As Yumo and Liyu and the others left, the Abyssal Demons lingering near the Galros Fortress gradually withdrew from the area and returned to the Winter Forest.
All that remained were the nearly ruined Galros Fortress and countless cold corpses,
The once bustling Galros Fortress was no more,
Leaving behind nothing but a desolate land.
--
Looking at the desolate Galros Fortress, Marquis Xiumu couldn’t help but sigh, feeling a slight sense of relief in his heart. Undoubtedly, the unknown entity that had appeared in the fortress, surrounded by crimson butterflies, was a terrifying monster far beyond the level of a Demon king!
Had such a monster attacked, the thousands of soldiers led by Xiumu would have faced a certain death.
However,
Why did such a monster leave so mysteriously? Taking the Abyssal Demons near the Galros Fortress with it?
For a mont,
Xiumu felt as if he were in a dream, and everything around him beca incredibly unreal. It wasn’t until he slapped himself several tis that the intense pain made Xiumu realize he wasn’t dreaming, and everything that had happened was real.
Realizing this, Xiumu had to face another huge problem: how to repair the Galros Fortress,
The destruction of the fortress ant that there was a gap in the northern defense line!
It had to be repaired as soon as possible!
Otherwise, if other Abyssal Demons were to co south through this gap, the consequences would be unimaginable.
However,
If they started repairing the fortress, a large amount of manpower would be required, and the scent of the gathering humans might attract the Abyssal Demons once more! After all, the demons had only just withdrawn, and they were very likely still at the edge of the Winter Forest! Even without the terrifying entity from before,
They wouldn’t be able to resist if the Abyssal Demons attacked again...
Looking back at the thousands of soldiers lying unconscious on the ground, Xiumu couldn’t help but clench his fists.
’Hah…’
Let alone repairing the fortress and guarding against the Abyssal Demons,
His own troops were paralyzed now,
Even he was almost exhausted from the red energy shockwave earlier...
"Sigh, what should I do?"
Xiumu was caught in a dilemma,
And just then, the captain of the Blizzard Knights, Sikta, slowly dragged his weak body to Xiumu’s side and pointed to the distance with a slightly heavy expression,
"Marquis, there... there are people?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Xiumu frowned and followed Sikta’s line of sight, looking into the distance,
In the next mont,
Xiumu’s brows slightly furrowed, and a hint of heaviness appeared in his deep blue eyes,
Those knights?
That black rose emblem?
Was it, the Black Rose family from the Sadik Empire? Why... why are they here?
--
Monts later,
A group of dozens black-armored knights slowly approached the front of the Blizzard Knights,
Then,
Under the slightly puzzled gaze of Xiumu and Sikta, a figure clad in a black cloak erged from the black-armored knights, slowly riding their horse towards Xiumu and Sikta.
In the next mont,
This mysterious, unknown figure raised his hand to remove the hood that obscured his face.
Revealing a delicate, intricately carved, and lovely countenance beneath.
Enchanting pink-white gradient long hair, with a few strands framing the sides of their face, adding a touch of gentleness. Their eyebrows were like crescent moons, and their orange-yellow eyes, clear and bright like the reflection of autumn waters, sparkled like stars. Coupled with their seemingly soft and plump cheeks, they appeared incredibly endearing.
The girl was incredibly charming and captivating.
However, Xiumu didn’t feel the slightest contempt toward her youthful face.
Because,
From the mont the girl approached him, Xiumu sensed a hint of danger emanating from her. At the sa ti, upon noticing the terrifying giant hamr she carried on her back, Xiumu’s deep blue eyes narrowed involuntarily.
Clearly, this porcelain-doll-like girl was a saint-ranked expert whose strength wasn’t inferior to his!
As Xiumu remained cautious,
The knight girl slowly dismounted her warhorse and respectfully bowed toward him, saying,
"Greetings, Marquis Xiumu. I am Qiu Mingtong, the captain of the Autumn Falling Army of the Black Rose family. According to the instructions of my Duke, we are here to assist Linfeng City."
"Assist?"
Upon hearing this, Xiumu revealed a puzzled expression.
Major empires and powers indeed ford an alliance to defend against the invasion of the abyssal demons. However, over the years, it seed that these forces had abandoned the alliance,
Fending off the demon invasion individually.
From the beginning, Xiumu hadn’t expected foreign reinforcents...
They had never provided support before, so why now?
Strange,
Moreover,
The Black Rose family was located in the southwestern part of the Sadik Empire, right? Tens of thousands of miles away from Linfeng City? They had no connection to them, so why were they suddenly providing support now? And so actively? Were they the first foreign reinforcents to arrive here?
The more he thought about it, the more furrowed Xiumu’s brow beca.
As Xiumu contemplated, his companion, Sikta, couldn’t help but speak up first,
"Assistance? The abyssal demons have retreated now?! What is there left to assist?"
Sikta’s tone was extrely unfriendly, seemingly harboring extre hostility towards the Sadik Empire.
However, the saint-ranked girl known as Qiu Mingtong didn’t seem fazed by this, maintaining her emotionless expression.
Then,
Qiu Mingtong casually pointed at the distant fortress that resembled ruins, as well as the large numbers of ’dead’ behind Sikta.
"Wouldn’t the reconstruction of that fortress require help? Our army consists of 50,000 soldiers, who can help you hold it. After all, you don’t seem to have the strength to confront the abyssal demons at the mont."
"About this…." Sikta was sowhat at a loss for words.
Just then,
Xiumu stepped forward, slightly displeased, and glared at Sikta, signaling him to step down.
Upon seeing Sikta close his mouth, Xiumu smiled warmly at the emotionless girl before him,
"I apologize, Miss Qiu, please forgive my subordinate’s rudeness."
"It’s fine."
"Then, are you serious about helping us defend that fortress? It currently lacks any defensive asures and is entirely exposed to the abyssal demon’s attack range! You should know that it might be subject to an attack from a demon king-level enemy!"
"Yes, we are aware."
Qiu Mingtong replied indifferently as usual,
"Even then, you still?"
"Yes, it’s the Duke’s order. We will not only help you guard the border and repair the defenses to prevent the invasion of abyssal demons but also assist in searching for nearby survivors."
"At this,"
Hearing this response, Xiumu couldn’t help but pause for a few seconds.
Knowing the situation in the North and still wanting to help defend? Were they trying to gain prestige?!
Hmm?
They were from the South, perhaps they hadn’t experienced the horror of the abyssal demons and therefore made such a reckless decision. No army would be willing to confront the abyssal demon horde without basic defenses, right?!
No, that’s unlikely.
Xiumu shook his head, dismissing the idea. Although he hadn’t dealt with the Black Rose family before, he knew that their head was astute. Without being astute, it would be impossible to beco the greatest duke within the Sadik Empire!
There must be so other purpose.
"Miss Qiu, we’re very grateful for the Duke’s assistance. Is there anything we can offer in return?"
If they’re willing to send troops here,
There must be sothing they’re after...
Seemingly guessing Xiumu’s thoughts, Qiu Mingtong nodded slightly.
"Yes, our Duke hopes that after this, we can obtain the mining rights for the Galatmo Ice Crystal Mine in the northern part of the snow night Empire for the next twenty years."
"Mining rights?"
Xiumu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Speaking of which, the Black Rose family seed to have been bidding before.
The Sadik Empire, located in the southwestern part of the continent, had always been at odds with the snow night Empire, making ice crystal mines extrely scarce. If they could mine the northern ice crystal mines and transport them back to their country, it would certainly be imnsely profitable...
So,
They sent their troops here to obtain mining rights.
That seed plausible.
"Alright, I understand. Please protect the border while our forces recuperate."
"Of course."
For a rare mont, Qiu Mingtong showed a faint smile.
...
...
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qiu Mingtong and the group of black-armored knights headed towards the Galros Fortress under the watchful gaze of Xiumu and the others.
As they watched the black-armored knights leave, Sikta by Xiumu’s side couldn’t help but cast a doubtful glance.
"Marquis, I feel that sothing is strange."
"How so? Why do you say that?"
"They’re going to guard the border and may have to fight the abyssal demons at any ti. But I feel like that girl didn’t show a hint of concern. It’s as if she isn’t afraid of encountering the abyssal demons at all, or doesn’t think they’ll attack? It gives the impression of a leisurely excursion."
"..."
Hearing his subordinate’s words, Xiumu fell silent, thoughtfully gazing towards the North.
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