Chapter 6, Mutation

Now, it is our turn. "Maidibuer casually waved his hand, lifting the light barrier that had trapped Kamrei inside, and said slowly.

A short, stocky, dark-skinned man walked slowly out from behind Modalu, his expressionless face asking, "Boss, did you call for me?"

Modalu said ominously: "It is a pity that His Highness has gone to another forward fortress and cannot save you arrogant fools... When he left, he instructed me to treat you as I would treat my own subordinates. However, it was only until just now that I realized that while the Empire was making comprehensive defenses for the war, a group of soldiers whom His Highness deemed loyal and brave were plundering along the border, engaging in the act of robbing merchant convoys!"

Sagar was not very clear about what was happening; the term "treason" was completely incomprehensible to him. A group of strangers, the equally unfamiliar Mendita, his bound father and uncles—all of these filled him with unease and fear. As usual, he instinctively moved a little closer to his father in silence.

The men on the edge of the cloud all roared wildly, their eyes red to the point of almost bleeding.

Mendita drew the broad sword of a nearby recruit and walked straight up to Old Moke, saying: "I have heard that any soldier who can become a recruit instructor receives a monthly military salary of 3 gold coins"

The sunlight can melt the coldest snow and the hardest ice, yet it cannot dissolve the cruelty in the hearts of humanity or the murderous intent in their eyes

Oh, teacher, it's nothing. Look, he really is a beautiful child!" Prolidis coughed softly a few times, and his demeanor returned to calm.

"Teacher, do you know why I came to the Edge Cloud Fortress?" Prolidis interrupted his words, "There is only one reason: every person here is a treasure to the Empire. Despite years without any supplies, they are still able to live well. Isn't that quite an interesting thing?"

This is a boy around seven or eight years old, with black hair and purple eyes, delicate and slender, his pale complexion evoking a sense of pity. Perhaps the three-foot-long saber is still too heavy for him; or maybe it is the immense fear that torments his tender heart, causing his small hands gripping the sword to tremble continuously. He holds it so tightly that his entire body quivers along with the blade. The boy walks slowly, his small, pure deep purple eyes, reminiscent of amber, brimming with tears, yet he continues to approach, not pausing even for half a step. He holds it so tightly that his entire body quivers along with the blade. The boy walks slowly, his small, pure deep purple eyes, reminiscent of amber, brimming with tears, yet he continues to approach, not pausing even for half a step.

Karmray's expression finally changed. At the edge of the light shield, the Second Prince and Medibul stood close by, merely observing his actions calmly, not taking a single step. From their eyes, Karmray perceived composure and indifference, as well as the profound pity of the strong for the weak

"Your Highness, please allow me to demonstrate your sincerity." The ever-composed Maidibul stepped forward slowly, slightly bowing.

Sajia trembled as he looked up, and before him were a pair of bottomless azure eyes. At the moment he met their gaze, Sajia's mind went blank. He seemed to feel as if he were sinking to the bottom of a deep lake, with only endless demon blue visible around him

Prolidis stepped forward and gently pressed down on the edge of Saka's blade: "No one will harm your father; he has merely fainted. He will be fine soon."

Maidibuer looked at him with confusion and then turned his gaze back to the front: "Yes! Uh, but don't you find it a bit strange? I have been to so many countries on the mainland, yet I have never seen humans with eyes of this color..."

Modalu was taken aback for a moment, then with a sullen expression, he strode angrily to the front of the new recruits' formation, and his furious roar immediately echoed throughout the fortress.

Do not worry, they simply fainted. I believe that sometimes strength is the most genuine expression of sincerity..." The voice of Maidi Bu'er gradually diminished until it became barely audible

You wretched creature! I will kill you!" Lao Mo was thrashing about like a madman, his veins bulging and his expression extremely terrifying. "Over the years, the boss has saved you in the Gobi Desert no less than ten times! Do you still consider yourself a human being?"

Although they both cast electric magic, these wizards are worlds apart from the elven guardian in the Rosha Valley

"Treason? Major General, there is no third party here. Although I am unclear about your true intentions, if you intend to kill, do it swiftly; there is no need to unjustly label us with this crime." Kamray sneered, then suddenly shouted loudly, "Mendita! Get out here!"

Mendita fell silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Yes, the traitor is you."

When Kamray awoke, twilight had deepened. Under the glow of the firelight, his first sight was of his son, who lay sleeping at his feet. Immediately, the hilt of a double-edged broad sword, accompanied by the sound of wind, struck fiercely against his abdomen

Prolidis was not surprised to find that the arrows around him remained pointed menacingly, and not a single hand lowered its sabre. After enduring too many betrayals and killings, these border soldiers who had crawled out of hell would no longer trust any outsider, even someone like him who symbolized noble royalty; here, he was merely a reckless and dangerous intruder.

"So small, and you dare to take a knife?" Prolidis gently stroked Saka's head, smiling, "Child, what is your name?"

The voice of Prolidis was not loud, yet it was sufficient for everyone to hear clearly. Ten years later, faced with the unexpected visitor and the promise he made, the soldiers of the edge, long accustomed to solitude, remained silent for a long time

The man was missing a leg, his appearance was quite ugly, and he didn't even glance at Mendita; he simply turned his head to Kamrei and said with a smile: "Boss, I was the one who secretly drank the last half barrel of wine last time..."

You are mistaken. The slaughter of the merchant convoy is precisely to prevent the world from knowing that there are soldiers from a nation on this continent who must rely on plunder to survive! However, I truly did not realize that you are such a kind-hearted and compassionate person, full of a sense of justice. Kamray stared directly at the Major General, his rugged face filled with disdain. As for the doctrine of light you speak of, I have never believed in it. When we were starving and had caught every bird and beast within dozens of miles, including rats; when it had not rained for several months, and even the sick Old Mock had to drink the foul water from the swamp; when soldiers were exchanging their lives for food against hundreds and thousands of monsters in the Gobi Desert, where was the God of Light? Was He really watching us? Or had He already died long ago?

Several individuals in blue robes remained in their original positions, not moving even a fraction. The pride and immense confidence of the sorcerers made it seem as though they were indifferent to everything happening around them. However, the clusters of radiant light swirling beneath their sleeves quietly became even more resplendent.

The cold gleam flashed swiftly, and the blood light suddenly erupted. Old Mo Ke's head and the wooden stake behind him fell to the ground almost simultaneously, rolling several feet away, his eyes still wide open in anger.

The glow of the electric snake had not yet faded, and the muffled sounds of "puff puff" began to resonate from various directions in succession. Matisse stared in astonishment as his companions fell one after another, struggling to hold on for a moment before swaying and slowly collapsing.

Modalu instead calmed down: "Alright, today I will let you die with clarity. The most unforgivable charge is that among you, there are those who colluded with the armies of the Bati Empire, committing treason and conspiracy!"

The low, resonant sound of the horse-slaying blade trembled, vanishing into nothingness as abruptly as it had appeared. In the air, only a faint and hazy afterimage remained, akin to an ethereal dream. Kamrei was enveloped in an oval-shaped, pale blue halo. Its color was extremely light, resembling concentrated smoke, beautiful and shimmering. The blade of the horse-slaying sword, infused with fiery energy, was embedded against the inner wall of the halo, producing a sharp "clattering" sound. As the blade exerted more force, clusters of tiny sparks erupted from the point of contact, cascading down like dust. The blade of the horse-slaying sword, infused with fiery energy, was embedded against the inner wall of the halo, producing a sharp "clattering" sound. As the blade exerted more force, clusters of tiny sparks erupted from the point of contact, cascading down like dust.

Old Mo Ke tilted his head and thought for a long time, then leered, "This won't do! This treasure of mine is meant for the mother of the God of Light. By the way, General, your mother must be a noble, right? How is her skin? Hmm, if she isn't too old, I wouldn't mind having a ready-made son like you."

"No one is framing or setting you up. Whether it is collusion or plunder, you are the sole planner; I am merely executing military law. Of course, you have accomplices, and many of them at that." Modalu scanned the crowd of Bian Yun and declared loudly, "Mendita told me that some people are innocent. Now I can offer those who did not participate an opportunity; as long as you are willing to testify against this captain's crimes in the military court, the position of instructor in the field army is waiting for you. From now on, you will be my subordinates."

The rising sun, radiating countless rays of light, slowly ascended into the high sky. Everything in the world was bathed in a brilliant golden hue, warm and peaceful, pulsating with vibrant life. Even on the earthen walls of the border fortress, a few blades of grass swayed restlessly in the wind, striving to bloom with small yet striking green amidst the dull gray-brown.

They are a group of beastly heroes. Under the gradually rising sun, Prolidis tightened his fur coat, the corners of his delicate and refined lips pressed coldly together, "What has created this group of heroes are nothing but useless beings..."

Kamelei let out a long sigh, turned back, and was completely stunned.

Do you mean ... ...

Kamelei let out a low growl, his chest muscles bulging with anger, and the wooden stake behind him immediately trembled. However, the military-grade fiery energy that erupted seemed to have no effect on the light cord around his wrist; it remained tightly and resiliently bound, like a python constricting its prey.

Maidibuer cast a half-smiling glance at him and said lightly: "Major General, it seems that your new recruits are quite frightened by these 'overconfident things'"

"To seek rescue is one matter, but to commit treason is another." Mendita raised his right hand, gazing indifferently at the flickering flames rising from the edge of his palm, and said lightly, "Moreover, with my strength, I do not need anyone to save me at all"

"Your horse is doing well, isn't it?" In front of the new recruits, Modalu spread his palms, and buckwheat fell through his fingers.

Modalu laughed heartily: "Opportunities come only once; those who do not cherish them will end up like him"

"Insolent fools!" Modalu looked around at the fallen soldiers of the Border Cloud, speaking disdainfully.

Prolidis gazed at the frail child, his face filled with gentle smiles: "Saka? Quite interesting..."

Two years ago, you crossed the Qilizha Mountain Range and took the initiative to approach the people of the Ba Empire, promising that once war broke out, you would lead them from Bianyun into Moriyah. After all, the swamp is not a challenge for magical troops. Mendita spoke in a flat tone, as if recounting something completely unrelated. I witnessed it with my own eyes; they sent some warhorses and a large amount of food in return, just that simple. In fact, as a member of the Empire's secret faction, my words are irrefutable evidence, and as for their credibility, no one would go to verify it.

"Even a prince has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the military, but if it is in the capacity of a military advisor, then the matter becomes much simpler." Prolidis's smile was always so gentle, "Bianyun is my first stop at the border, as it has been a concern in my heart for many years. Please believe that all I seek is your trust, nothing more."

Mendita moved steadily towards the third person, came to a halt, looked at the gritting old soldier and smiled, then swung his sword horizontally with a single stroke

Prolidis smiled slightly: "Even a battle-scarred veteran from the Borderlands can become the best field instructor. This is because the first lesson that new recruits need to learn is not how to fight, but how to survive in various harsh environments. I believe that in this regard, no one can surpass the veterans who have survived the Abyss. Strictly speaking, this is not just a survival skill, but a kind of willpower. I believe that in this regard, no one can surpass the veterans who have survived the Abyss. Strictly speaking, this is not just a survival skill, but a kind of willpower. What we need to do in the future is to ensure that every soldier in Moria possesses this willpower"

Some of the border soldiers who gradually woke up burst into unrestrained laughter, while some of the new recruits lined up in neat rows struggled to control their facial muscles, their expressions appearing extremely peculiar

As soldiers, it is your duty to protect; of course, this holds true only if you and your subordinates still acknowledge yourselves as soldiers. The only thing I ask is to return to the embrace of the Empire. The mistakes made by my father and the military will be rectified by me. From this moment on, Bian Yun will never be forgotten!" Prolidis reined in his smile, gazing directly at Kamrei, who was a head taller than him, his eyes as clear as water, "Please believe that I harbor no ill intentions; all I possess is a sincere heart. From this moment on, Bian Yun will never be forgotten!" Prolidis reined in his smile, gazing directly at Kamrei, who was a head taller than him, his eyes as clear as water, "Please believe that I harbor no ill intentions; all I possess is a sincere heart.

Another man on the edge laughed and said: "Uncle Mo Ke, your hands are tied up, how can you chop? With that thing down there?"

"The Radiant God King? If that bastard shows up here, I will chop off his head with one strike!" Old Mo Ke's voice rang out

There was a moment when I almost believed that the suffering of Bian Yun was truly coming to an end... Kam Lei chuckled self-deprecatingly, raised his head, and said, "If we do not plunder, what shall we eat?"

"Why are you tying up my father?" Saka was startled awake, rubbed his bleary eyes, and exclaimed in alarm upon realizing his surroundings

As soon as the simple conversation between the two ended, a chill immediately erupted from Kamray's broad and solid back. After experiencing countless life-and-death battles, he was often able to sense the scent of death at the first moment. And now, what surged around him like a tidal wave was precisely the aura of killing.

The sudden and heavy impact felt like a red-hot iron stake piercing into the abdomen, rapidly spreading intense pain throughout. Kamrei let out a muffled groan, instinctively raising his hand, only to find himself completely immobilized. In the open space within the fortress, dozens of newly erected black rhinoceros wood stakes stood, and nearly all the border soldiers were bound just like Kamrei. Thick strands of luminous energy were wrapped around their wrists and ankles. In the bright firelight, the surface of these rope-like energies shimmered with a silvery glow.

Sajia. Sajia seemed to be suddenly awakened, his expression bewildered as he dropped the saber and crouched down beside Kamulei, quietly waiting for his father to wake up

"Kill!" Kamray suddenly erupted with a thunderous roar, raising his knife with both hands and sweeping it across the waists of the two men in front of him. The instinct for slaughter, deeply ingrained in his bones, ignited and boiled over in an instant. Faced with the crisis, he could no longer consider anything else; killing to counter killing was the only survival rule in this land

Uncle Mo Ke!" Sajia screamed

Kamei spat disdainfully: "In our hearts, even a mouse is worth more than 'm.hetushu.com'; at least a mouse can be eaten"

The boundless darkness surged menacingly, and Kamray's hands, which had been propped on the hilt of the broadsword, slid down weakly as he fainted in despair. At the center of his chest, a burn the size of a fingertip was clearly visible.

"Your Highness, expending so much effort in persuasion does not quite align with your usual style, does it?" Maidi Buer turned away from the Major General and addressed Prolidis, saying, "These veterans do possess considerable strength, but it hardly warrants your personal intervention in persuading them. Moreover, they are all rather unruly characters..."

I am willing... willing to testify against the captain!" A voice rang out from behind. Mendita's double-edged broad sword came to a sudden halt, hovering at the neck of the fourth former comrade.

"Do not harm my father, do not let you harm him..." Sagar gathered his courage and said with a choked voice

Modalu shook his head triumphantly: "I know it was you, Captain. But it is not yet time to interrogate you. We are gathering witnesses, so please be quiet"

Kamelei, in a fit of rage, said: "Alright, then tell me, how have I betrayed the country?"

The large, luminous shields of the same hue also appeared around the unformed ranks of new soldiers. The border guards stared blankly at the long arrows and sabers scattered outside the halo, having almost completely lost their ability to think

The brutal and bloody scenes of slaughter caused most of the new recruits to bend over and vomit. However, several blue-robed mages remained indifferent, standing in place, silent as statues

How could there be a child here? This is truly... Your Highness? Your Highness?! Maidibuer was astonished to notice that the usually composed Second Prince was also trembling, his breathing suddenly becoming rapid and heavy.

Kamray's deep brows furrowed as he said: "Bianyun is a very small place, inhabited by some humble and ordinary people. Your Highness, we do not know when we will die, but as long as there is one person still alive, we will continue to protect it. If this is what you seek, I believe you have had it from the very beginning"

Kamereson stared at him intently and said word by word: "I know you are a member of the royal secret party. After such a long time, today you should speak fairly. Is there anyone in the border cloud who has betrayed the country?"

The azure halo outside the new recruits' formation instantly vanished, as the blue-robed mages uttered ancient and obscure syllables, performing the same action— a pure blue electric serpent, as thick as a thumb, was drawn from their tightly clasped hands, elongated, and shot out like a living creature! It crackled with faint "pop" sounds as it slithered and darted in all directions, kissing the bodies of all the edge cloud soldiers one by one in an instant

"It was all me, I admit it!" Kamray shouted sternly

It seemed as if he sensed something, and the voice of the Second Prince suddenly halted. Almost simultaneously, Maidi Bu'er’s lips moved, and a bolt of lightning surged swiftly from his hand, twisting its body and slithering like a serpent around a dirt wall directly in front, yet it struck nothing silently.

"You... you dare to insult the divine and wise deities!" Modalu roared hoarsely.

"Saka, do not speak, just stand aside." Kamrei ceased his struggle and coldly gazed at the Major General, "Sir, what crime have I committed? Where is the Second Prince?"

"Useless. With your level of flame energy, how could you possibly break free from the 'God's Binding'? Hey! Little brat, your father is quite lucky; at least he can experience high-level magic before he dies. For the commoners, this is an unimaginable honor!" Modalu glanced proudly at the several blue-robed mages beside him and sneered, "Captain, can you answer my question now?"

Your choice is? Mendita walked up to the second edge soldier, raising the blood-stained sword blade.

Mordalu's words were as deep as water: "Even if it is necessary to act this way without military supplies, what justification is there for mercilessly slaughtering all the victims? Even if these individuals are not the people of Moria, they are still devout believers of the God of Light! You are a group of executioners more cruel than demons, you have sullied the military flag of Moria and desecrated the great doctrine of Light"

"Holy Light Protection," a light-based defensive magic. When the strengths of both the attacker and defender are comparable, or when the defender possesses a slight advantage, it can block or weaken the majority of physical and magical attacks. The several blue-robed individuals creating the large light shield appear to do so effortlessly, as they continuously emit a faint azure glow from their hands, repairing the uneven surface of the shield that has become dented from impacts. Seemingly accustomed to silence, they do not converse with one another except for the low murmurs of incantation during the casting, yet their movements are coordinated and skillful.

The sword swings, the head falls, and crimson spurts forth

Dozens of angry and disdainful gazes were directed at a single individual. He was very young, with two thick, soaring eyebrows, and a handsome, rugged face. Eight years ago, he and Kamray were assigned to Bianyun, where they faced life and death together, as close as brothers.

The neatly arranged formation of new recruits had long since twisted and collapsed. An invisible and chilling aura of death nearly dulled the color of the sunlight. When they felt it for the first time in their lives, the recruits suddenly realized that their original passion and ideals had vanished without a trace. They trembled as they huddled together, as if what enveloped their bodies was not the warm sunlight, but the biting cold.

Kill! ! ! The soldiers of Bian Yun roared in unison, hurling their sabers with a whistling spin; arrows flew like locusts, scattering and shooting out rapidly. Whether they were injured, healthy, emaciated, or strong, the eyes of the men were all scorched blood-red by the fervor of battle! They were not bloodthirsty demons, but a group of beasts desperately fighting for survival!

Prolidis glanced at the surrounding hostile border soldiers, hesitated for a moment, and helplessly said: "I beg your pardon, teacher"

Are they all fucking stupid? Even if no one points it out, they will still kill me! Speak up, everyone! Kamray's eye sockets have already burst, and two streams of blood slowly trace down his cheeks

No one answered him, and the vast majority of the borderland men were laughing, mocking him.

The young man who just shouted with a voice full of tears is none other than Matisse

Old Moke spat a thick phlegm onto his forehead and shouted at Modalu from a distance: "Good son! I don't care about ... ... "

In the detailed account of Ma Dibu, a cold gleam flashed, and just as he was about to strike again, a gleaming saber slowly emerged from the low wall behind. As the blade gradually came into view, its owner also revealed his figure.

"War will inevitably come, and I am not surprised by that. The key is, what do you want us to do?" Kamray broke the oppressive silence. His question was like a sharp sword strike, piercing and direct.

Amidst the hoarse roars of the border warriors, Kam Lei's expression was bleak: "In the beginning, the first batch of veterans crossed the Gobi on foot, waiting in vain for seven days before they fortuitously intercepted the first caravan and seized the first batch of horses. It was only after we encountered the group that was trafficking in warhorses that we obtained these fine creatures. They are strong and tall, with a fiery temperament, knowing how to protect themselves in the Gobi. Everyone in the border region cares for them as if they were their own children. There is no pasture here; whatever we eat, they eat as well... Heh, who would have thought that this has now become evidence of my treason." He gazed directly at Modalu, a hint of confusion in his voice: "Major General, I truly do not understand. You could kill me at any moment; why go around in circles?"