Alien world

Chapter 1693, Section 326: The Attack
The Reeves family, which had been relatively weak long ago, suddenly rose to prominence and gained immense prestige in Middle-earth, even attempting to summon the Twelve Kings of the North.

He hesitated for only one day before replying that he would keep the appointment.

Whatever Annan Reeves's purpose may be, as a descendant of the King in the North, he must go.

As he pondered, a trusted aide approached and placed his hand on the longsword: "Master, the jungle seems a little too quiet..."

As people from the North, they found it difficult to adapt to life in the South. His wife often complained that he had gone too far, but only here could he help the head of the household escape the shadows of the past and start anew.

Temperature, climate, humidity, and the deadly jungle, not to mention the green-skinned orcs and goblins that sometimes actually emerge from pea-pod-like sacs—it's practically a green hell, but... it has never been this peaceful.

The patriarch immediately ordered the caravan to stop, and everyone stood at attention, shouting, "We are the Benitez family of the Twelve Kings of the North, merely passing through, and have no intention of getting involved in any conflict!"

"Looks like we made the right choice."

A rustling sound came from the bushes to the side, and tall, pointed figures appeared.

"Elves?"

But more and more figures emerged from the bushes. When did the elf population become so large...?
The patriarch squinted and saw a bald, ugly tail hanging down behind the tall figure.

"No...it's ratmen!?"

His answer was a chilling, piercing sound that cut through the air.

The warriors guarding both sides of the convoy parried with their swords, while the mages cast protective spells and launched a counterattack.

call out--

The black arrow, like lightning, tore through the air, instantly drilling into the parchment-thin magical shield and piercing the throat of the mage who was preparing a wide-range spell.

The mage stared wide-eyed in death, the magic power gathering in front of him spiraling out of control, expanding instantly like a cataclysmic explosion, transforming into a fireball that engulfed everything within a three-meter radius.

Demon-Slaying Arrow!
Upon witnessing this scene, the patriarch's eyes widened in fury. He leaped onto his armored warhorse, like a valiant cavalryman, and charged towards the rat-man leader who had fired the demon-slaying arrow.
Shrubs shattered, trees snapped with a mournful cry, and the patriarch, riding the momentum of a ferocious beast, charged towards the leader rat, unleashing his battle technique and slashing down vertically!

clang--

A dazzling burst of sparks erupted, and the resounding clang of metal colliding echoed throughout the dense forest.

The patriarch's ferocious face froze as he stared in disbelief at his combat technique being steadily blocked by another greatsword.

"Didn't you say I wasn't needed to do anything?" The man's expression remained calm, and he even had the energy to speak, looking at the nick in his greatsword with concern. "Sigh... it's only been repaired for five days..."

"Human, how dare you collude with the ratmen..."

The patriarch's heart sank to the bottom. A being who could block his combat skills with a straight face... a legendary warrior?

"Who are you, Stun Ratmen?!"

The lead rat hissed, "Human wretch, now that you have the answer, then die..."

The man reached back with his left hand and drew another thin sword, suddenly changing his style and thrusting it forward with lightning speed.

Just as the head of the family was about to lean back to avoid it, he suddenly felt his body lighten and his vision rise.

He saw the endless, lush canopy of trees, the mess by the roadside, a rat-man that looked like an elf, a middle-aged man with an indifferent expression, and a warhorse neighing sadly, with a familiar headless, one-armed knight sitting on its back.

Oh, it was me...

At the same time, Manchuria.

The Benitez family, who wanted to start a new life here, lived on a brand-new farm.

The windmills nestled in the terraced fields turn slowly, under a blue sky and white clouds. Farmers work in the fields, and children chase each other among the roadside weeds, creating a tranquil pastoral scene.

Dang——dang——dang——

Suddenly, the alarm bell on the watchtower rang urgently, echoing over the peaceful farm. Children looked up in confusion, women turned pale instantly, and farmers in the fields dropped their sickles and ran desperately back to the chaotic farm.

"Rat swarm attack! Rat swarm attack!"

The guards on the watchtower roared at the top of their lungs, as an endless black tide surged toward them at the edge of their sight.

It was like a village swept by a flood, swallowing everything in its path without leaving a trace.

A few minutes later, a clear rat-man voice rang out amidst the chewing sounds.

"Burn everything, make sure there are only ashes!"

……

"A swarm of rats unexpectedly passed through my territory? Damn it, what are they up to now!"

Inside the magnificent, ancient castle, the disgruntled voice of Grand Duke Watson echoed through the hall from his throne.

His lord smiled just right: "Grand Duke Watson, those who died were just a bunch of outcasts with no roots in the land."

“Even if they are a pack of wild dogs, they are still my people. You should not attack my people without my permission,” Grand Duke Watson sneered, seemingly extremely displeased with the ratmen’s offense.

The smiling lord said, "A silver mine was discovered in the territory of Witt a few days ago. It is expected that the tax revenue will increase by several hundred gold nars every year in the future."

Grand Duke Watson then revealed a satisfied expression and snorted, "These roaming bandits are truly disgusting. Sooner or later, the Alliance will have to cleanse them out."

……

Annan, standing in the teleportation plaza, looked towards the clock tower.

An hour has passed since the agreed time, why haven't they arrived yet?
A flash of light appeared, and Bean, who had been promoted to head of Freedom Street, appeared in front of the portal and told Annan that the Benitez family had not yet entered the city.

Was something delayed on the road?
Just as they were about to have the eldest sister write another letter, a captain of the guard rushed out of the portal with bad news:

About 100 miles from the city-state, a convoy was attacked, suspected to be from the Benitez family... There were no survivors.

"How could this be?"

Annan was puzzled. Although the King of the North was in decline, the patriarch still possessed epic strength. What kind of bandits would dare to attack such a caravan?
Or is it not about money, but rather...?

"Quickly inform the Benitez family and tell them to prepare, Losi!"

“Here!” Losi stepped forward from behind.

"Notify the Retribution Legion..."

Annan started, then hesitated.

The enemy dared to attack the Benitez family, who possessed an epic legacy, and not a single member escaped. Sending the Punishment Legion would only be sending them to their deaths.

But as fellow kings of the North, and having been invited by him to set out, he could not simply ignore them.

If Liberty City had a hundred or eighty legends, would things still be like this?

Annan gritted his teeth, about to send the Punishment Legion to continue the investigation, when a familiar voice rang out.

"Annan, I'll go there."

“Mr. Skeleton King?” Annan turned around and saw the Skeleton King who had arrived at some point.

“I just need to go back and get some things,” said the Skeleton King.

There's nothing to worry about then. Liches are notoriously difficult to kill. Although the Skeleton King isn't a lich, he is in the eyes of the world. Moreover, as the ruler of the undead kingdom, the Southern Alliance has to think twice before taking any action against him.

(End of this chapter)