"Champion duel..." Hearing this word, Albert fell into deep thought, the Count pondered silently, and Laine said nothing.
The champion duel, the oldest and most sacred rule among the Northern Barbarians.
After embracing Chaos, the Northern Barbarians who once sought power and glory have gradually corrupted into a chaotic race that desires all bloodshed and slaughter by any means necessary. For victory, to gain the attention of the Evil God, they will stop at nothing, regardless of shame or cost.
Only the champion duel is recognized as a sacred ritual by all Northern Barbarians.
Champions of equivalent race status will engage in a sacred duel, and the outcome will determine the victory or defeat of this war.
One battle to decide the winner.
The legendary First Knight King Arthur's Holy Grail Knight, the First Duke of Boldro, Marcus, once killed the Chaos Champion Gavinriel through a champion duel, single-handedly repelling thousands of the barbarian army. This great tale is still sung until today.
However, the barbarians are not so easy to deal with, and countless foolish nobles and knights have lost their heads through champion duels because the Barbarian Lords are too powerful. These lords become lords not through bloodline but through survival of the fittest and bloody conquest. Under such circumstances, few nobles relying on bloodline and feudal titles can defeat barbarians in terms of strength and status at all. Countless heroes have failed.
"But... Bireg is a Legendary High-Tier Barbarian Chief..." Albert walked up to Laine, his eyes full of shock and even a bit unwilling: "Are you really?"
"Besides this, we have no other option." Laine shook his head, walked behind Albert, and pointed at the large map on the table: "Around Mijordenhaven is mostly plain, without any defensible terrain. We lack cavalry and have no mobile forces at my disposal. Also... I heard your only fifty muskets..."
"All taken to the northern front. My armory has plenty of bows, crossbows, and weapons, but very few muskets." The Count smiled bitterly: "At this critical moment, I have no reason to deceive you because I honestly didn't anticipate the barbarians attacking my city."
"We've lost the musket, a key tool for city defense, and there are only two cannons left on the east gate." Laine continued to shake his head: "I truly cannot devise any clever strategy. The disparity in strength between us and the enemy is too large, and we've lost the advantage of the city walls. The only method is the champion duel." Laine's tone carried a sense of calmness: "This is the only opportunity."
"I admire your noble character, and I recognize you. Albert Baker hereby swears to the God of Justice that Laine shall forever be a friend of the Baker family! If the battle ends, I will gift you half of my savings and my heirloom." The Count tightly squeezed Laine's shoulder and then extended his hand: "Tomorrow, let's fight side by side. I and my guards will charge forward to create this opportunity for you."
The White Wolf Knight and the Count shook hands: "For Nord! For your people."
The next day, when the noon sun hung high in the sky, the dark barbarian army finally appeared at the horizon's edge.
Despite the losses in the previous day's battle at Aarhus Bridge, the size of the Bearman Tribe's army still made one feel hopeless. Nearly four thousand barbarian troops successively advanced towards the collapsed east gate of Mijordenhaven.
Nord's army arrayed themselves near the city gate to face the enemy. They carefully formed an impenetrable defense line, with crossbowmen stationed on the nearby city walls, ready to draw bows and face the enemy at any moment. Chapters first released on NoveI[F]ire.net
"Barbarian Raiders, Barbarian Berserkers, Barbarian Hunters, and Barbarian Riders, the only relief is that I haven't seen any Giant Demons or Norsca Giants." Estelle stood on the city wall, the quiver behind the Half-Elf already filled with feathered arrows: "Rost? Do you think we can hold this place?"
The barbarian Rost was checking his weapon and heard the Half-Elf's words. The barbarian laughed heartily: "Of course we can't hold it."
"But we still have to fight." Estelle muttered softly.
"I've experienced wars even more desperate than this. What's this? My former tribesmen have already become playthings of the Evil God. Now, upon meeting, there's only bitter combat." Rost shouted: "We still have to fight!"
On the other side, on the high city wall, a large group of Nord soldiers surrounded Teresa in protection, the female sorcerer's swirling massive magic power became their only support. This Female Member Jialan's willingness to fight amazed the entire army, and the Walnut Knight Nikolai instructed these soldiers that if the battle turned unfavorable, they must ensure her safe retreat.
"Is it true? Banda is dead?" Teresa learned from Amelia beside her that the mercenary, who had been circling around her all day, died in the horrific explosion, and the mercenaries only found one of his hands.
"Yes..." Amelia replied softly, not expressing what happened afterwards. After losing his apprentice, Viert was deeply saddened and loudly cursed this Female Member Jialan before him, claiming she was the cause of everything.
"I feel sorry for this." Teresa expressed sadly. Then she said: "Amelia?"
"Yes?" The female mercenary looked surprised. She was amazed that the female sorcerer before her seemed to express sorrow?