Joseph sat on a chair in the commander's tent, looking at the Wind Shadow Castle across from him through the raised curtain. He couldn't help but feel depressed. He shook his head helplessly as he recalled his experiences over the past few days. He had never seen an army like the 17th legion. It wasn't that the 17th legion was well-trained or well-equipped. What made Joseph feel surprised and jealous was that all the soldiers of the 17th legion treated their real legion commander!! Windshadow Kuang's absolute loyalty.
After a few days of contact, Joseph had to admit that Windshadow Craze had become a belief of the soldiers of the 17th Legion, a firm belief. Disciples would never betray their god, and Windshadow Craze was the god in the hearts of the soldiers of the 17th Legion.
Although he didn't want to admit it, Joseph was a little envious of the man who was sleeping in the Wind Shadow Castle.
It must be known that obtaining the full support and trust of soldiers was the greatest achievement of a general, and also the most difficult achievement. However, that man had done it in just a few months.
Joseph admired Windshadow Craze very much. Ever since the first time he met him, Joseph had admired him very much. In his eyes, only people like Feng Yingkuang could be called a perfect soldier. Supreme merits, powerful martial strength, ruthless methods, pride that rivaled the heavens, and the unparalleled support of the soldiers. All of these perfectly fused into the young man who had suddenly appeared.
Joseph did not want to have any conflict with Windshadow Craze, but the two conversations with the same purpose but completely opposite contents before he set off had forced him to abandon this admiration. More importantly, he had a reason to do so…
"General, get up. It's really wrong to ask you to enter the palace so late. Tomorrow, the general will lead his team to set off. Tonight, you should let the general have a good rest.”" I have something important to discuss with you." Shivat waved at Joseph, who was bowing in front of him, and put the papers aside.”
"This subject does not dare. If the king has any orders, this subject will die to serve!”
Joseph, who had been in the officialdom for decades, was no longer a complete general. His metamorphosis made him think about the meaning of every word. Moreover, he was now facing the highest authority in the Arthurs Empire. He was even more focused. Even if he ignored a pause, it might bring serious consequences to him and his family.
In the intelligence he had received, it was not the first time that his old rival, Shark, had been summoned to the palace for a secret discussion.
" Yes." Shivat nodded with a smile, seemingly satisfied with Joseph's reaction." General, you must be over seventy years old today, right?" He had served the Empire for nearly fifty years, right?”
"Your Majesty, this subject is seventy-two years old this year. It has been fifty-two years since I followed my late father to war when I was twenty.”As an elder of three dynasties, Joseph had the right to be proud, but there was no trace of pride on his face. His tone was unusually calm. "Ever since the king ascended the throne, the empire has grown stronger and stronger. After taking back the Kuge Prairie, it has even surpassed the largest empire on the continent, the Tell Empire. I believe that I will be able to see the prosperity of my Arthas Empire unifying the continent!”
"Haha, alright, Old General, don't flatter this king. This time, summoning the old general into the palace is a matter that has troubled this king for a long time. I need the general to help me think of a way.”
There was a sincere smile on Sivut's face. As for his true thoughts, only he knew.
Joseph was stunned. He couldn't guess what King Arthur meant, but he quickly reacted and bowed. At this moment, he absolutely could not hesitate.”
As King Arthur's " this king " became " I ", Joseph's " minister " also became " old minister ". The difference in the meaning of these words was very different.
"General Joseph, I have been in power for twenty years and have worked hard to make the country prosperous. Finally, I have fulfilled the long-cherished wish of my ancestors and taken back the Kuge Prairie from the hands of the Teer people!”At this moment, an extremely excited expression appeared on Sivut's face, and he could not calm down for a long time." With your assistance and the rich resources of the Kug Prairie, I believe that the Empire will become stronger and stronger!”" But, old general, there are still many problems that haven't been solved on the Kug Prairie. The Tyr people often encourage the nomadic tribes to plunder the merchants who pass by. Sigh…Although Marquis Feng's fighting ability was perhaps the best in the empire, it was a little difficult for him to govern the place.”
Joseph was shocked. He pretended to look at King Arthur with a puzzled expression, but he didn't continue his sentence. He still stood respectfully in front of King Arthur with his hands by his side.
He knew that at this moment, he couldn't afford any mishaps.
"Old General, this time, I specially selected two legions from the eastern legions and appointed you as the commander. I want to use this opportunity to reorganize the Krug Prairie and let it be completely in the hands of the Empire. " Of course, this is after we win the war. During the war, I still hope that the old general will listen to Marquis Feng's opinions.”
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. This old minister understands and will do his best to complete Your Majesty's mission.”
Joseph understood what King Arthur meant. He knew that the young marquis who had won the war to determine the ownership of the Krug Prairie for the Arthurs Empire, but had no background, had already aroused King Arthur's suspicion.
Sitting in the carriage on the way back to the residence, Joseph recounted the conversation he had with King Arthur to the advisor sitting opposite him.! The pale-faced middle-aged man who had woken him up at the imperial feast leaned against the cushion behind him and quietly waited for the analysis of the number one think tank in his residence.
After a while, Joseph's anticipated voice sounded.
" Yes, Your Excellency is right. Marquis Feng's actions must have made the King suspicious, or perhaps his existence made the King feel threatened. That's why the King wanted to use this opportunity to let Your Excellency seize the command of the 17th Legion.”
"Threaten? Threaten him with what?" Joseph opened his narrowed eyes and asked in confusion.
"Hehe, my lord, have you forgotten about the War God?”
"God of War?" Joseph looked at his advisor in confusion and lowered his head in deep thought." Ah? You mean…"
The aide nodded affirmatively and replied,""That's right. Milord, you should remember the news that spread among the army after the last battle, right? According to this subordinate's thinking, His Majesty must have more detailed information than us. At that time, he had used ten thousand infantrymen to fight against hundreds of thousands of surprise troops, but now it was two hundred thousand. Moreover, he had a Great Mage under him.”
"That's right! A threat…What a pity, such a war genius.”Joseph nodded his head with endless emotions, his expression full of reluctance.
Looking at the general in front of him, the advisor's eyes flashed with an inexplicable light. After a moment of hesitation, he said to Joseph,""Milord, this subordinate thinks that this is an opportunity, an extremely rare opportunity!”
"Chance? What do you mean?"
"Milord, have you ever thought about why the King chose you to carry out this mission?”
The aide organized his thoughts and tried to use the most appropriate words to express them.
"Why would they specially transfer the army under Milord's direct command, appoint Milord as the commander, and only ask Milord to carry out such a mission now?”
Joseph was definitely not stupid. Otherwise, he would have died countless times in this dangerous sea of power struggles. Now, with a little bit of thinking, his active mind had already thought through the whole thing. He even thought of the long-term aspects.
"It's indeed as you think. Sir, although this trip is a rare opportunity, it is also a rare opportunity for His Majesty! You must be careful!"
Joseph's eyes, which were still flickering with brilliance, could not help but be stunned when he heard the advisor's words. His face was filled with confusion.
"My lord, only you and the king know that you're going to take over Marquis Feng's military power, right?”
Seeing Joseph nod, the advisor continued to explain unhurriedly,""Then do you think Marquis Feng will hand over the military power to you so easily? If not, there will be a lot of fighting. How confident do you think you are in defeating Marquis Feng's 17th legion? Even if Marquis Feng gave you military power, who would know that it was the king's will? After the war, if you don't return the 17th Legion to Marquis Wind and withdraw from the Kuge Prairie, there will probably be a lot of problems, right? Do you think this subordinate is right?"
"I see, I see! I was wondering why that idiot suddenly became so kind and gave me such a big piece of fat meat, hmph! I see!"
Joseph's face was ashen. He obviously understood the meaning behind the two assumptions made by the advisor. If Feng Yingkuang did not hand over his military power, he would be forced to take it by force, and he had no confidence in defeating the God of War who had 200,000 soldiers. If he had handed it over at that time, but he did not return it after the war and still occupied his fief, there would definitely be many people in the empire who would impeach him. Now, everyone was eyeing the Krug Prairie, a piece of fat meat. They would definitely be unwilling to let it be taken away by him for no reason. The king of Arthurs would definitely follow the will of the people and hit his family while they were down.
This move was indeed vicious!
"Then what should I do?" Joseph, who was in a state of confusion, could not clear his mind. He simply threw the question to the number one think tank.
" Hehe, actually, this is very simple…"
According to Joseph's advice, he should use this opportunity to tell Windshadow Craze about King Arthur's decision and win him over. It would be best if he could stand on his side in the future. If not, he could not stand on the side of the enemy.
Originally, out of admiration for Windshade Craze, Joseph was unwilling to do so. He was more willing to have an open and honest talk with Windshade Craze. However, on the morning of his departure, he received a secret order, which forced him to carry out this order.
When Joseph arrived at the garrison fortress of the 17th legion, he found that things had completely exceeded his expectations. They thought that with their commander unconscious, the entire 17th legion would fall into a chaotic state without a leader, but the truth was the opposite. Moreover, he had been here for four days, and he could not even enter the Wind Shadow Castle, let alone see Feng Yingkuang…
"Sir, there are more than ten people who claim to be Byron's merchants. They are escorting a heavily injured soldier outside to ask for an audience. They say that they have very important news to report.”
The voice of Joseph's personal guard interrupted his troubled thoughts.
"A heavily injured soldier?" he asked. Is it the Seventeenth Legion or our people? Are you sure it's not Ter's spy?"
"Yes, sir. That soldier is a captain of the 17th legion. The patrolling soldiers came back with them, so there should be no mistake.”The personal guard respectfully answered the commander-in-chief's question.
"Oh…alright, let them in.”
Watching the wounded soldier who staggered in from outside the tent, Joseph waited for him to bow before asking,""You said you have important news to report.”
The wounded soldier looked up at Joseph and said hesitantly,""Lord…Lord Feng isn't here?”
"He was injured in the last battle and is still in a coma. I am General Joseph Venter of the Arthurs Empire. I am the highest commander here.”Hearing the captain's question, Joseph could not help but feel depressed, but he still patiently explained to him.
" Sir…Legion Commander Luo Lina…has disappeared…"
Five days after Joseph arrived at the Krug Prairie, Windshadow Craze woke up from his deep sleep. This time, he slept for four whole days.
During these four days, Kathleen, who had just recovered, stayed by his bed. At this time, she was close to the limit of her body.
Seeing Feng Yingkuang get up from the bed, the exhausted Kathleen suddenly blushed with excitement. The fatigue on her body seemed to have disappeared in an instant. She gently helped Feng Yingkuang up and watched him slowly stretch out his arms and step onto the ground from the bed.
Feng Yingkuang caressed Kailin's sunken face lovingly, his eyes filled with reluctance." Lin 'er, it's been hard on you. It's fine now that you're worried about me.”
In an instant, tears of happiness mixed with heartache overflowed from her misty eyes. Kathleen, who originally had a thousand words to say, found that she couldn't say a word at this moment. She just kept shaking her head and squeezed her weak body into her husband's arms.
Listening to his strong heartbeat, Kathleen felt that everything was worth it. The four days of hard work was so insignificant compared to this moment.
Feng Yingkuang pulled Kailin out of his arms and held her face gently." Lin 'er, don't cry. I'm fine now. You should be happy."”
" I, I'm very happy…" Kathleen nodded with tears in her eyes. Her tearful smile made her look so beautiful. However, after a while, Kathleen buried herself in Feng Yingkuang's arms again. She was deeply infatuated with the breadth and firmness of his arms." Feng, promise me, don't leave me…don't leave me." I'm so scared, I'm really scared…"
Feng Yingkuang patted Kailin's back silently. After a while, Kailin's sobbing became softer and softer. Gradually, calm breathing came from Feng Yingkuang's arms. He lowered his head and looked at Kathleen in his arms. Her smile was stained with tears as she sweetly fell asleep.
He carefully placed Kathleen on the bed and covered her with a blanket. The moment Feng Yingkuang turned around and walked to the tent door, his gentle face was replaced by an extremely gloomy and cold expression. A faint dark red flashed in his eyes that seemed to be filled with killing intent from time to time.
He clearly knew that the current Feng Yingkuang was no longer the original Feng Yingkuang. With the memories of two lives, he had already undergone a complete transformation.
"Stop! Report your name!"
Joseph, who was helpless in the commander's tent, was feeling depressed. The shout of the guard stunned him. He had led the army for so many years, but he had never seen anyone who would offend the commander's tent. However, what happened next left him dumbstruck and speechless.
"Stop! Otherwise, I will attack…"
Before the guard could finish his sentence, Joseph, who was sitting facing the tent door, saw two black shadows flying in through the curtain. After two muffled sounds, the two guards on duty lay unconscious in front of him. The shouts of the guards outside the commander's tent rose and fell, and they were quickly approaching. Then, a hand lifted the curtain, and a figure leisurely walked in front of Joseph.
"Phew!" Letting out a long breath, Joseph concealed his embarrassment and dissatisfaction and said,""So it's Marquis Feng. I was wondering who could make my guards lose their resistance so easily. The marquis was fine? I've been here for five days, and this is the first time I've met the marquis.”
In the past, Windshadow Craze would not have understood the hidden meaning in the words of the general in front of him. But now, facing the dissatisfaction and sarcasm in Joseph's words, Windshadow Craze only smiled faintly and waved his hand to the side. Then, he sat down on the chair behind him as if nothing had happened.
He just quietly looked at Joseph without saying a word.
A moment later, Joseph moved his eyes away from Windshade and picked up the book in front of him. He broke the silence." Is Marquis Wind feeling better?" When I came here, I heard that Marquis Feng was injured and unconscious while fighting against the Tyr people, so I didn't have the chance to meet him. The king was very angry at the harassment of the people of Tyre, and repeatedly requested that I teach those ungrateful people a lesson!”
"Thank you for your concern, sir. I'm fine now.”Feng Yingkuang spoke politely, but there was no gratitude in his expression." Sir, you came to the front line personally. You must have been appointed by the king to be the commander-in-chief of this defensive battle, right? I wonder if His Majesty has any instructions for His Excellency to convey?”
Hearing Feng Yingkuang's words, Joseph was stunned and hesitated." Your Majesty, before Marquis Feng leaves…do you have any instructions?"”
"No, the king just told me to come as soon as possible. He received news that the orcs were attacking the teleportation station, so he was very worried. He hoped that I could first resist the alliance of the Tyr people and the orcs, so that the reinforcements would have enough time to prepare.”Feng Yingkuang tilted his head and looked at Joseph from the corner of his eyes. He secretly laughed in his heart. Sir, are you alright?"
"Uh…Uh…I'm fine, I'm fine…"
Joseph shook his head reflexively. The news that Shadewind had told him shocked him. The allied army of the Orcs and the Tell Empire was something that he had never expected. After hearing this news, Joseph's brain paused for a short while. His thoughts could no longer keep up with Windshade's conversation.
"I wonder what plans the Commander-in-chief has?”
When Joseph heard the word " plan ", he was shocked. Cold sweat instantly flowed down his forehead. Only now did he realize that he had been unknowingly controlled by Windshadow Craze's words and deeds. After calming down his emotions and quickly organizing his thoughts, Joseph started to counterattack Windshadow Kuang." Marquis Feng…before I came, did you have any plans?" As far as I know, Count Rolina has already set off according to Lord Feng's plan.”
Feng Yingkuang's face darkened, and a dark red light burst out from his eyes. He said in a cold voice,"What does Lord Commander-in-chief mean by this?”
"Hehe, before Lord Marquis came here, I received a message from the Byron merchant who was heading to Krug City. I've always wanted to ask the marquis for confirmation, but the marquis 'personal guards have been blocking me from entering the marquis' tent.”
"What kind of news can make the commander-in-chief so concerned? I wonder if I can discuss it with the commander-in-chief so that we can make sufficient preparations for future battles.”Feng Yingkuang stared at Joseph's eyes, his pupils contracting rapidly. His entire body emitted a strong bloody killing intent, and the commander's tent was filled with a heavy and suffocating pressure.
Joseph, the general of the Empire, seemed to admire Feng Yingkuang's expression at this moment. He was not moved at all and said slowly,"" I don't know the exact situation. There's also a captain who claims to be your subordinate. If you're anxious to know what happened, I think it's better to call him here and let you ask him personally.”
All of a sudden, Feng Yingkuang's heart was filled with a bad premonition. An unexplainable worry struck his heart, and the stuffy feeling lingered. Feng Yingkuang suppressed the feeling that made him feel irritated. His tone was still as calm and cold as before." Then, I'll have to trouble the commander-in-chief to invite the soldier who claims to be the captain of this legion for a talk.”
In these few words, Joseph, who had been in the official sea for decades and was proficient in calculations, had already thought through all the possible situations that might happen, filtered out the most beneficial possibility for himself, and then slowly grasped the control in his hands.
That was why he suddenly changed the real information into an ambiguous statement to Windshadow Kuang. He remembered the evaluation of Windshadow Kuang by his number one think tank, and he hoped to use this rare opportunity to complete his mission.
"Repeat the information you told me last time to your deputy commander.”Joseph waved his hand at the man in the captain's uniform who walked into the tent.
"Greetings, Lord Feng." Only now did this captain notice Feng Yingkuang, who had completely hidden himself in the darkness. His expression was abnormally excited, and when he bowed to him, he actually became even more respectful.
"Alright, there's no need to be so polite. Tell me what you know.”Feng Yingkuang waved his hand. He was indeed anxious to know if his guess was correct. If Byron really was the one who returned, then Luo Lina might have met with danger, and his plan would have failed.
The captain bowed respectfully to Windshadow Craze." Yes, sir! This subordinate was personally selected by Lady Rolina. Because this subordinate's grandfather was once an adventurer, he had been to most places on the continent, even the orc tribes. Therefore, Lady Rolina had this subordinate lead his brothers as the vanguard. According to Lady Luo Lina's request, we traveled day and night for two days and arrived at Byron's border. Lady Luo Lina then ordered us to rest…"
"Get to the point! You don't need to describe these details! What happened to Na 'er?" The captain's words made Feng Yingkuang's worries come true. He was almost certain that the cavalry led by Rolina had encountered an unexpected attack. Otherwise, this captain would not have been rescued by the Byron people. The only thing he wanted to know now was Luo Lina's whereabouts. As for the success or failure of the plan, it was no longer important.
" Yes, yes…I was waiting for Lady Rolina's main force when I suddenly encountered an attack from the orcs…Because there was no sign, we were unable to form an effective resistance…"
"Enough! I'm asking how Legion Commander Luo Lina is doing!”Windshadow Kuang once again shouted and interrupted the captain's words. He instantly appeared in front of him," Speak, where is Legion Commander Luo Lina now?”
Joseph looked at the two men in front of him and was extremely satisfied with his decision. It seemed that it was just as the think tank had analyzed. He was a person who valued friendship, and Joseph was going to take advantage of this. He believed that if things went according to his expectations, his mission would definitely be completed.
"The Byron merchants who rescued their subordinates said…said that there were about twenty thousand dead soldiers there…Other than me, they didn't find any other survivors. "I…I didn't find Lady Luo Lina…" The captain stuttered the information that Windshadow Craze wanted to know, appearing extremely uneasy.
The entire commander's tent suddenly fell into a strange silence. The three of them were not in the mood to speak. Heavy breathing sounded in the commander's tent…
"Lord Commander, this lowly official is going to the Western Swamp. I will leave the matters here to you!”Without waiting for Joseph's reply, Windshadow Craze immediately turned around and walked out of the commander's tent.
Joseph stared blankly at Windshadow Craze, who had just walked out. He thought that it would take a lot of effort to achieve this goal, but he did not expect Windshadow Craze to have already done so before him. He had thought that the mission would be very difficult, but it had been completed so easily. It was so easy that he could not believe it. However, there was another problem. Joseph would never believe that Windshadow Craze had deliberately fabricated the news about the Orc and Terrian allied forces. It was precisely because he had not received any information about the allied forces that he was even more certain. However, Joseph didn't have any confidence in defeating the allied forces of the Tyr people and the Orcs. He even doubted whether he could defend Kuge City.
Shaking his head helplessly, as if trying to get rid of all the annoying thoughts in his mind, Joseph muttered to himself,""I hope the situation is really as that person said. Otherwise…if that's the case, it's really unimaginable…"
The sound of a horn came from outside the tent, interrupting Joseph's thoughts. After a short period of noise, a group of horses galloped away. He knew that this was the caravan of the man known as the God of War. Joseph silently gave his blessings in his heart.
Windshadow Craze, who had already left quickly, was only thinking about the western swamp that was blocked by the Tell Empire, the place that the humans on the Rostocker Continent called the " Land of Death." That was the only place where the orcs lived on this continent.
On the road from the Krug Prairie to the Western Swamp, in the capital of the Tell Empire, a huge invisible net was slowly unfolding for him…
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