Chapter 133: Chapter 126: The Beast Emperor’s Support (Part 2)
"Preserve the elites?" Dor looked puzzled for a moment before his expression shifted to one of sudden realization.
’Could it be?’
Dor impatiently tore open the letter sent from his clan. Just as he expected, it mentioned a name: Thermopylae.
...
Meanwhile, Prince Kase stood on a vast, newly cleared plain, looking expectantly toward the Flying Dragons in the distance.
This vast plain was the campsite Prince Kase had prepared to welcome the reinforcements dispatched by the Beast Emperor.
Ever since Prince Kase launched that attack, the entire situation on the Western Front had changed completely.
If Prince Kase had his doubts before, he was now almost a hundred percent certain that the human Prince was in the fortress up ahead.
Ever since Prince Kase had surrounded the fortress, the humans, who had previously been holed up inside, began to emerge from their shells.
Although most of them were retreating, Prince Kase still seized the opportunity to wipe out a large number of human troops. The encirclement of Devil City was now complete.
As a result, Prince Kase’s prestige soared. His tremendous military achievements translated into considerable political rewards back home.
The reinforcements Prince Kase was waiting for had been sent by his father, the Beast Emperor, to help him break through Devil City.
The distant Flying Dragons gradually landed. This unit of Flying Dragon Cavalry was one of the most elite Flying Legions among the Beastmen, second only to the Red Dragon Corps.
The Beast Emperor had originally planned to send this army to the central front as a powerful force for a breakthrough. However, the situation there was now beyond the influence of just one or two legions. Upon learning of his son’s major success on the Western Front, the Beast Emperor had dispatched the entire Flying Dragon Legion to him instead.
"General Philid, I never expected my father to send you! My apologies for the poor welcome!" Prince Kase hurried forward, taking the hands of the purple-skinned Beastman before him.
Philid was a rare case in the Beastman Army: a general not of royal blood who was nonetheless highly valued and entrusted with great responsibility.
It was rumored that Philid wasn’t even born on the Beastman Grassland; he was simply a child the Beast Emperor had found and brought back during a military campaign.
But none of that mattered. The only thing Kase cared about was Philid’s political stance.
The Beast Emperor was growing old, and the competition among the princes was becoming increasingly fierce. As one of the Beast Emperor’s most trusted generals, Philid had surprisingly yet to declare his allegiance.
Not taking a side was, in itself, the wisest stance. A man in Philid’s position would typically wait for the Beast Emperor to clearly indicate his chosen successor before showing any favor.
Although Prince Kase knew he couldn’t win Philid’s support at this stage, if he stayed on the general’s good side, perhaps Philid would give him a pleasant surprise regarding the succession at some critical juncture in the future.
This was not uncommon on the continent. In history, weren’t the lives of great achievers always full of subtle foreshadowing? A successful life was paved with such groundwork.
In the face of Prince Kase’s enthusiasm, General Philid showed no excessive warmth, but neither was he cold. He simply clasped his hands at his waist in a gesture of respect.
"By order of the Emperor."
"I have come primarily to assist Your Highness in breaking through Devil City. Afterward, I will travel to the Gray Dwarves to help Your Highness solicit their support," Philid said.
Prince Kase nodded. It was clear General Dor’s dawdling had displeased the higher-ups. The Beast Emperor had grown impatient and sent a top general to support him directly.
Philid then glanced behind him and pointed.
"I’m not the only one who came this time," Philid said. "His Majesty also sent a Priesthood."
Prince Kase had expected Philid’s attitude.
In truth, his earlier enthusiasm had been a test. If Philid had reciprocated with equal warmth, it would have meant his position as crown prince was all but secured.
Philid’s current attitude—maintaining distance without being arrogant—was also quite telling.
It meant, at the very least, that the Beast Emperor was pleased with him. Otherwise, given Philid’s personality, he likely wouldn’t have given Prince Kase the time of day.
"A Priesthood?" Prince Kase frowned.
A Priesthood was essentially a Mage Corps; every race just had its own name for them.
Back when the Beastmen were first rising to power, they believed Magic was a gift from the Beast God, so they called its wielders Priests.
Philid nodded.
"To be honest, the Flying Dragon Legion is secondary on this mission," Philid said. "This Priesthood is the most important force."
"In any case, Your Highness will see them shortly."
Prince Kase, quite puzzled, looked toward the Flying Dragons further back.
The Flying Dragons behind were indeed carrying other troops, as well as a considerable number of assorted crates.
In a fleeting glance, Prince Kase saw a black scythe emblem on one of the crates.
Involuntarily, Prince Kase recalled some unsettling rumors he had heard from the grasslands.
"Let’s go have a look," Prince Kase said, striding forward.
As he approached the Priests, Prince Kase thought to himself, ’Just as I thought.’
Every one of these Priests was dressed in a black human-style Mage Robe, each adorned with a black scythe. The entire Priesthood emanated a terrifying, deathly aura.
