Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 295 A Feast for Heroes
The medical tents in the canyon are operating at maximum efficiency, providing rapid treatment.

Many wounded soldiers need treatment, otherwise they will suffer long-term consequences. Although magic can restore health, it is still better to be able to reattach severed limbs on the battlefield.

The most difficult task naturally fell on Su Mu's shoulders. He activated the magic circle, piecing together the blood-stained soil and bones in the earth to re-condense the souls that had not yet dissipated, using reincarnation to revive the dead warriors.

In fact, after soldiers die in battle, they are imprisoned in the land of the battlefield for a period of time. Their bones and flesh are also on the battlefield. The function of earth magic is to use clay to reshape the body and recall the soul.

Moreover, the lifespan of a spirit is not long. If a long time has passed, the only way to revive those corpses that do not have much of a will to live is to use a soul-summoning technique.

Therefore, Su Mu must immediately use Reincarnation before the battlefield effects have completely subsided.

Although he had used some magic in the previous battle, this time, with Maggie's intermediate intelligence, his magic points were relatively abundant, so he didn't feel too much pressure.

Especially under the influence of the Demonic Moon, the resurrection effect of reincarnation will be enhanced by 50%, which is perfect for heroes like Su Mu who don't lack mana.

First and foremost is the Arcane Prayer, a crucial ranged unit with high damage output and low health, making it ideal for resurrection-based tactics.

Su Mu was able to revive more than 60 Mystic Prayers in one go. Although they had suffered some heavy losses, he was able to save them all without any loss, which made Ouling smile from ear to ear.

The swordsman unit suffered the greatest losses, and some of them, after being afflicted by the Spirit Binding spell, had their souls dissipate and could not be resurrected. Even with Su Mu's best efforts to use reincarnation, he could only summon back the warriors from the closest timeline; nearly half of them were completely dead.

The Forbidden Spirit Domain is a very powerful skill. Su Mu could only save the swordsman who was killed after the shaman was defeated and his magic weakened. He couldn't save anyone else.

Ivan took out a jug of strong liquor from somewhere, poured it over the flaming cross, and planted it on the high slope, praying for the warriors.

The swordsmen he led were no cowards; even when facing enemies several times their number, they dared to charge into battle without retreating an inch. They were absolutely heroes in this battle.

The remaining griffin troops, earth archers, and shield infantry are relatively easier to deal with. Maggie also learned about reincarnation from Su Mu through academic exchanges. She has wisdom magic and can learn advanced magic.

Together, the two used magic to revive the fallen troops, saving nearly 90% of them. The rest, due to various reasons—whether it was because too much time had passed, their souls were shattered, or they were affected by cursed magic—could not be saved.

This is a normal phenomenon. After all, as the number of soldiers under one's command increases and the intensity of the battles increases, some losses are inevitable.

After all, humans aren't the undead; they can't just snowball and multiply.

To achieve such a record against Orlando's 2 elite troops is nothing short of godlike.

After this ambush, the name of the Kuraki Legion will surely be known and respected by everyone in Elton.

Of course, these empty titles are fleeting and Su Mu doesn't care much about them. He cares more about the advancement of his heroes. As the heroes grow stronger, ordinary battle victories contribute little to their promotion. To break through their limits, they need to engage in more intense battles.

After this elite battle involving tens of thousands of participants, every hero who participated has made significant progress.

[Controlling multiple ballistae for attacks, directing the Earth Bow and the Arcane Prayer for precise shots, Orling's understanding of the Soul Archer surpasses even his. +1 Attack, +1 Knowledge, Learn Glory of the Sharpshooter]

[Junior Sharpshooter's Glory: For every 6 points of attack and defense attributes a hero has, archers gain 1 point of damage and 1 point of defense-ignoring ability (this also applies to city defense towers). All ranged units inherit 25% of the Rapid Fire skill (Sharpshooters receive this bonus on top of their original bonus, and the effect changes to attacking two targets simultaneously).]

It's surprising that Orling mastered the archer's specialty at this time, but it's not too late at all. Aside from his special bonuses against all ranged units, the castle archer, being the most numerous unit besides spearmen, has great potential.

Many cities may not have priests, but they will certainly have sharpshooters, which has further enhanced Orling's prestige in the kingdom.

Moreover, his marksmanship enhancement effect is very powerful, directly increasing his lethality and armor penetration ability, with remarkable results.

Leading swordsmen into enemy lines, Ivan's fearless courage surpasses that of the entire army. Amidst the flames of fury, he finds his own composure. +1 Spell Power, +1 Knowledge, and comprehends Intermediate Magic Battle Formation.

[Intermediate Magic Battle Formation: Establishes a magic battle formation at the start of battle, which can quickly move troops into formations over a large area, and grant the troops the effects of Fury Formation or Shield Formation.]

Intermediate Frenzy Formation: Grants the soldiers under your command +2 damage and +2 speed, and converts 50% of their defense into attack power.

Intermediate Shield Formation: Grants the soldiers under its command a +4 defense and a +1 counterattack chance (for a short period, magical power can be used to generate a second counterattack).

For Ivan, his offensive and defensive capabilities were already maxed out, and his comprehension of intermediate-level magical battle formations was a significant improvement. The new intermediate battle formations, in particular, were quite useful: Fury was equivalent to a smaller version of All In, while Shield Defense was like a low-level Counterattack.

In this chaotic battle, the Griffin troops have demonstrated an incredible ability to launch endless counterattacks. As long as they can withstand enemy attacks, they can deal considerable damage.

Many melee units dare not venture deep into enemy territory for fear of being surrounded and attacked. Their magical counterattack can only be condensed once in a short time, and they are quickly wiped out.

Swordsmen are already considered a decent charging force; their counterattacks can deal area damage, clearing out a wave of besieging enemies and preventing them from being overwhelmed by repeated attacks. However, most units lack this ability. With a shield formation, even more units would be capable of charging into battle.

Generals like Orling and Ivan have fought on the front lines many times and have a deep understanding of war, so they need to hone their skills to a higher degree.

Maggie, on the other hand, was much luckier. She had a better grasp of the skills and was able to participate in such a large-scale battle, gaining more rewards.

[The spirit of magic is with you; your spells have aided many soldiers and contributed to the victory. Maggie: +1 Attack, +1 Defense, Learned Advanced Magic Intelligence, Advanced Fire Elemental Mastery]

[Advanced Magic Intelligence (Governance): Increases the hero's maximum mana by 100% (400%), and has a 10% (40%) chance to cast spells without consuming mana.]

[Advanced Fire Elemental Mastery]

Having mastered advanced magical intelligence, they truly aren't afraid of mana consumption this time. With Maggie and Su Mu's knowledge attributes, casting dozens of advanced spells wouldn't be a problem at all, and there's even a chance it won't consume mana points—it's practically insane.

Maggie wore a smug expression, smiling as she looked at the distant mountains and rivers, but in reality, she kept glancing at the lord's side out of the corner of her eye.

At this moment, Su Mu naturally wouldn't spoil the mood, and praised Maggie's contributions and abilities.

As Garfield's heiress, Maggie's journey from a vulnerable marquis who nearly lost her family business to a powerful courtier to the all-powerful magical heroine she is today is truly inspiring.

While she is guided by the art of governance, her ability to make crucial choices, follow the right people, and constantly hone her magical skills has surpassed many others.

Maggie was self-aware; ever since she took control of Longlet Castle, she realized her ability to manage it was only so-so. But having been familiar with the kingdom's history, she knew even better that high-ranking officials and nobles had always risen through the ranks by following others. Apart from the unrepeatable path of bloodline, following the right lord naturally led to great advancement.

There are countless capable individuals in the world of heroes, and many possess extraordinary strength, yet only a handful ultimately achieve great success. This is because development requires a platform; while individual effort is crucial, the progress of the times must also be considered.

Some people represent an entire era.

Maggie's gaze toward Su Mu became even more resolute.

The promotion of his three subordinates finally led to a promotion for Su Mu as well.

[As the commander-in-chief of the Kuraki Legion, with strategic planning and meticulous arrangements, he crushed the elite soldiers of the stronghold, who outnumbered him several times over. This was a glorious victory!] [+1 Attack, +1 Spell Power, Learned Intermediate Money Luck Spell]

[Intermediate Money Luck Spell: Increases the unit's luck by 2 points. If a huge amount of gold is spent this month, it will make some luck-based judgment skills more favorable to you, and will also grant an extra chance when making certain spell power choices.]

Su Mu already knew about the Money Luck Technique; it was indeed an abnormal skill.

After acquiring the Art of Governance, Su Mu experienced an extreme boost to skills with clearly defined numerical values, i.e., rule-based skills. However, chaotic skills, which lack clearly defined numerical values, did not provide any substantial increase, so their effects were not immediately apparent.

In reality, governance skills still provide bonuses, such as the formation effects in magical battle arrays and academic learning abilities, all of which offer hidden enhancements. While not as insane as 400%, the ability to amplify these types of skills is already quite powerful.

The Money Luck Technique works like this: the more you spend, the more you earn. Reputation, military strength, power, and resources will all see corresponding increases.

The money of the rich in this world is truly inexhaustible! Because it has transformed into a more stable form.

With the Intermediate Money Luck Technique, the next step of crafting powerful artifacts will surely bring even greater surprises.

The only slight pity is that the magic skill couldn't continue to improve; if it could have advanced to a higher level, there would have been a significant qualitative leap. However, the Luck spell is also crucial, being one of the necessary conditions for the special buildings in the Eight Kings' Palace.

The Hall of Glory can boost the morale of all heroes, while luck can only be granted to the troops led by Su Mu for the time being, and the two are far inferior.

Ideally, +3 morale and +3 luck would allow all heroes to break through their limits, which would elevate Kuraki's troops' combat capabilities to another level.

This great battle also revealed some characteristics: even though Isildur's troops were all elite soldiers with high morale, they were far inferior to the top-tier castle troops.

Even in the most perilous moment, when they were about to be wiped out, the Kuraki soldiers did not flinch in the face of the dragon's flames. This was something that would be impossible for any ordinary army, unless they were seasoned veterans.

The unique feature of castle warfare is its connection to morale, as can be seen from the Brotherhood.

As a castle hero, Su Mu naturally wanted to make the most of his advantages.

However, these things can be done gradually, and there's no need to rush. Once the territory expands, leadership skills and luck will show their true power.

In addition to being promoted, the heroes also acquired some treasures from the battlefield.

Besides the Elf Dragon Knight, the Barrier also has two vice-general heroes. Although they are not as wealthy as Orlando, they still have some in stock.

【Anti-Magic Necklace (Level 3 Treasure): Increases the chance of resisting magic by 5% (levels 1-6). It is one of the components of the Magic Sanctuary combination treasure.】

Review: A necromancer plotted to kill a ranger. Just as the evil necromancer was about to succeed, you intervened and saved the ranger. The ranger was extremely grateful and gave you his beloved necklace.

There are heroes on this side of the fortress wearing magic-resistant necklaces; no wonder some of their magic was mysteriously neutralized just now.

The ability to resist magic is powerful, but it's also highly dependent on luck. Successfully resisting magic completely negates it, whether it's offensive or debuff magic. However, due to its extremely low success rate, it's not favored by heroes.

Just like on the battlefield, Su Mu didn't even notice the effect of this treasure because the success rate was truly pathetic. Not only was his meteor shower unstoppable, but even Maggie's numerous spells were only partially blocked.

Of course, anti-magic treasures are not entirely useless. They can target level 6 magic, and when combined into a set, they have a chance to target level 7 magic, which is a very rare ability.

In other words, since the human kingdom currently lacks more advanced magic towers, they are still quite useful in dealing with the Arcane Throne and countering super magic.

【Ore Cart (Level 2 Treasure): When carried by a hero, it grants 1 Ore per day.

Evaluation: You discovered a camp where the Big-Eared Monster was manufacturing weapons to fight humans. You shouted, and the troops lying in ambush nearby understood, swarming forward and driving the Big-Eared Monster away. Inside the camp, you found a cart that was always loaded with ore.

Su Mu hadn't expected a hero to bring a ore cart; it was highly likely they would need to use some raw stones during the construction of the Frosttree Road. Even building advanced catapults required raw stone resources, so bringing a resource treasure was definitely a good idea for the Isildors attacking the city.

When Orling saw the ore cart, he couldn't help but shake his head: "It's a pity it's not a timber cart, otherwise Forrest would be overjoyed!"

Hearing his words, everyone couldn't help but laugh. Even Ouling felt that he had been a bit greedy. Having resources and treasures was already quite good; why ask for so much more? It seemed that spending too much time with Forrest had picked up some of his traits.

【Sober Pendant (Level 1 Treasure): Makes troops immune to the Amnesia spell.

Evaluation: There's a witch's corpse ahead, and a beautiful pendant next to it. You walk over, pick up the pendant, and put it in your bag.

The last treasure was more like a round badge; hanging it around the neck brought an unprecedented calm.

It's a bit of a gimmick, but Orling can use it. Ranged units are very afraid of the Amnesia spell, so it's a targeted item. It can save you from using an Exorcism spell, so it's still somewhat useful.

If the enemy is carrying the Electric God accessory, then it's very valuable, but there's still a difference between a level 3 treasure and a level 1 treasure.

Besides these three treasures, the hero's armor and sword were also damaged. The intensity of this battle was too great, and Isildur's hero fought to the death without retreating, which was indeed brave.

However, the greatest treasure is still with the Dragon Knight.

Su Mu used his governing skills to contact the distant troops and received the news that they were fully prepared and the dragon knights' movements were under complete surveillance, just waiting to be captured.

Wayne had been chased by the dragon knights and had been hiding everywhere, which had accumulated a lot of resentment. Now was the perfect opportunity to kick him while he was down. Bandits don't care about chivalry; they have to take revenge immediately.

Moreover, Liliana, under Wayne's guidance, had infiltrated the heartland, which was perfect for dealing with the dragon knights.

"Orlando won't survive this night!"

This is Wayne's promise.

"Alright, everyone take a rest and then head to the west to support the Knight Commander!"

The fighting at the fortress is probably fierce; they need our help!

"Follow in the lord's footsteps!"

The heroes raised their swords, and the soldiers shouted.

They didn't care about nobles or kings; the knight commander might even have some admiration for him, but what did the lives of the rest have to do with them?

But wherever Su Mu's longsword points, that's where the army's advance will be.

(End of this chapter)