Another two or three days passed.
The chill on the walls of New Rivadin intensified, becoming almost palpable, especially after Lezalit's return.
The intelligence brought back by this steady Swadian general tore through the mist shrouding the Desert outside the city and the depths of the Underground, clearly outlining the three cold, venomous snakes coiling around New Rivadin's throat.
"My Lord." Lezalit hurried over to the city wall.
Bestour and Aleron were also there.
Seeing Lezalit approach, they nodded to him as well.
"Mm." Shen Mu stood on the city wall, and seeing Lezalit, he nodded slightly: "How was the reconnaissance?"
"It's almost all done," Lezalit said with a wry smile. After receiving the task to scout the surrounding area, he had been cautiously reconnoitering for the past three days.
He meticulously gathered intelligence.
Finally, today, he returned.
He respectfully saluted Shen Mu, his voice rough with the dust of the Underground, and pointed towards the Underground entrance, saying: "It can be said that it has become a boiling oil pot down there. The Skeleton Archers and Hell Devils, two factions, are still slaughtering each other, just as we saw before."
The wind on the city wall carried grit, making a faint sound as it struck armor.
Lezalit stood beside Shen Mu, his fingertip tracing a simple map spread on the rough stone surface of the parapet, his voice low and clear as he outlined the deadly noose tightening around New Rivadin: "My Lord, the Desert outside the city is more 'lively' than imagined."
As he spoke, Lezalit's hand pointed to the thick shadowed areas on the east and north of the map: "Lurking in this scorched earth is a remnant of an Undead Dynasty we've never encountered before—calling themselves the 'Ghost Light Second Dynasty.' Their core combat strength is precisely the kind of... 'Bone Armored Cavalry' that previously ambushed us."
He paused, recalling the descriptions and crude sketches brought back by the reconnaissance team, paid for with blood:
"These cavalry are extremely eerie. In normal state, their speed is comparable to our elite riders, but at critical moments, they can unleash a 'Ghost Light' state. Just as Lord Bestour said before, a black light flashes, and their speed and strength instantly surge. The cost seems to be a brief rigidity, but this is enough to tear through any unclosed defensive line during a charge. Their numbers are unknown, but certainly more than just a few small squads; they are like leopards prowling in the shadows of the Desert, extremely patient, waiting for an opportunity for a fatal strike."
His finger moved to the bottom of the map, to the marker representing the huge Underground station entrance: "What's truly boiling is below. The tracks are long broken, the tunnels have become a labyrinth of slaughter. Lurking deep within the Underground network is another completely different Undead force—the 'Black Arrow Tower Seventh Dynasty.' Their main force is... Skeleton Archers; of course, the Undead Legion we encountered before are them."
Lezalit emphasized, this being the core and difficulty of his reconnaissance: "Unlike the Ghost Light Dynasty's cavalry, the Black Arrow Tower's archers are extremely... insidious. They are more like assassins, relying on the complex environment of the Underground wreckage to stealthily move, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. Their arrows are specially made bone arrows, with exceptionally sharp tips and a strange corrosiveness, capable of easily piercing chainmail and even posing a threat to thicker armor plates. However, their individual protection is very fragile, far inferior to the Ghost Light Dynasty's Bone Armored Cavalry. It's just that..."
He frowned tightly, "Their numbers are hard to estimate, seemingly endless. But thankfully, they are fiercely clashing with enemies from another direction."
His fingertip heavily tapped the thick line representing the direction of the Xiao Long River: "Across the Xiao Long River! The spirit world rules have created a huge chaotic rift in that area. Large amounts of Hell energy are seeping out, forming small-scale erosion zones. Pouring out from there are true Hell forces—primarily low-tier Hell Devils, mixed with twisted Devil puppets corrupted by Hell energy!"
"That fierce battle deep in the Underground, it's pretty much what we experienced when we fought before; we had also vaguely sensed it back then." Lezalit's voice carried a hint of chill: "It's the Black Arrow Tower's Skeleton Archers and the low-level troops sent by the Hell Devils tearing at each other deep in the tunnels! Our previous judgment was correct, it's two factions in a death struggle! They hate each other, wearing each other down, like two venomous snakes entangled in combat, but if either breaks through to the surface, it would be a disaster for us! Of course, them fighting each other is also very good."
Lezalit straightened up, his gaze heavy as he looked at Shen Mu:
"My Lord, New Rivadin is now like a pinnacle balanced on three rolling stones. Above the Desert, the Ghost Light Second Dynasty's Skeleton Cavalry are eyeing us like tigers, ready to launch a devastating charge at any moment; deep Underground, the Black Arrow Tower Seventh Dynasty's Skeleton Archers and the Hell Devils' low-tier troops are engaged in a bloody slaughter. Although the core area of their conflict is temporarily far from the entrance, the battlefield is fluid, and any faction gaining a local advantage could potentially draw the battle to the exit. Once the low-tier Hell troops burst out onto the surface, or the Black Arrow Tower's archers seize advantageous terrain near the exit, we will face a three-dimensional assault!"
He took a breath, concluding with difficulty: "Even more terrifying is that these three factions may never have had a tacit understanding, but when they simultaneously turn their gaze towards New Rivadin—this 'obstacle' that stands between them or on their way to places they desire more—we become the most obvious bullseye!"
Shen Mu listened quietly, his gaze moving across the map marked by Lezalit.
The wild charge of the Ghost Light Cavalry, the deadly cold arrows of the Black Arrow Tower archers, the close-quarters tide of Hell Imps… the cold reality pierced his mind like steel needles.
New Rivadin was no longer merely an outpost in the East. It had become an eye of the storm, a focal point about to be impacted and squeezed by three different, yet equally deadly, Undead and Devil forces!
"I understand." Shen Mu's voice was devoid of ripples, yet heavy as a cornerstone.
"Our city walls must simultaneously guard against arrow rain from above, iron hooves from the ground, and Hell's minions from... possibly any corner."
He turned, looking at the garrison inside the castle, who were rigorously training but had not yet fully experienced such a complex situation.
Aleron's elite Vigia archers were a valuable ranged force, Lezalit's Swadian Sergeants were constructing stronger defenses, and Bestour's Kujit Mounted Archers were on alert and delaying outside.
These things brought him some peace of mind.
"Lezalit."
Shen Mu's command was decisive: "Have your sapper team prioritize reinforcing the inner side of the Underground entrance! Not only to defend against a possible Hell Devil impact, but also to guard against those Skeleton Archers suddenly occupying advantageous terrain and using the Underground entrance as an arrow tower to suppress our interior with overwhelming fire! Immediately set up at least two movable heavy iron grates, with angled firing ports, so the defenders can safely pour down arrow rain and oil!"
"Yes, My Lord!" Lezalit immediately saluted, placing his hand on his chest, and strode off to make arrangements.
"Aleron!" Shen Mu's gaze turned to the Vigia general.
"My Lord!" Aleron immediately stepped forward.
"Your master archers, divide into two groups. One group will be on rotation, ready at all times to eliminate any high-threat targets appearing below the city, especially any Undead attempting to approach the city walls and dismount for close combat or spellcasting; the other group, prepare fire arrows and armor-piercing bodkin arrows, and deploy them to the reinforced Underground entrance defense point! Once green Skeleton soul fire or red Hell energy flashes appear in the darkness below, strike immediately! Do not allow them to gain a foothold at the Underground exit!"
Shen Mu's voice was cold: "We will turn the Underground entrance into their furnace of death!"
"Understood! Nothing that crawls out will be allowed to gain a foothold!" A glint of battle intent flashed in Aleron's eyes.
"As for outside." Shen Mu's gaze finally settled on the depths of the Desert, where it seemed utterly silent, yet concealed the cold killing intent of the Bone Armored Cavalry: "Bestour!"
"Here!" Bestour had been waiting nearby, his eyes burning with bloodthirsty fury, the desire for revenge for his fallen subordinates almost boiling.
"Your task is the most important, and the most dangerous."
Shen Mu stared at him: "I want your Kujit Mounted Archer range doubled! Like the most cunning wolf pack, keep a close eye on every movement deep in the Desert. But remember, absolutely avoid direct confrontation with those Bone Armored Cavalry that enter the 'Ghost Light' state! Your task is only one: warning! Discover the direction of their main force's assembly in advance! Once you confirm signs of the Ghost Light Dynasty's cavalry approaching again or gathering in large numbers, immediately sound the eagle whistle to warn, then retreat all forces into the pre-set cheval de frise trap area below the city, relying on the fortifications to obstruct and weaken the sharp edge of their charge, creating opportunities for the archers on the city wall!"
Bestour licked his somewhat chapped lips, nodding fiercely: "Don't worry, My Lord! I'll keep their movements under close watch! Every grain of sand stirred up by their bone horses will be under my eye!"
Shen Mu said no more, his gaze sweeping over the ready generals and soldiers, finally returning to the vast, eerily silent dune wilderness outside the city in the faint morning light.
New Rivadin's fate hung by a thread, as three cold, hostile undercurrents from different directions slowly converged, ready to transform into a tearing torrent at any moment.
The horn of war had not ceased; a more brutal slaughter had just begun.
The moment to test this nascent fortress had truly arrived.
The defenders gripped their cold weapons, and the air was no longer merely filled with the scent of dust, but also the metallic, salty tang of iron and blood, signaling an impending storm.
And it was not just Shen Mu who felt this.
Bestour, Lezalit, Aleron, all felt a heavy weight in their hearts.
After all, the intelligence brought by Lezalit was like a splash of ice water, stretching New Rivadin's already taut nerves to the limit.
Three powerful forces stirred restlessly in the Desert outside the city and deep Underground; the castle seemed to sit atop a volcano about to erupt.
After the meeting, a heavy atmosphere permeated the city wall, completely dispelling the slight relaxation that lingered from the celebration banquet a few days prior.
Shen Mu paced alone on the city tower for a moment, finally stopping.
Orders had been issued, preparations were accelerating, but a tremendous pressure stemming from the plane's erosion and a keen sense of impending crisis prevented him from sitting still.
"Aleron, deploy as planned." Shen Mu slowly began: "Bestour, come with me, along with 20 Holy Tree Knights, 50 Kujit Veteran Horse Archers, and 30 Steppe Bandits. We'll leave the city to patrol."
There was no objection.
The generals understood Shen Mu's habits.
He needed to measure and confirm the approaching threat with his own eyes.
Especially when surrounded by enemies, it was crucial to grasp firsthand dynamics.
The heavy East Gate opened a crack again, and the elite mixed cavalry unit filed out.
The Holy Tree Knights' mithril armor still shone with a subdued radiance in the daylight, like flowing silver shields.
The Khergit Mounted Archers had quieted their usual boisterousness, their sharp gazes scanning all directions.
The lightly armored Steppe Bandits had already fanned out, like a group of wary falcons, crouching low and swiftly gliding towards the distant dunes and ruins, serving as the foremost scouts and eyes.
The scorching sun baked the earth, and the air seemed to stagnate.
The world outside the city was unrecognizable.
The wilderness, once dotted with twisted shrubs and broken walls, was rapidly being swallowed by monotonous and glaring gray-yellow dunes.
It no longer resembled the suburban agricultural area it once was.
The wind stirred dry sand, making faint rustling sounds against armor, and at the edge of the vision, heat haze shimmered distortedly.
The spirit world rules, like a greedy eraser, were slowly wiping away the old imprints of Blue Star Civilization, brutally smearing it with its own desolate, parched colors.
Shen Mu rode in the middle of the procession, feeling the slight jolting as his Holy Tree Heavy Steed's steady hooves trod on the loose sand.
Beneath his calm demeanor, a deepening knot of melancholy and coldness was taking root.
He clearly remembered the prosperous appearance of Blue Star: towering steel forests, interconnected transportation networks, and the unceasing lights of civilization, day and night… that was the crystallization of human wisdom and order.
Yet now, this land, which might have once been the edge of a bustling metropolis, was left with only scarred yellow sand, grotesque twisted terrain, like concrete remnants torn by giant claws, and the otherworldly Undead and Devils lurking upon it, intent on destroying or polluting everything.
With every breath, what he inhaled was no longer familiar air, but a mixture of sand, decay, and a faint, almost imperceptible, chaotic aura originating from the very essence of the spirit world.
The spirit world was devouring Blue Star, reshaping it in its own image—
A terrifying replica filled with death, chaos, and eternal twilight.
This was by no means a rebirth; it was a blatant destruction and desecration of the old order.
Thinking of this rapidly desertifying land beneath his feet, of the many more areas in the distance undergoing similar drastic changes, of the countless dreams and sweat of his compatriots being silently and utterly buried by the otherworldly yellow sand.
A heavy pain, named "loss," for the first time gnawed so clearly at Shen Mu's usually iron-hard heart.
Shen Mu was, after all, a Blue Star Human.
Even if his soul had transmigrated.
He still had feelings for this world.
"This is... helplessness." But Shen Mu still closed his eyes, slowly exhaling a stuffy breath, calming his emotions.
Just as he said, facing such a grand trend, he was indeed helpless. (End of chapter)
Bestour, Lezalit, Aleron, their hearts were equally heavy.
