Chapter 69: Ten Times His Strength, The Advantage Is Ours! |
...
One day later.
Giant Spirit City came under fierce attack from the Empire's forces led by Atticus.
However, the Destiny Army managed to hold their ground thanks to the towering city walls.
Yet the Empire's coordinated assault with remaining imperial troops inside the city caused significant trouble for the Destiny Army.
Giant Spirit City.
Central Command Room.
Deslar said irritably: "What's the current situation?"
"The imperial forces are attacking us from the east, south and north simultaneously. Their coordination with remnant forces is causing us major problems."
"Led by Thunderkeep with Tars City at the rear, they've started cutting off our supply lines. The situation looks grim on all fronts."
Deslar commanded: "Hold your ground. Atticus is trying to capitalize on Tars City disrupting our attack lines to take Giant Spirit City."
Previously, Thunderkeep had been nothing more than an insignificant pest to the Destiny Army. Now it had unexpectedly become the key destabilizing factor in this entire conflict. No one could have predicted the situation would develop this way.
Deslar asked: "Any response from Retifus?"
"They keep saying they'll help contain Atticus for us."
"Contain? Contain my ass! They've practically come knocking on our door! What's their current status?"
"They're marching toward our city, but at an extremely slow pace."
"They won't make it in time. Knowing Retifus's nature, we might have to deal with him after handling Atticus. Damn it, neither of those brothers is easy to handle."
Deswen spoke up: "Brother... no, Commander, let me lead a force to eliminate Thunderkeep. Otherwise they'll keep severing our supply lines to the base. Giant Spirit City will inevitably fall if this continues."
Deslar said: "I should go myself..."
Deswen urgently responded: "No, Commander! You must remain here in Giant Spirit City to face both brothers. If you leave, morale will collapse! Given the current situation, all four remaining corps must defend Giant Spirit City. Let me take the Second Corps instead. I know that terrain well. I guarantee I can complete the mission."
Hearing this, Deslar frowned, recalling the incident with the Sixth Corps and the assassination attempt. A vague unease crept into his heart as he hesitantly asked: "Can you take it with just one corps?"
Deswen declared confidently: "Absolutely, Commander! No matter how impressive Tars City might be, it's just a small territory formed by minor settlements. They don't even have proper city walls. And our Second Corps is nothing like that trash Sixth Corps - we have over 50,000 battle-ready troops! No matter how capable Jonas is, he can't possibly stand against such numbers! Tars City has mere thousands of soldiers. We outnumber them ten to one - the advantage is ours! How could I possibly fail? Do you really think Jonas is some god descended from heaven?"
Deslar hesitated before continuing: "Jonas defeated the Sixth Corps largely due to his terrifying magical abilities. To prevent a repeat, I'll have the Third Corps' mage battalion accompany you."
Deswen initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Deslar's firm expression, he reluctantly agreed. "Understood!"
Deslar gave Deswen a heavy pat on the shoulder and said: "You're the person I trust most. Make sure you bring me back that bastard Jonas and that bitch Yaoluo - dead or alive!"
"Yes sir!"
Still uneasy, Deslar removed the enchanted runestone bracelet from his wrist and secretly tucked it into Deswen's clothing. "If you encounter any danger... remember to retreat!"
"Brother, you're giving me your... you..."
"It's fine. I won't have another situation like when Evelos's mentor was beheaded amidst ten thousand troops."
"Don't worry! I won't give him any opportunity!"
...
Before Thunderkeep.
Among the jagged mountain ranges stood an enormous wall spanning the terrain. Charis had personally inscribed special runes onto its surface - knowledge she'd gained from the Magic Academy's ring that significantly enhanced magic resistance.
Currently, Jonas stood atop the wall, surveying his creation with satisfaction. Given this natural defensive position, any attacking Destiny Army forces would surely feel utter despair.
Ding ding—
Jonas glanced at his glowing bracelet and smirked. The Destiny Army was coming after all. A single corps, huh? Perfect timing - he happened to be short on manpower.
He said to the bound Katdera beside him: "Miss Assassin, your Destiny Army has arrived~"
Katdera stood rigidly beside Jonas, her voluptuous figure concealed beneath a large black robe that revealed only her flushed face. Beneath the robe, her body was bound in extremely humiliating positions with red hemp ropes, forcing her to maintain precarious balance with constant trembling.
"You despicable bastard!"
Jonas replied casually: "Do you want another white pill?"
"You...!"
Jonas teased: "Do you think the Destiny Army can rescue you from me?"
Katdera fell silent. The impregnable wall before her, built along natural defenses and covered in magical runes, would be nearly impossible to breach head-on. She truly couldn't comprehend how this vile man had erected such formidable fortifications in such treacherous terrain so quickly. Even more unbelievable was how this small territory matched major cities in infrastructure and development - complete with knight orders and mage battalions.
Katdera snapped: "If you have any courage, release me!"
She desperately wanted to warn the Destiny Army that Jonas represented their greatest latent threat.
Jonas sipped his tea and smiled: "I'll release you when the time comes, Miss Kat. Let's make a wager. As one of Destiny Army's most accomplished members... will they come to kill you or rescue you?"
Katdera scoffed: "Are you joking?"
Though Jonas had planted doubts in her mind through their conversations, she refused to believe any of it. Given her status within the Destiny Army, how could they possibly want her dead?
Jonas waved dismissively: "We'll see~"
"But hey~ Lady Yaoluo seems less resistant today than usual, doesn't she?"
Katdera immediately flushed with anger: "Impossible!"
"Miss Kat, could you be getting accustomed to this?"
"Nonsense! You're... ah! Mmm~"
Before she could finish protesting, Katdera let out an involuntary moan as Jonas tugged the ropes, causing her to lose balance and lean against him. Compared to her initial icy demeanor, Katdera had become much more... entertaining.
Gritting her teeth, Katdera spat: "Your arrogance won't last long. Once the Destiny Army arrives at Thunderkeep's location, you're doomed."
Jonas replied: "I've been waiting for them. 'Destiny Army' - what a joke. I give them less than two months before they're wiped out."
"Bullshit! You think the Destiny Army is as weak as those pathetic imperial forces?"
"Hahaha..."
Jonas wondered what expression Katdera would make when she witnessed Destiny's ultimate fate.
...
Meanwhile.
Deswen raised his sword and addressed his troops:
"Forced march! We crush Thunderkeep in one day!"