Chapter 27
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Chapter 27: Isabella’s Escape Route
Isabella knew even before Lolth, the Demon King, and Tina that the western front was about to fall.
After all, she also had a hand in the turn of events to follow.
As one of the top commanders in the Holy Alliance, Isabella was definitely not a fool.
Even with extraordinary talent and cunning strategy, it was hard to predict that the Demon Army would station two powerful Devil Overlords and a legionnaire leader with half the army at the abandoned mine in Dragonspine Mountain.
As it turned out, this place had never had any value before.
Even if Zhuge Liang, who has been deified, would not suddenly think that there might be the Xiahou brothers and one hundred thousand Cao troops hidden in the well behind Liu Bei’s backyard.
An abandoned mine with no magical fluctuations for decades would definitely not be considered a sneak attack or ambush passage by the demon race.
Magic essence, in this world, was like the element heat.
How could enemies suddenly appear in an abandoned mine with no magical fluctuations? It was unheard of.
It was the Holy Alliance’s confidence in this “trump card” – the unique natural structure of the abandoned mine that caused any approaching army to not be detected in an instant, even if the power fluctuations were severe.
The more powerful a force or individual was, the more they believed in their perception of power.
The cruel abyss was even more so.
It was because of the cruelty of the abyss toward the strong that led to their excessive reliance on their own power.
The Devil Overlords would never believe that a whole legion and a legendary strongman could sneak up behind them without being detected until the other party revealed themselves, solely relying on a passage located in the mountainside!
This was also the reason why Isabella had absolute confidence in her actions this time.
However, in reality, while Isabella was overly confident in her “actions” like this this time, she had actually put too much faith on the advantage of this abandoned mine shaft.
She believed that the Demon Army would not consider being ambushed, which meant she did not consider the possibility of being ambushed herself.
However… Isabella Anno Ruytbord Zu Schwarzwald was a genius not only because of her outstanding background, powerful strength, and numerous military achievements.
These were indeed part of the renowned “Ryman Ice,” but it also included more of her mindset as a strong person and genius.
For example, the calm and ruthless decisiveness that she possessed.
In that moment, Isabella realized that worrying about how the Demon Army knew about the situation was completely pointless.
She accepted the fact that she was about to fail, and accurately and calmly assessed that the western front would collapse completely.
Without self-blame, without hesitation, even the shock was fleeting.
Her thoughts shifted from “how to win” to “how to minimize losses” in that instant.
And the solution was very easy to come up with.
Call on the retreat of the entire army.
As the commander and the only legendary level strong person…
Stay behind to cover the retreat.
After successfully covering the retreat, escape for dear life!
In fact, the Northman Knight Order’s strength did not only come from its commander.
When Isabella shouted “There’s an ambush, retreat quickly,” the Northman Knight Order, who were charging forward, immediately followed the new order.
They suddenly halted and then retreated back into the mine.
There was no delay like “Lady Isabella, please hurry and leave,” or “We will fight these dogs and trash until the end.”
The Abyssal Demon army could only respond with the two quickest legendary lords launching attacks, leaving behind a few wolf riders and causing about ten minor injuries!
Next, with the third legendary figure present, Isabella, boldly took action.
Her first strike did not target either Achilles or Shelldor.
The fierce attack unleashed by her crimson spear was aimed at the passage leading to the abandoned mine behind her.
It was not only to cover her subordinates’ retreat but also to destroy that passage!
When the Western front fell under the control of the Demon Army, this passage no longer served as a weapon to attack the rear of the Demon Army.
Instead, it became a loophole that worsened the defense difficulty of the entire middle front!
Therefore, Isabella chose to destroy it in one fell swoop!
And after that, it meant she had to resist almost half of the Demon Army troupe and two legendary level strong fighters all on her own!
No retreat, no surrender…
Almost zero chance of survival.
Especially by the time Shelldor and Achilles realized that Isabella’s actions had almost taken away a great achievement from both of them, they were met with ruthless attacks from two Devil Overlords.
Dragon transformation, Balrog’s real fire manifested in an instant, and after just two or three clashes, Shelldor was already severely injured!
Her lance was knocked away, she was burned in multiple places, and the Red Dragon’s claws not only tore through her armor, but also left terrifying scars all over her body!
In the second phase of the mission “Escape at all costs,” at the time it seemed impossible to succeed, Isabella’s loyal companion, the White Frost Direwolf, broke through the defenses with all its might, allowing Isabella to escape the encirclement.
After all that, the proud magical beast fell unconscious.
Isabella had no time to mourn or sigh; she had to keep running.
Behind her, the powerful Achilles led the pursuit.
Isabella had very few escape routes to choose from in this type of dire situation.
Despite that, Isabella chose what she believed would maximize her benefits.
She ran toward the direction away from the western battlefield.
Even though this meant she was heading toward the desolate northern wilderness where the Demon King Castle was stationed.
Isabella knew deep down that fleeing toward the frontline battlefield would only make the Holy Alliance’s defense more passive at this critical moment.
Besides, there were more enemies than allies there!
After some careful consideration, since both sides had enemies anyway, perhaps running toward the enemy headquarters on the other side would mean she would encounter enemies who were under ceasefire and not as alert!
Having lost her horse and being seriously injured, being captured by the enemy was probably something that would happen in just a matter of time.
So… instead of being caught and killed or captured afterward…
Perhaps causing chaos in the rear of the Demon Army proactively was a better choice.
A seriously injured Grand Knight at the legend level was someone, who was deemed powerless against another legend level Devil Overlord.
However, when her focus shifted to how to cause chaos in the rear where there might not be a legend level present, the legendary warrior who already could predict death on her horizon due to her serious injuries, decided that this fate just so happened to be even more terrifying than that of a powerful legend aiming to retreat uninjured.
Embracing this sort of mindset, under Achilles’ pursuit, Isabella finally arrived at the place…
Which was the Trading Square outside the Demon King Castle!