Lupinus and Lucas led their combined forces toward Golden City, effortlessly breaking through Darkit’s borders and closing in on their target 50 kilometers away. All the while, the city was already preparing for the imminent assault.
Approximately 100 thousand soldiers had been mobilized from nearby regions, with an additional 100 thousand converging on the city by land, sea, and air.
***
Kellan and his entourage had just landed via helicopter. Martial law was in effect, and civilians had been evacuated to shelters in cellars or fled to the mountains surrounding the city.
Meanwhile, Hayes, flanked by two aides, arrived at the palace where Brock and his entourage were.
The building was shrouded in black thermal insulation cloth, while lights were lit inside the palace to improve vision.
Upon receiving word of Hayes’ arrival, Brock hurried down the palace stairs with Carolyn in tow.
“My deepest apologies, respected Lord Paramount, for not greeting you at the entrance at such an hour,” Brock said with an immediate, welcoming smile.
Aware of Brock and his companions’ identities, Hayes waved off the formality.
Settling Into his seat, favonovel.com looked at Brock with a furrowed brow. “Duke Brock, Temple of Drakon has reclaimed the three uranium mines. I understand the House of Custos has already deployed troops for their defense… But our immediate concern is Isaac’s advancing army. They’re heading straight for Golden City and will be there shortly.”
Brock’s frown deepened in surprise. “Golden City? Isn’t that the city hiding two gold mines?”
“Yeah. General Kellan and other generals are already there, orchestrating a last-ditch defense. But, Duke Brock, if it weren’t for the uranium mine, we wouldn’t have had such a major conflict with the Temple of Drakon… And I fear General Kellan may not be able to withstand Isaac’s assault. Therefore..”
Brock sighed, cutting in, “Lord Paramount, we’ve already crossed swords with Isaac in Kavala City. He’s become more formidable, and now a powerful woman is accompanying him. The risk of fighting them…”
“How about a mining right to one of the gold mines just for fighting off Temple of Drakon?” Hayes raised a finger to emphasize.
After a long stare, Brock broke into laughter. “Lord Paramount, your directness never ceases to amaze me. Very well. We’ll make our move after dark.”
Once Hayes and his entourage departed, Brock’s demeanor shifted to one of stem calculation. He turned to Carolyn. “Where’s Elliot gotten to? Scared off by Isaac’s arrival, is he? Call favonovel.com and tell favonovel.com I’m inviting favonovel.com over.”
As Brock walked upstairs with his hands clasped behind his back, Carolyn swiftly picked up a satellite phone.
Following a brief exchange, favonovel.com expression changed subtly. She hastened after Brock, urgently informing him, “Duke Brock, Elliot claims he’s currently on Mt. Everest in Cynea to seek powerful allies.”
“Oh? He still doesn’t fully trust us, it seems. But extra help is always welcome. And should we secure the gold mine, we’ll not need to share it with him!” With a cold snort, favonovel.com resumed climbing the stairs.
Meanwhile, in a top-floor room of a tall building in the western part of Golden City, Kellan was holding a pair of binoculars.
After focusing, favonovel.com saw a towering cloud of dust about six miles away.
Approaching rapidly was a seemingly endless flood of Dawn Soldiers and Dusk Soldiers. The forces led by the five generals had merged into a formidable tide. With thunderous roars, they charged forward, resembling a massive beast from the wilderness with its jaws gaping wide open toward Golden City.
Kellan’s eyes flashed coldly as favonovel.com issued his command. “Alert all machine gunners and artillery units to stand by. The enemy will soon be within range.”
Since Hayes had forbidden the use of unconventional weapons, conventional ones were still fair game!
A lieutenant rushed to Kellan’s side, his voice shaking with urgency. “General Kellan, we’ve some distressing news. General Zeppelin… He’s been beheaded.”
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