The soldiers were under immense pressure, seeing enemies everywhere, and were unable to rest or build defensive fortifications with peace of mind.
Morale plummeted at a visible rate, and complaints arose everywhere. The progress of fortifying the camp was severely slowed down, and even came to a standstill due to frequent sabotage.
The Sass officer in charge of the construction was overwhelmed with work and faced immense pressure from higher-ups every day.
"Damn Lind! Damn Kree rat!"
Inside the central tent of the Sassin camp, a heavily armored general angrily slammed his helmet to the ground with a loud crash.
"They're like maggots clinging to our bones! We can't have a moment's peace day or night! If this continues, we won't even have to surround them; our own people will collapse first!"
"Patrols must be increased! The perimeter must be expanded! All soldiers working must be equipped with shields and have guards beside them!"
Another officer, who appeared to be a staff member, suggested with a grim face.
"Guards? Where would we get so many men! The walls of Grinburg may be breached, but Lind and his silver-armored knights are still here! And that elusive shadow assassin! Sending out a squad would be suicide!"
The general waved his hand impatiently.
The atmosphere inside the tent was heavy and oppressive. They had intended to rest and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out, but instead, Lind dragged them into an even more exhausting quagmire.
Greenburg was like a cracked but still poisonous rock, making it impossible for them to get a foothold, yet they were constantly being pricked.
…………
On the walls of Greenburg, Lind looked at the clearly overwhelmed and slow-moving Sassian defenses in the distance, his face showing no pride, only his usual calm.
He knew that harassment could only buy time and create trouble, but could not fundamentally resolve the crisis.
The damage to Greenburg is a real hidden danger, and supplies are also being depleted.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the city wall steps.
With a rare expression of exhaustion and exhilaration on his face, Li Luns strode over to Lind's side, lowering his voice but unable to hide his excitement:
"Lind! Scouts report! Dust is rising in the southwest, and banners are clearly visible—the banners of the Earl of Sutherland! And... the coats of arms of several other families! Reinforcements! Our reinforcements have arrived! The vanguard cavalry is less than thirty miles from here and is expected to reach the city walls this evening!"
This news was like a timely rain after a long drought, instantly dispelling the last trace of gloom between Lind's brows.
He turned sharply and looked toward the southwest horizon. Even without activating his vision, he could almost see the flag, representing hope and vitality, approaching Greenburg.
"Finally...it's here!"
Linde's voice carried a relieved hoarseness, which then transformed into a deeper resolve.
"Pass down the order that the news of the impending arrival of reinforcements should be 'appropriately' spread to the 'neighbors' outside the city. Also, prepare to open the city gates to welcome them!"
He knew that with the arrival of this new force, the balance of power in Greenburg would be truly reversed! The carefully constructed siege shell of the Sassians would be completely shattered by him.
…………
Standing on the walls of Greenburg, Linde watched the flag gradually become clearer on the southwestern horizon, and the tension in his heart finally eased slightly.
The surviving defenders on the city wall also saw hope, and a hint of excitement finally appeared on their tired and numb faces.
"Open the city gates! Welcome our reinforcements!" Linde's voice, booming with relief, echoed across the city walls.
The heavy city gate slowly opened amidst the ear-piercing creaking of the winch, and the drawbridge was lowered.
One after another, well-equipped cavalrymen, covered in dust but with their armor gleaming coldly in the setting sun, surged in.
The leader was someone Linde recognized; he was Hoffman Stone, the most capable lieutenant under Earl Sutherland and a knight commander with gold-level strength.
However, when Linde led Lillens down the city wall to greet the knight commander who represented the count's will, the expression on Hoffmann's face made Linde's heart sink.
It wasn't the joy of a victorious reunion, but a solemnity mixed with heaviness, anxiety, and even a hint of fear.
Hoffman dismounted with nimble movements, but the lingering gloom between his brows was clearly visible.
He strode up to Lind, and without even having time for a proper knightly salute, lowered his voice and said hastily:
“Baron Lind! Greenburg has been defended! You and your soldiers have done a great service! But…”
Hoffman's voice was strained, carrying an unbelievable pain.
"We have brought extremely bad news!"
Linde's eyes instantly sharpened like an eagle's:
"Please speak, Sir Hoffmann!"
Hoffman took a deep breath, as if to release a pent-up emotion, his voice filled with suppressed anger and lingering fear:
"Just three nights ago, the Earl... was assassinated by the Sassians in his main tent at the garrison!"
"What?!"
Linde's pupils contracted sharply, a chilling sensation instantly shooting up his spine to the top of his head! Count Sutherland, the pillar of the Northern defenses, a mithril-level expert, had actually been assassinated in his own stronghold?!
"How are your injuries, sir?!"
Li Luns also asked in a trembling voice, his face turning deathly pale.
"Extremely serious injuries!"
Hoffman's voice was choked with emotion.
"That assassin...that was no ordinary assassin! It was like...like a monster that emerged directly from the shadows! Silent and swift as a ghost! It stabbed the Earl with some kind of blade containing terrifying corrosive and shadowy poison!"
If it weren't for the Earl's swift reaction and the timely casting of 'Praise of Life' by the accompanying high priest to keep him alive... he probably would have died on the spot..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was crystal clear—Earl Sutherland was critically injured and his life hung by a thread!
This news struck Lind and Lillens like a bolt from the blue! The hope that had just risen because of the arrival of reinforcements was instantly shrouded by an even greater dark cloud!
Where is the assassin?
Lind's voice was as cold as the polar wind.
"It was severely damaged by the Earl's counterattack, but... it still managed to escape as a shadow! The camp guards gave chase, only to find a few drops of foul-smelling black slime..."
Hoffman gritted his teeth, filled with a sense of powerlessness and anger.
He wiped his face, forcing himself to calm down, and continued:
"The last order given by the Earl before he fell into a coma was that the deputy legion commander would temporarily assume command."
Meanwhile, given the Earl's serious injury, the Northern Frontier defenses are leaderless, and private armies of nobles from various regions are gathering, potentially leading to chaos... Therefore, the Deputy Commander, in the name of the Earl's representative, summons all vassals and lords on the Northern Frontier to immediately proceed to the Earl's garrison camp! An emergency military meeting is to be held!
Hoffmann's gaze swept over Lind and the wounded but still determined Greenburg garrison behind him, his tone earnest and unquestionable:
"Baron Linde, the crisis at Greenburg has been resolved. After this battle and your continuous harassment, the Sassians will not dare to attack again in the short term!"
Right now, more important than defending a castle is stabilizing the entire northern defense line and calming the hearts of the people! We need all our loyal nobles to proceed to their posts immediately! We must reach a consensus, consolidate our forces, and hold the northern border until the Earl's situation becomes clear!
Linde's expression became extremely grave. He instantly understood Hoffmann's urgency and worry.
Earl Sutherland is not only the supreme commander, but also the backbone and ballast of the Northern Noble Alliance!
With him gone, the nobles, both high and low, who were already harboring their own thoughts and schemes, lost their greatest restraint and deterrence and were bound to become restless!
A situation of inconsistent military orders, fighting independently, and even infighting could arise at any moment! This would be absolutely disastrous for the western defense line, which is currently confronting the Sass army!
Although Greenburg was temporarily safe, the sky over the entire western region was suddenly filled with dark clouds and cracks!
"I see."
Lind's voice was deep and powerful, without the slightest hesitation.
“Grinburg is temporarily garrisoned by Knight Aster and my adjutant, which is sufficient to handle the current situation. Lillens, you will come with me to the Earl’s territory.”
“Yes, sir!” Lilens replied immediately, fully aware of the seriousness of the situation.
Seeing Lind's decisiveness, Hoffmann's eyes flashed with gratitude and admiration:
"Excellent! Baron Linde is a man of great principle! Without further ado, let us rest for the night, replenish our horses' supplies, and set off at dawn tomorrow! We must bring the situation under control before chaos escalates!"
Linde looked southwest, towards the direction of the Earl's territory, his gaze deep and solemn.
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