VBNWDW - Chapter 79
Chapter 79
When the army of Roy arrived, smoke from the midday meal was just beginning to rise. The azure sky was cloudless, and bright sunlight streamed down.
Only a small contingent remained to guard the Atl camp; the rest held iron bowls, queuing up for the day’s lunch.
Perhaps to compensate for their recent hardships, the food in the large iron pot was exceptionally rich. The aroma made one’s mouth water, and soldiers impatiently nudged the person in front of them to hurry up.
The iron ladle dipped into the pot, and in the next second, battle cries that seemed to shake the very earth erupted. The cook was so startled he dropped the ladle.
Looking not far from the camp, a dark tide of people was swarming toward them. The Gifted leading the charge on horseback had already begun to chant.
“Enemy attack!!!”
Someone’s sudden, sharp cry finally jolted the others to their senses, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
Some threw down their food bowls to search for helmets, others ran to their tents for weapons, and some were pushed to the ground, unable to get back up. The fragrant meal was abandoned, knocked over by someone, and spilled onto the ground.
The general of the Atl Kingdom quickly sounded his horn, trying to rally his soldiers into formation, but it only served as the signal for the Roy Kingdom to attack.
A sea of fire surged forward first, turning the hastily constructed barriers into a joke, reducing them to ash in an instant.
Then, golden blades rained down, followed by wood, earth, and water magic. Because Her Majesty had demanded they use their full strength in the first wave, they held nothing back, unleashing their most powerful killing moves on the military camp.
The place that had been filled with laughter and ease just moments before was now a scene of utter disarray. Tents were ignited by flames, the path forward was littered with the corpses of comrades pierced by blades, and the muddy ground was soaked with water. With every step, one risked being impaled by an earthen spike or entangled by a vine, bringing a swift end to their short life.
Screams and cries of pain were incessant. The stench of blood mingled with the aroma of food, creating a bizarrely grotesque smell.
The leader of the Atl army was furious, but he dared not lose his temper at such a critical moment. He quickly barked an order: “Where are the Gifted? Have them attack first and temporarily hold off the assault!”
“Have all soldiers prepare to engage the enemy!”
In the next moment, a wall of emerald vines appeared before the Atl camp, weaving together like a giant shield that instantly blocked a dozen fireballs.
The Gifted on the left and right flanks also made their moves. Although their effects were not as potent as the Great Mage specifically dispatched for this campaign, they managed to buy the Atl army a brief moment of respite.
Seeing this, Metis immediately shouted, “Retreat!”
The mages, who had been hunched over their horses and clutching their staves, immediately slowed down. In a flash, they were enveloped by specially assigned soldiers who protected them as they fell back.
At the same time, the regular soldiers surged forward, filling the gap.
Metis, however, whipped the reins. Her white horse, instead of slowing, galloped even faster.
The semi-circular shell woven from vines was right before her. A scroll suddenly appeared in her hand. She tore it open and forcefully threw it forward!
There was no flashy technique, just an ordinary sixth-tier fireball, yet it was hotter and more scorching than the red sun in the sky. It was like a ball of magma, smashing head-on into the wall of vines.
—BOOM!!!
Before anyone could see clearly, they felt a wave of heat radiate from the center, rushing toward them like a tidal wave. Their exposed skin stung with a burning pain.
Looking ahead again, there was no trace of the vines. Not only had they been completely obliterated, but the explosion had also injured their own people, leaving a massive crater in the ground.
Mo Wen, who was following behind Metis, dispelled the magical barrier she had summoned just in time to see Her Majesty the Queen charge forward again on her horse. Her staff was replaced with a sharp blade, and her silver armor was stained with soot, but it did nothing to diminish the fierce aura about her.
That slender figure was the first to step into the smoke-filled battlefield. With a powerful swing of her longsword to the side, an enemy soldier fell without even a chance to resist, his blood flowing freely.
Mo Wen quickly composed herself and shouted, “Follow Her Majesty!”
Only then did the others snap back to reality and charge forward.
On the other side, the Great Mage stumbled back three steps. The magic was connected to him, and he had thought no one here could break it. He never expected someone would be willing to use a sixth-tier scroll on it. His face was pale, and a trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
The other two Advanced Mages were in a similarly miserable state; being closest to him, they had naturally been caught in the blast.
When the Atl general saw this, his heart tightened. The Gifted were already rare, and the more powerful they were, the more the kingdom valued them. The loss of a Great Mage last time had already enraged His Majesty. If it happened again today…
His expression darkened, and he immediately said, “Someone, take the Gifted to the rear of the camp.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Your Excellency, Great Mage, please retreat for now. If an opportunity arises, you may act, but prioritize your own safety,” he instructed before mounting his horse and shouting, “Charge!”
The hastily prepared soldiers immediately obeyed and surged forward.
The army of Roy, like a sharp blade, plunged deep into the enemy camp. For a time, the sounds of battle were endless.
A burning banner fell to the ground, broken blades clattered, and blood spurted forth. A pile of corpses with eyes wide open lay on the ground.
Metis did not get bogged down in the fight. Instead, she rode deeper into the camp, the flames in her hand never ceasing. Sparks scattered everywhere, instantly starting a great fire.
When she saw the general leading his men toward her, she immediately pulled on the reins, turned, and commanded, “Go!”
As her attendant knight, Mo Wen had stayed close by her side. Hearing the command, she turned and left without a shred of hesitation, and the others followed suit.
The army that had just swarmed in like a plague of locusts now receded like a tide, rushing directly toward Nia City.
Duke Ander, having received the news long ago, was already waiting on the city walls. Seeing them approach, she immediately ordered the gates to be opened.
Most of the soldiers in the city had fought against the Atl army before and had long since harbored a deep-seated hatred for their old enemy. Now, seeing them suffer a major defeat, every one of them wore an expression of excited delight. They even opened the city gates faster than usual.
Talia was naturally no different, but as her gaze swept to the side, she couldn’t help but press her lips together.
There stood a silver-haired, dark-skinned beauty. Her facial features were deep and bewitching, with a rare, exotic charm. A pair of gilded eyes, indifferent and proud, gazed down as if she were casually observing a group of ants that could be crushed at will.
It was only when Her Majesty the Queen, mounted on a white horse and holding a sword in one hand, appeared below the city wall that a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.
A dragon would naturally not stay away from Metis for long. It had followed her all the way, only appearing leisurely beside Talia when the Roy army charged the enemy camp.
Talia had been startled and subconsciously wanted to defend herself, but she found she didn’t even have the courage to raise her hand. A fear of absolute powerlessness spread from her very bones, making her feel deep down that kneeling and begging for mercy was the only path available.
As sweat trickled down, she caught a glimpse of those familiar gilded eyes and immediately cried out, “Lord Black Dragon.”
Only then did the oppressive aura dissipate, giving her a chance to breathe. Although she didn’t know why the black dragon hadn’t intervened this time, she understood that it had just been a deliberate warning.
It was like playing house with a child; one had to ensure the child enjoyed the game from beginning to end, without a single hitch.
And so, the city gates opened at the perfect moment, welcoming the victorious heroes of the surprise attack back into Nia City.
As sweat dripped down, Talia felt a wave of relief that she had resolutely rejected the overtures of various factions. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the chance to be standing here in one piece.
While she was dealing with her lingering fear, a fervent cheer erupted in Nia City. This city, so often threatened by its enemy, had the gloom swept away by this rare, victorious raid. When the great army of Roy poured into the city, and the Atl army dared not pursue from a few dozen meters away, the cheers grew even stronger, one wave cresting over another.
Experiencing such a scene for the first time, Mo Wen couldn’t help but flush with excitement. She raised her fist high and shouted, “Roy will be victorious!”
The crowd followed her lead, shouting, “Roy will be victorious!”
She hailed Her Majesty the Queen, and the crowd hailed with her, their fervent, adoring gazes all fixed on Metis.
The dragon stood upon the city wall, watching as Metis was surrounded by the crowd.
There were many people around Metis, but the dragon could only see her.
It wasn’t just the people of Nia City who had the gloom driven away. A buried jewel was finally shining dazzlingly before the public, truly announcing her existence to the world.
She was the queen of the Roy Kingdom, and she would one day lead them to conquer this plain, making the entire Chryse Continent hear her name.
Beside her, Talia couldn’t help but clench her fist and pump it in the air, her face filled with elation and excitement, no different from the commoners below the wall.
Only after she did it did she feel it was improper and cautiously glanced to her side.
The dragon didn’t mind. It smiled and waved at her, gesturing that she could leave like the others and go down to cheer.
Talia, however, froze for a moment, her eyes widening in disbelief, unable to process the scene she had just witnessed.
The previously cold and indifferent dragon’s brow had softened, revealing a gentle and proud emotion. It was a genuine joy, a tender affection she had only ever seen when her own soldiers were reunited with their lovers.
The dragon paid her no more mind, looking down on its own.
The little queen’s brows lifted, a wanton smile spilling from the corners of her eyes. Her eyes, as clear as Lantis Lake, looked up at her.
At that moment, a breeze blew past, stirring up emerald waves. The wails from the Atl camp were incessant, but the cheers that could shake the city walls seemed to be sealed off in another world.
Yueqing smiled along with her.
Metis immediately dismounted, pushed her way through the crowd, and ran toward the city wall.
The dragon waited at the top of the stairs. As soon as Metis appeared, it opened its arms and caught Her Majesty the Queen.
Her flowing golden hair fell downwards. Before they could even meet each other’s gaze, Metis spoke joyfully, “Did you see? I charged into the Atl camp just now.”
“The scroll you gave me was amazing! It broke right through their defensive magic.”
“And I didn’t get bogged down in the fight. The moment I saw the Atl army regrouping, I turned and left!”
“Their commander was furious, cursing at us as he gave chase.”
This nearly perfect surprise attack had made Her Majesty the Queen lose her usual composure. In Yueqing’s arms, she chattered on like a young child, showing off.
“I saw, I saw,” Yueqing said, holding her and answering each point. “It was your timing that was perfect. Otherwise, even the best scroll would have been lacking.”
“Your Majesty’s decisiveness was more calm and composed than a great general with over a decade of command.”
“What was he cursing about? He’s a grown man who got caught in a surprise attack. How dare he curse others for his own stupidity.”
Metis couldn’t help but laugh. She looked up at her and said, “Why do you only praise me?”
“Is it not worthy of praise?” Yueqing asked in return.
Metis then said, “The others were amazing too. If it weren’t for their coordination…”
Yueqing gave a perfunctory nod and said, “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Hm?” The wind on the wall was strong, and the surroundings were filled with cheers. Metis hadn’t heard clearly.
The dragon lowered its head and repeated in her ear, “I only look at you.”
A ticklish sensation spread across her ear. Metis instinctively shied away and, feigning composure, turned to look down from the city wall.
Their last visit had been rushed, and with Nia City on the brink of being breached, the atmosphere had been grim. Severed limbs and mournful cries were everywhere. Only when the mage who had delayed reinforcements was executed did a small crowd gather, every face marked with the terror and hatred of having just escaped death.
Now, they were giving Metis all the cheers from last time as well, and the sound showed no sign of stopping.
Mo Wen wanted to sneak away like her queen, but she was squeezed in the middle of the crowd, unable to take a single step. The soldiers who had just fought a bloody battle could only scratch their heads and offer thanks, and as for the Gifted, they were flustered, not knowing what to say.
“Lord Yueqing,” she said, her pale gray-blue eyes reflecting the scene below as suppressed emotions surged up.
Yueqing answered lazily. She had no particular feelings about it. For a dragon with a long life, it was difficult to empathize with humans.
“I want…” She didn’t finish, her hand gripping the edge of the wall tightening slightly, hiding her ambition in the deepest part of her heart, waiting for the day it could bloom wantonly across the Chryse Continent.
Yueqing didn’t understand why she had suddenly stopped and turned to get closer.
But unexpectedly, Metis made the same move. She grabbed Yueqing’s collar, stood slightly on her toes, and brought her red lips to the other’s.
Yueqing’s breath caught. She hadn’t expected the other woman to make such a bold move and froze on the spot, forgetting to react.
Metis’s lips were a little cool, but warm inside, carrying a sweet taste that probed gently. Her previous experience had made her skilled; she didn’t just push inside, but touched again and again, like a cat constantly extending its paw from a box.
The lingering smell of smoke still clung to her. Her body, clad in armor, was hard and uncomfortable to hold. A stray flower petal, thrown by who-knows-who, had slipped into a gap in the iron plates.
Yueqing knew she should be focused right now, at least responding seriously to this sudden, passionate kiss.
But she found it hard to concentrate. She saw the other’s trembling eyelashes, fluttering like a butterfly’s wings. Her round earlobes were flushed red, glowing like pomegranate seeds in the sunlight. She didn’t know if it was from before, or from now.
She heard the cheers from below the wall pause for an instant, only to be covered by a new wave of sound.
The parapet here wasn’t very high. Earlier, Yueqing had held her, hiding behind a support pillar so they wouldn’t be seen from below. But just now, Metis had moved to the side to look down, exposing the upper half of her body to everyone’s gaze. And then she had pulled Yueqing over…
Talia, who had been about to walk over, froze in place at the sight, only managing to lift her foot stiffly after a long moment.
But Metis paid it no mind and deepened the kiss.
Yueqing’s throat tightened. She didn’t know whether to respond or cooperate. She raised a hand to wrap around her waist, but then let it fall. Metis, however, sensed it first, taking her hand and placing it where it was supposed to be.
If her tail were still there, it would probably be wagging nonstop. But for now, Yueqing could only hold the other woman tightly, cooperating to prolong the kiss.
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