Chapter 230 - 109: Shocking! That Bastard Lynch Has Committed Treason!?

Chapter 230: Chapter 109: Shocking! That Bastard Lynch Has Committed Treason!?

A portion of the Blue Scarf’s forces had already gathered outside the castle’s main gate, their battle lines spread out in overlapping layers facing the fortress.

A mass of infantry held large shields, with archers, crossbowmen, and a few catapults positioned behind them.

Farther in the distance, several different camp banners fluttered in the wind. Beneath the largest and most conspicuous one—a black banner with a red pattern—a temporary high platform had been erected at some unknown time.

Atop the high platform, one figure was particularly striking.

The man appeared to be in his forties, draped in a magnificent crimson Mage Robe. His hair and beard were both crimson, making him look as fierce as a burning flame.

Merely standing there, he naturally exuded a powerful aura that made one’s heart pound.

This was none other than the "Catastrophe Mage" Horn Solar, the Tier Five Conjuration Mage ranked seventy-ninth on the Imperial Blacklist!

Furthermore, a massive creature lay resting at the foot of the high platform.

It was a true three-headed hellhound, its body the size of an elephant. Its three ferocious heads lolled about, its crimson eyes half-open, half-closed.

Lynch sized it up, his eyes glinting.

’Is this a real, adult three-headed hellhound? With this size and aura, it must be Tier Five, right?’

’Compared to it, my Red Rabbit is like a grade-schooler next to a full-grown man.’

However, he didn’t stare at the Catastrophe Mage or the hellhound for long. Like everyone else, he cast a few "awed" glances before quickly looking away.

’Powerful beings like that often have incredibly sharp senses. A few extra glances might be all it takes to arouse their suspicion.’

His gaze swept toward the walls of Red Ridge Castle.

And right in the center of the wall, he saw a familiar figure.

It was a stout, good-natured-looking man in a black Mage Robe, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down on them from his high vantage point.

Wasn’t that his senior brother, Raymond, Commander of the Thirteenth Battle Group?

Although his senior brother Raymond still looked imposing, he was clearly exhausted. The successive days of bitter fighting had evidently taken a huge toll on him.

Even the two copper-armored corpses standing beside him were now covered in wounds.

Besides his senior brother Raymond, the soldiers defending the walls were a mix of everything—dwarves, goblins, centaurs, humans... They were truly a motley, ragtag army.

But it was clear that the continuous, high-intensity defense had nearly drained them of their stamina and willpower. Obvious fatigue was written on all their faces.

Just then, Angus stepped forward to the front of the formation.

As per the "script" he had discussed with Lynch last night, he looked up at Raymond on the castle wall, gathered his battle aura, and boomed, "Commander on the wall, listen up! I am the defender of Rock Fortress, Angus Fisher!"

His voice echoed across the battlefield, drawing the attention of many on both sides.

"I hear that Lynch Blackwood of Lakefront Town is the junior brother of your Commander Raymond?" Angus laughed smugly. "Hahaha! What a shame. He won’t be coming to save you. I took his head myself during the battle for Lakefront Town a few days ago."

His words were like a stone tossed into a still pond, sending ripples through both the attacking and defending armies.

Many of the Blue Scarf soldiers began to jeer and laugh, their morale instantly soaring.

Atop the high platform, even the Catastrophe Mage, Horn Solar, glanced over, giving Angus a look of faint approval.

Striking the enemy’s morale before a battle—especially a psychological blow targeting an important figure—was, of course, a good thing.

On the walls of Red Ridge Castle, however, Raymond’s stout frame trembled.

But his shock quickly turned to fury. He roared, "That’s a load of fucking bullshit! A piece of trash like you is worthy of killing my junior brother Lynch? My junior brother is one of the Empire’s top genius Necromancers! You’re not even qualified to lick his boots."

"My junior brother just sent me a Magic Letter last night! He’s already on his way to relieve Red Ridge Castle."

No matter what, Raymond had to boost their morale. Otherwise, this battle would be lost before it even began.

And now, according to the script, it was time for Lynch—the "loyal" new Personal Guard—to make his entrance.

"Old dog, how dare you insult my commander!" Lynch strode forward, shielding Angus. In a booming voice, he hurled insults at the wall, "You got the guts? Then come down here! Let’s see if I, Brad, don’t take that loudmouthed old dog’s head clean off!"

As he shouted, the Personal Guards beside Angus all shot him sideways glances.

The blunt Barton, in particular, looked on with bright eyes. ’This new kid might be a little dense,’ he thought, ’but he’s got balls when it counts.’

Barton immediately roared in support, "Hey, fatso on the wall! Got the guts to come down and trade a few blows with your granddaddy Barton?"

Not wanting to be outdone by Lynch, the other Personal Guards joined in, shouting and cursing along with the two of them, each more arrogant than the last.

In an instant, the air before the battle lines was thick with an unending stream of profanity.

On the wall, Raymond froze for a second when he heard the self-proclamation "I, Brad." But when he got a clear look at the young man calling him an "old dog," his already small eyes shrank to pinpricks.

H-holy... SHIT?!

’Isn’t that my goddamn junior brother Lynch?!’

...