Chapter 393 Escape
The news that the People's Army had decided to withdraw quickly spread around the shelter.
The imperial soldiers who dared to seek refuge in the enemy's lair had basically already prepared for being captured by the enemy. But now they suddenly learned that this group of people seemed to have no intention of competing with them, but were trying to leave the ice field on their own - and it was said that Lord Sandro was coming to the front line, so many people's minds suddenly became active.
"I want to go with the People's Army," a one-eyed veteran with a broken arm said hoarsely, "If I stay here any longer, I'm afraid I'll lose my life. I quit."
"But Lord Sandro is said to be coming. The Populists are saying this just to make us deserters!" Another young soldier's eyes held a hint of disdain, his still tender face gleaming with the excitement of ambition. "With Salvador dead, the Yankees will no longer be able to use those cold, cruel tricks. The Empire might be able to drive them back home in one fell swoop. By then, we'll all be heroes, and we might even kneel together before the king to be crowned!"
"Conferring an honor? Let's talk about it after you can return alive!" The old soldier sneered disdainfully.
"You little brats really don't know anything." Those murky, experienced eyes slowly scanned the few new recruits around them who were still confused. The veteran couldn't help but tut a few times: "Ms. Sandra is indeed powerful, but in the eyes of a big shot like her, we little soldiers are nothing!"
"The ghost is absolutely right—you know what those old guys call the 'Guardian of the Royal Court' behind her back?" He lowered his voice and growled, "'The Witch of Doom'! Almost everyone who went to war with her decades ago died on the battlefield! Think about it for yourself. Why do you think you'll be the luckiest one this time?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured onto a still-burning charcoal fire. The faint excitement and restlessness in the atmosphere gradually cooled, and the imperial soldiers looked at each other and began to whisper.
"Old One-Eye is right. Your life is your own. You must at least survive before you worry about anything else..."
"But if I follow the People's Party, wouldn't that be the same as desertion? Or even treason!"
"Fuck it, what the hell is this! When the Empire left us in the ice, why didn't they say it was treason?!"
Listening to his former comrades' arguments, Leon Croft felt a mixture of emotions. He knew he couldn't convince everyone—even when trying to convince his former comrades to seek refuge in the People's Army's territory, he only managed to convince a small number of them. If it weren't for the snowstorm, he would have been arrested and executed as a deserter or traitor.
Soon, some Imperial soldiers quickly packed their bags, intending to leave with the civilian army; others planned to stay and wait to reunite with the rest of the Second Legion. Lyon simply counted the number of people willing to evacuate, then joined the group, one foot deep, one foot shallow, leaving the ice field where they had fought, bled, and once thought they would be buried.
…
General Phil Gori, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Second Legion, also received news of Lord Sandro's impending arrival in the North. The difference was that this news did not come from the People's Party, but from the Royal City Army that came to support them.
General Phil Goree was extremely grateful for his prompt decision and for promptly putting aside his pride to ask for help from the Royal City. Otherwise, without the protection of the Royal City Army's rare items, he was not sure whether he and his personal soldiers could survive the massive snowstorm created by El Salvador.
"The People's Army has retreated?" General Phil Goree couldn't help but express surprise and subtle disdain. In his opinion, the slaves had been frantically trying to escape the moment Lord Sandro prepared to arrive in the North. Clearly, they were frightened to the bone by Lord Sandro's reputation. Perhaps the Saint who had inexplicably appeared from the People's Party had been injured in the battle with Salvador, and that was why they were so desperate to escape.
General Phil Goree couldn't help but reveal a sneer mixed with calculation and contempt on his face. God knows how furious he was when he learned that the slave army announced that they would open the shelter to imperial soldiers - and even some damn beasts dared to go there - this was simply a naked slander and humiliation to the empire!
But now, these people can be put to good use. Phil Goree didn't dare to confront a saint head-on, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to trip up the ghosts and find some trouble with them, so that he could explain himself to the Empire.
"The original plan remains unchanged. We continue to prepare to retreat to the Great Rift Valley and await the arrival of Lord Sandro. Avoid direct confrontation with the People's Army," he ordered immediately. "But find a way to get word out to those soldiers who have defected to the People's Army's territory. Tell them that Lord Sandro is approaching and the Empire's great counterattack is imminent! If they can promptly relay intelligence on the People's Army's troop deployments and marching routes, or create chaos to delay the People's Army's advance, then they will have redeemed themselves! Not only will the Empire forgive their desertion, but they may even claim credit for it!"
"But if they still refuse to change their ways, or even defect with the People's Army..." Phil Goree's voice suddenly turned cold. "Then their crime will be even more severe. The gallows awaits them and their families, wives, and children!"
But things didn't turn out the way Phil Goree had expected.
The order from the Second Legion was indeed delivered smoothly to the Imperial soldiers. However, someone soon hesitated and gritted their teeth to "snitch" Leon Croft, pointing out those "soft-bones" in the ranks who were trying to defect to the Imperial army again. These "snitches" weren't just one or two people, but a whole group.
"If the Liberal Party hadn't taken me in, I would have frozen to death in this icy land." Seeing Leon Croft in a daze, one of the young wounded soldiers smiled tiredly. "My family is all dead, and I don't know how long I can live. So they're afraid, but I'm not. We're all compatriots, and I don't want to do such a heartless thing."
Seeing Leon's mouth open without saying anything, the young wounded soldier's eyes showed some vigilance and determination: "You will definitely pass this information to Mr. Ghost, right?"
Lyon was momentarily speechless. His throat felt dry, his heart beating heavily in his chest. He recognized this face. When he found him, this unfortunate fellow had one of his legs chewed up by a snow wolf. Because he couldn't run fast enough, his comrades planned to leave him there to die. It was Lyon who personally pulled him onto the sled on the way back. He didn't even think too much about it at the time, simply because one person had died on the sled, leaving a vacant seat.
"...I will." Leon finally found his voice again and patted the other person's shoulder heavily.
Ghost seemed to have anticipated this. When he learned that there was a traitor among the imperial soldiers he had rescued, and that enemies from the empire were following behind him with ill intentions, and that they seemed to have the same destination, there was no surprise or panic on his face, not even murderous intent or anger. He just turned his head and said a few words to Maxine, then continued to look down at the route map.
He also did not try to drive out the Second Legion in the rear. In this way, the Imperial Army and the People's Army briefly reached a strange peace on this ice field.
The People's Party marched silently and swiftly. The Professor and the Savior rode together on pack horses. These horses, hailing from high latitudes, were taller and more cold-resistant, with broad paws that could better support their weight on the soft snow. Their drawbacks were their scarcity and their greater need for fodder than ordinary horses.
At this time, they had entered the end of the Great Rift Valley. Nova wrapped his heavy cloak tightly around him, and his smoky gray eyes were always vigilantly scanning the surrounding environment, especially the towering ice cliffs and thick snow on both sides - this overly cramped environment always made him feel very uneasy.
"Keep marching faster and don't make any noise. We're about to leave the Great Rift Valley." The professor pulled on the reins and whispered to Yialos, who was also riding beside him. "Once we leave the Great Rift Valley, we'll be completely leaving the Saga Glacier. Be extra careful on the last section of the road—the terrain here is too steep. If there's an avalanche, the entire army will have nowhere to hide."
What's more, according to the time estimation, Sandra is estimated to have reached the North by now - the probability of disaster happening has suddenly increased exponentially, and they must leave as soon as possible.
A serious look flashed in Yialos' eyes. He was about to obey the order and turn around, but was suddenly grabbed by the reins by the ghost.
“…Something’s wrong.”
The black-haired young man raised his head, and the towering and steep ice wall clearly reflected a cold blue shadow in his almost transparent gray eyes.
...It was so quiet that even the most common ice bird had disappeared without a trace. But at the same time, he seemed to hear a strange, faint peeling sound.
The savior's arm around the professor's waist suddenly tightened for a moment.
The next second, the two of them shouted in unison: "Run!"
"Everyone, abandon your supplies and charge forward!" The professor ordered without hesitation, lowering his voice and sternly shouting, "As fast as possible! Do not hesitate!"
Yialos had not yet reacted, but Maxlin, who had been working in the North for several years, immediately understood what had happened.
The avalanche is coming.
The order was passed down quickly. Although the well-trained soldiers of the People's Army did not understand why, their long-term discipline and trust made them abandon their heavy backpacks, excess weapons and even precious food in the snow without hesitation. Even many imperial soldiers mixed in with them subconsciously chose to follow the crowd.
Everyone burst out at their fastest speed, running desperately towards the exit of the rift.
The soldiers of the Second Imperial Legion, who were following some distance behind the People's Army, stared at this incredible scene in amazement.
"Are they crazy?" An imperial soldier stared at the supplies thrown on the ground in front of him with wide eyes, and began to hesitate whether to pick up these precious things.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
