Prologue, Army of Hell
Duke Kurst, the "Northern Behemoth" Alexei Kurst's Glacier Knight banner
I, Reikawa Etios, have mobilized countless troops to pursue you! I am the Whip of the Blood God, I am... the Sword of the Lord!" Reikawa's armored right fist struck heavily upon the oil lamp, and in an instant, the lamp shattered, flames soaring into the sky, illuminating the endless ranks of heavily armored soldiers behind him. They were clad in armor and held their weapons firmly, standing motionless in the ocean of the legion, coldly supporting a forest of long spears, resembling the stone statue army in the tombs of ancient kings, spreading death, as if they were death itself. In an instant, the oil lamp shattered, flames soared into the sky, illuminating the endless ranks of heavily armored soldiers behind him. They were clad in armor and held their weapons firmly, standing motionless in the ocean of the legion, coldly supporting a forest of long spears, resembling the stone statue army in the tombs of ancient kings, spreading death, as if they were death itself.
Barbarians, chaotic armies, mobs, usurpers... Born of wind and thunder, they live like wind and thunder. The sinners struggle out of endless suffering, ultimately transforming into demonic entities. Their armies rise from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and the places they traverse are also like mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Every boastful declaration made by the emperor of the blood clan in the western imperial capital of Paris demands repayment from the rebels with the corpses of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
The words of the young people cannot be heard by the blood clan and humans on the walls of Saint-Denys, but it does not matter, as these words are not meant for them
He is ice wrapped in boiling fresh blood
The true terror of this army lies not in its numbers or its quality, but in the unwavering desire for revenge that permeates from top to bottom, akin to a horde of demons from hell that know only how to kill
As the flames extended between the trenches, the legions of Ptolemy raised their torches one after another. Ultimately, the river of fire spanned the entire land, connecting the ocean and the Gulf Stream, just like the walls of Saint-Denis. The flames of tens of thousands of torches and the countless gleams of armor filled the sky, covering the fields of Aelixia as far as the eye could see.
We have given everything... We toil desperately in the fields and in the workshops; we serve you on the battlefield like hunting dogs, fiercely battling against werewolves, centaurs, and our own kin; we offer our wives and daughters for your debauchery, we send our brothers and sons to you as slaves... Yet in the end, our kin leave us one by one, succumbing to hunger, disease, battle, even being drained of blood, even being ruthlessly slaughtered, even their corpses turned into playthings and decorations by you. This is the fate you have arranged for my people!
One after another, under the crucifix that pierces the vampires, the straw is set ablaze. The wails of the vampires suddenly become piercing and frenzied, as if they are about to tear their own throats apart in agony
The city walls are silent and still, and the ground below is equally quiet, as if in this world there exists only this young man and the flames beside him
At last, he let out a direct roar! Roaring the infamous name that the vampire had "dedicated" to him
And you, vampires, hide behind the city walls, concealed within the sacred fortress named after the great human kings, struggling to survive... but it matters not, for times have changed.
The young man sighed at the sky
Brode, the great bloodline empire, a miraculous creation of Alexander the Great with countless wonders; Saint Dandinsburg, the capital of the Eastern Emperor of Brode, and the eternal stronghold built by Emperor Theotocis of the old Norma Empire.
Here, there are at least 100,000 troops
We, humanity, have all arrived
Rekava Etius, Duke of Lucius, Conqueror of Tolemark, Slayer of Lions, Commander of the Crusade of Saint Dantingburg
And this will be the fate I have arranged for you
The Eastern forces suffered defeat year after year, and the four hundred thousand troops of Broder were completely annihilated
The city walls trembled, the earth shook, and the soldiers defending the city screamed to the heavens in fear, kneeling in prayer! When the first heavily damaged tower on the Theotocis wall could no longer withstand the assault and collapsed amidst the raging flames, a tsunami of cheers erupted from the ocean of humanity's army.
The rising flames vanished in an instant, the soldiers' cold figures flickered by, leaving only the ashes of the map of Saint-Denis, still carrying a few sparks, scattering in the air
This is the last ruler of the Shadan Khanate, the horse lord Jun. Before the night raid on the capital of the Tazur Kingdom, Karaz, he delivered a generous speech to the warriors of the Shadan Khanate beside this oil lamp, which belonged to the family of Wang "Black Khan" Shadan Kele.
Governor of Sibazte, the red and black dragon flag of Sharp Etius, the "Evil Dragon of Izmora"
He extended his hand and gently played with the flame of the oil lamp, feeling the intense heat. His fingers danced above the flame, rising and falling like waves, allowing the flickering fire to frolic between his fingers, reminiscent of the mysterious rituals performed by the primitive tribes before the flames.
The burning oil reflects a golden light, while the slanted oil troughs on both sides of the stone platform flow into the trench underground in front of the platform, igniting the piles of oil-soaked straw stacked in between.
Along the trench, flames spread from the front of Ruikawa towards the north and south, the firelight tearing through the darkness, illuminating one towering banner of glory after another standing on the plains of the night, and one renowned legion after another.
Alexia clearly remembers that when they first met, Ricava was merely a minor noble attendant, without even a surname, serving the young general Josiah Selings, who would later be hailed as the "Lion of the East," and his beautiful and lovely sister Octavia
However, at that time, Alexia did not remember at all the expression, words, and demeanor of Reikawa. If it were not for the subsequent upheaval, it is likely that Reikawa would have been quickly forgotten by her.
It is not before the mountain of corpses of thousands of martyrs at the old Putaikete City, nor in the parliamentary hall where Duchess Bilitis was assassinated by the entire Senate of the Blood Clan, nor in the ranks of the Imperial Guard outside the Victoria Gate where the prince imprisoned the princess.
The entire wall of Theotocis was lined with torches from end to end, the battlements shining as brightly as daylight. From a distance, the wall resembled a giant serpent of flames, sheltering a city with a population of tens of thousands. Yet, in the presence of this solitary flicker amidst the distant dark wilderness, all brilliance paled in comparison. After all, on this day shrouded in dark clouds, even the stars and the bright moon chose to remain silent.
In the city of Hetushu, between the classes and the royal capital of the blood clan, hundreds of torches lit up one after another along a parallel line of city walls. Under the illumination of the flames, the priests in white robes were devoutly praying to the sky, while heavily armored infantry in silver armor stood with spears at the ready. Meanwhile, the laboring auxiliaries struck down with hammers, driving silver-plated iron nails into the limbs of the vampires on the crosses. Ultimately, nearly a hundred massive crosses were erected high.
Once, you resided within formidable barriers, looking down upon us from your lofty heights, enjoying the grains and vegetables we cultivated, the gold and silver we forged, the service of our men, the bodies of our women, and... our blood
Grand Duke Surenyal, the "Black Lightning" Zamu Hala Sukutai's Cloud Horned Antelope Flag
At such a distant distance, a person appears as insignificant as an ant, yet even so, Alexia recognized the young man; she was too familiar with that figure, familiar to the point of never being able to forget.
Starting from his back and ending at both ends of the Fire River, where the waves swept through the hundred thousand troops, all the soldiers extended their hands towards Saint-Denis, making a gesture as if to crush.
It is a pity that cowards are unworthy to carry out judgment; ultimately, the judgment will be executed by us, for the divine favors the brave. He will bring down the day of reckoning upon the sinners through the hands of the brave, regardless of you or me. " he said, on the road of the cross, as the torches extinguished sequentially from the center to the sides
Alexia trembled as she crumpled the letter, then unfolded it, held it to the torch at the city wall to ignite it, and threw it from the battlements
In the pitch-black wilderness to the west of the city wall, only a single flame flickers in the void. In the chaotic darkness lurks a terrifying giant beast that delights in devouring mountains and fortresses; it is indescribable and incomprehensible. In the shadow of its bloodthirsty maw, both living beings and inanimate objects dare not make the slightest sound that might disturb it, even the wind and water have relinquished their ancient right to sing, thus, all is silent.
The colossal beast is gazing at the flames, which are the commands it must obey
The empire is bleeding
Behind these banners are the valiant lords of the Kingdom of Putaikete and their loyal and brave allies, equipped with elite troops: the Northern Guard, the Undead Legion, the Windwing Wolf Riders, the Holy Cross Knights, the Paikik, and the Sarayeli... They bear different standards, belong to different military branches, wear different armors, and even speak different languages and belong to different races, but there is one thing they all share: they are all enemies of the Blood Clan
If someone were to ask me where Brod began to perish, I would say that Brod began to perish from here
The figure of the young general was illuminated by the flames, his silver-white chainmail radiating a faint glow. Behind him, the crimson cloak adorned with the dark golden double-headed eagle emblem swayed slightly with his steps. He had a head of red hair, resembling a crown made of burning blood. He gazed at the brightly lit ramparts of Saint Dantingburg in the distance, his gaze so stern that one might doubt whether his eyes were carved from the ice of snow-capped mountains that had stood for a thousand years, for from his eyes, one could only read coldness, and nothing else.
On the land of the East, the bones of the judges have long piled up like mountains
Hundreds of cannons, crossbows, and catapults roared across the plains, as a rain of flames and steel streaked through the air, dazzling like a once-in-a-century meteor shower
The dazed Alexia tightly clutched the thin letter in her hand, written by the late bloodline noble, Count Ebul of the Caselia Kingdom.
When exactly did you begin to extol peace, to extol kindness, to extol patience? Our shame has yet to be cleansed, your blood debts have yet to be repaid, our kin still live a life worse than death under your rule, but it no longer matters... I do not care for your men's pleas for mercy, your women's lamentations, your children's cries... This is judgment, this is revenge, this is a reset, this is liberation, this is conquest, this is an epic inscribed with blood and steel, a great achievement forged from flames and bones... I do not care for your men's pleas for mercy, your women's lamentations, your children's cries... This is judgment, this is revenge, this is a reset, this is liberation, this is conquest, this is an epic inscribed with blood and steel, a great achievement forged from flames and bones... We will scatter the sparks of war across the ends of the continent, igniting your land, your people, your... blood!" The words of the youth rose higher and higher, more and more agitated... blood!" The words of the youth rose higher and higher, more and more agitated
The armies of various nations came to aid the Imperial Fortress, yet within a month, six cities fell, and the entire army was annihilated. Given such circumstances, the will of heaven is evident. Humanity deeply cherishes the general's grace; if the entire city were to surrender, there would surely be rewards of land and titles.
But this is before the walls of Theotocis, which cross the land of Saint Dantingburg. Here, Alexia witnessed the apocalypse, the end of the bloodline.
Then, I will watch your world... burn to ashes..." Finally, Ruikawa said softly
Duke of the Holy City, the golden cross banner of the Crusader Mungisala Valentin
The roar of the giant beast
On the disk-shaped circular stone platform lies a faded map of Saint-Denis, while flames dance on the oil wick of an ancient deep brown pottery jar. Amidst the shifting light and shadow, the crude black lacquer pattern of a galloping horse on the pottery jar seems to be racing freely across the prairie
Prince Pande Noia of the Asaki Kingdom, the white wolf banner of Zide Frig of Hohenvalosha, known as "Frostwolf Howl," holding a sword and a scripture.
He extended his hand towards Saint-Denis, making a slow crushing gesture
The young man forced a slightly formal and relaxed smile, slightly opening his arms: "Come on, the sinners are lined up, awaiting the arrival of the judge"
I have arrived he said to the last imperial capital of humanity with no emotional fluctuation in his words
You extol order, strength, and oracles; you extol light, happiness, and effort. Yet, you plunge us into darkness, forcing us to climb towards the paradise you have sketched, only to push us back to the abyss time and again, reveling in our blood and sweat. In the end, you have succeeded in making us, the humble, bear the sins before the desire to survive, and ultimately, you dare to judge our sins under the guise of justice
In the night sky, facing the ocean of flames from the vengeful army of humanity, this burning piece of paper appears so insignificant and so humble
The vampire nobles and their families mourned painfully under the night sky, their crimson blood, indistinguishable from that of humans, soaking their luxurious garments and dripping down the cross
The end of Brode begins today, for on the walls of Saint Dantingburg, Alexia witnessed the determination and will of the human king to destroy everything