Capítulo 44: Fallen City
The city we arrived in was named Redpine, renowned for its rich timber resources. The surrounding forests, thick with ancient trees, provided a steady supply of wood, making Redpine a vital hub for the Empire's lumber trade. The city sprawled across the landscape, its infrastructure designed to support the bustling industry. It boasted powerful defenses, testament to its strategic importance, and was governed by a Count who had earned his rank through mastery of the spear.
Yet this city had fallen? Redpine wasn't even situated deep within the East, so how could it have succumbed so swiftly?
As we took in the grim reality, Aldric's voice boomed around us, augmented with his skilful use of mana, "Everyone, get into position to scour the city! Be mindful of the Arch Lich's soldiers!"
His commands snapped us into action, the tension in my body easing slightly. Right, even if the Arch Lich's forces had reached this far, they shouldn't pose a significant threat to us. If they were strong enough to be a major issue, the Arch Lich would be classified as a Calamity-class threat, not just Disaster-class.
The air was thick with anticipation as the Imperial Knights and Mages moved with precision, forming a defensive perimeter. The streets, once alive with the sounds of industry, were now eerily quiet, the only noise the distant echo of Aldric's orders and the rustle of our movements.
Buildings that had stood as symbols of prosperity and strength now lay in ruin, their structures charred and broken. The lifeless bodies of the city's defenders and civilians alike were scattered across the cobblestones, stark reminders of the brutality of the assault.
Aurora, emerging from her carriage, stood beside me, her face pale but determined. Her eyes met mine, the horror of our surroundings reflected in her gaze.
"Stay close," I ordered, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.
We advanced cautiously, every sense alert to potential danger. The Arch Lich's presence loomed over us, an unseen but palpable threat. As we moved deeper into the city, the devastation grew more apparent. Shops and homes were reduced to rubble, their contents strewn across the streets. The once thriving marketplace was now a wasteland, silent and desolate.
"Keep your guard up," Aldric's voice echoed again, a reminder of the peril we faced. The soldiers and mages around us tightened their formations, their expressions grim but resolute.
Despite the destruction, there was a methodical efficiency to our movements. The elite force of a thousand was trained for such scenarios, their expertise evident in the way they navigated the treacherous terrain. Each step was measured, every corner carefully examined.
As we pressed on, the reality of Redpine's fall became clearer. The city's defenses, formidable as they were, had been overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of the attack. The Arch Lich's minions had torn through the fortifications with terrifying ease, leaving destruction in their wake.
We approached the central square, the heart of Redpine, and the epicenter of its devastation. The grand fountain, once a symbol of the city's prosperity, was now a shattered relic, its waters stained with blood. The statue of the Count, a testament to his leadership, lay toppled and broken.
"How could this be?" an Imperial Knight near me muttered, his breath shaky as his grip on his hammer tightened.
I could understand his sentiment. The Imperial Knights and Imperial Mages were the elite forces of the Killion Empire, renowned for their unparalleled skills and combat prowess. Yet, the knight and mage orders under the various nobles had also honed their abilities on the battlefield, reaching formidable levels of strength.
Especially the two Dukes, whose knight and mage orders were considered equivalent to Imperial Knights and Mages in terms of strength. This equivalence in power allowed the Duke of the South to exert significant pressure on the Imperial Family as the leader of the conservative faction.
Even though the East was considered the weakest region, Redpine's strategic importance ensured that its defenses matched those of a battalion of Imperial Knights or Mages. The city's fortifications were designed to withstand formidable assaults, a testament to its vital role in the Empire's lumber trade and its economic significance.
Yet, Redpine had fallen before we even received news of its plight, and far from where the Arch Lich was last sighted. The realization was unsettling.
The once bustling city now lay in ruins, its defenses shattered as if they were mere kindling. The air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and the metallic tang of blood, mingling in a sickening miasma that stung my nostrils.
Buildings that had stood as stalwart guardians of the city's prosperity were now reduced to skeletal frames, their structures charred and broken. The streets, which should have been filled with the sounds of commerce and life, were now eerily silent, littered with debris and the lifeless bodies of those who had tried to defend their home.
The knight beside me tightened his grip on his hammer, the knuckles white under the strain. "This isn't right," he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. "We should have heard something, seen some sign."
His words mirrored the thoughts racing through my mind. The speed and efficiency of the attack were terrifying. An Arch Lich's power was known, but this level of devastation, executed with such precision and swiftness, suggested a far greater threat than anticipated.
I felt a slight tug on my uniform sleeve. I turned to see Aurora, her face as pale as a ghost, her wide eyes reflecting the horror of the scene before us.
This city was supposed to be our safe haven, a place to rest and regroup before heading out to confront the Arch Lich. But the reality before us was a stark betrayal of our expectations.
"Don't worry, I won't let you get hurt," I whispered, lightly touching her hand in a gesture of reassurance. Her fingers trembled beneath mine, but she nodded, drawing strength from my words. I turned back, my red eyes hardening, feeling the cold touch of death flicker against my skin.
The air grew heavy, a sinister chill creeping up my spine. The others soon noticed it too, their senses alerting them to the looming danger.
The shadows cast by the ruined buildings seemed to writhe and expand, elongating into grotesque shapes before detaching from the ground. They twisted and solidified, morphing into dark, skeletal figures with hollow eyes and gaping mouths.
Zombies and Death Knights.
These were the soldiers of the Arch Lich, abominations created from the darkness itself. Their presence was palpable, a suffocating miasma of malevolence that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
Aldric's voice rang out, slicing through the oppressive silence. "Form up! Prepare to engage!"
"Mages, to the back!" Selene commanded with authority.
The elite soldiers moved with practiced precision, swiftly forming defensive positions as they prepared to face the oncoming horde. Their movements were synchronized, each step and shift a testament to their rigorous training.
Both Imperial Mages and Imperial Knights were formidable on their own, capable of taking on multiple enemies in one-on-one combat. However, in a group battle, coordination and role designation were paramount. The Imperial Mages focused solely on bombarding the enemy with powerful spells and providing auxiliary support to the Knights, who concentrated on frontline defense and close-quarters combat.
The air crackled with the anticipation of battle. The Knights raised their shields and drew their weapons, their eyes sharp and determined. The Mages began chanting incantations, their hands glowing with arcane energy as they prepared to unleash a torrent of destruction upon the enemy.
I rubbed my finger against the cool, metallic surface of my spatial ring, channeling a touch of mana to summon my spear. It materialised in my hand, the familiar weight and balance grounding me, readying me for the fight ahead.
I had to stay close to Aurora to protect her, so my role in this fight was to do nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
The forces of the Arch Lich were cleaned up in a matter of minutes.
It was very anti-climactic, but it made sense.
After all, we had ten battalions of Imperial Knights and Imperial Mages combined. This formidable force was designed to subjugate the Arch Lich and its full army.
Thus, it didn't make sense for it to take longer than a few minutes to dispatch a random assortment of zombies and Death Knights sent against us.
Not only that, I guessed that the Arch Lich was merely testing us, using the souls of the deceased townspeople to form this army.
"But not the soul of the Count," I surmised, observing the battle unfold. "Likely saved that soul for its main army."
The Knights cut through the undead with practiced precision, their swords gleaming in the dim light. The Mages' spells exploded in bursts of elemental fury, reducing the abominations to ash. The air was thick with the stench of decay and the acrid tang of burnt flesh.
Aurora stood beside me, her face a mask of determination. I could see the resolve in her eyes, a flicker of the fiery spirit that drove her to seek achievements and prove herself. She might not have fought in this skirmish, but her presence here was a testament to her bravery.
Aldric's voice rang out, giving commands with the confidence of a seasoned leader. "Sweep the area! Ensure no stragglers remain!"
The soldiers moved methodically, checking every alley and shadowed corner for any remaining threats. The aftermath of the battle was a grim reminder of the Arch Lich's power, but our swift victory reaffirmed our own strength.
I had to stay close to Aurora to protect her, so my role in this fight was to do nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
The forces of the Arch Lich were cleaned up in a matter of minutes.
It was very anti-climactic, but it made sense.
After all, we had ten battalions of Imperial Knights and Imperial Mages combined. This formidable force was designed to subjugate the Arch Lich and its full army.
Thus, it didn't make sense for it to take longer than a few minutes to dispatch a random assortment of zombies and Death Knights sent against us.
Not only that, I guessed that the Arch Lich was merely testing us, using the souls of the deceased townspeople to form this army.
'But not the soul of the Count,'I surmised, observing the battle unfold. 'Likely saved that soul for its main army.'
Aldric's voice rang out, giving commands with the confidence of a seasoned leader. "Sweep the area! Ensure no stragglers remain!"
The soldiers moved methodically, checking every alley and shadowed corner for any remaining threats. The aftermath of the battle was a grim reminder of the Arch Lich's power, but our swift victory reaffirmed our own strength.
If only the main battle could be this effortless.
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