“Big Brother, Chaos ambushed.”
Icy Snow shifted her gaze away from the sky and turned to Rhode. Upon hearing her words, Rhode nodded and the corners of his mouth lifted into a proud smile.
“Good. Looks like things are going rather smoothly. I thought those guys would get overly excited while killing and forget the plan.”
Rhode said, flattening the creases on his shirt. At that moment, he wasn’t dressed in his usual noble attire. Instead, he wore a straight, black uniform and donned a pitch-black cloak outside. With a hood over his head, he was covered in black from head to toe, hiding his appearance. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t only him—his followers were dressed similarly too. Be it warriors, mages, rangers, or other classes, they all wore pitch-black cloaks that wrapped themselves completely. Looking ahead into the distance, apart from a distinct group of black figures, no one could differentiate their genders.
“How should we go about it, Leader? Follow the old way?”
Bubble asked, hiding in the shadow behind Rhode. She was also clothed in the same manner and gazed in excitement at the battlefield ahead. The Chaos army was approaching their defensive line, but Bubble wasn’t concerned at all. On the contrary, judging from her look, she seemed as though she couldn’t wait for them to get closer.
“What’s the instructions from Senior Heart? Has the enemy commander confirmed his attacking route?”
Rhode asked and gazed ahead, knitting his brows and pondering for a few moments. Upon hearing his query, Icy Snow nodded, extended her arms, and pointed to the left and right =.
“From here to there. Every Chaos army has a being in the caliber of a Chaos Lord, but they are mostly hidden in the back, so I can’t determine their position. At least for now, based on the intelligence from Big Sister Orchid Heart, this is only the range I can probe so far.”
“Woah, five Chaos Lords? That bast*rd sure devoted his whole life for his, huh, Leader?”
Upon hearing Icy Snow’s remarks, Mini Bubble Gum blew a whistle. Canary, who stood beside Mini Bubble Gum, stretched out her arm and held the latter’s shoulder, reminding her of her place. Then, Canary pondered, before gazing at Rhode with some hesitation.
“In this case, we need to act more passively. If the Chaos Lords are sharp in detecting our probing, our plans are likely to be discovered. I suggest waiting before taking more actions. At least for now, we still have ample time.”
“Can you find out who the Chaos Lords are?”
After listening to Canary’s words, Rhode nodded in response, before turning to Icy Snow again. Icy Snow widened her eyes, looked ahead, and her eyes glinted in a mysterious flash. At the next moment, her gaze returned to normal.
“I’m not sure about other areas, but the one closest to us is the Horned Behemoth.”
“Oh? That’s interesting; I didn’t expect Ion to summon it. Seems like this Chaos Dragon really put a lot of effort into this…” After hearing Icy Snow’s report, Rhode was taken aback, but let out a cold laughter shortly after. At that moment, some people in the group behind him also made a strange laughter. After hearing the laughters, Rhode turned around and said: “Alright then. Everyone, you should know what to do.”
“Of course, Leader. Leave it to us!”
“Hahaha, Ion, that idiot. To think he chose to summon a Horned Behemoth; seems like even God is helping me this time around.”
At that moment, the group responded at once, but not everyone understood what Rhode meant. On his side, Lapis looked to the left and right in suspicion and curiosity. She pulled down her hood tightly and couldn’t understand what these people were talking about.
“Huh, what? What’s going on? Sir Rhode, what are you talking about? Is there something wrong with the Horned Behemoth?”
It wasn’t surprising that Lapis was so nervous. After all, this time she didn’t expect to be chosen by Rhode to join the battle in the front. Frankly, her head went blank when she received the invitation from Rhode. This innocent alchemy elf was well aware of her status. She was a researcher who stayed in the backend and Rhode wouldn’t bring her into battle unless absolutely necessary. But this time, not only was she involved in battle, but she also joined Rhode’s group in heading into the depths of Chaos. Even though this was a huge challenge for Lapis, the always timid young lady nodded in agreement without hesitation this time. As a matter of fact, Lapis’s thoughts were simple—by doing so, she could spend more time with Rhode.
Was it that love made one go crazy? Or perhaps love lowered one’s IQ?
“You’ll know after you see it.”
Gazing at the confused Lapis, Rhode smiled, turned to Icy Snow, and said.
“Little Icy, contact Orchid Heart and inform her there’s a Horned Behemoth at our 3 o’clock. She knows what to do.”
After giving Icy Snow the command, Rhode turned over and swept a glance at his group.
“Alright, everyone. Get ready to move out. Listen to my command!”
The battle continued.
Erin stood at the top of the guard tower, knitting her brows and staring at the battlefield in puzzlement. The dense magical storms had faded gradually, while the Chaos creatures who had their attacks stopped launched their attacks again. Erin initially thought this was the result of her side expending too much strength. But shortly after, she realized that the situation was otherwise. The formidable spell casters maintained their attacks, though they were only casting ordinary, high-level spells like blizzards and flame meteor showers. Erin felt like they were working without putting in the effort… And in reality, that was indeed what they were doing.
But what astonished Erin was that these people weren’t really not putting in any effort. On the contrary, their performance seemed like a segment of a bigger plan. Because after closer observations, Erin discovered that even though the formidable ‘players’ appeared lazy, their positioning was just perfect as they covered one another’s blind spots. As soon as any accident happened, they could fill in the gaps superbly. Not only that, but even though the Chaos army also seemed to be pushing on slowly, they were only able to move really ‘slowly’. Once Erin’s side failed to defend against them, the Chaos army was definitely capable of picking up the pace and breaking through the city wall after stopping the first wave of defenses. Despite that, the Chaos army failed to charge through the defenses and that only proved one thing.
The pressure applied on the Chaos army wasn’t removed yet. On the contrary, the pressure applied on them was managed on purpose!
“Miss Orchid Heart, what are you guys…”
Erin couldn’t help but turn to Orchid Heart who stood beside her. At that moment, the young lady with unkempt hair and hugging a heavy tome leaned on the wall, her half-opened eyes making her look sleepy. Even though Orchid Heart seemed really casual and nonchalant, Erin didn’t belittle her strength. Because after arriving here, Rhode informed Erin that his subordinates would be led by Orchid Heart. Erin was also confident in his explanation. This wasn’t the first time Erin met Orchid Heart. As a matter of fact, Erin clearly remembered when she led the undead army in attacking the Land of Atonement, Orchid Heart copied her moonlight attack to destroy her remaining units, forcing them to retreat without any choice. According to Rhode’s information, Orchid Heart was the war commander-in-chief of the entire Void Territory, and it was exactly her who led an army and repelled Ion’s undead army when he attacked the Void Territory… Just from this point alone, Erin had to respect Orchid Heart’s opinions. Although Erin was now the Dark Dragon, it was a pity that in terms of warfare, she wasn’t any better than a novice. Even though she went into war with the undead army in the past, she served as a secret weapon who was experienced in facing unprecedented situations. But when it involved battle strategies, she didn’t have too many ideas.
Facing Erin’s question, Orchid Heart opened her sleepy eyes, looked at her, and replied softly.
“We need to create an opening for Leader.”
“Rhode?”
After getting along for so many days, Erin knew that they basically addressed Rhode as ‘Guild Leader’ or ‘Leader’. Most of them called him ‘Guild Leader’, while a minority called him ‘Leader’. It was apparent that those who called him ‘Leader’ were closer to him. Even though Erin didn’t know the reason behind it, it was obvious that the level of trust between them and Rhode was higher than the rest’s.
“Yes. When the wave crashes onto the shore, it will carry along some impurities as it returns to the ocean. We need to carry an opening for Rhode, so he can slip through the rear of Chaos and outflank their retreat.”
“… But I think it is quite risky.”
Even though Erin knew that this was Rhode’s plan, she still felt like it was a dangerous idea. The Darkness Capital right now could be said to be Chaos’s nest. Erin thought that this risky initiative from Rhode’s group was lacking in consideration.
“This is a common battle strategy we used. Be it us or Leader, we’re all used to it. Even though it seems highly risky, as long as we control the situation well, the dangers that Leader and the rest will face are much less than what we face. Besides…”
Orchid Heart came to a pause. Her languid face revealed a subtle and odd expression. Even though Erin wasn’t sure what was going through Orchid Heart’s mind, for some unknown reason, after witnessing the complicated expression on Orchid Heart’s face, Erin instinctively felt like someone was in for some trouble.
“Horned Behemoth? Ion actually summoned it? He must be sick of living already…”
Muttering under her breath, Orchid Heart revealed an uncontrollable grin, lowered her head, and called out softly.
“Cannon.”
“Yo, Senior Heart, Superman’s here. What’s your instructions?”
Upon hearing Orchid Heart’s summon, the space warped and a burly, muscular knight clad in pure white armor from head to toe strolled out of the void. He stood in front of Orchid Heart and behaved in an odd etiquette—church priests would surely faint if they witnessed it. Orchid Heart wasn’t mindful of his show-off. On the contrary, she closed her eyes gradually as though she were about to fall asleep.
“The Horned Behemoth is leading the way at coordinates 34.174. Rhode needs cover. Lead your team, flank from the other side, and lure its attention. I guess you know what to do, right?”
“Horned Behemoth?”
After hearing Orchid Heart’s account, the self-proclaimed ‘Superman’ was taken aback. Even though Erin couldn’t see his expression through the helmet, judging from the tone of his voice, it was obvious that he was startled.
“What in the world? Ion can’t be that idiotic, right? For him to summon a Horned Behemoth… Ugh, so sorry, my princess! I’m not speaking bad about your Big Brother. Hahaha, a Horned Behemoth, huh… Hahaha, this will be a great one. I’ll be making my way then, Senior Heart!”
The young man spoke, turned around without looking back, and jumped down the steel city wall that was a dozen meters tall. But before he landed on the ground, Erin heard a burst of laughter. It was apparent that the young knight couldn’t stop laughing maniacally. It seemed like the reason he didn’t let out a chuckle earlier was because he cared about the slightest bit of image and dignity he had before Erin.
“Is anything the matter with that Horned Behemoth, Miss Orchid Heart? Is it really weak?”
No matter how ignorant Erin was, she definitely figured out that something was wrong with the Horned Behemoth. If not, people who heard that name wouldn’t reveal similar expressions. Upon hearing Erin’s question, Orchid Heart shook her head.
“No, Your Majesty Erin. In fact, it’s the opposite. The Horned Behemoth is considered one of the most powerful Chaos Lords. In terms of brute strength, it isn’t inferior to dragon soul heirs.”
“That strong? But why are you guys…?”
“Your Majesty Erin, there’s a saying in our world.”
Orchid Heart said, lifting her head and gazing at Erin with emotionless, pitch-black eyes.
“A weak teammate does you more harm than a strong enemy. And this Horned Behemoth is recognized as a ‘weak teammate’. Now we’re certain that this time… Rhode is definitely able to attain the ultimate victory.” Orchid Heart said, closing her eyes and seemed like she was about to fall into a slumber. But this time, before she closed her eyes, she softly gave a command.
The magical attacks stopping the Chaos army were weakened once again. This time, the Chaos creatures moved much quicker. In just a few seconds, they arrived several hundred meters away from the city walls. And next, as long as they charged to the bottom of the city walls, they could confidently charge through the thick defenses and penetrate the barrier completely!
Rumble…
But at that moment, the heavy steel plates above the city walls slid to both sides. Shortly after, black cannon openings rolled out and aimed at the enemies in the distance.
At the next moment, the entire world lost its voice.
Dazzling cannon blasts erupted from the city walls; tens of thousands of fireballs showered down at the Chaos army. The moment the brilliance exploded, the lost voice ascended the stage like a late guest.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
If one were to compare to compare this battlefield to a dance party, it was like a melodious waltz turned into a loud disco. Innumerable flashes, ear-deafening booms, and the trembling ground became the main melody.
Facing this ambush, the Chaos army was caught off guard. The skeleton soldiers and soul griffins who were submerged in the blast shattered into powder. The powerful attack also caused black smoke to rise from the bodies of the bulky Abominations. Strong explosions and flares boomed from their bodies, blowing them into pieces without mercy.
In an instant, the entire battlefield was shrouded in smoke and conflagration. In a fight between quantity, this was the first time the Chaos army was at a disadvantage. But before they returned to their senses, the steel entrance in the center of the city wall opened all of a sudden. Shortly after, 300 heavily-armored knights mounted on warhorses darted out of the entrance.
“Woooo! Attack!!!!”
The leading knight clad in pure white armor raised the spear high and yelled at the top of his lungs. Along with his snarl, hundreds of golden light columns descended from heaven, shrouding the knights and doubling their size. The knights dashed on their horses, charging at the dazed Chaos army!
No one could stand in their way. Looking from a distance, the triangular formation formed by the hundreds of knights looked like a sharp blade flickering in a golden radiance, slicing through the black-mud-like Chaos army effortlessly. Not even the assault of the opposing death knights was regarded highly in their eyes. Even if the death knights gathered and launched a counter attack on the holy knights, before their weapons struck the holy knights, sparkling and translucent hexagonal crystals appeared to stop their attacks. The death knights felt like they were facing a road roller that trampled on them and turned them into worthless minced meat.
The range of the holy knights’ attacks was so long that all enemies in their path suffered a crushing defeat, where not even evil incantations from the lichs that attempted to defeat them were useful. The spells that could easily seize lives were worthless upon striking the holy knights. At that moment, the holy knights were simply invincible!
But just when the knights charged their way to the edge of the Chaos fog, the dense, heavy fog began to roll.
Then, a raging voice erupted from the fog!
“You… are bringing about your own demise! Lowly maggots!”
Along with this bellow, the fog rolled abruptly and a 100 meters tall, human-shaped silhouette appeared within it!
“Phew…”
Upon witnessing this scene, Rhode heaved a sigh of relief instead, before turning to his group.
“Get ready. It’s time for us to move out.”
