The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 910: Volume 29, Remote Sword Qi, - 4: Predetermined

Chapter 910: Volume 29, Remote Sword Qi, Chapter 4: Predetermined

As the leader of Galle’s armed forces, Susanov also felt the situation was challenging. Troops from the Homer border region had already largely withdrawn. Faced with the dire situation on the northern border, Susanov had no choice but to do so, but the fact that the Homer Army had remained motionless on the eastern border left him uneasy. Although the Homer Army had not taken the opportunity to attack, their forces had not diminished. This meant that at any time, Homer could launch an offensive, and for Galle at present, the defense forces left in the east appeared too weak.

"Duke, perhaps we should have a serious talk with them. The situation will only get worse if this continues. Riots have broken out in several cities, and I fear that if we can’t quickly put an end to the beastmen’s brutality, the situation will spiral out of control," said Susanov after a long silence. The Duke had yet to make a decision, and Susanov felt he had no choice but to speak up.

"Talk with Komer? What kind of result do you think we’ll get if we go talk to him now?" Duke Zellin sneered, "You don’t understand Komer. His appetite is anything but ordinary. All he has been doing is waiting for this opportunity. According to information from Nissa, the beastmen should have been satisfied with the current situation and coexisted peacefully with us. I’m very suspicious if the beastmen’s sudden change of mind in their attack on Galle and Silesia has anything to do with him."

"Duke, now is not the time to consider this issue. If we allow these beastmen to continue rampaging, I’m afraid the northern part of Galle will turn into a land of turmoil, and it might even spread across the entire Galle," said Susanov with a worried face. "You know the beastmen have a large appetite now, and they are no longer content with looting before leaving. Their common people will follow close behind, seizing land to settle and grow roots. This is very dangerous."

Zellin understood this but in his eyes, Komer was even more dangerous. He believed his understanding of Komer was profound—a man with insatiable greed, and a threat to Galle more significant than the beastmen, who were relatively simpler-minded.

Seeing that the Duke remained silent, merely shaking his head, Susanov’s worry deepened, "Sir, if you think it’s not appropriate to do so, perhaps our only options are to borrow troops from Basarabia or Bohemia, or to seek help from the Northern Alliance?"

Duke Zellin Stolten still maintained silence. It was not what he wished for. Help from Basarabia was unlikely; it seemed they were already cozying up Komer. Bohemia? Even with the connection of Blamonte, borrowing troops wasn’t as simple as borrowing a few mages and Magic Knights. Blamonte couldn’t make that decision, not to mention the tremendous pressure Blamonte now faced after the last operation, unless Newman Manuel II himself was willing, but that was quite unlikely. As for the Northern Alliance, Attica and Knossos had always been on bad terms with Nicosia. To ask them for military aid, he would need to pay a substantial price.

"Susanov, do you think we stand absolutely no chance against the beastmen?"

Susanov was taken aback, then bitter, "Duke, it’s not that I’m undermining our own martial power, but even if we were to mobilize all our forces for a battle against the beastmen, regardless of the outcome, our losses would be extremely severe. And by then, if the Homer People truly have any ulterior motives, we would be completely powerless to resist."

"Mr. Susanov, you are too pessimistic. Our Nirvana Knights completely have the confidence to defeat those crude beastmen. If we could receive some help, I firmly believe our Nirvana Knights could teach those beastmen a harsh lesson," Sart said with a sharp gaze and a face brimming with boundless confidence.

"Mr. Bonmings, please forgive my bluntness, but with the current power of the beastmen’s Wolf riders and Berserker Warriors, they cannot be resisted by Galle alone. I have never thought that the strength of our army surpasses that of the former Kingdom of Nicosia’s Golden Oak Legion or Fire Shadow Knights," Susanov had no fondness toward this man who enjoyed armchair strategy. He also knew how disdainful this heir of the Bonmings Family was towards him, which further fueled his anger.

"Haha, Mr. Susanov, it seems it’s you who has been frightened out of your wits by the beastmen. They may flaunt before common people, but in front of us Nirvana Knights, they are but a bunch of clumsy farmers," Sart Bonmings regarded the hesitant commander of the army with contempt. He could never understand why the Duke would appoint such a country bumpkin to command the prestigious army.

"Silence!"

"Enough!"

Duke Zellin and another knight shouted angrily at the overly presumptuous Knight Sart, as it was an open disrespect to superiors. If no stern reprimand was given, Susanov would lose his authority.

Chastised by Duke Zellin and the Nirvana Knights Corps Commander Lehman, Sart did not show much sign of subordination; he simply gave a cold knightly salute and haughtily departed, making the entire atmosphere even more awkward.

"Duke, it seems Knight Sart has a deep misunderstanding of me. I’m not timid or fearful, but this concerns the fate of the entire Galle. I never underestimate our enemies, and Susanov does not dare to shirk his responsibilities. I hope for your understanding, Sir," said Susanov, unfazed by Sart’s disrespect. These nobly born individuals were mostly alike, perhaps Corps Commander Lehman Kretian was an exception.

"You needn’t take it to heart, Sate’s words were unintentional," Zellin also spoke with reservations, as he had little mind to console the commander of the army at the moment; he first needed to consider how to navigate the dire straits before him. "Susanov, I believe we must first engage in combat with the Beastmen. Only through battle can we make the Beastmen realize that Galle will never submit to their tyranny, and only then will we have the leverage to negotiate."

Susanov managed a bitter smile.

It seemed the Duke still hadn’t given up, always believing that the Beastmen were not as formidable as the legends suggested. Yet now wasn’t the time to speak further; Knight Sate represented a significant portion of the Galleian upper echelons who had little regard for the kingdom’s martial strength, especially when the Four Great Lords openly opposed the "Utrecht Decree." Even with the strength of the Golden Oak, Iron Cross, and Blue Dove regiments, along with the Fire Shadow Knights at its disposal, the kingdom still hesitated to move against the Four Great Lords. This greatly fueled the belief that the kingdom’s power was but a paper tiger, formidable only in appearance.

However, Susanov didn’t hold that view. He wasn’t sure about the newly formed Blue Dove, but he was well aware of the combat strength of regiments like Golden Oak and Iron Cross. Their veteran status meant they were not something his own Galle Army could compare to, yet even the Golden Oak had been routed by the Beastman Army. Perhaps there were various objective factors, but it was sufficient to prove the formidable nature of the Beastman forces.

But Duke Zellin had already made up his mind, and Susanov could not voice further objections. He could only do his utmost to prepare for the upcoming battle, hoping it wouldn’t bring fatal harm to Galle.

Komer raised his eyebrows in surprise; he really hadn’t expected these fellows to dare show up before him. He couldn’t help but feel a certain fondness for the leader before him—although the man had nearly taken his life, he didn’t harbor much resentment, since back then, everyone walked their own path. Now, it seemed this group had even joined forces with Vladimir Koff, making his dream of forming a knight regiment seem possible.

"Jack Mason."

"Morssen Menoa."

"Peter Kuraso."

Before Vladimir Koff could finish his introductions, Komer already started laughing, "Vladimir Koff, didn’t they tell you? We’ve met before."

"Lord, they’ve told me, but I said it didn’t matter," Vladimir Koff nonchalantly nodded, clearly understanding Komer’s attitude very well.

"Oh? It seems you know me quite well, Vladimir Koff. And these friends, they trust you as well?" Komer asked with interest, observing the composed group.

"Lord Komer, I never thought you would act against their interests," Vladimir Koff said bluntly, "They share the same sentiment with me."

"Heh, I’m truly flattered," Komer shook his head, "Fine, let’s leave the past behind. But I must say, the three of you left a deep impression on me in the Great Greenland Forest. Mm, fallen knights, I presume Vladimir Koff has already shared his thoughts with you, and since you’ve joined him, you must accept his ideas. I have nothing more to add, there are no special restraints here targeting anyone; freedom is paramount. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have accepted Vladimir Koff’s invitation. All I hope is that you can fully prove yourselves in the performances to come."

The open-mindedness and informality of Komer’s stance eased the tension of the three fallen knights; although they believed Komer held no grudges, the fact that such a prominent lord—who owned multiple territories—conversed without any pretense was a surprise to them. And the Black Flame Knights, envisaged by Vladimir Koff to be an official group, seemed unexpectantly devoid of demands and discipline, relying solely on self-restraint, which sounded quite surprising.

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