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Chapter 703: Lanchi's War (Part 1)
Chapter 703: Lanchi's War (Part 1)
On the first day of September in the Solar Calendar year 1798, the world underwent a profound transformation.
The Southern Continent was plunged into war.
The Kraoxin Empire, which had been quietly plotting and amassing power in recent years, unleashed its full might and initiated a large-scale conflict.
Well-prepared and equipped with advanced Imperial Magitech and terrifying Imperial War Gods, the Kraoxin Imperial Army swiftly overwhelmed the border territories of the various kingdoms of the Southern Continent with overwhelming force.
At the same time, the Cardinals of the Resurrection Church in the Southern Continent sided with the Kraoxin Empire, and several large neutral forces outside the influence of both the Empire and the Kingdom Federation chose to aid Kraoxin in their aggression against the kingdoms.
The Kingdom of Canberra, located in the Western Hub and home to the headquarters of the Kingdom United Parliament, was the primary target of the Kraoxin Empire's offensive. However, as the strongest nation among the members of the Kingdom United Parliament, it was also the most challenging strategic location to conquer.
In contrast, the Central Plains nations, though easier to attack, put up the fiercest resistance.
The third front of the war was in the eastern region, a land of rugged mountains and coastal cliffs.
The northern shore remained untouched by the Kraoxin Empire's invasion, but according to intelligence, their fleet could strike at any moment, attempting to cut off the supply lines and sea routes of the three major fronts from the rear.
Even in the relatively remote eastern region, the death toll within twenty-four hours was staggering, with tens of thousands of lives lost.
...
The westernmost part of the Southern Continent's eastern region, on the border of the Kingdom of Yarloran, was where the Zeld Highlands were located.
A strategically crucial location, the Zeld Highlands boasted treacherous terrain with towering peaks, deep canyons, and winding valleys.
To the east lay sheer cliffs, and to the west, dense jungles. The northern and southern approaches were guarded by narrow valley passages, making the Zeld Highlands a vital defensive barrier for the Kingdom of Yarloran, protecting the gateway to its heartland.
Throughout history, whenever war broke out, countless heroes of Yarloran had shed their blood and fought valiantly on this land to defend their homeland.
Facing the Kraoxin Empire's formidable military might, the Zeld Highlands inevitably became the foremost battlefield.
The smoke of battle shrouded the Zeld Highlands, transforming it into a hellish landscape. Once lush ancient trees were reduced to shattered remnants by magitech cannons, their broken branches charred and riddled with bullet holes.
The verdant grasslands were trampled beyond recognition, their once-vibrant green blades now stained with blood, turning the soil into a horrifying dark red.
Broken armor and shattered magitech weapons lay scattered across the field, while the gloomy sky hung low, as if about to collapse at any moment, obscuring what little light remained. The entire battlefield was devoid of color, enveloped in a somber gray haze.
The stench of death permeated the air, and from time to time, the clashing of steel and the anguished cries of the dying echoed across the mountains, a deafening cacophony that tore at the nerves of all who heard it.
In this hell on earth, the soldiers of Yarloran fought with blood and iron, forming the first line of defense with their very lives.
Holding the Zeld Highlands was the elite force of the western border, the Star Table Legion of Yarloran.
The warriors of the Star Table Legion were the cream of the crop, having distinguished themselves in countless battles. They were seasoned veterans, and their commander, General Leonard, known as the "Reincarnation of the War God," was the strongest on the border. He had also fostered the Kingdom of Yarloran's current strongest warrior, Julianne. General Leonard cut an imposing figure with his towering stature, piercing gaze, and leonine mane of hair.
"God of War and Battle, as You have decreed, I pledge my utmost sincerity!"
The vice commander, Kotel, was a renowned swordsman whose speed was so extraordinary that the naked eye could barely follow his blade, leaving only a fleeting afterimage in the air.
"Without rest or hesitation, we shall persevere!"
The soldiers of the Star Table Legion were valiant and fearless, their silver armor gleaming in the sunlight like heavenly warriors descended from above.
After days of relentless bloodshed, the Star Table Legion finally repulsed the Kraoxin Empire's ferocious initial assault!
The exhausted warriors found new life in their spirits, and their morale soared once more.
Standing atop a hill, General Leonard surveyed the ravaged battlefield below and the weary yet resilient faces of his soldiers. His voice, loud and clear, rang out across the field:
"Brave warriors, you are all heroes in the truest sense! You have faced a formidable foe and defended your homeland with your blood and lives! I am filled with immeasurable pride for your courage and valor! Let those Kraoxin beasts witness the might of the Yarloran Iron Cavalry! Today, we are the masters of the Zeld Highlands!"
The soldiers roared in unison, their eyes burning with determination as they brandished their weapons, eager for the next battle.
"As expected of General Leonard, the teacher of the Immortal Sword Saint Julianne."
"When Julianne returns from the Kingdom of Hutton to Yarloran, it will be the time for our counterattack!"
"It's been years since we last saw her, and I never thought we'd have the chance to fight by her side again. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil!"
Their eyes blazed with battle intent, eager to teach the Kraoxin forces a lesson and show them the true strength of the indomitable Yarloran Iron Cavalry.
Their pride and joy were Julianne, the Legion's finest, who had already departed the border legion for the royal capital some time ago. She had even surpassed General Leonard a few years ago, achieving the eighth rank.
Just as the soldiers were brimming with confidence, a seed of confusion began to sprout among them, and they started to glance at each other, unsure of what was amiss.
"What's wrong?"
When Vice Commander Kotel voiced the question, he realized the answer.
He could no longer hear the sounds of battle.
General Leonard's hand had already moved to the hilt of his sword.
An eerie silence had descended.
It was too quiet.
Even the howling wind seemed to have stalled, and the birds and beasts had fallen silent, creating an uncanny stillness.
An unnamed fear gripped their hearts, a chill that ran deep into their souls.
General Leonard was the first to sense that something was terribly wrong. His years of combat experience told him that disaster was imminent.
"Kotel, get to my side! Everyone else, hold your positions and prepare for an ambush! Stay vigilant and be ready to engage the enemy at any moment!"
He instinctively tightened his grip on his weapon, his copper-hued face tense as he issued the orders in a low voice.
Reading his commander's lips, Kotel immediately joined him, his sword already drawn, its edge glinting with a chilling light.
In the face of the impending assault, the Star Table Legion swiftly formed a tight formation. Their swords stood tall and dense like a field of wheat, creating an interlocking sword formation that encircled the battlefield.
Every muscle in their bodies was taut with tension as they scanned their surroundings with utmost vigilance, their grip tight on their weapons, ready to face any formidable foe.
However, to their bone-chilling dismay, the anticipated assault did not materialize.
On the contrary, a mist began to spread silently across the battlefield, enveloping the entire Zeld Highlands. The ground beneath their feet turned soft and sticky, as if they were treading through a quagmire.
"Has the environment...changed?"
They gazed around, incredulous.
It was as if they had been transported away from the Zeld Highlands in an instant.
Before they could fully register their terror, the dark sky above seemed to distort and transform into a ferocious, clawed maw, or perhaps the face of a deity, ready to devour them all.
They craned their necks, gazing up in stupefaction.
Compared to that gigantic face, they felt minuscule, like sesame seeds.
Was this truly something achievable through magic? Or if there was someone who could control the entire sky, would they be human or divine? This exceeded their realm of comprehension.
Before the soldiers could react, the mist engulfed everything like a tidal wave.
Leonhard found himself abruptly thrown into another eerie and inscrutable world.
All around him stretched endless desolation, the sky and earth merging into a gray monotony akin to the deep sea, devoid of color, exuding only the stifling aura of death.
"This is illusionary magic! Everyone, don't be fooled! Focus your minds!"
General Leonhard's voice boomed, attempting to rouse his comrades from their trance.
But it was too late. Even as he inflicted pain on himself to snap out of the illusion, the rest of the legion members were already deeply ensnared, standing like puppets with their hands clutching their throats, their breathing slowing in sheer terror.
Only Vice Commander Kotel managed to partially break free from the illusion's grip.
At that moment, an invisible, overwhelming force enveloped the battlefield.
Leonhard and Kotel felt their movements stifled, as if a thousand-pound weight bore down on their shoulders, immobilizing them.
Simultaneously, a chilling realization dawned on them.
"General Leonhard! Don't worry about me, just run! I'll hold him off!"
Vice Commander Kotel grit his teeth, his veins bulging as he went berserk in an attempt to break free from the invisible shackles.
However, as a seasoned swordsman, he struggled with all his might yet gradually lost the battle against the overpowering force. His sword felt like a thousand pounds, impossible to lift.
As Leonhard and Kotel resisted with all their might, a tall, dark figure slowly emerged from the mist.
Clad in jet-black robes, he held a mechanical agate staff, his handsome face cold and indifferent, his eyes flashing with disdain as if looking down on all living beings.
The mere aura of magic he exuded caused Kotel to cease his struggles and tremble in fear.
"The Third War God, Gyat of the Entangling Agate Seat..."
Leonhard instantly recognized the enemy, his voice quivering with despair.
Compared to Vice Commander Kotel, he was more aware of the vast gap between them and their foe.
He couldn't help but feel relieved that his disciple, Julianne, was not present.
Because even if Julianne were here, she would not be a match for Gyat.
Gyat made no reply. With a casual lift of his hand, Leonhard and Kotel felt as if they were grabbed by an invisible giant hand, their actions sealed as they involuntarily knelt down.
Like broken puppets, they lost all resistance, blood flowing from their mouths.
Minutes later...
As the mist over the Zeld Highlands dissipated, a grim scene of carnage was revealed.
Not a single member of the Star Table Legion had survived. Even the communication magic devices on the ground continued to ring, with the rear command post repeatedly inquiring about the frontline situation, only to be met with silence.
...
In the southwestern border region of the Kingdom of Posen, stood the ancient fortress of Hargengard.
Looming tall, the fortress was nestled against a backdrop of rolling mountains, guarding the borderland cities beyond.
Hargengard was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only a narrow valley passage to the south where the central army of the Kingdom of Posen was stationed, forming the first line of defense for the kingdom's southeast border.
Smoke billowed from the shattered remains of the fortress, its thick walls battered by magitech devices, leaving them riddled with holes. Rubble tumbled down, stirring up clouds of dust.
The air was heavy with the acrid smell of gunpowder and blood. Inside and outside the fortress lay severed limbs and corpses in disarray, their blood staining the soil and pooling into putrid crimson lakes.
Huge black crows circled overhead, their shrill cries piercing the crimson-hued sky that seemed to press down upon the fortress. In the twilight, it seemed as if the heavens themselves mourned the tragedy.
From within the fortress came the intermittent sounds of clashing blades, anguished cries, and explosions, reverberating through the valley and tearing at the nerves of every soldier.
In this hellish landscape, the soldiers of the Kingdom of Posen erected their final bastion, using their very bodies as a bulwark.
Holding fast at Hargengard were the central forces of the Kingdom of Posen.
Seven days prior, when the Kraoxin Empire launched its offensive, the Kingdom of Posen had opted not to mobilize the more crucial garrison forces to the south. Instead, they dispatched their central army with all their might to join forces with the southwestern border garrison, forming a united front.
This force was known as the "Posen Iron Cavalry," and among them, the First Legion and the Fifth Legion were tasked with defending the Hargengard fortress.
The commander of the First Legion, Giovanni, was renowned as the "Battlefield Tiger." He stood tall and proud, his eyes piercing and his voice thunderous.
General Giovanni was a valiant warrior, known for leading charges into battle, leaving trails of defeat in his wake.
The Fifth Legion was led by Lord Roland, a valiant and fearless commander.
Though advanced in years, with white hair and a face etched with the marks of countless battles, he remained vigorous and alert, a testament to his extensive experience on the battlefield.
The Posen Iron Cavalry was comprised of fearless warriors. Their armor glinted coldly through the smoke, and their black capes snapped in the wind, emitting an air of resolute determination.
As the Posen Iron Cavalry held their ground at Hargengard, the crest of the Posen Kingdom on their chests stood out starkly against the backdrop of the blazing battlements. Despite the fortress's dilapidated state, the soldiers' morale remained unwavering.
Brandishing their spears in unison, they formed a resolute line along the battered walls, their determined faces reflecting their unwavering resolve to fight to the death.
They knew that if Hargengard fell, the towns behind them would be ravaged and plundered, and it would be challenging to reclaim this strategic location.
They had to hold out until reinforcements arrived from the southern border, led by the Aquidan territorial army.
Generals Giovanni and Lord Roland, the two commanders, fought fiercely amid the surging tide of the Kraoxin army, their bodies soaked in blood.
As seventh-rank cultivators, they were unstoppable on the battlefield.
Even surrounded by numerous sixth-rank cultivators, they carved a path through the enemy.
"Brave warriors of Posen!"
General Giovanni bellowed, his voice reverberating through the sky,
"The Kraoxin invaders are before us! But I will show them what it means to be the Posen Lions! What it means to fight with unwavering determination! Let them taste our might!"
"Never retreat!"
The soldiers responded in perfect unison, their resounding battle cry shaking the heavens and echoing throughout Hargengard.
The Kraoxin artillery fire intensified, causing the walls to tremble, but the Posen Iron Cavalry's spirit remained unwavering.
They believed with every fiber of their being that as long as Hargengard stood, they could protect the people of Posen to the very end.
The Kraoxin Empire's forces advanced like a tidal wave, a massive black swarm that shook the earth.
Spears pierced enemy chests, blades severed heads, and magitech ordnance erupted sporadically across the battlefield. Bodies piled up, and the Posen warriors vowed to fight to the death, their homeland fueling their determination.
They understood that behind them lay their homes and the fate of countless civilians.
Even if it meant fighting to their last breath, they would defend their nation until their final moments.
"?"
As the Posen Iron Cavalry valiantly resisted, every soldier felt an inexplicable pressure bearing down on them, as if an invisible hand was choking their throats, causing their movements to slow.
The sky darkened further, turning an ominous deep red, and thick clouds swirled like blood, rolling and churning.
The ground began to tremble, and countless fissures appeared, from which blood seeped.
The Posen warriors exchanged wary glances, instinctively sensing the impending danger.
"Not good! It's a powerful Kraoxin warrior!"
Lord Roland's face paled, his voice shaking slightly.
As an experienced veteran, he immediately realized the gravity of the situation.
General Giovanni clenched his longsword, his body trembling with rage, yet he was powerless to stop the impending disaster.
Just then, a blood-red comet streaked across the sky.
The comet's tail trailed behind it like the fangs of a vicious dog, tearing through the heavens.
A terrifying aura enveloped the battlefield, causing every soul to tremble.
Amid this suffocating atmosphere, a figure descended from the sky and landed atop the walls of Hargengard.
The newcomer wore dark red heavy armor and a blood-red cape that billowed dramatically. He exuded an air of wild arrogance.
His short black hair seemed to blaze like flames, and his eyes burned with a crimson light, piercing and unnerving. A wave of scorching energy surrounded him, distorting the air itself.
The earth trembled beneath his imposing aura, and the air ignited in his presence.
(End of Chapter)
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