Chapter 206: Good News, Su Nan Is Not Here

Chapter 206: Good News, Su Nan Is Not Here

Year 1280 of the Starlight Calendar, the Month of Autumn Veil (October).

The air was gradually tinged with a chill, signaling the approach of autumn. However, on the Sal Plain, the atmosphere was far from peaceful. Dark, foreboding clouds hung low over the landscape, a harbinger of the impending war.

From a high vantage point, the once-empty plain was now teeming with armies, stretching as far as the eye could see. The two sides, clearly demarcated, faced each other from several kilometers apart, the tension so thick that it had driven all wildlife from the area for miles around.

War was on the horizon.

In the northwest coalition's camp, on a gentle slope, a group of high-ranking coalition officers gazed out at the elite forces of the Starlight Empire. Low whispers of concern and strategy filled the air.

At the forefront, the coalition's supreme commander, Edis Therman, lowered his telescope, his brow furrowed in deep thought. Only after the conflict with the Starlight Empire had truly begun did he realize the full extent of the empire's formidable military might.

Led by the Black Rock Cavalry and the Golem Corps, the empire's forces had pushed the coalition back on every front. If not for the repeated decapitation tactics executed by Farkado and others, which disrupted the Starlight Empire's strategic plans, the coalition would have been defeated long ago.

Even so, the coalition had suffered more losses than victories in the ongoing battles. If things continued this way, the situation would only become more dire for the coalition.

Edis couldn't help but sigh. If only the coalition had a wizard's apprentice skilled in crafting puppets.

While a third-tier wizard's apprentice was indeed powerful, capable of influencing the outcome of a small-scale conflict, their impact in a war of this magnitude, spanning the entire continent, was limited. Unless, of course, they were like Su Nan, who had single-handedly created a formidable Golem Corps.

Edis sometimes found it hard to understand how the Southeastern Domain could produce such a remarkable individual when the influential Russell family had not seen such a powerful wizard in a thousand years.

After a moment, Edis sighed again, composed himself, and turned to leave. Regardless of the circumstances, today's battle was crucial, and they must secure a victory. If the empire's forces broke through the Sal Plain, the next three thousand kilometers would be an open path, devoid of natural defenses, making it extremely difficult to hold the line. At that point, the coalition's position would become even more precarious.

Back in the central tent, the spacious tent was already filled with people. On the left side sat the military representatives from various countries, while on the right were the third-tier wizard's apprentices, led by Farkado Russell. A total of twenty-five third-tier wizard's apprentices, representing over eighty percent of the northwest domain's third-tier apprentices, were present.

Edis nodded respectfully to the wizard's apprentices before taking his seat at the head of the table. He scanned the room, noting that everyone was present, and then gestured to his deputy to begin the war council.

"Initial estimates suggest that the Starlight Empire has deployed a million troops on the Sal Plain, including a twenty-thousand-strong Black Rock Cavalry and ten thousand stone golems."

The first words from the deputy caused a ripple of shock among the attendees. The tent was filled with low gasps of disbelief.

"A million troops? The Starlight Empire has increased its forces?"

"The Black Rock Cavalry's numbers have also grown to twenty thousand. That's the equivalent of two hundred thousand regular troops!"

"The ten thousand stone golems are even more problematic. These puppets are fearless and incredibly difficult to handle on the battlefield."

Edis, who had anticipated this reaction, called for silence, and the murmurs quieted. His position as the coalition's supreme commander commanded respect among the various military leaders.

Once the room was silent, Edis nodded for the deputy to continue.

"The commander leading this war is Duke Bradley, along with Marquess Jordon, Marquess Stali, Count Langer, and Count Kruck."

The faces of the assembled leaders grew increasingly grim as the deputy listed the names. These were all veterans who had been with the Starlight Emperor from the early days of the Black Rock City, growing with him to form the Starlight Empire. Each one was a seasoned and renowned general, and their presence on the Sal Plain underscored the empire's determination in this conflict.

The more they understood the gravity of the situation, the less confident they felt in their chances of victory.

After allowing the deputy to finish, Edis spoke in a calm, measured tone.

"I believe everyone understands the strategic importance of the Sal Plain. This war, we must win, we cannot afford to lose."

With that, Edis turned to Farkado and asked, "Sir Farkado, do you have any insights?"

Edis was well aware that the key to the coalition's victory in this war did not lie with the officers and their troops seated around the table.

With both numbers and morale at a disadvantage, the allied forces had little hope of winning through direct confrontation.

The only hope for victory ultimately rested on the shoulders of Fakado and his companions.

Fakado, though over a hundred years old, looked no older than a man in his thirties, with fair skin and slender fingers, a testament to his life of luxury.

In response to Edis's inquiry, he smiled gently.

"The strongest generals of the Starlight Empire are all gathered on the Sal Plain. This is actually a good thing for us, isn't it?"

"Seize this opportunity to strike them all at once. Without their leaders, the imperial army will surely scatter and fall into chaos for a long time. That will be the perfect moment for the allied forces to counterattack."

Fakado's words lit up the eyes of the other generals, who nodded in agreement.

However, Edis, undeterred by the excitement, spoke with a serious tone, "We have attempted to assassinate imperial generals multiple times, and they are surely well-prepared. Duke Brad and his comrades are heavily guarded. Attempting another assassination now would likely fail."

"Indeed," Fakado agreed, nodding calmly before changing the subject. "That's why we won't be sneaking into their camps at night. Instead, we will wait until the battle begins and then circle around to directly assault the imperial camp. At that moment, the defenses around Duke Brad and the others will be at their weakest."

Edis was taken aback, falling into deep thought.

Attacking the enemy's camp from the rear during a battle seemed like a wild idea, but with a group of wizard apprentices, it had a chance of success.

With Fakado and his companions' abilities, they could silently approach the rear of the imperial camp and launch a sudden assault.

At that time, most of the imperial army would be engaged on the battlefield, leaving their defenses far less stringent than usual.

The chances of success were higher than attempting a night raid when the empire was already on guard.

"There is one more issue," Edis said, his expression grim. "What if Su Nan is here?"

"Cough."

Kairi, sitting next to Fakado, cleared his throat and spoke. He was the most experienced and powerful wizard apprentice present, aside from Fakado.

"During the four months we've been fighting the Starlight Empire, Su Nan has never appeared. He likely doesn't care about the war between the Starlight Empire and the allied forces."

Edis frowned slightly but did not refute Kairi's statement. According to the intelligence they had gathered, Su Nan had not personally intervened in the Starlight Empire's unification of the southeastern domain.

"Besides, even if Su Nan does appear, we are not without the means to fight," Kairi added, glancing at Fakado.

They had twenty-five third-tier wizard apprentices, whose combined strength far exceeded that of the original Truth Council.

Moreover, Fakado possessed a magical artifact inherited from the Russell family, a thousand-year-old relic with considerable power, though partially damaged and weakened over the centuries. It was still a far more potent weapon than any Glitter-grade magical item.

The entire Starlight Continent had only one such artifact!

With this ace up their sleeve, they were prepared to give Su Nan a big surprise if he showed up.

Seeing the confident expressions on Fakado and Kairi's faces, Edis nodded and said no more.

Suddenly, a deep horn sounded from outside.

Edis's expression grew serious, and he immediately stood up and left the tent.

A soldier quickly ran over and reported, "Sir, the Starlight Empire's army is on the move!"

Edis's gaze sharpened, and he issued his orders in a solemn voice.

"Prepare for battle!"

He then turned to Fakado and the others, bowing slightly and speaking with a grave tone.

"I leave it in your hands!"

Fakado smiled. "Sir Edis, wait for our good news."

As both armies began to move, the Sal Plain came to life.

With the Stone Golem Legion leading the charge, infantry in the center, archers at the rear, and the Blackrock Cavalry guarding the flanks, the mighty and elite imperial army moved forward like an ancient behemoth, slow but determined.

The aura of battle surged, dispersing the dark clouds and tearing a massive rift in the sky.

Watching from a distance, the allied forces, who had just formed their battle lines, were momentarily unsettled.

Though they quickly regained their composure, it was clear that the allied forces were deeply afraid of the imperial army.

Edis, seeing this, felt a heavy weight in his heart.

Now, all they could do was hope that Fakado and his team would succeed in their assassination mission. If they did, the allied forces still had a chance to win; otherwise, the consequences would be dire.

Edis took a deep breath, dispelling his extraneous thoughts, and spoke in a grave voice:

"Advance!"

"Advance!"

The order was passed down through the ranks, and the allied forces began to move, their pace gradually increasing.

From high above, the two armies looked like accelerating torrents, eventually colliding in the center of the plain.

In an instant, a blinding crimson light erupted at the heart of the collision, followed by a deafening cacophony of battle cries and screams that echoed across the sky.

Stone golems swung their iron fists, smashing enemy soldiers and their armor into pulps, charging through the enemy ranks like colossal beasts.

The allied forces often had to suffer ten times the casualties to destroy a single stone golem.

In the heart of the most intense combat, the stone golems continued to fall at an alarming rate, but no matter how many of them were destroyed, these puppets showed no signs of retreating.

They had no fear, attacking their enemies like cold, unfeeling machines.

As with many previous encounters, facing such fearless and relentless foes, the allied vanguard began to retreat under immense psychological pressure. With casualties mounting, the front lines were on the verge of collapse.

Seeing this, Edis promptly dispatched his battle overseers to maintain order. After executing over a dozen retreating soldiers, the formation was finally stabilized.

The rear forces moved in, and the cavalry charged from the flanks, attempting to harass the imperial army and ease the pressure on the front lines.

However, the cavalry was met by the more formidable Blackrock Cavalry.

At the same time, the imperial infantry reserves also entered the fray.

The situation for the allied forces did not improve.

Despite having anticipated this, Edis's heart still sank to the bottom as he surveyed the battlefield.

His gaze swept over the battlefield, landing on the distant imperial camp.

At the same moment.

Fakado and his team had reached the rear of the imperial camp, hiding in a dense forest, observing the tightly packed tents several kilometers away.

Fakado turned to a man with a pale, almost translucent complexion and a cold, indifferent expression.

"As usual, Mommir, it's up to you."

Mommir nodded silently, sitting cross-legged on the ground and closing his eyes.

A strange aura emanated from him, spreading out to an immense distance.

After a short while, Mommir opened his eyes.

"Well?" someone asked eagerly.

Mommir nodded expressionlessly, "I've found their location. There are twelve targets, along with two hundred and twenty-three bodyguards and thirty-two puppets."

"What types of puppets?" Fakado inquired.

"Two Adamantine Golems, five High-Grade Iron Golems, five High-Grade Dual-Blade Spiders, and the rest are Iron Golems."

Having faced the Star Empire multiple times, they were well aware of the empire's puppet hierarchy.

Kaire relaxed, smiling, "Not bad. With our strength, breaking through shouldn't be too difficult."

The others all smiled in relief.

Among these puppets, only the two Adamantine Golems posed any real threat, but it was a minor one.

"Didn't find Su Nan?" Fakado asked, concerned.

Mommir shook his head, hesitating for a moment before adding, "There are three more people with the noble commanders, one of them is a woman, and the other two are cloaked, so I couldn't see their faces, but from their build, they seem to be women as well."

"If Su Nan were here, he wouldn't hide," Kaire said with a relaxed tone. "I think he has no intention of getting involved in this war."

Fakado agreed.

"Pity, I would have liked to face Su Nan and see just how powerful a full-fledged wizard can be."

A tall wizard apprentice chuckled, his right arm noticeably thicker and covered in fine scales.

"If you really faced Su Nan, you probably wouldn't last a minute," a friendly wizard apprentice teased.

Fakado cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back. He spoke sternly:

"Alright, enough talk."

"Our target is the noble commanders, not the puppets. Avoid unnecessary engagements and focus on eliminating the targets quickly. We need to get out before we get surrounded."

Even a third-level wizard apprentice could be in danger if caught in a military encirclement.

Everyone in the group understood this and nodded silently.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end