Chapter 228: The Future of the Feather Legion

When the great battle ended that day, many soldiers surrendered on the spot and became prisoners; besides them, nearly half of those who slipped through the net fled, trying to return to the kingdom.

Anliese Tong ordered a pursuit; the relentless chase lasted half a day, the warriors' runs filled with killing intent. Enemy soldiers were caught by the pursuing squads; they were either struck in vital points, turning into cold corpses, or had their hands bound, becoming escorted prisoners. Only a few managed to escape the open plain, enter the winding Weiman River, and follow the flow back to their hometowns.

Anliese Tong's Feather Legion moved like the wind, turning for dozens of li. They tried to board small boats, striving toward the opposite bank. But the small boats in the Weiman River Mouth Fortress had long been burned down by the Kingdom Army. The pursuing warriors halted by the river, sighing at the water's surface. They captured straggling warriors, gathered the fortress's valuable provisions and weapons, concealed personal loot, and escorted the prisoners back.

Until the setting sun fell from the sky, the crimson dusk seeped into the earth, darkness swallowed the battlefield ruins, and the day's slaughter finally ended.

After the great victory, Anliese Tong tallied the merits, held a banquet, and lavishly treated the entire army to food and drink.

By the night's burning campfire, Du Zula's soldiers and the vanguard sang and danced together, celebrating that the war lasting several years had finally ended.

Anliese Tong, holding a wine cup, approached the dragon gnawing a whole roasted lamb, and sincerely looked at it, saying, "Thank you for your timely support today, saving the soldiers of Du Zula City."

If Naimi Xisi had not intervened today, he would have been forced to watch helplessly within the magic sphere as Kunade slaughtered everyone, then sacrificed his own life.

Although he had long obeyed the will of the Feather Serpent God and submitted to Naimi Xisi, after today he truly wishes to serve him as master from now on.

Anliese Tong has borne his family's honor since birth, regarding the citizens of Du Zula City as everything. Had it not been so, he would not have irrevocably broken with the Taizka Church because of the blood sacrifice.

Naimi Xisi glanced at Anliese Tong; although he himself was no saint, he felt quite favorable toward Anliese Tong's lofty savior role.

"No need for such courtesy; defending the Kingdom Army is also my task, isn't it?" Naimi Xisi said lightly.

Anliese Tong shook his head and said, "No, even so, you saved the Feather Legion, which is a fact; for that, you deserve everyone's respect."

Naimi Xisi looked at him with interest and asked, "Feather Legion? Do you intend to turn this army under your command into a Church Private Army?"

Church Private Army is already a term that has long vanished into the dust of history on the Feren Continent.

Before the gods were barred from intervening, the Church's power across the continent reached its peak, and even a thousand years ago, there existed a church-state where the Church founded a nation.

At that time, it was normal for the Church to have an army, because the Church then not only sought self‑preservation but also needed hounds to attack territories for them.

Later, after the upheaval over four hundred years ago, the deities were barred from meddling in the mortal world, the Church's influence contracted entirely, and some church‑states even announced immediate dissolution.

Without the need to seize territories, the army had no role; the Church's senior professionals and holy warriors alone were enough to uphold the deities' dignity, and thus the Church Private Army gradually vanished from the stage.

Former Sun Church Army, Justice Church Army and other legions were all disbanded on the spot by the Church.

Now on the Feren Continent, the True God Church essentially has only squad‑level guards on its own territories, but do not underestimate them; the professionals in these squads are often high‑level experts, capable of taking on a hundred foes on the battlefield. Yet Maztek's situation differs from that of Feren.

This primitive continent is rife with violence; the vast empty territories signify countless power vacuums. When wars erupt across the alien continent, it is precisely when the Church needs an army.

"I intend to forge the Du Zula forces into the Feather Serpent God's Guard," Anliese Tong nodded, honestly stating his thought.

Naimi Xisi shook his head and said, "Establishing a Guard is fine, but when the Golden Legion arrives, the Church Private Army may clash with them."

"Although the Feather Serpent God is a member of the Triple God Alliance, he remains a deity of the alien continent. Within the Golden Legion there are many Wokin and Heim priests, who will likely object."

Naimi Xisi did not finish; not only will the priests of the Anm Twin Gods have objections, the Golden Legion's high command also covets this sole‑commanded army and will surely devise ways to bring it under Golden Legion orders.

Anliese Tong fell silent after listening; he knew the dragon spoke the truth, but he did not want his soldiers to become other peoples' Cannon Fodder. He understood that once the Feather Legion fell under the Golden Legion, the most dangerous assignments on future battlefields would inevitably be assigned to his native troops.

That is why he wishes to establish a Church Private Army: first, to better uphold the Feather Serpent God's prestige; second, to have a pretext that lets him retain sole control over the Feather Legion.

He now sees clearly that, having lost the Pyramid's protection, they no longer have an equal chance to cooperate with the Golden Legion; once the opponent's main force arrives, his army will likely become a vassal instantly.

"You said. What should I do?" Anliese Tong asked, somewhat bewildered.

Naimi Xisi smiled, "Without willingness to give, there is no reward. Anliese Tong, think clearly about what you want. Do you intend to use this army as capital to bargain with the Golden Legion for lofty status and countless riches, or sincerely consider your soldiers?"

!

"If it's the former, you need do nothing but wait quietly. If it's the latter, the tasks and responsibilities you must shoulder will be many."

Anliese Tong's eyes flickered, as if he understood what the other meant.

"Leave this place, Anliese Tong, take your Feather Legion to distant lands, open new territories for me; the Feather Serpent God's faith will spread along your journey—triple benefits," Naimi Xisi smiled.

Anliese Tong, hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief; he had considered taking his army elsewhere to live, but feared retaliation from the Golden Legion. Moreover, having accepted Naimi Xisi as his master, he could not depart without Naimi Xisi's permission.

Fortunately, with Naimi Xisi's consent, he could take his army away, and the Golden Legion would likely not pursue him.

He looked at Naimi Xisi gratefully and bowed deeply. In his view, expanding his master's domain was his duty; Naimi Xisi merely asked him to fulfill his duty, yet took on the risk of offending the Golden Legion, moving him profoundly.

Naimi Xisi trimmed his teeth, waved a claw and said there was no need for such reverence, "Have you decided where to go?"

Anliese Tong hesitated briefly, then said firmly, "West, I want to go to the western coast."

(End of Chapter)