Capítulo 2062: Chapter 688: Crisis Reveals Cowardice, Desperation Forges Courage (Part 2)

The years have left too many marks on his body and face. As an “ancient elder” of the same era as Lord Paryen, he has witnessed too many victories and defeats. This current scene does not scare him.

“Evil spirits! This is the Gaia Sanctuary! The masters of all mountains and rivers do not permit your wantonness here! Retreat!”

In Ovg’s round-eyed, white-bearded rebuke, Gaia’s Whisper erupted with a more glorious earthen radiance. That earth-yellow light screen, akin to flowing sand, crafted a seemingly thin yet sufficiently resilient earth curtain before the Old Dwarf, blocking any entity and spiritual body from crossing here.

Neither the decayed soul blades of the Undead Warriors nor the terrifying roars of resentful spirits could shake it, only causing meaningless ripples across the flowing sand screen.

This is a semi-permanent divine art called “Blessed Earth Rock,” which resembles the “Earthly Heaven of Avalon.” Ovg’s intention in using this here was obvious.

He is to uphold his agreement with Lord Hether, in the name of Mother Earth, persisting until the last moment.

The sudden change here quickly became known to other Earth Priests through earth power communication. Upon informing Lord Hether to expedite the evacuation, they began mass casting the Earth Walking Technique to transfer crucial items and personnel from the positions to the rear.

To save time, the remaining path to Shadow Valley must be walked by these people themselves.

No one complained, even the civil staff now exerted all their effort to carry essential items and began traveling on foot.

The Jackals used dark arts to disrupt the spiritual energy already unstable near Blackflame Mountain Pass, forcing the Spiritualists of the Red Devil Hall to open portals several kilometers away.

This route was not far, yet at this moment became a path filled with despair and fury.

Of course, not everyone evacuated.

Lord Hether and her Blood Covenant Knights had already advanced to the forefront of the sixth position, intercepting the attacking Jackal army here. It was not the time to be frugal, hence Lord Hether had thrown out all her enhancements.

Just the spiritualized Blood Covenant battle flags amounted to thirty-seven, these tactical marvels activated to effectively resist the fear state imposed on the soldiers by the Banquet of Thousands of Souls.

“Gather your people! Retreat backward! Don’t look back, rush to Shadow Valley!”

Having thrown out two round shields killing several Jackal Formation Breakers, Lord Hether continued her onslaught. Amid the battle gaps, she turned back and shouted to the Retinue Army Commander behind who had lost an arm:

“Reinforce along the way, pass my orders, commence total retreat now! If you don’t know how, go find the Transia People, their Governor has the complete plan! Go!”

Under the lord’s rebuke, the commander of the Blood Covenant Attendant Army, known for their bravery and steadfastness, could almost crush their teeth.

They were unwilling to leave the position they swore to perish in, but under the current circumstances, even if they all died here, it would only add power to the Jackals’ dark ceremonial attack against their own people.

Except for some insistent escorts unwilling to retreat and still engaging in fierce battles with the enemy on the position, other teams had begun turning to withdraw.

This scene was immediately spotted by Huggesen, the Jackal frontline commander.

This silent Grand Marshal bared his teeth, using a crude sign language gesture to make a signal to the flag officer beside him, immediately two special battle flags were raised high, followed by a large wave of Armed Gnolls charging forward, howling.

Clearly, this was cannon fodder used to prevent the enemy’s retreat.

Huggesen’s appetite was significant.

He was unwilling to let go of the rebels on this position, nor did he hope for them to withdraw from this land of death, reorganize defenses elsewhere, and obstruct the Jackals’ subsequent attacks.

More importantly, Manson of the Blood Scar Clan had emphasized that a massacre at Blackflame Mountain Pass was needed to please The Master of Hunting soon to be born.

This war… no, each step of this Black Disaster was to serve this purpose.

The malicious intent of the Jackals was instantly deciphered by Lord Hether, who roared:

“Dymes! Go to position eight! Deliver my orders! Make Colonel Cardel fire the cannons! Bombard position six, do not let the Gnolls charge over again, or the subsequent troops won’t be able to evacuate!”

“Understood!”

At this critical moment, the aloof Elven leader likewise refrained from bickering with the dwarves.

Holding an elegant stance with a war halberd likened to a war dance, he gracefully leaped out of the battle circle, followed by a sweeping slash that eliminated the surrounding Barbarian Soldiers. He whistled skyward, and a moonclad Wind Eagle swooped down, its reins seized by the Elf in a swift leap.

The sequence of moves was smooth and fluid; before the Jackals reacted, the Elven leader already soared into the sky.

He traversed positions six and seven, landing on position eight. Here was the Brass Dwarves’ artillery position. He intended to find the detestable Colonel Cardel but was astonished to witness, at this critical moment, a “rebellion” unfolding at position eight?

The Brass Dwarf Artillery had their weapons confiscated, bound and thrown aside in a dismal heap. The strewn large packages near them indicated what these fellows were prepared to do.