581: Chapter 274: Seizing the City in Advance 581: Chapter 274: Seizing the City in Advance The setting sun dyed the fortress standing between the pass a terrifying crimson.
Inside and outside the recently concluded battlefield, flames gradually extinguished, and the scattered remains of Corpse Ghosts lay across the place like a hellish scene, while soldiers busily cleaned the battlefield, tidying up the devastation left by the battle.
Corpse Birds shrieked eerily, tearing into the flesh of the remains with sharp claws and beaks on bodies still warm, their black feathers stained with blood.
The soldiers cleaning the battlefield swung their spears, trying to drive away the Corpse Birds desecrating their comrades’ corpses.
However, the disturbed Corpse Birds merely crowed loudly and turned to assault the owners of the weapons.
(In Urian Language) “…
Knight Kantadar, cleaning the battlefield, cursed angrily, his expression full of indignation and disgust, swinging his blade to cut down the fluttering Corpse Ghost Crows, and stomped them into pulp underfoot.
These crows accompanying calamity became even more detestable once dead….
On the battlements, soldiers from Orland finally cleared the walls, allowing the flags of the living to once again fly atop the fortress.
The Alliance assembled at Baldim was overly diverse, lacking a unified standard, so the soldiers used the Sword Wing Badge belonging now to the army’s commander.
After experiencing baptism in blood and fire, the fortress at Kilmerton Pass returned to the hands of the living.
Inside the fortress hall, under the torch and brazier light, the surrounding bloodstains were still shocking, but they did not disturb the seasoned commanders of the Alliance used to mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Soldiers temporarily moved tables from the fortress dining room, piecing them together, around which the military leaders sat divided on either side, surrounding the unfolded map.
On one side were Count Eriv of the Thorny Flower Family and his commanders, as well as Princess Ines leading the Sea Eagle Knights and Duwana Nobles, along with representatives of the Avalon Knights, Holy Lake Knights, and Ranger Knights.
On the other side were the Lord of Kantadar headed by Count Runav, Count Langstone, and Count Sanger.
Though dozens participated in the council, it was ultimately only military leaders representing their armies who spoke, keeping the hall’s sound from being chaotic.
Leon discussed the next step with everyone, examining the pieces marking the current situation on the map.
Successfully capturing Kilmerton Pass is of great significance to the Alliance, as this sturdy fortress blocks the path advancing from southeast to northwest through Baldim County.
Through summary and analysis of battles with the Undead during this period, it became clear that although Corpse Ghosts needing no supplies could bypass land barriers across mountains and valleys recklessly, the mobile altars for expanding the Cloud Domain and the Soul Bell Corpse Wagons couldn’t follow the Undead Army over rugged terrain.
These Soul Bell Corpse Wagons must rely on roads for transit, and now, as long as this recaptured fortress stands, the undead from the southeast will struggle to pose a direct threat to the Alliance’s rear.
Contemplating, Leon glanced toward Eriv, silently grateful to the Sealing Lord.
Recently arrived at Fenlidun, the Thorny Flower Earl did not demand command over the army, but unhesitatingly trusted Leon’s strategy, supporting him to continue as the highest commander of the Alliance.
The ability to execute the campaign to recapture Kilmerton ahead of schedule, achieving victory so smoothly, owes much to the four thousand reinforcements brought by Count Eriv and Princess Ines…
Leon’s gaze shifted, glancing at the princess leaning over the table, gently tapping her chin with a fan, her eyes fixed on the map in deep thought.
This Third Princess, unexpectedly arriving at the Kantadar frontline, was actually the key figure in capturing the fortress.
Though she did not interfere with his battle plan, she brought the Alliance a total of thirty-one spellcasters.
Under her command, the high-ranking magician Harvey and the small princess persuaded Lydwen, bringing thirty Northern Wizard Association apprentices, which allowed the Alliance, desperate for spellcasters, to suddenly possess substantial mage power.
The role of these spellcasters exceeds even the four thousand elite troops brought by Eriv and Ines.
Though most of these warlock apprentices varied in ability, many gifted only shallow with low-level spellcasting who didn’t know much killing magic, Leon didn’t need these precious spellcasters to fight directly.
He required only these individuals to act as magic power reservoirs, lighting the Guardian Spirit Holy Lamps they carried on the battlefield, serving as buffs for each military unit.
With the thirty-one Guardian Spirit Holy Lamps, the Alliance main force gained approximately six thousand professional “Anti-Undead Army” units that could confront undead outposts without fear of Soul Bells, without needing Lola to reverse the altar.
Including the seven spellcasters originally within the Alliance, the army totaled over eight thousand professional Anti-Undead Warriors capable of directly confronting Soul Bells and launching attacks.
This is why the battle could bypass the originally planned second phase scythe tactics, and directly launch a full-scale assault on Kilmerton Fortress.
Who else among us, Leon gained considerable confidence in Orland’s main force in northern Mamor County.
From Princess Ines, Leon learned that her father had mobilized the entire Northern Wizard Association, and the Royal Family even rallied the Alchemy Guild nationwide to produce Guardian Spirit Holy Lamps at any cost.
It is said that now, in the Wizard Society, from young apprentices barely learning to use magic at age ten, to experienced high-level mages aged one or two hundred, every mage is equipped with a Guardian Spirit Holy Lamp.