Chapter 236: The Attack

Chapter 236: The Attack

Rio led his people out of Yong’an City. There were no banners accompanying them, no crowds seeing them off, and not even anyone willing to give them a second glance. Once beyond this place, Rio would face a completely unfamiliar world. He was of the Demon Tribe, but he had never returned to his ancestral homeland. He was born and raised in Silverpine Town, which once was everything to him.

In Silverpine Town, people came and went. The rotating garrison troops told them stories about the outside world. Every child from Silverpine Town was both familiar with and very unfamiliar with the outside world. Back then, every child dreamed of one day seeing the outside world with their own eyes.

Now, his dream had come true.

This time, the Insect Swarm did not serve as the vanguard. They stopped outside Yong’an City, preparing to comb through the Bloody Plains once more in the opposite direction. Without their company and the annoying buzz of the insects gone, Rio felt somewhat uneasy.

The western side of Yong’an City was surrounded by mountains. Rio thought this terrain was more suitable for the Insect Swarm to move. But this was just a passing thought. He knew another competition of survival of the fittest had begun.

It was a completely independent operation. They could choose for themselves—to fight or to flee. No one would care, at least the Deity wouldn’t. This seemed more like a final test. They only needed to shed their armor and hide in the mountains and forests, and perhaps they could live out their remaining days in peace.

Over the years, the rugged mountain paths had been trampled wide and solid by countless armies. The jungles by the roadside were too dense, forcing the Cannibals to send out more scouts. Rio did not know how many of these scouts would choose to return.

Actually, it didn’t matter. He didn’t care either. Rio did not want to flee, nor would he flee, but he would not stop those who chose to run. Because, he wanted to see where these people could escape to? He was curious about the fate of those who fled. Minor losses in personnel were something he could afford. During the cleansing process, he had many ways to make his forces grow continuously.

As for the small villages hidden among the mountains, Rio had no interest. He only needed to pass through the mountains and stir up trouble on the other side. When the time came, the Deity would descend.

The villages hidden in the mountains were Nicole’s target. Unlike Rio, she was quite familiar with this area. Among the mountains, there were not only small villages but also a somewhat larger town—Sweetwell Town.

These mountains were not short of clear springs and streams, but most of them dried up and flowed with the seasons. Sweetwell Town was located in a relatively gentle and open mountain hollow. Several wells provided the most reliable water source here. The well water was sweet, which was the origin of the town’s name.

Sweetwell Town had a complex population. Various Demon Clan members could often be seen here, such as Two-Faces, Four-Arms, and so on and so forth. If one sought the origins of these people, they were nothing more than deserters and draft dodgers. The instinct for survival eventually gathered them in this suitable place to live.

Regarding this place, most people turned a blind eye. Because the road into Sweetwell Town was too treacherous. Rather than applying force, it was better to use gentle persuasion.

But the world had changed. Wasn’t treachery precisely the test given by the Deity?

Since that place was unsuitable for large-scale military operations, she decided to take a small number of elites and go there. Nicole gathered her trusted followers and voiced her idea: This is not a suppression campaign, but our offering to the Deity.

She was not the only one who wanted to offer to the Deity, so Nicole encountered Mela at the city gate. The two cousins looked at each other, and without any argument, they walked out shoulder to shoulder. Behind them were two small squads of elites, distinct in black and white.

…

Sander stood at the mountain pass of Sweetwell Town, gazing towards Yong’an City. Many days had passed, but the memory of the towering pillar of light still made his heart tremble with fear. Those sent to spy reported that the flags on the city walls had changed, and the fires burning corpses blazed day and night. Even from miles away, one could smell the nauseating odor of burning fat.

Sander had thought about fleeing, but he hesitated. How could he escape with his wife and children? This place had always been like a paradise, its treacherous roads blocking most dangers. To deal with this place, a small force would be useless, and a large force couldn’t get in.

But would such treachery be effective against the Northlanders? Sander did not know.

Most people in the town didn’t take it seriously, but Sander had been feeling restless and jumpy lately.

A distinctly black-and-white squad appeared in sight. Because the road was so rough, they looked somewhat disheveled. This made Sander tense up involuntarily. He shouted and ran towards the town.

Sander’s voice echoed through the mountains. Nicole and Mela glanced at each other and simultaneously gave orders. Two completely different orders.

“Advance slowly.”

“Charge forward!”

The black and white forces instantly separated, not even sparing each other another glance.

Even though everything was already within sight, Nicole still did not want to take too many risks. She intended to offer victory to the Deity, not her own flesh and blood. The mountain pass seemed close at hand, but the road leading there was still long.

Everyone had their own way of offering to the Deity. Mela wanted to prove her piety with her own flesh and blood. What reason did Nicole have to stop her?

People rushed out from the mountain pass and began to stand ready for battle. Mela was already approaching the area. Mela charged at the forefront without the slightest hesitation. A faint glimmer flickered in her palm, like a bead of sweat on the tip of a nose reflecting sunlight, crystal clear and transparent.

Forward without hesitation! Mela was imitating the Light she revered.

At the mountain pass, people stared nervously at Mela. In their eyes, this pretty-looking woman wore a ferocious expression. But this ferocity actually made her seem a bit cute. Like a little girl pouting, ready to vent her dissatisfaction.

The men slightly lowered their blades; the women pointed their sword edges towards that pretty face. But what first crashed into them was not that slightly plump body, but a dazzling, blinding light.

Amidst cries of alarm, their vision turned completely white. Someone knocked their weapons aside, and sharp blades swept across their necks.

Nicole continued to walk at an unhurried pace, gradually approaching the slaughtering crowd. By now, most of the white figures were stained crimson. She raised her voice and shouted—Surrender or Death!

Nicole had no intention of competing for merit. She merely wanted to imitate Nightfall’s attitude, giving these poor souls a choice.

Mela stopped killing because Nicole’s question was posed on behalf of the Deity. Moreover, Nicole showed no sign of competing for credit, which satisfied Mela greatly, so she felt she must offer something in return.