The Last King Of Darkness
Chapter 323 - 228 We Are Sure to Win

Chapter 323: Chapter 228 We Are Sure to Win

The battle group heading out on the expedition was pulled from the Conquest Legion.

The group’s Captain was O’Hara, and the Vice-Captain was Conrad, both Fifth Level Combatants, just like Rod.

Although Rod’s outward age was less than half of theirs, neither felt any discomfort, but followed his commands completely.

The combatants were slightly younger, ranging from twenty to thirty years old, all Seventh Level warriors, totaling a hundred.

They were all high in spirits, boiling with passion for the pioneering mission that lay ahead.

Bringing more light to the Dark World is the unchanging desire in the heart of every human being.

In Trolian, pioneering new spaces naturally felt right, it was just the harsh external pressure that forced them to be conservative.

But the dream never changed, it just became more distant.

Whenever news of a successful pioneering arrived, whenever a new Guardian Fire was lit, Trolian would be abuzz, most evidently shown by the large increase in efficiency of the workshops, and a little later, by the packed taverns and sharp rise in alcohol sales.

Every Pioneer returning to the Royal City would be treated like a hero and became a figure sung about by countless citizens.

These warriors harbored the same expectations.

To realize their dreams, to become heroes, was a matter far more important than life itself.

Therefore, they had great respect for the Commander who could help them fulfill their wishes, and pinned high hopes on him.

Trolian longed profoundly for a genius.

The younger one was, the stronger one’s powers, the more they were sought after, not rejected.

Who wouldn’t want to see the rise of a new star of hope?

Who wouldn’t want to fight alongside that new star, be protected by it, be carried aloft by it?

So, they felt no envy towards the young-looking Rod, only admiration, worship, and respect.

After all, he had reached the rank of Fifth Level Combatant at such a young age.

Many here may not achieve that threshold in their entire lives.

Both Captains felt the same, but being older and having seen more of the world, they weren’t as impulsive as the younger soldiers.

They knew this mission was extremely difficult, with a slim chance of success.

This was not uncommon in Trolian’s history, many times it was a choice made out of necessity.

What was strange this time was that the mission was an expedition into the Dark World launched during a relatively stable situation, and one that didn’t preclude choice.

The force configuration provided by the Royal City for the team under such circumstances seemed far too small for an expedition to Star Town.

Although the location of Star Town couldn’t yet be called the depths of darkness, it was already quite a distance from the Royal City, with the danger level marked in deep red on the maps, just half a step away from the most dangerous black.

Why would the Royal City make such a strange choice?

The two Captains exchanged a glance, and both saw deep concern in each other’s eyes.

So, not long after the caravan left the Royal City, both of them jumped onto the Commander’s carriage as if by some unspoken agreement.

Both the Commander and the Vice-Commander were inside the carriage.

Before they could push open the carriage door, they heard the Vice-Commander’s voice.

"Overall, the team is well-equipped, but the details are not sensible, and as a fighting force, our combat power is seriously lacking..."

The two Captains looked at each other and immediately said in unison, "Vice-Commander, you’re absolutely right."

Inside the carriage, Molly was analyzing the current situation to Rod, and when she heard their voices, she looked up and asked, "Captains, is there something wrong?"

Rod pushed open the carriage door.

Both Captains stood outside, the jolting carriage having no effect on them.

O’Hara had a burly figure, a square face, and thick eyebrows.

His Soul Trait was just like he appeared on the surface—"Pure Steel Body," a very brave front-line warrior.

Conrad, on the other hand, was slender, and his Soul Trait was "Blast," anything touched by his fingers would explode, the degree depending on the difference in Spiritual Energy at the contact point, making him a very sinister front-line warrior.

O’Hara bowed and said, "Commander, we had to leave in a hurry and didn’t perform an inspection, so I’d like to report the specifics of our forces to the Commander."

"In the battle group for this expedition, we have a total of one hundred combatants."

"One Fire Guardian who carries the Guardian Fire, two logistics personnel with medical and Purification abilities, and one production personnel capable of making Potions and Fuel Elements."

"Total supplies weigh in at seven tons, with three thousand combat supplies, one thousand combat Potions, and one thousand Recovery Potions."

Conrad said, "As Miss Molly mentioned, our configuration is complete, but the details are not sensible."

"One hundred combatants, although their sequences and Characteristics are all different, they are all physical combatants, with Traits that only aid them in close-combat."

"We lack middle and rear personnel, we have no Assistants, scouts, or long-range fire support."

O’Hara spoke in a grave tone, "The worst part is, our supplies are also insufficient, with only about ten corresponding Potions per combatant, which is just enough for a regular mission, yet we’re embarking on a conquest mission, intended to explore the Dark World and claim Star Town, sunken in the Dark World."

Rod noticed the anxiety in their hearts and said with a smile, "Don’t worry, the Royal City will provide sufficient logistical support, these are just the initial supplies."

They felt somewhat relieved.

Rod continued, "Although we lack mid and rear combatants, if we move in squad formation, the impact won’t be significant, and front-line combatants have the strongest ability to handle danger, making them more suitable for exploration in hazardous environments."

"The most crucial point is that we have an exceptionally strong mid and rear combatant right here."

Rod smiled and pointed to himself.

"A complete Spiritual Visionary, a long-lasting Spiritual Power Cannon king, an invincible Summoner, and a genius Commander brimming with wisdom—you can completely trust me."

Rod had a confident smile on his face.

"Under the gaze of my unparalleled intellect, the success rate of this mission is one thousand percent, please rest assured."

Humanity +51

Done.

Indeed, both captains revealed smiles from the depths of their hearts.

"So that’s how it is, that’s really great."

"The actions of the Royal City truly involve deep considerations; we were too superficial."

"As expected of the Black Glutton, renowned and tested in the Royal City."

"Commander, if you have any orders, please command us directly!"

Rod said with a smile, "Very well."

The two captains stood up, took a light leap, and jumped back onto their own carriages.

Rod closed the carriage door.

Molly said calmly, "Not bad, you’ve already mastered the most important quality of a commander, steadying people’s hearts."

Rod laughed, "I’ve always been a quick learner."

But Molly’s serious face showed no sign of praise.

"Now let’s continue talking about the problem of Star Town."

She spread out a map with the terrain and monster distribution of Star Town and the surrounding areas, most of which were marked in deep red.

"The main structure of Star Town is quite large; the widest point from east to west is 23 thousand yards, and from north to south is 7 thousand yards, spindle-shaped."

"Most of the buildings are intact. Legend has it that on the day of obliteration, Star Town was attacked by dark nightmares, and all the residents died in their sleep."

"Beneath Star Town, there is an abundance of minerals, capable of producing high-quality True Silver and gemstones, and surrounding it are deposits of exceptionally high-quality Spirit Crystal Ore and Sun Stone."

The carriage flew over the rugged road, Rod bounced around painfully on the hard plank seat without any shock-absorption system.

While Molly was able to sit on it without changing her expression, still able to think clearly and explain the various problems they were facing with clear regulations.

Rod’s admiration for Molly grew even more.

Molly paused for a moment, then continued.

"According to the information from the Investigation Legion, Star Town is teeming with massive monsters and soulless corpses, with a regional threat far exceeding the fighting power of our team."

"Therefore, we can only establish an outpost on the periphery and slowly eat away at the inside."

"But the key issue is that we don’t have a suitable location."

"South of Star Town lies Ghost Spirit Lake, to the north is Black Water Swamp, to the west is the even more dangerous Isone Ruins, roamed by Strong Monsters we simply cannot handle, and to the east lies the most troublesome creature lairs."

"These are underground cities, possibly built as refuges by the Starry Kingdom, which have been polluted by the Abyssal Aura, and are full of Abnormal Demons and Abyss Monsters."

"Under no circumstances can we disturb them; otherwise, our whole army would be wiped out, and the expedition mission would be a direct failure."

"Considering all this, we can only establish a base on the outer side of Black Water Swamp."

"But by doing so, the day we occupy Star Town becomes infinitely distant; we may not even be able to establish a safe route through Black Water Swamp by this time next year."

Molly’s expression was uncharacteristically dim.

"The Supreme Council has given us far from enough power; we are too restrained."

Rod stroked his chin and looked at the map, falling into deep thought.

Molly also tactfully stopped explaining.

The only sounds left in the carriage were the intense vibrations of the vehicle.

——

Royal City.

Horus looked at the still unrecovered Holy Fire, his heart filled with worry and anxiety.

"Why has it come to this..."

——

Without the deterrence of the King, the dissenters have become quite active.

In the Levill residence.

Three Chief Judges gathered together, each face beaming with smiles.

Amoli said, "I’ve already sent out my most capable Shadow; he’s lying in wait near Star Town, ready to throw a fire pot filled with Corrosive Material into the lair as soon as they get close. The ensuing Monster Tide will immediately overwhelm them."

Krama laughed, "That’s right, deliver a blow to the head, kill them outright, and let’s see what those war fanatics who think nothing of human lives have to say."

"Hahaha, making them face the facts is my favorite thing to do."

Levill opened a bottle of thirty-year-old Red Moon Mushroom Wine, and its rich aroma instantly filled the entire residence.

He said with a beaming smile, "Let’s celebrate the soon-to-be-reopened Charity Mill."

The deep red wine soon filled three crystal glasses.

The three raised their glasses together.

"To the approaching peace."

"To a stable life in Trolian."

"And to our wealth."

"Cheers!"

Clang!

The sparkling crystal glasses touched, the deep red liquid swirled within them.

The three drank in one gulp.

"Haha, we’re sure to win!"