Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 378 Dual Progression
While Su Mu and the others were in danger, Gu De was also having a hard time.

He had led the Wind Erosion Knight into the Void Cave, and although the first half of the journey was somewhat bumpy, it wasn't too difficult.

Most of them are void traps, very well hidden; if you take the wrong step, you will be swallowed up into an unknown world.

This would be troublesome for ordinary soldiers, but for the knights riding the Crimson Dream Beast, it was quite simple. Because the warhorses were mutated from the Dream Realm, they were extremely sensitive to their special environment, making it feel like they were back home, strolling leisurely.

Although there are some monsters in the dream world, they are basically no problem for the Wind Erosion Knight.

Goode thought that by leading the knights to defeat the enemy, they could pass through the illusion, but little did he know that they would soon encounter trouble.

On the open ground ahead, three high platforms appeared, with about a hundred stone steps leading up to them. At the very top, a portal to nothingness materialized, and a large number of axe-wielding guards appeared.

【虚空斧卫（特殊5级2阶兵种）：攻击力16，防御力12，伤害力13-16（23-26），生命值50（80），速度10（15），体型中等。

Element: Void Element;
Void Axe Blade: A giant axe imbued with the aura of the void. After dealing damage to enemies, it can continuously corrode them, weakening their attack power (up to 6 points).

Axe Formation: When there are 10 Axe Guards, and they all attack an opponent at the same time, it will cause a 30% ignore defense effect.

Void Array (Illusionary Terrain Bonus): The Void Array ignites the three elements: Fire represents destruction, +10 damage; Air increases agility, +5 speed; Water heals wounds, +30 health.

With the boost from the Void Array, the Void Axe Guards are significantly stronger, making them among the best of the tier 5 units.

However, they were far inferior to the Wind Erosion Knights. Under Goode's leadership, they killed more than a dozen Void Axe Guards in a single charge.

Seeing the shattered bones scattered everywhere, Goode was about to lead his cavalry forward when the platform flashed with light again, and another group of Void Axe Guards appeared, twice the number of the first group.

"What's going on? Could these high platforms be summoning arrays that can continuously replenish troops?"

Puzzled, Goode led his troops to continue fighting the enemy and trying to destroy the high platform. However, to everyone's surprise, the Void Axe Guards kept respawning after being killed, and the high platform was completely indestructible, even the knights' lances couldn't hit it; these structures stood in the void.

So Goode began to lead his cavalry in search of a way out, only to find that the surrounding area was full of cliffs and steep walls, with no passable roads at all.

To make matters worse, even the path they came from has disappeared, and they are trapped here!
Just as Goode was at his wit's end, the Void Array of Fire Elements suddenly manifested from the Void, and a large number of resurrected Axe Guards poured out from the high platform.

After a moment's thought, Goode understood the key point. Nothing had changed on their side; if there was any anomaly, it must be something that had happened in the lord's poisonous cave.

If they rely solely on themselves, they won't be able to force out the Void Array even if they fight for ten thousand years. It seems that only Su Mu's side can kill the corresponding array eye to make the magic array appear.

Goode first led his troops in a full-scale charge towards the fire elemental array, fighting their way through and successfully reaching the top, where they destroyed the stone platform.

Then he saw hope: if the lord continued to exert his strength, he would be able to destroy the three stone platforms and pass through the Void Cave.

However, before Goode could even cheer up, a large number of axe guards emerged from the other two stone platforms, twice as many as before.

"The slain are resurrected at a double rate, and the number of Axe Guards is increasing!"

If it were just a regular unit, it wouldn't be so bad, but the Axe Guards are elite Tier 5 units, and when they are in formation of 10, they can ignore the enemy's defense.

Even though the Wind Erosion Knights strive to kill in one charge and are unwilling to be surrounded, once their numbers increase, their charge becomes extremely difficult.

They're in trouble now!
...Su Mu received a message from Gu De. The place was sealed by magic, and the two caves were as if they were thousands of miles apart. The information was intermittent, and he could only understand the general idea.

"The Void Cave and the Poison Cave are connected. Only if we destroy part of the array's core can Goode successfully destroy the array."

Looks like we need to speed things up!

Upon hearing this, Sederos was also shocked, never expecting the Void Illusion to be set up in such a way. The Void Array Eye was connected to the deadly poison; only if the people on this side destroyed the core of the cursed power could Goode pass through smoothly, otherwise he would be dragged to his death sooner or later.

After all, the cave limits the number of people. Unless it's an ultimate unit with 200 units, no one can withstand a doubled increase in strength.

"The two caves are connected. Goode destroyed the Void Array, and the curses we have been subjected to have increased. This trial was set up very cleverly. The person behind it is a master of the battle formation, and not a single bit of magical power has been wasted."

As an astrologer and a master alchemist, Cedros had a keen understanding of the situation. The two caves were interdependent and gradually strengthened each other; such a design was simply ingenious. Without the combined use of advanced battle formations and other advanced skills, it would be impossible to set up, and even advanced skills might not be sufficient.

Su Mu was certain that the wandering scholar was behind it all, but the more certain it was, the more certain he became that the treasure in the cave was abundant enough.

Although wandering scholars may sometimes be a little cunning, they are always fair, with risks and rewards proportional, and they are absolutely honest with everyone, young and old.

"We need to speed things up and continue destroying the array's core!"

Sederos then turned his attention to the Venomous One. This time, they aimed at the Venomous One's head. As long as they cut off all of the enemy's attack heads, even if the poison mist had an effect, it would be useless. Moreover, they could destroy the array's core and allow Goode's side to quickly pass the level.

"Prayer, aim for Venom's head and fire!"

Having learned from the first experience, the Arcane Prayer struck with precision, quickly severing the other head of all the Venomous Ones.

The enormous snake head swung around, smashing down large sections of bushes and splattering venom everywhere, even corroding weaker venomous creatures into puddles.

Cedros looked up at the sky with anticipation, but the cave remained unchanged; the imagined core of the formation was not the Venomous Head of the Venomous One.

"It shouldn't be!"

The astrologer looked puzzled, but upon closer inspection, he noticed the hidden details.

The destruction of the Flame Head triggered an explosion, detonating a magic circle within the poison pool and successfully breaking the array's core. While the Venom Head was highly corrosive, it lacked the explosive effect and therefore produced no reaction.

"The snake's head isn't the key to their formation. To help Goode, we must get closer to explore the poison pool to find the key to the formation!"

Su Mu looked up at the sky and found that the air was filled with green mist, making it difficult to breathe.

"The poison gas is getting stronger, and we don't have much time left. We need to get through quickly!"

So Cedrus directed the Mystic Prayers forward to the edge of the Poison Pool.

However, after seeing the full view of the poison pool, Sederos couldn't help but gasp. He saw that the bottom of the pool was densely packed with hundreds of three-headed venomous creatures, all staring at them with their snake eyes.

Where did all these poisoners come from? There weren't any just a moment ago!
(End of this chapter)