Elden: Ring of Calamity

Chapter 14
In Karen City's plain-style consul's office, Hectorf faced an ordinary to somewhat shabby half-length mirror, patiently arranging his whole body's armor.

He crossed two forearm-length short knives at the back of his waist, filled the leather sheaths on the outside of his thighs and on both sides with daggers, and finally put on a cloak over the stainless steel battle armor, making himself proud The sword hangs from the lock on the back.

To be able to sit firmly in the crucial position of Karen's ruling for three years, Hectorov naturally relied not only on Offnir's power and connections, as early as during the Second Lienian War , this young hereditary baron is already a prestigious and powerful general in the Western Expeditionary Corps, and was even once praised by many nobles as a powerful knight who is "hopefully comparable to a hero".

As we all know, the "heroes" in the borderlands are not the kind of compliments that everyone can praise a hero, but a group of powerful fighters who transcend the boundaries of the camp and are recognized by all the forces in the mainland.After more than ten years, although the baron has not really reached the realm of a hero, he still thinks that he is hard to find an opponent among the strong below the hero.

"General, the guards are ready for departure at any time." An officer in military uniform came in and reported forcefully.

Hector nodded in satisfaction, and suddenly, he remembered something, frowned and said, "Is there anything unusual about Clive?"

The officer thought about it for a moment, then shook his head decisively, "Master Clivell came back last night, according to your previous instructions, and took the initiative to cancel all work arrangements that need to go out of the city in the next few days. After receiving the temporary order to go out this morning He didn't have any objections, and it only took half an hour to completely hand over the authority of internal affairs to Sir Cezier, and he made preparations for departure, and is now on standby in the army."

"Is that so?" After listening to the report, Hektorf showed a bit of surprise on his face. After thinking for a while, he shook his head and said with a smile, "Hehe, it seems that I thought too much, that guy is really a coward!"

"Okay," he glanced at his subordinates who didn't dare to speak, "The war opportunity is fleeting, and those troublesome guys have already gone far, and there is no longer any delay - order the various departments, and we will set off immediately."

"Yes!"

At ten o'clock in the morning, with Hector and his 50 personal guards as the core, nearly [-] soldiers hastily gathered in Karen City set out from the north gate, and all military and political affairs in the city were entrusted to the Karen City Defense Force Chief of Staff Cecil, this person was originally the military secretary Hector brought from Rodel when he took office, and he was also his most trusted confidant.

On the top of the city, looking at the high-spirited army going away, Cezier ordered the city gate to be closed, and arranged for a small number of sergeants to perform their duties, keep an eye on the movement outside the city at any time, and report to him immediately once a sentry horse comes back.

Everyone in the city knows that the Sentinels under the command of the Consul have bitten the rebellious sub-human tribes who have been rebelling in the Karen area recently. Judging from the record of the Consul against these rebels in the past three years, no one will It is believed that there is a possibility of defeat in this battle, and even for the soldiers staying in the city, what they lost was an excellent opportunity to gain military exploits.

But there is no way. Unlike those lucky comrades, most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled left over from the previous ruling era, rather than the new army built by Hector in recent years. Naturally, they are not welcome.However, although there were complaints in their stomachs, facing the military order just issued by the Lord Staff, everyone could only do their best to implement it. All the veterans on and off the city wall were active at that moment, leaving Cecil alone nearby to watch the fading away. soot.

No one noticed that a faint crimson mist flashed away in the pupils of this always prudent staff officer.

"Your Highness," Olvins, one of the commanders of the Storm Knights, came to Lucia to report, "The dragon warrior in charge of the communication has just sent back the news from Captain Eggy Kiss that the Asian-human coalition army has set up an army at the Sunset Pass. Ambush, besides, Soretto and Turak have just announced to the soldiers that they will be allowed to plunder for three days after capturing Karen, and there will be no military discipline during this period.”

On the other side, Guerrell had received the news that the Karen City Guards were going out half an hour ago. Under the guidance of the guards, Hectorf "surprised" towards the enemy's position, but he didn't know What's more, his proud eyes and ears have already been fully controlled by Clivell with the use of perfumery. If the demi-human coalition army is compared to a giant spider waiting for an opportunity, then Karen's sentinel has turned into a monster at this time. A massive net that leads prey into the abyss.

And Lucia, who was secretly controlling everything at the highest point, had already left the large force headed for Dedas at this moment, and brought Elder Morrell, two knight commanders, Olvins and Anacia, and twenty of the most elite storm knights. Came to a hilly area only fifty miles away from the sunset pass, quietly waiting for the final moment of closing the net.

After listening to Olvins' report, Lucia was stunned for a moment, then sighed softly: "It's a pity for Kruger."

Early this morning, the flying dragon warrior sent by him to contact Egg Kiss brought back the news that Kruger was dead. It is embarrassing that after the half-breed old priest who had been working hard for decades died of illness, what did he really do for him? Only dozens of aged veterans from the Shuofeng Tribe mourned bitterly, and the rest of the Chinese army only showed signs of sympathy.

Being able to unite [-] coalition forces from dozens of tribes in the south of Gemir with his own prestige and the strength of a small part of Shuofeng is enough to show that Kruger's prestige is high. However, only a few weeks after the formation of the coalition forces, this prestige He and Zhui Dai have fallen into such a situation, how can we not make people feel sad for him?

"Alvins," Lucia, who was sitting on a boulder, looked back at the young officer beside him, "After this matter is over, I intend to let you stay in Karen for a few years, and stay in Clareville as an aide. side, to help him quell the chaos in the city by force, and to ensure his loyalty to us—are you willing?"

The young knight commander was slightly taken aback, "Your Highness is still worried about him?"

Lucia shook his head, "Personal likes and dislikes are one thing, but the responsibility of being in power is another. I thought about it a lot last night. Since we want to use him, we are ready to kill thousands of lives for it." If you are enlightened, you must ensure its role.”

He looked down at the rolling hills and valleys below. The barren maroon soil of Gemel piled up to form an endless wasteland, extending to the end of the horizon. They all look warm—but everyone on this mountaintop knows that soon, blood will flow into rivers on this land.

"If decades later, we come back here and find that everything here has not changed because of your actions today - then we are also damned people, right?" he said calmly.

Olvins stared blankly at the back shining under the sun. After a long time, he bowed deeply with an unprecedented solemn gesture, and said, "As you wish."

(End of this chapter)