Work Prophet
Chapter 612 - 44 No Other Choice

Chapter 612: Chapter 44 No Other Choice

Lady Ireya then raised her voice a few notches, "Gentlemen, do not allow a few recent victories to make you forget that we are still at a disadvantage.

"This time the Dwarves have mobilized an army of a full thirty thousand, while we have less than eight thousand. It is very difficult for us alone to defeat so many enemies.

"Even with a few Holy Artifacts from the Double Rest Sect to aid us, the Dwarves won’t be foolish enough to spread their forces thin every time."

"But even if we add those savages into our ranks, we’re still at a disadvantage." The clamor of rallying cries finally died down, but someone still said.

"Moreover, the elite warriors of those savage tribes have been taken by the Dwarves, leaving behind the old and the young. How much can they contribute?"

"Their role is not solely on the battlefield."

Miss Rabbit finished speaking and had people bring Red Beard and the others over.

As soon as the savages appeared, some of the noble commanders couldn’t restrain themselves and wanted to go up and hack them down.

However, the young lady’s earlier shot reminded many that she was still the champion of the martial contest, and no chaos ensued.

Red Beard and the others felt the hostility around them, but they were not surprised.

These days they had gotten their fair share of being glared at, especially after Marquis Kuren’s three thousand remnants joined.

Red Beard’s gaze swept unfazed over the crowd, spotted Li Yu, and could hardly wait to speak.

"I... we want to talk to you. You should get your people to stop plundering our tribes."

"Have your tribes been plundered?" Li Yu asked.

"Not yet, but at this rate, it will eventually happen, won’t it?" Red Beard retorted angrily.

"I don’t know how you did it, but you must stop this barbaric conduct. Without food, how are those people going to survive the winter?"

"Join us."

"What?"

"Join us, and I can provide enough supplies for you to get through the winter," Li Yu said, "but on the condition that we must defeat the Dwarves blocking the mountain pass. Otherwise, no one can leave."

"I’ve said it before, you’re deluding yourself!" scoffed Iron Spear.

Li Yu didn’t argue but simply said to Black Hound Guard beside her, "Alright, take them down."

"Wait!" Red Beard didn’t expect Li Yu to be so uncompromising, not even willing to negotiate, ready to lock them up again just like that.

The problem was that once locked up, Red Beard and the others didn’t know when they’d be able to see Li Yu again. The last time they met Li Yu was eight days ago, and if another eight days passed, who knows how many more tribes would be plundered.

Among them might be their own tribe.

Red Beard’s voice softened a bit, "What exactly do you want?"

"I have made it very clear from the start. I want you to help us defeat the Dwarves together," Li Yu said.

"You may not have fully understood your situation. I’m not begging or inviting you, but giving you an opportunity, an opportunity to survive.

"Regardless of whether you agree to help us or not, I will have your tribe’s food supplies plundered," Li Yu said. "If you cooperate, the process can be quicker and also decrease unnecessary casualties."

Red Beard’s face changed color. "Aren’t you imperial people always pride yourselves on being knights? Don’t you have any compassion?"

"Compassion for the enemy on the battlefield is cruelty to oneself. Besides, I am not a knight," Li Yu responded.

"You wish to die for the alliance out of knightly loyalty, which I respect. But since you have given up on your tribe, stop trying to persuade me to help you protect it."

The words of Li Yu silenced the gathered wildmen.

It was a long while before Red Beard spoke again. "It’s not that we don’t want to help you, it’s just that... even with us, we are no match for those dwarves."

"Perhaps not in a head-on battle, but there is far more you can do," Li Yu said.

"I remember that you are the elite warriors of your respective tribes, chosen to fight alongside those dwarves. So there should be a considerable number of your people inside the dwarves’ main camp now."

"That’s correct," Red Beard hesitated before replying. "But those dwarves are very cautious, and they’ve always been wary of us. To be precise, our camp is next to theirs.

"And places like the food storage, which are more important, are guarded by the dwarves themselves."

"No matter, that’s sufficient," Li Yu stated. "Get in touch with your people. I will give you orders when the time comes."

After discussing with the people behind him for a moment, Red Beard looked up and said, "If we agree to do as you say, what about our tribe..."

"The food will still have to be handed over," Li Yu stated. "There’s no room for negotiation on that point. To ensure your tribesmen survive, we must join forces to defeat those dwarves and clear a path back to the Western Territories.

"And to show your sincerity, you will need to reveal the location of your tribe to me."

The wildmen looked at one another. Eventually, Red Beard spoke first. "I can tell you where the Mist Snake Tribe is located, but I also hope that you won’t forget your promise."

Li Yu nodded and then had the wildmen taken away.

Lady Ireya then said to the assembled nobles and commanders, "On the night of the attack, Prophet Merlin will ask our Lord Saturday to send down a Heavenly Fire to burn the dwarves’ food supplies.

"At that time, they will undoubtedly call for those wildmen to help put out the fire, yet the warriors from the tribes will turn on them then, attacking the dwarves and plunging them into chaos.

"That moment will be our opportunity," Miss Rabbit said. "Whether we can avenge the Marquis and defeat those dwarves all hinges on this battle. I hope everyone can make the necessary preparations before this."

This time, none of the commanders raised an objection.

Kamzi and Fabrice exchanged glances. They hadn’t come here with the Lady, but had joined Marquis Kuren on his campaign, so strictly speaking, Ireya was not their commander.

Especially Kamzi, who had been entrusted with key responsibilities by Kuren all the way, commanding several breakouts in Gravel Valley. After Kuren’s death, it was he who struggled to keep the remnants together.

He was grateful to the young lady for rescuing them but was also worried that she was too young and inexperienced in command, contemplating taking over the command himself.

However, after witnessing several decisive victories under the Lady’s leadership and hearing her subsequent plans, Kamzi had dismissed such thoughts.

For he realized that he probably couldn’t do any better himself.

Could it be that the Empire was about to see the rise of another great commander, and a woman at that? the City Lord of Red Tower City thought to himself.