Chapter 24 (2/2)

But whatever the rope had been made with, it was extremely tough and resilient. The soldiers’ normal swords could only leave white marks across it. They would need at least a couple more minutes to cut through it entirely.

“Let me!” Annie yelled, rushing at them.

But she quickly found that it was just the first of many hooks. Even before she started hacking, she saw another grappling hook fly up, and a Dark Elf general charging up it.

As she approached the first hook, Annie covered her dagger with Shadow Aura and slashed down on the rope.

Kishhh. The rope broke, causing the Level-4 Dark Elf General to fall back onto the ground. But he was just one of many. The other grappling hooks had all met their objectives, allowing the other fully armored Dark Elf generals to scale up the wall.

All three of them were Level-3 Warriors. Once they reached the top, they lashed out, gaining territory rapidly. Behind them, the Dark Elf Army surged on to the city walls, the Level-4 General who had fallen down earlier among them.

Annie, too, had Battle Aura and was Level-3, but she was an Assassin. She would face a real disadvantage on the battlefield, head-on with Warriors who had aggressive fighting styles.

But she was also the only Levle-3 defender on the city walls. Only she stood a chance at stopping them.

Annie could only brace herself and charge towards one of the Level-3 Dark Elf generals who was massacring her city guards. In that moment, she suddenly remembered Link.

He had stayed behind to stop the Dark Elf Magician. By the time she had taken control of the city guard and returned to the little alley to help, all she found was a heavily injured Mary, Ardivan, and the other human Assassins.

The Dark Elf Magician and Dark Elf Assassins, as well as Link, were all nowhere to be seen.

As she charged forward, she recalled the last thing he said to her.

“Go, I’ll stop him!” the Link shouted. And he had done it. At the last moment, he had sent her to safety.

“He should be in heaven by now, shouldn’t he?” Annie sighed to herself.

She knew very well that she was no match for the Dark Elf generals. Even if she and the soldiers helping her managed to kill them, there was still the Marshal.

She would die in this battle, but she was prepared for it.

Annie slipped behind the Dark Elf general and stabbed her dagger at the back of his neck just as he swung his sword out at one of her soldiers.

Her dagger drew closer and closer towards its target. Just as it was about to hit, the Warrior swung around with his shield and charging towards Annie.

Annie knew at once that she would be flung into the air by his shield before her dagger managed to reach him. She had no choice but to change tactics to duck and evade.

But once she did, someone leaped onto the wall behind her. It was the Level-4 Warrior from before. He had been watching for a chance to strike all this time. Sneering, he charged towards her.

“Die, little girl!”

Annie didn’t stand a chance against the fully armed Level-4 Warrior.

Is this the end? Despair filled her. Father, I tried my best.

The young Magician’s figure flashed through her mind once more. Are you lonely up there, all by yourself in heaven? Don’t worry, I’ll be there with you soon.

Activating her Shadow Aura, she charged at the Level-4 Warrior.

She’d fight to her death.

Just then, a figure cloaked in yellow light jumped out from the steps leading up to the city walls. It moved so fast it left a yellow trail and strong gust of wind in its midst. The yellow flash collided with the sneering Level-4 Dark Elf General.

Battle Skill, Charge

Bang! The Dark Elf general was caught unaware as he was flung off the city wall. He dropped a total of 50 feet, leaving him stunned as he crashed onto the ground.

The general fainted after landing with a dull thud. On the wall, the glowing figure walked up to a crossbow. Maneuvering it expertly, he shot an arrow towards the fallen elf. His aim was true—It ended the Level-4 Dark Elf in one attempt.

Only now did the glowing figure stop and turn to look at Annie. A young voice rang out, “Princess Annie, I’m here to help you.”

As his voice dropped, more glowing figures leaped up onto the walls from inside the city. It was the suicide squad from the Black Iron Garrison!

The voice was familiar. Annie stared and rejoiced. “Minx, why are you here?”

Annie, being the daughter of a Duke and highly favored by King Leon, had grown up in the palace. Minx, as the son of an Earl, was a member of the Norton Kingdom’s aristocracy. Once, during his travels in his younger days, he had attended a ball at the palace. He and Annie were old acquaintances.

“It’s an order from Marshal Allonse. The army is on its way. I’ll help you defend the city in the meantime!” Minx charged at one of the Level-3 Dark Elf generals.

His words were like a soothing balm. Hearing that aid was on its way, the morale of the human soldiers rose. With the help of the 14 Level-3 human Warriors, they managed to quickly wipe out the Dark Elves still remaining on the city walls.

…

Below the city walls.

Marshal Lorde watched the retreating elves, his face bleak.

He took a deep breath and gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.

The sword had a name—Blood Pride. It had been made by the Dark Elf Master Blacksmith, Andrew and the Enchanter, Meissen of the Silver Moon Mage Council. It was a powerful, Epic weapon that the King himself had given to Lorde upon his rise to become a Level-6 Warrior.

As he pulled it out, a blood-red mist emanated from its blade.

“It’s time!”