Kingdom's Bloodline, page 100
Sonia carefully exercised her wrists. "The second legend about you was a little unbelievable until today."
As Giza smile, she recounted the legend, enunciating each world, "It is said that the legendary anti-mystic equipment cannot seal the Blood Mystic."
Thales stared at the Blood Mystic in shock. 'Cannot be sealed? Then… isn't she uncontrollable by anyone? How was the Battle of Eradication won?'
"Impossible!" Katerina cried out, "The legendary anti-mystic equipment are the Mystic's nemeses. All those who learned of it were taught this way!"
There was silence for a while. Giza flashed a smile first. Then, she sighed and said, "'The legendary anti-mystic's equipment are the end of Mystics. The nemesis of the calamities. The slightest touch would cause us to be doomed eternally. Is that so?" Giza said with a calm expression, "Lebla, Erik, and even the 'Truth Brothers' are extremely terrified of that kind of weapon. Ever since then, they never let anyone go near them. That was how Lebla was sealed."
Giza then chuckled and said with an incredibly chilling aura, "However, I'm the only exception. I'm a Mystic that relies on a 'physical body' to battle."
Thales' entire body trembled. He felt that these terms which he could not understand right now were knowledge that he would have to learn in the future. 'Even if it's not to become a Mystic and even if it's only for my own sake.'
Giza continued to talk with a smile, "I am also one of only two Mystics who are unafraid of battling in close-quarters with the legendary anti-mystic equipment. Even when danger comes near my body, I will not reject it… Oftentimes, those who approach me also approach their deaths."
Thales furrowed his brows slightly. 'The only two... unafraid to battle close-range? Then who is the other one? So there is… a large difference between Mystics?' The fear and curiosity towards Mystics tormented Thales and at the same time, made him extremely hesitant.
Giza smiled and said, "Even if legendary anti-mystic equipment hit my physical body, it will only hurt my flesh and blood, which are of no significance. It would be impossible for them to seal me."
Thales furrowed his brows. 'No... Something is wrong... somewhere.'
He was puzzled and was not able to figure it out until Sonia raised her brow and confidently let out a light snort. "Is that so?"
She took a step forward and, as though she had found the enemy's weakness, she raised the Supreme Shield at the Mystic. "Then why were you running just now? Or is it that… you were hiding something during the time you disappeared?"
Giza's expression changed. Thales also managed to register what had happened.
'Yes, the shield did work on Giza's flesh and blood just now. After the first time she turned into flying ash, it took some time for her to reappear. During that period of time, whether she was healing, recuperating, escaping, or hiding, it could only mean that… She is definitely not without any weaknesses!'
"The legendary anti-mystic equipment are so rare and valuable, and are fought over by many kingdoms," Sonia said steadily, "It is not only because they can seal Mystics. More than that, it is because every single legendary anti-mystic equipment has their own unique and powerful ability, allowing the wielders to be reborn and totally remold themselves during battle."
Thales gasped, 'Legendary anti-mystic equipment… Unique and powerful abilities?'
He looked at the Dark Night Black Coffin beneath his feet. Then he remembered Yodel's gray short sword. 'What power does that sword have then?' Thales suddenly registered what went on. 'That short sword and the gray shield in Sonia's hand, their colors are so similar!'
Giza pursed her lips. The tentacles under her body started to tremble uneasily.
Sonia tapped the Supreme Shield. "You probably haven't seen this before. In the later period of the Battle of Eradication, when you all began fleeing desperately, this was made, together with the Supreme Sword. So you wouldn't understand its ability."
Giza's expression changed again.
"When I received the shield, they told me this," Sonia snorted softly, "The name of the Supreme Shield's power was the embodiment of Empress Hellen's character."
The Blood Mystic's expression became increasingly solemn. Thales felt that Sonia had already found her weakness.
The female warrior laughed jubilantly. "The name of its power is…'Hunting'."
Then, as if having thought of the scariest thing ever, the Mystic, with an ice-cold expression, swung her hand furiously!
*BOOM!*
A voice that sounded like a flood exploded in the air!
Under everyone's vigilant gazes, the large tentacles instantly dissolved into blood and severed limbs… and then they disappeared in the air. Giza hid in the darkness. She cast Thales a deep look.
She left him a sentence, spoken in an airy voice, "We will meet again."
Thales shuddered violently. Giza's words carried a coldness that sent a chill into Thales' heart. "I definitely will not let you suffer."
Thales' face was pale and he felt uneasy. 'Definitely will not let you suffer… Damn. Wait.' It finally dawned on him. 'The Blood Mystic… Was scared off?'
"She left," Sonia said in a faint voice, "What a pity. I really want to chase her down." She tapped her shield
Thales exhaled deeply.
"Serena!" Thales turned his head. Katerina was gritting her teeth and glaring at an empty corner. "She has escaped!"
The clatter of horse hooves travelled to their ears. Putray, Wya and Genard appeared before them, escorted by a troop of cavaliers.
Seeing them, Thales felt slightly at ease. 'It's just that, there doesn't seem to be many of the Jade Star Family's private soldiers left.'
The night… had ended again.
The cavaliers marched to the front. They all nodded at Sonia and saluted her. They were led by a female knight with a cold expression. When her eyes swept past Thales, the latter could only feel a chill.
'Did I offend her?' Thales scratched his head, baffled.
At this moment, a shout that was filled with complicated emotions rose into the air.
"Captain!"
Sonia's entire body trembled. She turned and looked at the person who called.
Thales was stunned. 'Could it be that… Sonia is really "Captain Constellation" since she uses a shield?'
Under everyone's astonished gaze, the thirty-year-old veteran, Genard, dismounted from his horse. Quivering slightly, he slowly went in front of the female warrior. He looked at Sonia with an excited, but worried and ashamed expression.
"Captain…" His lips trembled, but he could not speak. "I…" Genard lowered his head deeply and gritted his teeth.
"I..."
Sonia looked at this veteran with a complicated expression. "Genard."
But the female warrior exhaled deeply. She raised her gaze, filled with an imposing look.
"Look at me, soldier!" Sonia yelled.
The veteran shuddered violently. He immediately straightened his back. He took a deep breath and looked right at Sonia. A few seconds later, Genard gulped and inhaled deeply.
"I am back," the veteran said firmly.
Sonia eyed him carefully. After quite some time, she gave Genard's shoulder a punch and flashed a weak smile. "Come back to us."
Genard's entire body trembled. He gritted his teeth hard and blinked back his tears. The veteran shouted with all his might, "Yes!"
"Pardon me for being frank, Your Highness." Sonia turned and looked at Thales, who was being meticulously checked for injuries by Wya. She furrowed her brows, but she immediately heaved a deep sigh. "Although you went through a lot today, you still have to go to Broken Dragon Fortress as soon as possible."
Thales did not really understand what she meant, but still nodded. Only the experienced vice diplomat, Putray, who was behind Thales, changed his expression. He was pressing on his wound.
"Lady Sasere," he asked solemnly, "What happened?"
Everyone went silent for a second. Sonia furrowed her brows tightly. She then looked straight at Thales.
"Eckstedt's Archduke of Black Sand, Chapman Lampard… had already dispatched small units that passed through the border of the two kingdoms without hesitation a day ago."
Sonia was expressionless, but her gaze was solemn. She answered, "They are starting to purge the periphery of Broken Dragon Fortress, especially the lines of communication leading to Cold Castle and the Lonely Old Tower."
Thales' pupils narrowed. Sonia nodded and said solemnly, "The Northern Territory is no longer safe."
Chapter 97: Our Inland Sea |
Broken Dragon Fortress was built in the Northern Plains, at the juncture between Constellation and Eckstedt. The main body of the fortress was located on high ground, and was only a few hundred meters away from the border of the two kingdoms set by the 'Fortress Treaty'.
The Third Peninsula War more than three hundred years ago created the legend of the three 'Heroes' among the Westerners—Chara, Kaplan, and Midier. But after the war ended, the friendship of Eckstedt's Chara the Hero and Constellation's Oath Keeper Midier fell apart, and their brotherhood ended. This caused countless historians and bards to put on dejected expressions and sigh, and the end of the brotherhood also led to the fall out between the Great Dragon and Constellation who were allies.
Hence, Broken Dragon Fortress, located at the border between the two kingdoms and has political significance as well as military purposes at the same time, was built. Twelve years ago, the famous 'Fortress Treaty' between Constellation and Eckstedt was signed here.
The Northern Plains, which extended for miles, was the only place between the two kingdoms where large numbers of soldiers could be stationed while avoiding the large, snowy forest. However, the defenders of Broken Dragon Fortress could clearly see any groups of more than ten people ascending from Eckstedt. On Constellation's side, the Arunde Family's Cold Castle and the Zemunto Family's Overwatch City was at the fortress' southwestern side, while the Friess Family's Lonely Old Tower was at the fortress' northern side. All three parties could rush to the fortress' aid at any moment. If any of the castles were in danger of being besieged, Broken Dragon Fortress could also warn them in time.
Broken Dragon Fortress was not a solitary castle. It was made up of the fortress' star-shaped main body, which was the largest and steadiest building on the highland, and it was surrounded by eight medium-sized forts which guarded the periphery and surveyed each other. There were also twelve simple sentry posts further away. To take down Broken Dragon Fortress meant that countless moats and 'chevaux de frise' had to be broken through. The threat of bows from the eight medium-sized forts also had to be eliminated one by one. The fortress' main body could then only be reached by walking through the only three narrow slopes that can reach it. Lastly, under the limited terrain that allows movements, a siege had to be launched at the fortress wall over ten meters tall, while braving the attack of the Mystic Guns on the star-shaped, convex walls.
If the main forces circumnavigated the fortress and directly headed south to the important cities of Constellation, this fortress which could fit ten thousand people, had plenty of supplies, and had troops in the base that could launch an attack anytime, would then immediately become the main threat, like a thorn in one's side.
When Eckstedt's Archduke of Black Sand, the forty-one-year-old Chapman Lampard, looked up at this giant from the fortress' northern side while basking in moonlight he felt an especially strong threat from Broken Dragon Fortress , since it was easy to defend and hard to attack.
Since he had a fair duel with his own elder brother in front of his father and the entire family twelve years ago, then won the right of inheritance to the Black Sand Region by piercing through his brother's heart with a sword, Chapman Lampard's ambition grew uncontrollably. He began to dream of bringing the glory of becoming the common-elected king to the Lampard Family, to turn Black Sand City into Eckstedt's capital city, and to bring Constellation's Northern Territory into his governance, reuniting the Ancient Northland Territory—which was now split between the two kingdoms—into one.
The archduke wore a thick robe lined with heavy chain armor. He rode a healthy and strong Northland Horse. The knights behind him held flags that had the pattern of an iron fist that represented the Lampard Family on it. Dense military camps were stationed behind them. From time to time, low-ranked riding sentries or infantry units would leave the military camps and cross the border nonchalantly.
A healthy and strong knight who had a soldierly bearing and wore a gray helmet—one of Eckstedt's 'Five War Generals', Lord Tolja—sped over from the front. He reined in his horse before Lampard and immediately bowed respectfully. Lampard nodded expressionlessly.
"Whether it is caravans, hunters, supplies or the enemies' patrol teams, we have already cleared them all from the path and placed our mobile sentries there. If Cold Castle's Arunde and the other two families come to the rescue, we will know at the first moment…" Tolja said in a deep voice, "Are we really attacking?"
"Of course! We have more than thirteen thousand soldiers. We have light cavalry scouts, heavily-equipped knights, handpicked and lightly-equipped executioners, Doppelsöldners, and enough archers. We also prepared Mystic Guns, catapults and other equipment needed to lay siege to a city." The one who replied him was a knight wearing plate armor and was standing behind Archduke Lampard. He was the archduke's supporter and number one vassal, Count Levan. "We are at an advantage, whether in terms of quantity or quality. Defeating them is as easy as flipping our hand!"
"That is open warfare, but as long as they are holed up in Broken Dragon Fortress, it would be hard for us to achieve an easy victory." Tolja shook his head. "Ever since the fortress fell into our hands the last time, they strengthened its fortifications. I suspect that they have equipped half the Mystic Guns and city defense crossbows in their kingdom there… To forcefully lay siege would only lead to a large number of casualties."
'And,' Tolja thought, 'As long as those two are at Broken Dragon Fortress, even if there is only a disorderly mob against us, we should be extremely vigilant.'
Count Levan, donned in plate armor, had a determined expression on his face. "We mobilized so many soldiers. It is impossible for us to return without accomplishing anything… If we can seize Broken Dragon Fortress, I reckon that we can accept some casualties on our side."
"Our enemy is not only the fortress, but also the weather…"
They turned their heads. Archduke Lampard's wise general and advisor, Viscount Kentvida, arrived on horseback behind them. "The Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter will arrive earlier than in previous years. It is not a good time to advance. The situation is not promising for us when it comes to the transportation of supplies. If the siege does not go well, and there is a deadlock in battle… If we wait for the beginning of spring, we have a bigger chance of seizing the fortress."
"It is precisely because there are not enough supplies that we should do it quickly!" Count Levan was still determined. "It is to our advantage to battle in winter! The Constellatiates will be dealt a bigger blow because of the winter. Twelve years ago, we seized the fortress at this time."
"That was the warmest winter in a couple dozen years!" Tolja shook his head solemnly. "And at that time, they were busy enough with their own affairs. There were no reinforcements in the Northern Territory. But at the time, we had all seven armies from the seven Archdukes. And we can only restock our supplies on the spot after breaching the fortress and after we headed south."
Archduke Lampard slowly raised a hand and halted his three subordinates' arguments.
"How are things at the back?" The archduke's voice was dreary and dull, carrying some kind of power that made people become instinctively quiet.
"King Nuven's envoy has already arrived. We have no way of holding him back for too long. After all, we are dispatching troops in the name of revenge for Prince Moriah." Viscount Kentvida bowed. "Besides, I heard that the Prince of Constellation is already on his way and will arrive soon."
Lampard contemplated and asked, "Prestige Orchid Region's Olsius Family and Reformation Tower's Trentida Family, have they not replied yet? As fellow archdukes of Eckstedt's southern region, they should have enough reason to dispatch their soldiers."
"They have definitely received the news of the Prince of Constellation's diplomatic visit," Viscount Kentvida answered seriously, "Even though they could probably obtain benefits by seizing the Northern Territory, they will hesitate just as much as the other archdukes.
"We… I am afraid that we will have to depend on ourselves."
After some time...
Archduke Lampard exhaled. Looking at the Broken Dragon Fortress across from him, he heaved a long sigh and said, "Depend on ourselves?"
"Sasere, that woman only has over eight hundred people. However, at least three hundred of them are elite veterans from the Starlight Brigade. They are not only good riders, but also dauntless soldiers who attack and defend well. Having fought against her before, you should all be very clear about this.
"Murkh just arrived with over two thousand people. Although most of them are garrison soldiers who have never seen blood, that man is too scary. As long as he has five hundred extremely loyal and dauntless sword-and-shield troops, he would be able to create great trouble on the battlefield.
"There are also a few thousand vassal troops that are heading over one after another. Although the fact that Arunde was put behind bars caused the soldiers in the fortress to be disunited with each other, and most of them had already withdrawn, Arunde's only daughter is still at the fortress. According to the investigation of the scouts, at least five hundred of them stayed.
"Without the military strength of the other archdukes. We will have to battle very hard if we want to seize Broken Dragon Fortress."
Archduke's Lampard's words made the three of them go silent for a while.
"To have three thousand people squeezed into one fortress." Count Levan furrowed his brows and spoke, "With the Northern Territory's pitiful supplies, how long can they keep up?"
