Chapter 700 7: Enemy Attack
Feeling that familiar sense of being locked on, Losa knows he can't dodge.
Holy Spear Gungnir, known as the Spear of Certain Hit, it's not something you can easily avoid.
But there's no need to dodge it.
More than ten shadowy figures of Eastern Giant Dragons suddenly appear, baring fangs and claws, with distinct whiskers and hair. Their bodies are elongated, with scale armor as red and black as Losa's, swirling around the dragons. A vast and mighty pressure pours forth, as if from a supreme Monarch, compelling anyone before him to bow and submit.
The holy Blazing Angels raise the Eternal Spear high, their golden radiance contrasting sharply with the fiery red world opposite. Accompanied by a low chant of "Holy," the burning Holy Spear transforms into a golden pillar from earth to sky, piercing towards the weakest part of Losa's scale armor, his chest.
Losa remains utterly calm, his Dual Flame Divinity pushed to the extreme, augmented by the Fire Virtue Dragon. Now he resembles the Fire God of ancient myths and legends. As he takes a deep breath, the scorching heat enveloping the world is momentarily restrained.
The Power of Evil Breaking from the Holy Flame has no effect on him, and the burning damage is nearly negligible. The harm that holy brilliance can do to him is reduced by at least eighty percent. As for the sharpness of the Holy Spear Gungnir—Losa never fears pure physical attacks.
Solid Stone!
The brilliance of spirituality flashes within Losa's body.
But just at this moment.
Cherinita's body appears suddenly behind Losa, as if emerging from a spatial rift. She carries an aura of sharpness and ferocity, which transforms into two majestic sword intents that pour out from her twin swords in an instant.
The swords like a Milky Way, though not as grand as the Holy Spear thrown by the Blazing Angels opposite.
But the threat they pose to Losa far surpasses it.
The sword edge, arriving later but striking first, slices through the sharp bone spurs on Losa's back, penetrating into his flesh.
This injury is naturally trivial for the mighty being Losa has become through True Dragon Transformation, but the deadly part is that familiar throat-squeezing power, which paralyzes all spirituality within Losa instantly like a virus.
The terrifying Dragon Flame, which had been ready for release, concentrated with all Flame Spirit, is thus dispelled. The uncontrolled Flame Spirit turns into a storm, spewing out like lava from the gaps in the red-black scale armor.
Also halted was the Solid Stone Talent!
With almost just a thought, it can be activated, never failing, yet at this time it failed due to Cherinita's throat-squeezing power, which struck after her attack.
A hint of admiration flashes in Losa's eyes; such insight into battle opportunities, that's worthy of Cherinita. This ability rivals Jeanne's battlefield intuition, for when Solid Stone Talent is activated, there are no flashy sound and light effects, nor need to shout out the name of the move.
The entire process probably didn't take more than a second.
Yet she managed to seize it, even though Cherinita knows Losa's secrets profoundly as an ally, it's truly admirable.
But don't think this will kill me.
The sharp Holy Spear pierces through Losa's chest cavity, albeit the weakest part of his body's defense, even with multiple enhancements, the defense remains notable. But it can't withstand God King Odin's Gungnir.
Intense pain emanates from the wound.
Losa originally intended to retaliate.
But the world seems unable to handle such a frenzied offensive, starting to crumble.
Everyone returns to the room, looking at each other dumbfounded.
Prajna says in a deep voice, "I did it, Kurs has urgent news to report."
Losa's expression changes slightly, "What's happened?"
…
Time reverses.
Thirty minutes earlier.
Natawa Castle west of Semanud City.
Conrad stands on the castle watchtower, bathed in the gentle afternoon sunlight.
Egypt is a good place. If it were in his hometown, Brandenburg, the ground would be frozen solid at this time, and the river surface would have a layer of ice. Even trying to break it open to catch a couple of fish would be quite difficult.
Without enough stored food, or if the Vassal Prince fails to stop those Wende robbers, life would be even harsher.
Thanks to Prince Henry's army, which crushed those Wende Princes back then; I remember father always told tales when Conrad was young, every winter, Wende people would sail across the Elbe River to invade.
At such times, every household must prepare weapons, all adult men and even women must fight against the "invading Heretics."
Nowadays most Wende people have been tied up with ropes and turned into peasant slaves.
Yet, their days seem no better.
"Conrad, stay vigilant, don't fall asleep. The Saracens have been restless lately, and just last night those heretic dogs stood on the hill across the river for a long time, eyeing this side. They surely mean no good."
Conrad snorts, "Don't worry, no one can hide from 'Hawkeye Conrad.' As long as we hold for fifteen minutes, the Winged Cavalry in Semanud City will mount those heretic dogs' heads on Long Spears."
The number of castle guards is not large; it originally belonged to Mahri, Governor of Semanud City, and was distributed to the Winged Cavalry regiment after the Crusaders captured Semanud City. This means that this castle, along with all its estate outputs, belongs to the Winged Cavalry regiment.
Most estates outside the castle have already been abandoned.
But this castle is crucial, its city walls robust. If abandoned, it would become a Saracen stronghold, and due to its proximity to the city, it's one of the few estates preserved and garrisoned.
"Ha, when the time comes, we'll follow the cavalry masters to pick up some loot, then sell it to those cunning Latin merchants. Maybe we can make a fortune."
"Most of the profit goes to those treacherous merchants."
Merchants must be cunning. How else could they handle the myriad tariffs, and the endless thieves on trade routes, some of whom are practically local lords in disguise?
"We can sell the loot to the quartermaster in the city. Their buyback prices are fairer, but they only do it once a week, and you have to wait in line for a long time."
A flock of birds suddenly took flight from the distant forest.
Conrad immediately became vigilant and warned, "Be on guard, it could be Saracen cavalry!"
Soon, a swarm of Saracen troops emerged, dark as a cloud, from the forest.
Conrad frantically shook the copper bell, "Enemy attack, enemy attack! Light the beacon!"
The entire castle fell into chaos.
Many resting soldiers hurried to the walls while donning their armor.
The soldiers tasked with lighting the flames shouted, "According to the manual, do we need to report how many enemies there are?"
These were new recruits who had trained in Hebron; they had basic combat skills and decent equipment, but ultimately they were rushed out in a hurry, and were panicking at the sight of an enemy attack.
Conrad shouted at the top of his lungs, "I don't know, as far as the eye can see!"
The mass of Saracens charging at them indeed seemed endless at first glance. Who knew how many were hidden in the forest, but everywhere one looked, there were people and horses bearing the Holy Fire Banner, like a black tide devouring everything.
"They still don't stop; are they really going to climb the walls by hand?"
"I don't know, I didn't see them with any siege weapons."
Some soldiers guarding the fire pots were on high alert. These enemies were very strange; not only did they lack siege vehicles, siege towers, or catapults, they didn't even have makeshift cloud ladders carried on the shoulder.
"Be careful, keep a strict watch on the refugees in the city, and order the soldiers guarding the city gates to be on high alert!"
The castle's defense officer shouted loudly, guessing that the enemy had prepared inside aides because during this period, the castle had taken in many peasants from neighboring estates. Although most had been moved into the city, some hadn't been able to be relocated.
His guess was originally correct; the Saracens were not demons and couldn't possibly climb up the smooth walls by hand and foot, but that assumption was based on common sense, and in this world, there were always a few people who couldn't be measured by common sense.
Just then, at the foot of the wall, enormous vines broke out of the ground, forming rudimentary cloud ladders that automatically climbed atop the walls.
The Saracen soldiers who rushed to the base of the walls seemingly anticipated this, and grabbing the vines, climbed with all their might.
"Heavenly Father above, what kind of monster is this?"
"Quick, quick, cut those vines!"
The defenders slashed with all their might, but to little effect. The surface of those vines was extremely tough; even a war axe only left a shallow mark.
"Forget these damned vines, the enemies are about to climb up, throw the fire pots quickly!"
The defense officer shouted loudly.
The soldiers hurled down fire pots; as the clay pots filled with fire oil shattered, they immediately splattered oil everywhere. A few torches thrown down from the wall instantly set the oil ablaze, causing a large flare-up of flames, and those Saracen soldiers who got soaked in the oil let out a series of blood-curdling screams.
The defense officer yelled, "Open the armory, let those refugees inside the city take up arms! Everyone, hold the walls at all costs!"
The fire oil in those pots was precious Greek Fire, high-end goods bought from Greek merchants. Natawa Castle had only a dozen in total, and most were used up just now. At this rate, they couldn't hold out until reinforcements came from the city.
"What if they revolt?"
"They know the fate if the walls fall!"
Governor Magid looked at the castle that seemed to be set ablaze like a wall of fire and frowned, "Master Ali, why not just level the Franks' walls directly?"
The advisor and caster known as Master Ali retained an aloof demeanor, coldly snorting, "I never cast spells on ordinary people; it contradicts my principles. Since I've already raised the siege ladders for you, your numbers are several times that of the Franks. Can you still not win?"
Governor Magid inwardly cursed; winning was certain, but the extent of the losses was not.
He was pushed to the frontline by Adil but didn't wish for his elite troops to be laid to waste in this seemingly trivial siege.
In a lowered voice, he said, "Master, in Fayoum, I unearthed a golden scarab, said to be a divine artifact left by the ancient gods, which grants immunity to death to its holder."
Master Ali eyed him skeptically, "Can it make an ordinary person immortal?"
Magid chuckled, "They turn into ghouls."
Master Ali's expression shifted slightly, "Such a dangerous relic is far too perilous in the hands of ordinary people; it would be better if I take custody of it."
Governor Magid whispered, "No problem, but this..."
Master Ali's face shifted to one of compassion, "I am reluctant to harm ordinary people, but if this continues, who knows how many more will suffer? Sometimes, killing to stop killing is a form of mercy."
Governor Magid inwardly cursed, but outwardly he wore a flattering smile, "The master's words are indeed wise."
As Ali raised his hand, invisible green rays shot towards the castle, and immediately, a series of blood-curdling screams erupted from inside.
The piled hay suddenly came alive, transforming into grotesque straw men with gaping maws, pouncing on the defending soldiers and those farmers temporarily residing in the city.