Chapter 674: From Battle to Slaughter
On the fifth night, long ladders extended from the walls of Jilaze Mountain City, slanting down from points all along the ramparts.
Sogian soldiers crowded both the walls and the ground below, and not one of them lit a torch.
An officer tested a ladder's sturdiness, then looked down into the darkness below the wall and out into the distance, where the campfires of the Savage Beastmen were faintly visible.
"Quickly! Quickly! We're leaving the city! Just like we practiced over the last two days-backs facing outward, keep your balance! Go!"
The soldiers immediately began climbing onto the ladders. Wearing gloves, each gripped the outer edges with his hands and feet, then relaxed his body and slid diagonally down the long ladder.
At the same time, soldiers were sliding down hundreds of ladders in other directions. As soon as the first soldier reached the ground, he braced the bottom of his ladder, and those behind him slid down one after another.
A little later, the frozen city gates were gradually freed from within by pouring hot water over them and moving away the bricks and stones. Large groups of soldiers then carefully streamed through, keeping their footsteps light.
After so long defending from behind the city walls, they had convinced all the Savage Beastmen that the Soma People were nothing but cowards hiding in their shells. After all, the Giant Monsters were simply too terrifying.
Once outside, every soldier moved quietly, even taking care with his breathing.
To guard against the Giant Monsters' keen sense of smell, they had chosen this night, when the wind favored the city walls. As an added precaution, every soldier and general had sprayed himself with a special scent, one somewhat like a rotting corpse, only much fainter.
After