Ambush
The group walked through the bustling battlefield and onto the passageway leading to the castle.
Once inside the castle, Lina and Morian looked around with even greater curiosity.
Although the castle's decorations were far less luxurious than those of southern noble castles, everything was well-organized, the walls were sturdy, and the passageways were clean.
Although the soldiers and civilians looked exhausted, their eyes were filled with a high fighting spirit, and the entire fortress was permeated with an atmosphere of perseverance and vitality.
"I never expected..." Lina couldn't help but whisper to Morian, "In a place like the Northern Territory, there can be such a... um... vibrant castle."
The group arrived at the main hall of the castle, which had already been tidied up.
Karl invited Konrad and his two companions to sit at the long table and instructed the servants to bring them hot tea and some simple food.
Karl once again solemnly expressed his gratitude to Konrad: "Konrad, we really owe you a lot this time. Your Fireball Spell were timed so perfectly, they directly disrupted the Sauron's formation."
Konrad waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned with such pleasantries, and cut straight to the point. "No need for thanks. I came here partly because I heard you'd caused quite a stir here and wanted to see for myself, but more importantly, it's about that sorcerer Sauron."
Karl's expression turned serious. "You mean that mage who can control a large number of magical creatures?"
"That's right," Konrad said, a scholar's inquisitive glint in his eyes. "The artifact he used is very special. Its principle of attracting and controlling low-level magical creatures on a large scale is different from any magical system I know. It's more like a... crude but efficient application and amplification of magical contracts. This is a topic of great research value for me."
Karl nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. So, what can I do to help you?"
Konrad succinctly stated his needs. "It's simple. Since he's serving the Sauron army, he'll inevitably reappear whenever the Sauron launch another large-scale attack on you, and he might even use more powerful magic."
"I need you... to provoke the Sauron, enrage them, force them to attack Carnford as soon as possible and with sufficient force, thereby compelling that sorcerer to reappear, and... preferably, to force him to use even more methods."
Karl was speechless upon hearing this request.
He'd love for the Sauron to ignore him, but now they're letting him provoke them. This isn't the way to court death.
But there was nothing he could do; they had done him such a huge favor and achieved such brilliant results, so Karl had no choice but to accept it.
Karl hesitated for a moment, then instead of answering immediately, asked, "Konrad, are you confident that you can subdue him the next time he appears, or at least... obtain the research samples you want?"
Konrad confidently raised his chin slightly. "As long as he dares to show up and use that artifact, I'm more than 70% confident I can analyze its energy flow pattern, and even... find a way to seize or destroy it. Of course, this requires you and your army to create suitable battlefield conditions."
Karl tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.
Risk and opportunity coexist. If successful, it will not only eliminate that troublesome sorcerer, but also severely damage the morale of the Sauron, and may even bring a breakthrough to Konrad's magical research.
But if it fails...
After a moment, Karl raised his head, his gaze hardening. "Alright! Konrad, I promise you, we will find a way to provoke the Sauron and force them to attack again! However, we need to plan the specifics and timing carefully; we must not act rashly."
Konrad nodded in satisfaction. "Of course. You're the commander in charge of tactics, so you're in charge. I just need an opportunity to observe and... 'interact' with them up close."
Meanwhile, in the wilderness leading to Sauron's main camp, a brutal chase was drawing to a close.
Lyon and Thorsten led their cavalry, like the most patient pack of wolves, following Sauron's routed troops at a leisurely pace.
They had chased for about five or six kilometers. The group, which originally numbered nearly a thousand when it fled from the camp, was on the verge of collapse due to the continuous psychological pressure and physical exhaustion.
Many Sauron soldier foamed at the mouth and collapsed from exhaustion on the way to escape, unable to get up again; some who could no longer run knelt down and surrendered, but the pursuers did not stop, and with a flash of their blades, they were decapitated.
The remaining seven or eight hundred men were already at their last gasp, staggering and moving as slowly as prey struggling for its last breath.
Meanwhile, Lyon and Thorsten's cavalry maintained a relatively slow pace, allowing their horses to recover while coldly observing the despair of their prey.
Thorsten looked at his former comrades, who had once worn the same uniforms as him but were now in a sorry state, and a complex mix of emotions swept through him.
It was a touch of nostalgia for the past, but more so a resolute severance.
He silently vowed in his heart, "I am sorry, my former compatriots, but I have sworn allegiance to Lord Karl. The future of me and my brothers must be paved with your heads and blood. This is our pledge of allegiance!"
He rode closer to Lyon, his voice calm and decisive. "Your Lord Lyon, the time has come. They are completely exhausted, barely able to hold their weapons. Our horses have also fully recovered. It's time to end this hunt."
Lyon had also noticed the chaos of Sauron's routed troops. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his long-suppressed killing intent and hatred erupted like a volcano.
He abruptly drew his blood-stained scimitar, pointed it to the sky, and roared deafeningly, "Now! All troops, listen to my command! Charge! Slaughter them all! Leave no one alive!"
"Kill!!!"
The pent-up fighting spirit ignited instantly! The cavalrymen roared wildly, urging their horses forward like a bursting dam, accelerating rapidly towards the group of defeated soldiers who were no longer able to resist!
This was a complete massacre.
Lyon charged ahead, his scimitar flashing, and a Sauron soldier who tried to raise his scimitar to block was cleaved in two, weapon and all!
Blood splattered all over his face, yet he felt an unprecedented sense of pleasure.
Once upon a time, during those dark years when the Northern Territory fell, the people of the Broomflower were relentlessly pursued and slaughtered by Sauron's iron hooves. Villages were burned, loved ones were killed, and the air was filled with desperate cries.
His father's lieutenant, an old knight from the Northern Territory, died in such a desperate breakout battle.
More than a decade of hatred and humiliation erupted completely at this moment!
"For the Broomflower! For the Northern Territory!" Lyon roared, each swing of his sword filled with rage, his horse's hooves trampling the fallen enemies, the sound of bones shattering echoing everywhere.