Under Randall's astonished gaze, Barbara walked to the square of Lone Rock, stood in front of the cross in the center of the flower bed, and began to take out a mirror to tidy up her appearance.
Randall stood beside her, looking at her with amusement, and asked, "What do you want to do?"
Barbara brushed the dust off her clothes, put her hair up again, and said, "Tell me, what's my best skill?"
Randall frowned and said, "Spend money?"
Seeing the woman's angry expression, Randall immediately changed his tune, saying, "I misspoke. You are a very excellent actress."
“Actors, and singers,” Barbara added, clearing her throat as she began to sing loudly into the deserted square.
"Lord, have mercy on me and hear my prayer."
"How long will your hearts harden, you people? When will you cease your desire for illusion and your love of lying? Be trembling and refrain from evil; when you go to your bed in the quiet of the night, examine your hearts and consider your sins. Offer your worthy sacrifices and trust in the Lord with all your heart."
Following the song, Knight Commander Horn led the surviving knights to the center of the square, where he looked at the singing Barbara with a peaceful expression on his face.
“It’s a hymn from the Bible.” Randall’s eyes were filled with fascination.
The houses closer to the square opened their doors.
At first, only one or two people cautiously peeked out. Then, more and more people came out of their homes and gathered in the square to listen to Barbara's singing.
Jennings, with a full beard and a bewildered expression, also came out of the barracks and staggered into the crowd.
People held their crosses to their chests, heads bowed, and softly joined Barbara in singing this sacred hymn. Their unwavering faith in God, bit by bit, returned to their hearts in this increasingly resounding chorus.
“Her voice has a power, the power of faith.” Horn’s face was full of piety. He looked around and said with emotion, “Look at the people around us, faith has returned to this city.”
Randall remained silent, simply watching the singing woman, his eyes no longer showing hesitation or uncertainty.
In the Ayyubid Empire's military camp, Saladin looked towards the city and asked, "I heard singing?"
Ilem nodded: "Perhaps some kind of mass is being held in the city."
Saladin withdrew his gaze and looked again at the dozens of corpses lying on the ground: "Has the murderer been caught?"
“No,” Elem said through gritted teeth. “According to eyewitness testimonies, those bastards vanished into thin air after ambushing the sentries.”
Saladin was taken aback: "Disappeared?"
"The people who attacked the sentry seemed to be a group of well-trained assassins. They took only half a minute from the start to the retreat. Moreover, they seemed to have used some method to conceal their presence."
Saladin thought for a moment and then ordered, "Increase the number of patrols and strengthen the camp's security!"
Elam nodded in agreement, but did not move his feet.
Saladin looked at him and asked, "What? Is there something else?"
"Caliph, tomorrow will be the sixth day of the siege..."
"I know."
"Judging by the time, Latib's army should have already dealt with the reinforcements from Lone Rock and begun preparing to attack the city."
Saladin said nonchalantly, "So what?"
Ilam grew anxious: "Caliph, we can't let Latib and his men enter Lone Rock first! If they get into the city first, it will be a huge blow to your prestige and authority. Why don't we launch a general offensive tomorrow and take Lone Rock in one fell swoop?"
Saladin glanced at him: "Tomorrow I will not only not increase your troops, but on the contrary, I will reduce the attacking force and lower the intensity of the attack."
"What did you say?!"
Saladin, too lazy to explain further, turned around and went straight back to his tent.
The next day, the defenders of Lone Rock City voluntarily abandoned the outer city, gathered supplies and troops, and retreated into the inner city.
As for the Imperial Army, after occupying the outer city walls, they only launched a symbolic attack before ceasing their advance, reorganizing their forces, and no longer advancing.
Standing on the inner city wall, watching the Imperial army clearing the road up the mountain, Randall, his face full of doubt, asked Horn, "What do you think?"
The latter was also completely baffled: "Logically, the Imperial army should be coordinating with the flanking forces to launch continuous attacks, so as to take the city in the shortest time... But after launching one attack, they abandoned their advance. It's really strange..."
"In any case, the fact that the enemy has chosen to stop their attack is certainly not a bad thing for us." Jennings, freshly washed, walked up to the city wall and greeted everyone as he said this.
After bowing, Randall said, "It's a pleasure to see you."
Jennings smiled and turned his gaze to Barbara, who was busy bandaging soldiers below the city wall: "We have to thank her for this."
Horn said to Jennings, "My lord, in the coming days, I will lead my men to the north gate of Lone Rock to stop the enemy from the north."
Jennings leaned closer to Horn and whispered, "There's something I need your help with."
"Please speak."
“There is a very important person I would like you to send to Muxi City.”
Horn's face showed a complicated expression. After hesitating for a long time, he nodded and said, "I will arrange for my men to escort that guest to Muxi City."
Perhaps still somewhat worried, Jennings emphasized again: "She is very important, and there can be absolutely no accidents."
Horn shrugged: "I will arrange for two of the bravest knights to ride the fastest warhorses and escort the guest to Twilight City... My lord, you should know that the northern plains are teeming with enemies, and too many people will only attract more attention."
Jennings nodded helplessly and walked down the city wall.
Randall leaned closer to Horn and whispered, "Was that guest he just mentioned the king of Lone Rock...?"
The latter quickly gestured for him to be quiet, glancing around as he whispered, "Don't ask, just pretend nothing happened."
The sixth day of the Battle of Lone Rock passed in silence between the two sides.
On the morning of the seventh day, Randall, who was sleeping in the gate of the city tower, was awakened by a series of alarm bells ringing overhead.
He picked up his longsword, put on his helmet, and climbed to the top of the watchtower. He saw a row of warships flying crescent flags slowly sailing towards the city from the north on the vast, misty sea.
"It's the Empire's fleet."
Randall watched as a warship lowered its sails, turned its hull, and opened the gun ports on its side. With a deafening roar, the sounds of rocks crumbling and horses neighing echoed from the northern ridge.
Gripping his longsword tightly, Randall's face was filled with tension and unease.
He knew that from this moment on, the imperial army that had circled around from the north had successfully reached the north gate of Lone Rock City, forming an encirclement with the troops from the south.
The fate of Lonely Rock City, like a small boat in a stormy sea, is becoming increasingly perilous and unpredictable.
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