Chapter 27: Breakthrough
Once Red River City fell, the entire Red River Territory plunged into turmoil and chaos.
Viscount Forest, Viscount Red Soil, and Baron Gem, though nominally under the command of Marquis Ster, were merely cooperating rather than truly subordinate.
Thus, after achieving the strategic goal of capturing the Red River Territory, unity among them dissipated, and each began carving out their own domains and amassing wealth.
Among them, Baron Gem was the most egregious.
Having nearly exhausted his family assets over the three-year war, he was eager to replenish his expenditures.
Consequently, he dispatched all four of his remaining Bloodline Knights.
Originally, after the deaths of Berman and Hughes, he was left with only three Bloodline Knights. However, over the past three years, he recruited another to serve him, restoring the count to four.
Being stingy, he naturally wouldn't grant his Bloodline Knights any villages within his territory as fiefs.
Thus, their loyalty was questionable. However, he paid little attention to his subordinates' corruption, so in times of war, his Bloodline Knights were the most zealous, knowing that post-siege plundering would yield ample rewards.
Therefore, the blockade around the Red Lion Peak area was primarily enforced by forces from the Forest and Red Soil Territories.
Together, they dispatched five Bloodline Knights: three Second-Tier and two First-Tier.
Of these, two Second-Tier Knights hailed from the relatively affluent Red Soil Territory, while one Second-Tier and two First-Tier Knights came from the Forest Territory.
The blockade line was maintained by the two First-Tier Bloodline Knights, while the three Second-Tier Knights surrounded the base of Red Lion Peak.
With three Second-Tier Bloodline Knights monitoring the descent paths of Red Lion Peak, it was understandable that Ster and Ken couldn't easily break through the encirclement.
Once they attempted to descend, the enemy would ensure they had no retreat back to the peak. If they couldn't break through the blockade in one go, total annihilation awaited them.
Atop the peak, Ster silently drank the last drop from his water pouch.
It had been fourteen days since their breakout attempt.
They had been trapped on Red Lion Peak for nearly a week.
Due to the hasty retreat, their military rations were insufficient and had been exhausted by the third day of the siege.
Fortunately, Red Lion Peak, located within the Red River Territory, wasn't as barren as the White Mountain Territory, and the mountain still harbored various creatures.
While food was relatively sufficient, the water supply was a significant issue.
The southern winters were frigid but lacked snowfall, making it impossible to obtain water from melting snow. They had to rely on the blood of hunted animals to alleviate the water shortage, a desperate measure.
In the past three days alone, over thirty men had perished due to cold, hunger, and dehydration.
Initially, over 150 soldiers had successfully broken out with Ster and Ken; now, fewer than a hundred remained.
"Ken." Ster shook his water pouch, confirming it was completely empty.
He tossed the pouch to his Knight Commander and gave a weary smile. "Kill me, then lead the others to surrender."
Ken remained silent, continuing to organize his belongings. "Lord Ster, I believe you shouldn't give up. I've observed that tonight's darkness is the thickest in recent days. We can attempt a breakout under this cover; perhaps we still have a chance. But if we delay any longer..."
Ster didn't respond.
He understood all too well.
Due to death, cold, and lack of sufficient food, the soldiers on the mountain had fallen into utter despair, nearly losing all combat capability.
If they mustered the courage for one final fight, they might unleash a last burst of suicidal strength.
But if they delayed another two or three days, the soldiers might mutiny for survival even before the enemy ascended the mountain.
Bloodline Users indeed possessed greater combat prowess than ordinary people, but maintaining this power required consuming several times more food.
Once a Bloodline User weakened to the point where their bloodline power couldn't manifest, they were no stronger than ordinary men.
Ster was already utterly exhausted, barely better off than the common soldiers, highlighting the dire situation.
"Sigh." He sighed softly. "Many will die, perhaps even all of us."
"But my lord, this is the death I've chosen," Ken said solemnly.
His sharp gaze swept over the other soldiers, none of whom dared meet his eyes.
Ster sighed inwardly.
Though he had tried to grant commoners some privileges within his territory, he knew that even someone like Ken, who rarely displayed Bloodline User superiority, didn't truly regard commoners as equals.
For ordinary soldiers, survival was their utmost desire.
If given a chance to live, they naturally wouldn't choose death. Unfortunately, these commoners never had the right to choose, unless they could kill both Ster and Ken, surrendering was not an option.
To the enemy soldiers below, they were merely trophies. The soldiers understood this, which was why they hadn't fled down the mountain to surrender.
"Alright." Ster nodded solemnly.
Ken picked up his spear and quickly signaled. The scattered soldiers slowly rose and gathered.
These soldiers were Ster's private troops, all selected from White Mountain City residents, none older than thirty-five, the youngest only eighteen.
Trained by Ken Andar, the Bole Family's Chief Knight Commander, they held a natural fear of him.
"Prepare to break through," Ken said, glancing at the assembled troops. "I know many of you will fall here, but don't worry. Your names are recorded in White Forest Castle, and your families will receive compensation if you die."
"Also, remember! Stay close during the breakout. If we get separated, I can only wish you luck."
The soldiers silently gripped their weapons, their faces tense with anxiety.
"We..."
"Ken!" Ster suddenly grabbed his Knight Commander and pointed down the mountain. "Is that a firelight?"
Ken turned to look at the mountain's base.
A vivid red glow illuminated the base of Red Lion Peak, with thick smoke billowing upward, stark against the night sky.
"Are they setting the mountain on fire?" Ster's expression stiffened. "Trying to force us out?"
"Doesn't seem like it." Ken's eyes narrowed as he quickly scanned the scene. "It looks more like their camp caught fire. But the fire's spreading too fast, not like a typical accident."
"A trap?"
"Trap or not, we must seize this opportunity to break through," Ken said firmly. "If it's a trap, let the enemy regret their cleverness!"
Ster took a deep breath and nodded swiftly.
Without further deliberation, they led the soldiers down the mountain to break through.
As they descended, the enemy soldiers encircling the sole path down Red Lion Peak appeared in disarray.
From above, it seemed the burning camp was far from the peak, but in reality, the camp encircled the mountain's base. Once the fire spread, the entire camp became an inferno.
The chaos in the camp made it clear to Ster and Ken that this wasn't a trap or a ruse, it was a genuine, uncontrollable fire!
A golden opportunity!
Even without orders, the soldiers understood this was a rare chance to break through.
Everyone was instantly invigorated.
But Ster and Ken remained vigilant.
They knew that despite the unexpected fire increasing their chances, their exhaustion was a significant vulnerability.
Moreover, the enemy had three Second-Tier Bloodline Users. If they abandoned their troops to focus solely on Ster and Ken, the outcome might remain unchanged.
"They're coming down the mountain!"
Despite the chaos caused by the fire, someone still kept watch on Red Lion Peak. Upon seeing Ster and Ken leading their men down, they shouted an alert.
Before Ken could act, Ster's eyes narrowed, and a chill emanated from him. He swiftly conjured several ice spikes, which whistled through the air, piercing the shouting enemy soldier.
A brief cry of pain was followed by a pool of blood.
These ordinary soldiers couldn't withstand Ster's attack.
"Go!" Ken roared, leading the charge and positioning Ster in the middle of the formation.
But they had barely advanced a few steps when a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
"Ha!"
At the sound, Ken halted abruptly and swung his spear, deflecting several arrows that landed at his feet.
"Roman," Ken muttered, taking a deep breath. "My lord, you go ahead. I'll hold him off..."
"Boom—"
Before Ken could finish, an explosion erupted from the direction the arrows had come.
"What was that?"
"I think... I saw a fireball fly over?" Ken's voice was uncertain in response to Ster's question.
"Fire...ball?" Ster looked puzzled.
"My lord."
A sudden voice startled both Ken and Ster.
Though they had paused for only two or three seconds due to the unexpected fireball, on the battlefield, even such a brief hesitation was dangerous.
Ster turned toward the voice and was shocked.
"Yam?! What are you doing here?!"
Covered in blood, clearly from a fierce battle, Yam casually tossed a severed head aside and said, "Young Master Giggs sent me to escort you home. My brother and I have thrown the entire camp into chaos. I also killed a Bloodline Knight. The enemy can no longer threaten us, but we shouldn't linger. Please, my lord, break through with us immediately."
Ster looked at the head rolling to his feet, his expression complex.
He recognized the head's owner.
A Second-Tier Bloodline Knight under Viscount Forest, this warrior had previously blocked Ken's assault, preventing their initial breakthrough and trapping them on Red Lion Peak. Now, Yam had casually slain him, astonishing Ster.
Moreover, Yam mentioned having a brother here.
"That fireball earlier... Was it your brother's bloodline ability?"
"Yes," Yam nodded. "My father is already prepared at the White Mountain Territory's border. Once we break through the blockade and return, these enemies will no longer be a threat. Young Master Giggs is also waiting for you at the border."
Ster's breath caught, and he glanced at Ken, who was equally stunned.
At that moment, Ster realized that the Bole Family's previous intelligence on Yam was entirely incorrect.
This family didn't have just one Bloodline User, Yam. All three members were Bloodline Users!
And all were Second-Tier Bloodline Users!