Early the next morning, just as Duanmu Huai stepped out the door, Kilty appeared before him.
"Lord Duanmu, I have a very important matter to report to you."
"Oh? Kilty, what is it?"
Looking at the petite and adorable girl before him, Duanmu Huai chuckled and asked. He actually quite liked Kilty. In Duanmu Huai's view, she was a very simple and cute girl—yes, very simple.
Duanmu Huai wasn't stupid. Kilty showed herself off in front of him every day, acting quite proactive. If he didn't know what she was thinking, that would be ridiculous. But precisely because Kilty was so direct, Duanmu Huai found her even more interesting. It was like a little kitten acting cute in front of you every day, begging to be fed—her attitude and goals were consistent. At the very least, she was far better than those women in TV dramas who smiled sweetly on the surface while stabbing you in the back.
In Duanmu Huai's view, Kilty was somewhat similar to Machikane Tannhauser in certain ways. Both of them wanted to gain recognition from others and feel the value of their own existence. The difference was that Machikane Tannhauser was more confident in that regard, and thus more proactive, while Kilty was relatively more tactful.
But no matter what, Kilty had a sense of proportion. At the very least, she knew to bring out real substance rather than spouting nonsense.
Mm, from that perspective, Duanmu Huai had to give a thumbs-up to Kilty's ambition.
"It's like this. I believe there's something wrong with Miss Lucian."
"…Who?"
Hearing this unfamiliar name, Duanmu Huai paused.
"The slave girl we encountered in the square before."
"Oh, her… What's wrong with her?"
After thinking for a moment, Duanmu Huai finally recalled who Kilty was referring to.
"Yes. After that, I conducted a comprehensive inspection of her, and I discovered… her situation is very unusual."
"Unusual?"
"Yes. Although she was wearing the clothes of a lower-class commoner on the outside, her undergarments were quite high-end—definitely not something an ordinary girl from a poor family could afford. Moreover, her figure and skin are very well maintained. That completely doesn't match the appearance of a lower-class commoner."
At this point, Kilty frowned.
"And I found that she doesn't know how to do chores at all. Whether it's washing clothes, cooking, or even making tea, she's terrible at it. Not only that, she knows some healing magic… Ordinary poor people don't learn magic, and those who can master magic at such a young age are basically nobles."
In addition, Kilty pointed out that Lucian's skin tone and her body condition were completely inconsistent. It was true that Herman had many brown-skinned women, but those women had been exposed to sun and wind from childhood, their skin forged through labor. A delicate young lady who had never done manual work like Lucian could not possibly have tanned skin. Therefore, Kilty suspected she might have used some kind of magic to conceal her true appearance.
After listening to Kilty's explanation, Duanmu Huai understood what she meant.
"So you're saying that Lucian isn't a commoner, but a noble lady?"
"Yes…"
"She's probably just a noble young lady who ran away from home. That's not strange. It's not impossible that some sheltered young miss disguised herself, went traveling, and got tricked by slave traders."
Duanmu Huai wasn't particularly concerned. Just a noble lady—so what? It wasn't like she was the Emperor.
"Then may I transfer her to the Royal Guard? People who can use healing magic are not common. We also need support…"
"No problem."
Duanmu Huai nodded. Now he understood why Kilty had proactively brought up Lucian. From Kilty's perspective, this slave girl had too many suspicious points. But at the same time, since she could use healing magic, she was a rare talent in the current forces. Naturally, they should make use of her—but they couldn't act on their own authority. If Lucian truly were an enemy spy, it would be too late to explain once something went wrong.
So Kilty had reported the matter in advance to Duanmu Huai as a precaution.
After finishing this topic, Kilty's expression turned serious.
"Additionally, the Royal Guard is fully prepared and ready to depart at any time!"
"Very good."
Duanmu Huai nodded at her response.
"We move tonight!"
After half a night of discussion the previous evening, the battle plan had already been finalized. Considering that the Titan was too large a target and would attract unnecessary attention if mobilized openly, Duanmu Huai ultimately decided that under the cover of night, he would lead the Dark Crow Guards and several other units aboard Valkyrie gunships and launch a direct night assault on Fortress Boen!
After all, a medieval fortress didn't even have anti-air defenses. If they didn't just fly in and take it, what were they waiting for?
Thus, Duanmu Huai's plan was to first launch a surprise assault and seize Fortress Boen, then deploy the Emperor Titan in coordination. The only issue was that the First and Second Legions were stationed not far from Boen. Once they discovered the fortress had fallen, they would certainly attempt to retake it. At that point, they would be facing a brutal siege battle.
Mm, though that wasn't a particularly big problem.
As long as they held out until reinforcements arrived, the threat would naturally be resolved.
That was also why Kilty had personally spoken to Duanmu Huai about Lucian. She could already foresee that the intensity of this battle would not be small. One more healer meant one more layer of support. But Lucian's origins were unknown. If something went wrong in such a crucial battle… Fortunately, Duanmu Huai didn't seem concerned, and Kilty let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Soon, night fell. After the moon rose, Duanmu Huai and the others boarded the Valkyrie gunships and headed toward Fortress Boen.
Duanmu Huai brought five Dark Crow Guards, along with Rinjo and Kanami as one team. Kilty led Lisias's Royal Guard as another team. Anne and Guleya led the Manaria–Dragonfolk allied forces as a third team. Finally, from Seth, Urzze led the Mage Guard as the fourth team.
It could be said that they had exactly two melee teams and two ranged teams.
"It would be great if Lisias had such advanced vehicles."
Sitting inside the Valkyrie gunship and watching the scenery rush past outside the window, Kilty couldn't help but sigh. Over the past few days, they had been patrolling in this gunship. Once she got over her initial fear of high altitude, she grew increasingly fond of these flying metal frames. Not only were they fast and flew high, but everything on the ground could be seen clearly. And when necessary, they could even provide aerial cover fire…
Unfortunately, it was said that even Seth hadn't developed anything similar. As for Lisias… well, they probably still had a long way to go.
But no matter what, at least it was a direction to strive toward.
Fortress Boen in the deep of night was naturally brightly lit. Soldiers could be seen patrolling back and forth along the thick city walls. That was normal. After Duanmu Huai and the Fourth Legion occupied the city, many believed they would next advance toward Fortress Boen and capture it. Therefore, the alert level there had been significantly raised during this period.
Unfortunately, they probably had never imagined that the enemy would come from the sky.
"Move!"
Duanmu Huai gave the order. The hatch of the Valkyrie gunship hovering in the night sky opened. Rinjo and Kanami leapt out one after the other, sliding swiftly down ropes like ghosts.
For ninjas, this was practically their specialty. Rinjo's figure disappeared midair, and soon several soldiers peering outward from the city wall tilted their heads and collapsed silently to the ground. On the other side, Kanami landed as quietly as a cat, gripping her ninja blade and approaching a guard from behind, slitting his throat in a single stroke.
Fortress Boen was typically tight on the outside and loose within. After all, no one expected enemies to suddenly appear inside the fortress. Thus, while the outer defenses were strict, the interior was quite relaxed. Combined with Rinjo and Kanami's formidable skills—well, Kanami nearly messed up a few times, but thankfully Rinjo was there to easily resolve the issues.
Soon, the soldiers along the outer walls were completely cleared out. Rinjo then took out her terminal and pressed a button. Four Valkyrie gunships descended from the sky and landed atop the fortress walls.
Clad in armor and wielding a heavy hammer, Duanmu Huai strode out, glanced at the deathly silent fortress, and coldly gave the order.
"Move!!"
For the soldiers inside Fortress Boen, this night was undoubtedly a nightmare.
When the gates were smashed open and a massive black figure stepped into the barracks, they hadn't even had time to climb out of bed and put on their trousers before they saw a towering giant in terrifying armor swing his warhammer in a sweeping arc, instantly crushing the unprepared soldiers into pulp.
"Don't give them a chance to regroup! Show no mercy!"
On the other side, Kilty led Lisias's Royal Guard in an assault against Boen's defenders. She brandished her longsword, darting gracefully between two clashing warriors. With a flick of her blade, she thrust straight into an enemy's heart. In the next instant, she spun elegantly as if dancing, dodged an attack from behind, and backhanded a slash across her opponent's throat.
Even on the battlefield, elegance must be maintained—that was Kilty's creed.
Duanmu Huai and Kilty split into two forces, attacking the command center and the armory respectively. The others were no idle either. Anne and Guleya led the Manaria–Dragonfolk alliance, hemming the Herman garrison inside their camp. Urzze led Seth's mage corps in seizing the city walls. Anyone daring to escape was immediately met with a storm of magical bombardment.
"Light it! Hurry, light it!!"
The Herman soldiers were experienced fighters. The initial surprise assault had indeed thrown them into chaos, but it didn't take long before they regained their composure and began responding.
Though they didn't know what method the enemy had used, it was clear that Fortress Boen had been infiltrated and could no longer be held! In this situation, they had to inform other forces of Boen's fall. Since they couldn't break out, then… they would simply set the entire fortress ablaze!
Soon, under the cover of their comrades, several soldiers broke through the encirclement and rushed to the granary, raising torches high and throwing them toward the stored grain!
"Liquid Sphere!"
However, before the torches left their hands, water spheres materialized out of thin air, crashing down upon them. Immediately afterward, a freezing gale howled. A dragonfolk girl with silver wings raised her hand and instantly froze the soldiers into blocks of ice. On the other side, a dragonfolk girl with golden hair and wings wielded her staff and swung it sharply. With a flash of magical brilliance, the soldiers were shattered into pieces.
"What in the world is happening?!"
The commander of Fortress Boen had naturally awakened by now. Looking outside through the window, he was frantic with anxiety. He had never expected the rebels to be so bold as to directly assault the fortress—but then again, how had they gotten in? Was there a traitor within their ranks?
"My lord!!"
Just as the commander was wavering in shock, a blood-soaked soldier burst into the room.
"We can't hold them! The enemy is far too strong…"
"Nonsense!!!"
Hearing the report, the fortress commander nearly jumped in rage.
"Wasn't it said there were fewer than a hundred of them? There are three thousand soldiers in the fortress—how could we possibly fail to hold?!"
"But half of the invaders are mages! Many of our men were trapped in corridors and burned alive! And those steel giants—they're not even human! None of our attacks work on them. Whether blades or magic, nothing can harm them! My lord, we can't hold—ah!"
Before the soldier could finish, an arm suddenly burst through the solid stone wall and struck him. With a scream, the soldier was sent flying into the wall, collapsing lifelessly. Then Duanmu Huai smashed through the stone wall entirely and strode into the room.
Looking at the pale, trembling man before him, Duanmu Huai reached out, grabbed his head, and lifted him up.
"You're the commander?"
"Y-yes… it's me…"
Facing the towering giant before him, the commander's face was ashen, his body shaking.
"Then—are you willing to surrender? Or die?"
"I—I… I surrender!!"
At that moment, the fortress commander made his decision without hesitation.
(End of Chapter)