Astartes of the Bear School

Chapter 1936 1908. You Can't Do It
Currently, Sir Hundred Wisdom only has [Dragonlance] Vic and [Beast Gathering] Bernal by his side. Also present is Christopher, a hero from the Rhodes Knights, [Ancient Dragon Knight].

Christopher is a devout follower of ancient dragons and a pragmatic warrior. Expecting him to be of any use in this tense situation that hasn't even started yet is really wishful thinking.

Looking around, he realized that he was now the only one left on the vast city wall who could go out and negotiate.

The massive army formation outside the city was merely a small patch of darkness on the vast golden plains of the Yatan Plateau.

However, given the immense size of Rodel, blocking off a large area near the city gates wouldn't be a problem.

The guards outside the city gate had already returned to the city walls and closed the gate.

Those ancient, colossal stone statues, depicting valiant knights and composed sages, stand atop the walls of Rodel, as if overlooking the army formations outside the city.

“They’re standing very close together,” Bernal stroked his mustache amidst the battlements. “Should we make a move? Lance Sanx should still be in the city, right? Could we ask him to join us…”

As he spoke, Bernal gestured with his hand.

They made a diving bombing maneuver, drawing a line in the air above the flank of the army outside the city.

“This…?” Vic quickly shook his head and waved his hand. “The war hasn’t even officially started yet! How can we launch a surprise attack without declaring war? No matter what, Lord Rakad is still a demigod of the dynasty.”

Bernal leaned on his two-handed greatsword, looked at Vic, then clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Although this [Dragonlance] is also a Faded One, Bernal always felt that he was still very young.

Perhaps it's because he's a genius that he's always able to successfully stay true to himself.

Bernal had no doubt about Vic's abilities, but it was precisely because of his exemplary knightly demeanor that he was able to gain Lance Sanx's favor.
The dragon cult within the royal city attracted countless Rhodes knights.

Because the Battle of the Ancient Dragons was the first and only time that the outer walls of Rodel fell.

Countless knights and priests tried to stop the ancient dragon's advance, but none of them could.

Even after being defeated by it, that wild power would still linger in the hearts of the warriors.

At that time, there were even many knights whose faith had collapsed, who believed that humans could not defeat the ancient dragons and that only by possessing the power of the ancient dragons could they rival them and protect the Golden Dynasty.

So those knights abandoned their original armor and equipment, replacing or modifying them with materials from the bodies of ancient dragons, altering their bodies and praying, and eventually even managing to summon the ancient dragons' signature red lightning!

It was this reverence for power and the strong that allowed the ancient dragons to make peace with the Golden Dynasty, and the ancient dragon faith in the royal city to develop and expand rapidly.

And quite naturally, the dragon believers who developed from the ancient dragons who directly broke through Rodel's impenetrable barrier are unlikely to be cowardly or treacherous villains.

And now, on the city wall, there is more than just Vic, a high-ranking member of the Royal Dragon Faith.

“Ahem,” came a muffled cough from the golden helmet of the Rhodel Knight. “Benaar’s suggestion… Putting aside knightly morality, just speaking practically, Lord Lance Sanx still hasn’t had a private meeting with the Blessed King.”

Christopher also disapproved of Bernal's whimsical plan.

At this time of dynastic change, the absence of a meeting with the new ruler indicates that many things have not been agreed upon.

If the old Prince Godwin were still alive, Gu Long would certainly have been duty-bound to protect Rodel.

The current King of Blessings has no connection with Gu Long anymore.

The dragon worship that developed in the royal city is actually closer to the ancient dragons.

With two 'slap' sounds, Sir Hundred Wisdom clapped his hands on the battlements in front of him.

“Don’t be reckless and hasty, Bernal.” He turned and walked down the city wall. “In any case, we are no longer the mighty Golden Dynasty. We can only truly control the power of Rodel. At this time, we can only focus on defense.”

"When defending, any thought that the enemy is careless and wants to take the opportunity to attack and counterattack could be a trap."

“That’s Lakad, a demigod who has been in charge of the Gemir Volcano and held the position of Grand Justice for over two hundred years.”

"Since he is standing at the front of the battle, there is no possibility that he will fail."

Bernal waved his hand without turning his head, indicating that he understood.

Gideon Ophniel, leaning on his cane, descended the city walls via the elevator to the outside.

When his boots touched the golden fields outside the city, he was already standing in front of Laqad.

In the presence of a demigod, his body, which was already similar to that of an ordinary person, appeared even more hunched over.

“I never imagined,” Sir Hundred’s voice was low and filled with emotion as he spoke first, “that I would one day see the eternally unshakeable capital of the Golden Dynasty besieged by an enemy army.”

"You weren't there during the last battle against the Ancient Dragon?"

“No.” Sir Hundred Wisdom shook his head at Larcad. “At that time, I was following the War King, advancing the front line southward in Nymgford. The Storm King of Nymgford has close ties with the ancient dragons, which is why the ancient dragons directly attacked the royal city of Rodel.”

The title "War King" is an alternate name for the "First King," Griffin. This title emphasizes his warrior identity and immense power.

It was the name given to him by many warriors who had followed him in the war against the giants.

Laqad smiled politely; he was a pragmatic man.

Bagleym wasn't important to him, so once the pretense was broken, he immediately reverted to his true nature, cold as a snake. Gideon Ofnir, on the other hand, was far more valuable to him, worthy of his continued attempts to put on a smiling face.

“That’s a real shame,” Lakad suddenly said.

Sir Hundred-Minded asked, puzzled, "Oh? What do you mean?"

“You didn’t bring out the Ancient Dragon to ambush me,” Lakad’s smile remained unchanged, while Bai Zhi’s body stiffened slightly. “I was thinking of taking care of Lance Sanx first.”

Sir Hundred Wisdoms said respectfully, "Then you are overthinking it, sir. We have no hostility towards you."

"No hostility?" The Grand Justice's gaze swept across the tightly closed city gates ahead. "Leaving a demigod of the dynasty and the Grand Justice outside the royal city, and you call that no hostility?"

"My authority as a demigod! My divinely ordained duty! And you trample upon it and insult it wantonly! Is this not out of hostility?"

Laqad's momentum was astonishing, and in just a moment! It seemed as if the once clear sky had been filled with the oppressive feeling of dark clouds pressing down on the city!

Moreover, those dark clouds were different from the natural thunderclouds summoned by the Qilin; they were thick and heavy, like volcanic ash!
The surrounding golden grass turned from golden to scorched in the blink of an eye, and the ground became dry and cracked!
This astonishing power stemmed partly from his demigod strength and partly from his authority as Grand Justice.

However, this display of power did not cause much of a stir on the scene.

The Volcano Mansion's army are loyalists of Lacad, while the Rhodel Knights... in this divine dynasty, almost every knight who has experienced a major battle has encountered this level of combat power.

The fire giant of the snow-capped mountains, the Night-Eyed Queen who wields death, the Full Moon Queen who reigns supreme over Lienia and Radagan, the Storm King who duels the First King, Gavre, in Nymgford...

The Knights of Rodell fought their way up.

Their fighting prowess was such that even a glancing blow could be fatal on such a battlefield, but under the blessing of the Golden Law, no one retreated.

A good understanding of power is essential.

Therefore, the power of the demigod Raccard did not cause much of a disturbance.

And his authority...

"I think I don't need to go into details about my companion Baglem, who discovered the Flame Watchers in your army, sir."

Despite Lacald's imposing presence, Sir Hundred remained calm and composed, one hand supporting his cane and the other behind his back.

"In any case, your actions are enough to cost you your authority in the dynasty."

Whether in terms of strength or authority, Lacad could not gain much of an advantage over Sir Elgin.

He realized this, so he stopped increasing his power and simply maintained it at that level.

“You know why I’m here, Baizhi. You know it.”

Lakad spoke in a low voice to Sir Hundred Wisdom before him, his voice as soft as a snake flicking its tongue, as cold as a snake flicking its tongue.

“I’ve gone this far. The Queen is imprisoned, and the King Consort has disappeared. I cannot give up!”

“I will not back down no matter what. I’m telling the truth, and you know that very well.”

Negotiation is an activity that requires repeatedly pondering and probing the other party's bottom line. A qualified negotiation expert is one who understands the room for maneuver and can operate accordingly.

But the situation is now clear, and Bai Zhi truly understands: Lakad has no room to retreat under any circumstances.

Continuing to put pressure on such a person is not only not worthwhile, but even dangerous.

"Rodel is isolated and helpless. The so-called Blessed King has only ascended to the throne hastily and cannot command the rest of the Golden Dynasty at all."

“Your situation is just as dire, Gideon.”

Laqad used an affectionate form of address to build rapport.

“Tell me, Gideon. Who is this suddenly appearing Blessed King? Why did Twofinger put him on the throne?”

"What does Two-Finger need him for? I can do it too! I can satisfy Two-Finger! As long as Two-Finger acknowledges me!"

Laqad had no way out, and his tone softened at this point.

Normally, at this point, the person who holds the initiative in the negotiation should soften their stance.

but……

Demigod Raccard, do you think... we have a way out?

Gideon Ofnier thought helplessly to himself, the coldness and determination in his voice as heavy as the helplessness in his heart.

“You can’t do it, Laqad.”

The demigod's majestic and handsome face suddenly stiffened, while Sir Hundred-Minded repeated himself earnestly.

"What two fingers want, you can't do."

(End of this chapter)