Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 30 30. Krokuun, May You Be Strong

By the time Governor Hatton led the defenders of Nasrax Castle to the battlefield, the battle had already entered real garbage time.

Petrified Forest
No, there is no petrified forest anymore.

The place of origin of the Eredar in the old governor's memory turned into a sea of fire at this time. The trees whose appearance was changed by the elemental power could not grow tenaciously under the ravages of the evil fire. The terrain in the center of the forest had been blown into a rift valley, and the visible evil energy was rolling and rising in it like magma.

The remains of a huge demon can be vaguely seen lying there, and the horrible smell of burnt sulfur makes this place look like hell on earth.

There are also collapsed demons running around on the battlefield, and the angry Eredar warriors are chasing them down and killing them.

The already defeated demons will try to resist, but with their morale completely collapsed, even the most ferocious demons will find it difficult to organize a powerful attack.

"Oh my god, oh my god"

Governor Hatton, riding on a war ram, watched the scene.

Even in his wildest nightmares, he could hardly imagine such a war. As they advanced towards the soldiers' resting place, the corpses of demons piled up along the way mixed with the remains of the fallen. Many garrison officers still maintained a fighting posture, using their weapons to support their bodies, their faces wide open with anger, but their heroic souls had already left their bodies.

They burned out.

The exhausted Jaid was collecting the remains of the warriors with several Talbuk Knights. When he saw Governor Hatton bringing his men over, tears began to drip from the scarred face of this sturdy Krokuun grassland knight.

As the commander of the Krokuun Hunters, he felt ashamed of his father.

Of the cavalry troops that followed him to the Petrified Forest, less than one-sixth remained after a series of bloody battles. This was equivalent to him personally leading Krokuun's bravest warriors to hell.

The worst part was that he himself survived.

Governor Hatton sighed.

He jumped off the Talbuk and walked forward to pat his adopted son on the shoulder. There was no verbal communication but everything was implied.

Jaid wiped his eyes and handed the blood-stained bag in his hand to the Governor. The bag was filled with the Heart of Argus left by the fallen soldiers. The pendants and rings exuded the smell of gunpowder and death left after the war, making them look particularly ominous.

However, after experiencing the blessing and explosion of the world's power at least once, these simple-looking artifacts were also given a glow that was difficult to ignore.

The power of the Argus Star Soul was released and exploded through these media, and the remaining media were also changed in physical form at the texture level.

Hatton pulled out a ring and examined it before his eyes.

The fragment of the holy stone that was originally inlaid was more like some kind of crystal dotted with starlight, and it had merged with the heavenly gold ring face that showed signs of melting, and it was no longer possible to distinguish between the two.

More importantly, the aura contained in this ring!
It was an aura of heaviness and sharpness that could not be ignored, which finally gave it the momentum that a divine weapon should have.

Considering the legendary outcome of this battle, it's no surprise that this bag of fallen soldiers' legacy can be called an "Eredar Relic."

"Where is Diakham?"

Hatton carefully wiped the blood off the surface of the ring and said to his adopted son:
"I have to talk to him."

"The Brigadier General is resting. In fact, he has been unconscious since he killed the Doomsday Overlord Kazzak at the end of the battle. Captain Nari is taking care of him."

Jaid looked at the fleeing demons at the edge of the battlefield.

His eyes were filled with hatred and murderous intent. He casually took a jeweled sword from the fallen garrison officer, turned over and mounted his own Talbuk sheep. He said in a hoarse voice:

"I still have a mission to complete, father. I haven't completed my demon-slaying quota for today. I still need to slay thirty demon heads before I can rest. I won't be accompanying you."

"Well, be careful, kid, and take the warriors with you."

Hatton handed the soldiers he brought to Jaid and instructed:
"These are new recruits. You need to spend some time polishing them."

"Fight a battle first! If you survive, you'll naturally become a veteran."

The cavalry captain's answer seemed somewhat indifferent, as if the once generous grassland man had completely transformed into a cold-blooded warmongerer, but the veterans under his command had no objection to this, and even looked in agreement.

They obviously thought that such a strict selection method was in line with the rules of "Hand of Argus".

Hatton watched his adopted son lead the warriors into attack. Escorted by several guards, he crossed the silent and solemn battlefield and finally arrived near the "Fel Energy Molten Pool" that had turned into a rift. He soon found Captain Naili in this area full of wounded soldiers.

Among the five strongest warriors, the sword master Telamon was guarding Dick with a sword. The brigadier general was in a coma. When Hatton approached him, he was shocked by his serious injuries.

In addition to the burning of the evil fire and the impact injuries left by the explosion, Dick's already strong body seemed to have "expanded" even more.

His skin was burning hot and his expression was painful.

Hatton hurriedly called upon the elements to heal him, but in this forest sanctuary completely destroyed by Kazzak's dying self-explosion, even the remnants of elemental power became weak and obscure.

"Dick is not fatally injured, Your Excellency the Governor. There is no need to worry."

Nellie sat on a nearby rock, catching her breath.

She dropped the damaged sapphire hand cannon at her feet and explained to Hatton:
"Dick fell into a coma because he was infused with the power of the world for too long. That power is not something that ordinary people can possess. He was mentally exhausted and in urgent need of rest. Don't worry, Imira just checked on him, and she told me that the Holy Light is protecting Brigadier General Dick.

He was healthier than the other wounded on the battlefield.

If you still have energy left, why not help the priests and shamans heal the wounded."

"Your loss"

The Governor nodded, stood up and asked softly, Nellie shook her head and said:

“Few warriors actually died from demonic attacks. Most of the casualties were unable to withstand the infusion of world power, and their lives were exhausted and they burned out. The blessing bestowed by the world soul is too powerful. We are practically controlling it with our lives.

But this might not be a bad thing.
Argus watches over us, and I trust that our world spirit will take good care of the heroic souls who have fallen.

In fact, if we can return to the world in this way during such a war, it is not a bad outcome for us."

"Don't have such thoughts!"

Governor Hatton scolded:
"We must persevere no matter what. We must not seek death until the very last moment. That is not the Eredar tradition. I know the warriors need rest, but orders have arrived from Mac'Aree. Admiral Lady Svirax's fleet is about to arrive on the coast of Krokuun, and we must join the ship."

This land
After the excavation of the Holy Stone and the forging of the Heart of Argus came to an end, this place was no longer worth guarding.

The civilians were evacuated some time ago, and we were the last Krokuun to leave."

"Are you going to give it up?"

Nari sighed, but didn't object.

With the entire Argus currently under full-scale invasion by demons, there really isn't much point in allocating precious military forces to defend a remote area like Krokuun.

She accepted the order in silence, but made one request.

She asked Governor Hatton to take the shamans to find a secret place in the complex cave structure where the sacred stone was located to bury the soldiers of the Hand of Argus who died in the past ten days.

She didn't want the warriors' remains to be desecrated by demons after they evacuated.

Such a reasonable request should be granted.

Several shaman elders immediately led people to look for a suitable "comfort place". With the assistance of very active and fighting elemental forces, it was not difficult to find a suitable area.

Hatton bent down and used his long sleeve to help Dick wipe the blood off his face.

He looked at the child in front of him who was adopted and raised by him. To be honest, he had never expected Dick, who was mediocre in talent, to achieve anything great. But the facts proved that a person's destiny depends not only on his own efforts but also on the development of the times.

The catastrophic era of Argus also seemed to have become a stage for warriors. The courage, strength and command ability displayed by brilliant new stars like Dick in the war proved that their children were definitely qualified to become outstanding heroes.

"Krokuun would be proud of you, child, and so would an incompetent old man like me."

The Governor stood up with a look of relief and walked towards the wounded camp.

On the way, he saw the exhausted twins leading several scarred arcanists to deal with the head of the Doomsday Overlord Kazzak.

The huge demon head was just piled there like a hideous sculpture, its ugly face still seemed to retain the anger and rage left over from being beheaded. One of its huge black demon horns had been broken, but the broken fragments of the demon horn that still resonated with power were picked up by the warriors from the battlefield.

According to the Gemini and the arcanists, this legendary material can be used to forge high-level magical weapons.

The twins also suggested using the demigod's horn to forge a weapon for Brigadier General Dick to highlight his prowess in Krokuun.

This proposal was agreed by other arcanists.

The Eredar have had similar traditions since ancient times. Just like the infamous phrenology, they believe that the power of enemies or elders will use this "inheritance" to strengthen the holder.

Of course, Lord Kazzak's fallen head would be arcanely purified and brought back to Mac'Aree as a morale-boosting demonstration.

Hatton looked at the damn Star Destroyer with disgust. He spat at the head of the Doomsday Overlord from a distance to express his disdain and disgust.

The Governor's aversion was well founded.

This damn demon completed its "final revenge" before dying. The Broken Rift not far away and the roiling fel magma in it came from this guy's final blow to Krokuun.

He had just come to a pessimistic conclusion by listening to the elements.

This fel molten pool will become the center of Krokuun's pollution, eventually turning the entire grassland and mountain into a barren fel wasteland. Even if the demigod-level demon dies, it will still be a disaster for the world it fell.

"Don't get up, child. Lie down and I will heal you."

Governor Hatton was not arrogant.

He squatted down beside a wounded soldier, calling upon the water element to nourish the young man's body, which was suffering from the burning of fel energy, and asked in a gentle voice:
"Are you a veteran?"

"No, Governor, I am just a new soldier. I came here only three days ago. I used to be a shepherd."

The girl clutched the Heart of Argus in her chest and replied with some shame:
"My combat skills are poor. Although I fought with all my might, even with the help of the World Soul, I only slew seven demons before being struck down by an Ereduin. This result makes me ashamed to admit that I am already a veteran of the Hand of Argus.

they said.
My captain who died in battle once told me that a new recruit must take at least thirty demon heads in a battle in order to be recognized as a courageous and powerful person by his companions.

I'm sorry, Governor.

I have let you, Brigadier General Diakham, and our homeland down."

"No, child, you did well. Our beloved grassland will be proud of your courage."

Hatton said softly:
"Don't worry about what's already happened. You should recover quickly. The demon cub's head is right there, and you still have plenty of time to earn your stripes. War is never easy. I wish you victory on the battlefields ahead, but you must not forget where we came from and where we're going.

My child, your sword should fight for your firm morality and beliefs.

Just like Diakham
Follow his example, he is an example for all of us.”

------

Dick didn't wake up until a day later.

When he opened his eyes, he felt dizzy and his head was swollen. The dull pain in his body was nothing, but the twitching feeling in his brain was like the fatigue caused by overusing his brain.

This would not be recovered in a day or two. After all, the character card in front of him already had the obvious negative states of [Soul Weakness] and [Self-Discipline].

The former was due to the mental stress he suffered from the extreme infusion of world power.

The latter was because he had used Holy Shield and Holy Healing, high-level techniques that required a large amount of Holy Power, multiple times in a short period of time, causing his body's radiant energy to be completely drained and leaving him weak.

This means that he will not be able to fight the devil in the short term, which is somewhat regrettable.

However, when Dick sat up from the bed, he suddenly discovered a few interesting entries on the character card:
Name: Diakum Zastins Rank: Mortal → Legendary - Critical (You have endured rigorous trials and are now just one step away from becoming a Legend in both the physical and social senses.)
Main attributes (unlocked due to upcoming promotion):

Endurance: Current level, limit.

Strength: Current rank: Perfect, can be upgraded again after completing the promotion.

Agility: Current rank: Upper, please upgrade as soon as possible.

Spirit: Current rank: Upper.

Intelligence: Current rank: Medium (Necessary for advancement to the [Gardner] class, but not required for advancement to the [Priest] class.)
Force Path:

Affinity with the Holy Light Force: High, meeting the promotion conditions.

The Radiant Energy Pool is at its limit, with room for improvement.

Strength recommendations:

[The Garrison Officer class has met the requirements for promotion to Legendary, but the Priest class has not made enough progress. Considering the improvement of combat effectiveness, please improve the overall quality of the Priest class as soon as possible to ensure the completion of dual class promotion.

hint!

After becoming a legend, the third career slot will be unlocked.

After becoming a Legend, the Legend/Hero class slot will be unlocked.

Please prepare in advance. 】

"hiss"

After reading the character card prompt information, Dick took a deep breath.

On the one hand, it was because he had only just discovered that his character card actually had this kind of intelligent attribute display miraculous effect. On the other hand, his intelligence was only "average"?

That's impossible! Am I a mentally retarded person?
That’s not right. I feel like I’m quite smart. There must be something wrong!

But looking at my current "Strength Report", there are still many areas that can be improved. Coincidentally, I am in the [Self-Discipline] state and not suitable for close combat with demons, so I might as well take advantage of the remaining time to practice my spellcasting ability.

Thinking so, he endured the headache and left the room. The familiar rock corridor in front of him meant that he had returned to Nasrax Castle.

He and Jaid grew up here, and he is very familiar with this place.

It was already late at night. Dick walked forward holding the wall, and then he saw Captain Nari standing on the balcony of the castle looking into the distance. The other party seemed very confused and just looked at the night in the distance without saying a word.

"What are you looking at?"

He said softly:

"As an elite ranger, you can't even notice someone approaching from behind?"

"If you were a demon, you would have a crystallized explosive arrow stuck to your head by now. I have three more weapons like this hidden on my person."

Nari waved the hidden gem crossbow in her hand and said:

"How are you feeling? Imira and Governor Hatton both said you should rest. They said you almost burned yourself out."

"It's okay, a little better than death, but I shouldn't complain because I'm still alive."

Dick stepped forward and stood before the huge stone railing of the balcony.

He followed Nellie's gaze and, high up in the castle on the Krokuun Ridge, could vaguely see the petrified forest on the other side of the Krokuun Prairie. Even in the dead of night, a strange dark green light shone there, like a lit evil bonfire.

"It's over here."

Nari said in a hoarse voice:
"Fel energy spread outward from there. Elementals couldn't purify it, nor could Holy Light. Kazzak's self-detonation injected fel energy into the magma in the mantle layer, causing the world to mourn. The contaminated magma is constantly rushing out of the rift. We...
We can’t stop it!”

"So, you think all this is meaningless?"

Dick immediately understood the reason for Nellie's low mood. He sighed and said softly:
"You think we sacrificed so many people, held out there for ten whole days, slew so many demons and even killed a fel demigod, but such a glorious victory still couldn't protect our land, just like the civilian rescue we are currently carrying out across the world.

You think that no matter how many demons we slay, Argus will eventually fall, and we will still have to embark on our exile to the stars.

You think all this is meaningless, don’t you?”

"I joined the Assassin's Court to protect my people, Dick, but I failed! I fought with all my might, yet I could only watch helplessly as our homeland fell into the hands of the enemy."

Nari's fingers clasped the masonry before her.

she says:

"Can such a tragic outcome really be called a victory? Perhaps Sachir is right?"

"Hey, Nathrezim hiding in Nellie's soul, come out and speak!"

Dick reached out and hit the Ranger Captain on the head as a joke, which made Nellie stare at him angrily. The young Ranger Captain felt that he was speaking his mind, but the bastard Brigadier General kept laughing.

"If everything is meaningless, why didn't we surrender long ago?"

Dick smiled and said to Nellie:
"There's something I haven't told you because I'm worried you're under too much pressure. What Argus gave us is definitely not just a simple Heart of Argus artifact. Nari, when you accepted the blessing that day, you also carried a fragment of the will of the Star Soul.

During these few days of short rest, do you always dream about things that happened in the past in the Argus world?

That is the resonance of the world's memories.

The fragments of will representing the Star Soul are merging with your soul.

You don't have to deny it. I've talked to others, and I confirm that you all have similar experiences. That's the imprint of the World Soul on our minds and souls. Unless we die, that fragment of will cannot be completely removed."

"Ok?"

Nali subconsciously touched her forehead.

She looked at Dick curiously. Dick didn't let her wait long. He told Nari about his contract with Argus in a gentle tone. The many battles and life-and-death experiences had made their relationship go beyond ordinary friends.

This is a relationship strong enough to entrust secrets to.

After learning that the Argus Star Soul wanted to use the spirit of the Eredar to preserve its own mind to prevent the Star Soul from being completely contaminated by fel energy and turning into a monster, all the decadence in Nari's eyes was swept away at this moment.

She finally understood why the two archons were determined to send their people into the stars to escape.

She finally realized that this was not just an escape that concerned her personal life and the current situation.

This difficult choice is really not weak at all.

"We must protect our people. Each one of them is important, for every Eredar is allowed to carry a small fragment of the will of their home world upon leaving the world."

Dick looked up at the sea of stars and said:
"You are like this, and so am I. One day, we will return here! We will return the treasures we have preserved with our lives to our world, and help it escape misfortune and disaster.

I tell you this so you know it all makes sense, little Nellie!
Every time we help our fellow citizens survive, our world has a better chance of recovery in the future.

We are doing the right thing!
Firm your mind, just like the oath you took when you joined the Assassin's Court, every citizen is worthy of our utmost protection.

This is going to be hard, Nellie.

In the future, after we set foot on the starry sea, every day will be difficult, and every day will test our minds. The people need leaders to lead them through the dark quagmire full of thorns.

This is the purpose of the Fire Bearer's existence.

You will be the fire bearer!
You are destined to be a protector and a leader; fate has chosen you."

"You know, the tone you're speaking now sounds a lot like those mysterious prophets, right?"

Nari complained:
"Just like the tone of Grand Archon Velen's speech, it's hard to understand."

"Well, I'm a pastor."

Dick took out his priest badge and shook it, making Nellie's eyes widen.

My goodness, she and Dick had been through so many life and death together, but she didn’t know that this guy was actually a pastor. She always thought that Dick was joking about playing the role of a pastor.

"How's my eloquence?"

Dick asked with a smile, and Nellie curled her lips and said:

"Pretty average, all I can say is we need to go out for a walk. This might be our last night in Krokuun."

"Snapped"

A loud bang hit Nari's forehead, causing the ranger to scream in pain. Then he saw Dick walking away slowly with his hands behind his back.

He whispered:

"The legal age of marriage for the Eredar is 300 years old, and the traditional age of being allowed to have intimate contact with the opposite sex is 200 years old. And you are only over years old, little girl. Don't think about those things, and don't expect to send me to prison through some of your terrible efforts.
I'm a garrison officer, I know all about these things!

Go and have a rest.

We have to travel across the sea tomorrow."

"Tsk, that's boring. It's the right time to cling to those outdated laws. Archon Velen abolished those regulations that hindered population growth thousands of years ago."

Amidst Nellie's complaints, Dick snorted and walked into the stairs leading to the depths of the castle.

He intended to talk to Governor Hatton about tomorrow's transfer, but unexpectedly met the governor who was sorting books in the city-state's library.

The latter pushed a cart and placed his collection of parchments and slates into it.

These are all valuable knowledge to be taken away, and they can be used to describe the customs and culture of the Argus world to those children in the future.

"You cried?"

Dick whispered:
"As I remember, you were very strong."

"Nonsense! I've lived my whole life in Krokuun, and I always planned to die here, and now I have to say goodbye to my hometown. What's wrong with me crying? Don't I have the right to do so?"

Hatton cursed angrily.

Dick apologized carefully and stepped forward to help the governor organize and put away all the books.

As they left the library, Governor Hatton stroked the altar left behind by the ancient Eredar people for their sacrifices, which he had found during archaeological excavations several years ago.

He stroked the rough rock and remained silent for a long time.

Finally, as Dick watched, the Governor patted the ancient rock, as if patting and comforting a sleeping child.

He said softly:

"Be strong, we will be back."

"Yes, may this land, these rocks, and the elements that still sing be as strong as men."

Dick also reached out and left his own comfort on the altar. He rested his forehead on the altar and whispered:
"Let's wait for the future reunion, Krokuun, my hometown, good night."

(End of this chapter)