The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Dragumo sighed, for the reinforcements from Caucasus would not be arriving any time soon. Although the first batch of reinforcements had already entered the city, these green recruits could not yet be called true soldiers. Perhaps they would grow through this baptism of blood, but did they still have a chance?

The Cretans besieging the castle seemed determined to capture these castles. Dragumo realized he had underestimated the courage and determination of these Cretans. They were still unrelenting despite the heavy price they had paid. But looking at it from another angle, he understood them. If he were in their shoes, he would not back down without a fight either.

Although the three thousand reinforcements were incorporated into his main forces, their rate of casualties was at least three times higher than that of his troops, who had been trained meticulously. Lacking experience in dealing with magic attacks and the combat skills to fend off enemy advances directly led to their severe casualties. Dragumo found this heartbreaking, but such was the price of growth.

Dragumo pondered how much longer he could hold on under the current state of the conflict. Every bit of strength that could have been mustered had been used. Newman and his team had done their best, while the city’s defense works had been nearly destroyed by the enemy magicians. Fortunately, the intensity of the enemy’s magic attacks was also declining significantly.

The awoken Livonian Folk seemed to be at the end of their rope, and Dragumo even worried that they might turn traitor in an act of desperation, hoping for the Cretans’ forgiveness. Fortunately, this had not happened yet, but as the situation dragged on, it became an increasing possibility. Dragumo never trusted the character and integrity of these mortals.

The last Siegebreaker catapult finally fell apart.

The continuous launching had exhausted the soldiers operating it, and also depleted the ancient catapult. After it launched its final stone with all its might, the throwing arm seemed to have broken from overexertion. The recoil from the snapped magic metal spring sent the entire frame crashing apart, even knocking down several unsuspecting soldiers.

Dragumo had no interest in going over to check on them now; he had more pressing issues to consider. The catapult falling apart was one thing, but if the soldiers’ morale dropped, it might never be recovered, implying the collapse of the entire battle line.

A loud outcry from the city wall suddenly jolted Dragumo’s senses. Could it be that what he feared had happened? Was there a breakdown among the soldiers? A wave of unspeakable despair swept through Dragumo’s brain, but he immediately calmed down. Even if there had been an accident, he had to turn it around!