The Undefeated City Will Always Fall in the End; an Impregnable Fortress Has Always Been a Curse

On the third day after the battle at the Lord's Stronghold, the twelfth day since the Maginot Line had come under attack, Murphy received an invitation in his battered yet triumphantly imposing command post. He had just managed to extricate himself, for a little while, from the endless postwar affairs that would never be fully dealt with.

It was an invitation sent from the Crimea Fortress.

It bore the personal signature of General Baldwin, along with the emblem of the Winter Wolf Church and the seal of the red-robed archbishop of the Kakhovka region.

The formality of the letter alone made it clear that it was no ordinary invitation. After reading a few lines, Murphy frowned. He had already packed his bags and was about to set off on an impromptu trip.

"What's with these Nord people?"

He complained to Adele beside him:

"Why are they inviting the other commanders at the stronghold to watch their Great Purification ceremony? This ritualistic fuss seems a bit excessive and poorly timed. Or do they have something else in mind?"

"I hear the Nord people took inspiration from the Lord's Stronghold's efforts to cleanse the land of the evil god's scourge with divine power. They intend to do the same. I've received reliable word that once the purification ceremony is over, the defenders of the Crimea Fortress will launch a major counterattack against the gnolls.

"General Baldwin hopes the other commanders will witness the counterattack and, while they're there, boost the morale of the soldiers, who have been having a very rough time lately."

Adele, who always seemed dependable, explained:

"Actually, sending you this letter was just a pretext. As you can see, it says you're invited to bring the undying heroes of Transia to observe. General Baldwin clearly hopes the other commanders