Chapter 364: Volunteers

Jiaer followed behind Aierwen, his head buzzing. When he had previously heard Aierwen say they were about to leave the town to fight the Orcs head-on in the eastern plains, his first reaction was—"This is forcing them to go to their deaths!"

But he quickly calmed down. This time might truly be a death mission, but as long as it could slightly change the situation of the Holy Light Brotherhood, then everything they did would be meaningful.

……

The barracks of Jilan Town were located in the southeast corner of the town. Now, however, the ones staying inside were Warriors who had come from various northern villages and towns to provide support. Aierwen's arrival drew the attention of many onlookers.

After all, the Holy Light Brotherhood had always been labeled as Rebels, and Aierwen, this ringleader of the Rebels, was one of the targets for bounties everywhere. Now that he had walked into the barracks so openly, how could he not attract the attention of the crowd!

They were very curious about what kind of ability this Rebel ringleader had to escape from investigation after investigation, and whether that evil art capable of contending with Priests really came from the legendary Holy Stele.

However, they had also heard of the Nether King's mobilization order: temporarily set aside disputes and jointly resist the Orcs. Otherwise, many people might have drawn their swords on the spot to capture Aierwen and claim the bounty.

And when Aierwen said he needed some volunteers to go with them to the east to block the Orcs' northward advance, everyone was in an uproar. Some people clamored for Aierwen to get lost, and some completely ignored Aierwen's words.

However, some people also showed expressions of serious contemplation.

"Warriors of Seventon!" Aierwen shouted loudly.

But the next moment, he was interrupted by a Priest who had just arrived, "Aierwen, watch your language!"

Aierwen glanced at him, and the Holy Power in his chest began to surge, but he still restrained himself. He knew that there was no longer a Seven Cities Alliance; there was only Netheril—a brand-new kingdom created by the Nether King!

A fallen kingdom! But the people of Seventon had not disappeared!

"Warriors, Orcs are not beasts that only know how to come under the walls of Jilan Town to die. They will bypass this place, head all the way north, destroy our Homeland, and ruin the fields! Warriors, the people of the north need you!"

It was not just the people of the north who needed them; in fact, this was also a fight for themselves. Once the fields were destroyed, would their parents, wives, and children be among those who starved to death this winter?

Aierwen did not use Holy Power to increase his persuasiveness, but his words were filled with love for this land and its people. How could sincere feelings fail to move people's hearts!

Even the soldiers who had previously clamored for Aierwen to get lost began to think seriously. But in the end, it was a near-suicidal mission, and when it came down to it, hesitation was inevitable.

Aierwen also knew that it was impossible to demand that everyone have a spirit of sacrifice, but those who did have a spirit of sacrifice could influence others. Soon, the first Warrior stepped forward.

And at this moment, the Priest on the side spoke up again, "Have you really thought it through? Do you really possess the strength and Courage to fight the Orcs head-on? Your family is still waiting for you to return safely in the north!"

The Warrior was a bit hesitant at first, but soon he became firm, "This Priest, my family already died in last year's Orc Tide, and even I almost died. If it weren't for a passing Paladin who saved me, I wouldn't be alive today. Now it is my turn to give back!"

His words touched many people present. They also seemed to think of some things they had experienced themselves. Somehow, they suddenly realized—

The Paladin seemed to have only a bad reputation, but no evil deeds! Consequently, a few more people stepped forward, whether out of sympathy for the Paladin, worry for their families, or simply a desire to fight the Orcs head-on.

In any case, they stood out! "Rebel!" the Priest whispered, his eyes sweeping over these figures who had stepped forward voluntarily with a sinister look, as if he wanted to remember their faces and add them to his mental list of Rebels.

Before long, nearly a hundred people had already stepped forward in the field. Once there was a leader for this kind of thing, it became easier and easier afterward. After all, the more people there were, the higher the safety actually was.

And given the Orcs' consistent style of destroying towns and ruining farmland, Jilan Town, which happened to be blocking their path, might be even more dangerous! Some people were truly willing to sacrifice themselves and dare to fight to the death; some had to fight for their families; some were forced by the situation and did not want to be passive; and others wanted to be opportunistic.

In any case, as more and more people stepped forward, the Priest who had followed along looked worse and worse, muttering "Rebel," "Rebel" under his breath! But in the end, fewer than a hundred people stepped forward. Aierwen's expression was grave. He was not worried for himself, but for these nearly one hundred people and those who were about to starve in the winter because their fields had been destroyed.

After thinking for a moment, he looked at the Priest on the side and said solemnly: "Priest Geleitate, these people alone are still too few. You also know what the consequences will be once the Orcs run rampant. I need to go to the temporary barracks to recruit more volunteers!"

"Don't you still have those brothers of yours? They should be enough!" Priest Geleitate said casually.

"No, I said it's not enough!"

Aierwen stared fixedly at Geleitate, not giving an inch. He was willing to make sacrifices for the people and for his brothers, but only on the condition that the sacrifice was valuable and meaningful.

He had to consider the feasibility of blocking the Orcs' northward advance and minimizing losses in the north as much as possible. To dream of blocking the Orcs with fewer than a hundred people was simply unrealistic; it was nothing short of murder!

If it had to be this way, he would rather not take these hundred people!

He could sacrifice himself, but he was unwilling to force others to sacrifice!

Aierwen's unyielding and firm attitude made Geleitate very annoyed. However, thinking of Priest Walixi's instructions and the Nether King's secret order, he had to suppress his anger for the time being. He leaned close to Aierwen and whispered:

"200 people at most; this is our bottom line!"

"No, at least 300 people; this is also my bottom line!"

300 people was the minimum number Aierwen was confident in to hold back the Orcs. If there were any fewer, it might not be possible to stop the Orcs, and the sacrifice would be in vain! Geleitate looked deeply at Aierwen and agreed through gritted teeth, "Fine, but you must let your subordinates enter Jilan Town to assist in the defense!"

Rebels who mastered evil arts were not necessarily all good at fighting; there were always those who were not. And their evil arts could also play a certain role in defense, and at a critical moment—

Geleitate snorted coldly in his heart, holding his final bottom line, also not retreating in the slightest.

Now it was Aierwen's turn to make a choice. He did not expect that these Fallen Ones would still be playing dirty tricks when the Orcs were already almost right in front of them.

It seemed that this reconciliation by the Nether King was just a conspiracy. Aierwen was completely disappointed in these people, and he finally made up his mind to reveal his trump card!

(End of chapter)