It didn't take long for the third day, and before dawn, the entire Ranger Regiment was ready to go.

Just like the Legion Meeting, the entire legion of the Broken Mountain Fortress is made up of two legions of hoplites and a large number of auxiliaries, the most important of which are the Church of the Holy Cross Knights and the light infantry from all over the empire who have volunteered to join.

In Brandon's words, it's more appropriate to call this group "fanatics" - in the history of Broken Mountain Fortress it is common to read chanting "For the Holy Cross", brandishing weapons of various shapes, launching a tidal wave of attacks against the monster armies with their flesh and blood, and believing that their piety will lead them to heaven.

In the north, where raids are common, these "fanatics" are simply the best source of soldiers, and can endure all difficult conditions, rarely have a rout, and are not afraid of death.

The only drawback is that they often disobey orders, shouting slogans and rushing forward when they see the enemy, causing a large number of unnecessary casualties - only the knights of the Holy Cross can restrain them a little.

The large number of fierce fanatics and the few but elite knights of the Church are the basis for the Holy Cross Church's discourse in the Broken Mountain Fortress and even in the entire empire.

This is why Brandon chooses the Knights of the Church to join him, rather than the more efficient and obedient Legionnaires - the Church of the Holy Cross in Fracture Mountain Fortress, like everywhere else, is a nearly semi-independent and uncontrolled organization, and it is difficult for Conod to interfere with it.

So no matter how tired he was of the Holy Cross, these people were Brandon's best option - it was better than being taken away by a group of legionnaires who secretly swore allegiance to Conod and took control of the team halfway.

On top of that, the chief knight of the Church Knights, Zena, since he dared to confront Conrad in front of everyone at the Legion meeting, proving that he was not the dog leg of His Royal Highness the Prince of Sackland... Or at least not.

That's enough.

"Your Royal Highness, your team is ready and ready at any time!"

On the walls of the fortress where the north wind howled, Naze, a knight of the Church with a Holy Cross pendant on his chest, stood in front of Brandon, followed by Edward, who was still indifferent but had become the captain of Brandon's guard.

Following everyone's gaze, the black-haired wizard slowly turned his head and looked down at the bottom of the city wall—under the banner of the three-headed dragon holding the Iron Crown, stood three hundred soldiers in full armor and resolute eyes.

At the forefront were the guards that Brandon had mobilized from Ebonden, and the one hundred and thirty legionnaires who had survived the camp encounters were still intact;

They were followed by nearly 200 "light infantrymen" of the Church, who, despite their name, were still quite well protected, armed with halberds and heavy swords similar to those of legionnaires, except that the huge kite-shaped shields were replaced by smaller skinned round shields, and many were armed with war bows.

With workshops like Crucible, the Broken Mountain Fortress can of course be equipped with heavy crossbows in large quantities, but the problem is that in such a cold place, the crossbow is useless at all, and it will freeze after a few triggers, and it will be so hard that it will never break - although the range of the warbow is short, it can at least adapt perfectly to the northern environment.

In addition, there were twelve well-equipped church knights who came with Naze, the knight of the church, as the backbone of the trip.

As far as Loren knew, there were less than fifty church knights in the entire Broken Mountain Fortress, and the other party directly sent twelve to join Brandon, a full quarter of the elite, which was enough to prove that the Holy Cross Church attached great importance to this trip.

The resolute-eyed soldiers remained motionless under the banner of the Iron Crown, and the drifting snow stained their entire bodies white, and if it weren't for the mist that came out of their mouths, it would have made one wonder if they were really alive.

The black-haired wizard on the city wall raised an eyebrow, such quality and discipline not to mention the mercenary regiment of Ebolden, even the knightly guards of Lothair Ruben could not be compared.

So, what if it's the elves of the Ancient Wood Forest?

Indeed, the war dancers of the Ancient Wood Forest are equally brave and not afraid of sacrifice, and even in one-on-one or even one-on-ten situations, they can definitely easily ravage these ordinary soldiers who can only advance with the help of military formations and shield walls.

But if the number rises to the point of one hundred against hundred, or even against the clans...... That's a completely different kind of ravage.

Moreover, the elven warriors that can be put together in the entire eastern forest are only 3,000 at most, and the empire does not count the armies of the various grand dukes, and there are ten legions on standby alone.

"Upon hearing that His Highness Brandon is about to leave the Broken Mountain Fortress for the north, these brave and devout believers are all overjoyed and want to join you!"

Sensing the look of amazement in the eyes of Brandon and the others around him, Naze, who was faintly proud, blushed and said in an impassioned voice like a bell:

"After my careful selection, the remaining two hundred or so people are all the elite of the fortress, and the veterans who have experienced at least one battle and survived will definitely not be inferior to the legionnaires of the empire!"

"Even if you are attacked by an army of monsters, there are twelve Church Knights to protect you, and they have sworn that even if you fight to the last man, you will return to the Broken Mountain Fortress safe and sound!"

With that, the knight of the church, Naze, puffed out his chest proudly, took half a step back and stood in place like a statue, and lowered his brick-like head heavily.

"It's really... Thank you so much, Lord Naze, with all the knights of the Church, I believe that this trip will be smooth and triumphant!" Feeling the enthusiasm of the other party's "Sackland countryman", Brandon still showed a sunny smile as always:

"Also, if I offend you during the Legion meeting, please forgive me for the rudeness of this young man, and I still have great respect for the Holy Cross Church and the pious people!"

"It's nothing, it's the first time you've seen me, and it's human nature to be estranged. Although the words were very comforting, Naze's expression was very serious:

"Forgive me for being rude, though—it seems that there are a lot of 'unrelated' people in your team, and it's likely that this trip will cause a lot of trouble!"

The black-haired wizard standing behind still had no change in his face, and Brandon, who tilted his head, looked at the church knight "curiously":

"Excuse me, but do you have any concerns about my wizarding advisor and his friends?"

"Of course, we don't have any doubts about a descendant of a House of Turin and his friends - although his ancestors betrayed the brilliance of the Holy Cross, no one can question Roland Turin's loyalty to the Empire!"

"As for this Isaac...... Wizards are unreligious, but at least their knowledge will help you!"

"Then what you're talking about is ......"

"I'm talking about this deserter!"

Without waiting for Brandon to speak, Naze suddenly raised his hand and pointed at Lusen, who was beside the black-haired wizard, and the gray-eyed boy who was pointed at bit his lip slightly, did not speak.

"It was he who killed the previous search party and a loyal and brave knight of the Church, and caused the attack on the watchtower and the destruction of it!" Naze, the knight of the Church, said in an unceremonious tone: "How can you take such a person north?! He will definitely kill you again, and even all of us!"

Lusen, who was biting his lip, stared at his unwilling eyes, and inadvertently met Loren's glance, and quickly lowered his head.

He knew he couldn't, and wasn't qualified to speak, at this time.

"Luceen is innocent. ”

Loren, who shrugged his shoulders, stepped forward, blocked the illegitimate son of the Wirtz family, and looked squarely at the church knight Naze in front of him: "If I'm not mistaken, His Highness Conrad has officially declared him free, which proves his innocence - he is not a deserter, he just temporarily carried out a special order!"

"Nonsense!"

The excited Nazer hurriedly said indignantly: "Please don't pretend to be stupid, Your Excellency Loren Turin! Everyone in the fortress knows that it was you who stood up to vouch for him, and His Highness Conrad ...... him."

"Your Excellency Chief Knight Naze!"

Brandon on the side interrupted him with a smile: "I think my wizard advisor has just explained very clearly, Lord Lusen is innocent. ”

"But ......"

"No, however, I have agreed to let him join the team as Loren's bodyguard, and I, as a descendant of House de Salion, must be true to my word. ”

"Or did you forget... Who's the leader of this team?"