As if overnight, the beacon fire ignited the north—

The Coldwood outpost is lost, unidentified intruders are spotted near the Raven Bridge, and the direction of Galeit is urgent, and the attackers are approaching the ancient tower.

No one could have imagined that instead of retreating and seeking a respite after repelling the Grey Knights who had entered the country, the Chosen Ones of Liberty suddenly crossed the cold forest and suddenly launched an attack on the area under the rule of the Ravental Temple.

This bold and reckless blow was beyond everyone's expectations.

As if a divine soldier had descended from heaven, the Redeemed attacked the Crow Bridge in Corvi and captured the village of Galeit, and for a moment the front seemed to be directed towards the port of Gulla—

Although the information has not yet been confirmed, the rout that fled from Corvi seems to speak for itself.

So, without warning, a hostile army appeared less than fifty miles from the port of Gula and approached the city.

There was an uproar in the city of Gula for a while.

Although the harbor has not been feared for a day since the rumors of Nicol Bolas's army crushing the border in the north, the rumors have suddenly turned into an imminent threat, and it is still from an unexpected enemy, and there is an indescribable feeling in people's hearts.

The merchants, the nobles and the nobles, moved at once, as if all of a sudden they had relatives to visit in Elpahim and Fenris, and they rushed to the port with all sorts of permits, or crowded at the gates.

Some people with skills and capital want to go to Yunli Harbor, and then take a boat to North Kaolin, completely away from the land of right and wrong in the north. Others chose to travel overland to Al Pakhin, seeking refuge in the countryside in the south.

Inside the camp outside the city.

Bard Black Feather was looking at the endless convoy of servants, and the servants on the road carrying large bags and small bags, all kinds of pack beasts, and looked at it for a moment before turning around.

His colleague in front of him, the Patriarch of the Lord of the Storm, had come out of the city to comfort them, but this was only for the apparent purpose, but in fact it was to bring the opinions of others in private.

"Lord Warden," said the Patriarch, "I don't think it will be long before there are many men left in the Gula when these men have fled this place. ”

He looked cautiously at the other before continuing: "The Governor of Gula has not yet spoken, and our allies are waiting for your meaning, and what they want to ask is - what should we do next?" ”

Bard Black Feather heard the meaning of the other party's words.

The other party is worried that the current chaos will affect the realization of the prophecy, and there have been sporadic rebellions in the north, which may not be anything in itself.

But if you add the actions of the three goddesses behind the scenes, it seems a little unusual.

But he pointed out with a hint of sarcasm: "I am afraid that the governor of Gula did not fail to express his position, but just took the opportunity to make a lot of money, and some people just died without knowing it." ”

"Lord Warden, we have known the folly of mortals," replied the Patriarch, "but the allies mean that it is too late to react, and that they can use their influence in Elpahim. ”

Bard Black Feather didn't answer, just silently watched the movement in the distance.

After a while, he asked rhetorically, "Did the followers of Mirela, Marlan, and Ameia do anything during this time?" ”

"No, my lord," the Patriarch shook his head, "they outtfully support the refugees, but they have no intention of going to war with us further. ”

"The war has begun," Bard Black Feather shrugged off, "we don't need to make much of a noise, I've heard that the Archon takes a valuable 'bond' from every permit, we don't need to offend him, at least for now, we need the support of these people, and we can't get the attention of the three goddesses-"

"Of course, if they are willing to do this, then it is better to convince the Archon to close the port first, and the reason is also very good, the storm is coming."

The patriarch looked at him and said, "Understood, I will convey it." ”

But he hesitated for a moment, and then said: "There is one more thing, the allies want you to inform the next plan, Gula Harbor is not very peaceful at the moment, they want to know what you will do next." ”

But Bard Black Feather sneered, "Tell them that it's my business," he flatly refused, "The Temple's military plans will not be revealed to any outsiders. ”

"I understand, but ......" the Patriarch had a look of embarrassment on his face, "My lord, the allies are worried that the other side will attack Gula Harbor, and they have only heard that you do not intend to defend this place...... They want you to abandon your plans and stay here-"

"Whimsical," Bard Black Feather replied disdainfully, "those people are not going to attack Gula Harbor, they don't have so many supplies, they are approaching this direction precisely to cause panic, and your reaction is right in their hands." ”

But all of a sudden, he stopped.

Raising his head and looking at the patriarch in front of him with an embarrassed look on his face, Bard-Black Feather suddenly understood what the other party was worried about, and couldn't help but be a little silent.

They had lost outside of Greyowl to an opponent far inferior to their own, and now some people were starting to distrust him.

Although he didn't care about the trust of these people, at this time, he still had to rely on the help of these 'Holy Chosen', otherwise that plan might not be able to be completed.

He was silent for a long time before he turned around and looked at the map spread out inside the tent, and for a moment, his heart was shaken.

Will his opponent really act as he expected? He is also so confident outside Grey Owl Town, but in the end, it turns out that the opponent is one step higher than him, is it also an illusion that he is full of confidence at the moment, will the opponent do the trick, and have already seen through his thoughts?

The thought was irrepressible as soon as it came to him, and his cautiousness caused his gaze to pan back and forth between two place names on the map, one of which read Gula Harbor and the other Gray Tree Ridge. He raised his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then replied:

"Well, I'll send some more people to Ashtree Ridge...... And I myself will stay in this place. Gula Harbor and the City Guards, and the Port Guards, plus us, will definitely not let the other side attack in," he said, "You can reassure them and continue to carry out the original plan, and I will ensure that all this is carried out smoothly." ”

The patriarch looked at him with some surprise, for this was the first time he had seen the caretaker change his mind on the spur of the moment.

This surprised him slightly, but in any case, it was a good thing, and even some unexpected surprises. He didn't have hope, but he nodded hurriedly before leaving in a hurry.

Bard Black Feather looked at the other man's back as he left, and finally his gaze fell on the map, reason telling him that the other party would not do this, but there was another answer in his gut feeling.

He had always trusted his instincts, but he was a little uncertain at the moment.

……

The emergency outside Gula Harbor shook the entire northern border for a while.

And the same shock naturally appeared on the community, but what shocked people was not the sharpness of the offensive of the redeemed, but the recklessness of the plan.

Not everyone is optimistic about this bold action.

They thought that perhaps a victory had overblown the ransomed side, and that perhaps the other side had proven themselves in this night attack, but the Ravental Templars were not fools, and the same tactics often did not work again and again.

Maybe this is also a plan to take advantage of the opponent's defensive misunderstandings, but in any case, the opponent always reacts.

They may have made their way into the Coldwoods, capturing the Raven Bridge and Galeit, but what about next?

Ahead of us is the high and deep Gula Harbor, the army of the Crowclaw Temple, and even the city guards and harbor guards of Gula Harbor, with the strength of the redeemed, they will not be able to take this port easily.

But to be at odds with each other is to be dragged into a head-to-head confrontation, which the ransomed should try to avoid because of the disparity in power.

At that point, the Free Electors will be in a dilemma - should they continue to hold on, or should they return to Greyowl under the threat of the other party?

Either choice means defeat in the military sense-

And more importantly, the dilemma that once faced the Ravental Temple was now on the side of the Free Elect. They launched a counteroffensive with lightning speed, but if they were defeated, the weaknesses in logistics and supply lines would be exposed to the enemy.

The risk was visible to anyone with a discerning eye, but the commander of the ransomed side seemed to be unaware of it, and the front continued to advance through Galeit.

This fell in the eyes of those onlookers, and there was an excuse for attack:

"This dragon alchemist seems to have just been lucky and doesn't know any tactics."

"It's like sending you to death."

"With a few thousand people trying to take Gullah, is this possible?"

Although the supporters have the heart to refute, they do not know how to speak in the face of the facts for a while.

On the other hand, the news from the port of Gula was also not optimistic, and Bad Black Feather, who had retreated to the area of Gula, made the most conservative decision to defend outside the port of Gula.

"It's over."

Analysts immediately realized that this was a red flag:

"If the Ravental Sanctuary side had chosen a more aggressive tactic, there might have been a turnaround. After all, relying on the excellent battlefield blocking ability, maybe there will be a miracle similar to the battle of Gray Owl Town, and the side where the Seven Seas Brigade is located is actually not afraid of chaotic battles, but if the other party uses this stupid method, then the result may be hopeless. ”

"I think so too, Bard Black Feather has always been known for his caution, and it seems that this time it is equally worthy of being the chief military officer of the Ravental Temple."

"But having said that, what should the redeemed side do with the situation?"

"The best thing to do is to recognize the reality, and after realizing that the opponent has reacted, immediately retreat back to Greyowl Town."

"They still have a chance to rest and gather more resistance. Fight for another 'night of miracles' before the Ravental Temple's counteroffensive arrives. ”

After Greyowl's dreamlike victory, the community has given the night's battle a name. Although it has not yet entered the official record, it is basically a convention.

But the optimistic analysis is not shared by everyone:

"But miracles can't happen again and again."

"The power of one person and one team has a limited impact on war. Even though the forces of resistance have gradually gathered, they are still weak compared to the behemoth of the Crowclaw Temple, and they can win once and twice, but the Temple side will never give the refugees a chance again and again, and the final result will inevitably be defeated......

People couldn't help but fall silent.

This was in fact exactly what they had foreseen for the Seven Seas Brigade's side.

It is difficult to avoid a quick defeat by taking the initiative, but even if you are trapped in Greyowl Town, the end result will only prolong the time of defeat.

In such an environment, rumors spread throughout the community, some of which were rumors that the ransomed's side had failed, and that the Thorn Shell was in the process of retreating.

A little later, however, it was said that the Free Chosen Ones had lost their assault on Gula and were now in a dilemma.

In the midst of all the false information, it was difficult for people to determine which was the real source of the information, and the ransomed disappeared as if they had disappeared overnight.

And the ID that once posted the live video, 'Mr. Knight's Miss Fairy', has never appeared again.

Unlike the others, the wandering horse is a source of information on his own, and after disproving the rumors that seem to be not worth refuting, he gradually puts together a somewhat unusual picture from the few words of information circulating above the community.

The Chosen of Liberty did not attack the port of Gullah—

But this answer is even more confusing, if they are not in this direction, where are they going?

He silently watched the discussion above the community, and there were some different voices in it:

"Maybe they weren't attacking Gula Harbor?"

"What if they're aiming a little further north?"

Naturally, there are also people who raise such doubts.

But such doubts seem to people to be somewhat ridiculous, and wouldn't bypassing the port of Gula expose one's back to the enemy? What should be done about the supply lines, and how should the logistics be handled?

The wandering horse tapped on the table silently, and he knew in his heart that most of the people who asked such questions were Xiaobai, but what made him feel a little strange was that he actually agreed with such a statement.

He involuntarily substituted himself for Fang Yuan, if that young man's goal was not Gula, then where would his goal be?

His gaze silently searched the map for the name of the place.

……

"This is the Seven Seas Traveler."

The howling wind and snow tugged at the canopy of the pine forest, making a sound like the cry of a ghost.

Fang Yu sat in his tent, listening to the voice coming from the crystal, which was Tang Xin's tone, with a hint of concern for him:

"Brother, we've arrived at the predetermined area, are you okay there?"

"The wind and snow are very strong, and the attack plan has been delayed until after the early hours of the morning," Fang Yu held the crystal and asked, "Is Miss Tata's side ready?" ”

As soon as he finished speaking, a peaceful emotion came to his mind.

That's Miss Fairy's answer, as always, reassuring.

"All right," he said, "wait for my news." ”

"Understood."

The light on the crystal went out.

Only then did he raise his head and look at the high wall in the distance in the middle of the wind and snow—behind the pine forest, an open valley, immersed in the white snowy night.

Pitch-black stone walls are stretching out along the cliffs on either side of the valley and sealing off the entrance to the valley.

There is Greytree Ridge, and beyond this fortress is the Grey Mountain Outpost, the gateway to the four towns of the north, and further north, Quimens and Altori.

Today, however, it is not unguarded, and bonfires are lit on the high walls of the fortress. It seems that the news from the south has already arrived in this place, and the fortress has sent more guards.

Beside him, Alyssa was reporting to him:

"The Divine Knights have brought more news, Captain, there are more garrisons in Grey Ridge than expected."

"And the elves have also found an army stationed outside the fortress, and I heard that Bad Black Feather has sent another batch of reinforcements from Gula Harbor."

Fang Yu asked, "Is it the news that Ms. Ameya's rangers brought back?" ”

Alyssa nodded.

Both Milella and Lady Marlan sent an entire Order of God's Lords, about two or three thousand men, but the Forest Lady sent a helping hand from the elves of Evan Quinn.

These skilled rangers quickly took over the work of the original redeemed and assumed the duties of scouts in the ranks.

Fang Yu was silent for a moment.

He couldn't understand Bard Black Feather's judgment in his heart, the cautious caretaker seemed to see through their intentions, but why did he only send such a small number of men?

His gaze lingered on the map for a moment, but he finally made up his mind to rule it out—accidents were accidents, and that didn't change his decision at the moment—or rather, it was a judgment he shared with the ship's officer.

There was a sound of rustling outside the tent, as if someone was walking in this direction.

When Fang Yu heard this voice, he was not surprised to look in that direction, and after a while, he happened to see a person walking over in the middle of the wind and snow.

Sand Night came to the tent before he asked:

"Ed, we're here."

Fang Yu stood up, looked at the other party, and then at the young man standing behind him, before asking, "Is that him?" ”

Sandnight nodded, "His name is Bane." ”

The young man took a slight step forward after being introduced, and he happened to enter the tent, allowing Fang Yu to see his appearance clearly.

Fang Yu couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, realizing that he had seen this young man—but not in the refugee camp before.

Rather, it was beside Blackbow the Grey Whistle, the same young man who had been following him closely that day when he first met the people of the Redeemed.

He glanced at Sand Night without a trace, not quite knowing whether the other party also knew this, and then carefully looked at the young man.

The young man looked a little cringe, but he wasn't a little nervous, as the hunters had described to him.

Although his face was slightly pale and his gaze wandered, Fang Yu could see that it was not fear and panic, but at best a little nervous.

He was silent for a moment before looking at the other party and asking, "You're the Elector, aren't you?" ”

The young man paused for a moment and nodded.

Fang Yu continued to ask, "You said you had seen the Shadow Man, and I heard that you lost two companions during that experience?" ”

The young man hesitated, as if thinking about something, but after a while, nodded.

"Are they also the Chosen One?"

"Yes, yes."

Sha Ye looked at Fang Yuan, and then at the young man beside him, frowning slightly, not quite understanding the meaning of this question.

But Fang Yu didn't care, and only continued to ask: "Then have you contacted them after that, I mean at the Star Gate?" ”

Nian nodded again and replied: "I asked the Xingmen Port side, but they asked me to wait for a week for news, because it will take time to verify the identity of the transit personnel...... And ......"

"And you think it's possible that they didn't leave Aitalia?" Fang Yu asked.

The young man looked up at him suddenly.

"Bane," Fang Plover asked, "Miss Sandnight told me that you and your friends were separated south of Artore, right, and that you were captured by the Ravental Temple shortly thereafter, and escaped alone. The people of the Ravental Temple are now cordoning off Greytree Ridge, can you tell me about the situation over there? ”

"Captain Ed," the young man was silent for a moment before replying, "You should have heard of the frequent disappearances in the four towns in the northern border during that time, right?" ”

"So it's around Altoria?"

"Yes." He took a breath and nodded slightly.

……