Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 13 Earth Magic
[After the initial victory, the archer commander seems to have gained new insights. As the commander, you feel very gratified and have a deeper understanding of the way of governance.]

Spell Power +1, learned a new skill - Basic Earth Magic.

Basic Earth Magic: One of the four elements of the world. Connecting to the earth allows one to draw upon its power. Earth magic reduces mana cost and increases casting speed.

Having gained some insights from Forrest's previous promotion, the matter was now naturally resolved.

The Archon's talent growth is more magic-oriented, similar to the Priest. At low levels, the chance of gaining spell power and knowledge is as high as 7%.

It's earth magic again. Why "again"? Because I could do it a million times over.

Earth magic is one of the most practical skills in the early game. Whether it's the combat spells Stone Skin and Slow Spell, or the production spell Sandstorm, they are all very good spells.

With the archer's powerful ranged attacks, and the ability to slow down enemies, it's no different from shooting at a target.

The only problem is that I haven't been able to learn level 1 magic yet, so earth magic is currently useless.

Su Mu glanced at Ouling, the archer commander, who seemed to have gained some insight as well.

[Oling: Attack 13 (14), Defense 7 (8), Ammo 24, Damage 4-6, Health 22, Speed ​​7, Small Size.]

It is still the month of the Burning Curse, and Orling has the opportunity to be promoted to hero.

But he didn't have Forrest's luck, and soldiers need opportunities on the battlefield even more.

"Clean up the battlefield and head back to the forest farm first."

When Su Mu returned in triumph with his archers, the carpenters cheered.

Hearing that Wood had fled in defeat, a wave of exodus had swept through Kuraki Town, and that the carpenters, who were working in the forest, had been gathered by Forrest and were not yet leaving, he was still very worried and panicked.

Seeing that Su Mu had the ability to protect everyone, they were naturally overjoyed. After all, who would willingly abandon their family and livelihood to become a wanderer?

Where is your main force?

How many people have intruded into the Hilling Plain?

Su Mu placed his sword against the centaur's neck, trying to extract some information.

If the Isidore Empire were to launch an attack, it would likely first head to the Far Forest. If it were to advance further west, it would have many more options.

If the enemy's target is Eldon, there are three routes that can be traversed for marching.

Heading north to the barren, snowy plains, one finds the lords of the north, men who live year-round in the harsh, cold lands. Though their numbers are small, they are extremely tough, possess formidable fighting power, and often disobey orders.

The central Hillin Plains boast the richest grasslands, where 40% of the kingdom's nobles reside. Among them, Longlet Castle is the Marquis's Ridge that rules the east, and Garfield is the long-established Eagle Family, skilled in raising griffins.

The southern Ella Valley, crisscrossed by rivers and lush with vegetation, was once the kingdom's best horse racing ground, but it has fallen into disrepair in recent years due to the invasion of the orcs from the south. It also boasts the kingdom's largest trading market, offering everything imaginable and unimaginable.

If the Isidore Empire were only sending scattered troops to harass, they would definitely be heading towards the richest part of the Shirin Plain.

The soldiers here have just been conscripted, there is enough money, and they can cause the greatest panic.

However, these are all Su Mu's speculations; for details, he should ask the guy in front of him.

The centaur closed its eyes, defiant to the death, and looked like a real man.

Forrest volunteered: "Sir, let me interrogate him!"
Carpenters do more than just saw wood!

After saying that, he dragged the centaur away to the tool shed he was familiar with.

Orling was initially worried that the centaur might suddenly attack, but when he saw Forrest lift the centaur up with one hand, cover its head with a wooden ladle, and easily pull it away, he immediately fell silent.

This tiny place is actually quite remarkable.

About an hour later, Forrest emerged with bloodshot eyes and a strong smell of alcohol on him.

“Isildor’s main force went to the Forest of Far, while the army of centaurs and silver pegasus came to the Plain of Shilin.”

"They are a tribe, and there are four forces that have invaded the Marquisate. There are about five hundred of them in this area, led by a druid."

"The agreed meeting time is tomorrow night. If they can't return, it will definitely attract a large army to investigate." Facing a force of five hundred men, both Forrest and Orling felt suffocated.

Today, they killed over 80 people thanks to the terrain, but if five times that number of enemies appeared in Kuraki Town, the archers might not even be able to hold their arrows steady. After all, they are human too, and they also experience fear.

Su Mu was shocked when he heard the number. What was even more troublesome was that the other side also had druids.

The heroes of the Barrier are predominantly natural magic users and often learn high-level elemental spells. However, since the opponent only commands centaurs, they are unlikely to be very strong and may be a new hero this month.

"To defend or to retreat?"

This is a choice that Su Mu needs to make.

With the current number of archers, it is absolutely impossible to defend Kuraki Town. Even if we kill more than 80 people, the rest are unruly and can still overwhelm them.

But if it is removed, without the forestry base, even if Forrest's logging expertise is superb, it will be like water without a source.

If he avoids the area like Wood and the others, he might be able to survive for a while, but he'll have no chance to return to Kuraki Town.

After much deliberation, Su Mu decided to hold on, but not to hold on to the bitter end.

After all, this is a confrontation between two major powers, and he also has the Kingdom standing behind him.

"Forrest, take this batch of new timber and go to the refugee camp along the path."

We provided more timber and requested that they send troops to support us.

"Find a few more reliable and clever fellows to take my letters, one to Longlet Castle and the other to Baron Eugen."

"For example, a batch of logs had been processed in the forest farm, but it was difficult to transport them due to the war."

Forrest himself was a hero, and his familiarity with the mountain trails enabled him to transport timber to the refugee camps to mobilize troops.

The refugee camp has deep connections; its presence on the border at this time indicates considerable strength. Moreover, the forestry farm still owes debts, and the other side doesn't want them to be annihilated by the enemy, so they might be able to provide some support.

As for Langlitburg and Eugen, Su Mu didn't expect them to send troops, but he needed to know the situation in Kuraki Town.

Who is guarding Cangmu Town at this critical moment, and who can protect the forest resources?

With rights come corresponding obligations. Chaos will disrupt the established order, and only those who can withstand the blows will survive.

But all of this is still external force; to withstand Isildur's military might, they still have to rely on themselves.

"Gather all the archers who can still move, and come with me!"

Ouling was somewhat surprised: "Sir, you were also present during that fierce battle just now. Many people were injured and urgently need to recuperate, and we are running out of ammunition."

Moreover, the centaur army is wandering outside; if they were to march out in full force now, I'm afraid…

Su Mu said expressionlessly, "With the current archers alone, there is no way to resist the centaur army."

If this is all the perseverance you have, then you'll only reach this level in your entire life, and you can forget about going any further.

A master archer is forged through rigorous training!

Ouling gritted her teeth and faced Su Mu directly, her eyes blazing with anger: "Of course we're more than that!"

"Archers! Form ranks and move out!"

Ouling gathered those who were still able to move, totaling more than 40 people, nearly half of whom were lightly injured.

The general is the soul of the army. Although the archers were exhausted, seeing Ouling's unwilling anger, they still rallied their spirits and beat their bows.

Su Mu nodded. This battle-hardened team had the potential to become the Elemental Bow.

He led Orling and the archers toward the cliff face that they had previously learned was a possible mountain fortress.

(End of this chapter)