East Sackland, south of Fault Mountain, clear.

The blue sky as far as the eye can see, the red sun that hangs alone in the sky has lost all its brilliance, and even the temperature is not felt, and even on the contrary, the sunny day and the snow seem to be colder.

Taking advantage of this rare sunny day, the Byrne army on the way north quickened their pace - people were not the main problem, and the Byrne horses from the south were not adapted to the cold climate of Fracture Mountain, forcing the knights to slow down their march to protect these precious comrades.

As we marched north, the weather grew colder, and the icy north winds and knee-deep snow hit many of the young knights who had been excited about the expedition.

In their original imagination, they thought that they would follow the path of their fathers in the days of the Black Duke, galloping across the snow-covered northern lands, fluttering cloaks and swallowtail flags, and accomplishing their own feats with heroic charges, turning their enemies into the ghosts of their own spears.

But in fact, he was wrapped in a cloak and a leather coat like a dumpling, desperately lying on horseback to avoid the wind and snow, and even the swallow-tailed flag gun in his hand had to be put away, or act as a support when necessary.

Not to mention galloping, the stupid hat that dares to raise its head when the wind and snow are blowing have disappeared without a trace on horseback.

It wasn't until they saw the shadow of Broken Mountain and the clear sky that the Byrne Knights finally breathed a sigh of relief—but the thought that they would probably cross Broken Mountain and advance further north into the ice fields showed mixed expressions of pain one by one.

"The knights have been complaining a lot lately. ”

Riding on his horse and following closely behind the black-haired wizard, Earl Ayton Grenwell of Stormcastle suddenly spoke: "It's not that I'm afraid of the enemy, but I'm afraid that I didn't die on the battlefield but died on a sickbed, and my life was killed by typhoid fever and chilblains. ”

"Maybe it's because I'm not used to it. ”

Looking at the Count of Storm Castle who suddenly approached, Loren said lightly: "After all, Byrne is located in the south, and it is normal not to adapt to the climate in the north. ”

"Yes, but we've had good weather conditions, or rather, we've had times when we've braved the snow. With a slight bow, the Count of Stormcastle continued to smile:

"The 'Battle of the Valley of Bloodbones' in the sixth generation, the golden 'Black Duke Era' in the tenth generation—the knights of Byrne have gone north, south, east, and west again and again... Forests, hills, mountains, lakes, iron hooves and boots have trodden all the battlefields. ”

"Back then, we fought against centaurs, dwarves, trolls and ogres, monsters in the north of Broken Mountains, pirates in the misty seas, demons and goblins lurking in the forests... Fight against all enemies who dare to confront the Byrne Knights. ”

"At that time, we were under the leadership of heroes, and any problem... It's no longer a problem. ”

Looking at the towering Boundary Mountain in the distance, the Count of Storm Castle, whose expression was distracted, suddenly burst out laughing:

"Hahaha... Maybe I thought too much, maybe the original Black Duke had the same trouble as us, or even worse.

I've heard stories from my fathers about that time, and the famous Duke of Roland Turin was a guy who only had ideas but didn't know what to do, which was a headache, hahaha......"

With a few light hums, the suave Earl of Stormcastle laughed heartily and loudly, making the surrounding atmosphere much more lively.

Ayton Grenwell, Earl of Stormcastle - If everything goes according to plan, he... Originally, he was the best candidate to become Duke of Byrne.

Gentle and elegant, with a good demeanor, he has an excellent reputation in the Thirteen Lords of Byrne and even in the Heavenly Dome Palace, and has skills and strength, and is deeply trusted by knights and people.

In a sense, his existence is simply a template for a "good successor".

At the round table that decided Byrne's belonging, he had a chance to become Duke of Byrne as long as he wanted, but in the end he chose to follow Charlotte's own wishes and give up the low-hanging throne to himself as an outsider.

This made Loren curious, but not so curious—he didn't really mind giving up the duke's position if he didn't really need to, and he didn't care at all what the "hidden competitor" thought.

Just promise him not before it's all over... At least there is no chance to betray yourself, it is enough.

The black-haired wizard who thought like this didn't look back, silently looking at the Broken Mountain that was getting closer and closer, and his indifferent expression was keenly captured by the Count of Stormcastle.

"You must be wondering how this Count of Stormcastle is so uninteresting, knowing why he was brought out... Really?"

The smiling Earl Grenwell rolled his eyes as if joking: "In that case, why don't you find a chance to make him have some accident - the icy and snowy Broken Boundary Mountain is simply easy to plant for the Azorean elves." ”

Loren, who was silent, looked sideways slightly, and the two looked at each other.

The Count of Stormcastle finally retracted his smile.

"Rest assured, Duke—I did, but not now. Earl Grenwell said calmly: "Especially after seeing you, I am even more convinced of my thoughts. ”

"Maybe you're the second Black Duke, maybe not, but in the midst of the storm that has come, what Byrne needs is a commander like you, a leader who can lead the people... and not simply 'rulers'. ”

"The Byrin, who was born well-fed, longs for a glorious death in battle, not a comfortable life—I give the latter, but I can't give the former. ”

He looked at the black-haired wizard seriously: "So I figured it out, only a character like you is suitable to be the Duke of Byrne, and only you can make us die worthwhile." ”

"For the Byrne, it's more important than being alive. ”

This statement made Loren frown and look at him with some suspicion.

"Do you really think so?"

"No, I've always thought that being alive was more important than everything. Grenwell shook his head very frankly, "But twelve of the thirteen Earls of Byrne think so, even our people in Stormcastle, and my relatives think so. ”

"In that case, then it doesn't matter what I think. ”

Because everyone thinks this way, if you don't think so, will you seem too different and be ostracized?

This guy... It's just too realistic.

"No, quite the opposite – even within a group, I still think that the ideas of individual people need to be respected. ”

The Earl of Stormcastle, who saw Loren's thoughts, chuckled and sighed slightly: "But if there is no core concept as a group, and the opinions cannot be unanimous, it is impossible to form a force that can be respected and even awe-inspired; ”

"Even the Black Duke is the same - outsiders do not respect a certain person, but the power represented by the Thirteen Lords of Byrne and the 100,000 Knights Legion behind this person. ”

As he spoke, the eyes of the two of them looked at the Broken Mountain Fortress, which was already close at hand.

And, of course, there was the cavalry that was approaching this side and came to meet it.

Loren raised his right hand, and the Byrne knights marching behind him immediately reined in their horses and stood motionless in the snow, letting the swallowtail flag hunt.

With a slight spit of mist, the black-haired wizard walked alone to the familiar figure.

"Duke Byrne, we meet again. ”

The deputy commander of the Broken Mountain Fortress and the captain of the cavalry, Ernst Drexis looked at the former wizard advisor and the current Lord of Byrne with a very complicated expression:

"On the orders of His Majesty Conrad, I have come to meet you and your army. ”

"Thank you for your enthusiasm and for Your Majesty's sincerity. Looking at that unnatural face, Loren smiled playfully: "But compared to the last time I came, this welcome ceremony is a little less enthusiastic." ”

Drexis blushed: "You're really joking, Duke Loren. ”

"We've cleared out all the icefield werewolf tribes around the Broken Mountain Fortress ahead of time, making sure that nothing will affect the Broken Mountain Fortress when the Azorean elves are approaching - there will never be a second accident like the last time. ”

"yes, that's a shame. The black-haired wizard shrugged, "I was hoping that my knights would gain a little experience in fighting in the snow and ice before they fought the elves... It seems hopeless. ”

Drex's expression was even more ugly.

"Where are the Azorean elves marching now?"

Although the other party's expression on his face made Loren very interested, the current situation really didn't allow him to waste time: "They have been marching along the Broken Boundary Mountain Range, really?"

"I'm afraid it's true. Resis, who was holding back his anger, said coldly: "According to the information from the last time, one-third of the strongholds and guard towers west of the Broken Mountain Fortress have been destroyed, and all the rangers sent out have not been heard from. ”

"In other words, the enemy has already completed a third of the most difficult journey - at most half of the time, the 40,000 Azorean elves army will appear outside the gate of the Broken Mountain Fortress!"

The black-haired wizard's expression changed.

The last time he traveled to Dragon King, he knew how difficult the Glacial Wasteland was to walk, and he was able to maintain a cavalry speed when there were no supplies and the roads were blocked by heavy snow......

How did these two-legged Azorean elves do it?

"Archduchess Salica Jonah and the hussars have arrived at the fortress of Broken Mountain, and are now trying their best to cooperate with the rangers of the fortress to reconnoiter north for the movement of the Azorean elven army. ”

Drexis's expression was solemn: "His Majesty Connad suspects that the enemy's attack from the north may not only be to attract attention and force the enemy to divide his forces, but also to have other purposes. ”

"At present, it is speculated that it is very likely to have something to do with the monsters in the north. ”

"Are there any signs?"

"I've experienced two monster invasions in my life, and both times there has been no so-called 'sign', Duke Loren. Drexis looked at him with burning eyes:

"Do you know what I've learned from this?"

"But it doesn't hurt to say that. ”

"Quite simply, there is only one – and that is to be prepared whenever and wherever it is necessary, and even if it may seem unnecessary for a while, it will always be useful. ”

The resolute-eyed deputy commander of the Broken Boundary Mountain Fortress suddenly came closer: "In fact, every time we think that our preparation is enough, in the end we find that it is still far from enough. ”

"Our enemies are always stronger than we are, our enemies are always without warning, and always appear when we least expect and are least prepared, and again and again they push us to a desperate situation. ”

"Why... Because they are always more prepared and know us better than we do!" said Drexis, word for word:

"It is precisely because of the naïve idea that 'it should be enough' that we have to make great sacrifices again and again in exchange for peace that does not require such a big price. ”

The black-haired wizard looked up, meeting the fiery eyes.

He finally understood the meaning of the other party's words, and why he was so dissatisfied with himself.

"Your Excellency Drexis, do you think that the strength of Byrne's troops this time is seriously insufficient?" Loren asked softly, "In your eyes, the army of five thousand knights does not match the sincerity of His Majesty Conrad?"

"I think Byrne and you are far from knowing the meaning of this battle. ”

"This is a decisive battle destined to decide the fate of half the empire, and it is also about the majesty of His Majesty Connad, the first battle since his succession to the throne - victory or not will determine which side will have the initiative in the war in the coming year. ”

Dresis snorted: "If you really know, you should be prepared to come again, at least like Boi, you should command an army of strong men and sufficient reserves, not a few thousand ...... as is now."

"Boom ————!!!!"

The next moment, a loud bang interrupted him.

The familiar sound of thunder made the surprised expression of Drexis suddenly raise his head, and saw the winged demon dragon suddenly appear under the blue dome.

"Boom ——!"

There was another thunderclap, and the endless earth suddenly rolled up with a violent wind, and snowflakes flew in the sky.

The huge crimson figure suddenly landed firmly behind the black-haired wizard.

Looking at Drexis's expression of extreme surprise, the black-haired wizard couldn't help but hook the corners of his mouth.

"As you can see, Lord Drexis, the people of Byrne are very serious about this upcoming battle of Broken Mountain, so they hurried here without much preparation, but ......" The black-haired wizard raised his right hand and pointed to the sky again:

In the next second, a huge shadow appeared above Drexis's head, blocking the sun in the sky.

The Floating City "Horn Fort" descended on the fortress of Broken Mountain.

"We Byrnes have always believed that soldiers... Expensive, not much. ”

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