On the small hill, the sun shines through the shade of the trees on the grass, and it is bright and dappled. However, the lords and generals of Lulian who were standing in the sunlight only felt a chill to the bone.

When Anthony and Elizabeth walked up the hill, all they saw was a statue-like figure.

The prince and his wife stopped.

The faces of the two were tired and pale. After arriving here day and night, they didn't need to ask questions to get the answer to the current situation from what was in front of them.

At this moment, the valley has been completely occupied by the Abyss Demon. The human defenders were forced to retreat to a second line of defense, which was even worse and more difficult to defend.

The black tide is spreading in all directions.

In the vast plains beyond the valley, demons have more room to maneuver and attack any part of the human defenders' defenses with impunity. What's even more terrifying is that in the red light gate, the third eleventh-level demon has already manifested its form.

No one knows how many high-level demons will appear in the Light Gate in the next time. But the current situation alone is enough to make everyone despair.

Everyone understands that in this battle, the human side has no chance left. Although the Tomahawk Knights had arrived, the collapse of the first line of defense made this reinforcement, which everyone had hoped for, become a sandbag that was replenished after the flood broke the embankment.

Even if they were all thrown into battle, it would be impossible to put the demon tide that rushed out of the valley back into a cage.

And more reinforcements are still on the way.

How long did it take them to get here? 10 prayer hours, 20 prayer hours, 48 prayer hours?

Nobody knows.

All we know is that in the face of this raging flood, no one will be able to hold out until then.

Adolf stood on the side of the hill.

After waking up from a coma. He remained in this position, staring motionless at the battlefield, not saying a word. Even the arrival of the Tomahawk Knights and Prince Anthony did not make him look back.

"Your Highness......" Fano called out to Adolf as he walked over to him.

Adolf turned his head, his eyes bloodshot. There was pain in the eyes. There are struggles. But more than that, it is ferocious and hideous.

"We haven't lost yet, have we?" said Adolf.

Without waiting for Fano to answer, he quickly said, "Your Excellency Abraham has passed through the city of Muni. If they're fast enough, they'll be here in two prayer hours!"

He looked around, his voice hoarse, "We still have a chance." Hold on to two prayers, that's the only thing we can do. ”

"His Royal Highness the Grand Duke......"

Everyone was amazed. No one thought of it, until now. Adolf hasn't given up yet.

"Now, I need you to make a decision. Do you want to fight with me, or turn away......" Adolf's gaze swept over everyone's faces: "I know this battle will be difficult, so I'm not prepared to use the right to force conscription. You are free to decide whether you want to stay or not!"

Everyone looked at each other.

Imperial law stipulates that a lord has the right to rule and build over his territory and the subjects within it. The right to judge, the right to collect taxes. Dozens of private powers, such as the right to conscription for labor and military service. These powers, even the higher nobles and even the imperial power, must not interfere without reason.

In Lulian, for example, Adolf never interfered with the lords' administration of their realms, unless the policies implemented by the lords were seriously contrary to the policies of the principality and led to serious consequences. Even if the lord turned the entire territory upside down, Adolf would turn a blind eye.

Similarly, the royal family would not interfere with Adolf's rule over Lulian.

Especially in Adolf's direct domain, he was the supreme king. Under the protection of the barrier of private ownership, the hand of imperial power is longer. I can't get in. Unless you turn around and use the army to crusade.

It is for this reason that, legally speaking, the lord is the sole owner and controller of violent institutions and armed forces in his domain, and any armed force other than him is illegal.

Of course, tradition and law are not always consistent.

The existence of the mission hall mercenary group, the guards needed by the merchant group for transportation, the ubiquitous bandits, and the ubiquitous underground world are all destined to be mixed with dragons and snakes in the land of the lords, and there are all kinds of armed forces.

No liege will really ban all armaments in their realm.

The consequence of doing so would only be to deprive his territory of caravans and mercenaries, reduce taxes, and become lifeless. And, in this world of the jungle, he will have no friends, no help. You can only face the fierce eyes of bandits and even other lords alone.

However, this law is not meaningless.

At the very least, its existence provided a key basis for the lords to rule in the face of the catastrophe of an alien invasion, and that was the power to forcibly conscript all the armed forces registered in their realms, and for the owners of these armed forces, it was not only a reward for the lords, but also an obligation imposed by tradition and law.

If they refuse, they will become enemies not only of this lord, but of all noble lords of the entire empire.

Once such a label is attached to their bodies, no matter how big the Avalon Continent is, they will not be able to move an inch.

That's why everyone gathers here.

Some of them came because their own team was lost in the abyss, some because the family ran Lulian and happened to meet at the right time, and some of them took the initiative to lead the army to support because they heard of the demonic invasion.

But whatever the reason, whether active or passive, the forcible conscription power in Adolf's hands is the most important constraint. Rather than being forcibly recruited, it is better to take the initiative to come, which is the thinking of the vast majority of people present.

However, what people never dreamed of was that Adolf took the initiative to give up the right to be forcibly drafted.

This means that, if they wish, the mercenary groups present, the noble lords of the non-Lurians, and the armed forces of the merchant chaebols can leave freely.

In the silence, there was a hint of hesitation on the faces of many people.

Everyone knows how grave the situation is, and they know how cruel the situation will be for the next two prayers if they make the decision to stay.

Unlike the generals of Adolf's army and the lord of Lulian, they did not have a territorial problem. Don't say that Lulian is overrun by demons. Even if the entire southern part of the empire were to be eroded, the price they would pay would only be to withdraw their branches and forces to the north.

As for the future, let's take it one step at a time. After all, no matter from which point of view, this kind of catastrophe that affects all races on the continent will not be their turn to be at the forefront.

But...... In silence. Rooney, the leader of the Highland Mercenaries, stepped forward. He spoke: "I don't know what everyone thinks, anyway, we decided to stay! I don't want to be poked in the back in the future, saying that our highlander joint mercenary group confessed at a critical moment!"

Rooney's words immediately caused an uproar.

"You highland mercenary group don't admit it, are we the Wild Lion Mercenary Group just a bad seed?

"The Rock Mercenary Regiment stays. ”

"The Poche family and His Royal Highness the Grand Duke advance and retreat together. ”

"yes, it's a big deal to fight these damn demons. ”

The crowd was so emotional that they made decisions on behalf of the forces they represented. With this loud sound, the hill seemed to be ignited, and there was a scene of blood boiling.

But at this time. A cold voice caused the entire hill to fall into dead silence.

"The Tomahawk Knights will not be involved in a battle that is doomed to defeat. ”

Everyone turned their heads in shock, only to see the square-faced knight led by the Tomahawk Knights with a faint expression, "I don't have the right to send my people to death, so we will leave." I can only wish you all the best of luck. ”

As soon as these words came out, not only everyone present was stunned, but even Charles and Anse Elle, who were standing beside the knight, were dumbfounded.

"Wait!" exclaimed Charles. "Mr. Stevenson, do you know what you're talking about?"

The square-faced knight Stevenson nodded faintly and said, "Mr. Charles." Of course I know what I'm talking about. Why, are you questioning my decision?"

Charles opened his mouth, stunned.

Stevenson is forty-nine years old and a powerful man with the power of the Sanctuary. The ladder level has reached the sixtieth level, and it has the power of the sixth-level rule.

As one of the five commanders of the Tomahawk Order, Stevenson is not a member of the Renault family. But it was deeply valued by the Grand Duke of Renault. After the Knights withdrew to the imperial capital this time, the remaining one-third of the garrison troops were under his command. In terms of power, he is still above Charles.

Usually, Stevenson and Charles have a pretty good relationship, almost big and small. Charles will be consulted. Especially after the night in the city of Muni, Charles and Ansel, who were commended by the Grand Duke of Renault, received almost unconditional support and cooperation from Stevenson.

What Charles and Anse Air didn't expect was that this time, without any warning and without any prior consultation, Stevenson actually made such a decision.

This is a slap in the face for today's human alliance!

You know, the second line of defense is said to be a line of defense, but in fact it is nothing more than a forcibly organized encirclement on the plains beyond the valley. In order to form this encirclement, Adolf had to commit a large number of troops. This meant that there would be a large number of low-ranking knights and even ordinary infantry phalanxes at the top.

In front of a demon above level six, what the consequences of throwing into such an army would be, even an idiot understands.

To put it nicely, they have human intelligence and the strength of a team. To put it mildly, they are cannon fodder for sacrifice!

Only by filling it with human lives can they stop the demon's breakthrough.

And to insist on two prayers, it is not enough to rely on these soldiers. Behind them, there must be a team of high-ranking knights who are strong enough to stabilize the situation at critical moments.

This team will serve as a reserve in Adolf's hands, ready to stabilize the situation and close the gaps. Otherwise, no matter how many people die, it will be useless!

It can be seen that after the tragic battles in the early stage, the three thousand knights of the Tomahawk Knights, as a new force, are very important to Lulian today. What's more, as one of the only two Sacred Domain powerhouses present, Stevenson also has a heavier responsibility on his shoulders.

However, at this juncture, Stevenson refused to participate in the next battle.

Didn't he know what that meant?

A wave of anger rushed to his brain from the bottom of his heart, Charles blushed, and asked loudly: "You say I doubt, then I will question it." Why?"

Stevenson frowned and said coldly, "I said it, I won't throw my troops into a battle that is doomed to defeat." There is simply no point in holding on to this line of defense. The reason for my decision is not from the position of the commander of the Order of Tomahawks, but from the position of a commander. ”

After speaking, he asked lightly, "Are you satisfied with such an answer?"

Charles held his breath in his chest and looked at Stevenson's gaze full of disbelief.

Logically, there's nothing wrong with Stevenson. On the contrary, he was more sane and calm than anyone present.

However, there are times when sanity and calmness are not a good thing.

That could be a kind of coldness!

More likely an excuse for a stab in the back!

Charles had known Stevenson for a long time. He was under the impression that Stevenson was not only extraordinary, but also fair and honest. Won the trust and respect of the knights. This kind of decision should definitely not be made by someone like him.

And at this moment, Stevenson's face looks so unfamiliar.

This made Charles feel a little chill.

"Mr. Stevenson," Charles said in a slower tone, holding back his anger, "didn't you think that if we retreated now, we would release these damned Abyss Demons once and for all?"

"Of course I do," a sneer appeared on Stevenson's broad face, "but what can we do about it? ”

"To no avail?" Charles said through gritted teeth, "our reinforcements are on the way." His Majesty Edward has already given the order for reinforcements. His Excellency Abraham even led eleven powerhouses of the Imperial Sanctuary to rush here. We will hold on for two more prayers at most, and they will arrive!"

"It doesn't make a difference to the outcome!" Stevenson said, raising an eyebrow, "Even if His Excellency Abraham were to get here now, they wouldn't be able to solve the predicament we faced. Don't forget, in addition to the eleventh level demons, there are hundreds of tenth-level demons and ninth-level demons...... This is an army of demons far more powerful than us, and they can crush us at any time. ”

As he spoke, he looked around and turned his gaze to Adolf, "I admire everyone's courage, but you need to know. Our biggest problem is not being able to destroy the Blood Sacrifice Passage. ”

He pointed to the huge red light that was clearly visible in the valley in the distance and said, "As long as this passage exists, these demons will be invincible. We've sent thousands of the most elite mercenaries to them. The powerful qi and blood of these mercenaries are enough to make the Blood Sacrifice Passage complete the advancement. ”

"Once the gates of hell are opened," his expression turned cold and hideous, "there will be a huge army of demons descending here." In addition to the eleventh-level demons, there will also be twelfth-level demons, and even thirteenth-level demons...... At that time, our sacrifice will be worthless. ”

Stevenson's words silenced everyone present.

Everyone knew that this was just his excuse, but no one could refute it.

Indeed, Abraham's strength can be described as unfathomable, and with the eleven top-level holy domains, even if he is dealing with dozens of eleventh-level demons, it is not a problem.

However, this is not a ring match, but a war!

In this war, everyone needs to face the entire abyss, an army of countless demons. As long as the blood sacrifice channel remains, humanity is doomed to be unable to win this war. Even if you insist on two prayers, it doesn't make any sense to wait until Abraham arrives.

However, at this moment, Ansel on the side suddenly spoke: "However, the Blood Sacrifice Passage is still a Blood Sacrifice Passage, not the Gate of Hell!"

This sentence made Stevenson stunned, and the others also remembered something, and their eyes lit up...... WeChat book friend number pangs_72 WeChat public account ctao0202 welcome everyone to join. (To be continued.) )