Chapter 440 Another Destiny
With the arrival of May, spring is gradually coming to an end, and the temperature in Quemu County has also warmed up a lot.
It's not just Maitian Village that has changed, Quemu Fort has also undergone significant changes.
Especially the refugee camp outside the castle, which was visibly thinner than before.
As a large number of villages around Maitian Village gradually became populated again, many refugees simply settled there.
They had no specific place to go. They just followed the migrating crowd to beg for food. They went wherever they could and worked for whichever master could give them food.
If there's work to be done there.
Many people were pulled into the Green Forest Army while fleeing, or unfortunately became food for bandits because they were left alone.
As for Quemu Castle, although there are still refugees joining in every day, there are no longer large crowds of people outside the castle.
Most of these newly arrived refugees came in groups of three or five, often as family units, and some even drove horse-drawn or ox-drawn carts.
Those who still raised livestock in those days were obviously not serfs, not to mention that some of them were wearing relatively decent clothes.
At the outpost south of Quemu Fort, about twenty carriages were moving along the dilapidated dirt road, and the dust they raised could be seen from several miles away.
The sentry on duty thought he had seen it wrong. He remembered that when Count Theron Gard escaped, there didn't seem to be so many carriages accompanying him.
These carriages did not belong to any one person; at least eighty families were crammed into the crowded convoy. They followed the convoy, placing their children and luggage on the carriages and taking turns to rest, their faces showing signs of fatigue and the wind and frost.
Seeing two cavalrymen approaching this side, the crowd became agitated. The women hugged their children tightly in their arms, while the men stood in front.
Seeing that the soldiers on horseback were not wearing bandit turbans, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but they did not dare to let their guard down completely.
The Green Turbans do not always wear their headscarves on their heads. They will decide whether to take out and wear them depending on the situation.
Like pirates on the vast ocean.
"Dear knight, is this the territory of Earl Theron Gard?" A strong-looking man shouted bravely.
The cavalryman pulled the reins, dismounted to show his friendliness, then walked forward and looked at the group of tired people and said.
"There are no earls here, only knights loyal to the Saint, the Son of God, and all people... In the name of Saint Sith, you need to answer my question honestly. Where are you from?"
"In the name of Saint Sith, I will answer your question honestly. We are all from Twilight City."
"Twilight City? Are you from the Governor?"
The cavalryman had an expression of surprise on his face. He had seen many refugees, some brought from Stillwater and some from Griffin Cliff, but this was the first time he had seen one from Dusk City.
"That's right," the man standing in front of the refugee group nodded, his expression complicated. "The situation there is getting worse and worse. The governor signed two grain collection orders in one month, first for merchants in the market, and later for citizens... But I have to say that what he did is completely illegal! According to the laws of the kingdom, the governor who acts on behalf of the king can only collect grain from the king's direct vassals. We are not nobles!"
"Aren't you putting him in a difficult position by asking him to collect grain from Theron Gard?" The cavalryman who was walking over on horseback teased.
"So we had no choice but to run." The man shrugged. "He promised to distribute the harvested food to us, but anyone with a brain knows that's bullshit. Besides, I heard that another earl fled from his territory to Dusk City. I don't think they can hold on! Once the Campbell Duchy's army arrives, it will be too late!"
Obviously he didn't know that the escaped earl was Seron Gard, the lord of Quemu County.
But it wouldn't matter even if he knew it. He didn't come here for the Earl, but heard the rumors about the saint from the refugees from the north.
It is said that the River Saint who received the oracle of the Son of God influenced the Salvation Army, and many refugees passing through Quemu Castle relied on their relief to reach Dusk City.
The refugee also said that if he didn't have relatives in Dusk City, he wouldn't want to move forward.
In fact, the guy who walked into Dusk City had already begun to regret it. The Dusk City that was said to have everything actually had nothing, only people's contempt and the increasingly approaching war.
"What's your name?" the cavalryman asked the man.
The man said stiffly.
"Anthony, the carpenter."
The trooper nodded.
"Very good, Mr. Carpenter. Her Highness the Saint needs your craftsmanship. We are recently restarting the timber business in Quemu Castle. I hope you can find a new direction in life here."
Anthony was stunned for a moment and asked subconsciously.
"Timber business in Quemu Fort? Are you sure? There's a war going on right now, where are you going to sell it to?"
The knight answered without hesitation.
"The dwarves of the south."
Dwarves from the south?
That's the Hell Dwarf...
However, Anthony did not dare to ask more questions. Besides, he had only heard that the area around Broken Rock Peak was the territory of the Hell Dwarfs, but he had never actually been there.
It has been hundreds of years, maybe there has been a change of dynasty there?
At this time, the knight suddenly remembered something and asked.
"By the way, you mentioned the army of the Duchy of Campbell...what do you mean?"
"Don't you know?" Anthony looked at him suspiciously. "The Governor-General has requested aid from the Duchy of Campbell in the king's name. The Grand Duke's army has already arrived at Rapids Pass and, as expected, is currently engaged in combat with the Jungle Shadow's army, Finnian... People say the battle will last for about a month."
The cavalryman said nothing, but silently noted down the information and got back on his horse.
"Thank you for the news. Bring your family and neighbors to follow us closely. It's been quite uneasy here lately. Ratmen have appeared in the forest."
"You better keep an eye on your kids. Those sneaky things love to eat kids."
…
The reconstruction of Quemu Territory is in full swing.
The refugees from Dusk City not only brought Dusk City's technology and wealth, but also brought news from afar to the people living in Quemu Territory.
The army of the Duchy of Campbell is marching towards Dusk City, and the Green Army has also increased its offensive against Dusk City.
The attitudes of these two distinct and diametrically opposed armies towards the Salvation Army are currently unknown.
In addition to the Sparrowwood County controlled by the Salvation Army, there are three earldoms around Dusk City, namely the Stillwater County, the Griffin Cliff County and the Gray Swamp County.
Currently, the capitals of these three earldoms are all under siege by the Green Forest Army, and are becoming increasingly shaky as the offensive becomes more intense.
Both the Green Forest Army Headquarters and the Governor's Office sent envoys to Quemu Fort.
However, perhaps because they had seen each other in the castle, neither group of envoys made excessive demands.
On the one hand, they promised huge benefits to persuade the Salvation Army to stand on their side, and on the other hand, they tried to make a compromise and hoped that this army with ambiguous stance would remain in place, or at least not stand on the opposite camp.
In the Lord's Hall of Quemu Castle, a military meeting in a serious atmosphere was underway.
Facing the map spread out on the round table, Brennan pointed in the direction of Rapids Pass and spoke solemnly.
"According to the intelligence brought by the refugees, the Duchy of Campbell has sent troops to us. From what I know about Finnian, that cunning fox will not surrender. I'm sure there will be more fighting between them..."
He paused for a moment, casting an incredulous gaze at Kallen, and then at the officers sitting at the round table.
"Everything is just as the Saint Lady saw in the oracle. The king's lackeys finally couldn't restrain their claws."
It's not just Brennan.
Including Leiden, everyone's face couldn't help but reveal a look of surprise and even awe.
It was because several weeks ago, the saint had predicted the threat from the south, and this prophecy had come true at this moment.
When they first heard the prophecy, many people held a glimmer of hope or doubt in their hearts, thinking that the king had his own army, and even if the rebellion was quelled, it would not be the Campbell people's turn to take action.
Seeing all the eyes on her, Kallen spoke in a calm voice.
"The oracle said that those soldiers might not be our enemies. They are actually a group of homeless and pitiful people."
"That's easy, haha." Hearing this, Brennan laughed heartily, and the gloom on his face disappeared. "The Earl has plenty of land left. At worst, we can give them some! As long as they are willing to farm with us!"
Most of Brennan's men also showed a relaxed expression. They used to be farmers, and although they now carried swords on their waists, they were still more comfortable using pitchforks and flails.
Only a few knights who had previously served the Earl had less optimistic expressions on their faces.
They were not sad that the Earl's land was divided among outsiders, but they were concerned about a more practical problem... After all, the Saint of the Running River only won the recognition of the farmers along the Running River, and did not gain the recognition of the Campbell people outside the Rapids Pass.
Whether from the perspective of faith or from practical interests, they have no reason to admit it.
At this time, the silent Leiden suddenly looked at Kallen and spoke.
"What if they consider you a 'heretic' and ask us to hand you over?"
Brennan, who had been grinning a second ago, suddenly glared. A murderous aura enveloped the entire lord's hall, and he stood up, slamming the table.
“They dare!”
"I'm just stating the facts. There's no point in glaring at me. Maybe you can save your bravery for the Campbell people who will come here later." Facing Brennan's murderous gaze, Rayden just replied lightly.
He knew very well what a knight was like because he was one himself.
However, he still had a hint of optimism in his heart. After all, he himself had experienced the process from doubt to belief.
I think if Her Highness the Saint can demonstrate the miracle that happened in the castle that day again, even the Campbell people will understand that the oracle is unquestionable.
If that doesn't work—
Let’s fight.
He believed that the divine weapon given to him by the Son of God was not for him to keep as a decoration at home, but because he had foreseen the day when he would use it.
"Please don't fight over me."
Seeing everyone about to get into a quarrel, Kallen calmed their hearts with a gentle voice and continued.
"Compared to the people who live on this land, my personal fate is insignificant. Regardless of what they think of me, whether they praise or curse me, I hope you will continue to uphold the piety in your hearts and continue on your journey... worthy of the swords in your hands and your original aspirations."
After a pause, she continued.
"As for the Campbells... I believe they are also a devout group of people, and I will try to convince them."
She believed it.
Because her spirit had promised her that he would watch.
Brennan was silent for a long moment, then looked at Raiden and said.
"In any case, we need to strengthen the defenses of Quemu Fort. At least if they suddenly turn against us, we won't be helpless."
Raiden nodded.
"A wise decision."
He didn't trust the Campbells.
If those people really cared about their neighbors, they would have come a long time ago…
…
The news that "Shadow of the Jungle" Finnian had been killed quickly reached the Quemu Territory, and it happened shortly after the news of the Principality of Campbell sending troops came.
Brennan was shocked for a long time after hearing the news.
He remembered that the guy was a platinum-level warrior who was good at using bows and daggers, and was especially good at fighting in the jungle.
If we keep a sufficient distance, even I might not be that guy's match!
Unlike the "Champion Warriors" who were stunned, Redden was not surprised at all.
Based on his understanding of the Duchy of Campbell, the Green Army, a group of scattered soldiers, could never be a match for the Campbell militia.
As for the top combat power, that is even more impossible...
"...The Light of Legend is a legend among the Campbell people and the Campbell family's greatest strength. That sword isn't strictly a sword; it could be a spear, an axe, or even a shield... Any weapon wielded by successive Dukes of Campbell and recorded in epic poetry can be conjured by the Light of Legend."
The castle's training ground.
Faced with Brennan asking for advice, Redden, who was training soldiers, thought for a moment and told him what he knew about the Campbell family.
"Not only that, the most challenging aspect is the arrival of the 'Ancestor Spirits'. The heirs of the Light of Legend can summon the spirits of their ancestors back to the mortal world to fight alongside them. This is precisely why Grand Duke Campbell's enemies are often not just one person, but the entire Campbell family... The Demon Kings of the Thunder County Labyrinth are no match for the Campbell family."
Brennan's face turned a little ugly, and he spoke with difficulty.
"But I heard that its owner seems to be a little girl... maybe her own strength is not very strong."
Raiden scoffed.
"Have you forgotten what level you were at a few years ago? What makes you think that only you can encounter such a wonderful adventure, while the chosen ones favored by God cannot?"
Brennan was silent.
really--
Before joining the Green Army, he was just a hunter, not even an adventurer.
He never deliberately honed his martial arts skills, but just kept fighting to survive, fighting the lord's soldiers and other bandits...
And when he found that he had miraculously survived to the end, his strength had grown to a level that even he was surprised.
There are twelve people like him in the Green Forest Army!
In other words, if even someone like him could become a strong person, it made no sense that the one chosen by Saint Sith would grow slower than him...
…
The news from Jiliu Pass was like a heavy cloud, pressing down on the sky of Quemu Territory, which had just cleared up.
Just as the Salvation Army's top brass were feeling heavy-hearted due to the Campbell people's intervention, a brutal battle was taking place on Griffin Cliff, hundreds of kilometers away.
As the capital of the Earldom of Griffin Bluff, Griffin Bluff Castle, with its dangerous terrain and majestic walls, has become the western gate of Dusk City.
But at this moment, this solid fortress standing on the edge of the cliff is crumbling under the raging attack of the Green Forest Army.
The cruelty of the war was beyond everyone's imagination.
The rebels were like an endless swarm of ants, using simple ladders and their flesh and blood to attack the towering city walls again and again.
Arrows rained down, rocks rolled like thunder, screams and the clanging of metal intertwined into a bloody melody!
The castle stained with blood was like a small boat in the vast ocean, as if it could be destroyed by the storm at any time!
However, in this terrifying blood and chaos, there is a figure standing tall like the peak of Wanren Mountain.
Standing on the ruined city wall, Count Thord Wilfort was like a blood-soaked god of war. Every time he swung the sword in his hand, several rebels fell to the ground.
"For the King! For the Glory!"
He roared and slashed, the boiling energy of the dragon god wrapped around the sword, and the sword blade swung like the wind to block the gap in the castle!
The sword in his hand is like an insurmountable wall!
With his platinum-level strength and honed unparalleled swordsmanship, he has single-handedly killed more than two thousand rebels since the battle began!
The corpses piled up into a hill beside him. His bravery greatly boosted the morale of the defenders and frightened the enemy.
Count Thorde plunged his sword into the chest of a rebel, kicked his body off the city wall, wiped the blood from his face, and laughed furiously.
"Haha, you rats! As long as I'm alive, I will never let you, a bunch of traitors, set foot in Dusk City!"
Although the vast majority of nobles in the Dusk Province have abandoned their obligations, not all of them are cowards corrupted by wine, women, money and power.
The Wilfort family has been loyal to the king for generations and has honed their martial arts for this purpose.
While other nobles indulged in social banquets and sex, only the people of the Wilfort family lived like ascetic monks!
Of course, it was precisely because of this that his territory was so poor that there wasn't even a decent cannon on the towering city walls.
Under his heroic resistance, the rebels attacking the city finally began to waver. They looked at the blood-soaked god of death in fear, and their offensive gradually weakened.
As the dawn of victory was just around the corner and the Wilfort family would soon be able to establish a new legend on this land, an almost imperceptible shadow quietly slipped out from behind the pile of corpses beside Thord.
It was a hunched figure, even shorter than a dwarf, so that a cloak as big as a bath towel covered his entire body.
Thord sensed the danger and turned around almost instinctively, but the fatigue accumulated from continuous fighting still made him a step slower.
A poisoned dagger stabbed out silently and accurately into the gap in his right leg armor.
"ah--!"
Thord cried out in pain and looked back with his eyes wide open.
He saw that the one who attacked him was not a human, but a monster wearing a cloak and with a hunched body!
Under the shadow of the hood, a pair of gleaming green eyes were staring straight at him, and the light flashing on the teeth showed both excitement and fear.
"Despicable villain!"
Count Solder roared like thunder, swung his sword with his backhand, and the boiling aura seemed to distort even the space!
The ratman assassin dodged hastily, but was completely unable to dodge. Facing the full force of the Platinum Knight, he didn't even have time to scream before he was instantly killed!
Looking at the bloody mess on the ground, Thord was about to curse as a rat, but his pounding heart suddenly stopped.
A numb feeling came from the legs.
He subconsciously looked down and saw black blood oozing out from the gap in the armor pierced by the dagger, accompanied by bursts of black gas.
Feeling the power draining out of his body uncontrollably, Thord's expression finally changed, and a hint of solemnity flashed across his resolute pupils.
Taking advantage of his momentary delay, a burly man as big as a bear jumped onto the top of the city wall with heavy steps.
A strange mist visible to the naked eye filled his mouth and nose, and on his shoulder was a huge guillotine with a chain, the blade still stained with the blood and flesh of an unknown person. His body was covered with ugly scars, as if he had just come down from a place of execution.
Looking at the staggering Count Solder, the sturdy man let out a cruel and beast-like laugh and swung the guillotine in his hand like the wind.
"A lackey of Chaos..." Count Thorde leaned on his sword, trying to steady himself, but the poison had already invaded his internal organs.
Without giving him a chance to breathe, nor giving the priests behind him a chance to cast a spell, the strong man swung the guillotine in his hand without saying a word, and the chain flew straight towards the earl's face with a ripping sound!
With his right leg numb, Thord raised the sword in his hand to try to block, but he was unable to withstand the powerful blow and was cut into two parts by the sword!
The city walls were smeared with blood.
“My Lord Earl——!”
When Count Solder's body fell to the ground, the shouts of the soldiers on the city wall instantly turned into wails of despair.
Thord's eldest son's eyes were bulging with anger. He picked up his father's sword and rushed forward. However, after only two rounds, he was smashed into a pulp by the whistling guillotine.
The burly man, who was as strong as a bear, grinned fiercely, carried the bloody guillotine on his shoulder, and let the scarlet liquid drip onto his body.
"Aka... the executioner."
He uttered his name through his cracked lips to the terrified defenders, then waved the chain in his hand and rejoined the fight.
The morale of the defenders hit rock bottom.
The balance of victory has collapsed, and the epic that will be written with blood today seems destined to be one of blood and betrayal, rather than loyalty and tenacity.
Although the remaining 700 soldiers and 50 knights were still fighting desperately, they were ultimately outnumbered and were overwhelmed by the green-turbaned people who surged onto the city walls like a tide.
Griffin Cliff Castle finally fell.
…
Green banners flutter over the bloody castle.
Tens of thousands of rebels poured into the castle, venting all their anger on the survivors.
Including servants and maids in the castle, priests and nuns hiding in the cellar, and people who hid in the castle for various reasons.
Aka did not stop his men, and even participated in their game, adding bloody fun to it.
The only pity is that Solder's two sons had died in the battle, and his wife and young daughter had taken the poisoned wine.
Together with the knights who held on to the last moment in the castle, their souls ascended to the Holy Temple of Saint Sith after their death.
Even if the magic of the dead could allow them to stand up, they would be empty shells without souls, just a bag of flesh and blood.
After getting tired of playing, Aka hung the corpse on the city wall, letting them watch helplessly as their castle was destroyed.
He has no grudge against the Wilfort family.
The reason for doing this is purely because it makes him happy, and the gods standing behind him will also be happy and give him more power.
The "banquet" lasted until noon of the next day. Aka thought it was about time, so he ordered his men to kill all the survivors.
The castle courtyard was flooded with blood. The stench of corpses and the cries of crows announced the complete demise of a family with a long history.
From then on, the reputation of "The Executioner" was definitely enough to leave a terrifying chapter in the epic of the Kingdom of Ryan.
The smell of blood still lingered until the third day. Aka ordered his men to simply clean up the battlefield, and then waited respectfully for the real lord to enter.
Those were the three highest leaders of the Green Forest Army.
They are "Green Turban" Kailan, "Longbowman" Reese, and "Quartermaster" Silas.
As the spiritual leader of the Green Forest Army, Kailan looked at the corpses in the castle courtyard, and a trace of pity flashed in his eyes, but it only flashed for a moment.
Compared to the brothers who died on the city walls and the serfs killed by the lords, the price paid by the Wilfort family was too light.
It was a great relief for them to escape the gallows of justice.
Unlike Kailan, Reese, who was carrying a longbow, just glanced at Thord's head expressionlessly and then looked away.
Only Silas, whose always smiling face showed a hint of joy that was imperceptible to others, as if he was appreciating it.
"Your Majesty! Aka welcomes you! The gate of Dusk City is open to you. I am willing to act as a pioneer and take down the Governor's Mansion of Dusk City for you!" Aka knelt on one knee respectfully, his honest face full of solemnity, and spoke in a muffled voice.
The blood-stained guillotine had been washed clean by him and was shining in the midday sun.
"You did well, Aka..."
Kailan looked at Aka and nodded slightly. He first affirmed his contribution, but then changed the subject and said.
"But I'm not the king, so don't call me Your Majesty. Remember, we're rebelling to overthrow the king. If I call you Your Majesty, then who are we?"
Aka said respectfully.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Kailan: “…”
Seeing the leader about to say something, Silas stopped him with a smile.
"Aka's brain isn't very sharp, so just ignore him. Let him shout whatever he wants. Don't let the brothers down."
Reese also wanted to advise Kailan.
We are about to capture Dusk City, and the brothers are all waiting to divide the titles. You just said you don't want to be king. Are we waiting for the one sitting in the royal capital to give you the reward?
However, just as he was about to speak, there was a commotion in front of the castle gate not far away, interrupting the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
A messenger came galloping over, jumped off the horse, ran straight to the courtyard, trotted to the three leaders, and knelt on one knee.
The messenger was the one they had sent to Quemu Castle to inquire about Brennan's movements. They didn't expect him to come back so soon.
Kailan instinctively felt something unusual.
After receiving the leader's eye signal, the messenger quickly reported.
"Lord Kailan! 'Iron Bull' Brennan... he's changed his banner! He now calls himself the 'Savior Army' and even supports a 'Saint' named Kallen!"
After taking a breath, the messenger immediately told the story of the Salvation Army, including how they used the food in the castle to help the victims, how they distributed the nobles' land to the refugees, and how they were preaching the "new doctrine".
Hearing these words, the four Green Forest Army leaders, including Aka, were stunned, with different expressions on their faces.
Especially Aka, a hint of greed flashed across his honest face, as if he had seen a new toy.
"Saint?"
Kailan raised his eyebrows when he heard this, as if he had heard something funny, and laughed.
"The name doesn't matter. As long as Brennan adheres to our creed of robbing the rich and giving to the poor, it doesn't matter if he calls himself 'God's Army'... But I don't agree with using the banner of Saint Sith. New doctrines can't change the lies in the Holy Book. Those priests must be held responsible for this famine!"
"I think this Iron Ox has lost his mind. He feels itchy unless something is tied to his nose."
Reese snorted coldly, his eyes full of disdain.
He didn't believe in any oracles. If Saint Sith really existed, famine would not have happened at all, and they should be living in heaven now.
But no matter what, Brennan did not openly oppose them, and it was not appropriate for them to turn against that guy at this critical juncture when they were about to attack the city.
The general attack on Dusk City is the top priority at the moment. They must take it before the Campbells!
"...Anyway, as long as Sparrow Castle isn't in the Governor's hands, it won't affect the overall situation. Brennan's issue can be dealt with later."
Silas still looked indecisive, smiling and acting as a peacemaker.
"Yeah, yeah, Brennan's not in a hurry... I'm even wondering if there's some misunderstanding here. His parents became undead because the priest ignored them. No one should hate those charlatans more than him."
Kailan nodded.
"Then let's do as Reese said and wait until we conquer Twilight City before deciding what to do with Iron Bull... I hope he'll come back."
He is a leader who listens to advice.
The arrangements regarding Quemu Territory came to a temporary end, and the four leaders walked side by side into the main hall of the castle, preparing to hold a meeting for the next battle.
Throughout the meeting, Silas was the only one who seemed unusually absent-minded. However, the others didn't dwell on it and continued to offer their opinions and suggestions. After all, fighting wasn't the "quartermaster's" forte.
He excels at logistics.
No matter how passive the situation was, he could miraculously raise supplies and deliver them to the front lines of the war.
It can be said that his contribution to the Green Forest Army growing to its current size and strength is no less than that of Kailan and Reese.
It's just that he has always been very low-key and hiding behind the scenes, rarely showing up in front of people, so he seems to have little presence.
It was as if at this moment, no one noticed the fear and the subtle hideousness behind that kind smile.
"Saint? Miracle? Could it be that our previous actions of spreading Chaos were too extreme, forcing out Saint Siss's 'Chosen One'?" Silas pondered secretly, his heart filled with anxiety, like a rat on a hot pot.
The dispatch of troops by the Principality of Campbell was predicted by the great true god Urgos, with the exception of Saint Karen.
He didn't know the full picture of Urgos's plan, but the appearance of this guy would undoubtedly bring hidden dangers to the adult's plan.
Silas's eyes unconsciously fell on Aka, who was about to fall asleep.
perhaps……
It's time to do something.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
