551: Chapter 263 Commander_3 551: Chapter 263 Commander_3 That lie was perhaps also a way to give oneself a shot of courage.
However, as the army approached, seeing the vanguard composed of numerous Heavy Armor Knights clad in refined plate armor, Count Runav couldn’t help but be astonished.
He hadn’t expected that the Master of Thorns would command such a massive Elite Knight Corps.
Such a powerful Earl of the Northern Kingdom—Runav realized he had never even heard of him before.
Putting aside his doubts, Runav and Baron Yevan, who had acquaintances within the Thorny Flower family, stepped forward to greet them.
Leon similarly spurred his horse forward, scrutinizing the candid Shatai Knight.
Though only three months had passed since they last met, his youthful face seemed to have endured much hardship, now even bearing a mustache on his upper lip.
“Long time no see, Lord Yevan.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you again, Mr.
Though Yevan had inherited the title of Baron Shatai, he still saluted this hero who had descended from the heavens and rescued the Shatai army and civilians: “Praise your magnanimity, and thank you for disregarding the enmity between the two nations and leading your forces to assist us.”
“No need for courtesy; supporting you is also a means of keeping calamity away from my people and homeland.” Leon waved his hand dismissively and then proceeded to introduce his companions.
“This is Baron Frensa, Lord Balfe, who serves Count Eriv alongside me.”
After speaking, Leon gestured toward the leader of the Holy Lake Knights: “And this is the Grand Master of the Illaril Knights, Lord Irem.”
“An honor to meet such noble knights.” Yevan bowed courteously and introduced Count Runav of Baldim to the two men.
After a brief exchange of names, the alliance, guided by the hosts, camped by the river on the outskirts of the fortress north of the city.
While his forces set up their large camp, Leon wasted no time, ordering a secluded clearing to be set up with tables and boards.
Immediately, he turned to Runav, leader of the Kantadar Eastern Nobles Alliance, to understand the current situation.
Yevan spread out the map of the Sobonitz Domain, pointing to the overwhelmingly unfavorable circumstances on the parchment.
Leon and the others listened silently, their expressions grim and heavy-hearted.
Now, the Sobonitz Domain had suffered far beyond merely losing “most” of its territory.
If Runav and Yevan’s account was accurate, this vast region of the Eastern Kantadar Great Domain currently only retained a small portion—just the north bank of the Great River.
The remaining one-seventh of the land was still under the control of the living.
“…Since we lost the Kilmerton Pass, and retreated to defend along the swift Great River, we have lost contact with Anville County to the west.
At this moment, we might be the last resistance force in Eastern Kantadar.” Runav said in a resigned, low voice.
The lord ruling Anville County had longstanding grievances with the Baldim family, refusing to join his alliance and fought alone.
Now, they faced the consequences of their choices, but Runav took no solace in this.
Those stubborn fools, if slaughtered to the last, would soon turn into part of the Dead Man Army, rising again to march on his fortress.
But now, it was hard enough to protect himself, so how could he cross the river again to rescue Anville County?
“How many Magicians do you have left in your army now?
… I mean ‘Wizards.'” Leon switched from the Northern term to the Urian term as he asked.
Runav didn’t hold back—he didn’t have the luxury of withholding information—and answered honestly: “…Only two Wizards remain here.
The others… not long ago, all broke their contracts and fled secretly.
Their whereabouts are now unknown.”
Leon furrowed his brows in silent frustration upon hearing this:
“Did I not mention in my letter that you must keep them, even if you have to force them to stay?”
Without enough Spellcasters, how could the Guardian Spirit Holy Lamps he brought have their intended effect?
Runav, hearing the young baron’s reproach, couldn’t bring himself to be angry and merely sighed helplessly.
“We even detained the families of those Wizards, but their love for life was beyond imagination.
They cared nothing for the lives of their parents, wives, or descendants.
Even when we tried to force them to stay, they used every means to escape the East Territory.”
Seeing they had gone to such lengths, Leon found himself momentarily speechless.
Lola’s gentle voice echoed in his mind.
Only then did Leon gradually ease his emotions and regain his calm.
“Apologies… If that’s the case, then two it is.”
He turned and instructed Kovis to fetch a Urian-language version of the Holy Lamp design blueprint and two completed “Guardian Spirit Holy Lamps” from the army and handed them to Runav and the others.
Carefully detailing the magical lantern’s uses, Leon redirected his attention to the local Sobonitz map provided by the Kantadar people.
Including himself and Kovis, they could probably use the Holy Lamps to guard five to six hundred warriors.
Among the accompanying clerics of the Illaril Knights, three priests were “Quiet Cultivators” from the Dinexion Magic Ring.
These three Spellcasters, tested by the Church, might not know any powerful combat magic, but using the Holy Lamps, they could protect the souls of eight to nine hundred warriors without issue.
Adding in the two Wizards from the Sobonitz alliance, it meant that if they were to venture into the Eternal Night Netherworld to actively attack the undead’s Big Soul Bell outpost, they could at most deploy an army of around two thousand.
With such a meager mobile force…
Was their side doomed to only passively endure the blows from the Undead Army?
Nearby, Runav fiddled with the evidently priceless magic item, marveling at the alien baron who had handed it over unconditionally, even including the manufacturing blueprints.
He turned his gaze to Yevan.
Yevan responded with a slight nod.
Count Runav of Baldim, with no other choices left, deliberated and ultimately made the decision in his heart.
Count Runav called, pulling Leon’s attention back.
“You have come from far away to aid us.
It may seem hasty to bring this up now.
But time is pressing, and our mix of armies from various factions makes coordination difficult.
Perhaps we should urgently elect a Commander capable of leading the entire force.”