War Drums, Emergency Assembly, and the Oath of War

As the order was given, the heavy and urgent horn of the emergency assembly sounded like thunder, suddenly booming over Carnford Castle, the sound waves instantly spreading across the mountain peaks and valleys!

Waaaaaah--waaaah--

This bugle call was completely different from the usual training calls; it was more urgent, extremely penetrating, and carried an undeniable atmosphere of war!

The new residential area, Otto's home.

Otto had a rare day off from training and was enjoying a short, cozy time in bed with his wife, Marissa.

Suddenly, the piercing sound of an emergency assembly call rang out!

Otto sprang up from the bed as if he'd been pricked by a needle!

"What's wrong!" Marissa was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she grabbed her husband's arm in a panic.

As Otto frantically pulled on his militia uniform, he replied in rapid succession, "Emergency assembly! Highest level! All personnel, regardless of duty status or leave, must report to the castle immediately!"

"Assemble? Why? Is there going to be a war?" Marissa's voice trembled.

"I don't know! It could be a drill, or it could be real fighting! Either way, I have to leave immediately! You stay home and lock the door, and whatever you do, don't come out!" Otto fastened the last belt, grabbed the red militia armband on the table, kissed his wife's forehead hard, and rushed out of the house without looking back.

Otto rushed into the street and found the entire residential area in an uproar!

Men wearing red armbands rushed out of the various rooms, organizing their equipment as they ran.

Some men who were working in the fields heard the bugle call, threw down their hoes, and ran wildly towards the castle on the mountain!

The women stood in the doorways or windows, their faces filled with worry.

Otto joined the crowd, running desperately towards the castle at the top of the mountain.

The air was thick with tension, doubt, and a sudden surge of fighting instinct.

As Otto rushed into the castle square, the scene before him made him gasp in shock.

On the open ground where they usually train, the soldiers were already fully armed, standing in neat rows, their armor gleaming, their swords and spears drawn, exuding a murderous aura!

Brendan and Richter are assembling and inspecting the team.

The auxiliary soldiers pushed carts loaded with supplies swiftly through the gaps in the ranks, distributing extra quivers and packages.

These militiamen who arrived later were also quickly guided by the officers to a designated area for assembly and roll call.

"Otto Neil!"

"Arrive!"

"Get your weapons!"

Otto ran to the armorer and quickly received his own Flintlock Rifle, along with a colorful ammunition pod filled with gunpowder and lead bullets.

The moment he gripped the gun, feeling its cold touch and heavy weight, he instantly understood!

This is not a drill! It's real war!

In the open space in the center of Kahnford Fortress, all available militia and garrison troops had been quickly assembled.

They may have just finished working or training, their faces still covered in sweat and dust, but at this moment they all looked solemn, gripping their spears, axes or bows and arrows tightly, their eyes fixed on Lord Karl and the old knight Brendan standing on the reviewing stand.

Karl and Brendan exchanged a few words, then Karl gave up his seat and Brendan stepped forward.

He was clad in sharp armor, and though he was old, his posture remained as upright as a pine tree.

Brendan's gaze swept across every face in the audience, young or weathered, as he took a deep breath.

He spoke in a loud, slightly hoarse voice, which clearly resonated throughout the entire square:

"Soldiers! Warriors of Carnford!"

"Just a few days ago, Charlotte Knight personally led our Broomflower cavalry brothers to a brilliant victory on the wasteland, outnumbered but outgunned! They were ambushed by three hundred elite Sauron Barbarians cavalry!"

He paused deliberately, allowing the news to be processed by the crowd, and saw many faces showing shock and disbelief.

"But!" Brendan's voice suddenly rose, filled with pride and excitement, "They did not back down! They used their lances and sabers to teach those arrogant barbarians a lesson! They cut down more than a hundred Sauron mongrels! They made them run for their lives in a sorry state!"

"Roar!!!" A deafening cheer and shout erupted from below the stage. The soldiers' faces were filled with excitement and pride, as if they had personally participated in the victory.

However, the excitement on Brendan's face quickly faded, replaced by extreme solemnity.

He raised his hand, suppressing the cheers, and the atmosphere instantly became tense again.

"But victory also brings great danger!" His voice turned somber. "Those Sauron remnants fled back will surely report our location in Carnford to their leaders! Before long, the Sauron army will pounce on our doorstep like hungry wolves smelling blood!"

His sharp gaze swept across the room once more, his tone becoming heavy and direct. "Now, we only have two paths before us!"

"The first way!" He held up one finger. "We'll hand over those Fran City Cavalry brothers who are recovering from their injuries in the camp and who came here because they trusted us! Or we'll drive them away! Let the Sauron hunt them down! Their blood might temporarily appease the Sauron ' anger and make them spare our Carnford!"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the audience, with many soldiers showing expressions of anger and disbelief.

Brendan ignored the commotion and continued to extend his second finger, his voice suddenly becoming powerful and resonant, like a heavy hammer striking a drum!

"The second path! That is to close the gates of our fortress, grip our weapons tightly, and stand with our brothers from Fran City, who just shed their blood for our Northern Territory!"

"Tell those Sauron Barbarians that anyone who wants to harm us will have to step over our dead bodies first! We will fight them to the bitter end! Even if we fight to the last man and shed our last drop of blood, we will never bow our heads!"

"Now!" Brendan drew his longsword from his waist, pointed it at the sky, and roared deafeningly, "Tell me your choice! Will you be like cowards, surrendering your comrades who protected us and begging for the enemy's mercy? Or will you be like true men of the Northern Territory, standing tall and using your weapons to tell the Sauron that Carnford will never fall!"

After a brief silence, a tremendous roar erupted like a volcano!

"Fight to the death!!"

"We will never hand over our brothers!!"

"Let's fight those barbarians!!"

"Defend Carnford!!"

Roars, howls, and the clanging of weapons against shields filled the air!

Every soldier's eyes were red; they may have been afraid, but none of them chose the first path of humiliation.

The Northern Territory ' fighting spirit and camaraderie were ignited at this moment!

Brendan looked at the soldiers below the stage, their emotions running high and their hatred for the enemy unwavering, and a hint of relief and determination flashed in his eyes.

He brought his sword down heavily. "Good! Well done! You didn't disgrace the Northern Territory!"

"Now, everyone, to your positions! Fortify the fortifications! Sharpen your swords! Sentinels, keep your eyes wide open! Let's prepare a hell that those Sauron mongrels who dare to come will never forget!"

"Roar!!!"

The soldiers let out their final roar, then quickly and orderly dispersed, rushing to their respective posts.

Fear still exists, but it has been replaced by a more determined fighting spirit.