Chapter 198 – The Siege

Vick Swordsaint was not only a powerful professional but also an experienced general well-versed in military strategy. It took him merely one day from receiving the King’s command to mobilizing all forces from Sunset City and marching toward Mig Fortress.

Upon arriving at Mig Fortress and joining forces with the “combined army” dispatched by the Nobles of the “Church Faction,” Vick effortlessly took command of this undisciplined force through his iron-fisted methods and the authority accumulated over centuries.

By now, Vick commanded an army of 250,000 troops. Even if they weren’t elite forces, even with their lax discipline and numerous flaws, they were more than sufficient to tightly besiege the small Mig Fortress defended by only 50,000 soldiers of the Glory Army.

On his first day at Mig Fortress, Vick Swordsaint’s initial action was to lead his troops in deploying formations suggesting a full-scale assault on the fortress walls.

Siege ladders were transported one after another, catapults crafted from solid wood were arranged in orderly rows, and beside each catapult, several burly men strained to load giant stones coated with grease into the baskets. Every soldier polished their blades, presenting an army at Mig Fortress’s base that appeared ready to attack at any moment.

The siege preparations were impeccably thorough, each step executed with what could be described as “textbook precision.” Commanding such an improvised large army with such clarity and ease was enough to demonstrate why Vick Swordsaint was called the “Number One General of Dylen.”

However… Vick felt no joy at this moment. On the contrary, he was deeply averse to this war that was certain to be won.

In truth, if the goal were simply to breach Mig Fortress, there would be no need to deploy a single soldier from this 250,000-strong army. Vick Swordsaint alone was enough to reduce this ancient fortress to rubble. The two layers of granite walls were hardly more durable than two sheets of old parchment against the strikes of a Formal-Level Sword Saint.

Facing Vick Swordsaint’s sudden assault, the Glory Army—strapped for troops, lacking strong warriors, and deficient in every resource—could not muster a single Formal-Level expert to defend Mig Fortress. Moreover… even if they could transfer a Formal-Level expert, would they have the capability to defeat Vick Swordsaint, who had already reached level 14?

In fact, if not for Vick Swordsaint’s order to indiscriminately slaughter all “living beings,” the defenders in Mig Fortress would have surrendered outright.

Vick’s command for the 250,000 troops to assume siege formations was primarily to prevent the residents inside Mig Fortress from escaping. Adhering to the principle that “orders are absolute,” Vick Swordsaint had received the command to “slaughter all living people,” and thus he would not allow a single commoner to leave.

After completing all preparations, Vick Swordsaint did not issue the order to attack. He merely commanded the army to maintain strict vigilance and standby, then retired alone to his lavish tent, calmly resting with his eyes closed—he was not defying the King’s orders, only delaying slightly without any negative consequences.In truth, Vick Swordsaint was deeply reluctant to carry out such “massacre” orders. As a Lawful Good practitioner whose deity upheld benevolent and orderly doctrines, slaughtering unarmed civilians blatantly violated his principles and moral boundaries. Moreover, Vick knew full well the entire affair was a conspiracy orchestrated by the Church of Dawn, and that the King had abandoned his royal duties and honor to become the Church’s puppet.

But Vick was an “absolute loyalist” raised from childhood by the Dillon Kingdom’s royal family. Though the King’s command filled him with profound disgust and revulsion, so long as it was issued through the “King’s” own volition, he would resolutely execute it without hesitation.

“The King’s decree is absolute!”

Vick murmured to himself.

“As the ‘King’s blade, I need no thoughts, no emotions, no will of my own. I need only indiscriminately fulfill all commands… Yet… why does this sorrow persist?”

Lowering his head, Vick gently stroked the Wind-Bathing Punisher bestowed upon him by the Seventh King of Dillon Kingdom – a weapon symbolizing “absolute loyalty” – remaining silent for a long while.

He hadn’t immediately assaulted Mig Fortress because he knew the kind-hearted princess was present – Trelinka must already be rushing to the scene.

“Oh virtuous princess, lead your guards to create so-called miracles. Pierce my skull with your venomous blade. Perhaps being slain as an evil slaughterer by righteous hands is the only way I can embrace goodness while maintaining ‘loyalty’.”Gazing at his own resolute face reflected on the greatsword’s surface, Vick whispered these words with heavy resonance.”

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At this very moment, while Vick Swordsaint remained immersed in inescapable grief, Princess Trelinka was galloping at full speed from Dunke City toward Mig Fortress. The prolonged journey left her silken hair streaming in the wind, sweat drenching nearly every leather strap of her armor.

Trailing behind the princess’s steed, two figures – one male, one female – followed closely. They were the only two Formal-Level experts under Princess Trelinka’s command who could accompany her at all times: Consul X and maidservant Naya.

“Your Highness Princess Trelinka, this is a trap! A despicable scheme laid by the Church of Dawn! Vick Swordsaint has likely already prepared an inescapable net awaiting your arrival at Mig Fortress…”

Consul X urgently exclaimed while running, but his words were quickly interrupted by the princess.

“I know! Of course I know this so-called massacre is bait to lure me into a trap! But what does that change? Should I stand by idly while my people are slaughtered?”

Princess Trelinka retorted loudly, her eyes rimmed red as she wiped away sweat and tears, revealing an expression of unshakable determination.

“Vick Swordsaint is no bloodthirsty brute. I understand him well – he’s more loyal to this kingdom and royalty than anyone. I’ll make him see this is all the Church of Dawn’s conspiracy! I’ll persuade him to fight for the kingdom’s true glory!”

“Your Highness…”Aix wanted to say more. He wanted to say, “Your Highness, you don’t understand Vick Swordsaint at all. It’s true he’s loyal to the royal family, but his loyalty is unreasonable and blind. How could someone with such blind loyalty ever be persuaded by a princess labeled as ‘rebellious’?”

But Aix knew the princess wouldn’t listen to anyone now. Persuading Vick Swordsaint was the Glory Army’s last hope and the final straw in Trelinka’s heart. A person drowning in despair wouldn’t—or didn’t dare—consider whether that straw could actually save them.

So even with the most eloquent tongue, Aix couldn’t wake someone pretending to sleep, let alone when he wasn’t particularly eloquent himself.

Watching Princess Trelinka’s slender figure jolting on horseback, Aix could only sigh heavily and say no more.

He silently exchanged glances with Naya marching beside him. Both saw the same determination in each other’s eyes—no matter what, even if they had to risk their lives against the legendary terrifying Vick Swordsaint, they would protect the princess’s life and preserve the final hope of the Dillon Kingdom.

(End of Chapter)