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Chapter 152 First Tail Objective
🕑 Added 2023-05-25 13:32:47 +0000 UTCChapter 152 First Tail Objective
*BOOM!
Fireballs struck a vargmuth right in the head, and another undead horserider was impaled with an earth lance cast by Edelweiss in the ensuing commotion. The undead horde didn't let up, and it took a toll on us to hold them back while a rhythmic banging sound of a hammer was heard behind us. Four muscular and large soldiers did everything they could to hammer down the mithail nail into the earth.
Ghander was an absolute beast as he guarded an entire western section of our ranks by himself. Carrying three swords, he unleashed his skills, and the swords danced in midair as if held by a swordmaster like Lily. Together, he mowed down the enemies single-handedly while Alistar defended another section with several of his troops.
The atmosphere gradually improved. Rain of fireballs, lightning, and earthen spears incessantly rained down, matching the relentless onslaught of the undead. The thick miasma dissipated, and the sun shone through the dark clouds, growing brighter with each passing minute. Two hours later, the black miasma permeating the air had wholly vanished, and the skeletons ceased their mad dash toward us, retreating. We sighed in relief as Edelweiss began rounding up the soldiers and healing them. Fortunately, there were no deaths yet, but several had been slashed here and there in their encounters with the skeleton soldiers.
"Shall we return to the fort?" Edelweiss asked.
"Hmm... It's still noon. We could explore another leakage, but it would be pretty risky. I wonder... I think we should return. The corruption will eventually affect the soldiers if we don't. They need a break," Ghander said. When we were in the corruption zone, our bodies turned slightly sluggish. Moreover, the wounds would be harder to heal if we got injured.
"The air has brightened, but there's still a heavy atmosphere. When will this area fully recover?" Lily asked.
"The leakage has been sealed. If we find the cursed seed that has been polluting this area, it will return to normal immediately," Edelweiss said.
"Ah, I forgot about that. We still need to destroy the seed, huh?"
"Yes. The seeds feed on the leakage, but the seed itself can survive forever if we don't intervene. Moreover, those seeds will be heavily guarded. This team won't be enough."
"I think we can do it," Alistar said. "We have several blessed individuals here. Moreover, Lily's firepower can mow down the entire horde, allowing us to kill the leader."
"Hmm... I haven't seen this flame dragon Lily has summoned before. Is it that powerful?" Ghander asked.
"Yes. It can handle a typical fort assault on its own," Alistar said. "It took us about two days during the last major assault."
"Oh, I see. Then we might really have a chance. But for now, we still need to head back. We haven't reached our full strength."
"I understand. Let us return. The fort might be in danger with so many blessed people leaving it."
We mounted our horses and made our way back to the fort. I felt disheartened. We had sealed a leakage, but there were no noticeable changes. The air remained as foul as ever in this dead land. However, progress is progress. If defeating these undead were easy, we would have won long ago, after all.
When we arrived at the fort, the soldiers cheered for us. Our entourage then returned to the barracks while Edelweiss, our saint, went to the infirmary to heal more soldiers. Alistar and Ghander headed to our headquarters, leaving Lily to laze around with Lhorne and Nora.
"So, how's it going? I can see that you succeeded in sealing the leakage," Lhorne commented as we chewed on our fried rice from the cafeteria. Lily recounted her encounters in the wasteland to him.
"We did it. But the corruption only lifted slightly," Lily replied. "Edelweiss said we still need to kill the seed."
"We can't avoid that one, huh? We'll need hundreds of soldiers for it. Damn it," Ghander remarked.
"Why bother with all these leaks if what we did ultimately makes no difference?" some soldiers who overheard us commented maliciously.
"Edelweiss said the seed feeds on the mana leakage. If we close the leaks, the seed will weaken."
"Damn it. That's why the seed was able to grow back during our campaign years ago! If we had known about it before sacrificing our seniors," some soldiers exclaimed angrily, smacking the table in rage.
"How will we proceed from now on?" Lhorne asked.
"I think we'll do just like what we did today. Go with a small force and seal the leaks," Lily answered.
"Lord Lily, you have been summoned to the HQ. Please attend," one of the soldiers approached us. Lily rose from her dining table and, after bidding us goodbye, went to the designated place, where Alistar greeted her with a smile and a glass of fruit water for all of us.
"Cheers for the successful operation," Alistar raised his glass of fruit water, lifting our spirits. I'm glad he's such a mood-maker, managing to boost our morale even after such a small achievement.
"Yes, thank you!" Lily, not wanting to dampen the mood, accepted the glass. But the question still lingered, and she couldn't help but ask.
"When will we depart for the next leak?"
"Tomorrow. That's why, celebrate while you can," he smiled.
"Remember, yesterday seemed easy because the undead weren't prepared, and we only dealt with leaks from the outer ones. Tomorrow, expect a tougher battle," Ghander added.
"Okay."
"Rest well today. I'll also make sure Edelweiss gets some sleep from 4 PM," Alistar said, wincing at his own words. Edelweiss was capable but airheaded, and we needed someone to manage her, a fact Alistar was well aware of.
"Lord Alistar, do you plan to marry Edelweiss in the future?" Lily smirked, and he ended up coughing and spitting out his fruit water.
"W-What are you talking about, Lord Lily?" He coughed, but everyone in the HQ smirked instead. Apparently, the news about their closeness was already an open secret.
"Well, if this operation succeeds, I guess the future of the elves will be secured through their marriage," Ghander added, also smiling.
"Let's not talk about that," Alistar coughed, and the meeting concluded. We stayed there for a few more minutes, enjoying the fruit wine as we chatted about meaningless things.
