Work Prophet
Chapter 589 - 21: Reappointment as Commander

Chapter 589: Chapter 21: Reappointment as Commander

Hels also did not know why that army had disappeared.

For hundreds of years, the clan tribes in the Dragon Ridge Mountain Range had not intruded on the Empire’s territory, which had led to the nobles of the west knowing very little about them.

Moreover, just like the lizard people of the Gai Gu Swamp, they had their own language and did not communicate in the Universal Language like people from other parts of the Continent, making it even more difficult for outsiders to communicate with them.

"I found a guy, they call him Giant Palm, he’s a coachman," the acting City Lord of Rock Snow City continued.

"You... why did you suddenly bring him up?" Ireya asked, puzzled.

"Giant Palm’s mother was a wild woman from the Dragon Ridge Mountains; she came from a tribe called something like Giant Palm. It’s said that the people in that tribe all have especially large hands, which is where the nickname Giant Palm comes from," Hels explained.

"A wild person?"

"No, Giant Palm grew up in Rock Snow City. His mother fell in love with his father, but the Giant Palm Tribe did not allow its people to marry outsiders, so the two eloped overnight, leaving the Dragon Ridge Mountains."

"Because of his mother, Giant Palm is quite familiar with the Dragon Ridge Mountains, and he can also speak the language of those wild people. He should be able to help you if you are going up the mountain."

"Wait a minute, you just said ’you,’ not ’we.’ Aren’t you coming with us?" Miss Rabbit asked.

"My father’s orders before he left were for me to defend Rock Snow City. He told me that no matter what happened, I must not leave this place until he returns," Hels said.

"I am very worried about the safety of my father, the other nobles, and the soldiers, but I cannot take part in this rescue."

"Then who will command the army?"

Miss Rabbit finished speaking and noticed everyone around looking at her.

"Sir Irelia, you have brought the most troops this time, and you are also the champion of the martial arts competition, possessing unparalleled martial prowess."

"Most importantly, when that Black Dragon was rampaging through the western territories, you had already taken on the role of commander once, leading everyone to final victory, so the command this time naturally falls to you by popular consent."

The Lady was a bit dumbfounded upon hearing this, mainly because she did not understand military campaigns.

Although the decisive battle with the Black Dragon was stirring and moving, it had actually taken place right at her doorstep. Miss Rabbit had not even stepped outside, and the one who devised the strategy before the battle was Li Yu.

But the young woman did not panic because of this; on one hand, she had seen more significant troubles by now and was no longer as impatient as before.

On the other hand, it was just commanding the army; although she might not be up to it, she knew who was.

Duren—the former Guard Commander of the Imperial Army, with all the Imperial Army under his command. Whether in martial arts or leadership abilities, he was definitely at the very top, and commanding a group of nobles from the western territories naturally wouldn’t be an issue for him.

And he just happened to be in the team that was accompanying them, so if any problems arose, Miss Rabbit only needed to consult him.

Besides, Li Yu also took this matter very seriously, sending a very luxurious team and bringing several Holy Artifacts to lend support.

This also gave the Lady greater confidence.

With these thoughts, Ireya no longer hesitated and nodded, "Alright, then I’ll take on the role of commander this time."

Hels was overjoyed, "I had the object delivered to Sir Morse, In the previous battles, we captured some savages. Most were executed on the spot, but there are still less than a hundred left."

"Sir Morse is interrogating them. You can go meet with him first; he and his men are stationed outside Dragon Ridge Mountain. They have quite a few supplies there, and now all those things are yours."

Ireya stayed in Rock Snow City for two days, still four days away from the deadline Hels had set.

But the Lady no longer wanted to wait, primarily because there had been no word from Marquis Kuren and his large army on the side of the Dragon Ridge Mountain Range.

And here in Rock Snow City, five thousand people had already gathered, which was already an advantage in numbers compared to those savage tribe clans.

There were still some territories farther away, which, if they could all make it, might yield another one or two thousand people.

However, it had been a full half month since Marquis Kuren and the others disappeared, and the ominous premonition looming over everyone’s hearts grew even stronger.

Ireya was genuinely concerned that if they delayed any longer, even if they could find that missing army, there was no telling how many would be left.

So, after consulting with Duren and others, Miss Rabbit decided to set out ahead of schedule.

With this newly assembled army, they hurried to Dragon Ridge Mountain and met Sir Morse and his three hundred men at Solid Stone Castle.

Although the castle had a name that sounded defensively strong, it was neither particularly sturdy nor built of stone.

It was just a wooden castle, belonging to the Kovat Family, a small family Ireya hadn’t even heard much about.

But because of the long-standing good relations between Solid Stone Castle, situated at the westernmost border of the Empire, and the clan tribes in the mountains and the fact that the Kovat Family couldn’t afford to build a stone castle, they had been living in this makeshift way.

Until recently, when the savages came down from the mountains, Solid Stone Castle was the first to suffer.

The Kovat Family could be said to have suffered tremendous losses, not only had Family Head Togla died in battle, but Togla’s daughter, wife, and sister were all abducted by the savages.

The only one who escaped was Togla’s son Willkin, a twelve-year-old boy who was fortunate to be learning how to write in the neighboring town, as the Kovat Family had no dedicated teacher, which saved his life.

By the time he returned, he no longer had any family members; his home and castle had been torched by those deranged savages.

Latter, the army came and temporarily requisitioned the place to store grain and baggage; Morse even constructed some simple defensive structures nearby.

Though not even ninety years old, which was still prime age among Half-Beasts, those familiar with Morse noticed he looked as if he had aged decades upon their next meeting, with crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes and white among his temples.

"Sir Ireya!" As soon as Morse saw the Lady, he could no longer control his emotions and suddenly knelt to the ground.

"Please lead your men into the mountains to save Marquis and the others right away; they’ve been trapped in the mountains for over twenty days!"

Miss Rabbit was startled and hurried over to help Morse up, but despite her efforts, she couldn’t lift him.

It seemed as if he had decided not to stand up again unless the Lady agreed.

Ireya consoled him, "Don’t worry for now, just tell me what you know about the situation here."