blueteamnovel Chapter 433
Chapter 433
Dark transformed into a raven and disappeared into the sky with Ghislain’s letter.
Immediately, Ghislain issued commands to his closest aides.
“The Northern Army won’t make it in time if we all move together. We’ll send only the Fenris mobile forces to the Northern Fortress.”
Currently, the Northern Army was stationed at the western edge of the kingdom, having just finished securing the central region before moving west. The eastern front was temporarily entrusted to the royal army and local lords.
To reach Kaipiler Fortress, the army would need to cross the western region. However, the Northern Army, largely composed of infantry, would be too slow. Only the mobile forces, highly trained in horsemanship, could arrive in time.
Gillian, concern etched on his face, asked,
“This rift has expanded unnoticed, consuming the entire northern plains. The number of riftspawn must be astronomical.”
“Of course,” Ghislain replied with a slight tilt of his head, as if calculating. “I’d estimate... around 500,000.”
The room fell silent, faces grim.
Riftspawn were significantly more powerful than regular soldiers. Half a million of them would be a nightmare.
But Ghislain remained unfazed.
“Don’t worry. Their numbers may be vast, but this time we’ll have the fortress as our base. They’re mindless beasts that charge without strategy. As long as we have enough time, we can take them down.”
The real threat was the Equidema. The riftspawn themselves could be dealt with using Fenris’s overwhelming firepower.
The main concern was how long it would take. If it were only about eliminating the rift, no one would have been this worried—after all, these soldiers were specialists in such operations.
Gillian pressed further,
“What if we send the mobile forces ahead to hold the line while the rest of the Northern Army catches up? Meanwhile, the nomads won’t stay idle.”
“Of course not. They’ve clearly allied with the Salvation Church; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to create the rift. I’m certain they’ve mobilized every tribe for this.”
The nomads, having thrown their all into this battle, would undoubtedly amass tens of thousands of warriors.
Ghislain paused briefly, weighing his options, before shaking his head.
“No matter how I calculate it, the timing won’t work. By the time the Northern Army arrives, the battle will already be over—either we’ll have won or been wiped out.”
“If the army can’t join the rift battle, they could at least counter the nomads. Fenris alone can’t handle both threats.”
To fight 500,000 riftspawn, not only the mobile forces but also the 10,000 Fenris soldiers left in the domain would need to join the fray at the fortress.
But even if the Fenris forces stayed behind, they’d only number 10,000—far too few to face the nomads. At best, they could defend Fenris itself.
Meanwhile, the nomads would pillage and claim the defenseless northern territories.
The Northern Army had already deployed most of its forces. The royal army, trusting in the Northern Army, was entirely committed to the southern and eastern fronts.
This meant the nomads would have to be stopped at the northern gateway. However, the available forces were woefully insufficient for the task.
Ghislain smirked.
“They’re trying to destabilize us with this move, but it’s fine. Someone else will handle the nomads for us. We just need to deal with the rift quickly.”
“Someone else? Who could possibly...” Gillian began, then trailed off as realization struck.
“Don’t tell me...”
“Exactly. That someone.”
“Will they actually agree? They’re not the type to accept losses lightly.”
“That’s precisely why they’ll help. They hate losses so much that they’ll have no choice but to play along.”
Ghislain was confident. If this person didn’t assist now, their own ambitions would be jeopardized. They’d have to comply, even if reluctantly.
“Anyway, turning the Northern Army back now would be pointless. It’s better to make the most of what we can. Tenant.”
“Yes.”
“Take the Fenris forces to support the Northern Fortress. In the meantime, lead the Northern Army to block the rift. Can you manage?”
“Understood.”
Tenant had previously held the line against the rift in Ghislain’s stead. While he might struggle with the Equidema, he was more than capable of halting the riftspawn’s advance.
Just then, a messenger arrived from Claude.
“All remaining Fenris troops and weapons have been dispatched to the Northern Fortress. This letter is from the Lord Commander.”
Ghislain unfolded the letter, smirking at its exaggerated tone:
“If this place falls, we’re all doomed. We have no forces left. You’d better deal with the rift and stop the nomads fast. I’ve already packed to flee, but Wendy won’t let me leave...”
The letter was laced with melodramatic complaints. Ghislain chuckled.
“He prepared everything before I even asked.”
Claude had anticipated Ghislain’s moves perfectly, sending reinforcements to the Northern Fortress without hesitation. Say what you will, Claude was undeniably competent.
Ghislain mounted his dark warhorse and declared,
“Ferdium is in danger! Ride at full speed!”
“So, you’re the so-called spirit under the Count of Fenris?”
“Indeed! I am the mighty Dark! Release me at once, or face my wrath!”
“What is it with Fenris and their self-proclaimed ‘kings’? Every one of them is rude and bizarre. Can you actually curse people?”
Bernaph’s curiosity only annoyed Dark further.
“Of course, I can! My power will consume your soul! The creatures of the sky shall tear you limb from limb, and the beasts of the earth will drag you into—”
Before Dark could finish his tirade, Amelia’s icy voice cut him off.
“Enough. Bring him here.”
At her command, Bernaph carried the squawking Dark closer. The raven’s eyes gleamed as it spotted Amelia.
“So, you’re Amelia! I have a message from the Count of Fenris!”
Amelia regarded him coolly, her voice dripping with disdain.
“How very arrogant. It seems you take after your master.”
“I am a great being! Now, heed the words of Count Fenris!”
“I refuse.”
“What?”
“Whatever nonsense you’ve come to say, I’ll reject it outright. Your master is that kind of person, after all.”
“Well... that’s true, but...”
“Whatever it is, I’m not interested. Leave. Tell Ghislain that I won’t listen to anything coming from such an insolent creature.”
Dark blinked in confusion. He wasn’t used to this reaction. Everyone he’d encountered so far had either feared or respected Ghislain. This was a first.
“I still have to deliver the message, though. Fine, just take it!”
Dark flapped his wings to produce the letter, but before he could, something moved faster.
Meow!
Bastet, Amelia’s cat, leapt gracefully onto Bernaph’s arm and swiped at Dark with a flurry of tiny punches.
Thwack!
“Ack! What the—? What is this wretched creature?!”
Dark squawked in surprise, but Bastet didn’t relent.
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
The feline’s relentless punches left Dark reeling.
“Stop it! Ow! Let me talk! I have a message to deliver! This cursed cat—!”
Meow!
Bastet continued her assault, unfazed by Dark’s protests.
Beaten senseless, Dark had a sudden realization.
“What if she refuses because of me? Ghislain will kill me!”
The severity of the situation dawned on him. If Amelia didn’t act and blamed her inaction on Dark’s behavior, the consequences would be dire.
“Count Fenris! Ow! Please! Ow! Hear me out! Ow! Just for a moment!”
For only the second time in his life, Dark’s tone turned respectful. The arrogant spirit was learning humility under Bastet’s relentless blows.
“Enough, Bastet.”
At Amelia’s command, the cat finally ceased her assault. Dark slumped in defeat, muttering under his breath.
“Curse you... wretched cat. I’ll have my revenge.”
Amelia flicked her fingers impatiently.
“Where’s the letter?”
Dark opened his beak and regurgitated a sealed letter. Formed of mana, his body made such storage possible.
“...”
Bernaph gingerly took the letter, shook it off, and handed it to Amelia.
As she read the letter, her face darkened.
“That bastard...”
As expected, the letter was filled with threats.