Chapter 606: Volume 16: Hazy Darkness - 1: Sudden Rainstorm
Even gods sometimes cannot predict many things that are about to happen, let alone mortals. Just as Komer sensed a conspiratorial air in the attitude of North Homer, he resolutely announced once more the expansion of the recently formed Caucasus-Leon Self-Defense Force to three thousand people. He spared no effort in wanting to build an army capable of defending his territory in the shortest possible time. Yet far in the north, a massive storm that would change the fates of countless people was about to howl across the entire Kingdom of Nicosia, mixed with the cold wind.
St. Nicholas Fortress is the most important stronghold in the northeastern part of the Kingdom of Nicosia. Along with Mechelen and Hasselt Fortresses, it forms a solid defensive line in the northeast of the kingdom. St. Nicholas Fortress is slightly indented to the south, with the most famous Gratz Great Fortress located to its northwest. That area is under the defense of the Golden Oak Legion from the Central Kingdom. Demarcated by St. Nicholas Fortress, the territories to the east belong to the Ferdinand and Heine Families, defended by the Knights regiments and Infantry Divisions of the two dukes, while St. Nicholas Fortress itself is the most important defensive stronghold of the Ferdinand family.
Thin wisps of smoke rose from the distant farmer’s cottages behind St. Nicholas Fortress, everything seemed so peaceful and serene. The grape harvest season had passed, and the remaining fruits could only be left to freeze in the vineyards to serve as fertilizer. The area around St. Nicholas Fortress predominantly relies on growing grapes for Grape wine. As the weather turns colder, it seems that the beastmen are relatively calm this year, possibly allowing the Kingdom of Nicosia a moment to breathe after last year’s frenzy. However, this is merely the farmers’ wishful thinking. Those who truly understand the situation do not share this view.
The fortress, built of rough, hard rocks, emitted bursts of icy breath. These castle walls, constructed from large bluestones, stood five meters tall. The continuous walls connected multiple castles together, forming an intricate defensive complex. The endless wilderness in front is the eastern part of the Mogan Wilderness, where the untamed spirit seems to hit one squarely in the face. This place is a hunting paradise for the beastmen, where Wolf riders and Fierce bear warriors appear from time to time, but it’s the robust Minotaur soldiers who are the main force. Although their formations might not be very neat, they are undeniably practical, and loyalty and bravery for the Minotaur soldiers are merely the most basic requirements. However, facing St. Nicholas Fortress, the Zhejiang beastman soldiers seem to harbor no hostility, at least not yet. For now, they appear to be conducting a show of force with their drills along the border region.
All the soldiers huddled inside the castle. St. Nicholas Fortress is made of twelve Conjoined Castles forming the city. The current Duke Nissa Ferdinand of the Ferdinand family proclaimed it the backbone of the Lemon Province, upholding the north’s defense and ensuring that the Ferdinand family’s rule here remains untroubled by the beastmen. The flat terrain of the northern parts of the Kingdom of Nicosia determines that the kingdom can only rely on a chain of castles and fortresses for defense against the beastmen’s invasions, securing the safety of the Kingdom Inland. Compared to the formidable combat prowess of the beastman soldiers, humans can only counter them with superior equipment, a complete defense system, and Magic Skills that the beastmen will never possess.
"What? What did you say? Have you lost your mind?" Like a lion about to explode, Wagner stood up angrily, somewhat ungraciously grabbing the front of the other man’s swallowtail coat lining, "Abandon St. Nicholas Fortress? Why? Have you all gone mad? Is it because of those beastmen? Let them come; it’s not like they haven’t tried before. I will show them the valor of our Lemon warriors!"
If this fellow weren’t a direct confidant of the duke, Wagner was sure he would be unable to control his temper and would have sent this man to hell with a single stroke of his sword. He dared convey such a preposterous order; surely, the duke had been swayed by these lowly, cowardly people to make such an unbelievable decision. Wagner could not imagine it; he was unable to accept this chaos!
Calmingly prying away the forceful hands of the other, even though he wore a dress uniform, it did not mean he had become feeble. The middle-aged knight calmly readjusted his shirt to keep it neat. Even before the moment of death, a knight should maintain his composure—that was the necessary etiquette of a noble.
"Wagner, please maintain your composure. You are also a knight; how can you be so reckless and rude?!" Having faced the other’s inappropriate behavior, the middle-aged gentleman remained very restrained as if all that transpired was within his expectations.
"I cannot remain composed about this matter! If you do not explain this to me today, I will absolutely not accept this order," Wagner said, his face red with rage, his angry gaze almost melting the other man, who seemed completely unfazed by Wagner’s demeanor.