Chapter 808 - The Falcon’s Beacon (III) (1/2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Falcon Peak was located in a corner of the Eastern Plains. It used to be peaceful, but everything had changed.
When Rhode’s group arrived at the bottom of the Falcon Peak, the picturesque scenery that they saw elsewhere was nowhere to be found as all of it was replaced with the burning flames, clashes, smoke, and bones. One could clearly see that the buildings on the Falcon Peak had all turned into charred ruins. The Undead Creatures turned this place around entirely and was building a new base of operations. Sovann sulked and lowered his gaze to the ground, unable to witness the cruel reality of the Undead Creatures trampling on his home.
On the contrary, Rhode wasn’t as emotional as Sovann. The former scanned the Falcon Peak with knitted brows. He had to admit that this was indeed rather challenging to take down. The Battle Mage Group’s base of operations was located on a relatively flat hillside on the Falcon Peak, where it was easy to defend and hard to take down. Perhaps ordinary soldiers couldn’t successfully take it down without a couple of weeks, but they weren’t like the Undead Creatures, after all… The Falcon Peak served as a rear channel to the inner Eastern Plains, which explained why the road was much flatter and more convenient for transportation. Perhaps this was the only advantage that the alliance of the Eastern Plains had.
However, Rhode had no intention of joining the fight. That wasn’t his plan for coming to this place.
He looked ahead at the relatively huge army camp with densely packed tents laid out neatly below the hill. There were all kinds of flags fluttering in the wind. Rhode shrugged. In fact, this was also a symbol of the Eastern Plains.
The Eastern Plains was unique in many aspects, unlike the outside world. The organizational structure was one such aspect. Normally, apart from the local bullies like bandits in various regions, most of the organizations showed up in branches in the Light Mainland, just like the official organizations of the Mercenary Association, Mage Association, and Alchemist Association. However, the organizational composition in the Eastern Plains was entirely different. Apart from the largest ruling organization, namely the Elder Regime in the Eastern Plains, the remaining smaller forces were basically independent and distributed like the Battle Mage Group where they occupied a mountain peak. Even though the Elder Regime held the rights on paper, the Battle Mage Group was basically the ones who made the decisions and served as the core to their own group.
All in all, the various forces in the Eastern Plains resembled the factions in martial arts novels where they each ran their own base of operations. One would never see the Shaolins build their temples on the Ermei Mountain or flirt with the nuns… This was all due to the terrain of this territory. The Eastern Plains was basically steep mountain ranges filled with dangerous paths. Although floating boats also existed to overcome such purposes, not everyone could afford them. Therefore, due to the terrain restrictions, no faction could strengthen their forces even if they wanted to as there wasn’t enough manpower to climb over the mountain ridges. Moreover, the Eastern Plains was under the constant threat of the Undead Creatures. Everyone was busy enough dealing with them, so no one had the effort to start an internal strife.
With such a background, it wasn’t hard to understand why so many forces responded to the Elder Regime’s offer because they lacked the time and energy to expand their territories. Right now, since the Elder Regime announced that whoever could drive the Undead Creatures out of the Falcon Peak would gain the rights to it, they wouldn’t waste this rare chance. It could also be seen from the patterns and colors of the flags. Most of the forces that had arrived were equally as strong as the Battle Mage Group. Of course, some of the smaller forces were also present. However, no one but themselves knew if they were here to curry favor with the stronger forces.
When Rhode’s group arrived at the camp, the alliance’s attack on the Falcon Peak had also come to an end. There were injured soldiers being lifted down and the camp was filled with sounds of painful groans. Lize couldn’t bear the sight while Sovann gazed with a complicated expression. Even though these people were here to eradicate the Undead Creatures and seek revenge for the Battle Mage Group, Sovann felt perplexed at the thought of them claiming the Falcon Peak in mind…
Shortly after, a group of soldiers came up to Rhode’s group and greeted them politely.
“Madam Gaya.”
One of the men bowed respectfully. Gaya remained unmoved as she hugged the harp in her arms and knitted her brows slightly.
“You guys started attacking?”
“Yes, Madam.”
The man revealed an uncomfortable look, but summoned up courage and answered. Even though Gaya didn’t say much, everyone around her instantly felt the temperature of the air drastically drop…
“Who gave the command?”
“It’s me, Gaya.”
At this moment, a high-spirited man clad in lightweight leather armor and equipped with two swords around his waist approached. He appeared to be around 30 years old. In fact, he was beaming in confidence as he strode forward in large strides and waved his hand. The subordinate who was scared witless by Gaya quickly retreated. Although Gaya’s expression didn’t change, Rhode saw the glint of disdain in her eyes.
“If I recall correctly, the elders have handed the commanding rights for this battle to me, right?”
“Of course I know about that, Gaya.”
The man smiled, but it seemed as though he ertr consoling a disobedient younger sister.
“But I’m the battlefront commander and need to probe the enemies’ strength from time to time. After all, the Undead Creatures are behaving strangely up there. We have to be prepared for them as quickly as possible, Gaya. I don’t know how you’re doing out there, but this is the Eastern Plains and we have our own solutions.”
“… Is this your only excuse?”
Even though no one else noticed, Rhode had detected the dense murderous intention exuding from Gaya. He had no doubt that this idiot would be in huge trouble if he continued to spout nonsense. Rhode took a step forward and stood before Christie. No matter what, Christie shouldn’t witness a bloody scene.
“He is…”
The man looked curiously at Rhode while Gaya swept a glance at the latter. Gaya’s dark pupils glinted in complex emotions when she witnessed Rhode hiding Christie behind him. However, she remained calm and introduced.
“He is the overlord of Grenbell, Mr. Rhode.”
“Oh…?”
The man appeared to be surprised. He widened his eyes in astonishment. Then, he restored his passionate smile and bowed respectfully to Rhode.
“Greetings, Sir Overlord. My name is Don. I didn’t expect to meet you here, so I’m rather surprised. The Holy Maiden Statues that you’ve given us worked so perfectly that I’ve never seen the Undead Creatures so miserable…”
This man named Don didn’t possess the conservativeness that the people of the Eastern Plains had. Instead, he was somewhat passionate and good with his words. Not only did he compliment Rhode, but he also flattered Lize, Anne, and the others after learning their names and said something like “You young ladies are beauties, lovely as fully-bloomed flowers. I have never seen any women who are as devastatingly beautiful as all of you in the Eastern Plains…”