Chapter 1426 - 1337: Winter Embrace River Valley

Chapter 1426: Chapter 1337: Winter Embrace River Valley

Winter Embrace River Valley, it must be a valley.

So it has all the geographical features a valley possesses, a river running through it, flanked by rolling hills and tributary valleys squeezed between them.

However, compared to those valleys in Mountain County of Thousand River Valley, which are often less than two kilometers wide, Winter Embrace River Valley is much larger.

It gradually widens from its narrowest point, with the narrowest being about three kilometers, and the mouth of the valley stretching to around ten kilometers.

This valley is one of the few grain-producing areas in the Immortal Stone Field, with small towns and villages scattered along the riverbanks.

Wheat fields are built along the streams and fences, and the green-topped houses almost blend into the green hills.

But now it is stained with a lot of blood because the Vampire Army has arrived.

The villagers and town residents who couldn’t escape were either massacred after being rounded up, or turned into zombies responsible for harvesting grain.

Blood for vampires is much like meat and vegetables for humans, while regular human foods like grains are more like root vegetables.

It can keep you alive, fill your stomach a bit, but not satiate you, and eating it for too long will lead to malnutrition.

The same goes for vampires, going too long without consuming human or animal blood will lead to declining bodily functions, eventually turning them into stray vampires.

For the lower tier of vampires in the Royal Court, once they lose their jobs, it becomes hard to sustain life, as they can’t afford blood, which causes their bodily functions to decline.

Due to the decline in their bodily functions, they can’t perform their jobs well, and thus continue to be unable to afford blood.

Until they completely turn into stray vampires who sleep fourteen hours a day, and then become ammunition for the sacrilegious cannon.

In Serafe’s army, the number of such living ammunition is quite significant.

Previously, Serafe would promise the stray vampires that if they fought well or performed well, they could rise and share in the flesh feast.

But as the situation worsens, she increasingly relies on clan armies, and this rule gradually ceased being followed.

A major reason for the current uprising in Saint Danji within the Royal Court is related to this.

After entering the valley area, the vampires who had been marching day and night could finally rest.

They spread out in batches, passing through the winter wheat fields, driving zombies to harvest straw to feed the horses.

When Serafe arrived with the last batch of the Vampire Army, waiting for her were well-organized towns, churches, and outer defenses.

Once they entered the camp surrounded by outposts, the Legion Commander blew the whistle to dismiss them, and the vampire soldiers threw down their weapons, collapsing onto the filthy ground.

This journey really pushed them hard.

Curse that Lakunio, the special envoy sent kept monitoring them; even slacking off a bit was impossible.

Many vampire officers only now understand why the Holy Alliance Army marches so fast. They also have supervisors in place.

If you don’t push them, how would you know that the soldiers could march for so long and so quickly?

Compared to the Holy Alliance’s human army, these vampires looked fatigued, but didn’t sweat a drop, only breathing heavily.

Vampires don’t sweat or cry, if liquid must come from their eyes or noses, it can only be blood.

Because a vampire’s essence is a corpse magical creature, running purely on the magic power in blood.

When Lilith initially created vampires, she used a method of creating magical creatures from weak points in the astral realm.

This technique is likely the original version of the magic-devouring spore or say, the magic virus.

But now, the methods Lilith once used can no longer be applied.

What she can do now is nothing more than adding some touches to the blood pact rifle or the sacrilegious cannon with her knowledge.

Compared to Misera’s roles as a military strategist and politician, Lilith is more like a scholar.

Seeing the camp arranged neatly, Lilith was even more satisfied with Lakunio: "Lakunio, oh Lakunio, after this battle, I must truly promote you to Prince."

Lakunio was neither sad nor happy, only bowing his head, "Whatever you give me, it is my honor."

"Hahahahaha—"

It’s no wonder Lilith laughed heartily, it used to be the Holy Alliance playing tricks on the Royal Court, but this time it was rare for the Royal Court to play tricks on the Holy Alliance.

Lakunio’s strategy was simple, find Mira, tell him that the two thousand clan army was driven to desperation, and attempt to surrender Serafe.

Mira was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately inquired about the terms of surrender.

But he forgot, as the fleeing side, what vampires need most now is time.

As the pursuing side, what he mustn’t do is give the vampires time!

The two sides negotiated for half a day but didn’t come to an agreement, and it was this half-day delay that allowed Serafe to successfully lead the two thousand clan army into the Winter Embrace River Valley.

"That Mira is from lesser nobility, and his mindset remains rigid." Lakunio said blandly, "As a cavalry Battle Commander, what right does he have to accept a surrender?"

"Hmm, not bad." Serafe glanced at the valley, continuing to speak to Lakunio, "I grant you 2000 pounds of spices and 500 gold pounds, go and collect them."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After seeing Lakunio leave, Evelyn, the Captain of the Guard beside Serafe, couldn’t help but speak, "Your Majesty, isn’t this too suspicious?"

"Suspicious about what?"

"I’ve dealt with this Mira before, he doesn’t seem like someone who’d be fooled by a few words."

"Greed blinds wisdom." Serafe quoted an ancient human proverb, "Isn’t this a common occurrence?"

"It’s quite rare among the Holy Alliance Army..."

"What? Is it allowed for the Royal Court’s army to be fooled, but not the Holy Alliance’s? Does the Royal Court not have loyal and faithful vampires?"

Seeing Serafe’s words tinged with anger, the Captain of the Guard had to repeatedly apologize.

Appointing Lakunio as Chief of Staff was a decision made by her, Serafe. It was not for others to interject.

Moreover, Lakunio’s three families are failures, unflattering to say, mere pawns of the Plantagenet Dynasty.

If the Plantagenet Dynasty can control them, why can’t she, Serafe?

Seeing the Captain of the Guard apologize, Serafe calmed down quite a bit, rubbing her forehead.

Borrowing Serafe’s body, Lilith’s consciousness is also reciprocally affected by Serafe’s body, far less compatible than the Wolf Woman.

Damn it!

For some reason, a formless sense of crisis suddenly flashed through her mind, but when she tried to recall it, it was gone.

No matter, Serafe shook her head, smiling as she looked towards the valley. Since they entered this valley, the strategy was already halfway to success!

......

At this moment, not far from the mouth of the valley, in Trumpet Town.

"Mira, damn you! As a cavalry Battle Commander, who gave you the gall, your task is to pursue!"

Victor, red-faced, was being held back by the Archbishop and other Battle Commanders, pointing at Mira in the distance and hurling insults.

Mira was standing with his head lowered, with a shoemark each on his waist and backside.

As for the nearby onlooking Battle Commanders and Legion Commanders, their expressions were not very pleasant, except for Horn, who was without emotion, simply saying, "Alright, stop making a fuss. Let’s save this matter for post-battle review and now think about the next steps."

At Horn’s words, Victor naturally couldn’t keep fighting, glaring fiercely at Mira before sitting back down.

Now in the church of Trumpet Town, it gathered the four Battle Commanders, including Saint’s Grandson.

Jeanne, Victor, Dass, and Saint’s Grandson himself, along with various Battle Commanders and the Archbishop were all assembled in this small church.

Though they were discussing the next steps, what could actually be discussed at this point was merely whether to continue the chase or let these two thousand clan army go for now.