When Iron Axe closed his eyes, he could feel the smell of yellow sand surrounding him.
It was the fourth day since he entered the desert and the third week since the First Army left Neverwinter. At the end of this week, two-thirds of the winter would be over and the coldest period would be late winter. However, compared to the snowy Western Region of Graycastle, this place was much less affected by the Months of Demons. Although the sky was always gray, at least there was no biting north wind or ice and snow that could freeze the whole desert.
Since Silver Stream did not converge with any river and most of the water flowed underground, the army could only move forward on foot. Iron Axe did not act according to the original plan, which was to wait for the 500 new recruits stationed in Steep Cliff City to be ready to march, and then mix them into the main force and move together. Instead, he left them to Brian and went ahead himself, striving to reach Iron Sand City as soon as possible.
The new recruits might be able to stand still and pull the trigger, but marching on foot would only make them die in the desert. Even if there were 500 more people, they would not be of much help to the situation.
Iron Axe knew that to achieve His Majesty's goal, they could not rely on artillery. The First Army was the capital to ensure the fruits of victory, not a means to conquer the Sand Nation.
The Mojins had a set of traditional solutions.
As for the 500 new recruits, they only needed to occupy the Silver Stream Oasis and ensure that the vanguard troops would not be attacked from both sides.
In the Southernmost Region, the oasis was a lifeline. No matter if they attacked or fled, they could not leave the oasis.
Facing the neatly marching veterans, the Sand Nation tribes could feel the power from them even though they had never seen the power of guns. Along the way, no one stood up to question the army from Graycastle. Only when they filled their water sacks and replenished their food supplies did the Sand Nation people whisper behind their backs.
At this speed, the First Army should be able to reach Iron Sand City before nightfall.
"I don't quite understand. Can the so-called holy duel take place at any time in any season?" A beautiful blonde woman walked to Echo's side. Her fair skin formed a sharp contrast with the Osha clan princess. "Even if it's an honor challenge between aristocrats, it's also allowed to refuse. After all, everyone has times when they're not in their best condition. In such cold weather, who wouldn't want to come out and fight all day and sleep by a warm stove? What I mean is … what if they don't agree to the holy duel? "
Iron Axe remembered that her name was Andrea, a combat witch who often followed Her Highness Tilly. According to His Majesty, Ashes, a mortal, was supposed to be the only foreign aid, but for some reason, she also came.
"When someone rushes into your house with an axe and kicks over your stove, you won't be able to do anything even if you don't want to." Ashes curled her lips. "Do you think that this kind of contest that determines the life and death of a family will follow the hypocritical rules of the nobles?"
"That's called a sneak attack or a massacre, not a duel," Andrea said disdainfully. "Even if the Mojins are barbarians, they should be able to distinguish this. Do you think everyone is as ignorant and incompetent as you? "
"To say this in front of Huiyin, you really are a knowledgeable person."
"Don't misinterpret what I mean!"
Iron Axe did not care about the barbarians. His Majesty had told him that Border Town did not care about one's family background. Compared to the Mojins, he had a more important identity, which was that he was a resident of Neverwinter.
When Huiyin looked at him for help, he coughed twice and took the initiative to explain, "Miss Andrea, you're not worrying too much. Although the holy duel can't be refused and both parties must be well prepared to be recognized by the Three Gods, a duel can't be started at will. First of all, the challenger must be qualified for the duel."
"What kind of qualification?"
"First of all, it must be a complete Mojin clan." Iron Axe briefly explained, "One person can't represent a clan, even if he's the chief or the princess. This rule was made to prevent the victors from occupying one-sixth of the territory of Iron Sand City with only a dozen or so people. In addition, it also excludes foreigners from the scope of the duel. Iron Sand City allows foreigners to fight on behalf of the clan, but it doesn't allow them to occupy the core power. "
"Doesn't that mean we're not qualified at all?" Ashes raised her eyebrows and said, "Huiyin has been exiled for several years and the Osha clan no longer exists. Or should we start by looking for her surviving clansmen?"
"No one can survive in the Endless Cape." Iron Axe shook his head and said, "But we can try another way. For example, let Lady Silvermoon become the chief of a new clan."
"That's... possible?" Andrea was stunned.
"The Mojins don't value bloodlines as much as you do. Compared with bloodline inheritance, strength is the most important thing." The commander-in-chief of the First Army said calmly, "After the first condition is met, the clans that can stand firm in the small oases around Iron Sand City will be qualified for the duel. There are a total of four small oases, and the newly rising clans will usually fight around them. There are no rules or restrictions, so these four small oases are also called the Bloodstained Land. "
"They're equivalent to admission tickets, right?" Ashes said indifferently.
"You can think of it that way. In fact, these clans are generally divided into two categories." Iron Axe paused and said, "Challengers... and watchdogs."
"Watchdogs?" the golden-haired witch asked curiously.
"They're the obstacles set up by the top clans who don't want to see the order of Iron Sand City change greatly." This time it was Echo who answered her. "With their huge resources and influence, they recruit a large number of warriors to form a mixed clan and take root in the small oases. Watchdogs don't challenge their masters to the Divine Saint Duel, but they occupy the position of challenger. Although they can't enter Iron Sand City, they can live well with the water and food provided by the small oases. "
"It sounds no different from a hound that is willing to gnaw on leftovers," Ashes sneered, "This description is actually quite appropriate."
"Because the holy duel is full of variables, the big clans will try to win over or bribe the potential challengers stationed in the Bloodstained Land. At that time, my father didn't want to be a watchdog and insisted on the holy duel with the Iron Whip clan, but in the end... "Echo's voice trailed off, obviously thinking of something sad.
"They'll pay for their treacherous behavior, Lady Silvermoon," Iron Axe comforted her. "Now, death is not far away from them."
"So we have to find a challenger first, let Echo take over the position of chief, and then challenge the six big clans to a duel?" Andrea asked.
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