Chapter 238 War Begins! Rivers of Blood Flow (Long Chapter)
The dividing line between the Dawn Tribe and the Ironblood Tribe.
Thunder Bluff.
Brunhilde stood atop the cliff, his helmet, inlaid with mammoth tusks, gleaming blue under the thunderclouds. A fierce wind blew against him, causing his wolf-skin cloak to flutter like a battle flag. His exposed skin was covered in tattoos, his muscles were like cast iron, and his body was like an iron tower.
He is the leader of the Dawn Tribe, a barbarian who wields the power of rage.
Before his rage was activated, Brunhilde appeared to be a calm human leader with a steady gaze and a calm expression. However, he also gave off a feeling of mixed qualities, as if he were not a person, but a 'group of people'.
In fact, that's largely true.
If a creature with a keen eye were to look closely, it would be able to see numerous phantoms floating around Brunhilde, each possessing a leader-like aura—some wise and calm, some imposing without anger, and some defiant and unyielding. They were all distinctly different.
Barbarians have many branching paths to choose from after reaching level 3.
Such as the Giant Path, Totem Warrior Path, Berserker Path, Wild Magic Path, and among the many paths, the one Brunhilde chose is called Ancestral Guardian.
When the living respect the culture of their ancestors and fight for the continuation of the tribe.
The spirits of their ancestors will also guide the living and protect the healthy.
When a barbarian embarks on this path and goes berserk, he can come into contact with the spirit world, clearly feel the existence of ancestral spirits, and obtain various powers through different ancestral spirits.
Brunhilde looked south.
As far as the eye could see, there was an endless sky and earth, with the sunlight shining down calmly. However, he saw in it a scene of war raging, the sky ablaze, and the earth turned to scorched earth.
"The Iron-Melting Tribe"
Brunhilde turned to the orc standing on the other side and said, "Ugosh, the Ironforge is gradually assimilating the Goldtooth Tribe and is getting stronger every day. We can't wait any longer."
The orcs were tall and robust, stronger than Brunhilde.
He has a sloping forehead, a protruding jaw, prominent fangs, and rough green skin. He is about the same height as a human, but much wider.
Due to their racial nature, orcs produce many warriors and barbarians.
Ugosh, like Brunhilde, is a barbarian.
However, the two branch out in different ways.
Ugosh's Barbarian path is - Totem Warrior.
His attire, including the bear skull shoulder armor, eagle feather cloak, and wolf claw necklace, all symbolizing totem beasts, is a testament to this.
Barbarians who embark on the path of the Totem Warrior will use the Beast Soul as their guide, protector, and source of power. In their rage, the essence of the Beast Soul will infuse the barbarian with supernatural power, imbuing their fury with magical strength.
"The snake people of the Poison Tail tribe haven't given an answer yet; those indecisive guys say they need to think about it for a few more days."
The orc said in a gruff tone.
Brunhilde sneered and said, "Those swamp reptiles are not trustworthy. They lack the honor of blood and courage, and only like to play dirty tricks. They can't be relied on when it matters."
Ugosh nodded emphatically: "Once the war with the Ironforge is over, we'll cooperate and crush the Serpent-tailed Men."
"Fine! I've disliked those snake people for a long time."
"That's what humans are saying."
The Poison Tail tribe has a severe imbalance in its strengths and lacks the ability to fight head-on.
Among them, only the Six-Armed Snake Woman Sword Saint made them wary. Although there were many other warlocks and shamans, they did not pose a great threat to barbarians of their level. Moreover, they also had warriors and warlocks and shamans under their command, making them more comprehensive than the Poison Tail tribe.
At this moment, the orc grinned, revealing his fangs and a ferocious smile.
He said to the humans, "After this, Brunhilde, are you ready to fight me to the death? To decide the final ownership of the borderlands."
Brunhilde looked directly into the orc's eyes and said, "Victory will ultimately be mine, Ugosh. If you beg for mercy then, I will spare your life."
Ugosh patted his chest: "Orcs will never be slaves. Death is an honor for us, but I don't think you can bring me death." He made no attempt to hide his malice as he said to the human, "You are a formidable opponent, but I will eventually snap your neck and skin you alive as a trophy."
Brunhilde and Ugosh.
Both were barbarians, and leaders of two major tribes.
They have a close working relationship, but they are also competitors. They have fought many times in private, but they have never gone into a state of rage and have always stopped short of a full-blown conflict.
They knew that once the Furious Battle began, it would be a fight to the death, meaning that the Dawn Tribe and the Ironblood Tribe would go to war in a life-or-death struggle.
Several major tribes coexisted in the border area.
Their all-out war would only give other tribes an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, and it would be pointless.
However, when only Dawn and Ironblood remained at the border, the two had already made a promise to engage in a sacred and honorable duel to determine the ownership of the border.
"That's for later. Let's talk about how to deal with the Ironforge tribe first."
Brunhilde said, "We cannot place our hopes on the Poison Tail tribe. Those snake people are fickle, cunning, and untrustworthy."
The straightforward orcs also disliked the snake people.
Ugosh nodded, his voice low and deep, "My greatsword thirsts for blood and is eager to sever the heads of dragons."
It wasn't just for the future of the tribe, but also for himself.
If he kills enough dragons, he will most likely be able to condense a dragon soul essence totem, at which point he will become even more powerful.
"The warriors of the Dawn Tribe are ready for war."
"The warriors of the Ironblood Tribe crave battle and bloodshed."
Both sides spoke frankly and without beating around the bush. After some discussion, they quickly reached a consensus and decided to no longer wait for the Poison Tail Tribe and instead wage war against the Iron Smelting Tribe.
Just then.
Suddenly, an urgent message arrived.
Brunhilde's gaze sharpened, and she took out a communication stone from her pocket, receiving the message.
— Soldiers of the Ironforge tribe are marching toward Blackrock Pass.
Black Stone Pass is one of the key routes connecting the south to the north.
On both sides are steep and rugged mountains, teeming with monsters and ferocious beasts, making passage difficult; in front and behind are endless plains with a wide-open view.
The Ironforge army has a clear objective and is gradually approaching Blackrock Pass.
The commotion they caused during their march was detected by the Dawn Tribe's sentries.
A massive legion, densely packed with countless gnolls, kobolds, war lizardmen, and a few elite ogres and centaurs, marched across the open plains, steadily approaching Blackrock Pass.
"Very well, instead of continuing to digest the Golden Tooth Tribe and consolidate their territory, they're coming to attack us."
Brunhilde sneered, "The dragons of the Ironforge tribe have quite the spirit and courage."
Ugosh growled and said in a deep voice, "If they want war, then so be it! First, let the Ironforge tribe know our strength at Blackrock Pass!"
Blackstone Pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and the Ironforge tribe will inevitably pay a heavy price here.
"The first battle is very important to us. It is a great opportunity to boost morale and is related to the fighting spirit of the soldiers who will follow."
“I will draw some warriors from other tribe strongholds to provide support at Blackrock Pass.”
Brunhilde said.
Blackstone Pass belongs to the Dawn Tribe, and the largest human garrison is stationed there.
Barbarians, warriors, and even a few spellcasters.
Ugosh nodded and said in a deep voice, "The Ironblood Tribe will send an elite force of berserkers to Blackrock Pass to tear those molten iron monsters to shreds."
Immediately afterwards, they left behind a way to communicate with each other, and the two tribal chiefs left Thunder Bluff.
The humans of the Dawn Tribe, the orcs of the Ironblood Tribe.
They had already been mobilized in advance and were in a state of preparation.
As orders were issued, large numbers of soldiers gathered at Blackrock Pass, awaiting the arrival of the Ironforge army.
The setting sun in Dragon Valley dyed the rock walls blood red, and the silver scales of the Crimson Silver Dragon Deborah reflected the light of the evening glow.
She tilted her head, her eyes filled with doubt: "Garos, the force you sent to Blackrock Pass is quite large, but the main force consists of low-ranking ghouls, kobolds, and war lizardmen. Can they really conquer such a treacherous pass? If we lose the first battle, the tribe's morale will probably plummet."
Through her previous curious inquiries, she learned about the Ironforge tribe's first move at Blackrock Pass, which puzzled her somewhat.
Hong Tielong smiled slightly and said, "They were just cannon fodder in a feint attack anyway, so it doesn't matter how many die."
"Blackrock Pass is a crucial passage for surface creatures, but for us, it's just a scratch on the map. We dragons rule the sky, and no pass can stop us. When the war around Blackrock Pass reaches its climax, that's when we'll truly begin our actions."
Even powerful kingdoms and empires have their airspace monitored.
If you rush through and get locked on, you might even be attacked by a magical satellite.
However, in remote and impoverished areas like the borderlands, there's no need to worry about this. Dragons can roam freely in the sky, and safety is only a concern when they land on the ground.
The Crimson Silver Dragon roughly understood what Garos meant.
The problem is, sending so many family members, so many living beings, to be cannon fodder is just too cruel.
"But then again, these are necessary sacrifices on the road to order."
As a metal dragon hybrid, Deborah belongs to the good side.
However, being in the good camp does not necessarily mean having a compassionate and saintly heart.
If a kind and law-abiding knight were to help the weak and then be falsely accused and extorted, it would be perfectly normal for him to draw his sword and kill the accuser on the spot, considering that such behavior would disrupt social order. He would not hesitate to do so even if the other party was a vulnerable group.
The Crimson Silver Dragon blinked, feeling that Garos was truly decisive and resolute; he should be the king of this border region.
"What about the snake-people tribe? Are we just going to let them reap the benefits without lifting a finger?"
The Crimson Silver Dragon asked again.
The Crimson Silver Dragon had no liking for the Poison Tail Tribe, who wavered like a reed in the wind, claiming to be neutral but actually plotting to seize the greatest benefits.
“If they pledged allegiance from the beginning, I would give them a very good position.”
"But they chose to stand by and watch, wanting to reap all the benefits."
Hong Tielong's lips curled into a cold smile: "There's no such thing as a free lunch. Now you want to sell it for a higher price? After the war, I'll make them pay ten times the price."
Good or bad, I like it.
The Crimson Silver Dragon blinked, finding the cold and aloof Garos even more charming.
"Garos, let's train together. Please guide me."
The image of the red iron dragon's fiery claws brushing against her body flashed through her mind, and her tail twitched involuntarily as she whispered.
"Now is not the time."
Red Iron Dragon declined Deborah's invitation to train, saying, "The situation is constantly changing, I need to focus, let's talk about it another time."
"All right."
Deborah said with a hint of disappointment, then ran to the other side to play a guessing game with the fairy dragon Vera.
Red Iron Dragon remained stationary, listening to the discussions and battle situation among the Ignas brothers through the Blood Ties, while silently adjusting its own condition in preparation for the upcoming battle.
The border area, Black Stone Pass.
The setting sun, like blood, cast its crimson light upon the earth.
Dog-headed Doug licked his sharp teeth, gazing at the heavily guarded pass ahead.
Behind Doug, a massive army of molten iron spread out across the plain before the pass.
The gnolls hunched over, their fur rising and falling with their breaths; the kobolds scratched the ground restlessly with their short claws, their scales reflecting a greasy sheen in the sunlight; the tall ogres were clad in heavy armor, their heavy breathing like that of a broken bellows; further out, the lizardmen were like shadows close to the ground, and the centaur warriors pawed at their iron hooves uneasily, the taut bowstrings humming softly yet gratingly.
"Can you smell it? The smell of fresh meat."
Doug raised his dragon-like head and roared like thunder.
"You little brats!"
"Tear open that gap! For the great Crimson Wing Lord, for the Molten Iron Tribe!"
After a brief pause, he spread his naturally occurring wings and roared, "Attack!"
The next moment, like a dam bursting, accompanied by the tremors of the ground, a black tide surged into the pass.
The gnolls were the first wave to crash into the iron wall.
They landed on all fours, bursting with astonishing speed, their emaciated bodies stretching into dark shadows as they sprinted forward.
Yellow Tooth Lak, the gnoll leader, charged ahead, his claws scraping sparks from the hard ground as he drew ever closer to the massive gate erected by the Dawn Tribe in the middle of the pass.
At that moment, a muffled echo suddenly resounded from the top of the cliff.
Woo-woo-woo
The deep, resonant sound of the horn, like muffled thunder, rolled across the plains and passes.
The next instant, death descended from the sky.
On the cliff, countless black dots cascaded down, accompanied by a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air.
Those were arrows raining down like a dense storm.
They easily pierced the gnolls' crude leather armor, tore through their muscles, and broke their bones.
A charging gnoll had its left leg instantly pinned to the ground. It howled and struggled, trying to pull out the bone arrow, when a second arrow pierced its neck, ending its wailing.
"Charge in a dispersed manner!"
The gnoll leader roared, rolling away from an iron arrow that was shot at him. The arrowhead was deeply embedded in the ground where he had just stood. Around him, more of his companions were reduced to convulsing corpses or wailing wounded men under the rain of arrows. Blood quickly gathered into small streams that meandered through the gullies in the ground.
As the rain of arrows fell.
The gnolls at the forefront fell in an instant, but the monsters that followed simply used the corpses of their fallen comrades as shields and continued to charge forward.
After paying the price of many corpses.
The molten iron monsters finally approached Blackrock Pass.
The rain of arrows continued, and spells such as fireballs, chain lightning, and ice spikes began to take effect, making every step forward difficult.
at the same time.
While the gnolls and kobolds drew fire, the stealthy lizardmen warriors had already quietly approached the pass.
On the steep, almost vertical rock face, dozens of invisible warrior lizardmen were climbing upwards at breakneck speed, much like giant geckos.
Their slender claws have rough, horny hooks at the tip, which embed deeply into the crevices of the rocks as if walking on flat ground.
Their target was the protruding stone platforms in the middle of the cliff.
—The archer position of the Dawn Tribe.
(End of this chapter)
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