The Fall

When the vanguard composed of Horn Bay troops hurriedly retreated, Andrew was quite surprised.

Over this period, the New Sect Army's advance had been utterly unstoppable. Without the Guardian Army's protection, the towns along the way simply did not dare obstruct the New Sect Army's advance.

Inside the camp, the vanguard's commander described his ordeal with lingering fear.

"It was a terrifying army. They stood in neat formations, and from a distance, they looked like row upon row of trees planted evenly across the earth."

"Their soldiers seemed not to know what fear was. The moment their commander gave the order, they charged like a pack of mad dogs, completely unafraid of our arrows and the forest of bayonets."

"They were incredibly powerful in battle, like those tireless machines from fantasy novels. Although our soldiers fought bravely as well, they ultimately could not hold out and were defeated."

Andrew poured a cup of wine and handed it to the ashamed-looking soldier. "You and your troops did all you could. Go get some rest."

The officer saluted him, lifted the tent flap, and left.

"Everyone, it seems we've encountered a formidable opponent."

Andrew looked at everyone present.

"It's Giles's army—the Undead Army!" Mariana said gravely.

"Giles?"

Andrew grew wary. He knew that the reason he had been sent to Horn Bay was to eliminate the threat posed by the Church's army to Lion Harbor. The original cause of it all was that Giles, allied with the Horn Bay Church, had sent people to attack Lion Harbor.

He asked, "You seem to know something about this army."

"Yes, General." Mariana began explaining the army's origins. "Giles obtained a magical potion from the Spellcasters that can make his soldiers as tough as steel and double their strength."

As the person in charge of