Poisoned Land (3)

After several discussions, Ola ordered the institute to build a huge windmill, and the rough design was provided by Inger.

But within half a month, huge windmills were erected between the hills in front of the eastern front, transported by train, in order to block the advance of the miasma.

But it can't resist the sea breeze. In another month or two, Qiu Nei will enter summer, and the summer wind from the ocean will accelerate the invasion of miasma.

Blue Scale continued to help fight the demons at the coast, using the waves it created to swallow them up.

Inger traveled everywhere to eliminate the miasma and reduce the scope of its invasion as much as possible, but as expected, it was just a drop in the bucket.

The other armies, led by high-ranking knights, guarded the defense lines in various battle zones and sent people to investigate the location of the seed buds. Unfortunately, after a month, no trace of them was found.

March 1898.

There was an accident.

In a remote corner on the east side of the Northern Fangtas territory, a branch of the demon army that was originally heading towards Saha split off and headed south.

Originally there were only a few small villages there, hidden by the mountainous terrain, and it was a remote canyon.

However, the place they were about to plunder was a base in Chune for storing food and settling civilians.

At this time, the troops stationed in that area moved their positions due to attacks from another direction.

Requests for emergency support came from both Fontas and the capital.

Yunia frowned and said, "Since the miasma formed, the movements of those monsters have become more organized and regular. It may be that the clone of the Demon Mother Tree is trying to control them."

Alex bent down and put his hands on the map. He pointed his finger in a direction. The stronghold was diagonally southwest, and not far away was the border of the capital of the central region.

Most of the troops and cavalry regiments protecting the capital were also sent to the front.

Duke Leon put his hands behind his back and said, "This is intentional. It's a diversion."

Fleming wiped his face and said, "What should we do now? We can't hesitate. We must send reinforcements immediately."

Marcia, the former leader of the Rose Knights, said, "We can lead the team over here."

Duke Leon said, "My regiment is here, and we can hold it for a while."

Alex tapped the table with his fingers a few times, and he had a plan in mind. He said, "We are now in the Eastern Theater. Even if we have the spare capacity to send reinforcements here, we are not on the train route, and there are no teleporters. It will be too late for the reinforcements to leave from here and be teleported to the nearest teleporter in the capital."

Leon frowned and looked at the map carefully again with the other officers. Everyone's expression became gloomy.

Alex said: "It should be led by the Demon King Ruijun. He can hear what others are thinking, so it is easy for him to collect intelligence. He found a breakthrough point in this complex situation, and they started to take action."

Leon's sister, Sicilian, who was already a level 7 knight, asked, "How about asking the wizard to teleport the army from the capital? Can the wizard do it over that distance?"

Before Alex could answer, Xiliya, the second brother of Xiliyan, who was currently a level 7 wizard, said, "No, the only wizard in the country who can do this is Inger Neckar. He is now in the southern theater helping the Duke of Derek resist the demons. The situation there is very bad and he can't come back."

Xixi Li An shook his hands in frustration, "Tsk! Are we just going to give up?"

Aiden, the former head of the Central Royal Knights, said bitterly: "We can't give up. If we give up that place, the capital will be in danger, and then everyone in the capital will have to start fleeing for their lives."

Having said that, at the current speed at which the front is advancing, it is only a matter of time before people in the central region begin to flee.

Alex said calmly, "I'll go first. I hope the reinforcements can arrive as soon as possible."

Several people were stunned for a moment.

Leon asked, "Are you going to lead the elite contingent first?"

Alex shook his head. "No, that's too slow for me alone."

Everyone in the command tent showed a look of shock.

Kunpeiwu couldn't help but say: "Sir!"

Yes, in anyone's eyes, this is an act of suicide.

Although the attackers were only a small group of demons, it was most likely a group led by the Demon King, and their number was definitely no less than 10,000.

Alex just smiled, patted Kumpeu on the shoulder, and said to everyone: "Don't worry, I will survive."

Looking at his eyes, everyone realized that this man was not trying to be brave or to die, but was certain that he would win. He was fully confident and took it for granted that he would come back alive and win if he faced an army of thousands alone.

Normally, this was arrogant and unrealistic. But when the person was Alex, everyone believed it unconsciously.

Sicilyan's body was covered with goosebumps. She clenched the two spears in her hands, her eyes gleaming with excitement, and blurted out, "Me! I'll go with you too! I'm very fast! I won't be a drag!"

Leon hit her hard on the head.

"Ah! Brother! What are you doing!"

"Shut up!" Celia also shook her head.

Alex smiled and said, "Assemble the Second and Third Divisions of the Second Army immediately. I will set out first, and you should reach the battlefield as quickly as possible."

Marcia and Aiden shouted yes.

Kunpeu still looked at Alex with uncertainty, biting his lip and unable to speak.

Because he grew up well, he is now tall and handsome with no scars. He has gradually become a commander who is recognized as leading a battalion in the army. He is confident that he can calmly judge the situation in any war, but his calmness disappears when he meets Alex. Alex's life is more important to him than victory in war and other civilians.

Seeing this, Alex said gently, "Kun, if you believe me, I will come back alive. Have I ever broken my promise?"

Kumpeu knew that Alex would never promise anything he couldn't do. His confidence came from his absolute strength and confidence.

He always stood at the front, with everyone following his back to fight. It seemed that he would never fall down.

At the end of the day, Kunpeiu forced a smile and raised his fist: "Waiting for His Highness' triumphant return."

Alex smiled brilliantly and bumped fists with him, "I'll be back soon."

As the battle was in a race against time, Alex ran straight to the teleportation stone as soon as he left the tent.

He handed over all matters to reliable people and had no worries.

However, before he set out, the Duke of Leon gave him an unexpected gift.

"He insisted on coming, and then I thought about it and thought he might be able to help, so I took him along."

Even Alex couldn't help but smile when he saw the snow-white deer with its head held high and its fur shiny.

Fantine shook her head and walked to Alex's side with big hooves. The colored crystals embedded in his body disappeared. Instead, the double moon pattern on his forehead flashed colorful light under the light, and the antlers like frosty branches shone crystal clear in his hands.

Alex hesitated for a moment, then put his hand on his head. "I'm going to fight. It's dangerous."

Fantine nodded her head to his palm and said, "How can I not be present at a knight's fight as a mount?"

The eyelashes on his deer eyes were still long and fluttering, and a human expression appeared in his eyes: "Alex, you need my ability."

Alex was stunned, and he remembered what Fantine had said to him.

"I will be useful. When you need me, I will rush to your side no matter where I am."

So, here he comes.

Fantine said proudly the next second: "I told you that one day we will meet again and we will fight side by side on the same battlefield. I am surprised that you let me come so late. What will you do without me?"

Alex laughed and rubbed Fantine's head vigorously.

"Let's go!"

Thanks to Fantine's speed, they were already standing in the countryside in front of the canyon in less than half a day.

The countryside, where there were few trees and shrubs, had not yet been trampled by the demons and was sprouting fresh greenery, with unknown flowers dotting the paths and grass.

Behind them are people who need protection, and ahead is an unprotected battlefield.

One man, one deer.

Alex unsheathed the sword.

Sword Eater and Fantine bickered with each other, arguing over which one was a knight's lifelong partner, the sword or the mount, bringing noisy vitality to this quiet wilderness.

Alex sat on a slightly raised mound of earth, closing his eyes and resting.

At a certain moment as the sun began to sink into the mountains, Alex slowly stood up.

Fantine smelled the foul odor in the air and sneezed.

The sword eater said, "Here it comes! Here it comes again! I really hate eating the blood of those guys, but it feels so good to kill them!"

Alex lowered his sword, looked into the distance, and asked Fantine:

"Are you scared?"

Fantine raised his head, fearless: "Afraid? I have never been so excited! Are we going to fight? Is the battle going to start soon?" He looked back, "Hmm? Where are the reinforcements? Aren't they catching up? So slow?"

Alex laughed: "You are my only support."

Marcia and Aiden led 7,000 troops to rush to support, and they ran.

They cannot consider physical issues.

Because there is a person who is fighting alone in the front.

One person faces tens of thousands of demons.

Marcia crossed the canyon and saw a dark area not far away. Her breath was choked in her throat.

Aiden yelled, "Quick! Speed ​​up!"

As I got closer, the stench of corpses and flesh hit me in the face.

The originally tender field was stained by the black and purple sea of ​​corpses and blood, turning into a swamp of death.

In front of us, the demons were actually retreating. They hesitated and dared not move forward.

Everyone on Qiu Nejun's side raised their heads.

A platinum afterimage flashed before their eyes.

不對，應該說是，雪白的影子上疊着金色的影子。

他們融為一體。

近乎瞬移的速度，使得他們的身體在哪怕強化過的騎士肉眼裏，也只能捕捉到不成型殘影。

殘影化作一條行雲流水的線，穿梭于魔族之間。

狀似輕盈地掠過。

實則每一次劃過，延遲幾秒後，血液就會噴濺，肉塊便會四散。

無論是魔獸，魔人，都在毫無知覺的情況下被收割走了生命。

剩下不到一成的魔族軍隊還在減少，他們揮動的強壯的肢體和堅硬肉身沒有半點抵抗能力。

瑪西亞和艾登，以及他們身後的人只能呆呆地看着這一切。

他們想過很多種可能。

唯獨不會想到這個局面。

“不……我是在做夢嗎……”

最後幾千個魔族堆積後方，本能驅使，他們開始發狂，逼上絕路的猛獸。

白金色殘影停在了前方。

瑪西亞和艾登忍不住喊道：“殿下！！！”

艾利克斯沒有回頭，因為速度超過了某個限度，血液都幾乎沒能沾到他的铠甲上。

他平靜地舉起了劍。

吃劍吐出劍上的血：“呸呸呸真難吃！又要開始了嗎？那一招？你今天還能用？”

艾利克斯至少用實際行動回應了他。

一個人的身上怎麽可能湧現出如風暴般的魔力呢？

瑪西亞和艾登就親眼見證了這一幕。

光屬性的魔力從艾利克斯身上席卷而出，光的洪流沖上天際，而後，煙花般散開！

他們仰頭，頭頂散開的金光化作一道道懸頂的劍。

金光凝成的萬道劍影，只在空中停頓了一秒，就直直朝着地面墜落。

剩餘的魔族，在金色劍光下消解，融化，成了這個死亡沼澤的沉積淤泥的一部分。

艾登捂住了嘴。

士兵們齊齊屏息。

單方面的屠殺。

如果不是親眼所見，他們怎麽可能相信呢？

不，哪怕親眼所見，他們的腦子也拒絕相信這個匪夷所思的場景。

金光還沒消失。

事實上離天空徹底擦黑，還有一段時間，虧了躲在丘陵後的太陽，天幕還隐約留着亮光。

柔暖的光披在殘損的原野上。

铠甲上淌落着夕陽餘晖，金發的騎士持劍筆直地伫立。

白鹿的皮毛還是那麽幹淨雪白，他靜靜站在自己的騎士身邊。

艾利克斯面無表情地注視着不遠處。

倒下的魔族群後方。

只有一個模樣和人類無二的東西站在那裏。

魔王瑞郡眼睜睜看着自己帶來的隊伍被一個人類消滅，沒有惱意，那形狀嬌好的雙眼反而彎成了月牙。

他瞅了一眼艾利克斯身後的軍隊，笑了笑，沒有進一步的舉動，只是後退，不知何時消失在了視野中。

艾利克斯還是立在那裏，靜默了一會兒。

芳汀蹭了蹭艾利克斯，似乎在提醒他。

遲一拍才察覺的艾利克斯甩掉劍上的血，坐上芳汀後背。

一個眨眼，他們就來到了他的援軍前。

瑪西亞和艾登忍住淚水，原地立正，把拳頭放在心髒上。

一個接一個。

身後的士兵不約而同地行起軍禮。

艾利克斯臉上又出現了笑容，他道：“你們沒來遲，現在，開始清理戰場。”

尤尼亞在營帳裏驚醒的時候是深夜，霜星剛上夜空。

她回顧了一下逐漸模糊的夢境。

那是茜茜還在的時候。

艾利克斯還很小，他和隔壁小領地的惡霸打架回來，身上帶着傷。

茜茜給他擦了身體，才問他：“怎麽受傷了？”

小艾利克斯悶悶地道：“被打了。”

尤尼亞翹着二郎腿笑問：“贏了沒？”

艾利克斯嘟着嘴：“我要是一個人打他們，我就贏了。”

茜茜給他揉着瘀腫的地方，柔聲問：“為什麽打架？”

小艾利克斯氣憤地捏緊拳頭：“他們欺負貝拉，莉琪，白娜……一群成年人，他們真不要臉！”

尤尼亞皺眉，雙眸蒙上一層陰翳。

茜茜停手問道：“她們怎麽樣？”

小艾利克斯揮了揮拳頭：“她們沒事，我送她們回家了。我得帶她們逃走，要不然我一個人是能打贏他們的！”

尤尼亞眨了眨眼睛，摸着下巴。

小艾利克斯不會撒謊，教他劍術的自己最清楚這點。雖然還是個剛拿劍沒兩年的小不點，但他的力量和天賦足以戰勝那些空長年紀的軟腳蝦。

所以，要不是保護那三個小女孩，單打獨鬥，他可能真的能夠戰勝那幾個成年人。

茜茜聽了他的話，卻親了他的臉頰一口，道：“做的好，艾利，你做得很棒，你怎麽會說你輸了呢？你已經贏了啊？”

小艾利克斯臉頰羞愧地紅起來：“我……我受傷了，我逃跑了……”

落荒而逃，很難看。

茜茜捧着他的臉，認真道：“艾利克斯，你要記住，保護是比傷害要更困難的事情，而你永遠要選擇更加困難的道路。無論多難看，無論是否逃跑，只要活下來，并保護了你想要保護的人，那你就贏了。”

小艾利克斯呆呆地看着她：“我贏了？”

茜茜：“是的。艾利，你是了不起的騎士。”

茜茜揉着他軟乎乎的臉頰不斷地親他誇他，小艾利克斯很快暈頭轉向，傻乎乎地雀躍起來。

他将這句話記到了現在。

從此以後，他會為保護某個存在而感到由衷地高興。卻不會為了戰勝敵人而興起任何波瀾。

那個孩子真的長成了一個了不起的騎士。

可是相應地，那孩子有太多想要保護的東西。如果保護不了自己想保護的東西。他受到的打擊會更大。

他的自信來自于保護，當有一天他發覺自己無法保護珍貴的東西，只怕他會走向另一個方向。

尤尼亞按着腦袋睡不着，于是起身巡邏。

深夜裏，她看見一頭皮毛在黑夜裏也亮着白光的鹿，馱着一個人走了過來。

對着養母兼師父，他卸下了臉上的笑意，眼中是掩飾不住的疲倦。

瑪西亞和艾登所率的隊伍一致要求他返回據守，他這才一個人又趕了回來。

其實他知道他們是為了他盡可能休息一段時間。

他也領會了這個好意，只是，他難以抹去心中那絲無力和遺憾。

他看着尤尼亞說：“師父……我怎樣才能保住我們的土地……”

殺了那麽多的魔族不會讓他有半點高興。

人們賴以生存的土地，就這樣沒了，滲下去的血水可能十幾年都會存在。

植物無法生長，地下水源被污染，人無法在上面生存。

他找不到辦法。

不止這一次。迄今為止。

死去的人數在他看不到的戰場上不斷的增加。

他戰鬥的地方，魔族的屍體會将其變成不毛之地。

和上一世的局面一樣，沒有改變。

下定決心又有什麽用呢？

他從來沒有贏過。他究竟保護了什麽呢？

尤尼亞走過去，讓這個已經長大的高大的男孩靠在自己的肩膀上。

“你保護了很多人。你怎麽總是對你救下的人視而不見，而總去看那些沒能救下的人呢？”

艾利克斯閉上了眼睛。

這是沒辦法的。

他無法遏制自己，那些遺憾會不斷地冒出來。

絕望從來沒有離開過他。

渴望改變絕境的強烈想法，也從來沒有變過，只是會因為不斷的挫敗而更加的不甘和無力。

他在別人面前說得漂亮，是因為他只能這麽說，希望能讓更多的人活下來，他必須成為別人的希望。

尤尼亞重重拍了拍他的後背，只給他短暫的依靠，後将其推開：“想想你母親的話。”

艾利克斯愣住。

尤尼亞笑道：“我沒辦法像茜茜那樣親你抱你，我不是那種性子，我只能在身體上鍛煉你，我看着你長大，你是個無論如何訓練也不叫苦的孩子，但你自己沒意識到，你比自己想象得要脆弱，你還很愛撒嬌。如果累的時候就停下來休息一下，不要忘記了，被你保護着的那些人，他們也會保護你，守護這片土地的責任，從來不止在你一個人的頭上。”

“即便一個人沒有辦法，我們在一起總會找到辦法，即使我們沒辦法，我們的下一代也會找到，人類就是這樣頑強的物種不是嗎？你要對別人多一點信心。”

“你的母親确實說過，你是一個了不起的騎士，可是你不要忘記她也說過，你受傷，她會非常非常心疼。我也會生氣起來去揍人。你是我們珍貴的孩子，永遠不要忘記這一點。”

艾利克斯回想起童年的點點滴滴，露出了比哭還難看的笑容。

尤尼亞認真看着他的表情，将其刻在心裏。

在他人面前，艾利克斯有感染他人的魔力，值得依靠，令人安心。

于是在親近的人面前，委屈起來，他總是更加令人心疼。

如何讓人不去疼他愛他呢？