Chapter 236: Battle in the Distance
At the same time as the Padrich family's banquet reached its climax, the distant port of Saldo also welcomed a new day in the dim light of dawn.
This prosperous port standing on the east coast of the New World was once the outpost of the Oss Empire's opening of the Golden Route. Although it is no longer as glorious as it was in the past, it is still an important stronghold of the Empire in the New World and a key supply channel for the Imperial Navy in the New World.
This port, built on the mountain, spreads out along the winding coastline, and the dense stone brick buildings glow like fish scales in the sun. On the wide dock, merchant ships and warships are moored alternately, and huge cranes are slowly raised and lowered, and boxes of supplies are safely transported to the warehouse.
There is a constant flow of dock workers and soldiers, each doing their job, keeping the port running prosperously.
Everything should be like this -
However, today was different. A loud explosion broke the silence of the early morning. When everyone came back to their senses from their peaceful dreams, the port of Saldo was already dyed red with blood and fire!
"The volcano! The volcano is erupting!"
"Damn it... that thing has been dormant for years, why did it have to be today?!"
Looking at the billowing smoke rising in the distance, the residents standing at the port had horror written all over their faces.
The once busy docks were now crowded with hastily evacuated ships, the streets were filled with a burning atmosphere, and soldiers were running and shouting on the city walls. The sea on the west side was surging, and in the north, the volcano that had been silent for a thousand years finally woke up, with billowing black smoke rising straight into the sky, and the hot magma winding along the ridge like a red poisonous snake, swallowing everything in its path. Sporadic flames fell into the city and instantly ignited a raging flame.
But what is truly despairing is not the roar of the volcano, but the breath of death that quietly descends with the help of the volcanic eruption.
The moment the volcano erupted, thick smoke and lava spread all around, illuminating the mountains on the north side of Port Saldo! In the midst of this chaos, a shadow emitting a dark aura had quietly arrived.
The dread demon General Sebes stood at the crater of the volcano, looking down at the battlefield with indifference.
He did not order his army to attack directly, but instead took advantage of the cover of the volcanic eruption and quietly sent out his undead troops to launch a surprise attack.
Groups of ghosts and skeleton lurkers moved through the smoke, quietly approaching with the cover of black fog and magma.
Like ghosts from the abyss, they silently climbed up the northern heights. Before the imperial defenders noticed, they quickly wiped out the sentinels stationed there and seized the crucial commanding heights in one fell swoop.
It was a bloody massacre.
The imperial soldiers had no time to react at all. At the moment, their attention was completely on the suddenly erupting volcano, and they didn't even prepare their equipment.
After the high ground was stabilized, the terrifying beasts of hell immediately emerged. Those beasts from the abyss seemed to be born for battle, their heavy claws crushed the charred rocks, and their scarlet eyes flashed with bloodthirsty light in the flames.
Their appearance quickly tilted the balance of victory towards Hell!
However, Sybes did not rush to advance because of the advantage.
He knew very well that humans were not as small and weak as other demons believed, and their cunning was far beyond the imagination of ordinary demons.
Therefore, he chose to hold on to the high ground, build a solid line of defense, and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out.
Knowing the importance of the northern highlands to the port of Saldo, the local defenders quickly organized a counterattack. Imperial musketeers took turns to fight, spellcasters jointly released spells, and even organized a small-scale bayonet charge in an attempt to retake the position from the demons.
However, these counterattacks seemed insignificant in the face of the Hell Legion's iron-clad defense.
Sybes's ruthlessness and patience determined the outcome of this battle.
Facing the defenders' struggle, he never showed any sign of underestimating the enemy, but steadily expanded his victory and quickly built a demon fortress on the high ground. The boulders and obsidian transported from hell were cast into a strict wall, and the necromancers used the remains of the dead to strengthen the fortifications. The blood-red magic patterns flowed on the fortress, wriggling like a living thing.
Twenty magic crystal cannons were then deployed on the ridge, with the thick and long barrels pointing directly at the core area of Sardo Port.
The corners of Sybes' mouth slightly raised, his eyes filled with cold contempt.
He had seen the end of this harbor.
It will end in the shadow of fear.
At least for a while...
…
The army of Hell finally completed the deployment of its positions, and the empire's defenders had no chance of turning the tide.
When the magic crystal cannon gathered the first ray of magic energy, the end of Port Saldo had arrived.
As night fell, the smell of burning sulfur filled the air, as if an invisible hand had grabbed the throat of the entire city. The imperial garrison had just begun a night patrol, trying to guard against possible enemy attacks, but before they could gain a firm foothold, a strange red light quietly lit up among the mountains in the north.
The next second, a deafening roar tore through the night sky—
A thick beam of light tore through the sky, roared down, and smashed into the market in the center of the port.
Boom! The violent explosion instantly engulfed everything, flames shot up into the sky, and the originally bustling market instantly turned into a hell on earth!
Burning rubble and twisted metal flew everywhere like raindrops, and violent shock waves tore through the surrounding buildings, throwing vendors' goods and merchants' bodies into the air.
The bloody smell mixed with thick smoke spread! Before the defenders recovered from their shock, the second shell arrived and hit the city wall accurately.
The solid fortifications were reduced to ruins by this blow, and the thick rocks poured down like broken porcelain pieces, carrying despair and death.
Screams and sounds of fleeing intertwined into a chaotic wailing. The terrified soldiers stumbled around looking for cover, but the continuous artillery fire did not give them any chance to breathe.
The magic crystal cannon is different from mortal artillery. Every bombardment carries the curse of the abyss.
Those soldiers who were affected by the artillery fire, even if they were lucky enough not to die, were turned into charcoal while wailing, their bones shattered in the flames, and their flesh burned to ashes.
What's even more terrifying is that some people's souls have been torn apart by demonic energy before death even comes. They scream and turn into ghosts, wandering among the ruins, struggling to find flesh and blood that is still warm.
That was not entirely due to the magic crystal cannon, but largely due to the surprise attack launched by the small demon army that had approached nearby. They used undead magic to amplify the killing effect of the magic crystal cannon, and also amplified the fear of the human soldiers.
The living dead are awakening! Fire engulfed the granary, chain explosions sounded in the ammunition depot, and the entire port was like purgatory under the flames.
On the sea, panicked sailors tried desperately to maneuver the warship to evacuate, but their efforts were in vain - the artillery fire continued, the warship capsized in flames, and the wreckage and corpses floated in the bloody waves.
Amid this desperate ruin, the governor of Porto Saldo looked as pale as paper.
His fingers trembled slightly with fear, and he finally wrote the words on the last letter for help. Then he released the carrier pigeon summoned for him by the military wizard, and rushed to the sea under the cover of flames and smoke, sending a final call for help to the empire.
However, will the reinforcements really arrive in time?
He didn't dare to think about the consequences of being too late.
…
The closest military base to the port of Saldo is Fort San Il.
When the letter for help arrived at the ancient fortress, General Hamelton immediately ordered his troops to board the ship without any hesitation and sail at full speed to the port of Saldo.
The 50,000-strong army marched in a mighty force, and the steam-powered warships were lined up on the sea like a long snake! However, when the imperial warships arrived at the port's territorial waters, they were greeted by a doomsday-like scene.
The port of Saldo is still burning, the broken city walls and the ruins tell of the ruthlessness of the war.
The sea water in the port was dyed red with blood, and corpses were drifting with the waves. On the mountains in the north, the magic crystal cannon positions were still slowly charging, as if the god of death was waiting to swing the next scythe of destruction.
The adjutant stood beside Hamelton, looking at the battlefield in the distance with a serious look, and couldn't help holding his breath.
"General...Excuse me, our chances of winning are less than one in ten."
Perhaps even one-tenth is an overestimate.
They were not only facing the war-torn Port of Saldo, but also the demon fortress overlooking them. And the one stationed in the fortress was probably their most formidable old rival - General Sebel, known as the Bloody Slaughterer.
That terrifying demon was extremely cruel to both himself and his enemies, and had a great reputation in both hell and the human world! Hammerton nodded slowly, his eyes sweeping across the battlefield. He knew very well that this was bound to be a brutal battle.
The Empire's siege weapons were outdated, and catapults and traditional artillery were simply not enough to shake Hell's defenses. The enemy's magic crystal cannons not only had a long range, but also contained a terrifying magic curse.
As long as the battle begins, the losses of the imperial army will be incalculable!
“We have no choice.”
The adjutant gritted his teeth and lowered his voice: "We can't even reach the edge of the fortress! General, are we going to die for this fallen port?"
"Port Saldo has not fallen yet!" Hamelton roared, interrupting the adjutant's speech.
The adjutant stared at him in a daze, swallowed the saliva in his mouth, and couldn't utter a word.
"We have no choice." Holding his shoulders tightly with both hands, Hamelton repeated it with a steady look in his eyes and a voice without a trace of hesitation, "If we don't attack, Port Saldo will truly fall, and in the future we must pay a more painful price to take it back from the claws of hell! Do you know why those demons didn't come? They are there, waiting for us!"
Saint Sith above——
Please give me a hand!
He took a deep breath and looked at the deck of the battleship.
The Griffin Knights have assembled, and the magicians who are jointly casting spells are also waiting for orders.
This is their only advantage! They don't have magic crystal cannons or powerful siege weapons, but they have the sky and the wisdom of the imperial wizards. And this may be their only way to break the deadlock.
"Give orders to the entire army."
Hamelton's voice was calm and decisive. "Tomorrow morning, the entire army will land! At noon, we will have a decisive battle with the army of hell!"
"I will lead the way ashore myself!"
The adjutant's pupils shrank slightly, but he quickly straightened up and saluted solemnly.
"Yes, General!"
He added after a moment, his tone no longer hesitant.
"Please let me follow you."
Hamelton gave a relieved smile and patted his adjutant on the shoulder.
"The Light will be with us."
Although they all knew in their hearts that it was just self-consolation.
As night slowly fell, the imperial warships quietly anchored in the burning port, while the magic crystal artillery positions in the distance still flashed a cold light in the dead silence.
A war destined to be full of despair is about to begin.
…
As night fell, the remaining flames still burned among the ruins of Port Saldo, illuminating the dilapidated streets and casting hideous and dark shadows.
The sea breeze from the port whistled past, carrying with it the smell of gunpowder and blood, fluttering the flags on the decks of the Imperial warships, making them flutter in the dark night.
In the cabin of the warship, General Hamelton's soldiers were making final preparations. They wiped their armor, adjusted their weapons, and closed their eyes to rest. There were no extra words between each other, only heavy breathing and resolute gazes.
They knew that tomorrow's battle would be a life-and-death battle, but no one backed down and everyone was ready to face death.
Blown by the night wind, Hamelton's army was like a sharp blade about to pierce the darkness, and they watched until the dawn.
Standing on the deck of the warship, General Hamelton drew his sword and raised it above his head.
"We will never retreat!"
"Even if it's death—"
"We must never let the flag of the empire fall on this land."
"Today, we live and die with Porto Saldo!"
The sound was like hot steel, clanging in the cold morning light.
Unlike the determination of the imperial army, the Hell Fortress standing in the north has a relaxed and high-spirited atmosphere.
The soldiers of the Red Flame Legion were patrolling the military camp, mocking the humans trapped in the port of Sardo. They drank strong liquor mixed with sulfur and blood, and told stories about the disastrous defeats of the human imperial army in the past by the campfire.
The red-hot magma flowed on the mountain ridges, and the crimson molten light illuminated the magic crystal cannons. They were like beacons of death, ready to rain a new round of fire on the city below at any time.
Killing these humans would be as easy as killing a grasshopper! In the center of the fortress, on a barren pile of rocks.
General Sebes sat at the black stone table, staring calmly at the chessboard in front of him.
His fingertips gently moved a chess piece engraved with the Demon King's emblem and pushed it to the opposite corner.
"General."
Opposite him, the adjutant Barro frowned, looking at the chess game that was about to be completely surrounded, and sighed: "General, you won again this time... But it's no wonder, your chess game is just like the battle situation, you always control the overall situation and move forward step by step."
Sybes smiled slightly, tapping the chessboard with his fingertips, and said in a calm and low voice: "You are too kind, Barro."
Barlow grinned and continued, "But then again, the general's strategy this time was really brilliant. He sent the undead to attack the high ground while the magma was erupting. The human defenders had no time to react. By the time they found out, our army had already killed the entire ridge. This move was simply a stroke of genius! I bet that after the war, the War Department will definitely reward you. A baron title will definitely be no problem for you!"
The land they just conquered is enough for a barony! Cebes did not answer immediately, but gently rotated a chess piece with his slender fingertips, his eyes fixed on the chessboard, as if thinking about something.
After a moment, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing an inexplicable smile: "Promotion? You are too naive, Barro."
Barlow was stunned for a moment, and the smile on his face froze.
"What's the meaning?"
Sybes did not answer, but simply stared at the finished chessboard, fiddling with the "Demon King" with his fingertips.
"What do you think the war between Hell and the Empire is about?"
Barlow answered without hesitation.
"What else could it be? Of course it's a long-cherished wish! Our war has lasted for a thousand years. Sooner or later, our iron hooves will step on the old soil and burn the holy city of Saint Sith to ashes!"
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Sybes smiled.
"There's no one from the Ministry of Truth here. You don't have to speak to me in such a high-sounding way."
Barro's tone paused and he said embarrassedly.
"Then...honor and land are always right."
"To be precise, it's power. That's true for us, but for the cabinet, the parliament, and the millions of demons in the city, they certainly have their own goals... and all of their affairs combined are called politics."
Cybes smiled slightly, and a chilling cold light flashed in his deep pupils.
"War is never caused by any historical aspirations, but is simply a continuation of current politics."
He paused, tapping the chessboard with his fingertips, and whispered softly.
"And the latter is always just to solve current problems."
Barro frowned slightly, not quite understanding the meaning of these words, and even less understanding why his general suddenly said this to him.
Saibes did not explain any more. He just looked at the chessboard quietly with a meaningful smile on his lips.
It won't be long before he's away from the front.
At this time, the night was dark, and the red light of the volcano reflected an eerie light in his pupils.
At this moment, a sharp horn suddenly sounded outside, like a sleeping beast awakening, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the entire military camp.
…
The sound of the horn seemed to come from the coastline, low and rapid, like the strong wind before a tsunami.
In the direction of the port of Sardo, the battleship turret of the Oss Empire slowly adjusted its direction, with the muzzle of the mortar raised high, aiming at the Demon Fortress in the north.
As the officer's sword fell, flames shot out from the thick muzzle! "Fire!"
"boom--!"
The first round of bombardment was launched with a bang! Huge projectiles with a trail of fire whizzed out and smashed into the demon defense line on the ridge.
Although these human mortars could not compare with the magic crystal cannons, every time they landed, they still stirred up billowing dust and smoke, tore the ground apart, and set off sky-high flames on the demon positions.
Then thick smoke rose up and formed gray clouds on the mountain.
Looking at the battle line in the distance, Barlow's pupils shrank slightly.
The range of the Imperial artillery seems to have increased!
As his eyes wandered along the coastline, he soon discovered a clue from the spewing tongues of fire.
The human mage is casting spells on the artillery!
They had somehow strengthened the barrel and stuffed enough powder into it to make the gun explode, so that the indirect shells could fly farther than before!
It even covers the hills north of Porto Saldo!
Even though the landing points of these shells are totally inaccurate!
Barlow had a bad feeling in his heart, but he did not think that this small change would be enough to turn the tide of the battle for the imperial army, which was at an absolute disadvantage.
The bullets raining from the sky became more and more dense. Although few Hell soldiers were injured, an impenetrable wall of smoke was spread on the battlefield.
Logically speaking, the thick smoke would not last too long in this terrain surrounded by mountains and the sea.
But as luck would have it, today happened to be a windless and sunny day, and the sea of smoke on the ground was the only cloud.
At this moment, the infantry corps of the Oss Empire quickly assembled, and the musket troops, under the cover of the magic choir, advanced towards the fortress on the mountain.
The musketeers lined up in neat rows, with the black barrels of their guns pointing forward. At the commander's command, hundreds of gun flames erupted at the same time, and bullets shot towards the demon's front line like a rainstorm.
And on those bullets, the priest's holy light magic is attached!
The skeleton soldiers on the front line were killed and wounded in large numbers.
However, this amount of casualties is nothing to the Legion of Hell. Those undead are just cannon fodder sent to the front line to consume the ammunition of the Imperial Army.
They died a worthy death.
In front of the black demon fortress, the little demons of the Red Flame Legion watched this scene, sneering and mocking.
“Has humanity gone mad?”
"They actually think they can defeat us with just these muskets and artillery fire?"
"Haha, too weak!"
"Once they've had enough fun, it's our turn to take action! Haha!"
Led by the Demon King, the little demons fluttered their wings and laughed loudly, ready to cast mental spells.
Not far from them, the abyss war beasts were already ready to go, ready for this inevitable massacre!
However, at this moment, they who were waiting to see the human joke did not know that their respected General Cebes and the Dragun family standing behind this terrifying demon did not want them to win...
Victory seemed within their grasp, yet just out of reach.
Right on the unknown edge of the battlefield, the Griffin Knights of the Oss Empire were flapping their huge eagle wings, flying low under the cover of smoke, and moving quickly to the back of the fortress along the mountain ridge.
There is a blind spot there! Once the front-line troops come into contact, this surprise force can take advantage of the hell's artillery firing down the mountain and launch a surprise attack on the artillery unit!
Looking at the rapidly advancing Griffin Knights, Hamelton, who was standing in the Imperial Army, couldn't help but worry for these brave young men.
This would be a huge gamble! Once the artillery of Hell discovered them, the one-kilometer distance would become an insurmountable barrier, and they would all be buried under the dense firepower of the twenty magic crystal cannons!
But in contrast——
This was their only chance! If the Griffin Knights attacked the flank of the Hell Legion in the traditional way, they would have no chance of winning.
“Prepare for battle!”
Looking at the imperial army getting closer and closer, Barlow, who was wearing heavy armor, growled and pulled out the battle axe engraved with underworld words. At the same time, he released the flames suppressed in the fire crystal, causing his burning figure to swell by a full circle.
He grinned grimly, ready to kill.
The same is true of Hamelton.
Looking at the fire demon grinning at him, he held his breath and concentrated with the sword in his hand, letting the clear golden aura flow around the edge of his sword.
A bloody fight is about to take place!
Just at this moment, something strange happened.
Perhaps the gods really heard his prayers last night. The whistling Griffin Knights actually broke into the blind spot of the Hell Legion and took advantage of the gap between artillery fire to rush into the artillery position at lightning speed! Terrified faces were reflected on the shiny armor of the Griffin Knights, followed by falling heads and flying blood!
The griffin wielding its sharp claws was like a wolf rushing into a sheepfold. In just a few breaths, it slaughtered all the goblin artillerymen operating the cannons, leaving only the remnants fleeing screaming.
"No--!"
Barlow roared angrily, looked back at the artillery position where flames were boiling, his eyes wide open, and he wished he could turn around and fight back.
But it was too late.
War is so cruel and opportunities for victory are fleeting.
The Griffin Knights who launched a surprise attack had swept through the entire artillery position and destroyed all twenty magic crystal cannons with the explosives they carried! At the same time, the human musketeers had lined up in neat formations and stepped into the shooting distance.
Without the support of artillery, the little devil corps that rushed to the front line were like meat on the chopping board, and were scattered like paper dolls in the hail of bullets from human soldiers.
And those savage beasts of the abyss were simply not strong enough to withstand the repeated bombardment of the assembled human mages, and could only fall one after another amidst the wails of despair and anger!
The magic crystal cannon, the only thing that could deter human wizards from casting spells together, no longer exists.
The balance of victory tilted towards the Empire at an incredible speed!
At this moment, seeing that the defeat was irreversible, General Cebes decisively ordered the troops to retreat, announcing the end of the battle.
“Woo——”
Listening to the low and melodious horn sound, Barlow gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at the human knight in the distance, but finally turned his head and retreated in embarrassment.
This was his only choice.
Let alone gold-level strength, even if he was a demigod, it would be impossible for him to fight against thousands of troops alone...not to mention that the knight on the opposite side might not be inferior to him.
"Saint Sith above..."
Looking at the army of hell retreating like a tide, Hamelton was stunned and speechless for a moment.
Even until his military flag was planted on the low wall of the fortress on the top of the mountain, he still felt that everything happening before his eyes was like a dream.
It went so smoothly.
He couldn't find a more appropriate description other than "as if assisted by God"!
He just stood there in a daze until the adjutant rushed to his side with a flushed face and shook his shoulders, which woke him up from his daze.
"We won! Hahaha, we won! Port Sardo did not fall! We conquered Doomsday! We conquered the Legion of Hell! Saint Sith is above... This is definitely a miracle! Today's victory is enough to go down in history!"
Hamelton didn't know whether he could go down in history, but looking at the soldiers waiting for him to declare victory, he knew clearly what he should do at this moment.
That was almost a general's instinct.
He raised the sword in his hand high and shouted with all his strength, venting his excited emotions.
"For Saint Sith! For the Emperor!"
Cheers filled the mountains and fields, burning like a raging fire.
"Long live Saint-Sis!"
"Long live the Empire!"
Amid the cheers that filled the mountains, the triumphant Griffin Knights landed on the ground. Each unruly griffin puffed out its chest, its blood-stained feathers like medals of glory.
Beneath its claws are mountains of corpses and seas of bones, including dead demons and humans who unfortunately died.
However, these excited young men did not know that the ones who brought them victory were not the Saints, but the demons in the depths of hell...
For a distant war without smoke of gunpowder, the Dragun family needs them to win.
(End of this chapter)