Chapter 161: The Siege of Baihao City (Part 1)
The mountains stretched endlessly, sketching rugged undulations across the southwest landscape.
Under the billowing clouds, a blanket of snow sprawled over the world. On the road heading north toward the icy riverbanks, a snake-like line of troops moved, mixing military flags, black and red armors. Flanking the main wave were light cavalrymen, various shapes and sizes gradually emerging from the sunlight spilling over the distant mountains, looking like something out of a fantasy novel.
Amidst the haze, dawn had arrived.
Led by Firebird Annie, the reinforcements from the North had now marched less than ten miles from Baihao City, with the Shanter Army’s former second unit, now the Lion Hunting Army, at the front. They were the hunters steering beasts ahead, and after joining forces with Erin Castle Army in the valley last night, part of the troops was acting as messengers to relay commands to retreat and return to the city, while another part became the scouting vanguards, marching through the snow and already spotting the glacial waterways cutting across the northern snowy expanse.
“Each squad, head left! LEFT! Left is THIS way! Keep up with the person in front of you—”
A soldier responsible for directing traffic shouted in the middle of the road. On the nearby slope, black-armored cavalry from the New City of Kaliye peered out from above, and at the front of the line, Annie of Erin, clad in radiant red plate armor, looked absolutely fabulous, brimming with energy. She cradled her helmet, her ponytail flipping wildly with the jolts of her beast beneath her. Her eyes were firmly focused ahead, though every so often she glanced back as if checking on something.
In the throng behind, Lady Catherine with her black hair and eyes was deep in conversation.
“…The number of defensive knights inside the city was around three thousand yesterday, but they lost half due to the southern valley ambush, so now there should be fewer than two thousand, plus at least five hundred stuck up north by Pagos at the ironworks. They don’t have many knights left to mobilize for defense.”
The one speaking with her was an officer from the Lion Hunting Army, responsible for intercepting the western road of Baihao City. Having arrived late, he wasn’t fully informed about the happenings in the valley, only aware that they previously had a skirmish with the Church Knights and won… somehow. He had caught wind of something from someone, leading him to casually ask Lady Catherine about it. Upon her nod, his eyebrows perked up in surprise and admiration. “Impressive… who did it?”
But for some reason, nobody answered him.
Before long, the Northern Army successfully crossed the icy river, and the outline of Baihao City appeared before everyone’s eyes.
“Ah-ha!”
“They’re coming, they’re coming—”
“Look! There are knights and those holy folks on the walls! Did you see them? It seems they’re waiting for us!”
The tall towers of the city began to shimmer with sporadic golden lights. As the Northern Army formed up beneath the walls, the sound of horns echoed from the city, a familiar call I had once answered alongside countless brave warriors in fierce battles.
On the walls, golden cross flags fluttered in the breeze as I rode my giant beast through the ranks, slowly making my way to the front. I gazed at those banners that once symbolized “justice” in my heart, and yet… I felt no stirrings within.
“Frostmoon—”
“Roar!”
“Frostmoon—”
“Roar!!!”
Before the army had reached the city, the snowy ground erupted with the shouts of over a thousand warriors, their bloodlust palpable. Facing the radiant golden light atop the walls and the murmurs of priests weaving an immense sin barrier in front of the battlements—like a sacred edict from a deity—the Northern Army remained fierce and fearless, their morale soaring. The hunters were lined up at the front of the ranks, riding steed-like horned beasts, scythes and hooks secured to their saddles, ready for battle.
“Drink up!!!”
On the left flank, the sight of red armor filled the landscape as the Erin Castle warriors stood ready. Firebird Annie charged through the ranks, a wine jug in hand, showering the warriors’ heads with the merriment inside. They began tilting their heads back to drink, after which they wiped their faces and tossed empty wine bags into the sky.
Then came the thunderous clash of shields and the roar of battle cries.
“Crimson! Crimson! Crimson—”
As the sky echoed with those calls, the once ominous troops of New City of Kaliye cautiously advanced to the right side of the formation. They didn’t seek to intimidate like the others. Instead, they silently maneuvered nearly three hundred men behind the shield-bearers, withdrawing massive, complex central workshop crossbows equipped with triggers and pulleys, quietly aiming at the priests on the wall.
The cold wind howled.
The fearless warriors from the North were all set.
Awaiting but a single command, they would flatten this city once more.
Yet, that order was nowhere to be heard.
“Northern sinners! Do not dare to struggle further; you’ll only bring greater disaster upon the citizens of this nation—”
From on the wall, a voice called down: “Your courage is futile, and your deaths are meaningless! Those who forsake the deity will ultimately suffer the harshest divine punishment! You will perish here, beneath the mighty miracle, all of you! And that rebel leader Skarlij! We shall toss his head into your pile of corpses, leaving not a shred of ash behind!!!”
“Shut up, you old fraud! Let’s settle this with our blades—”
“Lady Annie, please give the order! Let us charge the walls and butcher these hypocritical scoundrels!”
“Filthy sinners! You can’t even break through this sin barrier—”
“Cowards surrender; you’ll have the sweet release of d*ath!”
“Shut your trap—”
The fray of shouting ignited the emotions on both sides, each party itching for the moment when weapons would clash and bl**d would spill. Yet, neither Firebird Annie nor the protected Lady Catherine seemed inclined to give the order to storm the city. Their eyes were locked onto a petite figure perched on a beast, clad in a cloak and wearing a peculiar mask, standing boldly before the ranks.
After a brief moment…
The figure slowly raised their right hand amidst all the gazes.
