Realm of Power

North of Palavon, Yerwei Kok,

The dense crowds and the deafening sound of fighting overwhelmed this ancient city founded in the fourth century of Ikadiva. This oldest city in the Kingdom of Redian has gone through the vicissitudes of life and the unpredictable changes in the world, but it still stands in the center of Ikadiva without falling. Since its establishment, it has been the most important gate in the Palawan area.

This has always been the key point for the north to go south and the most brutal battlefield. In its long history, Yeruige City has been burned four times and rebuilt four times. Each time it was burned and rebuilt, the scale would be larger than before. Rui Erdian People affectionately call it the "Immortal City"

"The mob is vulnerable." Under the city, Eamon stared at the increasing number of his own soldiers on top of the city with a disdainful sneer at the corner of his mouth.

The success in front of him had made him forget about it. The 5,000 Ruidian people had been weakened by half in just half a day during the repeated attacks of tens of thousands of Kujit troops.

In another hour at most, he can break through Yeruige's defense line, and then drive straight in, crushing the heart of the Ruidian Kingdom, making this raid named in the name of Burning a classic that will forever be recited by the Kugit people, and his own. His reputation will also rise, and he will become one of the three most powerful adults in Dongting's main force going south this time.

A bloody ditch was piled up on the city wall of Yeruige. The Ruidian heavy infantry was worthy of being one of the few elites in the Ikadiva continent. The strong shield not only prevented the Kugits from using their scimitars, but also relied on them. The advantage of being tall and powerful kept pushing the thin Kugit man to the ground.

"Boom, boom, boom" amidst a rapid and harsh roar, ten improvised trebuchets built by the Kujit people collapsed the iron gate of Yeruige, revealing a gap that could accommodate several cavalry. On the top of the city The Ruierdian defenders were in a panic.

"You hold here while I go to the city gate. You must hold it until His Highness the Prince arrives." Marshal Berlant, who was already fifty years old, turned to his bloody daughter next to him and said, standing on the city wall like a firm beacon. the front of

Next to him, broken spears and scattered corpses were piled up like a row of toppled straw. Less than half of the 50 elite knights following him were now alive, and everyone was injured. If If it weren't for the heavy armor on his body, he would have been washed away by the Kugit frenzy in the previous attack.

"Order the heavy cavalry to attack, target the city gate." Eamon at the bottom of the city looked ecstatic. He put the three elite cavalry teams under his command that had not been involved in the battle into a frontal attack sequence. Now is the best time to break through with one blow. , as long as the city gate is breached, Ye Ruige's defense will completely collapse

The Kugit cavalry stepped into the river outside the city, splashing crystal clear white water ripples, and lined up along the long wall of Yeruige. The cavalry armor shone with a frightening light in the sun. Three thousand Kugit cavalry The cavalry team held up polished steel shields in their hands, and the soldiers' hot faces showed a crazy desire for blood.

Compared with the previous siege troops, they are truly elite. They are equipped with thickened armor comparable to heavy cavalry, and their weapons are long-handled scimitars made by the best Laligrale. Even the war horses are equipped with thick armor. , are extremely rare and are covered with a vest like fish scales.

These purposely thickened and lengthened weapons cost more than twice as much iron as the equipment of ordinary soldiers. In the Kugit grassland, which lacks iron ores and craftsmen, this is a luxury that makes people jealous, and it is what the Emon tribe can afford. The capital that stretches across the grassland,

For the huge harvest and glory that he was about to get, Eamon no longer cared about so much, and sent all the final troops up,

"Team Assault"

The Kugit cavalry galloped on horseback, the scimitars in their hands dragged out a bright trace of light in the sun. The war horses under their crotches accelerated rapidly, carrying a suffocating fierce wind, and hit Ruier who was trying to block the door. On the soldiers,

There was a crisp sound, and the Ruidian formation, which had no time to form a spear formation, dragged out shocking blood stains under the hooves of the Kujit heavy cavalry that hit like a cluster of arrows.

"Line up, spear and stab three times"

Seeing the horses rushing towards him like thunder, the white-haired Marshal Berlant's eyes were bloodshot and he let out a tearing roar.

"kill"

The sharp spears in the hands of the Ruidian heavy infantry standing in front, with the will to die, were thrust out against the Kugit heavy cavalry that was coming like a hurricane. Bright red blood burst out from both the enemy and our bodies at the same time.

"Father" looked at the silver-haired Marshal Berlant, leading the heavily armored squadron with only 600 people left, filling the passage of the city gate without hesitation. Bonnie, who was covered in blood, had a trace of moisture in her eyes, thinking I want to lead people to rescue, but my father’s insistent orders are still in my ears.

This is Yeruige, the last line of defense in the northern part of Palaven. Bonnie still remembers the scene when she passed by the nearby Venus City. The situation there made her know why her father insisted on using herself as bait.

Venus City is a beautiful city. You can understand this just from its name. This is the place where the legendary goddess Venus was born.

Its monumental symbol is the ten-meter-high statue of the goddess Venus. Therefore, the Ruidian people always try their best to make the city beautiful.

Reluctant to leave no corner alone, as long as a piece of grass can be planted in an open space, the Ruidian people will never leave it empty. This is a green garden-like city.

Many great poets and travelers have recorded its beauty and tranquility, causing its reputation to spread throughout the entire Yilan continent. Even people as far away as the sea know that there is such a beautiful city as Venus City. .

However, the arrival of the Kugits destroyed the beauty of the city of Venus. After the Kugits captured the city, they allowed their cavalry to begin a three-day massacre and looting.

As a result, countless Ruidian people died under the butcher's knife of the Kugits. Entire areas or even several blocks of residential houses were burned down. Except for the splendid ruins of the college, it was to be used as the habitat of the Kugit leaders. In addition, all other large buildings were gone, and even the statue of Venus was ruthlessly smashed.

"This is all because of me. If it weren't for my failure in command, those brave soldiers would not be buried in the wilderness, and the powerful Rui Erdian would not be in such a situation in an instant." Bonnie still remembers the guilt on her face at that time My father, holding the blood-stained soil with his hands, lay on the ground crying. It was a kind of desolation of a hero in his twilight years.

The high-spirited Marshal Ruidian, who once commanded the three armies, is now just a joke in the eyes of everyone. Both the nobles and the military have shown sufficient distance from the former marshal. The once glorious Berlant family has With the northern battle, the wind and rain blew away

The 100,000 Ruidian Northern Army, who were short of food and clothing, were constantly harassed by Kujit light cavalry on the road. Less than half of them were able to return to Ruidian from the vast grassland, even those Ruidian generals. They were all dejected. The fierce battles with the Wikians in the past few months had left them mentally and physically exhausted. The feeling of being powerless had made them, the proud warriors of Ruidian, turn into psychological cowards from their souls.

Can such a force be used? The Ruidian royal family was also in a dilemma. Some people suggested that integrating these northern troops into the second-line troops would at least play a certain role. Others said that these people were Ruidian's sinners, a war horse that died in the battle. , all nobler than them

This is a shameful criticism of the soul. No matter how dazzling the Northern Army's achievements were in the past, now in the eyes of the Ministry of Military Affairs, they are just a bunch of bastards who cannot hold up the wall.

In the end, Marshal Berlant stood up bravely in the face of all kinds of discrimination and contempt, and proposed to use himself as bait to randomly select 5 squadrons from the returning northern army as the last force to defend Yeruige. The purpose is to turn this "immortal city" into the tomb of the Kugit people

This is a silent oath. The soul and future of the Northern Army have been linked to this ancient city.

"Killing" a Northern Army squadron leader. After he fell down in the front row, he single-handedly stabbed the oncoming war horse into the belly with a single shot. He used all his strength to hold up the galloping horse.

At his feet, the corpses of hundreds of Ruidian soldiers and Kugits were mixed together, stacked like a hill in the city gate passage, and the splattered blood formed a trail of blood on the city road. When your feet step on it, the muddy and slippery feeling will make even the strongest warrior feel slightly embarrassed.

"This is all the blood of warriors"

The squadron leader felt his body light up. The sharp Kujit scimitar slashed across his chest, and the galloping horse's hooves dragged his body out a few meters away.

"Winter? Is there winter in Salander?" The fat man looked enjoying himself. The lights in the residential area under the castle were only a small piece of dim red light. He rested his head on Nile's soft thighs and looked up at the stars in the sky. The wind blows, bringing with it the unique fresh smell of the green fields.

In the season when snowflakes are falling on the Ikadiva continent, it is the time when the climate of Saland Island is the most pleasant. The warm but not scorching sunshine and the gentle sea breeze blowing from the sea make everything feel particularly comfortable.

Thanks to the gift of this season, the green mountains and plains and the scattered wild flowers of various colors dress up the earth like a huge emerald. On the edge of the emerald, is the deep blue sea, like a bright pearl, hanging in Ikadiva The lower end of the long chain of mainland China

"Yes, of course there is," Nilai affirmed, pointing to two particularly bright stars in the sky. "Look, those are the eyes of Solomon, the sea god who protects our Salander. As long as they appear next to the winter star in the middle of the sky, they are the eyes of Salander." The signs of the coming winter in Rand, when the time comes, the people of Salander will begin to prepare for the most solemn and enthusiastic Winter Veil Festival of the year."

Unlike Mao Mo Na Qing, who is as ethereal and beautiful as snow-capped mountains, Ni Lai belongs to the peaceful and beautiful night sky. Her eyes, as bright as the stars in the night sky, are always hazy, but they are locked together with misfortune, war and hatred. , what she hates most is death and war, but there are all these disgusting things in front of her.

"Winter Veil Festival?" the fat man asked with a puzzled expression.

"That is the largest priestly event held by us Salanders to the Sky Star God. It is presided over by a highly respected Starry Sky Priest. All the holy temples in the northern part of the kingdom will send people to participate." Nilai's tone was full of emotion and loneliness. , the eyes looking towards the sky trembled in the flash, "Go to

"You may not know that winter is the calmest season at our southern estuary. In previous years, only during this period could Salander's fleet safely pass through the southern estuary, transport precious cargo to other continents, and then wait until I won’t be able to come back until next year.”

"Oh. You still have trade with other continents? What is the name of this place?" The fat man was startled by Nilai and turned his head excitedly. This is a big discovery. No wonder the business atmosphere of the Salander lords has improved. It is far more open than other kingdoms. It turns out that I have already tasted the sweetness of it.

"Of course, how else do you think those evil aliens came across the sea?" Nilai looked sad and angry, gritting her teeth and said, "If they hadn't stolen our most precious star map, they would have been able to survive with their poor ship technology." Even in a hundred years, it would be impossible to cross the dangerous seaport in the south and reach our beautiful Salander.”

"The star map is the most precious item of the kingdom's sky priest." Seeing Fatty's confused look, Nilai slowly explained, "Every year, the leaders of the fleets who return from overseas will record the new routes they discover on the stars. on the map, and then hand it over to the Sky Temple when they return, because they believe that only the blessing of the Sky Star God can allow them to survive the dangerous seaport."

"Where is the star map now?" Fatty's eyes were shining and his voice was trembling. The star map that recorded the routes to different continents and represented countless wealth was so close to him.

"The Normans have one in their hands, and a spare attachment. It should be in the Sky Temple in Kyoto, that is, in the hands of my mentor, Star Priest Evelina."

"You just said that every Winter Veil Festival will be presided over by a highly respected sky priest?" The fat man seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said

"Yes." Nilai nodded and said with a look of regret. "The Winter Veil Festival every year is the happiest day for the Salander people. In the Wild Horse Plains, we can gallop as much as we want and follow the galloping people." After a herd of wild horses, we pass through the most beautiful and mysterious Ringelhein. If we are lucky enough, we may meet the rarest King of Rhine horses. Unfortunately, the looting and massacre by the Normans there has left there no trace of the Winter Veil Festival. Whether the atmosphere can be held this year is still a big question.”

"What's so difficult about this?" The fat man curled his lips disdainfully and said, "We'll hold it in Vic New Town this year. Firstly, we can celebrate the victory against the Normans, and secondly, it can also increase Vic New Town's prestige in the north, not to mention the various brands. The fleet will gather in Vic New City from all directions in the near future, just in time to spread the news of the Winter Veil Festival throughout Salander III. We can ask your mentor to host it, so that you and your mentor can meet again "

"I'm afraid it will be difficult." Nilai hesitated for a while, bit her lip with a strange expression, and shook her head in denial. "Since the Norman siege, in order to boost the morale of the city, the mentor has been staying in the temple to pray to the God of the Starry Sky. I hope that the God of the Starry Sky who guides the direction can once again bring victory to this beautiful land. Memorials such as the Winter Veil Festival have always been held by the Gotta High Priest who is responsible for the seasons in the temple."

"It's easy. If all the northern lords jointly request Evelina to host it personally, I believe that even Salander's arrogance in Kyoto will consider it carefully in such a situation where northern support is urgently needed." Fatty doesn't think so. He waved his hand with satisfaction, "I can guarantee that this year's Winter Curtain Festival will definitely be grander than any previous one, and the most lively one in history," the fat man vowed.

"What you said is true. It is not a simple matter for all the northern lords to sign their names." Nilai turned around in surprise, stared at the fat man for a while, and then said with a faint expression.

"That's not a problem." The fat man smiled and said, "I can send someone to write a letter in the name of Samor Falcon. I believe these lords will know how to make a decision."

"I'm afraid it will be worse." Nilai shook her head in denial. "You may not know yet, but my mentor is a pacifist. The thing she despises the most is a war madman like you. She once talked to I said that the biggest butcher in the Ikadiva continent is Fatty Samour from Vecilia. If she knew that you were behind it, she would probably stand up and leave immediately."

"Haha, people will change." The fat man raised his head and looked at the sky above his head, and said with a solemn expression, "Everyone wants peace, but when the war burns to the doorstep, no matter how docile and kind-hearted people are, they will take up arms, just like back then. Like me, if the Kujit people hadn’t arrived at the door, I might still be my own happy little lord somewhere.”

"Rustling" a rush of footsteps came from a distance,

"Who is it?" came the guard's voice from afar.

"I am the messenger of the Dylans family. This time I am sending an urgent secret letter under the order of my mistress." A familiar response came from the darkness. The sonorous and powerful low voice gave people a sense of vicissitudes of life.

"Is it Captain Witmint?" Hearing this familiar voice, the fat man frowned slightly and waved to Konoe, "Let him come over."

Soon, a thin middle-aged man, led by two guards, came to the fat man. It was Captain Witmint whom he had met before.

"Grand Duke, this came from our internal line in Ruidian." Witmint cautiously took out a red-lacquered document from his arms and whispered, "You have let us pay attention to the number one Ruidian." The Knights have left their base three days ago and their whereabouts are unknown."

"Haha, as expected, the Ruidian people's previous show of weakness was just waiting for the Kujit people to fall into the trap." The fat man sneered at the corner of his mouth and twisted the letter into a ball with his hand. "It's just a pity, Marshal Berlant." , knowing that this is a dead trap that cannot be untied, but he has to use his body as a bait to trap it tighter and tighter until he is completely suffocated."

"Oh, why do you think so? I heard that Marshal Berlant is the number one general in Ruidian." Nilai next to her leaned over with a look of astonishment on her face.

"It is precisely because he is the number one general that he has no chance of survival." The fat man had a faint smile on his lips, feeling a little complicated. He looked at the black sky with sparse lights in the distance and said in a deep voice, "Ye Ruige is The northern gate of Ruildian has no chance of being defended by the Kujit army heading south with a force of 5,000. Therefore, this must be a trap set by Ruildian.

In order to appear real, Berlant would inevitably lead his troops to fight to the death until the Kugit troops were exhausted and empty, allowing Ruidian's main force to turn the tide of the battle in one fell swoop and then launch a massive counterattack."

"Isn't this good? With Marshal Berlant's ability, he might be able to defend it," Nilai said curiously.

"You don't understand the Ruidian people. They are a nation that attaches great importance to honor. It's because Berlant could defend it that he had to die." The fat man said with a mysterious face. After whetting everyone's appetite, he slowly said

"If you were the Ruidian royal family, would you let a defeated general become the hero who reversed the overall situation? The other army commanders could only become foils. No, they could make a dead warrior a hero, but never A blow like that to a living general would make other legions of Rui Erdian rebel." ..