Shield Wind Fortress.
Li Ang is arranging for Rimusk's men to set up a defense line.
He planned to use Rimusk's men to leave a lot of military rations here after Shield Wind Fortress blocked Bacchus Army--Baxian and captured Shield Wind Fortress.
This is a normal approach. White Deer Fortress is located in a forested and mountainous area, where carriages and horses are inconvenient. Baxian generally does not bring too much food and grass when attacking White Deer Fortress. Leave the food in Shield Wind Fortress to ensure supplies no matter whether you continue to attack or retreat.
Since the food is here, the enemy will naturally return to Bax from here after withdrawing from White Deer Fortress. After all, he has to eat on the way back.
Since Baxian set the fire in Noldo Forest, the person who set the fire must not be allowed to go back alive. This is the requirement of Wendy.
Of course, Li Ang thinks so too.
Li Ang really didn't expect Kairos father and son to do this.
In fact, over the past hundreds of years, many people have thought about setting fire to the forest - especially those who were deceived by rumors and regarded Noldo Elves as a monster.
Including 360 years ago, before the establishment of Kingdom of Pendor, those old forces that had gone to full-scale war with Noldo Elves also thought so.
But no one has ever actually started a fire in the forest.
Ebony Gauntlet Knights, who has been dealing with Noldo Elves, has never done this, nor have the previous kings, nor did the conqueror General Osa... Not even Gatu people has done this.
It's not because it can't be ignited - the forest is there and it won't move. If you really set a fire with peace of mind, the forest can be ignited at any time, and the Enoldor simply can't prevent it with their numbers.
There are two reasons for not setting fire.
On the one hand, it is profit - dignitaries need Noldo Elves, and capturing Noldo Elves formed a huge industrial chain hundreds of years ago. Long River Town, Ebony Gauntlet Knights, Cliff Bay, etc. are all links in this industrial chain.
The upstream of this industrial chain are naturally the powerful people in various countries, and they cannot let Noldo Elves get out of control.
But now, Pande Continent is in chaos, and with the intervention of Li Ang, this industry chain has basically been cut off.
On the other hand, no one can afford the consequences of setting fire.
Because Noldo Elves who have lost their home will inevitably attack humans crazily - in order to survive, they must carve out a habitat in the human world.
If a person is cornered, he can do anything, and Noldo Elves is certainly no different.
The vast majority of Noldo Elves are indeed peace-loving, but if their homes are gone, those Noldor artists who were originally unwilling to wield swords will of course have no choice but to fight with bows and arrows.
Therefore, the original Lionheart Kingdom and Bacchus Empire must protect Noldo Forest. Once a serious fire occurs that cannot be restored by human power, the two countries next to Noldo Forest will most likely be destroyed by the crazy Noldo Elves.
Of course, the small number of Noldor cannot destroy these two countries, but they can at least cripple them.
If it is crippled by the Noldor, other countries will definitely take advantage of it, and it is not impossible for the country to be destroyed and the species to be destroyed.
Of course, the people in power in various countries are aware of this consequence - if someone is not aware of it, it must be an intellectual defect and it is impossible to become a person in power...
But this is only the obvious consequence that will happen immediately.
In addition, there is a heavy price that will be paid in the future...
Noldo Forest is not a small forest, it is a vast virgin forest. The total area of the forest is roughly equivalent to half of the Lionheart Kingdom.
As for the density of the forest, that is, the number of animals and plants in Noldo Forest, it may account for half of the entire continent.
If such a large forest is burned down, the entire continent will be affected.
Regardless of other sequelae caused by the fire, just take species as an example. When the forest was burned, it was not only Noldo Elves that lost its habitat, but also the animals, birds and insects in the forest.
Birds and insects are not killed by fire; they fly to other places to find food - such as wheat fields or plantations.
Insects will be forced to live and breed in the fields, birds will be forced to go to human estates to forage, and various snakes, insects, rats, and ants will also be forced to enter human habitats.
It's all about survival...
This will lead to overwhelming bird disasters and insect pests, crops will fail, trees will be gnawed bare, and even bridges and dams will gradually collapse due to the migration of insects and ants.
In just one or two years, the entire continent will completely lose species balance. Humanity will not only have to face the revenge of Noldo Elves, but also face endless pests and the inevitable famine!
This is also what really happened in the world where Li Ang originally lived...
However, not many people are aware of the cost that will only be revealed in a year or two.
But Li Ang can realize it, Risadiran and Wendy can also realize it - the Noldor will all be taught the importance of species balance from an early age.
For Li Ang, the consequences are extremely heavy - his territory is closest to Noldo Forest, so he will inevitably suffer disaster immediately, and all crops this year are likely to be completely wiped out.
In this era, it is basically impossible to prevent bird and insect disasters manually.
In other words, even in order to have enough food to sustain people's lives, Li Ang must kill these Baxian, and then attack Bax to seize their territory and food reserves.
Otherwise, hundreds of thousands of people across the east will be without food in winter!
--In the past two years, Lion Territory's war in the west has fattened Baxian, and now only Bax has so much food in reserve.
"Who is the idiot who set Noldo Forest on fire? How dare he accept such an order?"
After arranging the defense line, Li Ang asked Rimusk.
"It should be Lord Gollus, Amera Fortress. It was him who set the fire over there at Amera Fortress..."
Rimusk is very honest now, he really cares about his mistress and illegitimate child.
"Gollus... That is indeed a fool, he is a bad gambler."
Alina said to Li Ang.
"Yeah, that's a rotten gambler who even bets his wife. He loses everything every time... He doesn't think about anything else except gambling. He is the only one who dares to set fire to Noldo Forest."
Rimusk nodded and said, "He also has another name...Oliver, which is his original name. Gollus was the name he changed after he lost his wife..."
"Oliver? It's actually him?"
Ramon was stunned.
"You know him?"
Li Ang looked at Ramon - Ramon's expression was a little dull.
"We know each other, we know each other so well... His wife now lives in Xingar and has remarried to one of my brothers..."
Ramon spread his hands. "I was the banker who made him lose his wife... Moreover, I was actually doing something good at the time - her wife voluntarily exchanged herself for chips. She couldn't stand this bad gambler for a long time. She would rather work as a hostess in my casino!"
What a coincidence...
But Ramon immediately frowned again. "However, that guy Oliver is difficult to deal with... Although his gambling skills are poor, his martial arts skills are indeed powerful."
"What? Have you fought with him?"
Li Ang asked.
"I went to collect the account... I once lent him a gambling capital - as you know, this is the regular business of the casino. But after he lost all his money, the dozen brothers I sent to collect the account were knocked down by him alone..."
Ramon pointed at the Scorpion Assassinss behind him. "All the people I sent are good people."
"In other words, this Oliver, or Gollus, is a strong man who likes gambling, has strong martial arts skills, but has no brains? Such a person probably only cares about the excitement between winning and losing, right?"
Li Ang asked while thinking.
"No, although this guy is a bad gambler and doesn't care about his family, he is very loyal to his friends. Many people in the Shadow Legion have a good relationship with him... otherwise he would not be the lord of Amera Fortress long ago..."
Rimusk shook his head.
Li Ang nodded. "He has a gambling addiction, is loyal, but doesn't care about his family, is bold, and has strong martial arts... It seems that this is the scapegoat Kairos specially found to set fire to... Since he likes gambling, let's give him a bet... Rimusk, go and let him gamble..."
"Okay... hey, who? Me?"
Rimusk thought that Li Ang wanted to bet with Gollus, so he quickly asked, "How can we make him gamble at this time?"
"Of course let him see a chance to win."
Li Ang patted Rimusk on the shoulder. "You just need to let him in Shield Wind Fortress. You should be able to do such a simple thing. If you let him go, I will kill your whole family, including your beautiful mistress and lovely illegitimate child."
Shield Wind Fortress North.
Two armies are confronting each other.
The ones with a relatively large number are the troops of the Bacchus Empire.
What stood in front of them was their former colleague - the subordinates of Rimusk.
Moreover, most of them are Shadow Infantry who originally belonged to the Shadow Legion.
"We must get Shield Wind Fortress's food... Gollus, lead the troops to defeat them!"
Antonius gave the order after thinking for a while.
"Antonius, many of our lords' troops here have unstable military morale. It is said that assassin flying knives were found in their homes... Moreover, Rimusk's troops are on the opposite side. We cannot kill each other... Rimusk is not brave. Talk to him, he will not dare to fight us."
Gollus rode a tall war horse and whispered to Antonius, who was wrapped tightly beside him.
"Shut up, Rimusk has rebelled... Since he stopped us here, it is no longer a matter of courage! We can't waste time... Don't you want to live? It won't be long before Noldo Elves will go out in force!"
Antonius glanced at Gollus: "Or are you feeling sorry for the enemy?"
"Enemies? They were our colleagues yesterday! Moreover, the brothers are worried about the situation at home, how can they fight with peace of mind?"
Gollus was unhappy. "Antonius, although I help you and your son, I am not your servant! You are not the marshal of the empire, so you have no right to order me!"
"Okay, I respect your wishes. I don't want to show up in public, so I will withdraw first. I will leave this army to you and do whatever you want... Maybe you can get Shield Wind Fortress's food and bring the whole army back to your Amera Fortress. By then, they will be completely yours..."
Antonius didn't get angry. After saying a few words indifferently, he looked to the west, patted his horse and prepared to run away alone.
"Give me all these people?"
Gollus asked in surprise.
"Of course, this is the command flag of the Shadow Legion, take it... according to our previous agreement, my father has appointed you as Shadow Legion General, and the centurions will obey your command."
Antonius threw an exquisite pennant stuck next to the saddle to Gollus, then drove the horse and rode westward alone.
"This..."
Gollus took over the little Eagle Flag, with some disbelief on his face - this triangular command flag can indeed command the centurions of the Shadow Legion, and in the current First Army, the grassroots captains are all Shadow Centurion.
As Shadow Legion General, and holding the command flag, he can indeed command the legion's actions.
At the same time, this was originally the condition for Gollus to support Kairos and Antonius - to make him the general of the Shadow Legion.
Yes, becoming Shadow Legion's general does not require Emperor Marius's approval, Kairos has to say it.
Legion Commander decides everything, this is the tradition of the Shadow Legion.
Although this kind of private appointment is illegal, Shadow Legion has never recognized the new law after Marius Reform...
"Sir Gollus, Shield Wind Fortress has sent a secret letter for you."
Gollus was in a daze when a soldier came forward and handed a letter into his hand.
"Want to talk to me? Ha..."
After reading the letter, Gollus grinned. "That coward Rimusk really doesn't have the guts to fight..."
In fact, if Gollus immediately led his troops into battle, they would probably be able to defeat them with one blow - Rimusk's troops also had no fighting spirit. Who would want to fight with their former colleagues?
Moreover, most people can realize that after the Noldo Forest catches fire, the Noldo Elvess will soon retaliate, and no one wants to stay with the Shield Wind Fortress.
But Gollus didn't listen to Antonius's order. He really didn't want to charge at his former colleagues...
And Antonius did not insist on this order - let Gollus attract attention here, Antonius himself could easily escape.
The next day.
Gollus led a group of cavalry outside Shield Wind Fortress.
Then, Shield Wind Fortress's gate opened, and Rimusk also led his troops to stand outside the city gate.
"Rimusk, you don't seem to want to fight with me? That's right... No matter who you join now, you should leave here..."
Gollus felt a little strange looking at Rimusk who directly opened the city gate and went out to talk.
"Oliver... I can't help myself. If I don't block you, I will lose everything..."
Rimusk shook his head helplessly and whispered.
"My current name is Gollus... Rimusk. If I can't bring my brothers back to Amera Fortress, I will lose everything... Since you don't plan to fight, then move out the food and let us leave... You can't stop us. I don't want to kill you, and I don't want the brothers to kill each other. After all, we have been comrades for many years..."
Gollus realized that Rimusk seemed to be involuntarily, and softened his tone.
"Oliver, I opened the city gate because I wanted you to lead troops into the city... They asked me to invite you to come and then take the opportunity to attack you... But I think we can take a gamble..."
Rimusk's voice became even lower. "Li Ang is in the city... there are not many people around him. I don't have the ability to deal with him, but you can definitely... I think we can take a gamble together... If we can catch him, my family will be safe, and I will no longer be coerced!"
"... You mean... there aren't many troops in the city?"
Gollus also lowered the volume as much as possible.
"There aren't many people... It's just that my family is in his hands, and I don't dare to go against him openly. Li Ang is in the military station on the north city wall right now. With your skills, you can probably catch him if you rush into the city..."
Rimusk urged in a low voice.
"Then... let's take a gamble..."
Gollus looked at the opened city gate, suddenly raised his spear and drove his horse to speed up.
The cavalry behind him also rushed towards the city gate with him. There were not many in number, about two hundred, but they were all elite.
In gambling, there are always winners and losers. Gollus won the bet this time - he took the lead and rushed into Shield Wind Fortress easily.
But in the gamble of life, Gollus lost everything again - as soon as he led his troops into the city, the gate of the castle fell down.
Subsequently, various parts of the city were suddenly ignited, and the fire quickly engulfed the castle, which had only been rebuilt two years ago.
At the same time, Rimusk's troops surrounded the burning Shield Wind Fortress from all directions outside the city - all of his troops were actually outside the city, but they were all on the other side of the city wall.