That wasn’t even the worst news.
Worse yet, while South Forest Fortress didn’t face the demon tide as directly as Storm Fortress, it was adjacent to the Wuwan Port Alliance. Two Extraordinary individuals were permanently stationed there.
One was the commander of the Sixth Legion, Samuel Dawson. He was a pure-blooded Aineir from a wealthy native family in the Southern Territory, which earned him the nickname "King Dowson" the Knight.
Although his personal strength wasn’t considered top-tier among the Extraordinary, he was renowned for his immense wealth. He was armed to the teeth with expensive Enchanted Equipment—the type of man who excelled at crushing opponents with money.
The other, Scholar Vincent, had an even more complicated background.
He was originally a rather famous Arcane Tutor at the Fey City Gedun Arcane Academy. Later, he caught the crown prince’s eye and was admitted to the royal court for further study, becoming a widely renowned Court Scholar.
But for some unknown reason, he offended a powerful figure three years ago and was dispatched to garrison South Forest Fortress. He had not returned to the court since.
’It seems now this was likely another move planned long ago by the Demon’s Claw. This Court Scholar probably sold his soul a long time ago.’
What was even more noteworthy was that the Southern Territory was not as vast as the Northern Territory; it was even a bit smaller than the Storm Territory.
Only two prosperous cities, flourishing from trade along the Jade River, existed there. The rest of the land was mostly rugged mountains or primeval forests, making overland travel inconvenient.
’For the Sixth Legion to have reached the Storm Territory this quickly, they must have set out several days in advance. This means the Demon Forces behind them had premeditated today’s situation and mobilized far more resources than we ever anticipated.’
Alice followed Levin, steadily retreating along the city wall and providing cover for the family’s Knights as they moved toward the designated escape route.
Down below the fortress, at the massive breach in the wall, Chen Yu was squeezing his way out. His plump, round body trembled and began to shrink, as if he was preparing to flee.
’Since Lid, the commander of the Fifth Legion, didn’t show up, the original plan to coordinate from inside and out to rescue Arthur and the others is a complete wash.’
’Excluding the near-death Simo, and including the newly arrived Samuel and Vincent, the legion’s side has suddenly amassed four Extraordinary individuals—and one of them is a troublesome Mage.’
’Our advantage has completely vanished. There’s no point in a drawn-out fight here. The most important thing is to get out of here, fast.’
’As for Arthur and the others... we’ll just have to find another way to save them.’
The Arevalo Clan’s Knights retreated swiftly. They quickly descended to the inner side of the wall, seized the stables, and mounted their warhorses. Led by Levin, they formed a disciplined Knight Team and charged against the demon tide pouring in through the breach, breaking out of the ruined area of Storm Fortress to rendezvous with the Demon Legion outside the city.
However, the Knights of the Sixth Legion seemed to have no intention of letting them go.
"After them! Don’t let those traitors escape!"
Samuel Dawson—the "King Dowson" Knight who glittered from head to toe in gold, like a mobile treasury—sat astride a warhorse clad in enchanted barding. He pointed his sword toward the retreating Arevalo Knight Team.
Under his command, the Knights of the Sixth Legion ignored the surrounding creatures of the demon tide and launched a cavalry charge.
Like a silver blade parting the waves, they moved with extreme speed, rapidly closing the distance with the Arevalo Clan’s Knight Team.
As she galloped, Alice glanced back hastily, and her brow couldn’t help but twitch.
She saw that under Samuel’s command, the Sixth Legion Knights at the forefront of the charge were madly hurling fist-sized Alchemy Bombs. They threw them as if they were free, tossing them at the demon tide blocking their path and onto the ground ahead.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
The ceaseless explosions cleared patches of scorched earth and wreckage ahead, allowing the charging Sixth Legion Knights to move much faster than the Arevalo Knight Team.
’At this rate, we’ll be caught sooner or later.’