Chapter 25

When the two walked out of the forest path, the fortress's wall had already appeared in front of them. The steel wall fortress, the most famous and respected front-line barrier in the entire continent, probably only has one reaction for anyone who saw it for the first time. Is this the fortress? It is not as big as expected.

Ed seemed to have known Cynthia would say that for a long time, and didn't care much, because he thought the same way when he first came.

It's not that it is small, but relative to its reputation, the size of the fortress will indeed disappoint anyone who comes for the first time. But think about it, it is originally a fortress built on the terrain of the canyon, and it is impossible to build it very large.

The city wall is not high...

Although I saw the city wall at the rear, I was right, because even the front wall was only 3-5 meters high. Not to mention the key fortresses to fight against the demons, most cities have more decent walls than this. So Cynthia's words Ed also decided to explain to her. Of course, the city walls will not be high, because they will often be broken by demons. It will be more convenient when they are robbed back. Moreover, the demons have air combat power, so it doesn't make sense to build too high.

Alas? It’s often broken? The steel wall fortress has never been captured again and will never fall into the city!

Strategically speaking, it has never been captured, because the demon's army has never left this canyon, but this fortress itself is often captured, but every time we can retreat in time and successfully counterattack and retake it back. After all, the opponent is a demon, and defending it to the death, that is, because Marshal Carter has been using troops flexibly and never cared about the glory of the knights. We can persist until now.

Ah... Then did you conquer it when you were in the army?

I have conquered once in those five years. Not long after joining the army, I thought I was going to be defeated when I said I would withdraw and give up the fortress. I had already written a suicide note. At that time, I really felt that the end of mankind was coming. After all, once this canyon was occupied by demons, it would be impossible to stop them again.

What happened later?

Later? It was recaptured within two days. I knew the reason why the city wall was so short, it was simply to facilitate our counterattack.

How could this happen?... It's different from what I imagined.... I always thought that the battle in the fortress was like fighting to the death and never giving up. I swear to hold every inch of land to the death.

Don't joke, if that's true, don't talk about morale or something, the source of troops in the rear is not enough. The combat death rate here is very high. If the strategy is still so idealistic and ignore reality, there is really no need to fight. Reality is not a novel, the devil's military strength is much greater than ours.

The two of them walked while chatting and unknowingly, they had already arrived at the gate of the fortress. This is a steel wall fortress, and it is not necessary for idle people to pass through!

When the guards at the door saw the two, they immediately stopped them and looked at Cynthia a few more times. In this front-line military important place where the sow races Diao Chan, they were actually strolling around with such a beautiful elf girl. Both guards had the urge to strangle Ed to death.

Well... I am a retired person from the fortress. I have something to do today and I want to see Marshal Carter. Please open the door with two brothers.

Hahaha... Little brother, you nobles should not have any boring fantasies about the fortress. Just go to other places to play the hero game. But we have no objection to stay as your elf girlfriend.

Ed knew that these two guards were new, otherwise he would not have known him, and because he brought Cynthia, he regarded himself as a noble child.

I didn’t wear military uniforms in order to keep it low profile before, but I didn’t expect to be too low profile…

At this time, a sound came from the city wall. Why did it happen at the door? It was so noisy. What happened?

Ah! Lord Rick! It's nothing, another boring noble boy ran over curiously, and said he wanted to see Lord Marshal, I'll send him away immediately

Yes, the marshal is having a meeting now, don't let anything disturb him

After hearing this voice, Ed immediately shouted at the city wall, Rick! You bastard, it’s me Ed. Open the door quickly and let me in. The three silver coins you owe me, but you haven’t paid them yet!

Five minutes later, greeted by a group of guards and non-commissioned officers, Ed and Cynthia walked into the gate, leaving behind the two stunned guards.

Wouldn't it be enough to open the door and let me in? Why are you going to welcome so many people? Isn't it a waste of time?

The devil has basically stopped attacking in the past week, and everyone is so idle that you suddenly appear at the back door. Of course, everyone wants to see Ah, and he actually brought such a beautiful elf lady to stay in Huangdu for a few years. It turns out that it is different.

The man named Rick is already the commander in the military uniform, but he uses the same term as Ed. What does Ah mean suddenly appear? Lars should have come back first. He hasn't told you what I'm coming?

No...oh! By the way, when he came back the day before yesterday, he said we would have a surprise, it seems that it is you.

That bastard... I will settle the score with him next time. By the way, this elf girl is Miro's sister, and she is here to find her brother. Miro should be training recruits at the shooting range today?

Yes, it's there, if you want to see it, just go directly. Last month, a demon bat got his shit on him when he died. You also know that the elves are a bit obsessed with cleanliness, and they are in a bad mood until now. Just as you brought his sister, it might make him happy.

So Ed took Cynthia to the shooting range. Sure enough, a handsome male elf was guiding a group of soldiers for shooting training. Judging from his impatient expression, the training results seemed not very good.

Hold the bow a little firmly, your arms are shaking during training. You are really making a fuss when you go to the battlefield! I would like to remind you again, if any idiot shoots an arrow on someone else's target, don't even think about eating dinner again

Cynthia looked at her brother in surprise from behind. In the girl's memory, her brothers should be gentle and kind. Why did she come to this fortress for a few years? Her speech became so vulgar.

Miro!

Ed called the name of the elf. Didn’t I say don’t disturb me during training! Why… Ed? And… Cynthia!

After Ed explained the situation clearly, the male elves named Miro immediately stopped training. After the recruits ran to rest like an amnesty, the three of them continued to talk. Do you know what the forest is like because of your disappearance? Mom and Dad wrote three letters to me during this period! Ask me to help find you, you can run out privately, but you were arrested by a slave trader!

Sorry, I know I was wrong... Isn't it okay now anyway, don't be angry

Ed always guessed that Cynthia's willful personality was probably caused by the fact that Miro, the brother, was too spoiled since childhood. Sure enough, after the little girl was spoiled, Miro did not say anything harsh, but held the baby sister in her arms and kept comforting her.

Ed... Thank you very much this time. This kid is also lucky enough to meet you at that time. If someone else is there, I don’t know where it will be sold again...

It's nothing, you can send her home early if you have time. Her appearance is not very safe in the fortress.

Yes, I'll arrange for her next thing soon. That... I'll say goodbye first. Cynthia, come with me

After Miro finished speaking, he was about to take his sister away. However, Cynthia seemed to have something to say to Ed, that... Ed, thank you so much for the past few days. Will you stay here in the next few days?

I'll leave soon. If I'm lucky, we'll meet in a few days. You can listen to your brother's words these days and stop running around.

Well...I get it...

The little girl seemed to have something to say, but because her brother was by the side, she still didn't speak in the end. She could only look at Ed's departure back and reluctantly followed her brother in another direction.

Ed returned to Rick and continued to discuss the past while discussing the past. After thinking about it, you have been to the capital for three years, but why are you still looking like a child? You are obviously in your twenties like me, and walking together makes me look like your brother.

You think I miss Ah, there is nothing I can do with baby face. By the way, you just said that the old man was having a meeting, right? When will Ah be finished? I have something to look for him.

Who knows, a few old guys said it was a meeting, so they just drank some wine and bragged about it. Maybe they would run to the tavern by night, and it would be okay to break in directly. The old man still regards you as a front-line intelligence officer and can meet him directly in any situation.

How are the scouts trained now?

No, Ed, after you leave, no one can successfully enter the second area. They are swaying some irrelevant intelligence in the first area. Sometimes the enemy comes faster than the intelligence. By the way, they also need to talk about the scouts during this meeting.

After that, the two came to a small church. Because they were on the front line of war, the church was just a small wooden church. The traces of repairs also showed everything it experienced. However, no matter how faith is, it is always a major factor in stabilizing the morale on the front line, so the church is always restored and improved with the highest priority.

Lord Rick! A group of slave merchants have just arrived. Please go over and deal with the transactions and subsequent preparations!

At this time, a soldier's call from a distance made the two of them know that the reminiscence was about to end. I got it! Come here immediately! Ed, I'm sorry, I left in advance, you know the road anyway.

Well, sending me here is enough to bother you, the chief of the army. Come over quickly. Slave merchants are all very good, don't let them wait in a hurry

After Rick left, Ed stood at the church door and looked around for a while. When he returned here again, he always missed him. Most of the people passing by were recruits. Ed, who looked like a teenager, was also a little curious. No one would have thought that he was the legendary scout who had been discharged from the army three years ago.

This gentleman, is there anything wrong with coming to the church? If you stand at the door, you might as well come in and sit.

Behind him, it seemed that the priest from the church was inviting him. Ed, who had never liked to enter the church, turned around and was about to refuse, but when he saw the priest's face, he was speechless...

It's you!...

Ed?...You are back Ah...

The priest in front of him was a slightly fat middle-aged man with a kind appearance and a peaceful expression of a clergyman, but Ed saw his expression as vigilant and hostile.

Did you actually come to be a priest? It's a hell. You might be doing something illegal and using the church to cover it. But... forget it, this place is already dirty enough anyway, I don't care about you, a dirtier priest.

However, for Ed's words, the priest had a guilty expression on his face, and he even didn't dare to look at the other person's eyes. Ed... I know I can't pay off the sin I committed against you in my life, but now I really serve the goddess wholeheartedly. It doesn't matter how much you scold me, but please don't involve this church.

Even speaking styles have become so many, you really work hard for business

Seeing that Ed still didn't believe in him, the priest no longer explained anything, just smiled bitterly and apologized, but then seemed to think about it again, and still had something to say, Ed... It may be a bit shameless to say this now, but I can give you all the property I have done in the past, I just want you to forgive us father and daughter.

Your daughter has nothing to do with me anymore. I still need to forgive a noble lady? If you are afraid of my revenge, then you don’t have to worry. If I want to kill you, I will have to remove you from a large amount of money. I won’t wait until now. I just don’t want to cause trouble and I’m afraid my hands are dirty. As for money, you can keep it for your retirement. I’m not lucky enough to spend your money.

After saying this, Ed left immediately. He didn't want to see the priest's face again. The unpleasant memories that were about to forget were returned to their minds, and the feeling of some pleasure that had been returned to their hometown disappeared in an instant. The guilty expression behind the priest obviously wanted to keep but could not speak seemed to show that the story between them was not simple.

Because of the unpleasant reunion with the priest just now, Ed gave up the idea of ​​continuing to wander around and came directly to the fortress's headquarters to meet the highest military commander here, Marshal Carter.

Although he was only commanding the army in this remote canyon fortress, anyone on the continent knew that Marshal Carter was the real controller of the empire. Although the empire's army was huge, the elite troops with real combat experience were all led by the Marshal's confidants. In addition, he had been on the front line against demons for decades, and his reputation and status among the people had long surpassed the emperor himself.

Although Emperor Herman himself must be somewhat dissatisfied with this, because there is such a strong figure in the army that those powerful nobles have been suppressed in politics. As the emperor, he is much more relaxed in management and governance. Moreover, although Marshal Carter's reputation surpasses that of the royal family, no one will doubt his loyalty. After all, with his ability and reputation, if he wants to rebel or even ascend the throne, he will be able to easily achieve it. He will not be fighting on the front line at such an age.

Sorry, the Marshal and the others are having a meeting now, and no one is allowed to enter.

Sure enough, the guard at the command department said this very professionally, but another senior guard seemed to know Ed. He confirmed with horror that the other party was Ed, and then said, "Ai... Lord Ed! When did you come back?"

I just arrived, and I had something urgent to see the old man. Can I go in?

Of course you can! The order of the Marshal's order back then has not been revoked yet. As long as it is Lord Ed, you want to meet, even if he is still sleeping, we must wake up.

Haha, don't be too nervous, I'll be discharged from the army long ago, if he really is sleeping, I won't disturb you

After saying that, Ed walked into the fortress where the command headquarters was located, and on the third floor of the fortress, a military meeting was being held...

According to the intelligence brought back by Lars this time, the recent reduction in the devil's attack was because they focused their main energy on this sneak attack on the imperial capital. However, because of the two unexpected reinforcements, Ed and Lars, Fernande successfully repelled the massacre plan against the royal family and nobles.

In the conference room, a middle-aged officer is analyzing Lars' intelligence

There are still some problems. Although the demons prepared very well in this raid in the capital, according to Lars, the actual troops were not invested, which did not affect the attack on us at all. Moreover, I heard that Miss Helena and Princess Lucelia of the local church were both missing. It is very likely that they were kidnapped by the demons. This is also very strange.

Another officer of the same level immediately made a targeted rebuttal, and the old man sitting at the head of the long table finally spoke. The old man with strong body, gray hair and a sharp look was Marshal Carter.

Alas... If Lucelia is really caught, we will not be able to rescue her for the time being, but there are still many doubts about this matter now. Don't draw conclusions before the new information arrives, let's continue to the next issue. It should be the scout's business.

Carter just finished saying this, and the many generals below were all worried. It seemed that this problem was more serious to them than the direct invasion of the capital.

Well... Marshal, this is still the same. No new scouts sent to the forest in the past two months have received the first location information three days later. The one who sent in four months is pretty good and has been missing for a month and has not been in contact. It can be confirmed that he is dead.

Dead again... After Ed left, we were like blind people in strategy formulation. We couldn't let go of our hands and feet at all, so we could only retreat to defend. The main topic now is to cultivate an excellent scout as soon as possible, and we don't require you to do it like Ed. As long as you do not die, you can send some useful little information back regularly, I will be satisfied.

Regarding the training, the biggest problem now is that no one can enter the second area. In fact, our intelligence collection in the first area of ​​forest is quite effective, but if you want to be more proactive, you must go deep into the second area to obtain more critical enemy movements.

Of course we and the Marshal know what you said, but the biggest feature of the second area is that it is full of poisonous plants. Even if the scouts are strong enough to avoid the demons, they will still be killed by the miasma of the plants, various stingers and poisonous insects. Ed was able to survive there because he was proficient in alchemy and herbal medicine.

Speaking of this, everyone looked at the chief alchemist of the fortress sitting beside him, Grass

But no one dares to speak first. After all, herbalism and alchemy are both higher knowledge. If you want someone to be a scout who is equivalent to dying, you really can't speak out.

Glass also felt everyone's sight. This somewhat nervous middle-aged man had a little irritable temper and immediately started yelling, "What do you think of me?" I will make it clear first. Although my two assistants are useless, they have finally been trained until now. If you beat them to death, don't snatch them away."

For this precious old battlefield alchemist, only the marshal himself can speak. Oh, don't worry, we just want you to find more assistants from the soldiers, and it doesn't hurt to train more Ah. I heard that Ed also studied part-time at your back then.

Carter, you old man, are so embarrassed to typify! In this fortress that is full of gangsters, gangsters and idiots, you should find a child like him who knows three foreign languages, knows how to maintain books, has excellent etiquette and high understanding. You think it is easy for Ah! Such a good child will be sent to the forest as a bullshit scout!

Well... Glass, we have said that your request is a bit high. After all, Ed is too rare. Most of us are still outlaws and slaves. You also require you to understand foreign languages... It's too hard to be

Later, I had already changed the requirement to know three foreign languages ​​to just know one. As a result, the idiot you sent me last time actually read a book and had to look up the dictionary! And I couldn’t even control the temperature of making black tea. The tea Ed had made back then had never burned my mouth!

Um...

Looking at the increasingly excited Grass, the Marshal was temporarily silent. Woo... I was originally planning to train Ed to be the best disciple, but finally waited for him to stop being a scout, but he was discharged from the army. I don’t care about Carter. Please get Ed back for me, even if I just come back to make a cup of tea for me!

Speaking of this, a big man, Grass, has become as willful as a child. Master, stop making trouble, he looks a bit adult.

Ah...I must be thinking of Ed too much, and I actually heard his voice here, and did my brain hallucinate again?

Stop listening, Ah, it's a real person! Ed, how could you come? Damn, that little bastard Lars deliberately didn't tell us, and he said that there would be surprises, it turned out to be yours

Ed's sudden appearance really surprised everyone present, and they surrounded him, and Glass even carried him up and started a slut like a child. Ed... Are you coming back to continue to be my assistant Ah... Don't leave anymore

This... Sorry, Master, there is something urgent this time. I will help you make tea later. Also, this is the gift I brought to you from the Emperor Capital. You can see it for a while. I have something to say with the Marshal and I have something to say.

As he said that, Ed took out a book from his bag and handed it to Glass, Ah! This is the note of the alchemist Yarmalast. You actually thought of bringing this to me, and you would know that you would not forget me, as a master. Then I will go back and study it first. Remember to come over to make tea for me later.

Glass left the conference room so happily, and the others were relieved. Okay, that guy finally left. Ed, sit down and talk slowly. This time he came back, it should be related to the attack on the emperor.

Well, Lars should have told you about the specific information, so I will tell you my guess...

When Ed finished his thoughts about the Holy City and Helena being a saint, there was a solemn atmosphere in the conference room. After that, Marshal Carter spoke first, um... After you said this, the problem is indeed more serious than you think.

But when I look at you, I don't feel any serious situation at all.

No matter how I say it is, it is the marshal here. I have to pretend to be calm when the sky falls. Besides, even if the goddess really drops the divine punishment in the worst case, the worst thing is that we will rush into the forest and fight the devil together to fight to the death. How big can we do... Hahahahahaha

It's a big deal! You old guy has lived for a while and of course it doesn't matter. I'm so young, I have to live a few more years, so you immediately open the city gate and let me go into the forest. I will save them within a week. If I don't come back, it means I'm dead

Those who want to live for a few more years won't say what you said just now... But you are the only one who can sneak in and save people alone... Well, I agree, Aneka! It's really a good idea to help Ed open the city gate... It's a rare time to come back, and you're going to go into the forest... But this time, you'll help us get some information back.

After reminiscing with many officers, Ed left the gate of the fortress under many surprised gazes and walked towards the forest. In the eyes of many recruits, he was also walking towards the grave...