Chapter 121: Two-Front War? Decapitation Strike!

A cold arc curled at the corner of Roko's mouth.

"Coincidence?"

"I do not believe there are so many coincidences in this world."

"The actions of the Temple of Light may have been long premeditated."

"But the unusual movements of the orcs seem somewhat abrupt."

"Unless..."

Roko's gaze became sharp. Massive amounts of great books are on Daily Reading Novels, ttk s. tw waiting for you to discover them.

"Someone is behind the scenes, connecting these two originally unrelated forces."

"Or rather, someone is deliberately guiding them, creating the current situation."

Hart's brows were tightly locked.

"Master, do you mean the Poison Scorpion Society?"

Roko nodded slowly.

"Besides them, I cannot think of anyone else who has the motive and ability to stir up such a storm in New Wind Province. They failed in their attempt to incite the refugees within Vanguard Valley before, and I fear they are now acting out of shame and anger, which is why they have plotted this even more vicious conspiracy."

"They want to use the hands of the Temple of Light and the orcs to completely destroy our Vanguard Valley."

This deduction caused the hearts of everyone present to sink to the bottom of the valley.

If it truly was the Poison Scorpion Society manipulating things from the shadows, then what Vanguard Valley faced would not just be two powerful enemies.

There was also a venomous snake hidden in the dark, infiltrating every crevice!

"The enemy is very strong, far exceeding our imagination."

Roko's voice was terrifyingly calm.

"The situation is very bad, one could even say it is hopeless."

He looked around the council chamber at the pale and nervous faces of those present.

"However, we have not lost yet."

"As long as we are still standing here, Vanguard Valley has not yet fallen."

The atmosphere in the council chamber seemed to have completely frozen.

Roko sat quietly in the main seat, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the cold rosewood tabletop.

Once, and then again.

Spread out before him were two urgent military intelligence reports.

One came from Scout Captain Bake; although Bake had temporarily escaped life-threatening danger after the physician's all-out efforts, he remained unconscious.

This intelligence was pieced together by Bake during the brief moments he was awake, along with two scouts who had luckily survived from his scout squad, which had been almost entirely wiped out.

The "Purification Army" of the Temple of Light numbered a full five hundred.

They were personally led by a Bishop of noble status and a Trial Qishichang whose strength was unfathomable.

According to the surviving scouts' description, that Bishop was surrounded by Holy Light Power that made one's heart palpitate, while the aura of the Trial Qishichang was like a drawn blade, sharp and full of oppressive force.

Bronze late-stage, perhaps even Bronze Peak.

Such power was enough to sweep through any Baron Territory in New Wind Province; even an old-line noble like Earl Adrian would likely have to weigh the consequences.

The other military intelligence report came from the Heifeng Aikou in the North, delivered at the cost of his life by a messenger from the beacon tower.

Three large orc tribes had united in an unprecedented manner, gathering over thirty thousand orc warriors, who were now crazily assaulting Heifeng Aikou like a black tide.

The garrison at the pass numbered less than a thousand; although they were struggling to hold on by relying on the geographical advantage, they were in a precarious situation when facing an enemy ten times their number.

Beacons were burning, and messengers requesting reinforcements were sent out batch after batch, each one potentially being the last.

Martina's snow-white long hair was slightly disheveled, and her white eyes, which always carried a touch of coldness, were now covered with a layer of heavy worry.

She quickly calculated in her mind, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible hoarseness.

"Roko, with our current troop strength in Vanguard Valley, the Storm Knights are at full capacity with three hundred men, one hundred of whom have been equipped with Obsidian Gold Equipment."

"The Lingzhu Fu guard is about two hundred men, all with strength ranging from Knight attendants to Quasi-Knight."

"The newly recruited militia, after preliminary training, numbers about five thousand who can pick up weapons, but they lack actual combat experience,"

"and their equipment is only ordinary leather armor and iron weapons."

"Even adding all personnel capable of fighting, our total deployable force is less than ten thousand."

"And our enemies..."

1.

》

She did not continue, but everyone understood the heaviness of those unsaid words.

Five hundred elites of the Temple of Light, each at least at the Quasi-Knight level, with powerhouses at the Bronze late-stage or even peak sitting in command; thirty thousand orc troops in the North, although their individual strength might not be as good as the Temple Knights, that terrifying quantity was enough to crush any defense.

Captain Hart wore a set of heavy armor; he gripped the Knight Longsword at his waist, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.

There was no expression on his face, but a raging fire burned in his eyes.

"Master, we must concentrate all our strength and hold Vanguard Valley to the death!"

Hart's voice was low and powerful, filled with a warrior's determination.

"The goal of the Temple of Light is clearly us."

"As long as we can hold this place, they will not be able to succeed."

"As for the orcs in the North, the terrain at Heifeng Aikou is treacherous; perhaps, perhaps they can hold out for a while longer."

His words carried a trace of wishful thinking that even he did not quite believe.

Fula stood quietly behind Roko, her silver-gray cat ears pressed tightly against her scalp, her heterochromatic eyes—one deep blue and one shattered gold—watching Roko's profile without blinking.

Her hand subconsciously pressed against the hilt of the thin sword at her waist, her fingertips turning slightly white.

No matter what decision Roko makes, she will follow without hesitation.

Inside the council chamber, a suffocating silence fell once again.

Everyone knows that Vanguard Valley has reached the edge of life and death.

Any wrong decision will lead to an abyss of no return.

"Martina."

Roko's voice broke the silence.

"What is your opinion?"

Martina took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

Her snow-white brows were tightly locked, and a rational light flickered in her white eyes.

"Captain Hart's proposal to hold Vanguard Valley and concentrate our forces to resist the Temple of Light seems to be the safest choice for now, but it ignores a fatal threat: the orcs of the North."

Her finger pointed heavily at the location of Heifeng Aikou on the simple military map.

"Once Heifeng Aikou falls, the thirty-thousand-strong Orc Army will drive straight in."

"At that time, our Vanguard Valley will be attacked from both front and rear, falling into a true desperate situation."

"Even if we are lucky enough to repel the attack from the Temple of Light, how long can we hold out against the endless orcs?"

Upon hearing this, Hart's expression changed slightly.

Although he was brave, he also understood that what Martina said was not false.

"Then, then should we split our forces?"

Hart said with some hesitation.

"One part of the troops to guard Vanguard Valley, and the other part to urgently reinforce Heifeng Aikou?"

Martina gave a bitter smile.

"Captain Hart, how many troops do we have in total?"

"The result of splitting our forces will only be that we cannot defend either side, accelerating our destruction."

"The five hundred elites of the Temple of Light are enough to tie down the majority of our main force."

"The remaining troops going to reinforce Heifeng Aikou to face thirty thousand orcs would be nothing but a drop in the bucket, throwing their lives away for nothing."

Despair.

Like a tide, it surged into everyone's hearts once again.

Holding the position is a slow death.

Splitting the forces is an accelerated demise.

It seems that no matter what is chosen, only destruction awaits Vanguard Valley.

Time is slipping away, bit by bit.

The "Purification Army" of the Temple of Light is approaching step by step from the south.

The Orc Army of the North is also like an out-of-control wildfire, likely to burn through the defense line of Heifeng Aikou at any moment.

The atmosphere in the council chamber was suppressed to the extreme.

One could even hear the heavy breathing of those present.

Just at this moment, Roko slowly stood up.

He walked to the military map hanging in the center of the council chamber, his gaze deep like a dark, ancient pool, making it impossible for others to see what he was thinking at this moment.

Everyone's eyes were focused on him.

They knew that this young lord was about to make the choice that would determine the fate of Vanguard Valley.

"The Temple of Light."

Roko's fingertip tapped lightly on the map, on an area representing the south of Vanguard Valley.

"Their goal is our Vanguard Valley; this point is beyond doubt."

"Five hundred elites, led by a Bishop and a Judgment Qishichang, are indeed a powerful force."

"However, they are an 'army', a disciplined military force."

"Military operations emphasize methodology and minimizing one's own casualties."

"Vanguard Valley's city defenses are sturdy, and after being modified by dwarven craftsmen, many powerful siege-defense weapons have been installed."

"If they choose to storm it, they will inevitably pay a heavy price."

"Given the style of the Temple of Light, they prefer safety over risk."

"Therefore, I believe that as long as we defend properly, we can completely tie them down and prevent them from breaking through Vanguard Valley in a short time."

Roko's voice was calm and steady, carrying a strange power that settled people's hearts.

Martina's white eyes brightened slightly; she seemed to understand Roko's line of thought.

"Delay..."

She muttered to herself.

Roko nodded, his fingertip moving toward Heifeng Aikou in the north of the map.

"The orcs of the North."

"Thirty thousand troops, three tribes united; the momentum is grand and it looks unstoppable."

"However, the orc army has a fatal weakness."

"That is, the lack of unified and effective command."

"A multi-tribe coalition is even more so."

"They often fight their own battles and are full of internal conflicts; once they encounter setbacks or their leaders are killed, it is very easy for them to fall into chaos or even collapse."

"Thirty thousand orcs sounds very frightening."

"But as long as we can sever their heads, this massive body will come crashing down."

Sever the heads!

A terrifying, piercing light erupted from Captain Hart's eyes.

He instantly understood Roko's intention.

"Master, you mean..."

A cold arc curled at the corners of Roko's mouth, yet his eyes burned with a frenzied flame.

"Seek death to find life!"

He said each word clearly; though his voice was not loud, it exploded in everyone's ears like a thunderclap.

"I have decided!"

"Split our forces into two!"

The council chamber was in an uproar.

"Master! You cannot!"

Captain Hart was the first to stand up and object.

"This is too risky!"

"Our forces are already insufficient; if we split them, what if..."

Roko raised his hand to stop him.

"Hear me out."

His gaze swept over everyone present, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"The southern front, Vanguard Valley!"

"Martina will have full authority over the city defense command."

"Talos, you will assist Martina and be responsible for leading the City Guard and all militia to hold every vital point to the death."

A burly Minotaur with a resolute face stepped out from the crowd and knelt on one knee.

"Under the command of the Lord, City Guard Commander Talos, orders received!"

Talos's voice was like a great bell, full of power.

"Lindsay, you are responsible for organizing all non-combat personnel in the territory, ensuring logistics, pacifying the people, and maintaining order."

The young head of the Civil Mediation Office, Lindsay, looked a bit pale, but his eyes were exceptionally firm.

"Yes, Master Roko! Lindsay will not fail the mission!"

"Old Morris, you will assist Talos in organizing those retired veterans and hunters with combat experience into a Reserve Force,"

"ready to support any battlefield at any time."

The veteran of the Security Patrol, Morris, thumped his chest.

"Rest assured, Master! I will entrust this old life of mine to Vanguard Valley!"

Roko's gaze returned to Martina.

"Martina, the defense of Vanguard Valley is entrusted to you."

"Do not be stingy with those siege weapons recently modified by the dwarves; use them ruthlessly."

"Grain, arrows, Rolling Stone, fire oil—use everything you can."

"Your mission is only one word: stall!"

"At all costs, hold back the 'Purification Army' of the Temple of Light and buy us time!"

Martina's snow-white ears twitched slightly; she looked at Roko with a complex expression.

This plan was too crazy.

But, just as Roko said, this might be the only path to survival.

"Roko, I understand."

Her voice returned to its usual coldness and firmness.

"With me, Martina, here, Vanguard Valley will not fall easily."

Roko nodded with satisfaction, then his gaze turned to the north.

"The northern front, Heifeng Aikou!"

"I will lead it personally!"

"Fula, Hart, you will accompany me!"

Fula's cat ears twitched slightly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Yes, Master."

Captain Hart opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, it turned into a low response.

"Yes, Master!"

"Tain, you will come with us too."

The little beast Tain, lying at Fula's feet, seemed to understand Roko's words; it raised its head and let out a low growl,

the twin horns on its forehead flickering with a faint dark red light.

"We will lead all one hundred Storm Knights equipped with 【Obsidian Gold】 gear."

"With the fastest speed, we will march north and launch a surprise attack on Heifeng Aikou."

"Our goal is not to clash head-on with the thirty-thousand-strong Orc Army."

"It is, instead, decapitation!"

"Find and kill the chieftains of those three allied tribes!"

"Once their leaders are dead, the Orc Army will collapse on its own!"

One hundred Obsidian Gold Knights, launching a surprise attack on an Orc Army of thirty thousand, executing a decapitation strike.

This plan is even more insane and more of a death trap than holding Vanguard Valley!

Inside the council chamber, there was dead silence.

Everyone was so shocked by Roko's decision that they were left speechless.

"Master, this, this is simply..."

Commander Talos's voice carried a hint of disbelief.

"To oppose thirty thousand orcs with one hundred men, and to penetrate deep behind enemy lines for a decapitation strike..."

"The probability of success is likely less than one in ten thousand!"

Yet, a confident smile appeared on Roko's face.

"Talos, you are wrong."

"We are not one hundred men."

"We are one hundred elite Knights equipped with Obsidian Gold armor and weapons, and who have practiced the Breathing Method!"

"Each one of them is capable of taking on ten!"

"Moreover, we have the advantage of surprise."

"The leader of the orc tribe must be behind Heifeng Aikou right now, smugly watching their 'great army' lay siege to the city."

"They will never imagine that a sharp sword from the heart of human territory will strike directly at their throat!"