Chapter 220 : Chapter 220
Chapter 220. Precautions and Mobilization
At that moment, inside the Kroll Royal Palace, William was reviewing the reports from the Experimental Legion and Xilan. After reading them, he abruptly stood up and read them again in disbelief.
Then he took the Memorials and headed to Kroll II’s palace. Before long, he arrived outside Kroll II’s palace and walked straight in.
“Royal Father, these are the Memorials from the Experimental Legion and Lord Xilan.”
Kroll II did not look at the Memorials William handed over.
“William, I know what you mean. But have you considered this? This time, we only paid the price of several thousand men to annihilate more than two hundred thousand Orcs. Is such a victory not worth continuing?”
William nodded, but then immediately shook his head.
“Royal Father, such a victory is indeed worth continuing. But have you considered that, as of now, we have no reliable method to control the spread of the Energy Spores?”
Kroll II’s fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest of the throne. Snow and wind outside the window were reflected in his obsidian-like pupils, and his tone was so calm that it was almost cold.
“Control? War never requires absolute control. It only requires results.”
At last, he raised his eyes and looked at William, his gaze as though it had been tempered in ice.
“Do you think those Orcs will give us time to research ‘control’? Their Warships are still gathering along the coastline. Next time, there may be five hundred thousand, or even one million of them. When that time comes, what will you use to stop them? Your ‘concerns’?”
William’s fingers trembled slightly around the Memorials, crumpling the edges of the parchment.
“But Royal Father, the spread of the Energy Spores has already exceeded expectations. Xilan’s report states it very clearly. The soil outside the Isolation Zone will not grow a single blade of grass for three months, and even birds do not dare approach it. That land…”
“That land does not need grass for the time being.”
Kroll II interrupted him, his voice suddenly rising.
“It only needs to be free of Orcs. Once we have completely swept away the Orc Kingdom, we will have plenty of time to let it ‘recover.’”
He rose from the throne, his Dragon-Patterned Court Robe dragging across the floor with a low, heavy sound.
“You are still too young, William. You still do not understand the weight of this victory. The sacrifice of several thousand in exchange for the destruction of more than two hundred thousand Orcs is a worthwhile bargain.”
William looked at his royal father’s turned back, his throat tightening.
He knew his royal father was speaking the truth. But what he feared even more was losing control. Once it went out of control, the Kroll Kingdom would be finished.
William returned to the Throne Hall. His fingertips repeatedly brushed over the cold armrest as the candlelight flickered within the hall, illuminating his solemn profile.
A moment later, he suddenly raised his eyes, and his voice pierced through the silence.
“Pass down my order.”
The guards standing on both sides immediately bowed to receive the command, the sound of their armor clashing especially clear in the empty hall.
“Mobilize the Third Sky Knight Order stationed in the Royal Capital. All members are to depart at once for the Experimental Legion’s encampment and take over all surrounding security.”
William stood, his dark royal robe sweeping across the floor and stirring up a gust of wind.
“Tell the Leader of the Knight Order that from this moment onward, the area within ten li of the Laboratory will be designated a Forbidden Zone. No living creature may enter or leave without authorization. Violators are to be killed without mercy.”
A Messenger Knight was just about to turn away when William stopped him.
“Wait.”
William walked to the Hidden Compartment at the side of the hall and personally turned the mechanism.
A heavy stone door slowly opened, revealing magical implements glowing faintly within.
They were Magical Protective Barriers treasured by the Royal Family for generations. Each one was engraved with ancient Runes and could withstand attacks at the Legendary level.
“Take seven Magical Protective Barriers and send them with the Knight Order.”
He pointed to the items in the front row, his voice allowing no doubt.
“Have them establish three defensive lines along the outer walls of the Laboratory. The Energy Cores of the Protective Barriers will be personally guarded by the Battalion Commanders of the Knight Order.”
He paused, and a ruthless glint flashed through his eyes.
“Give them an order of death. If the Laboratory shows any sign of an energy outburst or spore leakage, they do not need to request instructions. They are to activate every Protective Barrier immediately.”
“Even if they must fill the gap with the lives of the Knight Order, they must completely seal off that area. Not a single spore is allowed to drift out of the Forbidden Zone!”
The Messenger Knight’s expression changed slightly, but he did not dare hesitate in the slightest. He saluted.
“This subordinate obeys.”
The heavy sound of footsteps faded away, and the Throne Hall returned to silence.
William looked at the pitch-black night sky beyond the window. In the direction of the Experimental Legion, there seemed to be a faint purple halo flickering in the distance.
He knew what this order meant. Those seven Protective Barriers were not only shields, but also a decisive set of shackles. Once they fell into place, the people inside might never come out alive again.
But he had no other choice.
The Laboratory was beneath the Royal Palace. Necessary measures had to be taken.
However, the Three Great Clans were unwilling to accept this. After suffering such a heavy loss, they naturally had to regain their face.
Inside the council palace of the Orc Kingdom, the Family Heads of the Eight Great Clans growled around a Beast-Hide Map, their fangs flashing coldly beneath the torchlight.
“More than two hundred thousand of our clansmen died in that purple smoke. This blood debt must be repaid.”
The Chief of the Frostwolf Clan smashed the bone cup on the table with one palm. Thick beast-blood wine splashed across the map like a congealed scar.
But the Beast Emperor’s Decree that arrived from outside the palace was like a basin of cold water. The Alliance had limited each clan to no more than five hundred thousand troops, citing the need to “guard against the Three Great Empires taking advantage of the situation.”
“Guard, my ass.”
The Shaman Priest of the Warsong Clan clenched the Totem Staff in his hand, and the wolf-head gemstone at the top of the staff glowed red.
“He is clearly afraid we will become independent and make his imperial throne unstable.”
Complaints were complaints, but no one dared disobey the Beast Emperor’s command.
In secret, however, the Eight Great Clans became serious.
The airship fleet of the Gnome Merchant Guild crossed the Misty Strait under the cover of night, their cabins stuffed full of parts for Magic Crystal Cannons.
Enchanted Battle Axes forged by Dwarf Workshops of the Northern Continent were piled up like mountains, the blades engraved with Runes that read “blood debt must be repaid in blood.”
Even the stingiest Shadowmoon Clan brought out the Magic Scrolls they had kept at the bottom of their chests. Every one of them could summon a berserk Elemental Storm.
Ships unloaded cargo day and night at the Orc Harbor. The trestles of the docks creaked under the weight of the Magic Crystals.
The patrolling Wolf Riders noticed that the ships docking recently always carried a few Gnomes wearing pointed hats. They held blueprints and conducted calculations through the night in their tents. The occasional explosions that came from within frightened even the seabirds away.
Meanwhile, amid the ruins of the Kadiya Kingdom, Xilan’s Legion was advancing over shattered bricks.
Sunlight passed through broken walls and ruins, shining on the soldiers’ armor, its reflection like a flowing galaxy.
“Ahead is Broken Stone City. The Orc garrison fled last night.”
The Scout knelt on one knee and offered up a dust-covered map.
Xilan raised a hand to wipe the ash from his face, then looked toward the tattered banner fluttering above the city wall.