Chapter 45: 17 Living Fortresses

Chapter 45: 17. The Living Fortress

The beast tamer, who had stayed behind to scout, returned riding a dark pegasus to report that two skiffs had just come upriver, but for some unknown reason, they had paused for a moment before retreating back to Krakalond.

It was just the beginning of winter, not yet the coldest time, and the Red Venom River had not yet frozen.

Dacus paused on the road, looking at the dense thickets of haystacks and woodpiles in the fields before him. He felt his intelligence was being deeply insulted; digging a hidden troop tunnel or setting up roadside bombs would have been a hundred times more effective than this.

Alisha said that a large number of Duruchi had been ambushing behind the haystacks and woodpiles, but upon seeing her dark pegasus, they had all retreated to the manor—roughly two hundred of them.

Dacus shook his head in disdain and said, "Is this all they've got? I give you an opportunity and you waste it. Luring the enemy into a trap? Then I shall just have to test it!" He then shouted, "Edmond! Leave a few squads and a ballista team to watch the Red Venom River behind the haystacks; everyone else, move out! Same old rules!"

The veterans who had followed Dacus on the Voyage of Haksiye cheered; this was big business. They raised their serrated longswords and spears, shouting their praises.

Dacus rode Big Guy over to the two dinosaurs and pointed toward the distant manor, saying, "See that? Go smash it!"

The Triceratops and the Ankylosaurus were armored in a layer of black-steel copper-edged plate, complete with eye guards. Under the influence of magic, the inner layers warmed up, and the two dinosaurs became somewhat spirited.

The Ankylosaurus was known as a "Living Fortress," a heavy and powerful reptile encased in thick armor. Their plating might even be the strongest armor on the Lucian continent. An Ankylosaurus was a walking fortress in the truest sense; beyond its wall-like bony osteoderms lay a layer of natural scales, and its steel-hard scales could sometimes even withstand the bites of a Tyrannosaur. Even if the outermost plates were pierced, it was difficult to inflict substantial damage because they possessed more than one layer of protection: multiple layers of tough hide internally, covered by successive layers of scales.

The Triceratops was an ancient beast inhabiting the forests of the Lucian continent, predating even the arrival of the Ancient Saints. These behemoths were covered by heavy cranial frills, from which massive horns protruded straight out. Protected by bony scales and spikes, the Triceratops had few rivals in the jungle.

They were essentially moving iron lumps; one had to hit a vital spot—such as driving a spear or a harpoon bolt into the eyes or mouth—or use magic or war machines to take them down.

The Reaper Ballista squad consisted of one unit equipped with four ballistae, totaling thirty-three Duruchi. Each Reaper Ballista required eight Duruchi to operate: one for the barrel, one for the base, one for the bow, one for the bolts, and one to command.

The two dinosaurs nodded, then turned and began a slow jog.

Edmond's centuria, divided into eight squads, and the Reaper Ballista squad fell into formation. Two other squads were tasked with driving the slaves and carts into the fields, while four Calion-led Calidrom chariots split off to flank left and right.

Edmond drew his serrated longsword, pointed at the manor, and roared, "Charge! For Lord Dacus!"

The soldiers began to form ranks with shields, charging behind the dinosaurs.

The Reaper Ballista squad was even more ridiculous; watching these Duruchi lugging ballista parts while running for their lives, Dacus was reminded of the mortar teams from his previous life—they looked exactly the same.

The dinosaurs began to accelerate into a gallop. The soldiers following behind had no choice but to grit their teeth, raise their shields, and pick up speed, running faster and faster.

This was why beasts were the core of Duruchi warfare, yet Duruchi soldiers disliked dealing with them. The beasts were too temperamental and unpredictable; the soldiers often had to adapt to the beasts rather than the other way around, frequently leading to broken formations and instances where the beasts trampled their own Duruchi comrades.

Alisha, never one to miss a chance for chaos, manipulated the Wind of Guur from mid-air, releasing Pann's Hardened Pelt to drape a layer of tough skin over the dinosaurs and soldiers. This provided them with greater protection, shielding them from weapon strikes and other forms of harm.

The earth trembled. The dinosaurs and soldiers ran even faster and became even more disorganized. The soldiers' formations shattered; they didn't even have time to raise their usual spears and shields or shout the Duruchi battle cries.

The manor was not far, and they reached it quickly. The two dinosaurs led the charge; the Ankylosaurus smashed directly through the gates. Behind the gates stood rows of Duruchi mercenary spearmen, but the Ankylosaurus was no fool—it pivoted its body and swung its tail club in a devastating "Death Pendulum."

The Triceratops following behind did not stop; it lowered its head, leveled its horns, and plowed straight into the crowd, tearing right through the formation.

Mercenaries were mercenaries; the front line, seeing the dinosaurs charging in, immediately retreated, causing instant chaos. Screams erupted as spears snapped against the black-steel copper-edged armor without even piercing it. The Ankylosaurus's tail club swept through, knocking down rows of Duruchi mercenaries.

The Duruchi mercenaries wailing on the ground were crushed under the Ankylosaurus's feet, nourishing the earth as their lives faded. Another swing of the Death Pendulum completely shattered the Duruchi mercenaries' formation and order.

The Triceratops was much more straightforward. When Dacus told it to smash the building, it truly went for it. It charged into the manor without stopping, plowing through a dense mass of Duruchi mercenaries and Spikefamily guards. The Triceratops simply drove through them. Its three horns impaled several men; the undying Duruchi struggled and wailed on the horns, pushing against them in a desperate attempt to dislodge themselves, while nearby Duruchi were either sent flying or trampled.

Eventually, the Triceratops slammed directly into the outer wall of the building. The marble walls brought from Haig Grave remained unscathed. The Triceratops's eyes filled with suspicion and confusion, so it charged again, but the wall did not budge an inch.

It felt a bit of a headache. Suddenly, something poked it from behind. A family guard, wielding a spear with both hands, thrust it into a gap in the black-steel copper-edged armor. The spearhead went in a quarter of the way before it could go no further. The Triceratops let out a roar and began to go berserk, swinging its tail wildly. The family guard didn't fly away screaming; instead, he was impaled on the tail spikes and died instantly. The Triceratops began to turn to attack the group of Duruchi.

The Duruchi soldiers following behind rushed through the gates, bypassing the beasts to form ranks and attack the Duruchi mercenaries.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This level of skill is just pathetic. They actually thought they could pull off an ambush?"

Dacus shook his head as he listened to the shouts and screams coming from the manor. Beneath him, Big Guy lifted his head, flared his nostrils, and sniffed the bloody air, growing restless. Dacus reached into his belt pouch and pulled out the Endless Dim Pearl, tossing it to Wat.

"My Lord, this is...?"

"This pearl can absorb the wearer's fear and inferiority, making their inner self stronger. Wat! We are warriors! A warrior must first be strong within, not rely on some god! I think you need it right now; when you don't, give it back to me. You're the protagonist today! Don't let everyone down."

Reyn's eyes were full of curiosity as he remarked, "That black pearl is truly black!"

Flanes looked at Reyn with disdain.

Since a moment ago, Bayne had been watching Dacus, his eyes looking somewhat unusual—perhaps someone was connecting with him remotely. Dacus simply gave a friendly wave and a greeting, then ignored it.

Once the slaves had pulled the carts into the field and the Reaper Ballistae were set up, Dacus commanded Big Guy to walk to the carts and pick up the Drum of Echoes. He then said to the Reaper Ballista captain, "When those skiffs come upriver, fire directly at them!"

Dacus led the four nobles into the charge. The nobles didn't even need to control their Cold Lizards; they were controlled remotely via Big Guy.

Big Guy was hungry.

(End of Chapter)