would not be able to last more than a quarter of an hour."
However, in the next moment, the situation completely changed.
The six Eckstedtian brigades moved slowly. After the first two brigades passed them, they suddenly changed direction at the command of their officers and met up with the other two brigades.
* Thud … thud … thud … *
The disorderly footsteps of two thousand people could be heard continuously!
Eckstedt's light infantrymen surrounded them and slowly formed the shape of an 'eight'.
"They are surrounding us!" Wya roared furiously, "What is the meaning of this?"
Putray stared at the Eckstedtians before him in shock.
On the other hand, Thales looked into the distance in disbelief, trying to see what was in front of him clearly.
'Impossible.'
"Stop!" Arracca roared furiously and stopped the entire diplomat group and the escort team. "Form up on the spot!"
Even though they were nervous and apprehensive, the three hundred soldiers of Constellation, especially the veterans, still stopped and turned around in an orderly manner. They formed a wall with their swords and shields, surrounding the prince and forming a circular formation.
"It is impossible to charge out now." Arracca looked at the Eckstedtians around him in rage. "These bastards …"
The Constellatiates stared at the murderous Eckstedtian infantrymen around them in bewilderment and nervousness.
"What do we do now?" Wya asked through gritted teeth.
"Do they have anyone they can communicate with? Officers or commanders? "Thales asked anxiously," For Lampard's benefit, they dare not kill me … "
However, in the next moment, a few unfamiliar yet forceful orders rang from within Eckstedt's battle formation.
Arracca and Putray's expressions changed abruptly!
There were also many old soldiers.
They recognized this Eckstedtian military order.
In the next second, six large groups of more than two thousand Eckstedtian infantrymen raised their weapons and roared furiously in unison!
“wooh！ wooh！ wooh！”
The deafening roars terrified Thales. "What … happened to them?"
In the next moment, the Eckstedtian infantrymen's faces were ferocious as they strode forward.
* Boom! Boom! Boom! *
The sound of footsteps that were even louder than before rang out like thunder.
More than two thousand infantrymen raised their weapons and charged madly towards Thales' diplomat group from six directions!
"Kill!"
The Eckstedtian light infantrymen roared fanatically and charged towards them.
Thales stared at everything before him in a daze.
'Didn't they say that Lampard would not dare to endanger my safety?
"Quietly awaiting the prince's arrival."
'Then why …
'Why does he want to … kill me?'
"Damn it." Putray widened his eyes in shock and drew out the one-and-a-half-handed sword at his waist. "They actually —"
An even louder roar exploded in the air, interrupting Putray's words.
"Enemy troops, charge!"
In the center of the troop, Arracca Murkh's face was ashen. He controlled his restless steed and forcefully drew out a fierce two-handed longsword. He roared at Constellation's escort team — his Fury Guards.
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