The Villain Saint is my secondary account

Chapter Seventy Reinforcements

The meteor exploded on the sturdy stone wall, turning into a dazzling firework.

A dark green protective shield immediately appeared above the fortress atop the mountain, covering the towers like a lid.

The trainees were still in shock, and the team leader, Serendra, could only sigh helplessly when she saw what was happening.

They were rushing as fast as they could, and the total rest time over the two days was less than six hours.

Although you can see Hanya Pass from this place, it will take at least another day to trek through the forest to actually reach your destination.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Hanya Pass was under attack.

The first fireball was like a signal. Immediately afterwards, countless fireballs roared out from the forest below the mountain like a storm, bombarding the protective shield of Hanya Pass and making it teeter on the brink of collapse.

Some trainees were stunned, "Huh...?"

Some trainees, however, began to experience a mental breakdown.

"No!!! By the grace of the goddess, we were so close!!!"

Despite being anticipated, the demon army did indeed advance north to Crow Pass.

The merfolk army and the demon army advanced from different locations. One side continued to advance westward, while the other side headed north, aiming for the heartland of the southern provinces.

Serendra lost her gamble; even though they were traveling at top speed, they still couldn't reach Raven Pass before it was attacked.

In an instant, half the sky in the distance was dyed red by the flames of war, and smoke rose from the Crow Fortress, soaring straight into the clouds.

Aside from the meteors launched from the ground, a crimson magic circle engraved with strange incantations appeared in the sky above the Hengyuan Mountains. Huge meteorites fell continuously from it, crashing onto the fortress and transforming into rock giants engulfed in flames.

The earth trembled, and the scorching aura filled with destructive power could be felt even from forty or fifty miles away.

With such a fierce offensive, almost no one thought that Han Ya Pass could withstand it.

With their last straw gone, despair quickly spread through the ranks.

The mentors were busy comforting the students, but even they themselves had lost hope in the current situation.

With Blue Mane Bay fallen and Raven Pass attacked, the southeast coast will soon become the territory of demons and merfolk.

How could these few hundred people possibly survive in this vast forest until the end of the war?

Despite their despair, the mentors, who held the position of elders in the team, still had to gather together to continue discussing ways out.

"How about... we head west... perhaps if we march west from here, there's still a sliver of hope."

Professor Taleon began.

"As long as the merfolk haven't completely taken control of the forest north of Bluemane Bay, we still have a chance to reach White Dew Town if we head west."

"Bailu Town is at least a hundred miles away from here. Even if we are lucky enough to pass through the forest undetected, by the time we arrive at Bailu Town, it will probably already be the territory of the merfolk."

Severif thought it was inappropriate.

"But this is the only way... We can't just keep waiting to die here."

"Talion said in a deep voice."

"No! I don't want to die!!!"

Not far away, Duchess Illyas seemed to have overheard the conversation and clutched her head, wailing.

Her shout immediately infected the other students, causing a cacophony of howls and wailing to erupt.

"No, classmates, that won't happen..."

Professor Rhodes was busy comforting the students. He couldn't offer any advice on military matters along the way, but he was certainly good at being a caretaker.

“Watch your words, Professor Taleon…”

Celinedra covered her face and reminded him, while Ye Xiao hurriedly set up a simple soundproofing array on the side.

"Sorry...it's mine."

Professor Tarlyon readily admitted his mistake, "But the problem is... what should we do next? We can't get to White Dew Town, is it feasible to go directly to the Emerald Wall?"

"It will be a journey of nearly two hundred miles to get there, and the trainees probably won't be able to hold out until then."

Severif frowned. "From my experience, heading north to the Hengyuan Mountains and waiting for rescue there is actually a viable option."

"The nobles of the southern provinces must already know about the war that has taken place on the southeast coast. Most of the students here are sons of nobles, and the imperial high command should have already begun to organize a rescue army. If this deduction is correct, then with the army pressing on Hanya Pass, they cannot possibly leave the mountain pass. Therefore, the mountainside is the most likely place to meet up with them."

Taleon immediately understood and nodded in agreement.

"If there is an army to come to our aid, crossing the Hengyuan Mountains is indeed the safest route. Given the noble status of the young lady and the three princesses in the group, the empire has no reason not to take rescue measures, not to mention there are so many noble children as well."

"I was careless just now. I only thought that it was impossible for us to cross the Hengyuan Mountains, but I forgot that there was a possibility that a rescue team could cross the mountains to come over. I was too excited earlier, Commander. I apologize to you."

"No need to say that, Professor. We are just trying to overcome the current difficulties."

Severif waved his hand.

Discovering there might be a way out, the atmosphere of the discussion finally became harmonious.

Ye Xiao naturally had no objection. Although it was probably no longer necessary to find a salvage permit to investigate the Lost City now, since the southeastern coast of Aslan had already fallen.

However, by sending these trainees to a safe area, they might also be able to make contact with other high-ranking officials of the Aslan Empire, which would be beneficial for gathering intelligence.

Don't forget that some of the families in Aslan's upper echelons have ties to the company and the Dark Shepherds. If we don't find those people, this war won't be so easy to resolve.

The spread of war means the expansion of the power of the person in the Lost City who calls herself "Lydia," as well as the sinister motives she and her company are hiding behind the war, which Ye Xiao must find a way to investigate.

The task is arduous and the road ahead is long...

After listening to everyone's final decision, Ye Xiao silently cast her vote in favor.

After the meeting, everyone settled down to rest.

Since the next step was to march north towards the mountains and hide at the foot of the mountains to await support, the group had no plans to continue their journey.

However, whether this "support" exists is ultimately just speculation on paper. Even if the probability is theoretically not low, people will inevitably feel a little uneasy before they actually see it.

So they camped out for another night, and the next morning, the group continued their journey toward the Hengyuan Mountains.

Fortunately, they didn't travel far before they encountered their first piece of good news since they began their escape.

Perhaps the Earth Goddess finally favored them, or perhaps the combined financial power of the hundred or so noble families here was indeed enormous. Even before they approached the Hengyuan Mountains, the accompanying soldiers, controlling war eagles flying low nearby, spotted a well-equipped Aslan squad approaching them from the north.

Chapter Seventy-One: The Wall of Ascent

"That's... the Laxion family crest? We're saved!"

When the group of fully armed knights riding black jungle leopards emerged from the forest, some sharp-eyed students immediately noticed the emblems on their chests.

The opposing side also noticed the group of students and immediately urged their mounts to hurry over.

"By the Goddess of the Earth, we have finally found you."

The captain of the scout team dismounted from the leopard and knelt on one knee before Serendra and the others, offering the courtesy due to royalty.

"Your Highnesses, Miss, we apologize for being late."

"It's already very timely, no need for such formalities."

Celinedra quickly reached out to help the knight up. "Are you a rescue team?"

"Thank you, Your Highness. My name is Garen, and I am the scout captain under Duke Laxion. I have come here because the Duke heard about the fighting on the southeast coast and sent us to organize a search and rescue operation for you students."

"We have already set up a temporary camp in the Hengyuan Mountains. The situation at Hanya Pass is critical and difficult to pass through. We will escort you through the mountains from here on out."

Upon hearing this, Serendra exchanged a glance with Sivirif, and both of them finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing this news, the trainees' despair was somewhat alleviated.

Just as Severif had said, someone came to rescue them, and faster than expected.

"However... the Hengyuan Mountains are treacherous. Can we really cross them without passing through Hanya Pass?"

Serendra said with some concern upon hearing this.

"Please follow me, and His Highness will understand then."

……

By the time they arrived at the camp on the edge of the Hengyuan Mountains with the scout team, it was already evening.

However, the trainees were no longer as dejected as before, as they finally saw hope.

The makeshift camp was very rudimentary, without even a campfire. According to Garen, the camp was quite close to the front-line camp of the demon legion, and starting a fire might attract unnecessary attention.

Ye Xiao walked through the forest and observed, concluding that what the other party said was indeed true. The number of terrifying demons patrolling the sky along the way was significantly more than before.

The steep, mirror-like mountain walls were as majestic and towering as initially anticipated. These treacherous mountains, stretching from the Molten Mountains into half of the southern province, were like natural barriers cleaved by a knife and axe, protecting the safety of the inland main city while also posing their greatest challenge.

However, now, the mountainside is covered with green walls made of countless intertwined vines, resembling a green waterfall hanging on the mountain.

At first glance, they look like vegetation growing on the mountainside, but upon closer inspection, one can still detect the faint magic emanating from these vines.

"Does this mean... we all have to climb up?"

A sense of surprise rose in Celinedra's heart.

Garen explained softly, “Your Highness, this is a natural magic array called ‘Emerald Vine’ set up on the mountain by the priests of the Earth Sanctuary. These summoned vines should be able to safely help you all reach the summit.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Xiao immediately understood – these things were probably some kind of magical version of the lifting rope.

Once the trainees have gone up, the flowing vines will wrap around their bodies, escorting them up the steep cliff face.

"However, the sun has not yet completely set. The vines of the Emerald Vine Ascension Technique blend in with the other ordinary vegetation hanging on the cliff, making them difficult for the enemy to detect. But if a large number of students are to be transported, it is still inevitable that they will be spotted by the scouting demons."

Garrenne added.

"What the captain means is..."

Celinedra frowned slightly.

"Please rest first, everyone. We need to wait until nightfall before we begin our ascent."

……

That night.

Perhaps it was the Earth Goddess's mercy, but tonight the moon was completely obscured by thick clouds in order to accommodate everyone's ascent plan.

The forest at the foot of Hengyuan Mountain was pitch black. Not to mention the terrifying demons flying in the sky, even the students in the camp could hardly see their own fingers when they stretched out their hands.

Under Garen's command, the trainees lined up at the foot of the mountain along the vine wall and were gradually lifted up by the vines to the top of the mountain.

The darkness provided perfect cover, allowing this daring escape to proceed stealthily right under the noses of the demon legion not far away.

According to the original plan, the three princesses and the duchess should be sent to the top of the mountain first, but Celinedra asked that the other students go first, while she stayed at the foot of the mountain to be on guard with the other professors and soldiers.

This made Ye Xiao think even more highly of this responsible eldest princess.

As night deepened and time passed, nearly half of the trainees had successfully reached the mountaintop.

Ye Xiao stood outside the camp, holding his staff. He calculated that in about two more hours, the entire team would reach the summit.

Once they reach the top of the Hengyuan Mountains, even the demon legion will be unable to pursue them any further.

These steep mountains are considered natural barriers for the Aslans, so even the demons, except for the flying species among them, would find it difficult to climb them easily.

"Professor Brandon."

Just then, a faint sound came from the side.

"Why are you here instead of staying at your post, Professor Van Derrian?"

Ye Xiao frowned and asked.

The darkness didn't bother him much, so he spotted Vandrian walking out of the woods at a glance.

"Don't worry, Severif is guarding the east side. I'm just here to inform you that the professor's evacuation time is approaching, so you should get ready."

"Oh, thank you very much."

Ye Xiao responded, but seeing that Van Delian still hadn't left, she raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Anything else?"

"No... I just wanted to ask again... uh, what is that thing in the sky?"

Ye Xiaochu thought Van Delian was talking nonsense until her own perspective also pierced through the leaves above her head and glanced at the sky.