Chapter 80: The Only Way Out Is to Join Me. |
.......
Oliphina: "Hiss...."
Inside the room.
Phil looked at Oliphina's struggling posture and couldn't help but laugh: "Oh~ The great Lady Oliphina isn't practicing her swordsmanship today~
For such an amazing swordswoman, you're trembling while walking~
Sister~
You were quite bold last night~
An entire night~ Master Jonas must be quite impressive."
Oliphina's face turned red with embarrassment.
Beyond anger, her expression showed complex emotions.
How could her drunk self have done such things?
The sensations from last night were indeed complicated.
Master Jonas had been gentle, yet extraordinarily vigorous.
....
Phil: "Whee~
Sister, what do you think the swordsmen's regiment members would think if they saw their respected Lady Oliphina with a neck full of marks?"
Phil said mischievously while staring at Oliphina's neck.
Oliphina desperately covered her neck.
Due to the Albino race's exceptionally pale skin, these marks stood out glaringly.
So much that Oliphina didn't even dare show her face after waking up.
"Master Jonas~ didn't take good care of my dear sister."
"Phil, you're dead!
Ah... hiss..."
"Oh? Do you think you're still your old self?
Can't even take big steps now."
"Ah—"
"Won't you describe how it felt?"
"Damn you Phil, you're dead!"
"Oh la la~ Don't forget I was the one who prepared your clothes~"
...
Outside Giant Spirit City.
After failing to capture Giant Spirit City for so long, Atticus grew increasingly irritable.
"What good are you all?
How can you not defeat these natives after so long?
And now Destiny's Second Army has marched toward Tars City. With one less main force opposing us, why can't you break through?
If Tars City falls and supplies from behind Giant Spirit City arrive,
it'll become even harder to capture. What should we do then?"
As Atticus vented his anger,
his trusted aide approached.
"We've received news from Tars City direction."
Atticus: "What news?"
He frowned.
"Don't tell me Tars City fell in just one day?"
.....
Hearing Atticus's words, the aide was momentarily stunned.
Then he quickly said: "Destiny's Second Army has been completely defeated at Thunderkeep."
"What did you say?
How is that possible?"
Atticus immediately pulled over the battle map,
staring at Thunderkeep's location.
"A small territory, even with Tars City's support, couldn't field more than 10,000 troops.
Destiny's Second Army had a full 60,000, plus specialized mage and swordsmen regiments.
How could they lose?"
"But according to reports, they were completely defeated by Thunderkeep in just two days.
They say Jonas single-handedly cast a powerful spell
that routed an entire Destiny army.
Apparently without losing a single soldier."
"What?"
Atticus's eyes widened.
"Is this information reliable?" His voice trembled slightly. The aide quickly nodded.
"Absolutely true."
"How could Jonas possess such power?"
Originally, Jonas defeating the Sixth Corps was already unbelievable, but now he's taken down the Second Army too?
Atticus exhaled slowly and said: "It can't be that exaggerated, the facts must have been embellished.
But the Second Army's destruction is certain.
Without this force, plus Destiny Army's supply lines being cut,
Giant Spirit City's fall is only a matter of time.
Send word to Tars City.
Tell them to hold their positions.
To prevent Destiny Army's desperate last stand, we'll dispatch reinforcements.
Have them coordinate with our troops to take Giant Spirit City together.
The Empire's campaign hinges on this battle. After success,
everyone will be richly rewarded."
"Yes, my lord."
Atticus: "Now what we need to guard against is actually my brother.
Damn Retifus.
When these damned Destiny natives are cornered, might they turn to him?"
Although these natives and Empire nobles were sworn enemies,
when survival is at stake, what hatred cannot be set aside?
...
In an exquisite conference hall.
Retifus sat alone at the head seat,
reviewing intelligence brought by his subordinates.
"Destiny's Second Army was routed?
So quickly at that...
This Jonas and Kuroth are quite capable.
They've hidden their strength well."
Though he also looked down on Destiny Army's natives,
their rapid capture of Giant Spirit City proved they had decent combat skills.
Yet now their elite Second Army was defeated so swiftly by Jonas?
This shows Jonas's strength is extraordinary.
Retifus studied the battle map, various forces taking shape in his mind.
"So Destiny Army is finished now~
Tsk tsk...
Attendants."
"Here."
"Send a secret message to Destiny Army's leader Deslar.
Tell him
his only way out now is to join me.
If he serves well as our dog, we'll let him control Giant Spirit City.
Otherwise he knows what fate awaits him.
I doubt he'll refuse."
If both Destiny Army and Tars City fall under my control,
plus the army I've hidden deep in the rear,
Atticus will be in serious trouble~
"Sorry, dear brother."
Despite the favorable situation,
Retifus still felt some unease.
Tars City's defection had been too smooth.
Jonas's personal power worried him somewhat.
After all, one man capable of dominating a battlefield...
"Charter."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Have two elders from our clan come here!"
"Yes!"
Retifus lightly tapped his fingers as fine yellow sand flowed through them like an hourglass.
"Bostaya... it's time for a change of ownership."
...
Giant Spirit City.
Destiny Army headquarters.
Deslar addressed the four remaining legion commanders:
"The Second Army was annihilated by Jonas. Any thoughts?
Jonas in the rear has completely disrupted our plans.
What should Destiny Army do now?"
....