The First Vampire - Chapter 601

Chapter 601: 599 Sudden Change_1
 

East of the Sky Breaking Mountain Range.

The advancing Orc Army and the Human Allied Forces had been locked in brutal combat here for nearly a month, the fierce fighting staining the land red.

The sickening scent of blood hung thick in the air, drawing countless vultures to circle overhead.

Each time there was a break in the fighting, the vultures would dive below, indulging in their feast.

But within this one particular region, the carrion eaters hesitated and dared not land. This was because a gallant female knight was passing through the battlefield.

She was clad in intricate silver iron armor thatadorned with complex arcane patterns, which shimmered with a mysterious radiance under the sunlight.

But her face was pale, her aura radiated an intimidating murderous intent. In her hands, she held a man, whom she had brought on horseback to the camp of the Northern Army.

The guards, recognizing her as the only female Holy Knight from the Glorious Empire, did not dare to block her way, allowing her to charge straight into the camp.

Bang!

“Garcia, this man is from your North Territory, isn’t he?” Duke St. Gregorian stormed into Marquis Garcia’s tent, randomly throwing the unconscious man on the ground and asked angrily.

Marquis Garcia rose calmly, glanced at the man on the ground and nodded.

“Yes.”

“Why is he spreading rumors all over the Westlands, saying that the Imperial Allied Army is facing a disastrous defeat at the Sky Breaking Mountain Range, and that the Orc Army is about to ravage the Westlands?” Duke St. Gregorian was cold as ice and visibly furious, “This rumor has spread throughout the Westlands, causing widespread panic. Many commoners have started to flee after believing these tall tales.

The extensive impact of the lies means it wasn’t spread by him alone, but was a concerted, premeditated action!

Garcia, aren’t you going to give me an explanation!”

Marquis Garcia nodded with an indifferent expression, and said, “Indeed, I had my men spread that rumor.”

Duke St. Gregorian furrowed her brow, her aura intensely murderous, and snapped:

“What are you trying to do!”

“I’m just taking precautions.” Facing a furious Holy Knight, Marquis Garcia appeared as calm as ever, as if he saw nothing wrong with his actions, “Duke St. Gregorian, has the war situation not become clear to you at this point?

By clashing head-on against the orcs on the Sky Breaking Mountain Range, do we really stand a chance of winning?”

Duke St. Gregorian was instantly angered: “Garcia, has the defeat at Shadow Gorge made you this way? Have you lost the courage to fight to the end?”

Marquis Garcia shook his head, replying, “War is not just about blind courage, it involves tactics and strategy. I have always said that the strategy we are following is incredibly foolish!”

“You’re simply looking for an excuse for your cowardice!”

“This is not an excuse, it’s a fact. If we keep up with this situation, the Imperial Allied Army will completely collapse in less than three months.”

“No one can determine victory or defeat without fighting to the last moment! Every human warrior here has prepared themselves for sacrifice! Only you, Garcia, have lost the courage and faith that a knight should have!”

“I’ve never been afraid of sacrifice, and I don’t doubt for a moment the resolve of every human warrior here to fight to the end. However, are we truly ready to bury the most elite army of the Empire here?

We can retake a conquered territory and can rebuild a destroyed city. Even if the commoners suffer heavy casualties, we can still slowly recover. However, the formation of an elite army cannot be completed in a short time.

If the Empire’s most elite army is buried at the Sky Breaking Mountain Range, I’m afraid we won’t even have the ability to counterattack.”

Duke St. Gregorian shook her head, she seemed to have completely lost her hope in Marquis Garcia: “Garcia, stop making excuses for your cowardice. I will report this to His Majesty. Perhaps the commander of the Northern Army needs to be replaced.”

After saying this, Duke St. Gregorian turned around and left the tent.

Watching her departing figure, Marquis Garcia clenched his fists, as if he had finally made up his mind.

Woo——

The battle started again shortly after the departure of Duke St. Gregorian.

The battle lines of both sides extend along the contour of the Sky Breaking Mountain Range, spanning tens of miles, filled with battling human and Orc soldiers as far as the eye can see.

Emperor Reinhardt watches the flow of battle from the hillock at the rear.

His brows are tightly knitted, clearly dissatisfied with the current situation of the war.

Over this period, the human’s defensive positions have been steadily retreating, and the number of casualties has already exceeded a hundred thousand. Despite the warriors still bravely fighting, their fatigue is showing.

On the contrary, the Orcs are increasing in their ferocity with each fight, their cruel battles sparking their desires for blood, their courage unyielding even in the face of death.

As the war gradually turns unfavorable for the humans, voices advocating a temporary retreat to fight a defensive battle within the city grow louder, including the previous proposal from Marquis Garcia, which is being discussed by an increasing number of military officers.

However, these suggestions are vehemently opposed by Emperor Reinhardt and Duke St. Gregorian.

Duke St. Gregorian’s opposition is easy to understand because she hopes to prevent the Orcs from breaching into Westland, sparing her territory from harm.

For Emperor Reinhardt, it is mostly about pride.

This prideful Emperor was full of aspirations before the war, hoping to make history with this opportunity. So, how can he allow his army to retreat?

If they retreat, wouldn’t it be admitting failure in this defense campaign?

With the continuous disadvantage in the war, Emperor Reinhardt’s repression and irritability increase. If anyone dares to mention a retreat in his presence now, it would immediately incur a tongue-lashing.

“Your Majesty.” Duke St. Gregorian approaches with swift strides, greeting with a slight bow.

Emperor Reinhardt nods, casually asking, “What is it?”

Duke St. Gregorian immediately explains the incident of Marquis Garcia spreading rumors in Westland.

Emperor Reinhardt thunders in rage, seemingly finding a vent for his pent-up emotions.

“What does Garcia want to do? I want him here immediately!”

The orderly hurries to carry out the order.

Duke St. Gregorian advises, “Your Majesty, I think that Garcia is no longer suitable to be the commander of the Northern Army. His cowardice and hesitation will drag us more profoundly into the abyss of failure!”

Emperor Reinhardt remains silent with a dark face, his eyes flickering with an alarming frostiness.

While they were waiting for Marquis Garcia to answer for his actions, a sudden change occurs on the battlefield.

A huge part of the right flank of the human military formation suddenly gives in.

This change leaves both sides somewhat blindsided.

Emperor Reinhardt instinctively steps forward, then stops:

“What’s going on? Who’s defense sector is that? Why are they retreating?”

“That’s the Northern sector!” Duke St. Gregorian almost grinds her teeth, “Garcia, is he planning to flee in the face of battle?!”

The look on Emperor Reinhardt’s face instantly becomes terrifying:

“Garcia, I’ll slaughter you!”