Chapter 440 Another Destiny
With the advent of May, spring is gradually coming to an end, and the temperature in Quemu collar has also warmed up a lot.
It is not just Maitian Village that has changed, Quemu Castle has also undergone considerable changes.
Especially in the refugee camp outside the castle, it is visibly thinner than before.
As a large number of villages around Maitian Village gradually regained their population, many refugees simply settled in those places.
They didn't have a specific place to go. They just followed the migrating people to beg for food. They just went wherever they wanted, and worked for whomever could give them a bite of food.
If there is work to do there.
Many people were drawn into the Green Forest Army when they were fleeing, or they unfortunately became the food of bandits because they were left alone.
As for Quemu Castle, although refugees still join in every day, the crowds of people can no longer be seen outside the castle.
These new refugees mostly come in groups of three or five, often appearing as family units, and some even drive horse-drawn carriages or ox-carts.
Those who were raising livestock these days obviously could not be serfs, not to mention that some of them were still wearing relatively decent clothes.
At the outpost south of Quemu Fort, about twenty carriages were moving along the broken dirt road, and the dust raised could be seen for miles.
The sentry on duty thought he had made a mistake. He remembered that when Count Theron Gard escaped, there seemed to be not so many carriages accompanying him.
These carriages do not belong to any one person. There are at least eighty families crowded in this crowded convoy. They walked with the convoy, put their children and luggage on the car, and took turns to rest. Their faces were full of fatigue and wind and frost.
Seeing the two cavalry approaching, there was a commotion in the crowd. The woman held the child tightly in her arms, while the man stood in front.
Seeing that the soldiers on horseback were not wearing bandit hoods, everyone was slightly relieved, but they did not dare to take it completely lightly.
Green turbans do not always wear their turbans on their heads. They will also decide whether to take out their turbans and put them on depending on the situation.
Like pirates on the vast ocean.
"Dear Sir Knight, is this the territory of Count Theron Gard?" A man who looked at Kong Wu's strength bravely shouted.
The cavalryman reined in the reins, turned over and dismounted to show his friendliness, then walked forward and looked at the tired people and said.
"There are no counts here, only knights loyal to the Saint, the Son of God, and all peoples... In the name of Saint Sith, you need to answer my question honestly, where did you come from?"
"I answer your question honestly in the name of Saint Sith, all of us are from Twilight City."
"Twilight City? You came from the Governor?"
The cavalryman had a surprised expression on his face. He had seen many refugees, some brought from Stillwater Beach and some from Griffin Cliff, but this was the first time he saw one from Dusk City.
"That's right," the man standing in front of the refugee team nodded and said with a complex expression, "the situation there is getting worse and worse. The governor signed two food requisition orders a month, first to the merchants in the market, and later to the citizens... But I have to say that he did this It’s not legal at all! According to the laws of the kingdom, the governor acting on behalf of the king can only levy food from the king’s direct vassals, and we are not nobles!”
“Aren’t you making things difficult for him by asking him to levy food from Theron Gard?” the cavalry boy pacing over on horseback said.
"So we have no choice but to run." The man shrugged. "He promised that the grain he harvested would be distributed to us, but thinking about it with your head, you know this is fart. Moreover, I heard that another earl ran from his own territory to Dusk City. I think they can't hold on! By the time the army of the Principality of Campbell arrives, it will be too late!"
Obviously he did not know that the escaping earl was Theron Gard, the lord of Quemu Territory.
But even if he knew it, it didn't matter. He didn't come for the earl in the first place, but heard rumors about the saint from the refugees from the north.
It is said that the River Saint who received the oracle of the Son of God influenced the Salvation Army. Many refugees passing by Quemu Castle relied on their help to reach Dusk City.
The refugee also said that if he hadn't had relatives in Twilight City, he wouldn't have wanted to move on.
In fact, the guy who walked to Twilight City has begun to regret it. According to legend, Twilight City has everything, but actually there is nothing, only people's eyes and the approaching war.
"What's your name?" the cavalryman asked, looking at the man.
The man said cautiously.
"Anthony, the carpenter."
The cavalryman nodded.
"Very good, Mr. Carpenter, Your Highness the Holy Lady needs your skills. We have recently restarted the timber business in Quemu Castle. We hope you can find a new direction in life here."
Anthony was stunned for a moment and asked subconsciously.
"The timber business in Quemu Castle? Are you sure? There is a war now, where do you sell it to?"
The knight answered without hesitation.
"The dwarves of the south."
The dwarves of the south?
That's the Hell Dwarf, right...
But Anthony didn't dare to ask more, not to mention that he had only heard that the Broken Rock Peak area was the Hell Dwarf's territory, but he had never actually gone there to see it.
Hundreds of years have passed, maybe the dynasty has also changed there?
At this time, the knight suddenly remembered something and asked.
"By the way, you said the army of the Principality of Campbell...what does that mean?"
"Don't you know?" Anthony looked at him doubtfully, "The Governor asked the Principality of Campbell for help in the name of the king. The Grand Duke's army has arrived at Torrent Pass, and as expected is fighting the army of the Jungle Shadow 'Finian'... People said they will fight for about a month."
The cavalry did not say anything, but silently recorded this information and got back on their horses.
"Thank you for the news. Take your family and neighbors to follow us. The place has not been peaceful recently, and rat men have appeared in the forest."
"You'd better keep a close eye on your children, those sneaky things like to eat children."
The refugees from Twilight City not only brought the technology and wealth of Twilight City, but also brought news from far away to the people living in Quemu Territory.
The army of the Principality of Campbell is marching towards Twilight City, and the Green Forest Army has also stepped up its offensive against Twilight City.
The attitude of these two armies with clear-cut and tit-for-tat opposition to the Salvation Army is currently unknown.
In addition to the Birdwood Territory controlled by the Salvation Army, there are three earldoms around Dusk City, namely the Stillwater Strand Territory, the Griffin Cliff Territory and the Gray Swamp Territory.
At present, the capitals of these three counties are also under siege by the Green Forest Army, and are crumbling as the offensive becomes more fierce.
The headquarters of the Green Forest Army and the Governor's Mansion both sent envoys to Quemu Castle.
However, perhaps because they saw each other in the castle, neither wave of envoys made too many demands.
On the one hand, they promised huge profits to persuade the Salvation Army to stand on their side; on the other hand, they retreated and hoped that this army with ambiguous positions would stand still, or at least not stand on the opposite camp.
In the Lord's Hall of Quemu Castle, a military meeting with a serious atmosphere was going on.
Facing the map spread out on the round table, Brennan pointed in the direction of Torrent Pass and said solemnly.
"Based on the information brought by the refugees, the Principality of Campbell sent troops to us. Based on my understanding of Finnian, that cunning fox will not be captured easily. There will probably be a fight between them..."
He paused for a moment, casting his incredible gaze at Karen, and then at the officers sitting in front of the round table.
"Everything is just as the Holy Lady saw in the oracle, the king's lackeys finally couldn't restrain their claws."
It's not just Brennan.
Including Leiden, everyone's faces couldn't help but reveal a look of surprise, even awe.
Just because a few weeks ago, the Saint had predicted the threat from the south, and this prophecy was fulfilled at this moment.
When they first heard the prophecy, many people had a sense of luck or doubt in their hearts. They felt that the king did not have his own army, and even if the rebellion was suppressed, it would not be the Campbells' turn.
Seeing both pairs of eyes looking at her, Karen said in a calm voice.
"The oracle said that those soldiers may not be our enemies, they are actually a group of homeless poor people."
"That's easy to handle, haha." Hearing these words, Brennan suddenly laughed heartily, and the gloom on his face cleared away, "The count has plenty of land left, at least we can share some of it with them! As long as they are willing to plant it with us!"
Most of Brennan’s men also showed relaxed expressions. They were farmers before. Although they now carried swords on their waists, they still made pitchforks and flails more convenient.
Only the few knights who had previously served the Count had less optimistic expressions on their faces.
They were not worried about the earl's land being given to outsiders, but were concerned about more practical issues... In the end, the Saint of the Running River was only recognized by the farmers on the banks of the Running River, and not by the Campbell people outside the Rapids Pass.
Whether it is from the perspective of belief or practical interests, they have no reason to admit it.
At this time, Leiden, who was silent, suddenly looked at Kallen and spoke.
"What if they think you are a 'heretic' and want us to hand you over?"
Brennan, who was grinning just a second ago, suddenly widened his eyes, and a chilling air enveloped the entire Lord's Hall. He slapped the table and stood up.
“They dare!”
"I'm just stating the facts. It's useless for you to glare at me. You can probably leave your bravery to the Campbells who will come here later." Faced with Brennan's murderous gaze, Raiden just replied lightly.
He knows very well what kind of existence a knight is, because he is one himself.
However, there is still a trace of optimism in his heart. After all, he himself has also experienced the process from doubt to belief.
I think that as long as Her Majesty the Holy Lady shows the miracle that happened in the castle that day, even the Campbells will understand that the oracle is unquestionable.
If that doesn’t work——
Let’s have a fight.
He believed that the divine weapon given to him by the Son of God was not for him to keep as a display in his home, but had already seen the day when he used it.
"Please don't argue over me."
Looking at the people who were about to fall into a quarrel, Karen calmed the waves in their hearts with a gentle voice, and then continued.
"Compared to the people living on this land, my personal destiny is not worth mentioning. No matter what they think of me, whether they praise or curse me, I hope you will continue to abide by the piety in your heart and continue to walk... worthy of the sword in your hands and your original intention."
After a pause, she continued.
"As for the Campbell people... I believe they are also a group of pious people, and I will try to convince them."
She believed it.
Because her god had promised her that he would watch.
Brennan was silent for a long time, looked at Raiden and said.
"No matter what, we need to strengthen the defense of Quemu Castle. At least if they suddenly turn against us, we won't be helpless."
Leiden nodded.
"A wise decision."
He did not trust the Campbells.
If those people really cared about their neighbors, they should have come long ago...
...
The news that "Shadow of the Jungle" Finnian was beheaded quickly spread to Quemu Territory, and not long after the news of the Duke of Campbell sending troops.
After hearing the news, Brennan was shocked for a long time.
He remembered that the guy was a platinum-level strongman, good at using bows, arrows and daggers, especially good at fighting in the jungle.
If you keep enough distance, you may not even be that guy’s opponent!
Different from the shock of the "Champion Warrior", Raiden did not have any surprises.
Based on his understanding of the Principality of Campbell, there is no way that stragglers like the Green Forest Army can be the opponent of Campbell's militia.
As for the top combat power, it is even more impossible...
"...The light of praise is the legend of the Campbell people, and it is also the biggest support of the Campbell family. That sword is not exactly a sword, it can be a gun, an axe, or even a shield... As long as it is a weapon that has been used by the Dukes of Campbell and recorded in the epic, it can be transformed by the light of praise."
The training ground of the castle.
Facing Brennan who asked for advice, Layden, who was training soldiers, thought for a moment and told what he knew about the Campbell family.
"More than that, the most difficult thing is the arrival of the "Souls of the Ancestors". The successors of the Light of Praise can call the souls of their ancestors back to the mortal world to fight alongside them. This is why the enemies of Grand Duke Campbell are often not faced by one person, but by the ancestors of the Campbell family... The demon kings of the Thunder County Labyrinth are no match for the Campbell family."
Brennan's face became a little ugly, and he spoke in a difficult tone.
"But I heard that its holder seems to be a little girl... Maybe she is not very strong herself."
Leiden sneered.
"Have you forgotten what level you were a few years ago? Why do you think that only you can encounter adventure, but the chosen ones who are favored by God cannot?"
Brennan was silent.
Indeed——
Before joining the Green Forest Army, he was just a hunter, not even an adventurer.
He had never deliberately honed his martial arts, he just kept fighting in order to survive, fighting with the lord's soldiers, fighting with other bandits...
And when he found that he miraculously survived to the end, his strength had grown to the point that even he was surprised.
There are twelve people like him in the Green Forest Army!
In other words, even people like him can become strong. There is no reason why people chosen by Saint Sith would grow more slowly than him...
…
The news from Torrent Pass is like a heavy cloud, weighing on the head of Quemu Ling that has just cleared up.
Just when the senior leaders of the Salvation Army were feeling heavy due to the intervention of the Campbells, a tragic fight was going on on the Griffin Cliff hundreds of kilometers away.
As the capital of the Earldom of Griffin Cliff, Griffin Cliff Castle has become the western gate of Dusk City with its dangerous terrain and majestic city walls.
At this moment, this solid fortress standing on the edge of the cliff is crumbling under the violent attack of the Green Forest Army like a raging wave.
The war was more tragic than anyone imagined.
The rebels were like an endless swarm of ants, using simple ladders and flesh and blood to attack the towering city wall again and again.
Arrows are like rain, rolling stones are like thunder, screams and the sound of gold and iron interweave into a bloody movement!
The castle stained red with blood is like a small boat in the vast ocean, as if it may be destroyed by the violent storm at any time!
However, in this frightening blood and chaos, there is a figure that stands like the peak of Wanren Mountain.
Standing on the dilapidated city wall, Count Sold Wevoit was like a bloody god of war. Every time he swung the sword in his hand, several rebels lay dead on the spot.
"For the king! For the glory!"
He roared and slashed, the boiling dragon god's energy wrapped around the sword, and the wind-like blade blocked the gap in the castle!
The sword in his hand is like an insurmountable high wall!
With his platinum-level tyrannical strength and his unparalleled swordsmanship, he has killed more than two thousand rebels with his own strength since the battle began!
The corpses piled up into a hill beside him. His bravery greatly boosted the morale of the defenders and frightened the enemy's courage.
Count Sold inserted his sword into the chest of a rebel, kicked his body off the city wall, wiped the blood from his face, and laughed furiously.
"Haha, rats! As long as I am alive, I will never let the dirty hooves of you conspirators set foot in Twilight City!"
Although the vast majority of the nobles in the Twilight Province have given up their obligations, not all nobles are cowards corrupted by wine, sex and wealth.
The Weavert family has been loyal to the king for generations and has honed their martial arts for this purpose.
While other nobles hang out at social banquets and bedtimes, only the Weaverts live like ascetic monks!
Of course, it is precisely because of this that his territory is extremely poor, so much so that there is not even a decent cannon on the towering city wall.
With his heroic resistance, the rebels who besieged the city finally began to waver. They looked at the bloody god of death in fear, and their offensive gradually weakened.
With the dawn of victory just around the corner, the Wivot family will soon be able to establish a new legend in this land, but an almost imperceptible shadow quietly slides out from behind the pile of corpses next to Solder.
It was a rickety figure, even shorter than a dwarf, so much so that a cloak as big as a bath towel covered his entire body.
Solder sensed the danger and turned around almost instinctively. However, the fatigue accumulated from continuous battles still made him a step slower.
A poisoned dagger stabbed out silently, accurately sinking into the gap in the armor of his right leg.
"Ah——!"
Thold shouted in pain and looked back, his eyes widened.
The person who attacked him was not a human being, but a cloaked, stooped monster!
Under the shadow of the hood, a pair of shining green eyes stared directly at him. The light flashing on the teeth was both excitement and fear.
"Despicable villain!"
Count Sold let out a thunderous roar and slashed out with his backhand sword. The boiling arrogance seemed to distort the space!
The rat assassin hurriedly dodged, but couldn't dodge at all. Facing the platinum-level knight's full blow, he didn't even have time to scream before he was instantly killed!
Looking at the bloody mess on the ground, Solder was about to curse at the rats, but his racing heart suddenly shrank.
A feeling of numbness came from the legs.
He subconsciously looked down and saw black blood oozing out from the gap in the armor where the dagger had been stabbed, accompanied by bursts of black gas.
Feeling that power was draining out of his body uncontrollably, Solder's expression finally changed, and a trace of solemnity flashed through his determined pupils.
Taking advantage of his momentary delay, a strong man as tall as a giant bear jumped up to the top of the city with heavy steps.
There was a strange mist visible to the naked eye between his mouth and nose, and he carried a huge guillotine with a chain on his shoulder, with the flesh and blood of an unknown person hanging on the blade. He was covered in ugly scars, as if he had just come off the execution ground of a thousand cuts.
Looking at the crumbling Earl of Sold, the strong man gave out a beastly and cruel smile, waving the guillotine in his hand like the wind.
"The lackey of Chaos..." Count Sold leaned on his sword and tried to steady himself, but the poison had already invaded his internal organs.
Without giving him a chance to breathe, let alone giving the priests behind him a chance to cast a spell, the strong man suddenly waved the guillotine in his hand without saying a word, and the chain rushed straight to the count's face with a piercing sound!
Sold, who lost feeling in his right leg, raised his long sword and tried to block it, but was unable to block the majestic blow. He was cut into two pieces with his sword!
Blood smeared the city walls.
When Count Sold's body collapsed suddenly, the killing cries of the soldiers on the city wall instantly turned into desperate screams.
Sold's eldest son was stunned. He picked up his father's sword and rushed forward. However, in just two rounds, he was beaten to pulp by the whistling guillotine.
The strong man, who was as strong as a bear, grinned ferociously and put the bloody guillotine on his shoulder, letting the scarlet liquid drip on his body.
"Aka...the executioner."
Facing the frightened defenders, he spat out his name from his cracked lips, then waved the chain in his hand and rejoined the fight.
The morale of the defenders hit rock bottom.
The balance of victory has collapsed, and the epic that today's blood will write seems destined to be bloody and betrayal, rather than loyalty and tenacity.
Although the remaining 700 soldiers and 50 knights were still resisting desperately, they were ultimately outnumbered and were overwhelmed by the green turbans that surged onto the city like a tide.
Griffin Cliff Castle finally fell.
…
Green flags fluttered on the bloody castle.
Tens of thousands of rebels poured into the castle, venting all their anger on the survivors.
Including servants and maids in the castle, including priests and nuns hiding in the cellars, as well as people hiding in the castle for various reasons.
Aka did not stop his men, and even participated in their games, adding bloody fun to their games.
The only pity is that Sold's two sons have died in the battle, and his wife also took the poisoned wine with her young daughter.
Together with the knights who held on to the last moment in the castle, their souls ascended to the sanctuary of Saint Sith after death.
Even if undead magic can make them stand up, they are still empty shells without souls, nothing more than flesh and blood.
After getting tired of playing, Aka hung the corpse on the city wall, letting them watch what kind of ruin their castle was.
He has no enmity with the Weavert family.
The reason why he did this was purely because he would be happy, and the gods standing behind him would also be happy and give him more power.
The "banquet" lasted until noon of the next day. Aka thought it was almost done, so he asked his men to kill all those who were still alive.
The courtyard of the castle was filled with blood, and the rotting stench from the corpses and the cries of crows announced the complete demise of a long-established family.
Henceforth, the reputation of "The Executioner" is definitely enough to leave a chapter that makes people talk about it in the epic of the Kingdom of Lane.
The smell of blood did not dissipate until the third day. Aka ordered his men to simply clean the battlefield, and then respectfully waited for the real lord to enter.
Those are the three highest leaders of the Green Forest Army.
They are "Green Turban" Kailan, "Longbowman" Rhys, and "Quartermaster" Silas.
As the spiritual leader of the Green Forest Army, Kailan looked at the corpse in the courtyard of the castle. A trace of unbearability flashed in his eyes, but it only flashed for a moment.
Compared to the brothers who died on the city wall and the serfs who were killed by the lords, the price paid by the Wivot family is still too light.
Let them avoid the gallows of justice, which is really an advantage for them.
Unlike Kellan, Reese, who was carrying a long bow, just glanced at Thord's head expressionlessly and then looked away.
Only Silas, whose always smiling face showed a hint of joy that no one else could detect, as if he was admiring it.
"Your Majesty! Aka welcomes you! The gate of Twilight City has been opened to you. I am willing to serve as a vanguard and capture the Governor's Mansion of Twilight City for you!" Aka knelt down on one knee respectfully, with solemnity written on his honest and honest face, and said in a loud voice.
The blood-stained guillotine has been washed clean by him, shining brightly in the midday sun.
"You did a good job, Aka..."
Kailan looked at Aka and nodded slightly. He first affirmed his contribution, but then changed the subject.
"But I'm not the king, don't call me Your Majesty. Remember, we revolted to overthrow the king, so if I call you Your Majesty, who are we?"
Aka said respectfully.
"Okay, Your Majesty."
Keilan: "..."
Looking at the leader who was about to say something else, Silas stopped him with a smile.
"Aka's brain is not very bright, so please leave him alone. Just let him shout whatever he wants, and don't upset the hearts of the brothers."
Reese also wanted to give Kailan a few words of advice.
The Twilight City is about to be conquered. The brothers are all waiting to be awarded titles. You don’t want to be the king at all. Are you guys waiting for the one sitting in the royal capital to give you rewards?
However, just when he was about to speak, there was a commotion in front of the castle gate not far away, interrupting the words that were coming to his mouth.
I saw a messenger on horseback galloping towards me. He jumped off his horse, ran straight to the courtyard, trotted up and knelt down on one knee in front of the three leaders.
That messenger was the one they sent to Quemu Castle to inquire about Brennan's movements. They didn't expect to come back so soon.
Kailan instinctively felt something unusual.
Getting the leader's look, the messenger quickly reported the matter.
"Lord Kellan! "Iron Bull" Brennan...he changed his banner! Now he calls himself the "Salvation Army", and he also supported a "Saint" named Kallen!"
After taking a breath, the messenger non-stop told the situation of the Salvation Army, including that they used food from the castle to relieve the victims, that they distributed the land of the nobles to the refugees, that they were preaching "new doctrines" and so on.
Hearing this sentence, the four leaders of the Green Forest Army, including Aka, were stunned, with different expressions on their faces.
Especially Aka, a flash of greed flashed across his honest and honest face, as if he saw a new toy.
"The name is not important. As long as Brennan still abides by our creed of robbing the rich and giving to the poor, it doesn't matter if he calls himself the "Army of God"... But I don't agree with using the banner of Saint Sith. New doctrines cannot change the words in the Holy Word. Lies, those priests must be responsible for this famine!"
"I think this iron bull is also dizzy, and it feels itchy without something tied to its nose."
Reese snorted, his eyes full of disdain.
He doesn’t believe in any oracles. If Saint Sith really existed, the famine would not have happened at all, and they should be living in heaven now.
But no matter what, Brennan did not openly oppose them, and it was not suitable for them to fall out with that guy at this juncture when they were about to attack the city.
The general attack on Twilight City is the top priority right now. They must win it before the Campbells!
�� ��
"Yes, yes, Brennan is really not in a hurry...I even wonder if there is any misunderstanding here? His parents became undead because of the priest's neglect. There should be no one who hates those gangsters more than him."
Kaylan nodded.
"Then according to Rees, wait until the Twilight City is captured before deciding how to deal with Iron Bull... I hope he can turn around."
He is a leader who listens to advice.
The arrangements for the Quemu collar came to an end for the time being, and the four leaders walked into the main hall of the castle side by side, preparing to hold a meeting for the next battle.
Throughout the entire meeting, Silas was the only one who behaved a little abnormally and seemed a little absent-minded. However, the others didn't think much about it and continued to express their own opinions and make suggestions. After all, fighting was not the specialty of this "quartermaster".
He is good at logistics.
No matter how passive the situation was, he was able to uncannily raise supplies and send them to the front line of the war.
It can be said that for the Green Forest Army to be able to grow bigger and stronger to its current scale, his contribution is no less than that of Kailan and Reese.
It's just that he has been hiding behind the scenes very low-key and doesn't often appear in front of people, so he doesn't seem to have any sense of existence.
It was as if at this moment, no one noticed the fear behind the kind smile, as well as a hint of unnoticeable ferocity.
『Saint? miracle? Could it be that our previous actions of spreading chaos went too far and forced out the "Chosen One" of that guy Saint Sith? Silas thought to himself, anxious like a rat on a hot pot.
The sending of troops by the Principality of Campbell had already been prophesied by the great true god Urgos, with the exception of Saint Karen.
He didn't know the full extent of Urgos's plan, but the appearance of this guy would undoubtedly bring hidden dangers to the master's plan.
Silas' eyes unconsciously fell on Aka, who was about to fall asleep.
Perhaps...
It’s time to do something.