Chapter 218: Chapter 189: Everyone, Prepare for Battle
In an unremarkable basin within the Shadow Forest, a strange scene unfolded. Though the area appeared to be nothing but woods, walking past a certain point felt like passing through a thin membrane. Beyond it, a throng of figures milled about—a sea of heads numbering at least three to four thousand by a rough estimate. The assembly was a mix of races: Lizardmen, Jackal Wolfmen, Ogres, Zor Elves, and more.
All were clad in Iron Armor, weapons in hand.
Without a doubt, this was a reasonably well-equipped army.
Their intentions were unknown. They were encamped here temporarily, not even having pitched tents, merely sitting haphazardly on logs and stones.
A Jackal Wolf Scout headed toward the only tent in the center of the camp and spoke respectfully from outside:
"Lord Leon, a human force of over a thousand is passing through the river valley a hundred paces ahead. Should we ambush them?"
The tent flap was pushed aside, and a figure cloaked entirely in black emerged. He threw back his hood, revealing his face.
He was a young male Zor Elf. The spider insignia on his forehead confirmed his identity.
He was a Zor Priest favored by Rose, proficient in Magic.
’It made sense.’ The Zor Elves were a thoroughly matriarchal society, where the status of males was barely higher than that of slaves. Typically, the best they could hope for was to serve as Warriors or Martial Arts Instructors.
Only by becoming a Priest could one even begin to dabble in politics, and even then, they were still inferior to the female Zor Elves.
"There is no need. That is merely the humans’ Vanguard Army. Our true target is their main force."
Leon gazed into the distance, his tone indifferent.
As a Priest, he was proficient in all sorts of Magic. Furthermore, his broad interests meant he naturally knew spells to block things like calls for aid. However, after weighing the pros and cons, he had chosen to lift this magical barrier to allow the enemy to send for reinforcements.
Having successfully intercepted the specific details of the Elf Tribe’s plea for help, he had deployed his forces here, preparing to ambush the very humans who were coming to their rescue.
Although he was a Priest, his status as a male was inherently low. Only by performing a deed of great significance could he win the Matron’s favor.
Leon stroked the gem on his Scepter, a nostalgic expression on his face.
’We have been trapped underground for far too long. This time, we exhausted the power of an ancient relic just to return to the surface. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I must achieve something great.’
This world was a restless one; everyone was desperately trying to prove themselves, and he was no exception.
"For now, have the Scouts return. Do not leave the range of my Concealment Magic."
Leon added the instruction as a precaution.
If the hidden army here were discovered by the human Vanguard Army, all his efforts would be wasted. There was no room for carelessness.
...
"Strange. We haven’t encountered a single living soul this entire way." Levi found it very odd.
Ever since dealing with that squad of Centaurs, they hadn’t encountered a single living Wilderness Person.
As a result, their pace was slightly faster than he had anticipated.
"Lord, isn’t that a good thing?" A kindly smile appeared on Fu Jin’s face. "My reconnaissance Magic hasn’t detected anything amiss. Perhaps these Wilderness People are unaware of our arrival, just as Legion Commander Fujero said."
"Perhaps." Levi’s brow furrowed slightly. He had a feeling it wasn’t that simple.
Encountering that old acquaintance, the Centaur Leader, back there proved that the Wilderness Army sent south to stop them had successfully rendezvoused with the Zor Elves.
Even if they were unaware of his army heading north, any competent Military Officer would station some forces to cover their rear, just in case.
However, the reality was plain to see. Even Fu Jin’s reconnaissance Magic hadn’t detected any sign of an ambush. So, no matter how suspicious Levi was, he didn’t press the matter.
The column advanced in silence. The sky within the Shadow Forest never changed, causing the soldiers to lose all sense of time.
This made the journey feel agonizing and torturous.
But their ordeal did not last long.
Just as the column reached what Si Kai had estimated to be the halfway point, shimmering light began to spill in from ahead, plating the ferns on the ground in a golden sheen. They felt like ancient Warriors who had fought their way back from the Dark Nether Realm, about to return to the Divine Kingdom of the Holy Light Goddess.
"Lord, we’re almost out of the forest!" Si Kai exclaimed, his face alight with excitement.
His heart had been pounding in his chest the entire time, worried he might fail to lead them out of the Shadow Forest. But now, it seemed they had made it without a hitch.
"Well done," Levi praised generously.
He also breathed an inward sigh of relief. More than an ambush, he had been worried about getting hopelessly lost in this forest.
If that had happened, all the martial prowess in the world wouldn’t have helped them.
"Normally, this forest is filled with a dense fog, and the giant trees people use as landmarks shift their positions constantly, making it easy to get lost," Si Kai said humbly. "I don’t know what caused these spells to disappear, but it made the route much easier to find."
As the group drew closer to the exit, the faint sounds of battle reached their ears.
"One of the fighting parties is Elves! My Snowbird sees them still holding the walls!"
The Elder Priest, who had been handling reconnaissance, reported his findings.
"Whew! We’re not too late!" The Lord grinned, showing two rows of perfectly white teeth.
The walls protecting the Elf Tribe had not yet fallen. This was good news.
Now, he, the Baron of High Cliff Castle, could finally demonstrate the classic pincer movement—a rear assault.
"The enemy Caster has spotted me!" Fu Jin suddenly cried out. As he was scouting with the magically created Snowbird, his vision went black and the connection severed.
"A minor problem," the Lord said with a dismissive wave, not seeming concerned.
"All troops, prepare for battle!"
At his command, the slightly disorganized column instantly tightened. The Thorn Corps’ Infantry Corps raised their Shields, forming an orderly Shield Array at the front, with the Lancers and Archers arranging themselves in sequence behind them.
The formation was nothing profound, but it was a time-tested and highly practical arrangement.
"Si Kai, I have a critical task for you."
Levi walked over to Si Kai, looking the middle-aged Knight in the Golden Armor straight in the eye.
The Knight had blond hair and a resolute face. A full beard, the result of a long military career, had begun to sprout.
"Speak, my Lord," Si Kai said respectfully.
After all they had been through, he held a mixture of awe and reverence for this Lord.
The Lord of High Cliff Castle could be unconventional at times, but he possessed an immense personal Charm. It was no wonder those Beastmen were willing to die for him.
"I’m giving you full command of this vanguard detachment. I’m leaving both Panda and Fu Jin with you."
"My Lord..."
Si Kai started, his expression one of disbelief.
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