Chapter 259 : Battle of Insolania - Part 2
Although Insolania's defenders were already wary of the demonized troops.
The power these ferocious-looking beasts displayed on the battlefield still exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Retreat quickly! They're charging over!"
"How is this possible? Don't these guys feel pain?"
...
Whether explosive rounds carrying magic crystals or large-caliber crossbow bolts, none could affect these monsters in the slightest.
They were like super-heavy flesh tanks, trampling the earth and gradually pushing forward... Before long, they broke through the crossfire coverage and charged into the first line of defense.
"Watch out!"
"Uh?"
The man dodged hard and barely avoided an axe flying at his face from a giant beastman.
But at the same time, he also fell into the trench... The broken sword hilt happened to pierce his thigh, causing dark red blood to flow continuously.
"Ah, ahh!"
His tendons seemed torn. The intense pain made the man break out in cold sweat.
"Don't mind me, retreat quickly."
The first defensive line had fallen, and officers issued retreat orders... But the man knew he couldn't possibly retreat.
With such injuries, never mind walking—even crawling would be difficult. If he sought help, other comrades would also be affected and torn to pieces by the beastmen.
So the man gritted his teeth, preparing to pull out the grenade he carried and die together with these beastmen.
But...
"Uncle, don't throw your life away."
"Uh?"
A girl ran straight over and carried the man on her back.
Though her frame was relatively petite, she was exceptionally strong, and what echoed in her eyes was the unyielding courage of a warrior.
...
...
The girl was naturally Luozhi Sheng.
During the earlier retreat, Luozhi Sheng had aimed at a demonized beastman's weak point, preparing for a killing blow.
But just then... the uncle who had reminded her was injured.
So Luozhi Sheng faced a choice: kill the invincible demonized beastman before her, or save the injured uncle.
From a strategic standpoint, killing an important enemy was far better than saving an ordinary soldier.
Because although these black-skinned beast tribes were terrifying, they numbered only around 100. If all were eliminated, this defensive battle would achieve major results.
Ordinary soldiers like the uncle numbered in the tens of thousands on the first defensive line alone. One more or less wouldn't affect the battle situation.
However...
...
"You... what are you doing? Put me down!"
"Uncle, you must live and return. Your daughter is still waiting for you."
"..."
"Never give up. That's what you told me."
...
...
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...
"No, those guys have already charged in. Without me providing reconnaissance, the scout team won't be able to see the catapults' relative positions."
Nalonaté struggled to sit up from the bed.
But even so, a feeling of powerless exhaustion spread throughout her body. This made the blonde little loli grit her teeth helplessly, her arms trembling unconsciously.
(How can I be... so exhausted? It was just... crushing one boulder...)
(No, perhaps... there were already signs...)
...
Fighting on the battlefield with such a petite body was inherently risky.
Even if she kept persisting, even if she thought she could hold on, that fatigue and erosion had been accumulating in her body.
Nalonaté knew this clearly but hadn't told anyone.
She thought she could hold on for at least a few more years, but unexpectedly, she had already reached her limit now.
...
Elucia was right. If I go out now, even if I don't die, the rest of my life will be ruined...
But everyone is fighting hard. How could I possibly retreat here?
This is my country, this is where I live with Princess Sethilu and everyone.
Absolutely... can't let those guys attack!
...
Nalonaté gazed at the distant storage warehouse, having made some resolution in her heart.
...
...
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"Fellow countrymen of the Bright Ember Kingdom, as Princess Sethilu, I will stand here always, together with everyone."
Sitting on a chair above the central plaza, Sethilu spoke seriously.
Being in such a place was far more dangerous than in the royal palace... because the central plaza was a crossroads with several wide roads leading here.
Sethilu felt powerless throughout her body—even standing was very difficult.
But...
Absolutely cannot retreat!
Because Miss Fox had already helped her too much.
When she was injured, when she couldn't attend various inspection duties, it was Miss Fox who replaced her, fulfilling the princess's mission.
Such a self was derelict in duty.
So...
At least at the most important time, she had to stand here, representing the Colotia royal family, proving she stood with everyone!
...
"Princess Sethilu!"
"Come on, everyone work hard! We must protect Her Highness the Princess!"
...
Sethilu's figure was like a banner. She just stood there quietly, and all soldiers seemed inspired, their morale greatly boosted.
Elucia's deployment also completely grasped the demons' weakness. After the first position was abandoned, those demonized beastmen charged into the rough terrain.
But they couldn't rampage freely. Instead, like giant beasts trapped in a quagmire, they became completely immobilized.
Because Elucia had already set traps here... Piles of crystal stones made this place muddy. The demonized beastmen's massive weight became an obstacle to their advance.
At this time, the second round of long-range firepower covered them again.
Splash!
Many beastmen suffered heavy blows, while the demon army outside couldn't understand the situation inside the city. Thinking they had achieved results, they wanted to charge in all at once.
The demon situation was already somewhat chaotic. If it continued like this, perhaps everything would proceed smoothly as Elucia planned, successfully annihilating the demons?
...
But just then...
A pitch-black stone suddenly appeared in the vast sky.
Its size wasn't particularly large, so initially people paid no attention, thinking it was just an ordinary falling stone.
But soon, someone noticed something wrong.
Because when this thing flew to mid-air, it was like a solar eclipse—even the sun's rays were blocked.
The sky began to turn cold and gloomy, with gurgling cold air continuously spreading across the entire firmament. Feeling that familiar aura, Sethilu also looked up in shock, her eyes widening:
"How... how is this possible?"
"Princess Sethilu...?"
"That's an Exotic Decay core! Everyone quickly find cover!"
But the warning came too late.
The stone spanning the sky exploded, and what scattered down were tens of thousands of Exotic Decay fragments.