Simultaneous travel: I am a talented person in all the worlds

Chapter 274 The Empire's Strongest - Esdeath?!

When a gap was torn open in Changyuan!
These magnificent wonders can no longer effectively play their military role.

Although the 200,000 expeditionary troops previously dispatched by the empire, as well as the 100,000 border troops who have been stationed in the north for many years, still exist as organized units.

The ones who were truly routed were mainly the 50,000 to 60,000 garrison troops under Liva's command.

But the problem is.

With the death of Supreme Commander Liva, the entire thousand-mile-long defensive line lost unified command and coordination! It instantly crumbled into separate, unconnected nodes!
What's even more terrifying is that, so far, only one pass has been breached!

But this already means that... the barrier between the North and the heart of the Empire no longer exists!
The army of the Church of War has already been able to advance deep into the empire through that breach! Their advance is aimed directly at the northern heartland of the empire!
They can freely graze their horses southward! They can plunder villages and towns! They can threaten counties!

Strategically speaking, the purpose of these imperial soldiers guarding Changyuan has been lost.

They have failed and have become the sinners of the empire!
We're going to fight a war where the commander-in-chief has been killed, the defenses have been breached, and the strategy has been a complete failure...

Even though the Imperial Army still has more than 200,000 troops remaining, the overall morale is so low that it is almost on the verge of collapse!

Under such immense psychological pressure, it was already quite remarkable that the generals guarding the various passes did not choose to abandon the city and flee, but instead continued to hold their ground.

However, the fighting strength of his soldiers inevitably declined significantly.

Pianguan is an important pass in the western section of Changyuan.

Under the command of that garrison commander, the 30,000 garrison troops in the city were able to withstand the repeated attacks of the 50,000 soldiers of the Sefrik tribe.

The two sides fought fiercely for several days, suffering casualties on both sides, and the battle reached a stalemate at one point.

However, when the devastating news of the death of the supreme commander, General Liva, and the breach of the most important core section of the fortress he was guarding—a strategic location similar to Yanmen Pass—spread like a plague throughout the entire defensive line…

The morale of his soldiers suffered a devastating blow! No matter how much the commander tried to encourage them, it had little effect.

The defense line is already in grave danger.

"Ugh"

The commander stared at the crumbling, soon-to-be-breached defensive line, sighed deeply, and felt a deep sense of despair at the impending collapse.

But... he couldn't back down! He couldn't surrender!
As a key piece guarding the empire's defense line, he was all too aware of how important his position was.

Behind him lay the confluence of Changyuan and Beihe! A vital strategic point!

Once the northern barbarians break through his defenses, their cavalry can advance south along the wide North River, leaving no more strategic points to defend along the way!
They can reach the heart of the empire in an extremely short time!
Its speed was so fast that this vast and corrupt empire had no time to make any effective response!
At that time, there will surely be widespread devastation and rivers of blood!
Therefore, in order to protect his family and clan in the heart of the empire, and also to protect the millions of people in the empire behind him... he absolutely could not lose!

At the very least, we can't afford to lose so quickly!

We must buy the empire enough time to react.

The garrison commander murmured softly, his weary eyes regaining their resolve.

Picking up the crescent blade stained with blood, he led his personal guard, most of whom had been killed or wounded, to rush to the most dangerous area to provide reinforcements!

boom!
Two equally heavy and powerful swords clashed together! Sparks flew!

The chieftain of the Sefrik tribe gazed at the imperial general before him, who had fought desperately to hold him and his tens of thousands of troops back from repeated fierce attacks, and his eyes revealed sincere admiration.

"You're very strong! Extremely strong!"

Chief Sefrik spoke in a deep voice, using broken Imperial language.

"You are many times stronger than I was before! If it weren't for the great God of War's blessing, I probably wouldn't even be qualified to stand before you!"

"But this long walled city, which has never fallen for hundreds of years, has been breached by my Church of the God of War! Your supreme commander, Liva, has also fallen in battle! What is the point of your continued defense?"

"Why not join my Church of the God of War! I am willing to personally introduce you and plead with the great High Priest to grant you the position of High Priest!"

"Your status is the same as ours, commanding a tribe. Isn't that far better than you being a mere border guard in this corrupt empire?"

Chief Sefrik sincerely extended an invitation to this fierce and valiant general, genuinely wanting to recruit him.

As a former small tribe.

He knew very well that with his abilities and the resources of the Sefrik tribe, the extent to which he had expanded to this point was already the limit.

A corrupt and vast empire is no match for the Church of the God of War!
But... this cake is just too big! So big that even if the eight high priests tied themselves together, they couldn't swallow it!
As one of the highest-ranking members of the Church of the God of War, second only to the High Priest, he knew very well that his tribe could not sustain itself for long.

In that case, winning over others and expanding one's own power and influence is the best option.

If he can successfully persuade this garrison commander to surrender, he can not only take this section of the wall directly, but his soldiers will also be spared further sacrifices! Given the commander's ferocity, the High Priest will surely be pleased!
By acting as the introducer, I can not only gain a lot of points with the High Priest, but also gain a powerful ally!

However.
"Thank you for your kindness, but!" The garrison commander remained silent for a moment before giving his answer with the crescent-shaped blade in his hand!

An even more ferocious and decisive slash!

Chief Sefrik shook his head helplessly, drew his sword and exchanged several blows with the opponent, but was suppressed by the overwhelming power.

Fall into disadvantage.

"Pity"

Today, no matter the cost, he will surely take this long wall! As a sacrifice to the High Priest and the Great God of War!

"Weapon of the God of War!!"

Black flames instantly erupted from Chief Sefrik's body, covering the curved blade in his hand!

The commander's eyes narrowed!
In his experience fighting these northern barbarians, when this state appeared, it meant that the other side was about to fight desperately!

In the state of black flames, even the most ordinary tribal warrior, in the brief few breaths that it lasts, is enough to pose a certain threat to a powerhouse of his level.

Not to mention Chief Sefrik!
Keng!
The two swords clashed again!
The defending general was horrified to discover that his crescent blade had been slashed with a deep gash! If the crescent blade had not been so heavy, it would have been cut in two.

"Such a powerful edge!"

"This! Is a gift from the great God of War!"

Chief Sefrik grinned maliciously, his offensive becoming even more ferocious. "My promise from earlier still stands! It's not too late to surrender!"

It was another series of violent collisions!
The nicks and nicks on the general's crescent blade were increasing in number and depth!
He was forced to retreat in defeat!

My arms are sore and numb, I can barely hold the weapon!

The guards surrounding him roared and rushed forward to stop him, trying to buy their general a chance to catch his breath.

However... in an instant, six or seven people fell under the sword of the Sepirik chieftain! Their bodies were severed from their heads!

A flicker of grief and despair crossed the commander's eyes! He knew that he... probably wouldn't be able to hold out today!

Should we ask him to surrender?
impossible! !

"Enough talk! Come on! Let's fight!!"

The garrison commander, once again wielding his tattered crescent blade, took the initiative to meet the enemy!
"Since that's the case... then you shall die here!"

Chief Sefrik stopped trying to persuade him to surrender, his eyes filled with murderous intent! The black flames burning on his body spread instantly from the battle sword in his hand to his entire body!

Three cuts and it's done!
The crescent blade breaks!
An invincible sharpness, carrying the howl of death, its power undiminished... slashed towards his neck!

The guard slowly closed his eyes, awaiting the arrival of death.

But right now!

A sudden change occurred! !
The swirling snowflakes suddenly converged, transforming into two intersecting icicles! They blocked the terrifying sharpness that was capable of slicing through thick steel blades!
Keng——!
A deafening, teeth-grinding bang!

"How is this possible? It was actually blocked?!"

Chief Sefrik felt the immense recoil from the blade, and the extreme chill that seeped into his very bones! Staring at the ice shard that had appeared out of nowhere and blocked his fatal blow, his pupils contracted violently!
Suddenly, a name that existed only in legends and made all the northern tribes tremble was on my mind!
"...You did very well. Leave the rest of the battle to me—Ice Guard!"

A cold, proud, and clear female voice came from the high sky.

As the words fell, the blizzard on the soon-to-be-fallen city wall intensified suddenly! Countless ice crystals and snowflakes gathered and froze wildly!
They transformed into one after another Ice Guardians, wielding ice weapons, clad in ice crystal armor, and radiating a chilling aura!
Upon their arrival, they replaced the imperial soldiers and intercepted the tribal warriors who were frantically charging the defensive line! And with an even stronger and more unstoppable force, they pushed them back!

"The Empire's strongest! Esdeath?!"

Chief Sefrik struggled to lift his head, gazing up at the tall, elegant, and peerless blue-haired figure that seemed to descend from the sky like a god!

Feeling that terrifying, almost tangible pressure, enough to freeze one's soul completely, his breath caught in his throat! His eyes were filled with disbelief and...fear!
The guard, who had already closed his eyes and awaited death, seized the moment when the man was momentarily stunned and suddenly pressed close to him! He grabbed the man's wrists holding the knife with both hands, attempting to disarm him.

Chief Sefrik reacted quickly! He tripped the guards who were not yet on their feet, and with a burst of strength from his waist and shoulders, he knocked them to the ground.

He was about to deliver the final blow when he suddenly heard a whooshing sound behind him!

Knowing he had no chance against Esdeath, the Empire's most powerful general, he neither blocked nor dodged, but instead mustered all his strength to deliver the final blow of his life!

"For—the God of War!!!"

(End of this chapter)