Soon after organizing the troops and giving further instructions on battlefield details, Rhett mounted his firebird and ascended into the sky. His voice, full of vigor, echoed down from above:
"We come from different lands, but this time we march toward the same destination—the Coldstream Front. Like rivers flowing into the sea, our collective will and faith will merge into a powerful force."
"We will not only break through the rock but also eradicate the orc invaders! Because this is our home, the land we stand to defend!"
"We will drive out those who dare to invade!"
...
"This battle is ours to win!"
His voice transitioned from somber to passionate, and finally to a roaring crescendo. The last words, filled with unyielding determination and fervor, reverberated with incredible force.
Such stirring words resonated deeply with those below. Although they weren't sure how a mage could muster such a rallying cry, it didn't stop them from being swept up in the wave of inspiration.
Each person felt their spirits rise, their eyes gleaming as if a new sun had risen within them. Their blood boiled, surging like an unstoppable flood.
"Exterminate the orcs, victory is certain!"
Among the crowd, Vides found his eyes growing moist. The will of the old soldier was awakened, reminding him of the countless fallen comrades, a mix of resentment, anger, and passion merging into a shout full of fighting spirit and confidence in victory!
The history of the orc invasion was so long that it had made them forget that this land never belonged to the orcs. Peace had lulled them into complacency, into a passive acceptance of the status quo.
But at this moment, it was as if the flames in everyone's hearts had been ignited. Their expressions became resolute as they joined in the chorus:
"Exterminate the orcs, victory is certain!"
"Exterminate the orcs, victory is certain!"
The thunderous chant echoed through the air, its resonance lingering. A smile formed on Rhett's face as well. Since the last simulation ended, his mindset had subtly shifted—this world could not endure further invasion.
For himself, for his homeland— the orcs must die!
The fierce roar gradually subsided after a few minutes, but the passion on every face remained. Their eyes shone with unwavering determination. Finally, at Rhett's command, everyone stepped forward, beginning their march into battle!
Ten days later.
A dim underground cave filled with a damp and chilly atmosphere.
Near the entrance, two figures in blood-red robes and wearing crimson masks stood back to back, arms crossed as they stared at the ground. They stood motionless, like blood-soaked statues.
After a while, a faint rustling sound came from outside the cave. The two figures turned their heads stiffly, like mummies, and spoke in cold voices: "You're late."
"Hmph, I don't think so. Dealing with a mere sixth-level mage doesn't require all three of us," replied a figure cloaked in gray armor and wearing a black face covering, in a raspy voice.
One of the masked figures said, "We received orders to deal with Rhett, but after that, we're to attack Avalon at the Gorge Front and stir up chaos there to distract the kingdom's forces. So we must act together."
"A mere Gorge Front isn't worth that much effort," the cloaked figure replied with a hint of disdain.
The other masked figure, hearing the cloaked one's dismissive tone, scoffed, "Heh, the Cult Leader knows your nature too well, prone to reckless behavior that might disrupt our plans. That's why he insisted we watch over you."
"I don't understand why the Cult Leader chose someone like you and hasn't sacrificed you yet."
The cloaked figure's eyes turned icy as he retorted impatiently, "That's none of your concern. Since the mission is clear, let's get moving. I have other matters to attend to afterward."
"Hmph, you're the one who's been dawdling."
"Follow me; let's head to Dark Hawk City first. I hope it's not too late."
Their conversation was tense, but their movements were swift and coordinated. They lined up, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished like ghosts.
With their bodies cloaked in the glow of battle energy, they sped across the plains like lightning, easily navigating through forests and leaping over hills and ravines. In just three days, they reached a crimson valley, where they all came to an abrupt stop.
At this moment, they cautiously surveyed their surroundings, their bodies tense. Beneath their masks and scarves, their faces reflected unease.
Their instincts, honed through countless battles, sensed something amiss, but they couldn't pinpoint the source of their unease.
They gradually moved back-to-back, forming a defensive triangle. Their battle energy flared up, ready to engage in combat at any moment.
Suddenly, they felt the ground shifting, and the earth elements began to tremble violently.
"Something's wrong—an Earth Mage is attacking us!" the cloaked figure shouted in alarm, preparing to leap out of the range of the quicksand spell that was pulling at their feet. The two masked figures, too, activated their battle energy, ready to escape and locate the hidden mage.
But then, something unexpected happened.
The ground, which had seemed like a gentle flow of sand, suddenly erupted into violent tremors, accompanied by a sharp humming sound. What had appeared to be a calm lake had transformed into a turbulent sea with towering waves, shaking the ground with tremendous force.
In an instant, the three men's faces twisted in shock. They had been confident they could escape the quicksand's pull, but the tremors they felt brought a wave of fear crashing over them.
Their battle energy, shattered by the tremors, slowed them down, and the forceful impact on their legs caused excruciating pain to surge through their minds.
"The Shockwave Arcane! How is this possible?" one of them rasped, disbelief evident in his voice.
"Who is it? Who dares to ambush us here?"
The three men barely escaped the range of the quicksand, their faces filled with terror as they scanned the area, cautiously retreating and ready to flee at the first sign of danger.
"There's no need to look. It was my doing."
A calm voice echoed from behind a large boulder. The next moment, the boulder crumbled into sand, falling to the ground, and Rhett's figure emerged before their eyes.
The sight left the three men in shock. How could it be him?
The figure before them was someone they knew all too well. They had even seen his portrait: the Lord of Dark Hawk City, Rhett Green, who was also their target.
But the oddity was how he knew of their plan, how he had ambushed them here, and why his power far exceeded what they had been told.
There was no time to dwell on these questions, as another surprise awaited them. Rhett pulled out two purple-red blood pearls from his pocket and said, "With your pitiful strength, you think you can kill me? It seems the Cult Leader has raised three worthless pawns."
As he finished speaking, Rhett dispelled the quicksand spell and the shockwave arcane, his expression cold as he watched the three men.
Hearing his words, the three men exchanged uncertain glances, carefully scrutinizing Rhett and the fully charged blood pearls in his hands. One of the masked men finally asked, "Are you a mole planted by the Cult Leader?"
Rhett's expression remained unchanged, and he snorted, "What else? Have you ever seen anyone rise from a lowly mage to this level in just a few years? It's because I'm the Cult Leader's hidden pawn. Now that the time has come, I no longer need to hide. Something big is about to happen at the Coldstream Front, and I'm here to assist you in your mission in the southwestern frontier."
The three men exchanged looks, their suspicions easing. Rhett's words were too convincing. He had the blood pearls, had risen rapidly in power, and knew their plans...
But something still felt off. They hesitated, exchanging doubtful glances.
"Sidari, what are you waiting for?!"
Rhett's sudden shout startled one of the masked men, who pointed at Rhett and asked, "How do you know my name?"
"Of course, the Cult Leader told me. If you don't believe me, we can go meet the Cult Leader after the mission," Rhett said, his voice tinged with impatience. "Now tell me your mission. I know the southwestern frontier better than you do, and I can guarantee efficiency."
The three men wavered. Yes, the Cult Leader had tasked them with attacking the Gorge Front, a daunting mission. But if Rhett joined them, it would be a huge boost to their strength, and his familiarity with the area would make the mission much easier.
The cloaked figure crossed his arms and laughed in a raspy voice, "Hahaha, so Marquis Rhett is one of us. That's excellent news. Comprehending arcane powers before reaching the Sanctuary level is rare in our time—every such person is an absolute genius.
The Gorge Front had someone named Somget, who also grasped the Wind Arcane while still a Sky Knight. With your help, taking down Avalon and Somget should be a breeze!"
Rhett's expression eased, and he thought, "Finally, after countless simulations, I'm close to success."
Naturally, armed with foresight from the simulations, Rhett had long since altered the original course of the army, leading them along a different route. While the troops rested, he came to this place alone, using the simulations to gather information.
The initial attempts had ended in failure, with his lies quickly exposed by their cautious demeanor. But after numerous simulations, careful reflection, and refinement of his tactics, he had gradually gathered enough information to reach this point. The earlier failures were irrelevant; Rhett's heart now brimmed with the joy of impending success.
But just as he prepared to deliver the final convincing blow, one of the masked men, still hesitant, spoke up, "Even though what you say makes sense, and you know some of our information and items, we still can't fully trust you."
Rhett's heart sank. Despite everything he had said, they still didn't lower their guard. Was he about to fail again?
Unwilling to give up, Rhett quickly thought and coldly said, "My patience is limited. If you refuse to share the mission, I'll have to assume you're impostors and kill you on the spot!"
In the sweltering heat of summer, his cold words sent a chill through the three men's hearts. It was all too reminiscent of the Cult's ruthless style, where lives were treated like dirt, and even members could be killed without hesitation. Moreover, the arcane shockwave he had displayed left them uncertain. Even outnumbering him, they dared not take any chances.
"Alright, I'll ask you a question. If you can answer it, I'll believe you for now!" one of the masked men said.
"Ask away," Rhett replied with a faint smile.
"Who is Karry?" The masked man stared intently at Rhett.
A simple question, yet it stumped Rhett. He felt helpless but could only respond with a name he knew.
"The Cult Leader's blood elf."
"Correct." The masked man's tone softened as he stepped forward. "Marquis Rhett, if you know the answer, then you're trustworthy. Welcome aboard. This mission will be much easier with your help. I have the secret code the Cult Leader gave us for this mission. Take a look."
As he spoke, the masked man approached, reaching into his pocket.
Rhett, a faint smile tugging at his lips, waited quietly.
But suddenly, the man pulled out an orange sword, his eyes flashing with malice as he lunged forward, shouting, "Karry is no one! You know too much. Today, you must die!"
"Sigh, I knew it wouldn't be that easy."
Rhett sighed inwardly. He hadn't been naive enough to believe their words. Even though he had guessed correctly, he still remained cautious.