965 Destruction Part 1 (2/2)
That was why the mercenary soldiers were in no hurry to hunt down all the magic beasts. If the noble families were not offering any rewards, the mercenary soldiers would rather bypass the magic beasts. It was only when the magic beasts became pests that the mercenary soldiers would take up the missions to exterminate the magic beasts.
After staying in Qin for so long, Saleen had already forgotten what things were like in Sikeqinya. Quite a number of small mercenary companies had to rely on such means to survive, while most of those that worked as guards of companies of traveling merchants would be able to travel around the Empires.
”So, the only problem is Ironwall City?” Saleen saw Lex magnifying the picture of Ironwall City. All preparations would be made once she had checked everything through.
”Yes, Ironwall City is 506 miles away. Tomorrow evening, you will depart with the sorcerers that I have brought along. All of you will attack the magic tower of Ironwall City. Once the magic tower is under our control, I will launch an attack to occupy the port. Then, the metal flying machines will head to Ironwall City from the ancient combat vessel to…”
”Alright!” Saleen interrupted Lex. There would not be any juncture that would be particularly important. When Lex attacked the port, it would attract quite a number of mercenary soldiers to provide reinforcement. As for his own battle, he would not need anyone else. 100,000 demons and 600 metal flying machines was all they would need to destroy Ironwall City.
Deploying mercenary soldiers was slower than deploying normal armies. By the time the mercenary soldiers were able to react, Ironwall City would already be finished.
As Saleen left the command cabin, he sighed and wished that the people of Ironwall City would have enough time to flee for their lives. For some strange reason, Nailisi had dragged Gugger away and arranged a cabin for him to stay in.
When night came, Lex went to Saleen's cabin. The two of them had not spent much time with each other, yet there was no desire for each other at that moment.
Lex laid down beside Saleen. Both of them were looking at the ceiling and were unable to fall asleep.
”Lex, how many people are there in Ironwall City?” Saleen finally asked. He still could not bear to carry out his task.
”The information we received in the past was erroneous. There is a 120,000-strong army stationed there, while the number of remaining auxiliary soldiers is unknown. There are two grade-8 mercenary companies in the city, and each of them possesses the strength of 10,000. As for the commoners., there should at least be 1.6 million of them.”
”That many?”
”That is what is recorded in the town hall. Sikeqinyans moved in and out very frequently. It was the central of the northern region, where the capital stopped people from entering for no good reason. All the wealthy people within a thousand miles would gather there. A population of 1.6 million people is already considered to be very little. I predict that there must be at least two million people who have set up their homes in the city
”Let me attack for three hours before the metal flying machines come in.” Saleen's tone was a little forceful and Lex kept quiet.
How many people could be rescued within three hours? Besides, once Saleen's elemental magic tower appeared, the city gates would probably be locked up. Would the general of Ironwall City allow the commoners to flee?
Nevertheless, Lex agreed to Saleen's request. They would give Ironwall City three hours is to give them a chance to either evacuate the commoners or to surrender. If they chose not to surrender, millions of pounds of magic fire shells would be hurled upon every corner of the city. With the magic tower under their control, it would not be able to help to put out the fire. That was exactly how her own palace in Daliang City was destroyed.
If it had not been for that attack, Lex would not have come up with that solution either.
The war between countries was crueler than Saleen imagined. When Qin was building up its empire, countless cities were also destroyed!
”Lex, a life like this is so boring. Why do so many people still desire to become Emperors?” Saleen asked a silly question.
”Humans are the greediest creatures. Look at the demons. Although they might kill each other, once their stomachs have been filled, they will not think too much on it. Even the devils merely want to build up their cities and protect their territories. I have no idea why anyone would want to become Emperor. Perhaps you should ask your Dukes and Duchesses?” Lex replied lazily. She did not wish to delve into that topic.
There was nothing much to delve into. Ambition was a term that became popular only recently, but it was completely appropriate in describing human motivation.
”Perhaps everything will change once we exterminate all the Gods,” Saleen said casually. He thought of the hatred that the ancient humans bore against the Gods. He finally began to understand what that hatred was all about when he recalled the Holy War that the Holy See had started.
When the Gods had yet to appear, humans were too lazy to record their deeds, even though they had already invented words. When the Gods came to humans, that was when the latter began to gather their power and fought against other dimensions. It was also at that time that power became something of utmost importance.