The Strongest "Veteran Troops"
Leisurely days are always short-lived. Just as Hudson was engrossed in eating his melon, an embarrassing incident occurred.
When the Moxi people were overjoyed and ready to welcome the Alliance reinforcements, they found that everyone had gone to the Alpha Kingdom.
The most awkward thing was that many teams passed through the territory of the Duchy and were mistaken by the Moxi people as reinforcements sent by the Alliance. They even prepared a welcome banquet, but in the end, those old guys still left.
Hudson was also one of the witnesses on the scene. Several support teams that passed by had an average age of 80+, and there were quite a few over 100 years old. They were definitely a group of "Veteran Troops".
Even if they're quite capable, none of them have many years left to live. They're probably unwilling to die of old age in bed and want to fight one last time while they're still able.
Even though the rumors about the Longevity Secret Method still have some flaws, for a group of people who are drowning, it is the last straw they must grasp.
Those participating in this operation weren't just the strongest; some ordinary knights also infiltrated the group. They were doing it both as a last-ditch effort before death and to give their families one last chance to contribute.
Dying is the same as dying, but dying on the battlefield against the Beastfolk is far more honorable than dying of old age at home.
Not only did he gain fame after his death, but he also fulfilled his subsequent duty of being conscripted.
After all, an Orc Empire is not worth the full effort of the human race; a partial mobilization would suffice.
Hudson was naturally pleased with the significant increase in reinforcements. Regardless of their motives, once they were on the battlefield, they would make a substantial contribution to the fight against the Beastfolk.
Deep down, Hudson suddenly didn't want anything to happen to Behemoth Emperor now. As long as Behemoth Emperor was alive, the powerful figures who coveted the Longevity Secret Method would not give up.
Even if he returns to his stronghold, the Human Alliance's army will pursue him relentlessly. It's possible that the Orc Empire, this persistent problem, will be eradicated in one fell swoop.
Without the Beastfolk as a major enemy, the land of the Northern Frontier, though a bit barren, is no longer a hot potato.
It is only natural for the kingdom to reclaim the northern territories that have fallen. It is not impossible that they could even expand to include a dozen more provinces.
Of course, it's impossible to enjoy such a good thing all to yourself.
It could be a large-scale land exchange, with the entire territory of the Alpha Kingdom shifting northward.
Either the major powers within the Human Alliance are supporting several new nations in the north and settling their own people there.
In terms of territory, the Orc Empire is quite large. It is larger than the combined territories of more than a dozen human kingdoms in the north, and almost a third of the entire human territory.
Although much of the land is difficult to develop and utilize, there is enough land left for everyone to share.
With the pie growing bigger, Hudson, as one of the main contributors, has a 99% chance of receiving an earldom.
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. But when it came time to put it into practice, Hudson awkwardly discovered that he couldn't do anything about it.
At the Emerald Palace, Caesar III held a grand welcoming banquet for the reinforcements from all over the continent.
The reinforcements from various forces far exceeded the minimum number stipulated by the alliance meeting, and also far exceeded Caesar III's expectations.
The plan was to have a few hundred experts come to help. Little did they expect that "a rumor" would actually sway a huge team of more than 20,000 people.
All participants, the weakest of whom were Intermediate Knight /mages, included over eight hundred Earth Knight and Magister, and there were even thirty-eight Sky Knight and seventeen Great Sorcerer.
If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, no one would believe that so many powerful individuals could be gathered here at once.
This group includes many legendary figures, many of whom are considered dead by outsiders. If it weren't for the "Longevity Secret Method," these ancient relics probably wouldn't have shown their faces.
To put it bluntly, apart from a few long-lived races, there is no other force on the continent that can field so many experts.
However, this is only a portion of humanity's power. It can be said that the true strength of the continent's overlord is fully displayed here.
Although most of them are old and weak, and their fighting ability is reduced, they are still a force beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
No matter what the number one cavalry or the number one infantry of the mainland are, they are not worth mentioning in front of this "Veteran Elite Group".
Perhaps Annihilation of the Orc Empire isn't enough, but they already possess the strength to break through the Behemoth Imperial Court. The Behemoth Clan's small population simply can't withstand the antics of these big shots.
Caesar III warmly welcomed the group of "honored guests," his smile never fading. Suddenly, his expression hardened, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "Ancestor, you've arrived too!"
He spread the news of the Longevity Secret Method to lure powerful individuals to fight the Beastfolk. Others were one thing, but his own people were not within his reach.
"So many old friends have come, how could I not come out to greet them? Alright, you go ahead and do your work, don't interrupt my reunion with my old friends."
The old man said irritably.
Caesar III, adept at reading people, immediately understood that this was an implication that he would be spoken to after the banquet.
"Please make yourself at home, I'll go and get back to work."
Having said that, Caesar III continued to move through the crowd. The banquet was attended by several hundred guests, representing hundreds of powerful families.
Although most of the visitors don't have many years left to live, it doesn't mean that these old fogies have less say in their own faction.
They themselves stepped down, but their descendants still wield power. Even if they are not the leaders of their respective factions, they are still important figures within them.
The reason so many people came to the banquet was not because Caesar III had great influence, but because everyone needed a platform to communicate and interact with each other.
Those who should band together should band together, and those who should form alliances should form alliances. Going it alone in this kind of group battle has no future.
Caesar III was forced to make connections with everyone he met. The unexpected arrival of reinforcements inevitably impacted the Alpha Kingdom's strategic plans.
Originally, Caesar III was only thinking about defense, but after seeing the impressive lineup of reinforcements, he weighed the options in his mind and suddenly realized that a counterattack was actually more appealing.
With good coordination, both sides can definitely fight a decisive battle against the Beastfolk army. The temptation to drive the Beastfolk back to their homeland ahead of time is too great to pass up.
He was busy until the banquet ended, and the exhausted Caesar III was dragged to a secret room in the palace by his ancestor before he could even rest.
Even on his own turf, they were being so cautious. Caesar III's expression grew serious, and his intuition told him that something big was about to happen.
"Sit down. We are all King; there's no need for us to stand."
I've already guessed what I'm trying to tell you by calling you here today. Among the past rulers of my Alpha Kingdom, your abilities are easily in the top three.
Throughout the entire Aslant Continent, there are very few monarchs whose abilities surpass yours.
But do you know that you just did something really stupid? If it weren't for good luck, you almost would have been caught red-handed!
The old man's words caused Caesar III's expression to change drastically. He had been secretly pleased with himself for his successful plan, seeing so many people being fooled, but he hadn't expected that a loophole had been left.
"Ancestor, please enlighten me!"
Caesar III asked hastily.
Logically speaking, he had been very discreet in spreading rumors. Under normal circumstances, he shouldn't have been implicated. But judging from the old man's words, he had clearly been exposed.
Political intrigue is one thing, but scheming against a group of old fogies nearing the end of their lives is another matter entirely.
Giving someone hope, and then shattering that hope, can drive them insane. The destructive power a group of dying people can unleash when they go mad is absolutely unimaginable.
"You did a very clever job, there was no flaw in it originally, but it was too much of a coincidence!"
The Behemoth Emperor arrived at the front lines and broke through three lines of defense, this rumor began to circulate on the continent. Everyone should think about it carefully.
Fortunately, you were lucky. After the rumors spread, similar rumors also appeared within the Orc Empire, and various forces even found some evidence against them.
You know these things too. It's just that, due to preconceived notions, you believe that the Longevity Secret Method doesn't exist at all, and you don't take it seriously.
But the truth is quite the opposite. According to information gathered from within the Orc Empire, the Behemoth Emperor was pulled back from the brink of death several times.
After each recovery, his body would return to its prime. Had it not been for these unforeseen events, he would have died a hundred years ago.
All indications suggest that even if Behemoth Emperor does not possess the Longevity Secret Method, he does have a secret method to extend human lifespan.
However, this secret method may have certain limitations or require a certain price to be paid.
Regardless, as long as the secret technique exists, it's worth taking the gamble for us old folks whose lives are nearing their end.
The old man's words caused Caesar III's expression to change drastically. The "secret technique" actually existed, which completely overturned his understanding.
On the Aslant Continent, there are many ways to extend lifespan, but they are only effective within the normal lifespan range. It is difficult for ordinary people to live past 150 years old.
Even a powerful Holy Domain expert is only a little over two hundred years old. No matter how many rare and precious herbs they consume, they cannot break through the limit of their lifespan.
Of course, dark Longevity Secret Method don't count. Transforming into Undead or a lich greatly increases lifespan, but that alters the very nature of life, transforming one into a new being.
"Grand Ancestor, do you mean this time..."
The old man nodded and smiled calmly, "That's right, I will also participate in this operation. Not only me, but those old fogies in the kingdom will not let this opportunity pass them by."
Perhaps the Longevity Secret Method in the Behemoth Emperor has very strict limitations, making it impossible for it to be widely adopted.
But what can you do about it?
I know my physical condition better than anyone. Even without any unforeseen circumstances, it's only a matter of the next year or two before I break through the Holy Domain bottleneck.
It's never a bad thing to risk your last days for a chance at survival!
Moreover, if this battle goes smoothly, it could even resolve the kingdom's crisis. Even if one dies on the battlefield, it would still be a gain.
I know what you're trying to say, but the current situation leaves no room for choice. If I don't participate in this operation, how can the others feel at ease?
Caesar III remained silent.
Since it involves the "Longevity Secret Method," if the powerful figures of the Alpha Kingdom, who are local strongmen, don't participate in the operation, everyone will probably be suspicious.
Did he really not expect these things?
That's probably not entirely true.
As a political strongman, Caesar III was best at achieving the greatest victory with the least cost.
But humans are not machines; they have their own emotions. It's one thing to scheme against others, but when it comes to one's own family, Caesar III couldn't remain calm.
In a sense, from the moment he spread the rumor of the "Longevity Secret Method," it meant that the local powerhouses of the Alpha Kingdom would inevitably participate in this operation.
They were already nearing the end of their lives, and now they had to go to the battlefield to fight the Beastfolk. Even if they managed to come back, they would be carried back lying down.
A biting wind howled incessantly across the land. Early in the morning, Caesar III, accompanied by a retinue of royal nobles, stood at the city gate to see off the reinforcements.
Looking at the white-haired team, weathered by time, endless words will flow together, everything is understood without being spoken.
They were all forced into it; for elderly people in their twilight years, every day of their countdown to death is precious.
If this drags on for too long, some members of the team might fall on the way before even reaching the battlefield.
For a knight, even if death is inevitable, it should be on the battlefield. To die halfway through would be too humiliating.
The massive reinforcements marched north, quickly attracting the attention of the Eaglemen scouts. However, they were extremely unlucky this time, encountering a powerful force.
Just as it flew over the army, it was suddenly pulled down by a hot-tempered knight, and died a gruesome death.
This was just the beginning. As the army marched north, the Eaglemen responsible for reconnaissance along the way were the first to become victims.
Gathering intelligence is useless; the key is how to get the message back. Facing this formidable force, the Eagleman scouts were taken down the moment they showed themselves—pure suicide missions.