560
Chapter 560
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
Jupiter was the strongest fortress city among all imperial cities, boasting the most robust defenses and military presence.
It had triple-layered high sturdy walls in front and naturally fortified cliffs behind that were difficult to climb.
Due to Jupiter's geography being hard to approach from both front and back, the Continental Alliance Army had no choice but to set up their base at a distance from the castle.
Helen Draker, who became the Commander-in-Chief of the Alliance Army, was an experienced and powerful knight.
The problem was that the Continental Alliance Army was entangled with various interests between nations and houses.
Though they dispatched their knights to set up base in front of Jupiter due to treaty obligations, they didn't properly follow Commander Helen's orders.
They built their own bases in different areas, watching other forces cautiously with no intention to take active measures.
As Commander-in-Chief, Helen was well aware of the current situation and couldn't move carelessly.
One wrong move could be like hitting a rock with an egg.
Helen sighed deeply while examining the tactical map showing Jupiter's terrain features inside her tent.
'The longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for us.'
The Continental Alliance Army was composed of knights from various affiliations.
The longer they delayed, not only would their cause fade, but knights and soldiers would inevitably grow weary.
If Jupiter's army led by Castro Pollock chose to defend and stay inside the fortress, there was a possibility the Continental Alliance Army would gradually fall apart as just maintaining their position took considerable effort.
Moreover, the Thermo Fortress, the final gateway to Rome, was under concentrated attack from monsters.
If the Thermo Fortress fell while the Continental Alliance Army was tied down here, Rome, still under reconstruction, would surely take a massive hit.
'We can't just keep holding like this. We need to find an opening to attack Jupiter.'
As Helen was deep in thought, Duke, the commander of the Black Sword Knights, entered the tent.
"Lord Duke."
Though somewhat sudden, Helen politely greeted Duke, an elder of the family and Black Knight.
After taking his seat, he spoke while looking at Helen.
"You must be under great pressure with such a heavy responsibility."
"No, I'm fine."
Though she denied it, Helen's face had grown much thinner than before.
Duke spoke while looking at her.
"The Empire's Red King is indeed the biggest concern."
Helen unconsciously bit her lip at Duke's words.
Originally, Jupiter was occupied by Castro Pollock's forces and the Breaker Mercenary group.
But as the Continental Alliance Army approached Jupiter, new information arrived.
The Red King, one of the Empire's Black Knights, had joined Jupiter.
While Duke Craven di Panion, the Dark King, was the most famous Black Knight in the Rom Empire, Count Vlad known as the Red King was undoubtedly also a remarkable figure often discussed by many.
Moreover, he was especially famous for something beyond his martial prowess ,his cruelty.
Though his cruel reputation had faded somewhat behind Emperor Nero's madness and Abel Draker's horrific massacres, Count Vlad's brutality was clearly demonstrated during the Eastern Continent Invasion War 25 years ago.
The warriors of the Muruk Empire considered Overlord Arthur Draker and Red King Count Vlad their most feared enemies in the Central Continent.
His nickname given in the Eastern Continent particularly revealed this fear.
"The Thorn Lord..."
As Helen murmured Count Vlad's nickname, Duke's expression also darkened.
"It's true the entire Alliance Army's morale dropped as soon as word spread of the Red King's arrival. Both Count Vlad himself and his family's Dracula Knights of House Basarab are famous for being cruel and powerful."
It was said that even the Mad Emperor didn't dare touch Wallachia where the Red King resided.
Such Count Vlad joining Jupiter could only be the worst news for the Alliance Army.
Helen nodded with a dark expression.
"You're right, Lord Duke. Jupiter was already difficult to capture, but with Count Vlad joining, the battle has become even harder."
Helen had made great efforts to make an objective assessment of Red King Count Vlad.
While she knew of his notoriety, his actual military achievements were obscured by terrifying rumors.
So Helen investigated Count Vlad through remaining records of the Eastern Continent War.
Her conclusion was that he was an expert in siege warfare.
Twenty-five years ago, the Muruk Empire's army led by Saladin the massacre duke invaded the Central Continent with fearsome momentum.
Though Saladin wanted to strike Midland first, the nobles desired to invade the Rom Empire, which boasted the largest territory, to establish military achievements.
Against Commander-in-Chief Saladin's wishes, the nobles led a large army to invade the Rom Empire, and Red King Count Vlad was the one who stopped them.
Wallachia Castle, ruled by his House Basarab, wasn't particularly large for a count's domain.
The Muruk Empire's army intended to crush Wallachia Castle swiftly and advance into Rome.
However, their powerful force of over 100,000 suffered a major defeat there, unable to overcome Wallachia Castle.
At the center were Red King Count Vlad and the Dracula Knights.
The front of Wallachia Castle was filled with impaled corpses of Muruk warriors, with a river of blood flowing.
Eventually, the Muruk Empire's nobles were forced to retreat, shocked by Count Vlad's martial prowess and cruelty.
While public opinion focused on Count Vlad's merciless cruelty, Helen analyzed that battle objectively.
'He used cruel methods to create visual shock to defend Wallachia Castle, which was disadvantaged for defense, against an army of over 100,000.'
Fear makes people hesitate.
Count Vlad knew the leaders commanding 100,000 troops were young Eastern nobles with little war experience, so he used the most effective method to stop them.
Helen concluded that Count Vlad was closer to a tactical genius than his reputation suggested.
'I heard Castro Pollock, though a racist, is well-respected by those he cares for. If a tactical genius joins such a person, this battle will become quite difficult...'
Just then, Felix rushed into the tent.
"Commander!"
Felix shouted urgently to Helen.
"Jupiter Castle's gates have opened!"
* * *
Helen and the Black Sword Knights rode out to verify Jupiter Castle's opened gates.
Though the castle was quite distant, they were all Blue Knight level or higher, so they could observe the situation by enhancing their vision.
Knights bearing dragon banners boldly emerged from Jupiter Castle's front.
Helen bit her lip at this sight.
'The Dracula Knights.'
While House Draker was famous for being dragon slayers, House Basarab was legendary for carrying dragon's blood since ancient times.
Many houses used dragon emblems during the Seven Kingdoms era, but all disappeared after the Liberation War.
However, the Dracula Knights of House Basarab were the only ones still using the dragon emblem.
They gained fame in the Central Continent for their great achievements during the Muruk Empire's invasion.
Behind the Dracula Knights with dragon emblems, soldiers began setting up something in front of the castle.
They were giant spike-shaped iron stakes.
The Thorn Lord's spiked weapons that terrorized the Muruk Empire 25 years ago reappeared before Jupiter Castle.
Duke, standing beside Helen, clicked his tongue at this sight.
"Are they openly checking us? First time I've seen defenders provoke like this."
Unlike Duke who seemed unconcerned, Helen's expression was quite dark.
'Other Alliance camps must be watching this too.'
As she expected, other Alliance bases were also witnessing the stark sight of giant iron spikes being driven in front of Jupiter Castle.
Though somewhat forgotten now, Count Vlad's notoriety instilled great fear in both the Muruk Empire and Central Continent people.
This fear also created a kind of mystique around the Red King.
Directly seeing giant iron spikes being installed in this context only heightened that fear.
As soldiers were driving in dozens of iron spikes,
Someone was seen riding out from the castle gates.
NEIGH!
On a massive horse twice the size of other warhorses sat a knight fully armored in red Hersion.
Even from afar, one could sense the knight's ominous presence.
'The Red King.'
Helen recognized him as the notorious Red King Count Vlad.
Though his face was hidden behind a helmet, no one could deny he was the Red King.
A key commander showing himself in the open displayed tremendous confidence.
Count Vlad, mounted on his horse, inspected the spikes then turned to stare directly at Helen.
Despite the great distance, he made direct eye contact with her.
Then he spurred his horse forward.
He picked up one of the massive iron spikes with his hand - a weight that would normally require several strong men to lift.
He threw it into the air.
WHOOSH!
The spike soared skyward with tremendous force, flying toward Helen and the Black Sword Knights.
The knights drew their swords in surprise, but Helen, already wary, had calmly drawn her Dragon Buster.
She released its power, making the pieces around the great sword move.
CLANG!
The pieces spread wide, forming a solid shield.
The shield, reinforced by Helen's magnetic bloodline ability, collided with the iron spike.
CRASH!
A thunderous explosion-like sound rang out.
The spike, its tip now blunted, fell to the ground after hitting Helen's raised shield.
THUD!
The ground cratered where the heavy spike landed.
CLANG!
The Dragon Buster's pieces automatically attached to Helen's body, becoming armor.
She glared at Count Vlad across the distance.
A clear provocation targeting her, the Commander-in-Chief.
Count Vlad was trying to bait the Alliance Army into attacking the castle.
Helen clenched her jaw.
'Retreating now would lower morale even further.'
But they couldn't rashly attack the well-defended Jupiter Castle without preparation.
As Commander-in-Chief, Helen struggled with how to respond to Count Vlad's sudden provocation while all the knights watched.
Just then.
"Commander."
Grand Duke Alicia Himonas approached with the Northern knights.
"Grand Duke."
Helen tensed as Alicia approached with strong presence, worried she might declare withdrawal from the prolonged siege.
Alicia picked up the fallen iron spike.
Then she spoke to Helen.
"Since they've sent their greetings, may I respond on the Commander's behalf?"