Chapter 125: Bloody battle at Vanguard Valley! Martina

After Roko led the Storm Knights north, the atmosphere in Vanguard Valley became extremely heavy.

Martina stood on the main watchtower of the newly built city wall, her snow-white long hair fluttering slightly in the cold wind.

Her white eyes, which always carried a hint of coldness, were now staring unblinkingly at the end of the southern horizon.

Behind her, the Minotaur City Guard Commander Talos

stood like an iron tower, holding a giant battle axe tightly in his hand.

The axe blade flashed with cold light in the sunlight.

The newly appointed head of the Civil Mediation Office, Lindsay, was patrolling the city wall with a team of auxiliary soldiers, nervously checking the preparations for various defensive fortifications.

The veteran Morris also led his reserve team composed of retired veterans and hunters, distributed at key nodes of the city wall; although their faces carried the vicissitudes of time, their eyes were filled with determination.

Below the city wall, countless residents of Vanguard Valley were also busy at their respective posts.

Some were moving rolling stones and battering logs, some were boiling fire oil, and some were preparing food and drinking water for the city-defending soldiers.

Although the air was filled with the tension and unease of an impending great battle, no one retreated.

The new policies pushed by Master Roko made them truly feel fairness and hope; Vanguard Valley had become the home they relied on for survival.

To protect this home, they were willing to pay any price.

"They're here!"

The sentry on the watchtower suddenly let out a sharp cry.

Martina's heart tightened; she looked in the direction the sentry was pointing.

She saw a thin silver line appearing on the southern horizon; that silver line reflected dazzling light under the sun and was rapidly thickening and growing larger at a speed visible to the naked eye.

That was the Light Temple's "Purification Army"!

They had finally arrived!

Soon, the army composed of five hundred elite knights of the Light Temple appeared at the foot of Vanguard Valley.

They wore uniform silver-white armor, with the emblem of the sun and cross engraved on their chests, their ranks neat, their steps steady,

and their bodies exuding an aura of killing.

At the very front of the army, two leaders were particularly eye-catching.

One was wearing a gorgeous bishop's robe with gold trim, holding a scepter inlaid with a giant gemstone; he had a dignified face,

his eyes filled with unquestionable majesty, and his whole body was surrounded by a faint power of Holy Light.

He was the commander of this "Purification Army," one of the people in charge of the Light Temple in the New Wind Province, Bishop Marcus.

The other was a tall knight wearing full-body refined steel armor, revealing only a pair of cold eyes.

He was riding a spirited white warhorse, holding a knight long spear flashing with cold light tightly in his hand.

He was the deputy commander of the "Purification Army," the Knight Captain of the Temple Knight Order, Valerius.

Bishop Marcus looked at this city, which was not large but appeared exceptionally sturdy, and the defenders waiting in full battle array on the city wall, a hint of imperceptible contempt flashing in his eyes.

"A bunch of heretics putting up a desperate struggle."

He snorted coldly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of every Temple Knight behind him.

"Pass my order, conduct a round of probing attacks first to see how hard these rats' bones are."

Following Bishop Marcus's order, dozens of Temple Knights immediately rushed out of the formation; they held longswords and shields, launching the first round of impact against the city wall of Vanguard Valley.

"Fire arrows!"

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Martina's cold voice rang out on the city wall.

The archers, who had long been prepared, immediately drew their bows and arrows, and a dense rain of arrows poured down toward the charging Temple Knights.

However, the defensive power of those Temple Knights' armor was extremely strong; ordinary arrows shot onto it could only make a clanging sound, failing to cause any effective damage.

Only a few unlucky knights who were shot in the face or the gaps in their armor fell with screams.

"Dwarf bed crossbows, prepare!"

Martina ordered again.

On the city wall, several giant bed crossbows carefully crafted by the Stone Hammer Tribe dwarf craftsmen were slowly pushed out.

The crossbow arms of these bed crossbows were thick and powerful, and the crossbow bolts were like short spears, flashing with ferocious cold light.

"Fire!"

Following the order, several giant crossbow bolts whistled out, carrying a sharp sound that tore through the air, shooting toward those charging Temple Knights.

"Pfft!"

A Temple Knight charging at the very front didn't even have time to react before he was directly pierced through the chest by a crossbow bolt, the huge force carrying him flying and pinning him dead to the ground behind.

The remaining crossbow bolts also made contributions, and in the blink of an eye, seven or eight Temple Knights were shot dead or severely injured.

This sudden powerful attack caused those originally aggressive Temple Knights to show a hint of panic.

Bishop Marcus and Knight Captain Valerius frowned slightly at the sight.

They clearly hadn't expected this small barony to possess such powerful siege-defense equipment.

"It seems we cannot underestimate these heretics."

Knight Captain Valerius said in a deep voice.

Bishop Marcus nodded, a flash of cold light in his eyes.

"Since they want to resist to the end, then let them see the true power of the Light Temple!"

"All troops, attack!"

"Valerius, you lead the Temple Knight Order to attack the East Gate!"

"The rest, follow me to crush the resistance of these heretics!"

Following Bishop Marcus's order, the Light Temple's "Purification Army" was like a floodgate opening, launching a fierce general attack against the city wall of Vanguard Valley.

The sounds of war drums, horns, and battle cries resounded through the sky.

Bishop Marcus held his scepter high, chanting sacred prayers in his mouth.

"Great God of Light, please grant your devout believers power to purify all evil and darkness in the world!"

Strands of gentle Holy Light descended from the sky, enveloping those charging Temple Knights.

Under the blessing of the Holy Light, the Temple Knights felt their bodies filled with power, and their speed and defensive power were significantly enhanced.

Knight Captain Valerius took the lead; the knight long spear in his hand was like a poisonous dragon emerging from a cave, and every time he swung it, he could take the lives of several defending soldiers.

He led dozens of equally elite Temple Knights, like a sharp knife, stabbing fiercely toward the East Gate of Vanguard Valley.

The battle on the city wall instantly entered a white-hot stage.

Although the defending soldiers were fearless, they were still retreating steadily under the fierce attack of the Light Temple's elite knights,

suffering heavy casualties.

Commander Talos roared, swinging the giant axe in his hand, hacking down the Temple Knights attempting to climb the city wall one after another.

His body already had several deep wounds that reached the bone, blood soaking his heavy leather armor, but he still fought to the death without retreating.

The veteran Morris also led his reserve team to engage in a life-and-death struggle with the enemy.

These experienced veterans and hunters, although their individual strength was not as good as the Temple Knights, also caused quite a bit of trouble for the enemy by relying on their familiarity with the terrain and tacit cooperation.

Martina stood on the watchtower, calmly commanding the overall situation.

Her voice, through a specially made megaphone, clearly reached every corner of the city wall.

"Archers, suppress the enemy's follow-up troops!"

"Catapults, aim at the enemy's siege equipment!"

"Fire oil, rolling stones, smash them hard!"

Under her command, the defensive system of Vanguard Valley, although tottering, was still operating stubbornly.

However, the offensive of the Light Temple was simply too fierce.

Especially the Temple Knight Order led by Knight Captain Valerius, who were like a battering ram, constantly impacting the defense of the East Gate.

"Boom!"

After a loud noise, the gate of the East Gate was finally smashed open by the Temple Knights using a battering ram, creating a gap.

"Charge in! For the glory of the God of Light!"

Knight Captain Valerius let out a roar and was the first to rush in through the gap.

"Block the gap! Never let them rush in!"

Commander Talos's eyes were splitting with rage; he took dozens of guards and recklessly rushed toward the gap, attempting to use his flesh and blood to block the enemy's advance.

Just at this moment, Bishop Marcus, who had been watching the battle from the rear, flashed a hint of impatience in his eyes.

He held his scepter high, chanting a more urgent and majestic spell.

"Those who blaspheme the gods shall be punished by the gods!"

"Holy Light Judgment!"

A thick golden pillar of light, like a sword of divine punishment, descended from the sky, slamming fiercely toward the gap in the East Gate city wall.

The terrifying energy contained in that golden pillar of light made everyone feel a palpitation.

Commander Talos happened to be blocking the landing point of that golden pillar of light; he saw the earth-shattering attack and his pupils shrank suddenly.

He knew he absolutely couldn't block this strike,

but behind him was Master Martina, and countless residents of Vanguard Valley!

"Roar!"

Talos let out a heaven-shaking roar; he didn't choose to dodge, but instead stuck the giant axe in his hand fiercely into the ground.

He spread his arms, using his burly body to face the golden pillar of light.

He was going to use his own life to buy a final sliver of life for Master Martina and Vanguard Valley!

"Boom!"

The golden pillar of light slammed into Talos.

Talos's body, which was like an iron tower, trembled violently under the impact of the golden pillar of light; the armor on his body shattered inch by inch, his skin was scorched black, and blood sprayed out like a fountain.

But he still stood firmly, not retreating a single step.

Until the energy of the golden pillar of light was exhausted, he then smiled with a hint of relief and slowly collapsed backward, falling heavily to the ground, unconscious.

"Talos!"

Martina let out a shrill cry at the sight; for the first time, her eyes were filled with endless sadness and anger.

The gap in the city wall was completely opened.

Countless Temple Knights surged in like a tide.

Vanguard Valley was in imminent danger!

Just at this desperate moment, Martina suddenly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Her eyes returned to their usual coldness and firmness, even sharper than before.

"Everyone who can still fight, follow me!"

"Block the gap! Fight to the death without retreating!"

She drew the rapier from her waist, her petite figure the first to rush toward the surging enemy.

Lindsay and the veteran Morris also immediately led the remaining soldiers and militia to follow closely behind.

Even more unexpectedly, those ordinary residents who were originally responsible for logistics and support, upon seeing Master Martina take the lead and seeing Commander Talos fall to protect them,

also put down the tools in their hands one after another and picked up everything around them that could be used as a weapon—hoes, shoulder poles,

kitchen knives, and even just ordinary stones and wooden sticks.

With red eyes, they let out angry roars, surging toward the gap in the city wall like a tide.

"For Master Roko!"

"For Master Martina!"

"For Vanguard Valley!"

"Kill all these invaders!"

These residents, who were usually gentle and hardworking, erupted with incredible courage and strength at this moment.

They may not understand any exquisite martial arts, and their weapons may be crude and shabby, but their determination to protect their homeland is firmer than steel!

The Temple Knights, who originally thought they could easily rush into the city, were actually blocked by these residents who were acting like madmen.

Martina personally operated a dwarf heavy crossbow, and every time she pulled the trigger, she could precisely shoot and kill a Temple Knight attempting to break through the defense line.

The veteran Morris led his veterans to form a simple shield formation, firmly holding the very front of the gap,

using their flesh and blood to buy time for their companions behind them.

Lindsay organized the young and strong to constantly transport giant stones and wood to the gap, attempting to rebuild a temporary defense line.

The military and civilians of Vanguard Valley displayed amazing cohesion and resistance will at this moment.

They used their flesh, blood, and lives to compose a tragic battle song.

Bishop Marcus stood in the distance, watching this unexpected scene, his face becoming increasingly gloomy.

He never expected that these heretics, who were like ants in his eyes, would possess such a tenacious will to resist.

His "Purification Army" was actually being held here by a bunch of rabble.

This was simply an insult to the Light Temple!

"A bunch of ants who don't know death!"

A violent murderous intent flashed in Bishop Marcus's eyes.

"Since you are so eager for death, then I will fulfill your wish!"

He waved his hand suddenly, and an attendant immediately walked forward holding a gorgeous wooden box covered with golden silk.

Bishop Marcus tore off the silk, revealing the item inside the wooden box.

It was a transparent crystal the size of a fist, emitting a gentle holy light; inside the crystal, countless stars seemed to be flowing, filled with mysterious and powerful energy.

"This is... the First Saint's Tear!"

The surrounding Temple Knights all showed extremely devout and awe-filled expressions upon seeing this crystal.

This "First Saint's Tear" was one of the holy relics manufactured within the Light Temple.

Although the manufacturing difficulty was extremely high and the materials consumed were quite expensive,

the power it could erupt with was equally terrifying.

Bishop Marcus carefully held up the crystal, chanting obscure and ancient spells in his mouth.

Following his chanting, the light emitted by the "First Saint's Tear" became increasingly bright, and an aura far more terrifying and oppressive than the previous "Holy Light Judgment" began to permeate the entire battlefield.

On the city wall of Vanguard Valley, everyone felt a tremor from the depths of their souls.

The true end of the world seemed to be coming... ===== CHAPTER 126 =====