Chapter 137: Dawn: The Battle That Decides the Fate of the Empire [VIP]

Because the Holy Empire Army had the support of many countries, the allied forces that set out from Gaola held high the banners of justice such as "expel the alien demons that invaded the motherland", "avenge the holy city of Denos", and "release the Holy Grand Duke". The team encountered very few obstacles during its westward advance. The kings of most of the territories along the way either silently let them pass or warmly entertained them. Moreover, no king prevented the civilians in their territory from forming a volunteer army to join the allied forces.

Despite the favorable situation, Xiao Yun still acted cautiously, sending out scouts at regular intervals. Kairusha's grassland coalition army even shuttled through the mountains and forests, as if it were a non-existent army.

"Having said that, being able to make over 10,000 cavalry vanish on the spot and then regroup at any time, the 'Prairie Black Eagle' is truly extraordinary."

Alfonso said with some emotion, "Fighting against an army like this, even if we have an absolute advantage in numbers, we will be mentally broken and suffer heavy losses due to their guerrilla tactics that come and go at will."

"From what I understand, before becoming the Regent of Barakhania, you earned the nickname 'White Death' for your bravery on the battlefield. You're also adept at adapting to local conditions, achieving unexpected victories, and minimizing casualties among your mercenary group. Even I wouldn't necessarily be able to gain the upper hand against your mercenary group."

"Maybe."

Alfonso remained silent.

During the conversation, both of them looked at the silent Xiao Yun at the same time.

"...your military control and guerrilla tactics both make me feel threatened, but he gives me a pure shock."

"I have similar thoughts."

Kairusha nodded in agreement. "Along the way, we've seen a constant influx of civilian volunteers, as well as small knight orders joining us. The total number of troops has increased, not only increasing logistical pressure, but also, since most of the new recruits haven't received systematic training, management is incredibly difficult. Yet, he's been able to manage every single one of them. This isn't something that can be achieved solely through charisma!"

"Indeed, only those who have truly led troops can understand how outstanding his performance is at this moment. It's simply—"

Alfonso paused and sighed, "He's simply the perfect hero straight out of a myth. He possesses formidable combat prowess, yet is also considerate and caring towards his subordinates. He also acts decisively and with integrity. No wonder His Highness Yaris resolutely nominated him to be the supreme commander of the coalition forces."

"Edmund was truly unfortunate to be born in the same era and country as two such outstanding brothers. I don't want to defend his evil deeds, but if he hadn't lived in the shadow of Jarris since childhood and now been overshadowed by Lucien's brilliance, Edmund might not have turned to the Demon King of another world."

"You are a royal and his cousin, so it's inevitable that you feel pity for Edmund. However, in the eyes of a bastard from the lowest social class, being an emperor with mediocre abilities, a lack of self-awareness, self-righteousness, and a refusal to accept sound advice from talented subordinates is unforgivable!"

"Alfonso—"

"Do you think my views are a bit too extreme?"

Alfonso asked back.

Kairusha shook his head. "I feel I owe you an apology for what I just said. You've made me realize that even though I pride myself on being close to the people, I still can't truly transcend my own class and empathize with the feelings of those at the bottom."

"It's okay, I'm just feeling sentimental."

Alfonso looked at the silent Xiao Yun again and murmured, "I don't know what he's thinking at the moment, how to win or..."

He raised his head and looked towards the distant royal capital.

…

…

The army marched silently along the "Road of the Gods" and arrived at the small town of Ikam in the evening.

There were only a few thousand residents in the town, but suddenly tens of thousands of soldiers poured in, making the place extremely crowded.

Even though the army had strict discipline and did not commit any looting or violence after entering the town, the townspeople were terrified to see the originally empty streets suddenly filled with armored soldiers - there were even barbarian warriors over two meters tall, people from the grasslands dressed in colorful clothes, and magicians as strange as black clouds. Some arranged for the men to lead the women to escape through the windows into the nearby forest for shelter, while others hid the elderly and children with limited mobility and their valuables in the basement.

The town elders who were responsible for the reception, led by the mayor, walked tremblingly to Xiao Yun and others and knelt down.

"Your Majesty! How long do you plan to stay here? Ikam is a very small town and cannot provide food and accommodation for every soldier..."

"Don't worry about food. We brought enough dry rations to make soup. We will also compensate you for any requisitioned food at market price. As for accommodation, it's spring now, the temperature is getting warmer, and it's been dry and rainy lately, so you can sleep outdoors."

"His Majesty,

The elders were stunned.

They had heard that the Holy Empire Army had strict military discipline, and would not rob people of their belongings in the streets, nor would they drag women into haystacks just because they were young and beautiful, but—

The military demanding food from local areas and asking residents to give up their houses is a long-standing tradition that has existed for hundreds or even thousands of years. How could it be possible that...

"The Holy Empire Army raised its flag only after life returned to normal."

"--Long live!"

road.

He was not very literate and had only a vague understanding of the outside world. He did not dare to assert whether the Holy Empire Army really represented justice, but he knew that the army before him was different from any other army he had.

…

…

At night, Xiao Yun sat alone beside the camp bed, holding the message crystal from Yaris in his hands. Just as his thoughts were like the sea -

"Report!"

The servant's voice rang out.

"What's up?"

"The latest military intelligence reports show that enemy forces are gathering on Ram Plain, approximately five kilometers from Ikam Town. They appear to be preparing for a major battle with our forces on Ram Plain."

"Ram Plains?"

For some reason, when Xiao Yun heard this name, he couldn't help but think of Hermann Karl Lamm, who was known as the observation specimen of unlucky humans and the great sage and saint of the bank robbery world.

“How many people have gathered so far?”

"Judging from the flags and the size of the camp, there should be at least 30,000 people."

"That is to say..."

Xiao Yun narrowed his eyes and said, "Continue to explore and don't alarm them. Report any unusual movements by the enemy immediately!"

"Yes, sir."

The attendant led the scouts to retreat.

Xiao Yun recalled the subtle emotions that instantly arose when he heard about Ram Plain, and immediately used the Wenwang Card to divine good or bad luck. The result was - it was impossible to determine good or bad luck, and he had to follow the will of heaven.

(What does this mean?)

(Divination cannot determine whether it is right or wrong to face His army on the plains of Ram? Or—)

Xiao Yun took a deep breath.

(Our army has already reached tens of thousands along the way, and Ram Plains is only five kilometers away from Ikam. An emergency evacuation is simply impossible... It would also damage the morale of the army and cause unnecessary losses...)

(The outcome of a war isn't entirely determined by strength. Although they arrived at Ram Plains first and gained the advantage of terrain, we still have the right timing and people. My army and I believe that what we are doing is just. With the "Xiang Yu" and "Han Xin" cards, I am also capable of handling any unexpected situation on the battlefield...)

Thinking of this, Xiao Yun was no longer confused.

(The divination result is in accordance with God's will! Then I will follow God's will and continue to move forward after dawn to engage in a decisive battle with His army on the Ram Plains!)

…

At dawn, the mayor of Ikam Town learned from the villagers who got up early to fetch water from the river that Emperor Edmund III's army was gathering on the Ram Plain, only five kilometers away from the town. He immediately turned pale and crawled to Xiao Yun's tent.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Please save us!"

"Don't make any noise! ​​His Majesty is still resting!"

The guard pulled the mayor aside and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

The mayor wept, "The army, the army... Ram Plains... We, we are country folk, uneducated, and don't know who is truly righteous. But we know the tragedy of the Holy City of Dinos... Even the Holy City of Dinos will be... A small town like ours... If... the cadres will definitely have no way to survive!"

"The matter of Denos..."

The guard's eyes moistened.

The mayor added, "I know my request is shameless, and a small place like ours doesn't have anything to offer as a thank you gift, but as long as you can defeat them and keep the people here alive, we will provide all the help we can! Please! You must tell His Majesty what I said. Please, His Majesty, please save our town!"

"I already feel your intention."

A gentle voice sounded behind his head. The mayor turned his head and looked at the handsome face that appeared before him along with the rising sun. His mouth opened and could not close for a long time.

"Rest assured, even without your plea, our army would have faced Edmund's army head-on on the Ram Plains. We will protect you and will never let the tragedy of Denos happen again anywhere."

“Yes! Yes!”

The mayor wiped his tears and burst into tears.

"Go back now and tell the townspeople not to go out for the time being, but don't be too afraid. The threat of Edmund's army will be gone from Ikam forever by the day after tomorrow, or even before sunset tomorrow."

"Your Majesty! You, you..."

The mayor cried like a baby.

"I, I, I will go back now and bring the people of Ganzhen to pray for His Majesty, praying that His Majesty's military fortunes will flourish and that he will win every battle!"

"This battle is not as difficult as you think."

Xiao Yun smiled and said, "Brother once said that the strength of the army comes from the people. Without the support of the people, the army is like a castle built on the sand. No matter how tall and mighty it is, it will soon collapse."

“But, but…”

"If you must help us, please find a few strong townspeople who are familiar with the surrounding terrain to serve as our guides."

"Yes, sir!"

The mayor said excitedly.

…

As the sun gradually rose, the Holy Empire coalition forces began to operate with the small town of Ikam as their base.

After receiving the scout report yesterday, Xiao Yun convened a secret military meeting. They all agreed that since the other party had not informed them in advance, they should just pretend that they knew nothing. The vanguard troops marched normally to Ram Plain and caught Edmund's army, which was still gathering, by surprise!

“Speed ​​wins!”

"I don't know what He wants to do, but our team must set off on time!"

"Even in classical times, when warfare was subject to certain rules, an army was only required to remain stationary and wait for the enemy after receiving formal notification."

"Anyway, have the scouts keep a close watch on Kairusha's grassland coalition forces—"

"Flanking attacks, like sneak attacks, are the signature skills of the grasslands."

Kairusha said with a laugh.

Considering that the enemy may have other tricks up their sleeves, the army is ready to send all its forces this time and directly engage in a decisive battle with the enemy.

…

…

When dawn arrived, the depths of the Palace of Light were still shrouded in thick green darkness.

In the room on the fifth floor of the White Tower, Yaris, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, suddenly put down the scroll and said, "I feel..."

"What did you feel?"

"Edmund" sounded, with a dark twist.

His figure slowly emerged from the darkness, with a black cloak draped over his arms.

Seeing this, the attendants instinctively wanted to protect the king.

Then--

Snap!

After a snap of the fingers, everyone, including Kelly, fell down.

Yaris didn't even raise an eyebrow.

He glanced at the black cloak draped over Edmund's arm: "Are you going out?"

"I want to take you out with me."

Edmund threw his black cloak in front of Yaris, pointed out the window where miasma was rolling, and said, "The war that will determine the fate of the empire is about to begin. Don't you want to know the outcome?"

"No matter what the outcome of the battle is, the final conclusion of the story is that Edmund completely loses the throne, and you who possessed him are permanently expelled!"

"Really? Didn't you refuse to go with me because you were afraid of seeing blood, especially that man's blood?"

“…”

Yaris bit his lip.

"Don't worry. When I obtain his power, I will place his head on a golden tray and give it to you. Then I will devour you and let you live forever in my body."

"...What a stupid and ignorant beast."

"Are you trying to hide your inner anxiety and fear with arrogance and harshness?"

"Edmund" looked at him coldly, like a monster ready to drag him into the dark hell at any time.

The furnishings in the room were unknowingly shrouded in a darkness from another dimension, becoming heavy and depressing. The golden tapestry on the wall seemed as if it would melt into black tar at any moment.

All the darkness was approaching Yaris.

"I do not understand……"

The demon king said cruelly, "Your body holds the original darkness from the birth of the universe. Your soul could merge with the darkness at any moment. Your body has continued to deteriorate to the point where it can no longer withstand even direct sunlight. Why do you still insist on pursuing light?"

"—I refuse to answer your question."

"But I can force you to watch the final battle with me!"

“…”

In the silence, the darkness was jumping wildly, and all kinds of strange creatures from other dimensions emerged from the room. They swayed their bodies around Yaris frantically as if attracted by fatal temptation, with dirty joy.

"He's not for you inferiors to touch!"

The Demon King arrogantly ordered, "He is the perfect being conceived by the primordial darkness. He will become the queen of my dark empire and rule my dark world with me forever!"

"I see……"

Yaris sighed softly, a cold smile appearing at the corners of his pale lips.

"Now that you've realized..."

He put on his black cloak and picked out a blood-red Rosa Marie from the marble pitcher filled with flowers and held it in his hand.

“…”

The devil looked at the crimson Rosamari, who was deliberately placed near his heart, with resentment and stretched out his skull-like hand: "Let's go!"

Yaris did not accept His hand.

…

With the permission of darkness, the east wall of the fifth floor of the White Tower disappeared, turning into a long dark passage. At the end of the darkness there was a red star. A terrifying sound lingered in the passage, which was not sure whether it was the sound of the wind or the breathing of the devil.

Yaris remained unmoved. Holding the crimson Rosamari, he stepped steadily into the dark passage that led to an unknown destination.

The wind outside blew in his face, and Yaris was very sure that he was hanging in the air at this moment, and the darkness carried him and bound him.

[Look below——]

The demon king's voice sounded again, this time directly in his mind.

Yaris looked down and saw the cruel and bloody battlefield.

[I know your eyesight is getting worse, so I deliberately scheduled the final battle during the day.]

"you--"

[——Your brother is a rare genius. He has grown to this level in just a few years. If he is given more time to grow...]

The Demon King commented with interest.

Unfortunately, superior brainpower can never make up for the gap in absolute strength. Since ancient times, defeating the majority with the minority has always been the exception, while defeating the minority with the majority has been the norm... Before dusk falls, everything will be over... because the true king's power is about to arrive!

"What!"

Yaris gasped.

He squinted his eyes painfully, trying to find a familiar figure among the crowd fighting fiercely in the bright light of noon, but—

Looking down from a high altitude, the chariot was just a small black block, and the people and horses fighting in a bloody battle looked more like ants moving at high speed. Even with the eyesight of an eagle, it would be difficult to find a specific person in such a dark and dense crowd, not to mention that Yaris's eyesight was deteriorating rapidly.

"I believe him..."

Yaris said to himself, "He has always been steadfast and strong. No matter what happens, he can survive. I won't worry about him... I never have to worry about his life being in danger..."

…

The team fighting hard on the plains had no idea that there were two figures looking down at them from above.

Compared to the Edmund Army, which had uniform clothing and weapons, the Holy Empire Army, composed of at least three royal forces and recently accepted many local volunteers, looked like a ragtag army. However, if you carefully observe the performance of both sides—

"Forward! Forward! Victory belongs to us!"

"Shoot those bastards! Avenge our families!"

"Damn lunatic!"

"Wow! Wow!"

“…”

The seemingly flashy coalition Wang Li team advanced steadily and continued to attack the enemy Wang Li, while their grassland allies relied on their flexible and changeable posture to continuously launch attacks from both wings, breaking the military formation that Edmund's army had finally formed into pieces.

The battlefield soon turned into a fierce Shura field where it was difficult to distinguish between friend and foe.

"What do we do now? We can't stop them!"

"My Lord Earl, give the order to retreat immediately!"

"Shut up, Your Majesty forbids retreating. Moreover, our Wang Li troops have been surrounded by them and cannot withdraw at all."

"Then set it on fire! Spring has just begun, there's still a lot of dead grass on the ground, and the wind is in our favor. As long as we set it on fire—"

"Doing so would burn everyone, including ourselves! And it would be a serious violation of His Majesty's orders! His Majesty said the rebel leader must be captured alive!"

“Damn it!”

The subordinate who suggested setting fire to escape was so angry at his boss, Count Zog, that he let out a violent roar.

Count Zog seemed not to hear his subordinates' curses and continued to order his men to engage in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the rebels.

"Send the reserve troops to support Wang Li's troops. At the same time, organize a thousand-man assault team to capture the rebel leader Lucien alive!"

"That's impossible!"

The subordinates screamed collectively.

Because, to capture the rebel leader Lucien alive, they had to get past the defenses personally built by Alfonso, the second-in-command of the rebels, known as the "White Devil." By this point in the battle, the "White Devil" had already entered the legendary "blood frenzy" state.

His white armor, white cloak and long white hair were all stained red with blood. His slender body looked like a killing machine without humanity or personality, and his eyes gleamed like a bloodthirsty beast. Whenever he saw someone trying to break through the defense line and attack Xiao Yun, the king's commander, he would spur his horse to chase after them and fight while laughing excitedly, enjoying the joy of killing like a demon from hell. Wherever he went, he would leave behind a pile of corpses.

"No buts! Execute the order immediately!"

Count Zog emphasized his tone.

Unfortunately, even though the military order was as strong as a mountain, the soldiers who were forcibly incorporated into the stormtroopers still did not dare to get close, and even trembled all over when they heard Alfonso's bloodthirsty laughter.

(It is impossible for humans to defeat such a monster!)

(He's not human! He's a demon! Or a killing machine created by the Grim Reaper himself!)

(“White Devil”!)

(“White Death”!)

…

(What kind of monster did the Eternal Empire create back then!)

Xiao Yun was also shocked by Alfonso's madness, and in the shock he gradually understood why Yaris had planned to take Alfonso away before his death - Alfonso, who entered the "blood madness" state, was like a humanoid machine that strictly obeyed orders, tirelessly carrying out the order to "eliminate the enemy", and showing an excitement and selfless fanaticism about blood and killing.

(It's crazy that it's only partially activated. If it were 100% activated...)

[The activation rate of Alfonso's "mad blood" is rapidly increasing. If it is not stopped within half an hour, he will become a killing machine that does not distinguish between friend and foe until his blood is drained.]

The system suddenly made a sound.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yun immediately spurred his horse to Alfonso, who was unleashing his bloody desire, and grabbed his blood-stained hand. "Alfonso, you're tired. Go to the back and rest! I'll take care of the rest!"

"I--"

"Your current condition is very dangerous!"

Xiao Yun emphasized seriously.

Alfonso, who had suddenly broken free from Xiao Yun's grip and was driven to kill, looked at him in surprise: "How did you—"

"I'll explain the details later! You must go to the rear immediately."

"--All right!"

Alfonso took a deep breath and quickly withdrew from the battlefield under the escort of his guards.

Seeing the enemy general Alfonso suddenly leave the battlefield, the stormtroopers who had been shrinking back and not daring to move forward became excited.

"Charge! Victory belongs to us!"