Capítulo 102: Chapter 102: Are You Still Loyal to the Thunder Kingdom?
The next day, at Lushuan Town,
The orc warriors, firmly on guard to withstand the onslaught of the Storm Knights, suddenly received word that the enemy had retreated from Lushuan Town!
The captain, Caroline, who frequently espoused "the chivalric spirit," even chose to escort the surviving residents of Lushuan Town toward the capital!
In the council hall, General Hu Che of the fox clan could no longer suppress his doubts: "Could this be a human scheme? To deliberately bring along the encumbering civilians, laying a trap to lure us into pursuit?"
"No, Caroline would never risk the lives of ordinary people in battle; it seems she has genuinely abandoned Lushuan Town."
Seated at the head of the table, Kane rubbed his chin, his own expression laced with confusion.
If the bronze mercenaries had indeed annihilated the orc garrison at Lushuan Town, then the Storm Knights would have incurred minimal losses. Even if they chose not to actively engage Lushuan Town, merely maintaining a defensive position would suffice.
Why the hasty retreat? It appeared they were relinquishing the entire Lushuan region to the Thunder Kingdom…
At that moment, a messenger orc rushed in, breathlessly exclaiming, "Generals! The High Priest has returned! The High Priest has returned!"
"…What?!"
The orc warriors sprang to their feet, rushing outside to greet him, their faces alight with excitement.
"It's no wonder the Storm Knights fled; it's because of the High Priest!"
"I knew it! Such a legendary figure as the High Priest could not possibly be defeated by mere bronze mercenaries; there must be more to this story!"
"With the High Priest back, we can reclaim several towns from the Storm Kingdom!"
The orc leaders beamed as they made their way to the street, where they soon spotted the hunchbacked figure of Salliman, clad in a hooded robe, approaching slowly.
Just as they were about to step forward to pay their respects, Kane raised a hand to halt them.
The imposing bull chieftain wore an unusually wary expression, gripping the handle of his warhammer tightly as he demanded, "Who are you?!"
Who? Isn't that the High Priest?
The orc leaders exchanged astonished glances.
Yet Kane was indeed the one most familiar with the High Priest, and perhaps he sensed something amiss.
The more perceptive leaders began to notice the anomaly.
The High Priest emanated an unfamiliar vitality, starkly contrasting his previously decrepit state!
Moreover, the object he leaned upon was no longer the "T"-shaped staff adorned with eye patterns but a spiral wooden staff intricately formed from entwined branches.
Swish, swish, swish!
The orc warriors quickly unsheathed their weapons, eyeing him warily.
"Good reflexes, Kane; you have grown into a competent commander!"
The visitor lifted his hood, revealing the face of High Priest Salliman.
The difference was striking: the old wrinkles were gone, his skin now a faint green hue, adorned with leaf vein-like patterns.
At this moment, aside from still being slightly hunched, his countenance appeared as though he had rejuvenated by several decades!
"You…"
Kane's expression shifted, unable to confirm the stranger's identity.
He gritted his teeth and demanded, "What transpired in Lushuan Town? What have you been doing during your absence? How could you have transformed into this?"
"There's no need to rush; we have ample time to converse."
The High Priest replied, raising his wooden staff and pressing it down, causing a deep rumbling to emanate from the ground.
Momentarily, stout branches burst forth from the earth, forming stump-like seats for each orc!
"The sacrifice of our stationed troops in Lushuan Town was not in vain; through their blood, they have forged a righteous future for the Thunder Kingdom, granting me rebirth."
The High Priest extended his arms, and the orc warriors gasped in astonishment as those wooden seats rapidly sprouted branches and leaves, exuding a refreshing aroma, transforming into vibrant plants!
While the former High Priest had indeed been powerful, his age had limited his capabilities, compelling him to wield extraordinary strength only in dire circumstances, seldom showcasing such effortless large-scale spells.
To manifest verdant growth from the earth was surely beyond mere mortals!
Kane could not discern what the High Priest had experienced, but he could gradually sense that it was indeed the same individual.
After a moment of silence, Kane lowered his warhammer and knelt on one knee.
With him leading the way, the other orc leaders also lowered their guard and knelt in reverence, welcoming the High Priest's return!
Shortly after, in a secluded chamber, Kane produced the intelligence collected by his subordinates and quietly asked, "Does your transformation relate to that bronze mercenary team?"
"More precisely, it pertains to one of their members."
The High Priest glanced over the information before setting it aside, and Kane noted the implication: "You are referring to the one known as the [Beastman Slayer], that masked Gawoo?
What manner of individual is he, to inspire such admiration in a legendary figure like yourself?"
"An individual? Ha…"
The High Priest's expression grew complex as he stroked the wooden staff, murmuring, "He is a being capable of effortlessly reaping all mortal lives…
We may refer to him as… the God of Death!"
Kane paused in astonishment, observing the fervor and reverence in the High Priest's eyes, unable to restrain himself from asking, "Are you still loyal to the Thunder Kingdom?"
"Of course!"
The High Priest gradually tempered his emotions, responding with conviction, "I shall forever remain loyal to the Thunder Kingdom!"
He silently added a caveat in his mind: as long as it is under the guidance of that being…
...
Another day passed, and the orc army once again occupied Lushuan Town.
However, it had been largely stripped by the Storm Knights; they could only remain stationed, awaiting the arrival of supplies while dispatching scouts to investigate the status of the Storm Kingdom.
As the latest intelligence returned, the orc leaders were left dumbfounded…
The Storm Kingdom had succumbed entirely! Even the capital was embroiled in a desperate struggle, surrounded on all sides!
"The Divine Kingdom in the west has seemingly reduced the Storm Kingdom to this state in just over two days… This is incredible…"
General Hu Wu of the baboon clan appeared shocked, the report so outrageous that he could scarcely form a coherent response.
"There's no need to panic."
Now seated in the position of authority was High Priest Salliman, who spoke softly:
"The Thunder Kingdom has received the guidance of the God of Death; even if that western Divine Kingdom enjoys the protection of another deity, they must still exercise caution in their dealings with us; we need only to observe the fate of the Storm Kingdom!"
The orc forces stationed in Lushuan Town and Bishi Town remained inactive, deciding to observe quietly, which provided a small reprieve for the Storm Kingdom, as they were no longer besieged from both sides.
As dusk fell, the walls of the royal capital, constructed from white marble, had been stained crimson with blood.
Bang!
The third prince, clutching a longsword, barely managed to block a strike from an armored warrior before kicking him off the wall, panting heavily as he shouted,
"Hold firm! If we can endure until dawn, victory will be ours!"
Beside the third prince lay the bodies of ordinary soldiers, with only the knights and sorcerers possessing extraordinary power able to withstand the onslaught of the Divine Kingdom's warriors.
On the opposite side of the wall, the proxy commander of the knight battalion, Caroline, clad in silver armor and towering in stature, wielded her spear with deft precision, managing to fend off dozens of enemies single-handedly!
Outside the walls, General Nalan Huazi of the Divine Kingdom noticed the situation here and strode forward brandishing the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade.
"Move aside, lads! Watch me cleave her down!"
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