Starfall 831, December 14th, in the southern forest area of the Great Ajax Mountains, the Black Forest Fortress.
Heavy snow fell amidst the roar of the wind, goose-feather-like snowflakes stirred with the hunting north wind, and a gray haze enveloped the sky.
This was a blizzard that blocked even the line of sight. Even the elves who were known to have the sharpest eyesight could not imagine seeing the scene dozens of meters away in this situation.
But outside the fortress, in the endless ice field in front of the city gate, there are dozens of knights in armor, braving the gusting wind and snow, forming an array and standing on the white frost. A flag with a black background and gold rim is inserted in the array. in front of me, fluttering in the cold wind.
These knights wore bright silver full-body armor, with long swords and throwing axes on their waists. The pattern of the head of the winter wolf was engraved on the breastplate. They held their helmets in one hand, the reins in the other, and a horse A tall and strong war horse stood quietly beside the group of knights. They were covered with leather pads to keep out the cold, with steel light armor underneath, and a silver-gray metal lance was hung on the side.
These trained northern war horses with the blood of earth dragons are usually bloodthirsty and carnivorous, with violent personalities, but they are so docile and obedient in front of their masters... And logically speaking, based on the weight of the armor, ordinary people can't even wear them freely. Walking, let alone walking on the snowy field against the wind and frost, but this group of extremely strong silver knights and half-dragon horses did not seem to take this weight seriously at all, and it did not seem to hinder their actions at all.
In the blizzard, there was silence, no one in the array talked to each other, the knights remained motionless in the freezing cold, as if they were waiting for something.
Finally, after a while, the rally horn suddenly sounded outside the city. At the same time, a masked knight standing in front of the queue said loudly in a dull male voice: "Knights, assemble, line up!"
The sound passed through the snow and entered everyone's ears.
The knights who had already formed an array heard their commander's order. Their bodies remained still, but their eyes brightened a bit. Some of the younger and less calm guys even rolled their eyes, and then secretly turned their heads. , looking towards the fortress gate.
Ta-ta.
Accompanied by the sound of iron boots trampling the ice and snow step by step, two figures, one large and one small, slowly walked out of the flying snow.
Everyone's eyes were unanimously focused on the tall figure.
As he got closer, his outline gradually became clearer, and he could clearly see that he was a tall man wearing armor. He also held a helmet in his hand and led his black horse, slowly walking towards the array of knights.
But when this black silhouette really walked out of the snow and entered the knights' field of vision, they couldn't help but feel a sudden numbness in their scalps. A trembling chill started from the tailbone and went straight to the brain. All the hairs along the way All the roots stood up, making people feel frightened.
Coercion! This is a more terrifying and terrifying pressure than the black tide siege and golden beast a few days ago!
Many people were secretly frightened and began to be vigilant. Although their bodies instinctively wanted to escape, they were all Silver Knights after all. These knights suppressed this impulse and stood firmly in place, fighting against their own instincts.
The source of the pressure, the man wearing black full-body armor with dark red pupils, has already walked in front of the knights. The simple Maximilian-style armor is full of heavy majesty, and the death crow is embossed on it. The shoulders are faintly visible.
Facing dozens of fully armed armored knights and an equal number of dragon-blooded horses, he didn't seem nervous at all, and there was no fluctuation in his heart. As someone who had seen scenes ten times and a hundred times bigger than this countless times, he didn't seem to be nervous at all. I have long been accustomed to it.
The warrior stood beside the fluttering black and gold flag. He looked around at the fifty knights present, nodded and praised: "Not bad, the array is very neat."
Seeing clearly that the person coming was their master, all the knights present could not help but relax. After hearing the recognition, they couldn't help but feel refreshed and stood up straighter.
"However, today is not the time to review your military formation."
But then, the black-armored warrior changed the topic, his face was a little heavy, and he said crisply: "I think you already know that I am your lord, Joshua Radcliffe. I posted it on the bulletin board yesterday The summoning order for you to gather here today is not for anything else, but to tell you one thing."
"The battle is not over yet."
"As we all know, we were attacked by the Black Tide a few days ago. An unprecedented group of wild beasts surrounded the fortress. They used chaotic magic to interfere with communications and cut off the hope of seeking help. Even at the end, the golden giant beast suddenly appeared and attacked The city wall has been breached and the fortress has almost fallen. Fortunately, I arrived in time at the last moment, otherwise, not many of you here would have survived."
After hearing these words, the knights who were already a little nervous because of Joshua's serious expression couldn't help but become even more nervous, and the neat array was vaguely restless. However, no one showed indignation, and some even showed expressions of shame, because what their lord said was the truth. As knights guarding the fortress, they failed to fulfill their oaths.
Most of the fear and anger stem from their own powerlessness. As knights who hold oaths and virtues, they will not deny this.
The speech continues.
"This is not to show off my power to you, but to state the fact that the ferocity of this black tide is far beyond what you have encountered before. If you are not careful at all, it will lead to the collapse of the whole situation. Once the fortress is breached, The villages and towns behind you will lose their greatest protection, and they will have almost no power to fight back against the wild beasts."
After a pause, Joshua stared at the crowd in front of him and said in a louder voice: "Those who live in villages and towns may have your parents, wives, and future generations of friends. I believe that you have chosen to become knights and hone your martial arts. and the body, must not just be to eat more food, but to prepare to protect them. Then please imagine that if the beasts break through the barriers, freely gallop on the snowy fields, attack your relatives and friends wantonly, and knock them out of the house. Drag them out, tear them into pieces, and then devour them... I believe you are willing to sacrifice your lives for the fortress out of honor and duty, but are you willing to see such a scene?!"
No, never!
"I swear to defend the fortress to the death and will never retreat!" Some knights in the array couldn't help but speak. They frowned with worries on their faces, as if they were imagining such a scene according to Joshua's words, so A decisive oath was quickly made: "I would rather die before them and be devoured by monsters than see such a scene!"
But there are still voices of doubt in the crowd: "But Lord, since you last killed the giant beast and drove away the beast tide, there is no trace of any monster in the surrounding black forest... Isn't this black tide over?" ?"
There is also a more direct one: "Yes, Lord Lord, we successfully defended the fortress, and now our family must be safe. What you said...isn't it a bit alarmist?"
"Of course not." The warrior in black armor shook his head and looked directly at the questioning knight.
"What I said is not only not an alarmist, it has even become a fact now. The Moldova Territory, not far to the northeast of us, is now being besieged by more than 200,000 wild beasts."
Having said this, Joshua stretched out his hand, and the red flame burned on his fingertips, and then lingered for a long time, leaving a red trace in the air. He used this trace as a pen to draw a picture in the air. Simple map: "The four territories of the North are actually one. As long as the fortress of Moldova is breached, our plan to encircle the Black Forest area of the Aspen Mountains will completely collapse, and the surging wild beasts can easily bypass it from behind. Pass through our defenses, cut directly into the rich hinterland, and attack wantonly."
He drew a red arrow heavily on the Moldova Fortress, which was as eye-catching as blood: "End? No, as I said at the beginning, the battle is not only not over, but has just begun! If we don't defeat this wave of beasts, , we will never have peace!"
The commotion in the array became even greater, but it was not fear or suspicion. During the discussion, a middle-aged knight with gray-white hair took a step forward. He asked Joshua seriously: "Then, Lord, What should we do?"
"What to do? It's very simple. We rush over to support Moldova and help them defend it."
Joshua's words were simple and direct. He said without any hesitation: "It is better to fight on other people's territory than on your own territory. Although this is not a battle that takes place on our land, it can still protect us." relatives and children.”
"But that's 200,000 wild beasts." Another knight walked out from behind the middle-aged knight. He didn't look weak, but simply sighed and doubted: "Fifty thousand wild beasts can push our fortress into a desperate situation. , and two hundred thousand, four times the previous size, even if we move the entire Black Forest Fortress there, it will be of no use."
Indeed, even with the convenience of the city walls and all kinds of magic alchemy equipment, the defenders of three thousand people plus the reserves, trying their best, can only barely hold on against the unintelligent wild beasts. Two hundred thousand, summon them fifty What's the use of a knight? Even if they were all silver-level elite fighters, they wouldn't be able to last long in the endless tide of beasts.
The soldier shook his head and seemed to disagree with this statement.
"It's different from when we defended the city." He said: "At that time, you were at a disadvantage in numbers and had no advantage in average strength. In terms of high-end combat power, the opponent had gold monsters, and you only had three officers at the peak of silver. , being able to persist for such a long time under such circumstances is enough to prove that the wild beast is not powerful."
"Moldova has a gold-level mage guarding it, so they can sustain themselves until now under the influence of two hundred thousand wild beasts, and send out a letter for help, not to mention..."
At this point, he showed an arrogant smile: "Because I am here to lead you this time, we will definitely win."
Such proud and heroic words came from the mouth of this man in black armor, but no one had any objections. Facing this strong man who defeated 50,000 monsters with one person, even if he had to face more. The tide of wild beasts, and no one would question his confidence. The knights nodded as a matter of course, and collectively gave out the first cheer since the gathering: "We must win!"
"Must win!"
"Must win!"
"In that case, mount up!"
"yes!"
Following this order, all the knights put on their helmets at the same time and got on their horses. They hung the packages with dry food supplies on the sides of the horses, and the horses with the blood of the earthly dragon also snorted at this time. White gas spurted out and steamed up.
Joshua also slowly put on his cold and heavy helmet. In the V-shaped gap, two red lights burned like fire. He turned over and sat on the horse, and then pulled the firefly behind him. No one noticed until this moment. The second figure was a silver-haired girl, but no one cared about it now.
The black-armored warrior issued an order:
"Listen to my orders, target the northeast, Moldova, move forward!"
After saying that, he immediately rode his horse and set off first.
Perhaps, only such people can bring certain victory!
With the fire burning in their chests, the knights responded loudly again: "Forward!"
Following the command, ice dust splashed and horse hooves roared. In the thick snow, the fast knights set off waves of snow dust, and their heavy footsteps shook the ground. They went against the strong wind blowing from the north, like sharp arrows. A tsunami rushed towards the distance like a tsunami.
Keep moving forward.
My Sanjiang is only available in the new version, not the old version and Sanjiang Pavilion. It’s so sad. This incomplete Sanjiang... I don’t know if I should give a speech about Sanjiang. I feel so confused...
You need to go to Sanjiang District to get the Sanjiang ticket. I don’t know if I am included in the new version of Sanjiang Pavilion (I still have the old version here, no). I am a little afraid that you will not be able to vote after receiving it, so thank you for your kindness. I will try my best to vote next week. Double update, lest you all gain weight...
(End of chapter)