King of Black Rock was filled with doubt. What was wrong with him? Why was he suddenly having such impulsive Bloody, and terrifying thoughts, and why were they showing signs of becoming uncontrollable?
He quickly told himself that the black-haired Prince Ivan was not someone his Kingdom of Black Rock could afford to offend, while forcing himself to take his hand off the hilt of his sword. This feeling was even more unbearable than losing more than four thousand elite troops and the entire Blackstone Fortress.
The black-haired Prince Ivan, was completely unaware of this as he rode ahead on his horse.
He had no idea that a pair of bloodthirsty, red eyes were staring at him from behind, nor did he know that his life had unknowingly slipped through his fingers six or seven times in a short period of time.
In a moment of stunned silence, the two spurred their horses and galloped towards Black Rock City, the capital of the Kingdom of Black Rock.
They were chased around like dogs by King of Chambord, one of them was thrown around so hard he was dizzy, and the other didn't even dare to look back when he ran away. Neither of them saw what Sun Fei did after switching to [ Necromancer Mode ]. They lost face and, as if by unspoken agreement, buried everything that had happened in their hearts, never to tell anyone else.
At that moment, the white-winged eagle cried out and soared into the distance, disappearing into the white clouds in an instant.
Blackstone Fortress, Water Prison.
The shouts of battle outside gradually subsided, but the doubts in the hearts of the people in the water dungeon grew stronger.
"It's unbelievable, who would dare to cause trouble at Blackstone Fortress?"
A tall, thin man, tightly chained to a dark, damp wall, Earth Inquiry his companion curiously, while simultaneously stretching his waist—in fact, the only part of his body he could move slightly to keep moving. Those damned jailers were cruel; the barbed chains were completely embedded in the man's body. The wounds healed only to be reopened by the shaking, the barbs digging into his muscles, and crimson blood and festering pus dripped down the chains into the black, foul-smelling sewage that reached his knees. Surprisingly, despite being covered in countless wounds, with not a single patch of intact skin, and despite his Hell ordeal, the man's expression remained seemingly relaxed. He spoke with a faint smile, showing none of the despair and frustration typically seen in people in distress.
"Perhaps some mercenary group or caravan caught the eye of the vampires of Black Rock City, and King of Black Rock, as usual, committed another murder and robbery," someone nearby chimed in. "What miracle can you expect now? Listen to this, they've vanished without a trace. Poor Lie Wumen, he's probably already been devoured and divided up by those demons..."
"Instead of thinking about that, you should be worried about our fate. That old bastard King of Black Rock is truly determined to wipe out all of us Chambord miners this time..."
The water dungeon was filled with miners from Chambord City who had been brought together in a concentrated manner.
The water dungeon at Blackstone Fortress is located in an underground cave in a cliff face, similar to the ' Iron Prison Dungeon ' in the Underground Grotto Labyrinth City behind Chambord City, but the environment is dozens or even hundreds of times worse. The entire dungeon is filled with knee-deep, foul-smelling Black Water, teeming with the corpses of rats and various small animals, moldy and rotting from being submerged. There are even swollen, dismembered limbs floating in the water, creating a stench that overwhelms the senses. As autumn deepens, the water becomes increasingly icy cold. Many people, already weakened, succumb to the cold and die of freezing, starvation, or drowning within a day or two of being imprisoned there. Human life is cheaper than grass, yet more tenacious than cockroaches. Even in such a desperate environment, most of the Chambord miners, who had adapted to the harshness of life, helped each other and miraculously survived.
Because in their hearts, a faint glimmer of hope sustained them.
In the Chambord City, a holy king appeared.
This is what old Zola told them.
Old Zola said that King Chambord would surely come with an invincible army to destroy Kingdom of Black Rock and liberate them from their suffering.
Although it was just a beautiful fantasy.
But that is also hope.
They had once lived like zombies in the mines, having given up struggling against their miserable fate. Even hope was a luxury. So, although the arrival of the King of Chambord seemed too distant, more like self-deception and self-numbing, something was better than nothing, wasn't it?
However, it now seems that hope is about to be dashed.
Perhaps Chambord City did indeed produce a Holy King who established Sage Code and annihilated the Nine Kingdoms Allied Army. Perhaps one day the Holy King will indeed use his supreme military might to destroy Black Rock City. But now, feeling threatened, the King of Black Rock has clearly decided to kill all these scourges ahead of time... It seems they won't live to see that day.
Thinking about their fate, the people in the water dungeon fell silent for a moment, feeling a mix of resentment and despair.
"Something's not right..." The tall, thin man suddenly sensed something, frowned, listened intently for a moment, his eyes hardening, and excitedly Earth Inquiry his companion, "It's eerily quiet outside. Those damned jailers who usually start cursing at the slightest sound aren't here..."
" Eddie, what... what do you want to say?" His companion trembled. He already understood what the tall, thin man meant, but he couldn't believe it, so he asked in a trembling voice.
"Maybe old Zola was right this time?" The tall, thin man named Eddie narrowed his eyes, and his voice became much louder.
"You mean... no, no, no, that's impossible... how could that be!" Another person joined the conversation, a large, broad-shouldered man. Perhaps he had once been burly and imposing, but the cruel living conditions of being a miner for so long had left him skin and bones. However, he was considered to be in relatively good physical condition among the four or five hundred surviving miners of Chambord. Hearing Eddie's words, he seemed very agitated, denying it in a completely disbelieving tone. But everyone could see how much he hoped that Eddie's guess was true.
At this moment, all the surviving miners from Chambord City in the water dungeon became excited.
What if it's true?
What if what Zola said is true?
Everyone stared intently at the dungeon entrance, waiting for something to happen.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached.
The time for judgment has come.
At that moment, everyone's heart pounded violently, fearing that when the dungeon door opened, Black Rock City soldiers wielding butcher knives would appear instead of the Sacred King of Chambord whom they had been waiting so long for. Even Eddie, the tall, thin, and strong man who had been encouraging and inspiring the desperate people in the water dungeon with his optimistic attitude and spirit, couldn't help but feel his mouth go dry. He was afraid of death, and even more unwilling to see so many of his compatriots die in this dark and sunless underground water dungeon.
Squeak--!
The sound of a rusty iron door being opened rang out, followed by a beam of light that burst forth from behind the door. The unfortunate souls, who had been trapped in the dimly lit underground water dungeon for so long, were momentarily disoriented and covered their eyes. In the blinding light, they could only see a young man dressed in armor standing at the entrance of the dungeon; everything else remained in darkness, and they could not make out the young man's face.
"Wearing armor..."
"Could they be soldiers from Black Rock City?"
"Ah... we're going to die..."
"Where is the Holy King? Why doesn't he come to our aid?"
Seeing this scene, many of the Chambord miners instantly collapsed. Some clenched their fists in anger, ready to fight to the death. But at that moment, they suddenly heard a very familiar voice—
"Your Majesty, this is the water dungeon. Everyone is inside, but please don't go in. It's full of sewage and stinks!"
That voice... is it the voice of old Zola?!
The miners of Chambord were stunned. How could this be? Wasn't old Zola crippled by the Blackrock soldiers and thrown into the mass grave in the back mountains? They had all witnessed the scene four days ago in Blood Bead Square where old Zola was publicly executed for inciting the miners, his eyes gouged out, his tongue cut off, his limbs broken, and him on the verge of death. How could he sound so energetic now, as if he hadn't been injured at all?
And what did he just say?
Your Majesty... Your Majesty?
Who else could command such respect from old Zola as "Your Majesty"?
Almost everyone immediately thought of the same possibility.
Everyone knows that old Zola's personality is like a rock in a latrine—stinky and stubborn. Apart from the King of Chambord City, he would never address any other King as "Your Majesty." Once, the King of Black Rock valued old Zola's administrative abilities and was willing to pardon him as a mine slave and make him a nobleman of Kingdom of Black Rock if the Old Man called him "Your Majesty." However, the stubborn old man refused.
"My subjects can be imprisoned here for four days, so why can't I go in for a short while?"
A clear and authoritative voice, both cheerful and dignified, reached everyone's ears. Suddenly, the figure shrouded in light emitted a dazzling golden glow, its entire body radiating a gentle yet majestic aura. This golden light instantly illuminated the dim basement, and within the flames seemed to possess a warming power, causing everyone to instantly feel an unprecedented surge of warmth flowing into their bodies. The wounds that had been tormenting them constantly began to heal miraculously under the golden light.
A young and spirited face appeared in everyone's sight.
It is also deeply imprinted in everyone's soul.
They will never forget that scene, that face, for the rest of their lives.
"Warriors of Chambord City, Alexander is late. I already know of the suffering you endured here. As your King, I must apologize to you all. I am deeply sorry. Alexander has tarnished the Glory of the King of Chambord and failed in his duty to protect his people!"
Sun Fei stepped into the filthy, foul-smelling water, and the golden light emanating from his body intensified.
Paladin Skill - [Prayer].
After activating the skill, you can enhance your own and your team's vitality, restore their energy, and heal the damage they have suffered to some extent.
At the same time, he held a black longsword in his hand and walked lightly into the crowd. The tip of the sword hummed and vibrated, emitting dazzling cold light. Wherever it passed, all the iron chains and shackles on the miners broke. His swordsmanship was exquisite and almost supernatural. Although the iron chains had been deeply cut into the miners' bodies, the sword light did not harm them in the slightest.
Throughout the entire process, all the miners stood frozen in place.
Feeling the warmth emanating from their bodies, feeling the tingling healing of their wounds, feeling the chains and shackles break and fall off, feeling everything that suddenly happened, it was like the beautiful dream they had countless times when their wounds flared up, they were starving and unconscious, they forgot to think, forgot to speak, forgot to act, even forgot themselves... Is this real? Is it really real? Everyone was asking themselves, and someone gently pinched their arm, trying to prove that this was not a dream.
Outside the water dungeon, Lampard, Drogba, and others, who were rushing over, were about to step inside when they suddenly heard a deafening cheer erupt from within—
Long Live the King!
Long live the Emperor!
"Long live the Holy King of Chambord!!"
The cheers were so loud they could practically lift the roof off the water prison. They contained a blood-boiling joy and excitement, as well as a hint of heartbreaking grievance. In that instant, Lampard, like everyone else, was infected by the emotion. He seemed to see again, more than four months earlier, in Chambord City, when King Lampard, clad in full-body heavy knight armor, was about to be shot by the Black Armor Army's bowstrings. After the King had cleaved the enemy expert in two with an axe and saved the situation, everyone surrounded him, shouting " Long Live the King!"
Exhausted, hungry, wounded, and extremely excited, the miners in the water dungeon were quickly transferred to the relatively dry and comfortable Stone Pillar Square. The Chambord Expeditionary Army's Urban Management destroyed the Bloody stone pillars in the square, set up temporary tents, lit campfires, and set up large pots to cook hot food.
"Ah, it's you, old Tom! My God, you're still alive..."
" God of War of War, is this true? Father, after you disappeared, Mother and I thought you were dead. It turns out you are still alive... Thank you, God of War! Thank you, Your Majesty!"
" Kuta, Aunt Nina is so worried about you, she's almost cried her eyes out! You have to go back soon..."
"Brother, do you still recognize me? It's me, Carl, Big-Headed Carl! I've finally found you! You know what? After you disappeared, Mom and Dad both passed away from grief..."
Such conversations continued to take place in Blood Pillar Square.
Over the years, many people have disappeared from Chambord City, and countless families have been torn apart, suffering unbearable pain. Unexpectedly, fate has given them a miracle and hope. Many of them have found long-lost relatives or acquaintances among the miners who survived the ordeal.
Of course, more than two hundred miners, due to their weak constitution and infection with malaria, died in the water dungeon before Sun Fei and the others arrived.
The bodies of all the Chambord miners who died at Blackstone Fortress were gathered in the mass grave on the back mountain. A raging fire, like the hatred of the Chambord people, soared into the sky, engulfing the wounded corpses. The flames brought warmth and release to these souls far from their homeland. Thousands of bodies were burned to ashes, filling over a dozen large crates. Sun Fei, in the name of the King, promised everyone that these ashes would be transported back to Chambord City, placed atop the East Mountain, and buried in the Heroes' Tomb!
"In the name of the King, I assure you that from this day forward, no one from Chambord will ever be enslaved again. Any villain who harms Chambord person, regardless of their status, will be punished by the King of Chambord and the God of God of War!"
Amidst the raging flames, Sun Fei made a promise to his people and to himself.
The captured Black Rock City soldiers were brought to the Stone Pillar Square and lined up for the Chambord miners to identify them. Any soldier who had killed Chambord man was executed on the spot, and the rest were stripped of their armor and driven out of the Black Market Fortress.
The situation has temporarily eased.
Sun Fei began discussing with Lampard and other key leaders the resettlement plan for the rescued citizens.
The expeditionary force needed to hurry to the capital, Saint Petersburg, to participate in the Martial Combat Competition of the vassal states, and would have to endure a long journey. Therefore, they couldn't bring along the six or seven hundred miners who were malnourished from long-term overwork and hunger. These people needed careful care and long-term recuperation. The final decision made by everyone was that Lampard, the strongest person besides Sun Fei, would lead the [ Heng and Ha Generals ], along with twenty-five Saint and fifty Urban Management guards, to escort the wounded back to Chambord City, where they would be placed under the care of Right Chancellor Best. Then, they would ride back at full speed to catch up with Sun Fei and the others, and should be able to reunite before reaching the capital.
After discussion, the expeditionary force decided to camp at Blackstone Fortress for one night, and then escort the wounded back the next day when they had recovered their strength.
Sun Fei switched to [ Druid Mode ] and Summon four white giant wolves and three Giant-Winged Raven to patrol and guard various parts of Blackstone Fortress, allowing the soldiers who had been fighting for half a day to get a full rest.
"Your Majesty, something is attacking your bird!" Drogba's exaggerated voice suddenly rang out.
Sun Fei was immediately speechless. Those were clearly Raven, yet this idiot insisted on calling them birds. The ambiguity was just too great!
He looked up and, sure enough, saw a giant white-winged eagle flying in from nowhere in the sky, chasing after the Raven he had Summon, looking fierce and menacing.
"Shoot it down!"
At Sun Fei's command, his personal bodyguard Fernando Torres drew his bow and released an arrow, aiming to strike the giant eagle in the head. The giant eagle let out a mournful cry, flapped its wings, and fell to the ground.
We finally caught up.