Chapter 447: The Last Grain Has Been Burned!

“Quick, issue orders—have the minor nobles immediately mobilize to extinguish the fire and crush the enemies within the city!”

“Also, deploy the major noble legions to reinforce the city walls—hold the walls at all costs, do not let the orcs succeed!”

“Yes, Grand Commander!”

“By the way, increase manpower to secure every section of the outer walls of Lindongbao—absolutely no enemy is to breach Lindongbao!”

“Yes, Grand Commander!”

Thus, the entire human army within Lindongcheng sprang into motion once more.

Due to the current lack of food, the kingdom’s soldiers had seen their combat effectiveness drastically weakened.

So, to deal with tonight’s situation, it was effectively a full-scale mobilization.

Within Lindongbao, large numbers of legion soldiers were dispatched to the outer walls to guard each section and prevent enemy infiltration.

As for the interior of Lindongbao, aside from key areas retaining a small contingent, all other soldiers had been reassigned.

After all, only major nobles were permitted to reside within Lindongbao.

Minor nobles required explicit permission to enter.

Under such tight security, orc infiltrators could be virtually eliminated.

Of course, nothing in this world is absolute—and the Grand Commander never imagined.

Two unexpected individuals had become traitors.

And with the entry permit obtained from Duke Shilishi, they could enter without reporting or inspection.

The two hidden in the bushes saw the guards thin out until the moment arrived.

Without further delay, they moved directly toward a small courtyard on the left side of Lindongbao.

For the past two days, Willard, using his role as overseer, had helped the southern frontier legion’s minor nobles collect grain rations at Lindongbao daily.

Thus, he knew the exact location of the grain storage within Lindongbao like the back of his hand.

He was also fully aware of the guard rotations, so he easily avoided three patrols along the way.

Of course, this was only possible because tonight’s manpower had been drawn to the outer walls—otherwise, under normal staffing levels.

Sneaking close to the grain storage would have been extremely difficult.

“Only one squad remains at the core! This is perfect—previously, there were at least fifty men on duty!” Willard, hiding in the bushes near the grain courtyard, finally exhaled in relief.

“Willard, I’ll handle these legion soldiers—you go inside and set the fire. Remember, move fast!” Solit didn’t dare delay; after confirming the situation, he immediately prepared to act!

“Got it, Solit!”

Then, both pulled out face cloths and covered their faces, launching their operation.

Solit burst from the bushes first, sword in hand, charging toward the ten legion soldiers.

“Who are you?”

The legion soldiers, startled by the noise, froze for a moment, then demanded answers.

Their answer came in the form of Solit’s icy blade.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

Solit struck with brutal efficiency; relying on his Silver Knight cultivation, he slew three legion soldiers in moments.

The remaining soldiers, instead of fleeing, shouted alarms and fought back.

Among them, the legion squad leader—a Bronze Knight—stood firm at the front, fighting Solit without fear.

At that moment, Willard didn’t hesitate—he rushed forward, iron hammer in hand, reached the courtyard gate, and smashed the lock with a few blows.

“Damn it! Stop him!” The squad leader realized the danger instantly.

He abandoned Solit entirely and turned to chase after Willard.

“Your opponent is here!” Solit stepped forward two paces and blocked the Bronze Knight.

“You vile traitors—you’re human! Why are you aiding the orcs?!” The squad leader, blocked, erupted in rage.

Solit, hearing this, felt a surge of fury—he unleashed all his battle aura. “Die!”

Puff!

Earlier, with his men aiding him in attack and cover, the squad leader could hold his own against Solit for a while.

But now, facing Solit alone—the Silver Knight—he had no chance to resist.

Solit’s sword pierced straight through his chest.

“Captain!” The remaining soldiers cried out in shock.

“We’ll kill you, you vile traitor!” Filled with bloodlust, they charged at Solit without fear, swords raised.

“All of you die!”

The more fiercely these soldiers fought, the angrier Solit became.

Their fearless sacrifice only highlighted his own cowardice and shamelessness.

Under Solit’s rage, the soldiers fell into blood within less than half a minute.

Now, silence returned to the courtyard.

Of course, the commotion had been noticed by the outer guards—distant shouts were already rising.

Fortunately, flames now blazed within the courtyard.

They had brought two porcelain bottles with them.

These were prepared by the Orc King—each filled with flammable oil, meant for rapid ignition!

“Go! Solit, the fire’s set!”

Willard burst out of the courtyard.

Without delay, both slipped back into the bushes and retreated along the same path.

On the way, they saw large numbers of legion soldiers rushing toward the grain courtyard.

But this actually aided their escape.

After all, the legion soldiers had no time to pay attention to the bushes on either side.

Thus, the two returned unscathed to the main road and hurried toward Lindongbao’s main gate.

“We’ve been drinking with Duke Shilishi all night—heard the city under attack, we must return to our units!”

“Here are our identity tags and the entry permit issued by Duke Shilishi!”

They presented their identity tags and the scroll of entry permission granted by Duke Shilishi!

To make it convincing, they had deliberately spilled wine on themselves, pretending they’d just finished drinking.

Indeed, the soldiers verified the authenticity of the scroll and learned Willard was the overseer from the southern frontier, while Solit bore the Shilishi surname—no suspicion arose; they were immediately let out of Lindongbao.

Of course, due to the emergency, the two were lowered from the wall in bamboo baskets.

……

“What? The grain was burned? How is this possible—how could orcs have infiltrated Lindongbao?!”

As dawn broke, the Grand Commander received a message that sank his heart to the bottom.

The army’s last remaining grain had been burned.

Originally, with the sky brightening outside and inside the city, the situation had stabilized.

The Grand Commander had just begun to relax.

Yet he received this nightmare.

Duke Hernade and Duke Shilishi both frowned deeply.

“How much grain was burned? Is any left? And have the arsonists been caught?” Duke Hernade demanded immediately.

“Your Grace, despite our best efforts, the grain courtyard had too many ignition points—the fire spread too quickly!”

“By the time we extinguished it, the grain was almost entirely consumed…”

“And when we arrived, besides the bodies of the guards, there was no trace of anyone else…”

“Idiots! Idiots! You useless fools! Now… our army is finished!”

Even the usually composed Grand Commander couldn’t help screaming.

Because with the grain destroyed, the army inside Lindongcheng had lost its last reserve—its only hope of surviving a few more days.