The pass into Wind-Breath Canyon was wedged between two steep stone mountains, like a rift split open by a giant axe.
The city wall rose straight from the valley floor, a row of ballistae mounted along the battlements, while several magic towers stood on the inner side of the pass.
Wind poured in through the mouth of the valley, howling as if something were crying somewhere far away.
Inside the pass, a Demon Race soldier leaned against the wall and whispered to the companion beside him, "I heard those Puji from the Fungal Fortress are weird and powerful. The Count and his elites have all been transferred away, leaving only the Viscount and the few of us here. If the Fungal Fortress really attacks, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold."
Another soldier leaned in the corner, the standard-issue Explosive Crossbow held in his arms, his eyes half shut. "The Fungal Fortress might not even attack."
"Even if the Fungal Fortress wants to invade the Empire, you think they're stupid? Pick our hardest pass to chew through?" He jerked his chin toward the outside of the valley. "Take a slight detour, go through that scree beach to the west. There are only a few little cities along the way that'll fall in one attack. Isn't that easier than wasting strength on us? Once they chew through the rear, we'll be stuck in the middle of nowhere. Then there'll be even less point attacking us."
As he spoke, he shifted position and tucked the crossbow under his other arm.
"Besides, didn't the Viscount personally take men out to scout already? Once My Lord returns, we'll naturally know what the Fungal Fortress is up to. What's the use of you overthinking here?"
After hearing this, the Demon Race soldier who had