From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 638 Rewards and Punishments

The gargoyles that came to attack were not resolute. Although they did have an advantage in numbers, the narrow terrain and limited height of the cave greatly restricted the demons' ability to move.

Knights with shields stood in front, forming the first line of defense, while their squires, wielding lances, attacked over the knights' shoulders.

The priests and hell knights of Shanere wielded divine magic, using spells to buff their own lines and divine light to weaken the attacking demons.

Because Ivy had blocked the other entrances and exits of the cave with magic beforehand, the battle turned into a dull and drawn-out tug-of-war.

Lacking the power to deliver the decisive blow, the demons were unable to break through the front lines of the two knightly orders in one fell swoop, and could only leave behind corpses as they watched the knights steadily retreat.

The cave, with only one exit, even forced these demons to take on the task of cleaning up the corpses of their own people.

After sacrificing the lives of seventeen gargoyles, the demon commander, who had remained silent, issued a new order.

The demons blocking the cave entrance began to retreat, instead attempting to seal off the exit using various means, hoping to trap the knights inside.

However, this was destined to be a futile effort.

When ordinary sorcerers perform magic inside a mountain, they must consider the geological structure's bearing capacity; otherwise, they may accidentally cause the mountain to collapse and bury themselves completely instead of opening the exit.

The Heart of the Mountains in Ivy's hands was a gift from the Lonely Mountain Dwarves. It can greatly amplify various spells related to the earth and mountains. Not to mention breaking open the cave entrance blocked by gargoyles, even digging another passage from the inside would not be difficult for him.

In fact, Ivy did just that.

The gargoyle never imagined that it would be attacked by a golden dragon leading two knightly orders that had previously been like stray dogs.

The demon, who was doing earthworks by hand, was caught off guard, and the gargoyle, who was good at diving down to attack enemies from the air, also tasted the taste of being ambushed from the air by a larger creature.

The golden dragon that descended from the sky was a messenger of death. The gargoyle priest, mixed in with the demons, didn't even have time to react before being crushed to death, turning into a bloody, mangled carpet.

The majestic golden dragon issued its proclamation.

It was not a simple roar, but a deafening howl. The high-pitched roar echoed through the valley, and the layered sound waves reminded the demons of the thunder behind lightning.

The demons, caught off guard, began to tremble, while some overcame their deep-seated fear and launched an attack on the dragon.

However, the gargoyles' claws, as hard as rock, could not leave any mark on the golden dragon's thick, dazzling scales; all their efforts were in vain.

The flames bursting from between the dragon's teeth were a warning to all enemies blocking his way. It was not ordinary dragon breath, but extreme light and heat, purification itself, and a doomsday judgment capable of completely destroying the creatures of the abyss.

The next moment, the liquid-like flames surged forth, transforming into a mighty river flowing through the valley. With extreme violence, it swept across the area with the highest concentration of gargoyles, turning these monsters from the abyss into insignificant ashes.

The dragon's breath swept across the land, turning the bluish-gray rocks ravaged by the World's Sorrow into dripping lava, and the sand piled up in the leeward side into distorted glass. A deep trench filled with strange phenomena and radiating golden light appeared at the very edge of the World's Sorrow.

The Dawnblade Knights and the Hell Knights charged together at the gargoyles that were not quite dead yet.

For abyssal creatures, organization has always been their biggest weakness.

Although they might be forced into a forced formation to attack due to the majesty of the demon lords, once the battle begins, even the demon lords have very limited control over the battlefield situation.

Aside from "attacking," they often don't even have the opportunity to issue other orders.

As for escaping, even if the demon lord himself were still on the battlefield, he could not stop the will to survive that arose in each of his subordinates.

Not to mention that none of these gargoyles had a leader who could even remotely command respect.

As a result, some demons wanted to run away, while others wanted to fight, and the scene became a complete mess—a mess that actually benefited the Crusaders.

This battle, which spanned multiple battlefields, began like a tragedy and ended like a farce.

"Inspect this area, eliminate every demon still breathing, and mark any potential locations that could provide cover during an airstrike." Regil sheathed his weapon, put his hands behind his back, and began issuing orders to his Hell Knights. "Quartermaster, take stock of what supplies we have left, find anything still usable. I want to make sure the gargoyles are only interested in capturing people and nothing else. Send messengers to our scout squads immediately, ordering them back to camp. And I need a complete casualty list, the sooner the better."

“Finally, we can have a proper talk, Your Excellency the Military Advisor.” Regil finished issuing the orders and looked up at Ivy.

“That title is too long. Just call me Ivy, or Doom. If you want to show respect, add ‘Your Excellency’ or ‘Sir.’” Ivy returned to human form and gently soothed Regil’s neck. “I guess you have a lot of questions, Deputy Enforcer.”

“I’m very interested in what happened at the Grey Camp, and you have indeed demonstrated strength far exceeding the various unfounded legends about the dragons…” Regil said thoughtfully, as if talking to himself, “Did the Sword God Iomede really mark an ordinary person with divine power, and could he even share that power with his other companions?”

Thinking of the Knight Commander, Illinika, and her group of companions who could share the power of mythology with her, Ivy couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Sheila, the Holy Paladin Iomede, is kind-hearted but has her own set of moral principles. Ivy's most recent impression of her was on the day the Fifth Holy War began, when she was drinking heavily in the camp with a group of friends. She even argued with her superior, Erabeth.

If Ivy hadn't not yet been appointed as the plenipotentiary military advisor, she would have been used as a role model for upholding military discipline long ago.

Voljef, a sleazy demon-born thief, runs a shop in the military camp selling black market goods.

Lane, a self-destructive, identity-deficient hybrid witty master.

Despite possessing a normal sense of right and wrong, he chose to become a hedonistic playboy, the Earl of Dale.

Little Jin, an elf girl who spends her days preaching in the military camp, is accompanied by a raven that is the embodiment of her protector.

Komilia, the illegitimate daughter of a half-elf noble, is a complete antisocial personality.

His mind was filled with nothing but the "Encyclopedia of Glalieon," and one day he even forgot about Nie Niu, the fox demon who maintained her human disguise, when he woke up.

Reverend Sheryl Sohir, who joined halfway through the story, is of uncertain status (whether she's a 0 or a 1). She's yet another ordinary person who gained mythical powers due to Illinika radiation.

It would be a huge joke if Iomede, the successor, thought that such a group of troubled children could save the world and shut down the world's woes.

Therefore, Ivy was quite certain that the mythical power within Illinika had absolutely nothing to do with the gods, but only the fate of Grellion itself could provide the answer to what exactly happened.

Although these guys, who, like Ivy, have gained mythical power, are a bunch of problem children, and they're all gathered around someone with even greater potential and inside information, not to mention that our Crusader commander is a rather eccentric female celebrity.

However, Ivy already had ample experience dealing with problem children, and even leading them to save the world wouldn't be a problem. After all, compared to Faerûn's group, these problem children could be considered to have a clean background; at least they didn't have too many grudges or entanglements with the gods.

However, after gaining the power of mythology, the Commander's troubled child companions have a rather immeasurable upper limit.

In terms of sheer destructive power, everyone could probably rival Gale, who was strapped with a magical nuclear bomb.

After all, the Destruction Orb is only a one-time use item, and it also requires Professor Decarios himself to be sacrificed.

Grellion's mythical power can be restored every day. If he has the will to cause trouble, he could probably cause the destruction of another world on this planet.

However, that was after the mythical power within these problem children had made significant progress.

Ivy's starting point was higher than theirs, and he was confident that he would still be able to suppress these problem children who had gained mythical power in the future.

Returning to Regil's question, Ivy nodded and then shook her head: "I don't recommend you speculate too much on the will of the gods. In any case, this battle will ultimately be fought by the mortals living in Grallion. I can only say that on the battlefield against the demons, there are a few more new players who can act as chess pieces."

“The arrival of any new player in this war could potentially change the overall situation. The old Crusader forces have been mired in setbacks and defeats for too long. Perhaps the new forces you and the Commander lead can truly bring new changes to the stagnant battlefield.” Regil narrowed his eyes. “I hope that once my warriors have assembled, they can enter your camp to obtain supplies and support. If our goals align, I don’t mind leading my troops into this holy war.”

"Our goal is to reclaim the bridgehead against the world's calamity, now the demon's outpost, Favor City," Ivy said calmly.

This is nothing to hide, and it's impossible to hide it anyway.

Once the Crusaders gain control of the fortress, their next move will be to cross the West Seren River and formally enter the territory of the World's Tragedy.

And Juanze City was the only target that even a brainless demon could notice and advance upon.

Although the upper reaches of the West Seren River gradually become calmer, it still forms a natural dividing line between Montiveu's territory and the world's tragedy.

To delve deeper into the World's Sorrow and reach the very heart of this wound, one must pass through the City of Favor. It is a two-way gateway, serving as an outpost for both the Crusaders and the Abyss Demons.

At the time of the First Holy War, the city of Jueze was just a fortress built by dwarves. However, after several years of war, and as a distribution center for supplies and a garrison for the Holy Army, the fortress transformed into a sizable and fortified city in just a few years.

The people who lived here at that time never imagined that Juanze City would one day fall.

Therefore, after the Valiant Edge was taken away by Stauton, the fortified fortress immediately turned into a living hell.

It has transformed from a purgatory into a lair for cultists and demons.

"Ancestral City!" Ashus Strig, the commander of the Dawnblade Knights, having finished instructing his subordinates, seized the opportunity to interject, "Having witnessed Lord Doom's divine power, I have no doubt about the impending victory! Please allow our Dawnblade Knights to join this holy war! We are willing to follow all orders from you and the Commander!"

Ivy would naturally not refuse an opportunity to strengthen his forces, especially since he actually had an angel named Shane by his side; winning over the hearts and minds of the Dawnblade Knights would be incredibly easy. Even now, he could faintly hear the Dawnblade Knights and the angel Stallma discussing his divine light.

"Victory against demons and the world's tragedy cannot be achieved by the strength of any one person alone. We need to unite all those who can be united and let them play their part in this holy war." Ivy gave a kind smile. "I sincerely look forward to seeing the Dawnblade Knights display their prowess on the battlefield."

After Ivy finished speaking, the dwarf Regil immediately interrupted, seemingly not intending to let Shane's knight say even one more word: "Before we get to serious topics, I'd like to speak to the soldiers about a certain organizational issue. You might wish to be present."

Ark, dressed in the red and blue checkered cloak of the Montiver Crusaders, stepped forward and saluted with one hand clenched in front of his chest: "Deputy Enforcer, please allow me to report. When the gargoyles first attacked, I determined it was necessary to leave my post. I swam across the river, found the Crusaders, and asked them for help."

“We do desperately need reinforcements. Because of your resourcefulness, your salary has doubled, Ark.” Regil nodded. “Also, you will receive a hundred lashes for desertion.”

Almost as soon as Regil finished speaking, Ivy's lips curled into a smile.

In his view, the most foolish way to manage subordinates is to balance merits and demerits.

Rewarding those who have made contributions and punishing those who have made mistakes are essential to ensuring that discipline and rules are ingrained in every subordinate.

While a hundred lashes may sound terrifying, given the local circumstances in Grellion, it might not be considered a severe punishment at all within the Hell Knights.

On the contrary, Ivy even felt that it was not enough, that the rewards and punishments were not severe enough.

It is no exaggeration to say that the arrival of Ivy and the angel Stallma fundamentally saved the two knightly orders from defeat and saved a large number of lives, all thanks to the brave Hell Knight Ark who swam across the poisonous waters.

Compared to this great achievement, double pay seems rather meager.

On the other hand, it's understandable to execute deserters on the spot for desertion, especially those who abandon their equipment without orders. However, such an action would make the commander appear inhumane and foolish, and would also stifle the creativity of the entire unit to a great extent.

If it were Ivy, he might reward Ark with a symbolically excellent weapon, then temporarily strip him of his title of Hell Knight on top of physical punishment, and then combine that with forced labor, making him maintain his companion's armor and weapons like a squire.

If Ark can retrieve his weapons and equipment, the duration of this punishment can be halved.

“You seem to have a different opinion, Lord Doom.” Regil noticed the slight curve of Ivy’s lips and shook his head with a hint of regret. “Considering that our team has decided to join the Crusaders, with you as their military advisor, perhaps I should also consult your opinion on how to deal with Ark.”

After confirming that Regil was not joking, Ivy bluntly announced the decision to deal with Hell Knight Ark.

He first opened the Grimoire of Destruction and took out a longsword infused with the magic-blocking power of the Whispering Flower. While researching the properties of the Whispering Flower, Ivy had made many similar weapons and equipment, but almost all of them were given to the garrison of Morningstar City. This was the only one he had left to keep as a collector's item.

"In recognition of your heroic act of saving two knightly orders, I, on behalf of the Crusaders of the Fifth Holy War, bestow upon you this Whispering Longsword, which can thwart the magic of the enemy."

Hell Knight Ark knelt down on one knee with some fear, raised his hands above his head, and took the Whispering Sword from Ivy's hand.

"In addition, to punish you for deserting by abandoning your equipment, besides the one hundred lashes required by Deputy Enforcer Tyrenger, you will also be temporarily stripped of your title of Hell Knight and will serve as a squire, preparing armor and weapons for your companions for one month. If you can retrieve your equipment, the duration of this punishment will be halved."

Upon hearing the second half of Ivy's sentence, Ark's expression clearly showed much more relief.

“The squire Ark has set an example for you in both aspects, and everyone should take him as a warning.” Ivy then turned to all the members of the Knights and admonished them, thus completing this internal reward and punishment exercise conducted on the battlefield.

Just before the stern dwarf enforcer was about to utter a few words of admiration, a scout from afar arrived to report a new discovery: "Lord Doom, Deputy Enforcer, a group of adventurers is approaching us!"

"Adventurers who appeared in the World's Lament?" Regil frowned. "They're more likely cultists. Give the order, Lord Doom. We can capture them alive and extract some information while we're at it."

Ivy sighed, rubbing her temples with a headache: "I might know who they are..."

(End of this chapter)