Chapter 247 - 112: I Have a Spatial Gate

Chapter 247: Chapter 112: I Have a Spatial Gate

Bloody Hand Johnny stood with his back to the door, his gaze fixed on a map in the main hall.

It was a map of the Red Ridge Mountain area, with all the strategic points marked on it—including Lakefront Town, where Lynch was located.

"Greetings, Commander."

After entering the command post’s main hall, Angus offered a respectful Knight’s salute.

Bloody Hand Johnny didn’t turn around. His tone was cold as he spoke. "Angus Fisher, you have betrayed my trust! Regarding the loss of Rock Fortress and the failure of the mission to attack Lakefront Town, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Angus knew exactly what this meant.

If he hadn’t already been promoted to Tier Four and brought back a thousand men, Bloody Hand Johnny probably wouldn’t have even given him a chance to explain. He would most likely have stripped him of his command first, then passed judgment.

But Angus had come prepared for this.

He immediately put on an expression of extraordinary grief and indignation and laid out the story he had meticulously rehearsed.

The blame, of course, had to be pinned on the Catastrophe Mage, Horn Solar.

After all, dead men tell no tales.

"...Lord Johnny, that’s what happened," Angus said, clenching his fists and looking thoroughly resentful. "That Catastrophe Mage may have been powerful, but when it came to military strategy... he was utterly incompetent."

"He completely ignored the enemy’s situation and our logistics, forcing me to deploy the main force from Rock Fortress to support his long-range assault on Red Ridge Castle. This left Rock Fortress’s defenses empty, allowing that Lynch from Lakefront Town to take advantage of us."

"Then, during the final battle at Red Ridge Castle, the Catastrophe Mage became incredibly arrogant. In his pursuit of a quick victory, he recklessly attempted to summon a Tier Seven Elite Flame Demon, a being far beyond his level! As a result, he suffered a Magic backlash and died on the spot. To make matters worse, the summoned Flame Demon and three-headed Hellhound went out of control, rampaging through our own ranks and causing immense chaos and casualties..."

"I took command in the crisis, did my utmost to stabilize our formation, and fought a retreating battle. That’s how I managed to save these thousand brothers, but it took us over twenty days of arduous travel to finally make it back."

At this point, Angus’s eyes reddened. "Lord Johnny, so many of my old comrades died leading the vanguard to break us out! That damn Catastrophe Mage... A man like that should never have been a Commander!"

Because Angus was a brave warrior who was strict with his subordinates and still adhered to a certain code of a Knight, many within the Draenei Brotherhood couldn’t stand him. They disliked his attitude of trying to remain virtuous while in a den of thieves.

As a result, he didn’t have many "friends" among the Blue Scarves.

But it was precisely because he was this kind of man that, among all of Bloody Hand Johnny’s subordinates, his personal credibility was paradoxically the highest.

Combined with the fact that he had successfully advanced to Tier Four, greatly increasing his strength, and had brought back a full thousand men, after a moment of consideration, Bloody Hand Johnny found himself believing seventy to eighty percent of his story.

He slowly turned around. Instead of reprimanding him, he consoled Angus with a pleasant expression. "Angus, you’ve had a hard journey."

A look of indignation then filled Bloody Hand Johnny’s eyes. "The only reason that good-for-nothing Horn Solar was put in charge was that he’s a core member of the Catastrophe Sect."

"These arrogant Mages and Warlocks are fine as high-level advisors or hired muscle. But war relies on discipline and command. It tests a unit’s daily training and equipment."

"Without long-term military training, what the hell do those parlour trick-loving bastards know about deploying troops?! Angus, to be honest, this really wasn’t your fault!"

He walked up to Angus and patted his shoulder. "The fact that you could stabilize the troops under those circumstances and bring so many men back is a testament to your ability! Not to mention you also advanced to Tier Four along the way. It just goes to show this was a blessing in disguise. You weren’t broken by the setback—that makes you an excellent Knight."

Angus put on an expression of tearful gratitude, as if to say, ’My lord, you truly understand me.’ Seizing the opportunity, he returned the favor with a bit of flattery. "When it comes to waging war, no one compares to you, Lord Johnny."

"It’s because of your brilliant command that our Scarlet Cross Group has earned its fearsome reputation. You are a role model for us all. To be able to serve you, my lord, is an honor for me, Angus Fisher."

"Very good." Bloody Hand Johnny was increasingly pleased with Angus’s attitude. "Take your brothers and make camp outside of town for now. Rest well and resupply your equipment."

"In a little while, we’ll have a tough nut to crack: Grey Stone Pass, which is garrisoned by the Iron Wall Battle Group. When the time comes, you’ll lead the charge with your men. Show me what you’re capable of."

"As you command, my lord! I will not fail you!" Angus withdrew, appearing overwhelmed with gratitude.

Once outside, his heart settled. He knew he had passed the first test.

The truth was, just as he had told Lynch before, he didn’t know how to do any of this. But Lynch’s words had forced him to think, to scheme... ’I have to accomplish something truly great for His Highness. Only then can I have the audacity to ask my lord to request the Great Prophecy Skill.

’For my daughter, to clear my name... there’s nothing I won’t do.’

* * *

Time flew by, and before anyone knew it, three full months had passed since the battle of Red Ridge Castle.

This rare period of relative "peace" gave Lakefront Town, and the entire Mirror Lake region now under its control, a precious opportunity to catch its breath and develop.

During this time, roads were repaired and widened, and the destroyed Water Bridge was rebuilt, stronger than before. Smoke once again curled up from the chimneys of abandoned villages. Large tracts of new land were cultivated, planted with winter crops and newly sown spring grains.