Chapter 74: I Have to Say, We're Really Impressive |
...
From the very beginning, Jonas had never intended to annihilate this entire army.
With his system, he could clearly see each individual's loyalty level, making him completely unafraid of potential traitors.
Once incorporated and purged once, these would become his most loyal soldiers.
Because he could provide them with what they desired most.
And with them, Destiny's stronghold behind Tars City would also fall into his hands.
"But... but..." A young soldier suddenly spoke up trembling. "We... we're betraying..."
"Betrayal?" Jonas's gaze fell upon his face, carrying a hint of almost cruel pity.
"When your wives and children were gnawing on tree bark in the freezing wind, what was the leader of Destiny Army drinking?
What fate has befallen your former Lady Yaoluo, Destiny's greatest contributor?"
"What exactly is betrayal?
They never deserved your loyalty."
"One last time I'll ask." Jonas's voice boomed like a great bell, each word striking deep into their hearts. "Submit, or die?"
The first to throw down his weapon was a veteran missing half an ear. Trembling, he unfastened the Destiny Army token at his waist and let it clatter to the ground: "I... I want my daughter to eat bread..."
Then came the second, the third... more and more weapons were discarded.
The clanging of metal formed a symphony of despair.
Some wept as they surrendered, others numbly removed their armor.
One by one, bodies knelt in submission before Jonas.
Deswen watched everything unfold as if all blood had been drained from his body.
He wanted to roar, to draw his sword, but found himself utterly powerless.
Jonas descended from the air, step by step approaching Deswen.
"This is your Destiny? How disappointing!"
Deswen gritted his teeth.
Now he finally understood how a small territory could scatter the Sixth Corps.
Because Jonas alone possessed the power to decide battles.
Faced with such psychological warfare, how could these natives clinging to hope possibly resist?
Just then, a sudden disturbance!
A poisoned arrow shot from the chaotic ranks, aimed straight for Jonas's heart!
Yet before it could reach him, a sword sliced it in half.
Jonas's eyes turned cold as he scanned the disorderly troops.
Some still resisted.
"Fools who court death." A flash of cold light in Jonas's hand, terrifying sword energy surged forth.
Slash—
The man's eyes widened in shock, his crossbow clattering to the ground, his face frozen in a twisted grimace even in death.
This sudden violence stirred the barely calmed crowd again.
Jonas paid no mind, his gaze sweeping over each terrified face: "I don't kill those who surrender, but traitors and resisters will die."
As he spoke, hovering ice arrows descended, piercing through those still holding weapons before they could react.
Another wave of agonized cries.
Now, seeing their fallen comrades, those who surrendered felt waves of relief.
Jonas moved through Destiny Army as if through empty air, arriving before Deswen.
"Come, you'll share a table with Evelos's mentor."
"Die!" Deswen raised his iron sword to behead Jonas.
But his proud swordsmanship proved full of flaws against Jonas, who casually severed Deswen's arm, sending it flying through the air.
Along with Deswen's agonized scream.
"Ah—"
Then the flat of Jonas's sword smacked Deswen's head, slamming him face-first into the ground, completely unconscious.
Jonas looked at Destiny's banner, severed it with one swing, and declared: "Back to the city."
"From today, you are no longer Destiny Army."
Jonas glanced at the arm still clutching the iron sword on the ground.
"I think Deslar will appreciate this gift."
...
At the rear, their troops moved to receive the surrendered defeated army.
Holdo: "We won?"
He had expected a brutal fight with their less than ten thousand troops against Destiny's nearly sixty thousand.
Never imagined victory could come so easily.
Slynda nodded behind him: "Seems so."
"What exactly did we do?"
"Uh..."
"I have to say, we're really impressive."
"..."
"Hard to imagine Thunderkeep could ever command so many troops and supplies."
Their territory originally had only a few thousand people, with less than a thousand soldiers.
Now... multiplied several times over.
Slynda pursed her lips: "Though Jonas is quite the bastard, everything really does depend on him!"
Her gaze unconsciously turned to Olivia, victory's joy making her want to hug the fragrant, soft Olivia.
But Olivia was staring fixedly at Jonas, eyes full of infatuation.
Her expression vacant, lost in thought.
A faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"Tsk...
Boring~"
...
After expansion, Thunderkeep could easily accommodate all these people.
As Jonas returned to the city walls, the defeated troops streamed through the gates into Thunderkeep.
On the walls, Katdera stared blankly at these Destiny soldiers.
Jonas's words still echoed in her ears:
"See clearly—your so-called Destiny Army is just a bunch of delusional fools dreaming of seizing imperial power."
This was Destiny's Second Army, considered their elite force. Yet under Jonas, they appeared utterly powerless.
The rain of ice arrows gave Katdera deeper understanding of Jonas's strength.
Every time she thought she'd seen his limits, he shattered her expectations.
Jonas walked straight up to Katdera.
His right hand reached into her black robe, tightening the ropes inside.
Startling the dazed Katdera into a gasp.
"You... you..."
Without a word, Jonas took her back to his room.
"What do you want?"
Jonas pulled her onto a chair, removing the robe to reveal her shamefully bound posture.
Her neck, wrists, ankles... all adorned with different rings.
The Destiny Army would never imagine their former Lady Yaoluo being treated this way.
"You... vile bastard!"
Such a powerful man, with such intellect.
Why did he have so many perverse tendencies?
Compared to cruel torture, these things made her feel even more humiliated.
Jonas shook his head: "Thanks for the compliment~
Lady Yaoluo, as Destiny's number one traitor, what thoughts occupy you?
This time it was Deslar's brother coming to kill you - next time, might his axe find your neck itself?"
As he spoke, he bound Katdera into another compromising position on the chair.
Katdera wanted to retort, but recalling recent events, she fell silent, unable to speak.
"Why do you think Deslar labeled you Destiny Army's top traitor?
Surely someone of your intelligence can guess?
Still deceiving yourself?"
Katdera: "I..."
"Tsk... You just can't accept that you caused your clan's annihilation while serving their murderer wholeheartedly.
Even with truth staring you down, you refuse to believe."
Jonas's actions tore open Katdera's bloody scars without mercy.
Making her agitated instantly.
"I DIDN'T!!! IT'S NOT—!
Mmm~
Ugh~"
Jonas flipped a coin in his hand.
After a light chuckle.
He elegantly perched on the table.
"Don't excite yourself, Miss Kat. You already know the answer."
Having prepared this long, it was time to reap results.
First breaking her pride, melting her icy demeanor, now attacking her psyche - all to secure her loyalty.
Katdera: "Huff... then let me go!"
Jonas: "Soon we'll take Giant Spirit City. Then you'll meet Deslar yourself. Your feud is yours to settle.
But regarding your assassination attempt on me...
Now, compensation is due."
"No...
You... hmm? Mmm!! Mmmph—"
"Relax...
Miss Kat, I'll help your revenge - against both Destiny and the Empire.
Trust me, I disdain lies.
Later, if we find the Holy Spirit clan, perhaps even your people can be revived."
"........"
[Loyalty: -5%]
[Loyalty: 0%]
...
In the dim room.
Watching Jonas, remembering his overwhelming power.
In her dazed state.
Katdera found herself succumbing.
What had she been fighting for all along...
Perhaps... this was fine.
Gradually, she stopped resisting.
[Loyalty: 5%]
[Loyalty: 10%]
...