28: War mobilization, departure

Humans have very poor visibility at night, which creates a huge disparity. Fighting Gnolls at night is bound to result in tremendous casualties.

As for Light Magic, there is the Illumination Spell.

Light Talent is a rare talent, and too few people have undergone Awakening. Northern Bulwark City only has two such individuals, and neither is particularly strong, possessing only the strength of a Great Mage.

This corresponds to the Silver Knight rank among knights.

Relying on these two Light Great Mages to illuminate a massive city like Northern Bulwark City, which can accommodate hundreds of thousands of people, is unrealistic.

The people of Northern Bulwark City can only do their best to light enough torches during the night!

As for using precious illumination magic items and Light Magic scrolls, Northern Bulwark City doesn't have many, so they must be used sparingly.

All in all, Northern Bulwark City will face a fierce battle during the night.

The longer this kind of fierce battle lasts, the greater Northern Bulwark City's casualties will be, which is why the messenger was eager for Arthur and his Army Commander to provide support sooner.

Arthur's response was to depart the next day.

After all, there is a lot of preparation needed before a war!

Besides that, Arthur had one more purpose for not rushing.

That was to let the people of Northern Bulwark City fight the Gnolls for a night. Only after suffering severe losses would they cherish Arthur's support and feel that their two million Gold Coins were well spent.

After sending off the messenger, Arthur began considering the specific deployment for the support mission.

First, the two Mountain Giants definitely had to go, followed by twenty golden sharp lion cavalry.

Then, the four thousand newly trained crossbowmen must also be taken along to assess their combat effectiveness.

Also, Chris, who is relatively familiar with Arthur's army.

Karona was also brought along. Since this operation was not very dangerous for Arthur, bringing Karona meant having someone to serve him nearby.

As for the others, they were left behind, including the six thousand new recruits still in training and two ordinary knight squads.

After issuing these decisions, Arthur ordered Chris to carry them out.

Fortunately, this world has space rings, so transporting logistical supplies isn't too troublesome, otherwise, one night might not be enough time.

After careful consideration, Arthur felt this was still insufficient. While the sky hadn't completely darkened, he exchanged for two Gold Peak Knights and deployed them outside the city.

He then had Victor notify them, instructing them to pretend to be people coming to pledge allegiance.

Soon after, Poussin, the castle steward, came to inform Arthur that there were two powerful individuals outside the castle.

Even the Silver Knights guarding the castle couldn't discern their depth, suggesting they were likely Gold Knights, and they claimed to have come to pledge allegiance.

"My Lord, should you grant them an audience?"

"If powerful individuals come to pledge allegiance, naturally I must meet them. Perhaps I can gain new assistance!"

"Understood, My Lord!"

Following Arthur's instruction, Poussin quickly brought in the two Gold Knights Arthur had just purchased.

Looking up, the two Gold Knights wore the gold knight armor that Arthur had purchased and deployed with them. They certainly looked imposing.

Because of Victor's prior instructions, the two Gold Knights did not immediately perform any grand ceremony toward Arthur.

"Poussin, you may step down first. I will have a good talk with them."

Steward Poussin knew Arthur had means of self-preservation, so he confidently stepped out.

Seeing that there were no outsiders left, the two Gold Knights knelt on one knee.

"Lord Arthur!"

"Quickly rise. From now on, your identity is that of Gold Knights who have come to pledge allegiance!"

Arthur casually pointed to one of them and said:

"Tomorrow, I will head to the Gnoll battlefield. You shall accompany me as a guard."

Then, pointing to the other person, he said:

"You will remain in Initial City to guard the territory."

"Understood, My Lord!"

Although the second Gold Knight also wanted to accompany Arthur on the campaign to protect him, he strictly obeyed Arthur's command.

Afterward, Arthur called Poussin back in and explained that the two Gold Knights had pledged allegiance to him.

He instructed him to arrange accommodation for the two Gold Knights.

This made the look of respect in Poussin's eyes toward Arthur grow even deeper.

Alas, there was nothing he could do! Arthur's recent series of actions were simply too astonishing!

It was only natural for Poussin to react this way.

The next day, as dawn broke, Arthur's army of over four thousand had finished assembling outside the city.

Arthur stood on the shoulder of the Mountain Giant, his gaze first sweeping over Chris and the newly arrived Gold Knight at the very front of the formation.

Next, his gaze swept over the twenty Golden Sharp Lion Knights, followed by the four thousand high-spirited warriors. He couldn't help but smile contentedly.

A moment later, Arthur broke the silence and announced loudly:

"Everyone, I believe you all know what we are about to do. The grievances between the Orcs and our Kate Kingdom go back a long time.

Fifty years ago, they once seized our Mondo Province, although we reclaimed it twenty years ago!

But we all know that as long as the Orcs are not destroyed, our war with them will never cease.

For the sake of the Kingdom, for the sake of the territory, and for the harmonious life we deserve, let us eliminate the Orcs and defeat the Gnolls!"

"Eliminate the Orcs! Defeat the Gnolls!..."

Arthur's series of actions had earned him great admiration from the people in his territory, so following his call, the warriors outside the city began shouting in unison.

A moment later, they stopped as Arthur raised his hand to signal.

Seeing that the Aura was strong, Arthur no longer delayed and directly commanded:

"Move out!"

As the army marched out, many commoners also poured out of Initial City, shouting:

"Safe travels!"

"Defeat the Gnolls!"

"Lord Arthur will surely win!"

...Amidst the shouts of the many commoners, Arthur and his group gradually moved farther away.

Afterward, Arthur descended from the Mountain Giant's shoulder, rode a white horse, and walked at the very front of the procession with Karona, Chris, and the others.

As soon as the sky brightened, the Gnoll attack on Northern Bulwark City retreated, and their Alliance Leader David finally had a moment to speak.

Thus, Arthur inquired of the messenger who was standing not far from him:

"What is the situation of the battle at Northern Bulwark City?"

Facing Arthur's inquiry, the Northern Bulwark City messenger, who had witnessed his military might today, quickly replied:

"After I contacted Alliance Leader David just now, he expressed a desire to speak with you personally. Why don't you let him explain it to you?"

After speaking, the Northern Bulwark City messenger handed the magic communicator to Arthur.

Arthur examined the crystal-like square object handed over by the Northern Bulwark City messenger, thinking to himself:

"So this is a magic communicator. It looks good, but from the outside, it's impossible to tell what it does."

Just after Arthur took the magic communicator, it began to vibrate.

Seeing this, Arthur understood after a brief thought: this must be David requesting communication.

Then, as if instinctively knowing how, he pressed a raised button on the crystal object, and a slightly magnetic male voice emerged from it: