Dark Wizard: Rise! My undead army!

The number of refugees in Liberty City continues to rise.

Every day, dozens or even hundreds of people flock from all directions, bringing their families, carrying tattered bundles, and leading children who are so hungry they are skin and bones.

They crowded at the city gate, waiting for the soldiers to check their identities, waiting to be assigned lodgings, and waiting to receive their bowl of thin porridge.

The square was filled with makeshift tents, people were lying on both sides of the street, and even refugees were sitting on the steps at the entrance of the temple.

If this continues, they will have no choice but to live outside the city.

Lyon stood by the window of the administration building, looking at the sea of ​​black heads outside, his brows furrowed.

He hasn't slept for three days.

The grain report was spread out on the table, and every time I looked at it, my heart sank a little deeper.

Sofia stood behind him, also holding a report in her hand.

"At the current rate of consumption, the food supply can only last for forty days at most."

Her voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of disturbing something.

"Forty days," Leon repeated irritably. "And after forty days? Cannibalism?"

Sofia did not respond.

Lyon turned around, walked to the table, and looked at the pile of reports.

Food, water, medicine, clothing—everything is being consumed rapidly, and there is no source of replenishment for any of them.

Although no monsters have appeared outside the city yet, everyone is terrified.

No one dared to go out to farm, no one dared to go out to hunt, and no one dared to go out to find food.

Liberty City is like an isolated island, surrounded by death.

"We can't wait any longer," Leon said. "If we wait any longer, we'll starve to death without the undead even lifting a finger."

Sofia looked at him. "What do you want to do?"

"Reclaim the lost territory," Lyon said, pointing to the map on the table.

"Anvil City, River Bend, and Graystone Fortress are the closest places to Free City, and they have not been attacked by the undead."

"If we can retake them, we will have more space, more food, and more manpower."

"Then we'll concentrate these forces and gradually reclaim the areas occupied by the monsters."

Sofia paused for a moment.

"Will those city lords listen to you?"

Lyon gave a wry smile.

"I don't know, but at this critical juncture of life and death, their days must be tough too. We have to give it a try."

He summoned several messengers and sent them to Anvil, River Bend, Greystone Keep, and several other more distant places.

The messengers mounted their horses, went out through the side gate, and disappeared into the twilight.

Iron Anvil City.

Lord Grove was a fat man in his fifties, sitting in a large chair like a lump of meat.

After listening to the messenger, he squinted and thought for a long time.

"That Lyon kid wants to take the initiative and reclaim lost territory?" Grove stroked his chin. "How many men does he have?"

The messenger replied, "The city of Liberty currently has about three thousand soldiers, and with the able-bodied men among the refugees, we can raise ten thousand."

Grove laughed.

"Ten thousand? Liberty City probably has a lot of refugees, right? His meager food supply is barely enough to feed three thousand people, let alone ten thousand? Who are they going to fight? Those skeletons?"

The messenger was also outspoken.

"It is precisely because of the food shortage that we need to unite to recover lost territory; otherwise, we will run out of food and be defeated one by one."

Grove waved.

"Go back and tell Lyon that I support him. As for sending troops... I'll think about it."

After the messenger left, Grove summoned a few of his staff and they discussed the matter behind closed doors.

Staff Officer A said, "Lord, Liberty City has been besieged for so long, we definitely don't have enough food. Lyon is desperate and trying to drag us down with him."

Staff Officer B said, "But if we ignore him, what if he really attacks? Liberty City may be poor, but it has the largest population. If a war breaks out, we might not be able to stop him."

Staff Officer C said, "Then let's neither send troops nor refuse, just stall him."

Grove shook his head.

"We can't hold him off. That kid's a hothead; he's capable of anything when he's desperate."

He thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"He wants people, doesn't he? Give them to him."

The staff were stunned.

Grove pointed out the window to the refugees wandering the streets.

"Those idlers in the city are just a waste of food. Give them all to him, and send another hundred veterans to escort them to Free City."

"Once we get to Liberty City, those people will be Lyon's problem. He can use them however he wants; it's none of our business."

The advisors suddenly realized what was going on and praised the city lord for his wisdom.

Grove thought for a moment and added, "As for supplies... don't give us any food, we're short of it too. Give us the worst weapons, but not a single piece of armor."

"Anyway, once those refugees arrive in Liberty City, Lyon will provide them with weapons, so we can save ourselves the trouble."

That afternoon, the refugees of Iron Anvil were gathered together.

There were elderly people, women, children, and men who were so thin they could barely walk; they were told to go to Liberty City to "enjoy life."

Everyone was hungry and exhausted, and no one wanted to go, but they had no choice but to go.

The veterans, armed with sticks, drove the crowd out of the city gates and toward Free City.

River Bay Town.

The mayor was a thin, middle-aged man who wore glasses and looked refined.

He remained silent for a long time after hearing the messenger's words.

"Lyon wants to reclaim lost territory?" He adjusted his glasses. "That's good. I support him."

The messenger breathed a sigh of relief.

The mayor continued, "However, as you've seen in River Bend Town, the Plague Church burned down the warehouses when they retreated, and we ourselves are starving. We really have the will but not the power to send troops."

The messenger was anxious. "Mayor, if Free City can't hold out, River Bend Town won't be able to survive either."

The town mayor nodded.

"I know, so I've decided to send all the refugees in the town to Liberty City. There's no food here, and they'll just be waiting to die if they stay in River Bend. They might as well take a chance in Liberty City."

The messenger opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

The mayor has summoned the clerk and begun drafting the order.

The messenger was invited for tea, and when he came out of the town hall, the street was already full of refugees who had been gathered together.

Graystone Fortress is ruled by a gloomy old man with a scar running from his forehead to his chin.

After hearing the messenger's words, he did not immediately express his opinion. Instead, he told the messenger to wait outside, went into the inner room, and closed the door.

There was a map hanging in the inner room, marking the location of Liberty City. The old man stared at the map for a long time, then called the butler.

"Release those prisoners from the dungeon," the old man said.

"And those who owe debts, those who have been caught stealing, those who can't pay their rent—release them all and let the people of Liberty City take them away."

The steward hesitated for a moment. "Master, many of those people are repeat offenders; letting them out will cause trouble."

"Let them cause trouble in Liberty City," the old man said. "If Lyon wants men, give them to him. These are tough guys; it's good to clean house."

The steward accepted the order and left.

The old man thought for a moment and then called over the head guard.

"Select fifty old, weak, and disabled soldiers to go with those prisoners. When they arrive in Free City, tell them that Greystone Castle fully supports Lord Lyon in recovering the lost territory."

The head guard also went to carry out his orders. The old man stood by the window, looking at the sky shrouded in plague fog in the distance, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

A savior? That's not an easy job.