Chapter 7: Relatively Speaking, Cannon Fodder
In the main city of Moldavia, a gray-haired knight clad in light white leather armor stood before the city wall, leading his warhorse, waiting for the city gates to open.
Before his eyes, the city wall built from massive blocks of black granite stood like a black giant upon the land, set against the backdrop of the white snowfield. Its enormous form completely blocked the view, inspiring awe in anyone who beheld it.
"It's been a long time since I've been back..." he murmured softly.
The knight's name was Elson. He was a guard knight stationed at Black Forest Fortress, now thirty-nine years old, and had served the Radcliffe Family for twenty years.
Eighteen days ago, while on alert for unusual movements of magical beasts in the Black Forest within the fortress, he was suddenly informed by a comrade-in-arms that the lord to whom he had sworn fealty, the Winterfell Count, the liege of everyone present, Beluo de Radcliffe, had died for unknown reasons. At that moment, what flashed through Elson's mind was not surprise, but absurdity.
What a joke!
His Lordship was a Gold-rank knight, a powerhouse who might not even lose in a battle against a dragon. Just a few days ago, he had sent documents informing the fortress that this Black Tide was unusual and required careful handling, for which he had specifically dispatched a large contingent of troops for support. How could he possibly have died just like that?
But the facts were what they were. The Count was dead.
Though feeling lost and bewildered, with many even expressing a desire to return to the main city to see what had actually happened, regardless of anything, the main force at the fortress could not return at this time. The Black Tide before them required vigilance, the magical beasts needed to be eradicated. If Black Forest Fortress failed to intercept them, the rampaging magical beasts would destroy a quarter of the territory, causing incalculable casualties and losses. Even if the Count were resurrected, he would not permit such an action.
"Send a squad back," the fortress garrison commander proposed at the meeting. "That would be more prudent, and we can also get a grasp of the situation."
Everyone found this proposal very reasonable. However, just as they were about to depart, a large contingent of troops arrived at the fortress from the direction of the main city, bearing injuries.
"The Count's younger brother, the great merchant Dania, has captured the main city with a full five squads of Silver Knights and two companies of soldiers!"
This was the information they conveyed.
One squad had ten men, a platoon fifty, and a company a hundred. With the main force of the main city's guard knights and soldiers dispatched to Black Forest Fortress, they were utterly unable to withstand such a considerable force. They were thoroughly defeated and forced to flee.
"Coming the moment the Count dies, trying to seize the title?"
"The heir should be young master Joshua! What claim does this Dania have!?"
The knights present were furious, but the current situation left them completely unable to spare any forces. Two hundred soldiers were nothing, but fifty Silver Knights were equivalent to fifty chariots capable of charging into battle on the field. With the Black Tide needing to be watched, the fortress could not spare the manpower to retake the main city.
"The situation is now murky and confusing. We must figure out what exactly is going on!"
After lengthy discussion, the knights realized they were helpless in this situation. To free up manpower, they would have to wait until next month when the Black Tide ended.
"But by next month, that Dania, who popped up from who knows where, will have already inherited the title!" A wounded city guard soldier from the main city argued for immediate action. "If he succeeds, at least half of everyone here will be purged, or at best sent back to our hometowns. He has no use for us knights loyal to the old Count!"
He was right.
No one wanted to be purged, but the Black Tide had to be prevented. Without solving that, no amount of talk would help.
"The main city must be under complete lockdown now. Gathering intelligence will certainly be very difficult," said an old knight who was at least fifty, experienced from participating in several major wars. "Doing something now is better than doing nothing, but a squad is too conspicuous. I think one person is enough."
"Let one person disguise themselves as a lone hunter, return to the main city to scout out information, and then we can make other plans."
That was the final conclusion, and Elson secured this opportunity. That was also the reason he stood here now.
"It's almost six o'clock. The city gates will open soon." The gray-haired knight was among several dozen people also waiting for the gates to open. He hid among the crowd, cautiously observing the city wall. After a quick scan, he found at least five patrolmen, a number that made him frown involuntarily. "Why so many?"
His gaze shifted downward. The huge city gate, forged entirely from high-quality steel, remained tightly shut. A few unfamiliar guards stood before the gate, scanning the waiting crowd.
The main city gate was at least five meters thick, simple in structure yet durable, clearly the handiwork of dwarves.
In Moldavia, at least two hundred thousand or more Northern Dwarves resided. Some lived within the city, intermarrying with humans, while others lived traditional lives underground and among the mountains.
Not far from Black Forest Fortress, closer to the Aias Volcano, there was a large dwarf settlement. They channeled underground magma to form a lava lake, serving as the center for their smelting and heating energy. No magical beast was ever foolish enough to attack them, a fact that was enviably easy for them.
"Dong—"
The bell in the tower on the city wall was struck. Its clear sound echoed six times.
The gates were about to open.
Rumble, rumble, rumble—accompanied by the sound of mechanisms working, the massive steel gate was slowly raised, revealing a semi-circular passageway.
"Enter in an orderly fashion. No loud noise."
A guard who appeared to be an officer walked to the front, directing the waiting crowd to line up and enter the city in turn. He looked very stern, observing each entrant one by one, for reasons unknown.
Elson led his horse, moving slowly with the flow of people towards the city. However, at this moment, a small incident occurred.
"Where are you from?" At the city gate, an inspecting guard noticed the gray-haired knight's tall stature and somewhat distinctive aura, and deliberately came over to ask, "What are you here for?"
"A hunter from Red Leaf Village in the east, here to trade. See, these are my catches." Presenting the deer hides he had prepared in advance, Elson acted perfectly. His weathered, wrinkled appearance made him truly look like an experienced old hunter.
"I see." After a rough check confirming the deer hides were genuine, the guard had no suspicions and simply let him pass, informing him, "You may proceed. Note that the city is under lockdown recently. A complete curfew is in effect after nine o'clock in the evening. Don't be out then."
"Thank you." Feigning gratitude, Elson handed over a few silver coins. The guard didn't refuse. As he pocketed the silver coins, the guard said in a low voice, "Be careful of those wandering warriors patrolling the city. Stay away from them. Those people aren't as easy to deal with as I am."
Having said that, he walked towards the next person waiting to enter the city.
Elson, meanwhile, naturally passed through the passageway at the city gate and entered the city.
The morning wind blew through the streets, making the city seem unusually desolate. Every household had its doors tightly shut, and the snow on the ground was completely unswept. For a moment, he thought it was a dead city.
Locked down this strictly? Is that guy named Dania really trying to inherit the title and become the lord, or is he trying to destroy this city?
Just as Elson was feeling displeased, a shrill alarm sounded from the city wall behind him.
Doo! Doo! Doo! Doo!
Had he been discovered?!
The sudden ringing of the alarm bell made the gray-haired knight's heart tighten. His right hand reached into his bosom, gripping the short knife hidden in his inner garment. In an instant, he assumed a combat stance. But a moment later, he realized he was flattering himself.
This rhythm and frequency—it was the highest-level alarm, indicating extreme danger!
Elson was experienced and quickly discerned the meaning of the bell. He knew that he was merely a Silver mid-rank guard knight. Even if he were discovered, it wouldn't warrant this level of alarm. This was the alarm bell rung only when facing an invading army or a Gold-rank powerhouse. It couldn't possibly be for him.
If so, then who was it for?!
Unlike the other entrants who panicked and fled upon hearing the alarm, Elson pretended to be scared, running to a corner. Then he immediately turned back, cautiously observing the situation behind him.
There was nothing unusual. The entrants had all fled in panic, leaving only a few guards at the city gate who had already drawn their weapons...
No, there was one more person!
Focusing his gaze, the gray-haired knight stared intently at the solitary figure standing at the city gate. But before long, he felt a flicker of familiarity.
"Wait... it's, it's young master Joshua?!" His eyes wide, Elson couldn't help but exclaim, "What is he doing here?!"
Wasn't he supposed to be on the Glory Expedition against the Orc's Unyielding Fortress on the Northwest Plains? The war wasn't over yet. How did he get back?!
Could it be for the title? But what use was he alone? The enemy had over fifty Silver Knights and several hundred soldiers. Why didn't he come to Black Forest Fortress for help, instead of coming to the main city alone!?
A reckless move, pure suicide! Far too rash!
Too many questions and surprises filled the gray-haired knight's mind, preventing him from thinking about anything else, until a series of orderly, hurried footsteps came from the main road behind him, snapping him back to reality.
Clatter, clatter, clatter, clatter.
At least five squads of fully armed soldiers appeared from somewhere, holding spears, charging towards the city gate. Their target was obvious.
It was Joshua, standing at the city gate!
Get out of there! Elson almost screamed aloud. The enemy had overwhelming numbers, and Joshua hadn't advanced to Gold-rank. How could he possibly break through?! If he didn't leave now, he wouldn't be able to escape!
Someone's thoughts were exactly the opposite.
The piercing alarm bell rang in his ears. The steel city gate, which had just been raised, slammed shut behind him, completely cutting off his retreat. Yet Joshua showed no sign of surprise.
Everything was as expected. His appearance had surely been made known to the enemy and communicated to every soldier. Whether he tried to infiltrate or walk in openly, he would be discovered. The enemy would certainly dispatch a large force to kill him. Such was the cruelty of title succession.
Joshua naturally flexed his arms, his mind utterly calm.
Yes, the retreat was cut off. But so what?
—Was there anyone who could stop him from advancing?
"What a grand welcoming ceremony."
With no intention of retreating or fleeing, Joshua casually struck down a guard who tried to attack him, snatching the straight sword from his hand. Then, facing dozens of soldiers charging at him with spears raised, he took a deep breath.
Battle Qi was a derivative of life force, a power naturally generated within a robust physique. It lay dormant in the body, slowly accumulating.
Taking a deep breath, using the movement of his lungs and internal organs, he unleashed this latent power, letting it spread through his blood to his entire body, instantly multiplying his strength several times over. This was the first Battle Qi attack skill every warrior on the Mycroft Continent learned: [Qi-Gathering Strike].
This skill allowed a human warrior to send a burly Orc flying with a single blow, or even cleave them in two. Mastered to its depths, it could even form a razor-sharp air blade.
And Joshua, as a former martial arts dojo master, could in his previous life, even without Battle Qi, unleash several times his physical strength by adjusting his muscles, bones, and posture. In the game, due to the system, he couldn't use both simultaneously. But now, it was different.
This was a real world. The techniques of Battle Qi and the techniques of the physical body could coexist. And the superposition of the two was far from a simple addition.
"Thump!"
A fiery red light blazed from Joshua's chest, accompanied by a heavy heartbeat. Surging waves of light and flame rose from his body. The air around him seemed to be expelled by an invisible force, swirling into wind that scattered the surrounding snow.
Facing the charging soldiers, he took a step forward.
"THUMP!!!"
An even heavier heartbeat echoed. One could almost hear the sound of blood surging through his veins. A red flame ignited in the warrior's eyes—the color of his Battle Qi, familiar yet strange, belonging to him, to Joshua, which he had cycled millions of times in the game.
Joshua could feel this power pulsating, rejoicing that he was using it.
"Qi-Gathering!"
He raised the sword in his hand, concentrating his spirit into a single point. The power accumulated in his body responded to the unique breathing technique, surging from his blood, muscles, bones, and every corner of his being, converging upon the straight sword in his hand. The dazzling light and flame rose higher, vaguely forming an invisible blade.
The enemy was already right before him. A forest of spears thrust towards him, their sharp metallic gleam shining.
"STRIKE!"