A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 617 - Chapter 617 Chapter 457 Helpless_1

Chapter 617: Chapter 457: Helpless_1 Chapter 617: Chapter 457: Helpless_1 Kriolleiv had no idea what was awaiting him. By the time he led the First Legion on an urgent march towards the Bonn Fortress, it was already dusk.

“Thankfully, in case of any emergencies, we have not made camp too far away. Otherwise, it would indeed be troublesome.”

Gazing at the tiny black dot of Bonn Fortress on the far horizon, General Kriolleiv couldn’t resist voicing his sentiments. His face then turned solemn.

“Alright, I know everyone’s exhausted, but we must press on immediately. We must reach Bonn Fortress before nightfall. Carl, prepare to hand over the fortress. We also need to initiate modifications on it…never mind, we will discuss this once we arrive.”

Unwillingly, Kriolleiv sighed. In all his life, he had never fought in such a frustrating battle. But it seemed that no matter how frustrating, he had no choice but to carry on.

Moreover, Kriolleiv could sense a wave of despondency spreading among his troops. This was understandable. The First Legion, as the trump card of Herman, had not been on good terms with Prime Minister Stith and the Congress since Stith seized power. Many of the officers were extremely discontent with Stith and the Congress, voicing their complaints secretly.

However, their complaints were merely whispers in the wind, until the Fourth Legion rebelled and raised the banner of “purging the imperial court and punishing the corrupt officials.” The idea then began to take root among the rest of the First Legion. They saw this as a golden opportunity. After all, they had irreconcilable differences with the Congress. Since that was the case, why not get rid of these reckless fools?

This was no longer just a matter of internal discussion. At one point, the officers even collectively petitioned General Kriolleiv, but all their efforts were futile.

Now, the Congress was not only urging them to fight against the enemy, but also blatantly ignored their circumstances, forcibly establishing strategies. Frankly, those officers and soldiers who had no previous opinions were now obliged to reconsider their positions.

Who would willingly walk to their deaths, after all?

With such sneaky manipulations by the Congress, even if they managed to defeat the enemy, would the Congress show gratitude?

Kriolleiv was well aware of the discontent and turbulence brewing amongst his troops, but there was nothing he could do. So, he could only suppress his inner turmoil and focus his attention on the impending defense battle.

However, as they were about to reach the fortress, a messenger soldier suddenly rushed over.

“Ge, General…something’s not right…”

“What’s happened now?”

Having looked at the stuttering messenger soldier, Kriolleiv couldn’t help but frown. He was not a man of infinite patience. Encountering so many unpleasant matters within a day, Kriolleiv’s temper was flaring, audible within his tone.

Faced with Kriolleiv’s wrath, the messenger soldier turned deathly pale but hurriedly spoke.

“We followed your order and arrived at the fortress, but they refuse to open the gate! They insisted on seeing you for confirmation!”

Damn bastards!

Hearing the report, Kriolleiv was boiling with rage. He was the general of the First Legion! They were Herman’s trump card legion. And now, a mere fortress defense force dared to confront him? These people must be sick of living!

“I’ll have a look myself to see who dares to impede the First Legion!!”

At this point, Kriolleiv was practically fuming. He stormed towards the fortress with Deputy Carl following closely behind. Fast they arrived in front of the troops, at the gate of the Bonn Fortress.

Under the setting sun, the fortress seemed rather eerie. Dressed in Herman armor, the soldiers stood in full combat regalia on the city walls, still without a movement. They seemed rather earnest. Kriolleiv sharply scanned the soldiers, then shifted his gaze and shouted in commanding voice.

“I am Kriolleiv. I have been sent by the Congress to take over the Bonn Fortress. Open the gate immediately!”

“Boom, boom, boom…”

In accordance with Kriolleiv’s command, the fortress gate gradually opened. Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, before they could prepare to enter the fortress, they saw a tall, shadowy figure walking out from it. He was dressed in dark armor, his helmet resembling a skull, and a huge war hammer slung from his back. His height was nearly comparable to that of a giant.

Upon seeing the appearance of this giant, Kriolleiv furrowed his brows while the soldiers around him tensed up.

Next, they saw this giant stride to Kriolleiv and stare him down.

“I’m sorry, General Kriolleiv, but I cannot allow you to enter this fortress.”

“What? What’s the meaning of this?”

“Quite simple…”

In response to Kriolleiv’s question, Duanmu Huai gave a chuckle, then suddenly brandished his war hammer, and slammed it into the ground in front of Kriolleiv.

“Because this fortress now belongs to us, the Tribunal!”

“What?!”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, both Kriolleiv and Deputy Carl were taken aback. They looked up again at the city walls, and saw dozens of magicians in robes emerge from behind the Herman soldiers, raising their magic wands towards them. Clearly, this was not a joke. So… the fortress had already been taken by the Tribunal?

How could this be possible? He had been keeping a careful watch. If the Tribunal had invaded the fortress, why hadn’t he heard anything about it?

Despite the disbelief, the facts remained unchanged. Kriolleiv clenched his teeth in frustration and focused on Duanmu Huai. Regardless of everything else, they had been set up. The enemy even had magicians…at this distance, they couldn’t escape!

Damn it, was all this part of their scheme?

“What do you want?”

Kriolleiv glared at Duanmu Huai, his voice cold. Duanmu Huai merely shrugged his shoulders.

“Nothing much, in fact I just want to ask you a question.”

“…A question?”

“Yes.”

Duanmu Huai nodded.

“I’m not very familiar with you, I have only heard that the Grand General of the First Legion, Kriolleiv, is not only a seasoned veteran, but also a wise strategist. His deputy is also both courageous and intelligent, recognized as the right-hand man of Kriolleiv. Therefore, I simply want to ask you… Who do you serve?”

“………….”

At Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, Kriolleiv twitched at the corner of his eyes but didn’t respond.

“Do you serve the Emperor? But now, the Emperor has been effectively usurped, even high-ranking officials from other countries know, the new Emperor of Herman is simply a puppet without any influence or power. Or perhaps? You serve the nation? You must have noticed the state of the nation, the people are underclothed and underfed, in this freezing weather and harsh climate, they can’t even eat their fill or dress warmly. However, the upper-class nobles indulged in luxury, living in splendor. And the ringleader behind all this…”

While speaking, Duanmu Huai pointed a finger toward the distance.

“…is there. So, I just need to know, who are you truly fighting for? And what are you fighting for?”

Upon hearing this, General Kriolleiv closed his eyes and sighed in resignation.

Then, he lifted his head, staring at Duanmu Huai.

“I, an elderly knight, l am dedicated to the Kingdom of Herman. Until my last breath, I am destined to fight like a true knight.”

“Knight?”

Duanmu Huai let out a derisive scoff.

“Shouldn’t a knight be loyal to his nation, to his lord, to his people? If you are defending the corrupted interests of the Congress and those officials who exploit their own people, where is your so-called knightly honor?”

“………….”

Kriolleiv clenched his fists in silence, while Deputy Carl blushed, at a loss for words.

However, the words that Duanmu Huai spoke next left Kriolleiv and Carl both stunned.

“I will not kill you, nor will I capture you, because you are not my enemy.”

“You have no intention of capturing me?”

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s words Kriolleiv raised his head and looked at him in surprise. Duanmu Huai simply shook his head.

“As I said, you are not my enemy, regardless of your steadfast resolve to stand before me. Regardless if you are a wise strategist or whatever else, there is simply no space for you here.”

“What do you mean?”

Upon hearing this, Kriolleiv was taken aback. But Duanmu Huai did not respond, instead, he quickly waved his hand.

“Listen to me, all of you. I am Great Judge Duanmu Huai of the Tribunal, I am here to bring down the Heretical Villain, Stith, who dared to provoke the Tribunal by colluding with Archbishop Oz. If you’re not afraid of death, you can try to kill me!”

After finishing these words, Duanmu Huai smirked at Kriolleiv, then turned around and walked back toward the fortress. Meanwhile, the mages on the wall disappeared again, leaving only the soldiers dressed in Herman armor standing there.

At this moment, Kriolleiv didn’t feel any relief for escaping from the brink of death. On the contrary, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cavern, shivering all over!

So that’s it!!

He finally understood Duanmu Huai’s intentions!

The other party didn’t need to reveal his identity at all! But now, after announcing his identity in front of the soldiers of the First Legion, the Congress would naturally become aware of this. Once they learn what happened, what would they be planning?

In fact, not long after, Kriolleiv’s premonition turned into reality.

“The Commander-in-Chief has ordered the First Legion to recapture Bonn Fortress at all costs, and capture the Judge alive!”

As expected………

Looking at the order in his hand, Kriolleiv clenched his teeth. From the standpoint of the Congress, this is big news. After all, Bonn Fortress isn’t very large, at maximum it can only accommodate five thousand people and the First Legion had deployed forty thousand troops. Any observer would agree that Bonn Fortress couldn’t possibly hold on!

From the Congress’s standpoint, if they manage to capture the Great Judge alive, they may be able to negotiate the tribunal’s powerful and strange weapons with him as hostage!

In other words, that Judge is using himself as bait to lure the Congress into a trap!

Admittedly, it’s a daring maneuver. But Kriolleiv couldn’t understand where the other party’s courage came from, leading a maximum of five thousand men against an army of forty thousand?

Isn’t this just courting death?

However… Since the other person would go to such lengths, they must have already prepared thoroughly…..

“What should we do, sir?”

“We have no choice.”

Kriolleiv shook his head, throwing away the letter in his hand.

“This is an order from the Congress, we have to obey….. Prepare for the attack.”

Kriolleiv finally understood why that Judge said he wasn’t his enemy.

Indeed….. From the beginning till the end, all of this was just a fight between that Great Judge, Prime Minister Stith, and the Congress. He, at most, was just a pawn of the Congress.

At this moment, Kriolleiv, this seasoned and intelligent General, was filled with a deep sense of powerlessness.