104: Storm Peak

The next morning, the Ice Bear Clan plunged into utter chaos, leaderless.

On the main battlefield, fierce struggles were also unfolding.

The Empire's Seventh Standard Combined Army encountered tenacious resistance while attacking a mountain pass defended by orcs.

The orcs used the terrain to their advantage, rolling down countless logs and boulders. A human vanguard squad was pinned down in a hollow, suffering heavy casualties.

"Hold steady! Shield bearers, hold the line! Medics!"

The squad leader shouted hoarsely. A huge rock smashed against his shield, making him feel a sweetness in his throat.

Just then!

A pure white figure descended like an angel, passing through the flying arrows and rocks, landing steadily in the area with the most casualties.

It was a Sanctuary robot.

With a wave of its arm, emerald green light of rapid healing, like warm rain, sprinkled upon the severely wounded.

Deep, bone-exposing wounds visibly writhed and healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, and broken bones made faint clicking sounds as they reconnected.

At the same time, a pulsed, pure white energy field—

Ring of Purification!

—spread out from it, dispelling the faint bloodlust curse that the orc shamans had cast into the air, clearing the soldiers' muddled minds.

What was even more astonishing!

When another round of dense stone throws came, the Sanctuary robot instantly overloaded its shield, deploying an incredibly solid energy barrier that covered half of the hollow!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The huge rocks crashed against the barrier, only stirring strong ripples but unable to break through.

"It's the White-Robed Medical Officer! Long live the Empire!"

The soldiers, saved from certain death, erupted in fervent cheers, their morale greatly boosted.

In the rear,

the breaker legion, based on coordinates provided by the sky patroller, launched a devastating saturation strike on the orc rock-throwing positions on the mountain pass.

Missiles rained down like a meteor shower, plowing the entire mountain pass.

After the battle,

the squad leader looked at the Sanctuary, which was treating the last wounded soldier, and couldn't help but sigh to his adjutant beside him:

"I've fought my entire life, and I never thought war could be fought like this... With these iron guys around, it feels like we've truly become the chosen ones."

The adjutant wiped the blood from his face, grinning, "Boss, this is the war of a new era! Following His Majesty, we're here to send these orcs to their graves!"

The war continued for three months in such an unprecedented manner.

The Imperial Expeditionary Force advanced steadily, consolidating every step.

The orcs' living space was constantly compressed.

Their morale completely collapsed in the face of the despair of the iron wall, the sharpness of the sword, the terror of the ghosts, and the contrast provided by the Sanctuary!

Clan after clan was either annihilated, fled north in a panic, or chose a humiliating surrender.

January 3625.

The main force of the expeditionary army finally advanced to the core area of the Broken Cliff Mountains.

They laid siege to the orcs' last and most formidable stronghold—the Peregrine Falcon Clan's main city, Peak of the Storm.

This peak soared into the clouds, perpetually surrounded by violent air currents and thunderclouds, and its steep rock face was almost vertical.

Only the Peregrine Falcon Clan's winged cavalry could freely soar with their innate abilities.

The Peregrine Falcon Clan gathered all its remaining forces, including the remnants of the Frost Wolf Clan and the routed warriors of the Ice Bear Clan.

They intended to rely on this last natural stronghold for a desperate last stand.

What was even more alarming was that—

from within the clouds shrouding the peak,

faintly came heart-pounding cries.

Those were the terrifying raptors, the Storm Beak Eagles, bred by the Peregrine Falcon Clan for generations, comparable to level 5 transcendent creatures.

Franco stood at the front-line observation post, looking at the peak that pierced the clouds like a sword, shrouded in storms and eagle shadows, and spat:

"Damn it, this cursed place is practically tailor-made for those birdmen! No matter how tough our iron oath are, they can't get up there!"

Marshal Adrian gazed at the data of the Peak of the Storm marked on the sand table, his brow slightly furrowed:

"According to the sky patroller's preliminary reconnaissance, the magnetic field here is abnormal, and the storms are not entirely natural; there seem to be traces of ancient Peregrine Falcon shamanistic Magic Formations."

"Their winged cavalry are like fish in water in the storm, plus those giant eagles... If we launch a frontal assault, even with robot assistance, our human legions will pay an unimaginable price during the climb."

Just then,

the Magic Formation for communication lit up, and Brian's holographic image appeared in the command center.

"Your Majesty!"

Adrian and Franco immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"I am aware of the situation."

Brian's gaze swept across the sand table, resting on the Peak of the Storm, his expression still calm:

"Trapped in their last nest, the Peregrine Falcon Clan will naturally bring out all their trump cards."

Franco said eagerly, "Your Majesty, give this old Franco a few days. Let the breaker level the foot of the mountain for them, then let the lads set up ladders..."

Brian raised his hand to interrupt him, a faint curve on his lips:

"Franco, every soldier of the Empire is a valuable asset. I said this conquest is to be led by humans, but not for you to make futile sacrifices."

He turned his gaze to Adrian: "Adrian, issue the order. Suspend the ground assault plan."

"Ah?"

Franco was stunned.

Brian continued, "Tell the soldiers to sharpen their swords and maintain their bows and crossbows. The final general assault will require all their courage and strength."

He paused, his tone carrying a sense of calm control over everything:

"But before our human warriors set foot on the peak, I need to clear the sky for this feast."

"Spirit Eye."

"I'm here, Master!"

Spirit Eye's cheerful voice came from the other end of the Magic Formation, seemingly accompanied by the faint sound of chewing snacks.

"Initiate the Clear Sky Protocol. Prepare our sky patroller and the Imperial Mage Corps. I want to see if the Peregrine Falcon's storms and talons are more formidable, or if the Empire's steel swarm and combined spellcasting are superior."

A cold glint flashed in Brian's eyes.

"First, break all those unsightly wings."