The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 606: Volume 16: Hazy Darkness - 1: Sudden Rainstorm

Chapter 606: Volume 16: Hazy Darkness Chapter 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.

Taking a deep breath, the middle-aged gentleman certainly understood the importance of this order. Everyone was clear about the significance of St. Nicholas Fortress to the Lemon Province, and now the notion of abandonment was nearly inconceivable. It was almost like leaving Lemon and the entire northern kingdom exposed for the beastmen to ravage. It was no wonder the man was so enraged.

"Wagner, I need to tell you that this is an order personally issued by the Duke," the middle-aged gentleman’s face darkened as his tone became somewhat cold and stern. "I’ve shown you the Duke’s signet, the Knight’s regiment is already making preparations and will soon depart. If you continue to hold to your views, I suggest you return to Bania Ruka and inquire with the Duke himself. But for now, you must carry out the order." It seemed this fellow was indeed more stubborn than he had anticipated, and he might have to resort to measures he wished to avoid.

"No, no, this can’t be! I cannot accept this order. It is a crime against Leman and the entire kingdom. We are fully capable of resisting the beastmen’s invasion, even if they bring battering rams. What about the Mage Corps? Have the men of the Knight’s regiment turned cowardly? We have the power to teach those beastmen a lesson!" Wagner roared in desperate frustration, undeterred by the indifferent gaze of the other man. "Even if we have to retreat, we must first inform the Golden Oak Legion at Gratz Fortress in the Northwest, or they will be blindsided by a beastmen attack from behind, and the consequences will be unimaginable!"

The middle-aged gentleman’s eyes instantly became dark and gloomy, and his cold presence suddenly made it hard for Wagner to catch his breath. His slender, pale hands unconsciously caressed each other, as if pondering something, "Wagner, it seems you have forgotten your position. Your first obligation is to be loyal to Duke Nissa, and only after that can you consider other matters. Notifying the Golden Oak Legion is not something you should concern yourself with."

"But, once we fall back, the beastmen lurking outside will surge in. What will we do then? Even if we retreat to west of the Colorado River, what will become of the kingdom?" Wagner knew that saying this might bring greater trouble upon himself, but the knight’s code demanded that he remain firm.

"Wagner, it seems you do indeed care deeply for the kingdom. However, we have already notified the Golden Oak Legion; they should be making necessary preparations. Look, haven’t they already sent someone to communicate?" the middle-aged knight said with a kindly smile, casually pointing to Wagner’s flank, adding contentedly.

Wagner turned in surprise, but saw no one. Confused, he turned back, only to see a sharp, thin saw-toothed sword being withdrawn from below his waist. The armor failed to prevent the perfectly thrust blade, and blood sprayed from his abdomen, instantly staining the middle-aged gentleman’s white shirt a vivid red. He didn’t feel any pain, but it was as though all his strength was suddenly drained from him, and a wave of dizziness enveloped him.

The middle-aged knight, unruffled, took out a silk handkerchief and meticulously wiped the saw-toothed sword while smiling and appraising Wagner, who was on the brink of collapse, as though nothing had happened. He seemed to thoroughly relish the thrill of a backstabbing, and the once-pristine handkerchief retained only a trail of red after wiping the sword, a faint symbol of something.

"Why? Why do this?" Wagner said in a daze, his hand clutching desperately at his side, the precision of the other’s thrust nearly robbing him of his breath. It was only the resolute will in his mind that kept his body from slumping to the ground.

"It’s simple, you are ignorant of the times, lack understanding, and are stubbornly opinionated. People like you find it difficult to survive in this world and can only be eliminated," said the knight as he elegantly tied a knot in the blood-stained silk and tossed it out the window, carefully sheathing the saw-toothed sword in a scabbard at his waist. A rare, shallow smile crossed his face. "I forgot to tell you, although I am a knight, I also served for a time as an assassin, a high-ranking one. I am very sorry to have to use such methods on you now; it has been a long time since I did. But I have to sincerely say, you indeed are a true knight, it’s just that this world seems no longer to value true knights."

Wagner’s dull eyes suddenly lost their light, and his body crashed to the ground, his armor striking the floor with a crisp, pleasing metallic ring. The middle-aged knight stood before the knight he had just slain with some regret, shaking his head after a long while and sighing, "Why bother?"

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