244 Brigadier-General Dales (1/2)
The battlefield at the outer rim of Azure Verdant Plains ended in a way no one expected. The sect members of both the Illusory Butterfly Sect and Bloodfiend Sect was dazed as they could not believe what happened.
The Grand Elder of Bloodfiend Sect, a fabled Transcendent had ultimately fled for his life only to be mercilessly chased and cut down in the end.
Perhaps, if the Blood Transcendent wasn't afflicted by the defects of the blood cultivation and had a stronger mentality, he would have been able to put up a bigger fight than dying like a pathetic dog.
Sword Master… The Queen was definitely a Sword Master! That was the explanation they could come up with for that unrivaled attack power!
Before Awakeners became mainstream, the path of the sword was the ultimate pursuit of strength.
However, it was easy to become one with the sword, but to produce sword intent was an enigma that baffled many even before the Cataclysm.
They knew it existed because few legendary figures have achieved it throughout history and their techniques were left behind for future generations, but none were ever successful.
The way of the sword was so profound it had become its own unique law, but the way of the sword was different for everyone.
The techniques the Sword Masters passed down was not to be replicated but to help others gain insight into their own sword intent.
Alas, none had ever realized it and believed the sword's path was too difficult, leading to its eventual decline for the more favored awakener's path.
The fate of the sect members was decided the moment the Blood Transcendent fell. Elizabeth took her time to clean up the battlefield as these evil cultivators resigned to their fates. It was useless to outrun a Transcendent.
After the sect members were all slaughtered, Elizabeth was at a loss when she looked at the surrendered soldiers that stuck around. What to do with them?
Aria and Lynne arrived shortly and paled at the bloody scene. The battle at the Tri-bridge paled in comparison to the death toll here. So, this is what the brutality of war is like? How terrible!
On the big battlefield stained by blood, there were many dead bodies amongst both surviving Crawford soldiers and enemy soldiers, but neither side was fighting.
Was the battle already over? Who won?
Soon, they found the Queen and made their over.
”M-Mother…”
”How come you're both here?” Elizabeth smiled with surprise.
”We heard the news and rushed back as quickly as we could to help, but…” Looking at the battlefield, it seems their help was not needed here.
The World Tree's appearance was unexpected, but the news of the Eastfell Region was most likely intended to draw them away. Thus, they had rushed back to the Queen instead of the Eastfell Region.
Elizabeth nodded with approval when she heard their response. She was beginning to like these two daughters-in-law of her more and more.
Although an official wedding had yet to be held, she had already viewed them as her actual daughters-in-law. She was a traditional woman who views a woman's chastity as sacred.
Since that lascivious son of hers had already done the deed with them that should only be done in the nuptial chamber, she had already viewed them as husband and wives from then onwards.
How did she know they already did it? Well, rumors tend to fly in the Royal Palace. Even if she closed one ear, she would still hear with the other.
”You're both very thoughtful and your assistance is very timely. I suspect there is another enemy Transcendent leading an army through the cover of Extreme Misty Forest. They must be stopped, but the reinforcement sent to Eastfell Region lacks experts and will not be able to stop those evil sect cultivators hidden there. Are you both willing to head over there and assist them while I head north?”
Aria and Lynne looked at each other and decisively nodded, ”Yes!”
”Great!” Elizabeth smiled. ”I will assign a commander and some troops for you both to lead, but before that... What should we do with these surrendered soldiers?”
Their gazes all shifted to the Durham and Valaran soldiers at the scene. Many had fled but when they heard the Blood Transcendent was slain, they began making their way back to the battlefield.
They had nowhere else to go. They could not go back to their home kingdom. The sect had their eyes stretched everywhere there. They would be killed, but their families might not be spared. They were helpless and could only turn to the Queen for help.
”Your Majesty, we are willing to follow you. Please liberate the Durham Kingdom and save our families!” The Durham soldier stepped forward and pleaded.
Watching their actions, the Valaran soldiers also stepped forward and pleaded, ”Your Majesty, we are also willing to follow you. Please liberate the Valaran Kingdom and save our families!”
Faced with the pleading of over 30 thousand soldiers, it was enough to make anyone's blood boil with emotion. Elizabeth found it hard to refuse, but she also had her own concerns.
30 thousand soldiers were not a small number. Where would she send them and how was she going to feed them?
After a quick contemplation, she made her decision. She will worry about feeding them later.
”The Bloodfiend Sect and Illusory Butterfly Sect will pay for their wickedness, but don't forget that you are all prisoners of war! If you want to join the Crawford Kingdom, don't just speak it, show it! Prove to me that you are worthy of being a part of my kingdom with your actions!”
The surrendered soldiers clenched their fist with determination. The Queen had given a chance to redeem themselves for the lives they had taken.