XI

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On the evening of August 8, 1666 (MDay+129).

Lenny Central District 1

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Night envelops Lenny's central square. Next to the sculpture on the edge of the square, the soldiers in charge of the guard set out the pots and bowls, had eaten the meal, and sat down on the tarpaulins to rest.

"Company commander, do we still want to continue on duty?"

The commander of the company, Second Lieutenant Sparrowy, glanced at the soldier and said impatiently, "Of course, boy. Your Excellency Captain has not ordered the decorette to be lifted, and we are to ensure the safety of this area. ”

Ensign Sparry is forty-two years old, and he looks like he is in his fifties because of his baldness. Everyone said that he didn't look like a mercenary, but rather a priest or a pedant, but in reality, he could only write the letters of his own name, and not a single one.

For twenty years, Spari has been paying the salaries of the Italian-American Adam mercenaries, and he can't get up or lose that salary. It wasn't until the outbreak of the new war two months ago, when he seized the opportunity to get a contract from the Nationalist Army for the training of new recruits for thirty gold pounds, that he could be considered to have touched the side of the officer class. Last week, the company's commander was killed by a stray bullet during the battle for the city, and he was officially promoted to second lieutenant in the National Army to take over the company.

The soldier turned away and whispered, "But the captain didn't show up all afternoon." ”

When Ensign Sparrow heard this, he didn't reprimand him, but just waved him to rest.

The second lieutenant had the same doubts in his heart, but as an old mercenary, he knew that he could not express his suspicions of the commander in front of the soldiers. He looked around and quickly found someone to complain about.

"Second Lieutenant Garner, have you returned from patrol, how is the battle going outside, and is there any new progress?"

His colleague, Ensign Gagnel of the Phaetes, was young and handsome, and looked like the kind of youth that girls would pursue. As the third (scheduled) graduate of the Federal Non-commissioned Officer School, Second Lieutenant Ganiere was only sixteen years old. He hadn't gotten his diploma yet, but at this time, he and his classmates were being called up — and the instructors who had tested them were on the battlefield.

Ganiere looked at his colleague, showed a polite smile as perfect as an oil painting, and explained the situation together: "I'm back, and I've replenished the ordnance, and I'll distribute it immediately." On the east side of the three walls, facing a major offensive, the enemy army has gathered probably hundreds of artillery pieces and tens of thousands of troops, and General McCash has transferred half of his reserves to the second sector, ready to support at any time. ”

As an honor student in the non-commissioned officer school, Second Lieutenant Gagnel barely has three levels of magic power, is one of the six middle-level magic officers in the division, and also serves as a company commander. The four companies had a total of three junior magic officers, and twenty-four magic warrior officers who could only use magic items, less than one-third of the standard Free Army establishment, and were now under his command.

"Are we going to go to the rescue? The troops have been here all afternoon, and they are getting moldy. "I say, it's getting dark, and that kid with the badge won't run away, right?" said Second Lieutenant Sparry, rubbing his hands together. ”

"I don't think I'm going to run away, maybe I'm asleep somewhere. I've heard some rumors about the captain. He was a lucky man who could have escaped for his life no matter what the crisis. Therefore, in order to boost morale, the boss made him a hero of the Free Army, after all, it is very embarrassing for a hero to be killed. Second Lieutenant Ganiele looked around and lowered his voice, "Moreover, he is still the army of the General Army of the West, the army of the new marshal. The marshal has just taken office, and the headquarters can be regarded as a sycophant in a hurry. Let's follow him, maybe there is still credit to be gained, so let's be quiet. ”

Sparrow snorted disdainfully: "Credit." The credit is all for climbing the wall in the east, but we have to wait patiently for orders in this central square...... Is that credit really going straight to us?"

Ganiele shrugged: "At least we're safe now." As far as I can see, the East Third Wall is about to turn into a flesh mill. ”

The two officers boredly found a piece of tarpaulin and sat down. Another company had set out to take over the patrols of Garner's company; From the square, you can see that the crystal lamps in the large library have been extinguished one by one, and the librarians have begun to clear the room. Crowds of people with precious books poured out of the door—and at the front of them was the "brat with the badge of excellence," Captain Namen Soleton.

Seeing this, both Spari and Gagnier stood up in surprise and gave a loud order to let their company begin to form a team. Naimon rushed down the high steps step by step, and the two of them hurried up to meet them.

"Sir, Garnierlian (Sparilian) is on standby!"

Naimon counted the number of soldiers in the square: "Two companies, it should be enough to stop them." Second Lieutenant Garnier, you're a magical officer, right? You can find General McCash, right?"

Garnier gave a military salute and replied solemnly: "I just returned from the general." Outside the eastern wall, the enemy is preparing a major offensive, and I don't think it's a good time to ask for reinforcements, sir. ”

"But I have to ask for it. The enemy chose the route underground, they wanted to break us directly from the inside. Listen, I know it's hard to believe. Naimon paused, "I met Emperor Gustav underground. ”

Embarrassing silence. A polite smile on Ganiele's face didn't move, while Spari whistled.

"Emperor Gustav, wandering underground like a groundhog is just what you bumped into, right? Spari asked, "Have you ever come across an Elven Emperor who hunted for beauty, sir?" Legend has it that their last emperor, Cleon II, became the Emperor of the Dead, and has been roaming the earth of civilization. ”

Naimon gritted his teeth and raised his tone slightly, "Watch your attitude, second lieutenant, I'm not kidding. I've ordered the entire library to evacuate. The emperor has a whole order of knights, and I need six companies, no, maybe eight or ten. ”

Ganiere coughed, "Sir, your arguments are hardly convincing. Your day today is as if you had foreseen the Emperor's attack. It's so suspicious, it's as if you're an insider of the Empire's offensive plans, and your resume isn't that strong. Of course, I personally believe in your innocence - if this was really a plot by the royalists to distract our forces, the loopholes would not be so obvious. ”

Naimon read the subtext behind the smile of the honor student: "You don't believe the Emperor is here, do you?" ”

"I feel like this needs to be investigated further. Garnier looked at the sweat drops on Namen's forehead and said, "You escaped in such a hurry, it's very likely that you were mistaken." If you don't object, Ensign Sparrow and I would like to lead the elite troops in to resist it. ”

Sparrow chimed in, "Let's take the troops in and investigate, and vacate the library first." As for the reinforcements, I'm afraid you have to go to the general, sir. Oh yes, and there are two more companies on patrol. ”

Naymen Soleton smiled wryly. It was clear that neither officer believed him, and the enthusiasm of the previous run had been somewhat extinguished. Indeed, this whole thing sounded quite unreasonable, and he could not tell the truth that he was not chasing the emperor. However, there were still some things he had to do.

"So be it. Garner, Spari, you lead your troops into the rare book vault deep beneath the Great Library, where there is a secret passage that has just been pried open. The Emperor and his troops are bound to invade from here. ”

Ghaniel asked, "There are 300 people in our two companies, so we can't deploy them underground." When cleaning the sewers half a month ago, the general divided each company into combat squads to clean up, and the effect was good. ”

Naimon shook his head: "No, don't disperse, just elite soldiers with self-protection ability to monitor the tunnel entrance." As soon as they start attacking, you will retreat, and you must not force yourself to fight! The enemy this time is the elite of the elite of the Northern Army, not to mention a company, our companies will not be able to defeat them if they are tied up. As long as you engage in an exchange of fire with the enemy, you will save your strength and retreat from the library. ”

He looked at Spari, the old sergeant's look of disbelief, and then at Garner, who was indifferent. Naimon knew they didn't believe it, but there was nothing he could do.

"Then I'll go to the general. ”

Captain Soleton said goodbye to his two temporary subordinates, led his horse to the square, and left along the main road. After Sparrow and Garnier saw him off, they unhurriedly organized their troops and marched towards the library.

The whole library was in chaos. The two ensigns led the team to the rare book vault underground, where they met the busy librarians and trainee librarians who were disenchanting and transferring books. The most striking thing is, of course, the swarthy tunnel at the end of the corridor, through which it is clear that Naimon has convinced the librarian.

Sparrow lit a torch and bent down into the tunnel: "There really is a tunnel, it was just dug indeed. Ah, this is the footprint of the 'Excellence Chapter', in, out. This is the tunnel where the legend hides a lot of noble gold, right?"

Garnier followed him with a lighting stick, faintly feeling that something was wrong: "Do you say...... Captain, did he really see Gustav, and the Emperor was rumored to be a cripple, and he could indeed recognize it at a glance. ”

"I don't believe it anyway. Even we don't have the path to abandon the tunnel, so do the Imperial Army have so many men to fill in the ground?" Sparry turned to his side and tapped his hand on the wall of the cave. "However, this soil is not hard, and it can be dug up with a shovel, if you really want to dig it violently with fortifications and magic. We should set some traps here, Second Lieutenant Garniere. ”

Gagnel nodded: "You're right. Let my company come, your company assists the librarian in carrying rare books. There are also very good mages and clergy among the librarians. ”

"Leave it to me, the girl at the door said there was a deputy curator on duty. How many mages they have, they have to spit it out for me. ”

Sparrow confidently assured that he did. Soon, the various magicians and priests in the librarian were given a temporary National Army magic officer's armband and gathered in the underground rare book vault. The two lieutenants took advantage of these hands to transfer the precious books one by one, and both of them secretly carried two books as labor expenses.

When there was only one rare book left, both Garnier and Spari felt the vibration of the fortifications' magic.

"Is it really here?" Ghaniel grumbled, probing into the tunnel.

He saw a glimmer of light in the depths of the tunnel.

The shimmer gradually expands, turning into a point of light, into a spot. Unusually neat footsteps came from the layers of soil, and the earth under their feet shook, as if a large army was advancing.

Then, someone stepped on the first magic trap buried in the earth, and the rubble and iron nails burst through the narrow tunnel.

The unexpected pop triggered a gruff roar with a Figota accent. There has always been a legend in the Imperial Army that a deserter was once killed on the spot by the roar of the old Minister of War.

"Which bastard is going forward without detection!The Medic Knight supports, the fortifications magic team supports the tunnel!Forward detachment, assault!Assault!Assault!Count Eagle Wing, tell your Judgment Knight to stop Your Majesty, don't let him rush too forward!"

The Foreign Secretary's men quickly stopped the Emperor, and Gustav had to stop. He slammed the scepter in his hand on the ground, hesitated for a moment, and still did not give any orders. He turned his head and complained to Danica behind him, "The old man is still so assertive. ”

But the "Duchess von Figota" did not respond to him. Danika wasn't thinking about it now, just silently walked forward, past the emperor's side. Her dull gaze ignored the Knights of Judgment who stood in her way, and she listened blankly to the sounds of fighting as she walked up the slope.

"If you go any further, you'll be in that very dangerous war zone, Ms. von Figota. Ms. von Figota?"

The cries of Emperor Gustav were ineffective. The Foreign Secretary, Count Covey Hugh Eaglewing, who was four steps behind him, couldn't stand it anymore, so he had to remind in a low voice: "Call her name, Your Majesty, call her name!"

The Emperor took a deep breath. "Danika!"

This time the girl stopped. Her gaze was still glazed, as if she was thinking about something, but she didn't seem to be thinking about anything. It seems that any miscellaneous soldier can hurt her until now.

The Emperor frowned, turned to Count Eagle Wing, and pointed the scepter in his hand to the top of his head: "Give your Knights of Judgment ten minutes." I know you've brought a few high-ranking knights with you, as well as 'mercy'. Don't chase for kills, prioritize driving out enemies. ”

"Understood, Your Majesty. The Foreign Secretary playfully ordered his subordinates to rush up the slope, "It will be solved in five minutes." ”

The rearguard stopped playfully, leaving the emperor with private space. Gustav walked up to Danika and apologized, "Sorry for calling you by your first name, Duchess von Figota." ”

Danika didn't answer. The Emperor asked, "If you don't object, can I call you Danika from now on?"

"Nope. I don't use that name anymore. ”

"Then I'll call you ......"

The girl corrected lightly, "Viren." ”

"Viren. Viren. Gustav repeated the pronunciation of the name twice, "It sounds good." I remember, this is your patronymic name?"

"Maternal name. I don't have a paternal name, and I never will. There won't be. ”

The Great Emperor choked back at her, and had to turn his head to look down the slope. There was a slight noise of confusion from below the slope, and someone hurriedly threw a dispel spell. He turned his head again to look at the top of the slope, but Count Eaglewing had not yet returned.

Gustav had no choice but to say carefully: "It is still a very excessive thing for you to attack your native city. If you regret it, you can do it alone. I promise not to hurt the city, or the inhabitants of it. ”

"This is my own suggestion, Your Majesty. You don't have to worry about what I think. Danika replied lightly, "Yes, this is my own advice, my own chosen path." I have no complaints. ”

Gustav corrected: "But I can see the sadness hidden in the depths of your eyes. You regret it. ”

"Probably, I won't realize how much I regret it when it's all over. Danika listened to the shouts from above, and the sound faded away.

"You won't regret it. Lennie will be safe, there will be no slaughter of the city, and there will be no senseless killing. We have been fighting with the Southern Army for more than 100 years, and we will not make the mistake of slaughtering the city again. Fortunately, Gresin is not here, otherwise he would have lectured you. The Emperor reflexively looked around and said hastily at a rare high speed, "He will spend an hour analyzing why the slaughter of the city would seriously affect the logistics of the army and the financial situation of the empire. Nearly every general had heard his long lecture that would have begun with the great financial crisis caused by the burning of the dukes' castles in the south, and ended with the foolish slaughter habits of the Far Eastern Empire, proving that all massacres were not economically cost-effective and that it was right for his tax collectors to loot. We all felt that he should reduce the truth to one sentence: it is much easier to bury gold than to dig it out. ”

Danika took a few more steps up, deliberately turning her back to the Emperor: "I thank you for your promise. I was just...... I can't accept what I'm doing. I'm a very nasty person, Your Majesty. ”

"You're not. I'm not very good at dismantling people. Gustav clumsily explained, "Our Coman family has not been good at learning since ancient times, but your Figota family is very learned. One of my ancestors once said that if you want to be a real hero, you must first learn to be a villain, and he used this as an excuse for himself. Later he died. ”

Danika walked up the slope and looked at the scene in front of her, her expression froze for a moment, and then she reluctantly replied, "This joke is not funny, Your Majesty." ”

"I do hear ministers say in private that my jokes are not funny. Gustav walked up the slope with a calm face, walking past the rare book library, which was empty and empty, "If you really have to regret it, why don't you try to think about it in a different way......

"I don't understand. ”

"It's not easy to understand with your mouth, right...... The Coman family is really not very good at reasoning. ”

Danica looked at the emperor's back with a complicated expression: the cripple was not very tall, but for some reason, he had a feeling of being unapproachable. She gritted her teeth and quickly followed the figure up the stairs.

Dozens of battle-dead librarians and Free Army soldiers lay in the middle of the hallway, scattered among the cracks in the shelves, and the Knights of Judgment rushed past unpacked.

The Emperor stopped in front of this mess. A Knight of Judgment and a magical officer of the Guards waited there, guarding the path ahead of the Emperor. Seeing the emperor appear, the two raised their hands at the same time and saluted.

Gustav raised his arm and gestured slightly. The knight of the Judgment saluted again and asked, "Your Majesty, we have repelled the enemy forces in the pavilion, what should we do next?"

The Emperor ordered: "Let Eagle Yiqing prepare the fire oil in the various ordinary book stacks, and burn down the library once we leave safely." ”

Hearing this command, Danica Viren took a deep breath, and the smell of blood in the air choked her nostrils. She coughed violently, as if she was about to cough out her lungs.

The library also held so many memories of her that she didn't know how to stop it, so she could only ask the first question that popped into her mind: "Do you hate libraries, Your Majesty?"

"I built three in Tereland, and two in Golden Harbour, Diramon and Pareña. I love libraries, the Empire needs libraries, but I can't allow educational institutions that aren't under the control of the Empire to exist. ”

The emperor's statement was calm and confident, as if he had already captured the city. The answer was so official that Danika didn't even know how to continue persuading. She silently followed the emperor on, looking at the flashes in front of her and listening to the sounds of fighting and screaming from time to time.

Soon, everything fell silent. She walked to the first floor and watched the Emperor's orders being carried out.

The upper floors of the library have not been emptied, and ordinary books that are not rare books are still stored there. Religious books, history books, arcane books, Danika smelled the pungent smell of fire oil in the air, and walked past one familiar bookcase after another.

She seemed to have borrowed the book, and there were her graffiti on the bookshelf next to her. None of these topics could be brought up because she didn't know how.

As soon as the emperor gave the order, the few detachments left behind would burn down the entire library.

Even these detachments responsible for burning the library were composed of brigadiers and honorary soldiers of various armies, each of whom had fought a tug-of-war on the border for at least five years. This small team beside the emperor is full of elite soldiers. The four major knights were all in battle, veterans of the Guard, Imperial Army, and Noble Army formed the backbone, and the Eight Branches of the Mage Guild and the Twelve Pillars of the Orthodox Church also sent people as the pillars of magical power.

Gustav walked briskly through the hallway of the library, stopping abruptly at the end of the foyer and looking up, Danika nearly hitting him in the back. She followed the Emperor's gaze and saw that he was looking at an elf-style painting on the ceiling. The Emperor stared at the mural and indulged in it, nodding his head incessantly, the scepter in his hand gently clapping on the ground.

"This painting is probably from the time of the Elven Empire...... No, it should have been redrawn by a master of the 15th century. What a beautiful Revival style, Viren. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. Danika looked up. She had also seen this painting countless times. Every time she and Soleton came to the library, the teenager would pass the time in the foyer looking at the murals. Probably, he watched it today, right?

The Emperor turned his head and ordered loudly, "Court Mage Lai Liqing!"

The middle-aged magician, who had taken over from Victor von Curric, appeared out of nowhere, stepped forward quickly, and approached the emperor's side.

"Peter Rileyqing, remember that you are very interested in the art of painting. What do you think of this painting? I think it's collectible. ”

The middle-aged magician and painter looked at the mural for a while and replied, "I think it's a very rare painting, the bottom painting is the work of elves, but it was not completed at the time, and a famous artist during the revival period completed it, probably around the time of the Great Rebellion." ”

"Do you have a way to save it? This building is going to burn down. ”

Riley, the court mage, shook his head, "I can't, but His Excellency Thomas Hobbes should." He has some experience in studying parallel planes......"

"Court Mage Hobbes!"

This time from the corridor came an old man who looked to be in his seventies, standing beside the emperor, holding out the mage staff in his hand and gesturing at the ceiling.

While the Emperor and his royal magician were discussing the preservation of the frescoes, Grand Duke von Figota had already rushed out of the main gate with his vanguard knightly troops. Danika looked in their direction, and then at the Emperor, who was immersed in the discussion of art, and suddenly felt a little ridiculous that she had been regretting and worrying about herself.

"These aristocrats seem to be living in another world...... He ordered the library to be burned. ”

"That's the way I think, Miss Vilen. ”

Gustav's voice suddenly rang in her ears, startling Danica. At some point, the Emperor was already standing behind her.

"You...... Can you spy on my thoughts?!" Danika asked reflexively. Immediately she realized the rudeness and impoliteness of the question, hurriedly restrained her attitude, took a small step back, and curtsied, "Sorry, Your Majesty. ”

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hide it. This is part of the function of the Korman Royal Magical Blood. "I was the one who ordered the library to be burned, but I was the one who wanted to preserve the rare books and frescoes." I want to gradually weaken the past 100 years so that a new generation that is loyal to us grows up to bring peace to this land, and I want to preserve the past 100 years so that the new generation can know the beauty of the past. Everything that can be used must be used, and everything that should be discarded must be discarded. When you have to make a decision, you have to make a decision, even if it's offensive. Neither love nor affection will affect my decision-making. ”

Danika suddenly understood what the Emperor was doing. The Emperor was trying to tell her how to get rid of regret and guilt.

"Because I am the Empire. ”

Emperor Gustav stared into her eyes: "Giving up the feeling of regret is the emperor's way of thinking." It's a different kind of ...... It can also be your way of thinking, Viren. ”

But she wasn't the emperor. She thought about it again and again, but still felt that she couldn't do it: "Thank you very much, Your Majesty...... But I don't think it's that easy to cross. ”

"I'll do my best to make sure you don't regret it. ”

With that, the Emperor took a step towards the door of the library.

Danica chased after her. This time, she stepped through a pool of blood on the ground. The tiny red footprints are mixed with the footprints of the large army, and it is difficult to distinguish them.

In front of the people of the empire was a wide central square.

Opposite is the Federal Museum, on the left hand is the Union Parliament building, and on the right hand it leads to Central Avenue. The square is dotted with a few broad-leaved trees, dotted with sculptures, and a number of stone chairs scattered underneath them.

No emperor has ever seen the sight here. Almost all of Gustav's ancestors visited the beautiful Grand Duke's Mansion, but none of them saw this square as a symbol of freedom.

However, the current emperor was not looking at the square, he was looking at something that attracted his attention even more.

In the distance of the central square, a firefly-like light flickered. Torches were held every three or four meters, and the blue and green glow of the illuminating crystals mingled between the torches, dispelling the night. The soldiers lined up in a neat formation with their backs to the museum. To the left-central of the entire front, the magic glow shone brightly.

"There are six companies on the front, and the two companies that we have repulsed are regrouping. A total of eight companies, five times our strength. ”

The Knights of Judgment, the fastest to charge, are reporting to their commander, Foreign Secretary Covey Hugh Eaglewing.

"The opposing commander was between the 1st and 2nd companies on the left flank. "The Detecting Mage identified the color of the protective magic, and the Great Medal that was the source of the magic's light. His tone changed suddenly: "That light...... Make sure the enemy commander is in possession of the 'Order of Excellence'! I'm afraid it's a trap, sir!"

Earl Eaglewing pointed with his scabbard to the location of the glowing magical light, "Is this man a big threat?"

The old Duke Loren von Figota frowned and interjected: "Eagle Wing, haven't you heard the title of 'Excellence Chapter' in the rebels?

"Most of my troops are on diplomatic missions across the Empire, I'm sorry, Duke Figota. ”

Loren glanced at him disdainfully and continued, "The 'Excellence Chapter' is all one of the most brave warriors in the rebels, and I saw it a lot when I was younger. The Southern Army had a total of twelve regular divisions, each of which could only receive one or two on average. They appeared on the battlefield with medals that could be worth a company. The Chapters of Excellence lead the charge, drinking lethal potions with little control over any psychic magic. If they are a Medal of Excellence leader, they prove that they have a fighting power that far exceeds that of ordinary rebel troops, and they have sufficient supplies and tenacious determination. ”

"Understood. So, the sneak attack failed, and the enemy was prepared, right?"

The Foreign Secretary was not asking the Duchess questions. He drew his sword and pointed it at the sky.

"However, we weren't here to sneak attack. Knights of Judgment and Medic, Draw Your Sword!"

The magic array and runes on the armor were pressed one by one, emitting light. Dozens of sharp swords were unsheathed at the same time, and the sound was as neat as a person pulling out a sword unsheathed!

This voice also alarmed the commander of the opposing squad.

Naymen Soleton gasped. He had expected the enemy to be strong, but he had not expected the enemy to be so elite and disciplined.

He looked at his troops again, and the companies of Garnier and Spari were still in disarray in front of the left flank. The Library's grappling losses were significant, more than he expected, but not to the point where they were unacceptable. There's a chance, he thought, there's a chance, after all, I've plotted against Sid Nasser, and maybe I can continue to plot.

"Ganiel, Spari, stand back and regroup, be reserves, hurry up and get through the gap!"

Garniere's company was more than half lost, and the calm smile on his face was long gone. He scolded the soldier as he squeezed through the gap in the array, "I apologize for my suspicion of you, sir. I am honored to be able to fight alongside you, sir. That, luck is also part of strength, sir......"

Spary's company was flanked by Garner's company, and his company was still two-thirds of its soldiers, but it was still in order: "Captain, I really didn't expect that it was really the emperor!

"Good work, you've bought time. I think the Motherland will thank you. ”

It's a pity that there doesn't seem to be enough time. Naymen Soleton looked to his right, at the United Parliament of the Free Nations. The building was no longer defended by soldiers, and the company that had been guarding it was wiping their brand new muskets behind Naimon.

Not only the parliament building, but also the entire 1st district, the Free Army was left without a single soldier, and all the troops were by his side. He brought in only six companies, and the rest of the troops went to the Eastern Third District to prepare for the night attack of the Imperial Army - no, judging by the scale, it should be called a night general attack.

Naimon's lips twitched slightly, reciting the width of the central square.

"The width is two hundred and forty meters, and the length is two hundred and eighty meters...... The two companies guarding the parliament building were new rifles and were supposed to be able to reach this range. But the other party is a knight of judgment, and their ability is ...... I need time, I need time. Two companies on the right flank are ready!"

He suddenly noticed how quiet the whole square was. There were no civilians in the square for a long time, only the two armies facing each other. Naimon stepped out of the ranks suddenly, and with a flick of his right hand, he crumpled a gem containing the amplification magic of the conductor into powder.

"I am the recipient of the 'Order of Excellence', Namen Soleton, a captain of the rank, who served under Clad López in the position of Operational Staff Officer of the General Staff of the Western Army Lenny. I have been ordered to stop your army from advancing at all costs. I wish I had the privilege of knowing the names of the venerable knights opposite me, in order to show the glory of this battle. ”

That's exactly what I should say. Naimon looked across the camp and saw a young knight and an old general in the Imperial array. After a few moments, the young knight spoke.

"I am Minister in charge of the Empire's foreign affairs, Earl of the Eagle Wing Realm in the province of Diramon, and I owe direct allegiance to His Majesty Gustavus Hugh Kerman, serving as a Knight of Law Enforcement in the Great Knights of Inquisition, receiving the sword named 'Compassion'. Being able to fight a 'Excellence Chapter' gives me a hunch that it will be a glorious battle. May our courage be blessed by the gods. ”

Naimon nodded, and turned to walk towards his array. He secretly said to himself, "These nobles who eat the ancients"...... Even in this age of muskets and magic, they still follow the aristocratic etiquette of the past.

But that's okay. The time he needed had been gained.

Naimon looked back at the top of the tall staircase. He decisively gave the order.

"All the right flanks are there, aim at the enemy's front line!Four, three, two, one, gather fire, salvo!"

The first round of test firing of the Free Army began, and only the soldiers on the right flank, armed with new enchanted rifles, pulled the trigger.

The trigger linkage gear, the gear hits the flint, the flint ignites the fire, the fire Yao pushes the air, and the air rushes through the runes in the chamber, pushing the bullet to spin forward and fly across the entire square!

A bullet slammed into the shoulder of the Eaglewing Earl. The magic power on the armor forged from pure gold swung up in a spiral of light, but it couldn't stop the bullet, and he felt a sharp pain.

The knights in the front positions around him, despite their heavy armor, were still beaten into a colander by this round of volleys.

After more than 100 years, blood finally dripped on this square that symbolizes freedom.

The Minister of War crouched down with agility that did not match his age, and shouted, "Except for the assault team, all the defense!"

The pain infuriated the Count, who did not give them time to complete their preparations for battle.

"Knight of Judgment, equip!"

The Count's roar was hoarse.

Amid the rain of gunfire, the Imperial knights could be heard summoning their horses.

Out of nothingness, black warhorses from another world appeared, and these warhorses meekly crawled at the feet of the Knights of Judgment. This was their magical ability, and the reason why the Emperor had chosen them as the main members of the assault force.

The Emperor needs a cavalry capable of passing through underground tunnels - of course, such cavalry does not exist, but he can have a cavalry capable of summoning war horses.

The whole cavalry leaped down from the high steps and charged forward. The Medic Knights unleashed their healing magic, swords in hand, and followed them closely.

At this time, the library was set on fire. The flames illuminated the backs of the Imperial Army and the eyes of the Free Army soldiers. They stared in amazement at the fire, at the burning treasure trove of knowledge available to all citizens.

"Volleys from the left flank!"

Naymen Soleton waved his arm again. Then, he drew his pistol.

It seems like this is the case again. Is this good luck or bad luck? When will I be able to retire from the army and live a life where I don't have to always draw a gun? Maybe I don't have a chance. What would life be like even if the war ended? He no longer knows.

At least, the vault of the Central Library could no longer be seen through the latticework of his shop. Dreams are just dreams, aren't they?

"The platoon on the right flank shoots in turns! Those who have finished firing in the first row, step back and insert their bayonets into the muzzle of their guns!"

There is no way back for either side. In tonight's battle, we will fight to the last man.

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