The howling of the blade tore the skin of the atmosphere, and the death knight who was poised like a statue turned into a blurred black line in an instant, penetrating the distance between the two. The magic blade whizzing out from the long sword flew into the air. And in the next instant, the soft sword that merged with the wind had arrived in front of Alberta.
Accompanied by the burning bright red light, the bone-piercing sword wind rushed towards his face, and there was no possibility of avoiding it at all. The elf had no choice but to grit his teeth, hold the hilt of the sword tightly with both hands, and went forward with all his strength.
"Ping~!" The crisp sound of metal collisions passed through the eardrums, and Alberta's palm immediately lost consciousness—the strength of the death knight's soft sword shaking was stronger than that of a giant axe. It is hard to imagine what kind of stubborn killing intent there is. Condensed in that weapon—his body also lost its balance at the same time, and his whole body was knocked off the ground.
But everything was just a short and uncapturable moment. Before the fatal flaw was revealed, the elf had already somersaulted in the air, quickly adjusting its posture like a dexterous lynx. Under the protection of the power of the wind, the light figure did not fall into the sharp edge of the death knight's long sword, but stayed in the air steadily, looking down at the Shura field in front of him from a height.
"Hmph, I'm really underestimated..." Alsace muttered softly, and his tall body immediately jumped onto the wall. Before the other party realized his intentions, the death knight used it as a springboard and swung his long sword flat , and slash towards the target in the air.
The crossed arc-shaped wind blades immediately detached from the elf's long sword, and roared to meet it, trying to intercept the madly attacking opponent. As a result, the dome of the prayer hall whipped up violent air currents, and the hanging decorations on the ceiling were torn into countless pieces, turning into a shining storm that blocked all sight.
The battlefield suddenly became chaotic, but in this state, the death knight was not affected in any way, even the sharp wind blade could not stop the clear trajectory drawn by the tip of the soft sword.
Why? How could this be so... When he saw everything in front of him clearly, the breath of death was rushing towards his face, attacking the light of his head, causing Alberta's tense nerves to stop functioning at that moment. He subconsciously raised his sword to block, but this time, the suspended body no longer had any support. When the destructive sword light tore through the guardian of the wind, the elf smashed to the hard ground like a kite with a broken string.
The violent impact made the elf's back completely numb, and his chest was also impacted like oppression. But under the stormy attack of the opponent, Alberta had no room to breathe. If he hadn't turned over in time, the moment he landed, the ensuing sweeping attack would have cut him in half.
There is absolutely no room for counterattack~! What is that soft sword? It looks like a live snake for a while, and it is extremely hard for a while. If it is cut, probably even the bones will be crushed, right? The elf thought so, there was no wound on his body, but under the pressure of the cold sword wind, every part of his body felt as if soaked in icy sea water, and he felt a biting pain.
However, you must not die here, otherwise... The girl's smile naturally appeared in Alberta's mind. Without saying a word, the elf clenched his sword tightly, planning to fight back desperately.
In the next instant, several silver rays of light flashed past Alberta's ears in the gap, and the death knight's rushing attack stopped suddenly. Alsace suddenly jumped back, out of the distance of the battle, and he was originally At this moment, two sharp arrows have been deeply buried in the position.
The tail feathers of the third arrow trembled on Alsace's shoulder.
As if the strings of the zither were suddenly broken, the battle between the two stopped immediately, but this did not mean the end of the crisis. Not only did the airflow in the hall not calm down, but on the contrary, the smell of blood condensed invisibly became even stronger.
"Very good continuous shooting." The death knight pulled out the arrow as he said, with a little teasing in his tone, but more of a cold one, "However, this level of attack is really not worth mentioning."
When those blood-red eyes were staring at Oluha, her heart couldn't restrain her beating wildly. Under the subconscious action of pursing her lips, which were not much bloody, they turned as pale as her face. But the stubbornness in the elf girl's eyes didn't flinch in any way. Not only was she not afraid, but she raised the longbow in her hand again.
"Enough, Oluha~!" Alberta shouted loudly.
"But Alberta, I want to fight together~! Do you want me to watch all this..."
"I'll take care of this guy, don't make any more moves~!" The elf tried to attract the undead's attention back. Regardless of the girl's worried eyes, he pointed the edge of the long sword at the death knight again, "Come on, undead, your The opponent should be me~!"
"Interesting, do you like being a hero so much?" Alsace's sword edge drooped slightly, posing in a thrusting posture, "Although he is an excellent fighter and has the ability to manipulate the power of wind, you are still far from real swordsmanship." Very far away. So you can't survive me, and neither can she."
The time seemed extremely long at that moment, and before he knew it, Alberta's palms were already covered in sweat. The coldness emanating from the undead's body was like vines, slowly seeping into the elf's body, gradually freezing his limbs and soul.
Is this the power of the death knight? It's not on the same level as me at all. I thought there would always be enough power to keep everything under control, but now it seems that Roland's prophecy has really come true. I have been wandering in the closed forest for too long, and I have been abandoned by the sword... There was a hint of self-deprecation that should not be noticed at the corner of the elf's mouth.
But no matter what, I can't let Aurha suffer any harm, even if this is my last battle~! Alberta's clothes fluttered unnaturally, and the surrounding scenery was gradually distorted and deformed by the tangled air vortex. From time to time, a flash of whirlwind formed, tearing the items in the hall to pieces.
"Such eyes..." When the elf's firm eyes met his burning pupils, Arthas frowned suddenly, "It's easy to make people have unpleasant memories, how annoying~!"
However, before he could do anything, the sudden overtones erupted again. With a shower of glass shards falling, another death knight rushed into the prayer hall. Even the violent wind blades around him couldn't restrain the intruder at all. Before the elves and undead made any moves, the gray-haired figure had already passed in front of Aurha. The moment the nightmare slowed down, the dead actually hugged the elf girl up to her waist.
"His Royal Highness Oluha~!" Alberta's eyes suddenly frantic, and he rushed over desperately.
"Roland?" A cold fire flashed in Alsace's pupils.
The exquisite cloak of the death knight fluttered under the intense movements, like an eagle spreading its wings. It was only at this moment that the two people who came back to their senses finally made a move. But driven by its master, the Nightmare horse ignored their actions at all, leaped high with a long cry, kicked the window lattice easily with its powerful iron hooves, then rushed out of the encirclement and disappeared into the night.
With water-colored pupils and a beautiful face, as well as the all-too-familiar movements and demeanor, when Oluha saw the face of the person in front of her, she couldn't help wondering whether it was just her own illusion.
"Roland? Is that you?" The girl called out that name softly as if dreaming.
"Hurry up." The death knight replied irrelevantly, still focusing his eyes on the front.
Oluha sighed, didn't say anything more, just hugged each other tightly. The next moment, Nightmare suddenly accelerated.
In the city of Yisi at this moment, there are black figures everywhere, and everything reflects a blood-like red. The sky is no longer as quiet as usual, but has become the reflection of the battlefield on the ground, where storm griffins and gargoyles are flying up and down, and ice dragons swoop down and spit out frost after wave, bringing those towering defense towers together with humans together. freeze. And beside these ice sculptures, the scorching flame is greedily devouring everything it can touch—food, supplies, houses, and life. But the deceased didn't pay attention to those, he just carefully avoided the noisy battlefield, passing one house after another lightly like a bird. Soon, the surrounding air gradually cooled down, no longer smelling of blood and hot wind.
"Roland?" Oluha called again in a low voice.
"Are you alright?" In the darkness, the death knight's expression was hard to distinguish, but the elf sensed the contradiction and wavering in his tone.
"En." The girl nodded, and then showed a worried expression, "But, Alberta..."
"Alsace doesn't like chasing fleeing enemies, and he's not interested in stopping others from escaping. Don't worry, Oluha." At that moment, Roland seemed to be lost in memory, "Alberta is a very strong fighter, He knows when to back off."
"That's right, I'm not a burden here, he doesn't need to continue fighting anymore." The girl lowered her head gradually, "I thought I had mastered the power, but I didn't expect that it would drag others down."
Roland shook his head: "That guy's target is me."
"The death knight's target is... Roland?"
"On the Hill of Swords in the North, I once defeated him. What Alsace is obsessed with is pure power, so I must have become a part of his obsession." As if feeling the pain of sympathy, Roland's The tone slowed down, "The death knight's obsession cannot be stopped for any reason... because I defeated him for the long time back then, that's why this happens now."
"Why?" The elf was a little confused.
"He wants to face that crazy Roland again. To do this, it is necessary to provoke me." The water-colored pupil flickered, "That's why he planned to kill you, because you are probably..." Speaking of this , the death knight suddenly stopped, not continuing.
"How is such a thing possible?" The subtle change in the other party's mood did not escape Aurha's eyes, "Then, Roland..."
Why did Roland come to save me
Do you not want to recall the painful past again because of the same scene
What kind of position do I occupy in your heart
If I die, will you really avenge me
Countless emotions rushed out of Oluha's heart like a fountain in an instant, and wrapped around her tightly like slender but tough spider threads, causing a sense of powerless suffocation to fill her whole body. The elf girl pressed her chest hard, as if trying to restrain the beating of her heart, but her pale lips could not make any sound.
"Oluha?" Roland, who noticed the strangeness, showed concern.
The girl just shook her head: "Do you remember? We used to walk through the misty forest like this before."
At that time, your eyes were bright and clear, and your palms were warm and soft, but now everything is different. Burning in the pupils is the eternal fire of vengeance. Although the arms are still in the same position as usual, they are as cold as the armor. You taught me how to find courage and freedom, but why are you willing to be imprisoned in the cage of revenge? Now I finally have strength and freedom, but I still can't get the person I want... Roland, don't you think this is too cruel
The death knight fell silent, but the crisp female voice was still whispering: "Roland, I've been thinking, it would be great if nothing had happened." Oluha's eyes dimmed.
"Oluha~!" Roland frowned.
"I'm sorry, I keep talking about impossible things. I seem to get sad easily when I'm with the dead." The elf smiled again.
When will I have to wait until I get the chance to be with you
The autumn wind caused Oluha's long hair to flutter, and playfully caressed the other's cold cheek. The scenery on both sides retreated rapidly like a turbulent river, as if it had passed away like a memory.
It doesn't matter even if it's an undead, it would be great if it could just stay in your arms like this, the girl slowly closed her eyes. War, positions, undead... These things have no meaning at all to me. I just want to imprint everything I feel at this moment into the depths of my memory.
The two of them shuttled lightly in the silence like this, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.
"Here we are." Roland reined in his mount.
"Here is it?" Oluha looked around. Under the night, the shadow of Hei Kuikui, the lord's castle, suddenly jumped into his eyes.
"The castle is not the target of the undead, and there are a considerable number of alliance troops stationed there, so it should be very safe. You just need to go there and ask for shelter." Roland turned his head. Compared with the dark background, the burning lights on the battlefield The crimson light was extraordinarily dazzling, and in just a short while, the fire spread in all directions, and the entire temple area was engulfed in flames, and almost no buildings were spared. The battle was apparently successful.
"Is Roland leaving?" The elf's bright eyes fell silent.
"Well, otherwise, if people see the singer and the undead walking together, it will have a very bad impact, right?"
How could I care about such a thing? Now I am no longer that little girl who is afraid of the king~!
But when the words came to his lips, the girl forcefully pressed them back into his heart. Alluha could only barely show a smile: "That's right, both humans and elves are suspicious creatures."
"Take care." Roland jumped off the nightmare, and then lightly hugged the girl, but the other party's unexpected movements froze his thinking.
"Thank you, Roland." Oluha suddenly hugged him tightly.
Through the cold armor, the death knight can even clearly feel the warmth of the opponent's body.
"It's not necessary, this is what I should do, in order to avoid involving innocent people in the death knight's long-cherished wish." Roland patted the elf's back carefully, "For revenge, I once raised my sword against many people , Alsace is one of them. Now his counterattack is coming, so it must be me who comes forward to resist."
"Even so, I still want to thank you." Oluha paused, and replied slowly, but a dark mark flashed across her spring-like eyes, "By the way... if, if the revenge is completed, what will happen to Roland in the future? ?”
"I don't know. Death knights don't think about things other than their wishes. The future doesn't matter." The undead replied in a cold tone. In the next moment, the gray-haired figure broke away from the other party's embrace, and lightly jumped onto the waiting mount. The black nightmare soared into the sky, leaving only the icy frost to entangle the slightly trembling branches with the breath of death.
"Sometimes, I really envy the person lying under the Moon Flower." Looking at the back of the moon, Oluha whispered to herself, and the crystal tears ran across her face silently.
"The Storm Griffon is indeed the elite of the alliance. Even in a disadvantaged situation, they can still face danger and launch effective counterattacks," Richard said with emotion. leader."
"So, how about our army's losses?" Roland asked, looking at the group of gargoyles going away in the air.
"In terms of numbers, it's a complete fiasco. Roughly, the number of storm griffins that fell was only about 300, but we lost more than 1,100 gargoyles. The six death knights who were sacrificed in the battle," the Lich paused, "but compared to the losses caused by the magic, this result seems to be acceptable."
"Thanks to Arthas for preventing the magic from being activated." Roland glanced at his colleagues.
"I think it's a pity. It should be said that it was a mistake caused by being too greedy. I actually put all my attention on playing with the weak. Stealing food is really a bad habit." The other party didn't care about Roland's hostility. Sight, "And let that magic swordsman escape in the end, hahaha..."
"Alsace, I can assure you that your provocation will never happen again." Roland's eyes suddenly burst into cold flames.
"Come on, if you can show a state that satisfies me and reproduce the situation at that time, I don't need to waste so much effort to find the elf." Alsace did not give in.
"That's enough, you two. No matter how selfish the undead knights are, please have a limit, and don't fight among themselves on the battlefield." Richard frowned, "In any case, our strategic goal has been achieved , that's enough. Other things should be arranged by fate."
This overly straightforward round-up made both of them silent. After a while, Roland finally sighed, and turned his gaze to the map in his hand: "So, what is our next goal?" The water-colored The pupils suddenly dilated sharply in an instant, "Is the city of Dalanla..."
In October 227 of Luvis calendar, the balance of war finally broke the stalemate and began to tilt towards the will of the undead.
Fianna, Iss and Krubes, these three cities control the entire food supply in the eastern part of the Western Erazia Plain, but now their autumn harvest storage was burned under the surprise attack of the death knights. Therefore, the main force of the alliance has also fallen into an extremely passive situation. On the day Yamir submitted the IS war report, Kadar issued an order to retreat—the food stock was only enough for an army of 400,000 people to last for a month. If they continued to fight against the undead in the land of star vision, it might lead to a complete annihilation .
Outside the battlefield, the situation of people is even more appalling. After the three-cities raid by the death knights ended, what followed the icy breath was a frightening famine. With the cold winter coming ahead of schedule this year, the streets of most cities are crowded with all kinds of refugees, the largest number of which are the homeless who escaped from Iss. And the assistance of the Blainas elves couldn't suppress the spread of terror at this moment—the undead were attacking here non-stop.
Even if the sword is not stained with blood, today's death knight has indeed become synonymous with evil. But for these long-abandoned undead, they don't care what kind of title they are given.
Roland led the troops to carefully avoid the retreat route of the alliance's main force. On the third day after the battle, the magnificent posture of the Naga Mountains finally came into the sight of the death knights again.
However, the scene at the foot of the mountain is completely unrelated to that magnificence—although the battlefield has been cleaned, it is done in the way that ghouls like: countless corpses are piled up to form a hill that is quickly reflected in the color of Roland's water. in the pupil. When the marching troops passed through the big pit full of thick blood, even the death knights who had experienced many battles couldn't help frowning.
"The battle was even more tragic than I imagined. After all, this is the real front line." Roland steered the horse carefully to avoid stepping on the scattered limbs and internal organs.
The Lich nodded in agreement: "However, the most vulnerable period in the strategy has passed, and now the initiative is in our hands."
"What's the next plan?" Alsace didn't care what the horse's hoof might step on.
"As you have seen, I plan to make a good renovation, leave a few liches behind, and lead 10,000 ghouls to guard here, and establish a support base. Relying on the power of the magic tower, even if it is a forest of mist There will be no accidents when the elves come to attack." Richard led the people into the camp that had just been set up in the ruins, and explained as he walked, "The main force will continue to advance and clear a road to Dalanla. .”
"Such a strategic plan is wrong. The current number of troops simply cannot complete such a task." Roland retorted, "After several battles, the number of Ice Crown Knights has decreased. Those who died in battle are lost. In addition to those who fulfilled their wishes, there are more than 1,600 death knights resting in peace, and the replenishment of the ghoul army can't keep up with the consumption at all... Are you still planning to divide your troops for defense?"
"Oh, are you talking about the source of troops? It's already been planned." The usual sly smile appeared on Richard's face, "I'm planning to take you and Alsace to inspect it. Anyway, let's talk about it in the Demon Tower. I will wait for you there." As he replied, the light of the transfer phalanx enveloped the Lich's thin figure in an instant.
"That guy, what weird things did he do while I was away?" Roland frowned dissatisfied.
"It's foolish and pointless to speculate on a lich's behavior, especially Richard's type." Alsace's answer resumed his usual teasing tone.
The two galloped lightly in the ruins of the city of flames, the canyon was immediately left behind, and the east plain of Alazia slowly spread out, and the black tower surrounded by magic light quickly occupied the place. The sight of the dead.
"That is?" Roland reined in the horse.
Eight uniform square formations tightly surround the tower, arranged in a pattern of stars arching the moon. The white color that is completely opposite to the black frozen soil makes them stand out, just like a fortune teller's white jade astrolabe. However, what came along with the strong magic fluctuations was an ominous and chaotic airflow.
A body still stained with blood, a cracked and terrifying face, and empty and lifeless eyes. The strong smell of blood wrapped these white figures tightly like a shroud, and the blade tightly held in their hands exuded a curse-like breath.
"It's a skeleton warrior." Alsace's voice sank.
"They will become the new main force of the undead army." Richard seemed satisfied with the expressions of the two.
"Just call them 'they'." Alsace's eyes turned into disdain, "These are just puppets who have lost their self-awareness. The movement of a puppet swinging a sword is not qualified to be called a fight~!"
"This shouldn't be Ishutori's power." Roland also spoke.
"Death knights and skeletons are of course completely different. After all, these things are just bones reassembled by the power of the magic tower, but it doesn't matter?" The lich shrugged, "Ghouls are no different from them. , as long as it can really weaken the number of troops in the alliance, what does it matter what method is adopted? What do you think?"
"How many are there?"
"There are a total of 40,000 skeleton warriors. I sent people to collect a large number of corpses during the battle. Now it is finally useful."
"Then, let's explain the plan." Alsace raised the corner of his mouth, "Although they are just puppets, it would be a pity if we can gather this amount and not use them properly."
"It looks more and more evil, just like the description in the novel." Roland shook his head thoughtfully.
"Unfortunately, reality and fiction are different after all." Lich laughed. "People in power often use words to whitewash themselves and vilify their enemies. That is the most common thing."
At the end of October 227 in Luvis calendar, the iron hooves of the death knights finally stopped their blitzkrieg advance. In the starry land of the Naga Mountains, the army of undead who built a new base also began to reorganize the troops, and the most important part of it was to absorb the magic puppets bred from the war-skeleton warriors.
The army of 40,000 skeletons was divided into eight phalanxes of 5,000 people, and each phalanx was further divided into small teams of a hundred people, and each team had a "bone controller". Skeletons are destroyed in battle, and they will rebuild the good parts with the magic attached to their bodies. And the liches hiding behind the battlefield also gave orders through these special puppets.
But when the bone controllers themselves are destroyed, the magic power as a catalyst will not be dispelled, but will only be transferred to other skeletons, which greatly strengthens the survivability of the bones on the battlefield, and also makes them jump. Become the new main force of the undead.
The undead army headed by 8,326 death knights quickly completed the reorganization and removed the defensive forces left behind in the land of star vision. The new army has 55,000 ghouls and 40,000 skeleton warriors , and 35,000 mixed troops mainly composed of spider fighters, a total of 135,000, which is almost the same size as before the two major battles.
At the beginning of November, the restless dead once again embarked on the journey to the Shura field. And at the end of the road, Dalanla, the capital of Alazea, is waiting for the judgment from fate.
"Look, it's snowing." Roland said, reaching out to catch the falling snowflakes. The natural sculpture was in the death knight's cold palm, as if sleeping peacefully.
"Winter is always the best season for undead." Richard showed a rare emotional side.
"Although heavy snow that covers the sky and the sun is common in the north, I still miss it when I get here." A subtle flame ignited in Roland's eyes.
... Ten years ago, Jiu Yuan and I also returned to Dalanla during this snowy time...
"At that time, was it snowing too?" the other party asked.
"En." Roland's eyes softened unknowingly.
"This is the death knight, no matter how the world will change, the heart will always stay in the past." The lich's eyes stayed on the flying ice crystals, "Although everyone is obsessed with a certain goal, Al and I Sass is always looking into the future, while you live only in the memory."
"You don't need to preach, I already know this, this is the destination of being an avenger." Roland replied seriously, "For me, if there is something worth protecting, then I wouldn't have become a death knight at all. gone."
"So, don't you care about other things? For example, that elf girl." Richard looked at his companion meaningfully, while Alsace smiled viciously.
But the death knight just pursed his lips at this moment, and turned his gaze to the distant and pale horizon. The large expanse of white gradually blurred everything in his vision.
"Although I'm only interested in this because of the relationship between magic, but I also know a little bit about it," the Lich said again, "Even if you are dull, you won't be ignorant of her feelings, right?"
"What's there to discuss about such a question?" Roland interrupted the other party, "It's all just fate. It's as if Master's Feilian will inevitably stand in front of me, as early as nine years ago when I crossed the Ganges River At that moment, everything was decided."
"But you do care about her, don't you?"
"I just don't want her to be a tool used by Alsace." Roland replied blankly, "I thought about it a lot when I left Brainas, but I finally made a decision, and I won't do it now. Any regrets. Now that I have chosen the path of revenge, that is my raison d'être, nothing more."
"Really?" The Lich lowered his head.
"And why are you asking this? Sympathy? Curiosity? Stupid? Incomprehensible?"
"Because Ishutori hopes that you can 'live'." Richard's eyes were strangely determined.
"To 'live'..." The death knight's eyes fluttered, and he repeated the words of the other party softly. In the next moment, the gray-haired figure passed by the snow and merged into the vast whiteness.
The snow fell heavily, and under that rendering, everything was also dyed with a hazy beauty. And in this white illusion, the labyrinth called fate is gradually taking shape, causing the burning soul to get lost in it unconsciously.