Heart of the Castle

Chapter 857 Tarlon, The Longest Day ([-])

The little council on the second wall of Tarlon's Keep lasted all night, and the torches around it burned all night.It wasn't until dawn that the soldiers changing guard saw the regent of the Kingdom of Deldes, Grand Duke Zandora, hurrying across the narrow ramp and heading towards the main fortress.Since he hadn't slept all night, the Grand Duke's face was a little strangely pale, but he looked very energetic, and one could even feel a high-spirited fighting spirit between his vigorous steps.

The high-spirited posture of the leader greatly encouraged the fighting spirit of the Deldes people. Where Grand Duke Zandora walked, the knights knocked on their breastplates one after another, and the soldiers also clenched their weapons.Amidst the silence and high spirits, few people noticed that the ordinary-looking guard knight who usually followed Grand Duke Zandora did not leave with him, but stayed on the second city wall.

Restoration Robinson was half leaning on the crenel of the city wall made of rough stones, holding a rough wooden harp in his arms.The timbre of the harp was poor, and the pitch was not in place, but the Blazing Angel was enjoying himself quite a bit. The funny little tunes were played one after another, melodious, but the sound of the harp was intermittent, flowing from the harp in his hand. Echoes among the many tall towers and platforms stacked on top of each other.

The head of the Judgment Hammer Knights made Layton's figure walk out of the morning mist on the other side of the city wall, holding a bowl of steaming broth in his left hand, and a whole loaf of hard black bread in his right hand.As the commander-in-chief of the whole army, Jean Leighton is certainly qualified to sit in the banquet hall of the main fortress and enjoy fresh and delicious delicacies. However, since the day he led the knights to the Tarlon Fortress, there has never been a record of eating alone. Always eat the same rough food and sleep on the same hard bed as ordinary soldiers.

Commander Layton walked slowly among the soldiers who were eating, greeted them with a smile, and finally came to the side of the blazing angel who was entertaining himself.

"Your Excellency Rist Robinson, if you don't go again, those monkey cubs probably won't leave you with a bite to eat." Commander Layton placed the wooden bowl in the recess of the battlements , said with a smile. "They always had a good appetite. I miss it. I used to have the same appetite as them."

"Appetite has never been a perplexity for those who serve the gods of light." Rist replied with a drawn out voice, and then let go of the harp, allowing it to fall from the top of the city. "The sky is a bit gloomy and the fog is very heavy. It seems that it may rain today."

"That's good. If it rains, at least the flaming whips of the abyss refining demons won't be so scary." Chief Leighton took a bite of the bread and said in a good mood.

Rist glanced at him in surprise, "You seem to be in a good mood? Jean Leighton, I thought you already understood that the high walls of Fort Tarlon can't stop the demon army's footsteps, and your lives are too No. Even if Master Li Wei leads the army to support in time, he may not be able to protect the fortress from the hands of the great lord of the abyss, Amur Hydras. The strong will be able to contend with existence."

"I know very well." Commander Leighton replied softly, with the smile on his face never disappearing, "Your Excellency Levi Ston must consider the interests of the Arthur Kingdom, and the timing is not right. If he leads an army to appear at this time Next to Tarlon Fortress, the vast majority of the fortress guards will definitely regard them as the invading troops of the Kingdom of Arthur, rather than the righteous army to save us."

"Since you have learned about the unfortunate outcome of the fall of Tarlon Fortress, why are you still laughing?" Rist raised an eyebrow and shook his head in surprise, "If it's the lunatics of Sword of Sin If you don’t, I believe they can take it calmly, but you—Jean Layton—are not a cold-blooded soldier, and your hammer of judgment has never been swung against innocent people, women and children, even if they do not believe in the Lord of Radiance.”

"The gods in the sky are not just the lord of glory, Flandara." Layton put down the wooden bowl in his hand, and calmly said something that would definitely shock many Guangyao bishops, "Restrubin Sir, I am very grateful for the long conversation with you last night, and I will be able to sort out my beliefs before leaving this world. Of course, I will feel full of joy, confidence, and no regrets."

"You are a truly devout believer." Rist nodded approvingly, "If faith can really form a strong defense wall, then Tarlon Fortress may really be safe with a commander like you. However... the reality is always too cruel to imagine, let Leighton, today is probably the day when the demon army will launch a general attack, how are you going to deal with it?"

"It's very simple. I am going to lead all the guardian knights of the Judgment Hammer Knights, plus the brave warriors who have the courage to sacrifice themselves, to fight to the death with those abyssal demons on this city wall." Chief Layton shrugged his shoulders and put The last piece of black bread was put into his mouth, and he took a swig of broth to send it down.

"It's a stupid way." Rist commented, "This city wall is too wide, so there are many places for the demon army to break through. If the battlefield is placed on the fourth city wall, it may last for a long time. Some."

"In front of the teleportation magic of the lord-level demon, is there any difference between the second and fourth walls?" Chief Layton turned his head with a half-smile, his eyes sparkling in the gray morning light.

"Indeed...no." Rist thought for a while, then nodded, and talked about another topic, "then other people... those who no longer want to continue fighting, are scared to the point of insanity by the terrible scene People, people who have lost their fighting spirit, what are you going to do with them?"

"In the name of the fortress commander, I have given an order to Grand Duke Zandorah to open the south-facing gate of Tarlon Fortress. Anyone who is unwilling to continue this battle that is bound to fail can leave freely, including Ordinary soldiers, martial art masters, elite knights and mid-level commanders, as well as guardian knights and priests."

A look of astonishment appeared on Rist's face again, "Jean Layton, you really did a thorough job, but if you let them go, the guarding power of Tarlon Fortress will really be empty."

"What's the use of keeping them?" The head of the Judgment Hammer Knights stood up and looked in the direction of the death pass, "Ordinary soldiers can't cause any damage to the demon lord, and those who can barely master the fighting spirit The knights of strength are the same, without firm belief and the determination to face death as home, even if the weapons in their hands hit the body of a demon, the spear will only break, and the blade will only crack, which will have no effect."

Rist nodded slightly, and then showed a very concealed smile.

A loud noise came from behind the second city wall. It seemed that someone was arguing with the guards. Obviously, the ruling knights couldn't stop the coming for too long, because in less than 2 minutes, the loud noise He quickly approached the city.

"It seems that we have some annoying guests." Chief Layton shrugged, and looked back from a distance, "I seem to have heard the voices of Zabiro and Drax, as if And Bishop Simmler."

"Simler...are you talking about that gorgeously dressed fat pig?" Rist glanced at the direction where the noise came from, and then commented bitterly, "It seems that the food quality of the Temple of Glory is really good. True. But I'd prefer to see a bishop like Roander, though it might be uncivilized for him to roll up his sleeves and show his muscular arms."

As soon as Chief Leighton's smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, he had to suppress it as much as possible, because the "gorgeously dressed fat pig" in Rist's mouth had already climbed to the top of the city panting. The figure yelled in a shrill voice, "The Lord of Glory! Let Brother Layton, how could you be deceived by that hypocrite and let him get your warrant? Do you know? Just now, that The hypocrites have led tens of thousands of deserters and cowards to open the southern gate of Tallon Fortress, and they all fled!"

"Lord Bishop Simmler, please don't get excited, don't get excited." Chief Jean Layton replied in a calm and soft voice, "Please believe that I am not bewitched by anyone. Open the south gate and let Those who leave all leave, this order was made after my deliberation."

"What?" Bishop Simmler's voice, which was originally shrill and unpleasant due to excitement, suddenly doubled again, and it sounded like the dying wail of a domestic pig that had been stabbed with a knife. "Brother Jean Layton, how can you do this? Without those guard soldiers, what will we use to defend the glory of the Lord of Glory, Flandara, and what will we use to defend this Tarlon Fortress?"

"Use life, but not all life." Jean Layton replied lightly, "The next battle is not to defend the fortress, nor is it to show the sacrifice spirit of the devout believers of the Lord of Light, but to express to those abyss demons It’s just the unyielding belief of human beings, since this is the case, what’s the use of leaving those ordinary soldiers and frightened knights behind?”

"Damn it, we can set up a team of supervisors and use the death penalty to force them to go to the city to fight!" Bishop Simmler waved his hands vigorously, and roared, "As a citizen of the Shining Alliance, I have to ask my lord Fran Dara's obligation to sacrifice his life is an iron law! They must fight and defend the Lord of Radiance..."

"Someone will die for the Lord of Radiance, but only if they are willing." Jean Leighton frowned and replied, "My lord Simmler, I originally thought that the Lord of Radiance, Flandala, was not a person who needed a blood sacrifice to be satisfied." The evil god, but from your words, it seems that the truth is not the case?"

Bishop Simmler opened his mouth wide and remained silent for several seconds as if he had been choked by something, before he yelled out in shock. "It's blasphemy, blasphemy! Let Leighton, just for these few blasphemous words, you should be punished, at least a week of hunger strike and prayer can be forgiven!" He turned his head, which was almost neckless, to follow behind "Brother Zabiro, as the interim archbishop, I order you to replace Jean Leighton as the commander-in-chief of Fort Tarlon; Brother Dracos, go and close the southward gate immediately , and sent troops to hunt down the deserters, especially the Grand Duke Zandora, he must be captured alive, Cardinal St. Bogdan has long been looking forward to seeing this false believer tied to the stake!"

Zabiro and Zorax looked at each other, and they both saw the hesitation in each other's eyes.Among the four guardian knight orders of the Glory Temple, the sword of condemnation is undoubtedly the strongest. However, since most of the high-level commanders of this knight order are fanatics, many tasks that do not require terrifying killings are usually given to The Judgment Hammer Knights came to execute it, and as the Grand Duke with a sword, Jean Layton also had a high prestige among the guardian knights.

From another point of view, Ingram Siegfried, head of the Sword of Condemnation, often listens to the opinions of this experienced and quick-witted senior apologist knight.

As for the Shield of Fortitude and the Armor of Sacredness, these two knights of the apologists are often used as the accompanying guards of the high-level temples. Their actual combat experience is far inferior to the first two, and their prestige is even worse. In my mind, these two apologist knights are simply guards of honor.

Under the repeated urging of Bishop Simler, Zabiro had no choice but to take two steps forward, but before he could speak, Chief Layton waved his hand, "Brother Zabiro, some do not have authority You don’t have to obey the order, only a cardinal has the right to temporarily remove a head of the Knights of the Apologists from his position, and ordinary regional bishops have no right to do so.”

Zabiro, who was originally full of reluctance, immediately stopped and said the answer that made Bishop Simler's eyes widen, "I see, let Master Layton."

"You don't have to obey the order to close the city gate, Brother Drax, because as the commander-in-chief of the fortress, my authority to issue orders is higher than that of Bishop Simler." Let Leighton immediately turn to the other side, his tone There is a faint taste of toughness.

"As I wish, let Master Layton." Dracos stopped without any complaints, turned around, and tapped the breastplate with his fist.

This incident obviously caused Bishop Simler to panic, "You... you! It's... This is a betrayal, a betrayal!" He staggered back, holding the crenel next to the descending ramp with his hand, "I want to pray to St. Cardinal Bogdan accuses you of betrayal, I, I want to meet His Majesty Pope Nicholas!"

"That's your right, Lord Bishop Simmler, just go ahead and do it." Layton waved his hand impatiently, "If you've finished speaking, please leave here, This is also for your safety, because in a few 10 minutes, this place will become a battlefield to fight the devil."

Bishop Simmler took a deep breath. It seemed that he was going to use screaming and cursing as a counterattack weapon, but perhaps because Layton's last words made him feel dangerous, the bishop didn't say anything in the end. , just glanced viciously at these people on the top of the city, as if he wanted to engrave all their faces in his heart, and then quickly walked down the ramp and left the city wall.

Seeing the back of Bishop Simler disappearing into the morning mist, Zabiro, the deputy chief of the Shield of Constancy, sighed worriedly, "Master Chief Layton, you shouldn't... you shouldn't Such a strong resistance to the orders of Bishop Simler, he may be just a vulgar little person, but behind him stands Cardinal St. Bogdan, the only remaining cardinal among the high-level members of the Shining Temple. "

"Tallon Fortress won't last that long. I even doubt that with Bishop Simler's exaggerated and long-winded writing style, he can finish his letter of complaint before the fortress falls." Chief Layton said in a relaxed tone. replied, and then straightened up suddenly, "Oh, Brother Roander, you're back, and it's good to see you back in that attire."

The figure of Bishop Roander, who had put on the Judgment Knight standard armor, appeared at the end of the ramp. It can be seen that this armor has been carefully maintained and polished by skillful hands, and the golden Sunburst Warhammer emblem on the chest has been polished to glisten.But from another point of view, this armor also looks quite old. Judging from the traces of re-weaving several times on the edge of the chain mail, it may be an antique hundreds of years ago.

"My lord of glory, I never knew that steel armor can also be made smaller!" Bishop Roander looked angrily, his face flushed like blood, "Do you know why I have been away for so long? Because I couldn't put on this suit Family armor, I have to send my trainee priest to borrow a pair of pliers!"

"Dear brother Roander, I don't think the armor will become smaller." Chief Layton laughed jokingly, walked over and tapped the belly of the armor, "Obviously, with Bishop Simler The same eating habits have already made your waistline a lot bigger, but it doesn't matter, as long as you fight for a few days, this armor will definitely fit again."

"That's really great." Bishop Roander curled his lips, and then his eyes flicked in the direction of the death pass, his expression suddenly stiffened. "My merciful Father God! Look, those demons are climbing the city wall, and they are about to attack!"

Headmaster Layton quickly turned around, and the scene in front of him proved that what Bishop Roander said was right. A large number of demons were gathering at the dilapidated top of the first city wall, as if they were accumulating streams of red and black turbidity. Flow, they raised their arms high, uttering rude and ugly curses and roars, trying to rush in like a flood breaking a dike, submerging the entire Tarlon Fortress in a sea of ​​blood!
(End of this chapter)