CHAPTER 304: CHAPTER 207: THE DOG IS BARKING (2)

"We don’t have time."

Roland and Sif exchanged a glance for a second and changed their minds.

"Alright, we’ll fight side by side."

Sif was right.

If you’re afraid of danger, then don’t provoke Sofia; find a place to hide with her and enjoy the final tranquility before life’s end.

If it weren’t for the imminent return day, retreating to the countryside would seem like a good option.

But the return day is upon us; playing ostrich won’t work.

Those trapped in the whirlpool of destiny have nowhere to escape.

Since we can’t flee, let’s face it bravely.

The next day, the main force of the new army led by Christine continued to advance.

Following the large army was a reorganized infantry brigade led by the Mirror Empress. Although this unit didn’t have the designation of the Imperial Guard, it played the role of one.

According to the combat plan, the arrival of the Forbidden Brigade was to put the last nail in the enemy’s coffin.

The real decider of victory or defeat would be the battle before the Forbidden Brigade’s arrival.

Especially the battle at Helen Mountain’s artillery position.

On the night of June 11, 1792, the curtain of night fell.

In the summer of Northern Rodinia, the temperature isn’t high— the sea breeze brings fresh rain, washing away the daytime clamor and bringing coolness to the night.

Helen Mountain, Oden Kingdom’s artillery position.

The patrolling soldiers walked lazily along the patrol route, showing no expression.

They didn’t bother to speak or even glance around much.

The leading captain silently glanced at the city below the mountain, saw the bright lights of the town hall and the flag of the Oden Kingdom, and cursed inwardly.

The damn Helentz Castle battle should be over.

This battle has consumed too many lives, too much time, and morale.

Glancing at the listless soldiers with the corner of his eye, he should have scolded them harshly but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Having to patrol on rainy days isn’t a pleasant task, especially when there’s no chance of encountering the enemy here.

To ascend Helen Mountain, one must either climb the cliff behind or launch a frontal assault up the gentle slope.

With Hansa Province’s current strength, it’s simply impossible.

A surprise attack? The captain couldn’t help but laugh.

He even somewhat hoped someone would try a surprise attack. If those fools knew that Lord Shank was stationed right at the artillery position, they would be desperate.

The end of the patrol route was by the edge of the cliff.

Every night, he would loosen his pants here and urinate towards the canal. Although it was impossible to reach the canal tens of meters away, he would hypnotize himself into believing it did.

The captain and ten soldiers reached the cliff’s edge, ready to start their nightly ritual.

Just as they were about to unbutton their pants, a soldier curiously pointed at the canal and laughed.

"Captain, did you hear that? Someone’s singing on the other side of the canal, and it’s really nice."

"Nonsense, I’m not deaf, stop talking, listen quietly!"

The Jill Canal is a busy one, with many ships passing by daily. The Helentz Castle battle didn’t affect shipping much.

Ships anchor overnight, and sometimes people sing out of boredom.

The patrolling soldiers, listening, gradually became entranced, not even noticing this stretch of canal was empty without ships anchored.

The captain and soldiers’ eyes grew distant, smiling foolishly as they walked towards the cliff’s edge.

In the sound of raindrops, their bodies fell like a leaf, crashing silently at the hundreds-meter-deep cliff’s end, stirring up little dust.

The song swallowed the patrol team.

Yet, minutes later, the patrol team miraculously climbed up from the abyss, as if they fell from a small step instead.

If someone observed closely, they might notice that the patrol team had completely changed personnel.

The patrol team headed for the handoff point.

The uniforms were still the same, only the people changed.

Leading at the front was Roland, wearing a disguise mask.

His physique matched the patrol team captain’s closely; with the mask on in the pitch-black night, it was easy to deceive.

Transition time arrived.

Another patrol team unwillingly walked out of the camp gate, lethargically heading to the rendezvous.

The leading captain’s eyes barely opened, half-heartedly saluting to Roland, not even bothering to ask if there was anything unusual.

Just as the two captains crossed paths, Roland stopped in his tracks.

The incoming captain also stopped, about to inquire when his vision suddenly went black, losing consciousness completely.

Roland and his cohorts worked swiftly, also taking out the ten patrol soldiers and dragging them into nearby bushes, tossing the stripped uniforms down the cliff.

Taking advantage of the night and rain, Roland’s special operation squad approached the artillery position.

Seeing over a hundred large-caliber cannons lined up neatly, Roland was slightly surprised.

With such powerful firepower, along with nearly ninety thousand troops, they still couldn’t take Helentz Castle?

No time to ponder, he took out the corrosive agent Norton prepared and got ready to act.

Tonight’s Plan A was to sneak up the mountain, pour the corrosive agent into the cannon barrels, and finish the sabotage.

Plan B was to launch a signal flare upon being discovered by enemies, launching a night assault using the cover of darkness.

Munina herself sang to enchant the enemy patrol team down the hill, switching into their clothes to sneak up and carry out the sabotage mission.

Roland and the Temple Warriors were responsible for the sabotage.

Sif and the support team were ambushed in a hidden spot on the side of the cliff, ready to provide backup at any moment.

If forced into an assault battle, Roland would join them, holding out until reinforcements arrived.

While the artillery position up the hill had several hundred soldiers defending, the real threat was only Shank.

With Anthony in command, Roland wasn’t too concerned.

Eliminating Shank would make taking out a few hundred soldiers not difficult.

They could then hold the hilltop position, waiting for Christine’s encirclement inside and out.

This strategy could roughly be termed "Central Blooming."

Everyone knows the "Central Blooming" tactic is highly dangerous. A slight mishap would make it a reckless advance with heads served on a platter.

Should Shank be alerted prematurely, the plan’s completion would turn into a Hell-level difficulty.

Fortunately, tonight’s operation was going smoothly.

The Goddess of Fortune was also on his side, sending just the right amount of rain.

If it rained heavier, climbing cliffs would be much tougher. If lighter, the enemy wouldn’t cover cannons with tarps, nor leave them unwatched.

The special operation team moved quickly, each holding a bottle filled with corrosive agent, pouring it into the cannon barrels according to the designated amount.

The cannon barrels treated with corrosive agent would suddenly lose strength, risking a burst upon firing.

In the wind and rain, the ghostly special operation team completed the sabotage mission, preparing to leave.

Just then, a soldier came out to relieve himself, vaguely seeing figures move near the artillery position, and cautiously approached.

He warily looked and saw it was the night patrol team, finally easing his mind.

He smiled and greeted the patrol team, "Hey, Brind, why is your patrol over here tonight?"

Roland’s heart tightened instantly; he discreetly held onto the Flying Knife.

This place was beyond the Flying Knife’s range; he needed to wait for the hapless soldier to get closer.

He nodded and gestured for the unfamiliar soldier to leave.

The soldier muttered a few words, turned around, intending to leave.

Just as Roland was about to move, an impatient Temple Warrior had already taken action.

He raised the hand crossbow and shot a poisoned arrow.

The soldier relieving himself fell softly.

Roland put down the Flying Knife, raising a thumbs-up to the Temple Warrior in approval.

The special operation team quickly left, heading towards the support team’s position.

This godforsaken place, every second longer was dangerous.

Passing the fallen soldier, a Temple Warrior drew a dagger and struck hard.

A swift slash; the unlucky soldier’s head detached, dying with eyes open.

Seeing the Temple Warrior’s skilled actions, Roland nodded approvingly inside.

Truly elite forces cultivated by the Divine Court, completely unlike the religious private troops he imagined.

Harsh enough, not a hint of light visible.

Perhaps seeing through Roland’s doubts, the Temple Warrior who finished the soldier explained in a low voice:

"Lord of Light, using dark means to pursue light, the Goddess wouldn’t mind."

Roland smiled and nodded, accepting his explanation, gesturing to hurry up and leave.

The special operation team departed quickly.

Just seconds after they left the artillery position, a black dog came running out of nowhere, pouncing on the fallen soldier, sniffing and not sensing its master’s life, letting out a shrill howl.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"