Volume 5 Chapter 82

Volume 5 + Chapter 82: Before Mizumori Castle

“Lord Senluo, the army has finished assembling. They are currently standing by and awaiting your orders.”

Inside Mizumori Castle, the officer Fenghua was reporting the condition of the army to Senluo.

“Mm.”

Senluo looked out at the fox clan’s army before him, along with the numerous followers of the White Night Cult, deep in thought.

Some time earlier, the leader of the White Night Cult had manipulated the Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor and issued an imperial decree through the court, branding the Restoration Army organized by the fox princess as a rebellion. Senluo had then been ordered to lead the fox clan’s army to exterminate the traitors.

Meanwhile, under the name of the White Night Cult, the cult leader had also dispatched the church’s forces to accompany Senluo and assist the fox clan army in suppressing the Restoration Army.

Before the operation began, Senluo had already obtained extremely important intelligence through his spy network. The Restoration Army’s primary target was Mizumori Castle.

Mizumori Castle lay in the southeastern region of fox clan territory. Due to its geographical location, as well as the favorable climate and fertile soil, the area was highly suitable for cultivating crops.

It could be said that this place was the southern granary of the fox clan. Its strategic significance was self-evident.

Therefore, it was not surprising that the Restoration Army had chosen this location as the first target of their campaign.

If Mizumori Castle were to fall, the Restoration Army’s strength would increase dramatically. But if they failed, the Restoration Army would suffer a devastating blow.

After assessing the situation, Senluo led the army southward to Mizumori Castle. He gathered nearly all the southern troops along with the White Night Church followers, intending to annihilate the Restoration Army in a single decisive battle.

Looking at the fox clan soldiers standing ready for battle, Senluo asked Fenghua, “Has the order to distribute the holy water to every soldier been carried out?”

“Reporting to Lord Senluo, the task has been completed. Every soldier has already drunk the holy water,” Fenghua replied.

“Very good.”

Senluo smiled faintly.

The holy water of the White Night Cult possessed special properties. For example, it could make those who drank it fearless and extraordinarily courageous. Even when diluted, the holy water still retained a certain degree of its effect.

Although it did come with some minor side effects, the circumstances were special this time. In order to dedicate victory to the leader of the White Night Cult, Senluo had chosen to make certain sacrifices and proceed with the plan regardless.

The fox clan soldiers had already been conditioned to the diluted holy water in advance. When the battle reached a critical moment and both the fox soldiers and the White Night believers drank it together, the tide of war would change instantly. All of them would become frenzied warriors, crushing the Restoration Army and securing victory.

“Lord Senluo, the rebels are here!” A fox clan scout rushed forward to report.

Hearing this, Senluo immediately went up to the gates of Mizumori Castle. From there he saw a vast mass of soldiers stretching across the horizon, weapons in hand. High above them flew banners bearing the cherry blossom emblem of the fox royal family, along with flags marked with the character “Moon.”

They were the Restoration Army led by the fox clan’s royal princess, Yue Liu · Gitusezhuoya. Their numbers were so immense that they nearly swallowed the far horizon, far exceeding all earlier estimates.

“So many people have joined the rebellion?” one of the elders of the White Night Cult exclaimed in shock.

“…”

Fenghua clenched his fists in silence.

Why were so many people rebelling? Didn’t the White Night Cult already know the answer themselves?

He wanted to ask that question.

However, obeying orders was the duty of a soldier. The Nine-Tailed Fox Emperor had personally decreed the extermination of Princess Yue Liu. Therefore, the fox clan’s army had no choice but to carry out the command and fight against the Restoration Army she led.

“What is it, Fenghua? Are you dissatisfied with something?” Senluo asked.

“…No. Not at all, Lord Senluo. You hold the army’s command seal and represent the Fox Emperor’s authority over the military. I have no objections,” Fenghua replied with his head lowered.

“Good that you understand.”

Senluo looked disdainful. Then he turned his gaze toward the Restoration Army and sneered.

“That false god’s priestess is truly foolish. Does she really think numbers alone can win a war? What use is gathering a crowd of civilians with no experience in battle? No matter how many there are, they’re nothing but rabble!”

“Lord Senluo, look over there!” a White Night elder suddenly pointed toward another part of the horizon.

Focusing his gaze, Senluo saw enormous figures rising into the sky from the distant horizon, 

“Dragons!!” Fenghua cried out in alarm.

Among those dragons, everyone could also see a silver-haired girl standing atop the back of one of the giant dragons.

She was the famous Silver Dragon Princess.

The fox clan soldiers immediately grew tense. During the war against the vampires, the dragon clan had demonstrated their overwhelming power.

“Do not panic!” Senluo shouted. “Those dragons are nothing but show! Most of the dragons who came to Fox Hill are civil officials, not the elite warriors who fought in the anti-vampire war! And after what happened in the Peach Blossom Sanctuary, most of them were seriously injured and still haven’t recovered. At best they’re just here to bluff, they pose no real threat to us!”

Hearing this explanation, the fox soldiers gradually calmed down.

Seeing that the moment had come, Senluo raised his voice and proclaimed loudly:

“Everyone prepare yourselves, exterminate the rebels and suppress the uprising!!”

……

……

A track of ice formed in midair, extending down from the sky to the ground. Accompanied by the whistle of a train, the Feiyan locomotive descended along the icy rails and slowly came to a stop upon the ground.

“To think you’d use my Feiyan train in such a way, my nemesis, you certainly have quite the imagination.”

The pink little fox sighed in admiration as she jumped down from the carriage.

“If only this technology could be spread throughout Fox Hill.”

“In that case, every train would need a mage like me, someone capable of extremely precise control over magical power,” Xia Yi said as she stepped down from the train as well.

“Ah… that really would be difficult.”

The little fox had to admit that Xia Yi’s magical talent was simply extraordinary, far beyond the realm of ordinary mages.

How unfair! How could someone in this world be a genius at both magic and swordsmanship at the same time?!

“By the way, my nemesis,” the little fox asked curiously, “since you brought me here anyway, why didn’t you release your dragon form and fly like the other dragons? Wouldn’t it be troublesome for just the two of us to use the Feiyan train?”

“W-well…”

Xia Yi averted her gaze, looking a little guilty.

“There’s an important reason! As the heir of the dragon royal family, I cannot allow anyone else to stand on my dragon back!”

“I don’t necessarily have to stand on you,” the little fox replied. “You could just grab me with your claws. Your dragon form is so huge, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Th-that… ahem! My dragon form is simply too terrifying. Once released, it unleashes the oppressive aura of the Dragon King, even though I can’t fully control it! I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to withstand it and might suffer a mental breakdown. I refrained from using my dragon form for your sake! If I were alone, I wouldn’t need to worry about that, I could’ve just flown here myself!”

Xia Yi activated her ultimate skill, 

Stubborn Denial.

The effect was remarkably effective. The little fox, who didn’t know much about dragons, was completely fooled.

“So that’s how it is… If your dragon form is really that powerful, my nemesis, then if I ever get the chance, I must see it for myself…”

“Alright, alright! Let’s stop talking about that and think about the upcoming trial instead!”

Xia Yi hurriedly cut her off and changed the subject.

Deep in her heart, she made a firm resolution, 

No matter what happened, she absolutely must not let the little fox see her dragon form!

[https://ko-fi.com/golden_dragon]