Chapter 236 The Battle in the Distant Place
At the same time as the Padrich family's banquet reached its climax, the distant Port of Sardo also ushered in a new day under the dim light of morning.
This prosperous port standing on the east coast of the New World was once the outpost of the Austro Empire's golden shipping route. Although the time has changed, it is no longer as glorious as it was in the past, but it is still an important stronghold of the Empire in the New World, and it is also a key supply channel for the Imperial Navy in the New World.
This port built against the mountains spreads out along the winding coastline. The dense stone and brick buildings glow like fish scales in the sun. On the wide pier, merchant ships and warships were parked staggered. The huge crane slowly raised and lowered, and boxes of supplies were safely transported to the warehouse.
There is a constant flow of dockworkers and soldiers, each performing their duties and maintaining the prosperous operation of the port.
Everything should be like this——
However, today is different. A loud explosion broke the silence of the morning. By the time everyone recovered from their peaceful dreams, Saldo Port was already dyed red with blood and fire!
"Volcano! The volcano is erupting!"
"Damn...that thing has been dormant for so many years, why is it today?!"
Looking at the billowing smoke rising in the distance, the faces of the residents standing on the port were full of horror.
The once busy pier is now crowded with hastily evacuated ships, the streets are filled with an anxious atmosphere, and soldiers are running and shouting on the city walls. The sea on the west side is turbulent, but to the north, the volcano that has been dormant for thousands of years finally wakes up, billowing black smoke straight into the sky, and the hot magma winds along the ridge like a red snake, swallowing everything in its path. Scattered flames fell into the city, instantly igniting a raging flame.
But what is really despairing is not the roar of the volcano, but the breath of death that quietly comes through the eruption of the volcano.
The moment the volcano erupted, billowing smoke and lava raged in all directions, lighting up the mountains on the north side of Porto Saldo!
In the midst of this chaos, a shadow exuding a ghostly aura has quietly arrived.
The fear demon General Sebes stood in the volcano vent, overlooking the battlefield indifferently.
He did not order the army to attack directly, but took advantage of the cover of the volcanic eruption to quietly send undead troops to launch a surprise attack.
· Groups of ghosts and skeleton lurkers walked through the smoke, approaching quietly under the cover of black mist and lava.
Like ghosts from the abyss, they climbed up to the northern highlands silently. Before the imperial defenders were aware of it, they quickly wiped out the sentries stationed there and seized the crucial commanding heights in one fell swoop.
It was a bloody massacre.
The imperial soldiers had no time to react. At this moment, their attention was entirely on the suddenly erupting volcano, and they were not even ready for the equipment.
After the high ground was secured, the terrifying beasts of hell immediately emerged. Those giant beasts from the abyss seemed to be born for battle. Their heavy claws crushed the charred rocks, and their scarlet eyes flashed with bloodthirsty light in the flames.
Their appearance quickly tilted the balance of victory toward hell!
Hyphise, however, did not rush forward because of its advantage.
He knows that humans are not as small and weak as other demons think, and their cunning is far beyond the imagination of ordinary demons.
Hence, he chose to cling to the high ground, build a strong defense line, and wait for his work.
Well aware of the importance of the northern highlands to Porto Saldo, the local defenders quickly organized a counterattack. Imperial musketeers took turns taking charge, spellcasters jointly released spells, and even organized a small-scale bayonet charge in an attempt to regain the position from the demon's hands.
However, these counterattacks seemed insignificant in the face of the iron-clad defense of the Hell Legion.
Sibes's ruthlessness and patience determined the course of this battle.
Faced with the struggles of the defenders, he never showed any signs of underestimating the enemy. Instead, he steadily expanded his victory and quickly built the Devil's Fortress on the high ground. The boulders and obsidian transported from hell were cast into tight city walls, and the necromancers used the remains of the dead to strengthen the defenses. Blood-red magic patterns circulated on the fortress, squirming like living creatures.
Twenty magic crystal cannons were immediately deployed on the ridge, with their thick and long barrels pointed directly at the core area of Saldo Port.
Sybes’s mouth corners were raised slightly, and there was cold contempt in his eyes——
He had already seen the end of this harbor.
It will end in the shadow of fear.
At least for a period of time...
…
The army of hell finally completed the deployment of its positions, and the empire's defenders were no longer able to make a comeback.
When the magic crystal cannon gathered the first ray of magic energy, the end of Saldo Port had come.
As night falls, the smell of burning sulfur fills the air, as if an invisible hand is grabbing the throat of the entire city. The imperial defenders had just launched a night patrol, trying to warn against possible enemy attacks. However, before they could stand firm, a strange red light quietly lit up among the mountains in the north.
The next second, a deafening roar tore through the night sky——
A thick and long beam tore through the sky, roared down, and hit the market in the center of the port.
Boom!
The violent explosion swallowed up everything in an instant, flames shot into the sky, and the originally bustling market instantly turned into a purgatory on earth!
Burning rubble and twisted metal splashed out like raindrops, and violent shock waves tore through the surrounding buildings, throwing vendors' goods and merchants' bodies into the air.
The smell of blood mixed with thick smoke spreads!
The defenders had not yet recovered from the shock, but the second shell had already followed, hitting the city wall accurately.
The solid fortifications were reduced to ruins under this blow, and thick rocks were like broken porcelain pieces, pouring down with despair and death.
· Screams and running sounds intertwined into a chaotic wail. The frightened soldiers stumbled to find bunkers, but the continuous artillery fire did not give them any chance to breathe.
The magic crystal cannon is different from the mortal artillery. Every bombardment is accompanied by the curse of the abyss.
Even if those soldiers who were affected by the artillery fire were lucky enough to survive, they were turned into charcoal in the mourning, their bones were shattered in the flames, and their skin and flesh were burned away.
What's even more terrifying is that some people's souls have been torn apart by magic energy before death, and they scream and turn into ghosts, wandering among the ruins, struggling to find flesh and blood that is still warm.
That was not entirely due to the magic crystal cannon, but to a large extent it was a surprise attack launched by the little demon corps that had found its way nearby and took advantage of the chaos. They used undead magic to amplify the killing effect caused by the magic crystal cannon, and at the same time amplified the fear of human soldiers——
The living dead are awakening!
The fire engulfed the granary, chain explosions roared in the ammunition depot, and the entire port was like a purgatory under the flames.
On the sea, the panicked sailors desperately maneuvered the battleship to evacuate, but their efforts were in vain—cannon fire continued, the battleship capsized in the flames, and the wreckage and corpses floated in the bloody waves.
In this desperate ruins, the governor of Port Saldo's face was as pale as a sheet of paper.
His fingers were trembling slightly with fear, and he finally wrote down the last letter for help. Then he released the pigeon familiar summoned by the military mage for him, and rushed to the sea under the cover of flames and gunpowder smoke to send a final cry for help to the empire.
However, reinforcements...can they really come in time?
He did not dare to think about the consequences of being too late.
…
The closest military base to Porto Saldo is Fort Saint-Il.
When the message for reinforcements arrived at this ancient fortress, General Hamelton almost did not hesitate and immediately ordered his troops to board the ship and sail to the Port of Sardo at full speed.
The 50,000-strong army is mighty, and the steam-powered warships are lined up on the sea, like long snakes!
However, when the imperial warships arrived at the port's territorial waters, they were greeted by a doomsday scene.
Porto Sardo is still burning, the city walls are dilapidated, and the broken walls tell the story of the ruthlessness of the war.
The seawater in the port was dyed red with blood, and corpses were drifting with the current. On the mountains in the north, the magic crystal cannon positions were still slowly charging, as if the god of death was waiting to swing the next scythe of destruction.
The adjutant stood beside Hamelton, looking solemnly at the battlefield in the distance, and couldn't help but hold his breath.
"General...with all due respect, our chance of winning is less than one tenth."
Perhaps, even one tenth is an overestimation.
They faced not only the war-torn Port Sardo, but also the demonic fortress overlooking them. And stationed in the fortress is probably their most formidable old opponent - General Seibel, known as the Bloody Slayer.
That terror is extremely cruel to both himself and his enemies, and has a great reputation both in hell and on earth!
Hamilton nodded slowly, his eyes scanning the battlefield. He knew that this was destined to be a tragic battle.
The empire's siege weapons have long been outdated, and catapults and traditional artillery alone cannot shake the defenses of Hell. The enemy's magic crystal cannon not only has a long range, but also contains a terrifying magic curse.
As long as the battle begins, the losses of the Imperial Army will be immeasurable!
“We have no choice.”
The adjutant gritted his teeth and lowered his voice: "We can't even touch the edge of that fortress! General, are we going to die for this fallen port?"
Halmelton roared, interrupting the adjutant's speech.
The adjutant looked at him blankly, swallowed the saliva in his mouth, and could not say a word.
"We have no choice." Holding his shoulders tightly with both hands, Hamelton repeated, with steady eyes and no hesitation in his voice, "If we don't attack, Port Sardo will truly fall, and in the future we will have to pay a more painful price to take it back from the claws of hell! Do you know why those demons didn't come over? They are right there, waiting for us!"
Saint Sith is above——
Please give me a helping hand!
He took a deep breath and looked at the deck of the battleship——
The Griffin Knights had been assembled, and the magicians who had jointly cast spells were also waiting for orders.
This is their only advantage!
They do not have magic crystal cannons or powerful siege weapons, but they have the sky and the wisdom of the imperial mages. And this may be their only way to break the situation.
"Order to the entire army."
Hamelton's voice was calm and decisive, "Tomorrow morning, the entire army will land! At noon, we will fight the legions of hell!"
"I will personally lead the troops ashore!"
The adjutant's pupils shrank, but he quickly straightened his body and saluted solemnly.
“Yes, General!”
After a moment, he added without any hesitation in his tone.
"Please let me follow you."
Hamlton showed a smile of relief and patted the adjutant on the shoulder.
"The Holy Light will be with us."
Even though they knew it in their hearts, it was just self-comfort.
As night falls slowly, the imperial warships are moored quietly in the burning port, while the magic crystal cannon emplacement in the distance still shines with a cold light in the dead silence.
A war destined to be filled with despair is about to begin.
…
As night falls, the remaining firelight still burns among the ruins of Port Saldo, reflecting the dilapidated streets and alleys, casting a ferocious and dark shadow.
The sea breeze in the port roared past, carrying the smell of gunpowder smoke and blood, flipping the flags on the decks of the Imperial warships, making them buzz in the dark night.
In the cabin of the warship, General Hamelton's soldiers were making final preparations. They wiped their armor, adjusted their weapons, and closed their eyes to rest. There were no unnecessary words to each other, only heavy breathing and determined gazes.
They knew that tomorrow's battle would involve a narrow escape, but no one flinched, and everyone was ready to face death.
Hummelton's legion was blown by the night wind like a sharp blade about to pierce the darkness, and kept watch until dawn.
Standing on the deck of the warship, General Hamelton drew his sword and raised it above his head.
"We will never retreat!"
"Even if we die——"
"We will never let the flag of the empire fall on this land."
"Today, we live and die with Porto Saldo!"
The sound was like hot steel, clanging under the cold morning light.
Different from the decisiveness of the imperial army, the Hell Fortress standing in the north has a relaxed and high-spirited atmosphere.
The soldiers of the Red Flame Legion were patrolling the military camp, laughing at the humans who were besieged in Port Sardo. They drank strong wine mixed with sulfur and blood, and told stories about the tragic defeats of the human empire armies in the past around the campfire.
The hot magma flows on the ridge, and the red molten light reflects the magic crystal cannons. They are like beacons of death, ready to rain a new round of fire on the city below at any time.
Squeezing these humans to death would be as easy as crushing a grasshopper to death!
In the center of the fortress, there is a deserted pile of rocks.
General Sebes sat in front of the black stone table, staring calmly at the chessboard in front of him.
His fingertips gently moved a chess piece engraved with the Demon King's emblem and pushed it to the opposite corner.
Opposite him, the adjutant Barlow frowned, looked at the chess game where he was about to be completely surrounded, and sighed: "General, you won again this time... But it's no wonder that your chess game is the same as the battle situation. You always control the overall situation and make every move." Barlow grinned and continued: "But having said that, the general's strategy this time is really wonderful. Taking advantage of the magma eruption to send undead to the highlands, the human defenders had no time to react. By the time they discovered it, our army had killed the entire ridge. This move was simply a stroke of genius! I bet that after the war, the Ministry of War will definitely reward you. The title of baron will definitely be no problem for you!"
The land they just conquered is enough for a barony!
Sibes did not answer immediately, but gently rotated a chess piece with his slender fingertips. His eyes fell on the chessboard, as if he was thinking about something.
After a moment, the corner of his mouth slightly raised, showing an inexplicable smile: "Promotion? You are too naive, Barlow."
Barlow was stunned for a moment, and the smile on his face froze.
"What do you mean?"
Sibes did not answer. He just looked at the finished chessboard and fiddled with the "Demon King" with his fingertips.
"What do you think the war between Hell and the Empire is about?"
Barlow answered without hesitation.
"What else could it be? Of course it is history's long-cherished wish! Our war has lasted for a thousand years, and sooner or later our iron hooves will set foot on the old soil and burn the holy city of Saint Sith to ashes!"
Sebes smiled.
"There are no people from the Ministry of Truth here, so you don't have to tell me so high-sounding."
Barlow's tone was stagnant, and he said sheepishly.
"Then...honor and land are always right."
"To be precise, it is power, for us, but for the cabinet, the parliament, and the thousands of demons in the Demon City, of course they also have their own purposes...and the things they all do together are called politics."
Sibes smiled slightly, with a chilling cold light flashing in his deep pupils.
"War is never because of any historical long-cherished wish, it is just a continuation of current politics."
He paused, lightly clasped the chessboard with his fingertips, and whispered softly.
"And the latter is always just to solve the current problem."
Barlow frowned slightly, not quite understanding the meaning of these words, let alone why his general suddenly said these words to him.
Sibes did not explain any more. He just looked at the chessboard quietly with a meaningful smile on his lips.
It won't be long before he can leave the front line.
At this time, the night was dark, and the red light of the volcano reflected an eerie light in his pupils.
At this moment, a rapid horn sound suddenly sounded outside, like a sleeping giant waking up, igniting the atmosphere of the entire military camp in an instant.
In the direction of Port Sardo, the Ost Empire's battleship battery slowly adjusted its direction, and the muzzle of the mortar was raised high, aiming at the Devil's Fortress in the north.
As the command knife in the officer's hand fell, flames burst out of the thick muzzle!
The first round of artillery fire was fired!
Huge projectiles roared out with a trail of flames, hitting the devil's defense line on the ridge.
Although these human mortar cannons are incomparable to the magic crystal cannons, every shot that falls still brings up billowing dust and smoke, tears the ground apart, and sets off soaring flames in the demonic position.
Hence, thick smoke rose into the sky, forming gray clouds on the mountain.
Looking at the distant battle line, Barlow's pupils shrank slightly.
The range of the Imperial artillery seems to have become longer!
As his eyes wandered along the coastline, he quickly found a clue from the spitting tongues of fire.
Human mages are casting spells on the artillery!
They strengthened the barrel through some method, and stuffed enough charges into it to blow up the barrel of the artillery, so that they could make the curved projectile fly farther than before!
Even covering the hills north of Porto Saldo!
Even if the impact points of these shells are not accurate at all!
Barlow had a bad premonition in his heart, but he did not think that this small change was enough to reverse the situation of the imperial army, which was at an absolute disadvantage.
The rain of bullets falling from the sky became more and more dense. Although it did not injure a few Hell soldiers, it spread an airtight wall of smoke on the battlefield.
Logically speaking, in this terrain surrounded by mountains and sea, the thick smoke cannot last long.
But unfortunately, today happens to be a windless and sunny day, and the sea of smoke on the ground becomes the only cloud.
At this moment, the infantry regiments of the Os Empire quickly gathered, and the musketeers, under the cover of the magic choir, advanced towards the fortress on the mountain.
The musketeers lined up neatly, with their black barrels pointing forward. At the commander's order, hundreds of gun flames erupted simultaneously, and bullets shot towards the demon's front line like a gust of wind.
And on those bullets, the priest's holy light magic is also attached!
Skeleton soldiers on the front line suffered casualties in droves.
However, these casualties are nothing to the legions of Hell. The undead themselves are just cannon fodder they send to the front line to consume the ammunition of the Imperial Army.
They died well.
In front of the black demon fortress, the little demons of the Red Flame Legion looked at this scene, each one showing a mocking sneer.
"Are humans crazy?"
"They actually want to attack us with just these muskets and shelling?"
"Hahaha, so weak!"
"When they have had enough fun, it's time for us to take action! Quack!"
Under the leadership of the Little Demon King, the little demons fluttering their wings laughed loudly and were ready to cast spiritual spells.
And not far away from them, the abyss war beast was already ready to go, ready to face this massacre without any suspense!
However, at this moment, they are waiting to see the joke of mankind. They don't know that General Sebes, whom they respect, and the Dragon family standing behind this terror, actually do not want them to win...
Victory is within easy reach for them, but out of reach.
Just at the edge of the unknown battlefield, the Griffin Knights of the Os Empire were flapping their huge eagle wings, flying at low altitude with the cover of smoke, and quickly moved along the ridge to the back of the fortress.
It is a blind spot!
Once the frontline troops come into contact, this unexpected soldier can take advantage of the hell's artillery to fire down the mountain and launch a surprise attack on the artillery unit!
Looking at the rapidly advancing Griffin Knights, Hamelton, who was standing in the imperial army formation, couldn't help but sweat for these brave young men.
This will be a big gamble!
Once Hell's artillery discovers them, the distance of one kilometer will become an insurmountable chasm, and they will all be destroyed by the intensive firepower of twenty magic crystal cannons!
But on the contrary -
This is also their only chance!
If the Griffin Knights were allowed to attack the flanks of the Hell Legion according to the traditional method of attack, they would have no chance of winning.
"Get ready to fight!"
Looking at the imperial army getting closer and closer, Barlow, who was wearing heavy armor, roared, pulled out the battle ax engraved with Hades, and at the same time released the flames suppressed in the flame crystal, allowing the burning figure to expand by a full circle.
He smiled ferociously, ready to kill.
The same goes for Hamelton.
Looking at the Balrog grinning at him, he held his breath and concentrated on the long sword in his hand, letting the gold-like clear breath flow around the edge of his sword.
A bloody fight is about to take place!
At this moment, a change suddenly occurred.
Perhaps the gods really heard his prayer last night. The gryphon knights roaring at low altitude actually broke into the blind spot of the Hell Legion, and took advantage of the gap between artillery fire to rush into the artillery position with lightning speed!
Haunted faces were reflected on the polished armor of the gryphon knights, followed by rolling heads and flying blood!
The griffin waving its sharp claws was like a wolf rushing into the sheepfold. In a few breaths, it slaughtered all the Goblin artillerymen operating the artillery, leaving only the defeated soldiers running away screaming.
"No—!"
Barlow roared angrily, looking back at the blazing artillery position, his eyes wide open, wanting to turn around and fight back.
However, it was too late.
War is so cruel, and fighter opportunities are fleeting.
The Griffin Knights who launched a surprise attack have swept through the entire artillery position and destroyed all twenty magic crystal cannons with the explosives they carried!
At the same time, the human musketeers had already formed a neat square formation and stepped into shooting distance.
Without the support of artillery, the little devil regiment that rushed to the front line was like meat on the chopping board, flying like paper dolls blown away in the hail of bullets from the human soldiers.
And those giant abyss beasts with bared teeth and claws were simply not enough to withstand the successive bombings of the assembled human mages, and could only fall one after another amidst the wails of despair and anger!
The only magic crystal cannon that can deter human mages from jointly casting spells no longer exists.
The balance of victory tilted towards the empire at an incredible speed!
At this moment, seeing that the defeat was irreversible, General Sebes decisively ordered to blow the horn to withdraw troops, declaring the end of this battle.
altogether
Listening to the low and melodious sound of the horn, Barlow gritted his teeth and glared at the human knight in the distance. Finally, he turned his head and retreated in embarrassment.
This is his only choice.
Let alone gold-level strength, even a demigod cannot face thousands of troops alone... not to mention that the knight opposite may not be inferior to him.
"Saint Sith is above..."
Looking at the hell army retreating like a tide, Hamelton was stunned and speechless for a moment.
Even until his military flag was planted on the low wall of the mountain fortress, he still felt that everything happening in front of him was like a dream.
It was so smooth.
Other than the word "divine help", he couldn't find a more appropriate description!
He just stood there in a daze until the adjutant rushed to his side with a red face and shook his shoulders, which woke him up from his stupor.
"We have won! Hahaha, we have won! Port Saldo did not fall! We conquered the Doomsday! Conquered the legions of hell! On top of Saint Sith... This is absolutely a miracle! Today's victory is enough to be recorded in the annals of history!"
Hamilton didn't know if it could be recorded in the annals of history, but looking at the soldiers waiting for him to declare victory, he knew exactly what he should do at this moment.
That is almost the instinct of a general.
He raised the sword in his hand high and shouted with all his strength, venting his excited emotions.
"For Saint Sith! For the Emperor!"
The cheers filled the mountains and plains, burning like a prairie fire.
"Long live Saint Sith!"
"Long live the Empire!"
In the cheers that filled the mountains and plains, the mighty Griffin Knights landed on the ground, each and every unruly griffin held out its chest, and the blood-dyed feathers were like glorious medals.
Beneath the sharp claws is a mountain of corpses and a sea of bones, including dead demons and unfortunate humans.
It's just that these excited young men don't know that the one who brought them victory was not Saint Sith, but the demons far away in the depths of hell...
For a distant war where no gunpowder can be seen, the Dragon family needs them to win.