This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 400, Page 399: The Situation Deteriorates

The High Fortress stands atop mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Beneath the majestic city walls, the corpses of humans and demons lay piled upon each other, the dark red bloodstains that had soaked into the soil already congealed.

Among them, some exceptionally large troll corpses with grayish-green skin stood out, lying like small mountains beside the broken siege equipment.

In this brutal, meat-grinding war of attrition, even trolls, known for their regenerative abilities, would fall as easily as harvested wheat.

The defensive positions painstakingly built by the humans beneath the city walls have long been riddled with holes after several rounds of fierce attacks, and several key nodes have been on the verge of being completely torn apart.

Ultimately, it was only through the continuous barrage of magic from the magic towers behind them that they managed to stabilize their position and force the demons' offensive back once again.

At this moment, the craftsmen and mages are using this precious respite, bought with their lives, to desperately repair the fortifications beneath the city.

But Alama knew that this was not a long-term solution.

Facing the fierce attacks of three demon forces, even the renownedly sturdy High Fortress was like a lone boat in a storm, enduring unprecedented pressure.

Worse……

Alama's hand was pressed tightly against his left waist. Between his fingers, a dark, ink-like energy could be vaguely seen intertwining and vying with the soft, healing white light, bringing waves of piercing pain and icy numbness.

This was the heavy price he paid for his carelessness.

He recalled Sigismund's hateful fat face.

That treacherous fellow went so far as to disguise himself as a hedonistic fat pig, making his defeats in previous encounters seem plausible and repeatedly numbing his vigilance.

It wasn't until the last chase that it revealed its fangs!

The attack was launched by three demon dukes, especially since one of them was Veralis, whom he did not know well.

Verallis's attack methods were incredibly bizarre. During the fierce battle, Alama was ambushed by Verallis, who suddenly appeared from the shadows and used her teeth to rip a piece of flesh and armor from his waist.

If it weren't for the loyal Hemlock Knights risking their lives to block him, and for some unknown reason, Sigismund suddenly muttered something about "where is the honey" at a crucial moment before leaving alone, Alama would probably have really died in that ambush.

He now finally understood why Sigismund had gone to such lengths to close the border.

However, he couldn't understand it.

Based on all known intelligence, the "madwoman" Verallis, known for her insanity and eccentricity, should still be on the eastern front of the Empire, confronting the dwarven legions of the Copper Mountain.

Why did she suddenly appear beneath High Castle and join forces with Sigismund to ambush me?
What happened to the dwarves?

The doubts were soon resolved.

A guard in charge of intelligence stepped forward quickly and reported urgently: "Lord Alama, a large-scale elemental riot has occurred on the dwarves' side. A quarter of their territory has been drawn into the war, and they are now too busy to help themselves to restrain the Empire!"

Alama quickly asked, "Elemental upheaval? When did it start?"

"About two weeks ago!"

"Half a month?!" Alama's voice rose in anger. "Why did it take so long to send back news of such important intelligence?!"

The guard's face was full of helplessness: "Sir, you know that the Dwarf Kingdom is separated from us by the Scarecrow Abyss, a place that naturally blocks all communication magic! Moreover, the dwarves initially blocked the news. When our scouts finally found out the truth and tried to report back, they ran into an interference magic array that the elves had inexplicably activated, covering the entire border! In the end... in the end, it was only thanks to Puji's 'unfailing' property that they managed to get through the Scarecrow Abyss, and it wasn't until late last night that they finally delivered the intelligence!"

"Dwarves! Elves! Of all times, at this critical juncture of life and death!" Alama slammed his fist on the table, causing the map scroll to bounce violently.

But soon, Alama had no time for anger; he keenly realized something else! "Wait a minute! Now that the dwarves have completely lost their threat and the pressure on the eastern border of the Empire has decreased dramatically, they should be able to transfer more troops to press forward... Why is it that, so far, the only known addition is the Duke's army under Veraris?"

unless……

Alama's expression changed drastically. He turned around abruptly and sprinted towards the communication room.

He must immediately warn Brunus on the northwestern front to be wary of potential dangers!

However, as soon as he opened the door to the messenger room, he bumped into another messenger who was tumbling in. The official was ashen-faced and trembling like a leaf, as if he had witnessed the end of the world.

"Your Grace! It's terrible! The Northwest... the Northwest front has suffered a crushing defeat!" His voice was shrill and choked with sobs. "A demonic war beast has appeared on the Western Front! Although Sword Saint Elwin successfully slew it, as the beast died, the vampire prince Vesalius, who was lurking within it, suddenly launched a sneak attack! Sword Saint... is seriously wounded! The army immediately collapsed, and Duke Brunus is leading the remnants... has already retreated to Three Mountain City!"

"Sanshan City?!" Alama felt his blood surging in his chest, which made the pain in his waist injury even worse.

Three Mountain City is only a few days' journey from High Fortress, and it is practically the last decent line of defense.

Once Sanshan City is breached, Gaobao Fortress will be completely trapped in a two-front war, and there will be no point in defending it at all.

Once the northern gate of High Castle is opened, the imperial army can advance unimpeded, and a wide-open road with no defenses will be laid out before them. The destruction of the United Kingdom will be almost inevitable.

Even now, although large areas in the southwest of the kingdom have not been planted with demon flags, it is only because the main force of the demons was focused on devouring the remnants of Brunus's army and did not have time to divide their forces to occupy them.

Those territories were essentially no different from those that had fallen.

However, it's not a dead end yet.

Alama took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excruciating pain.

His gaze swept over the two frightened faces before him, his voice hoarse from trying so hard to control himself, but unusually clear as he asked, "So, is there any news from Oath City?"

"Yes, yes!" The messenger handed over a copied slip of paper.

Alama took it and quickly glanced at the contents.

Besides the account of Brunus' defeat, the text also details the arrangements for their remaining forces.

In short, the situation has deteriorated to a life-or-death point, and the United Kingdom has no choice but to stake all its resources.

Grand Duke Lorenzo of Oath City has personally led his legions and mage corps, traveling day and night to reinforce High Fortress.

The remnants of Duke Brunus's forces were fully supported by the Church.

There was no detailed explanation of how a church with only a knightly order and a priestly team could withstand the demons, but at this point, Alama could only choose to believe that the other side could work.

The message ended with Grand Duke Lorenzo's almost pleading tone: "Before reinforcements arrive, High Castle... must be held!"

"Do you even need to tell me..."

boom--

The tremors were felt; the demons had returned with renewed force.

Back on the city wall, Alama immediately spotted Sigismund. That guy seemed to think he had victory in his grasp, and right in front of the two armies, he was just swaggering around, eating a jar of honey one bite after another!
Alama clenched his fists; he wasn't going to give up so easily!
He drew his sword, its blade pointing directly at the city walls, and his voice echoed throughout the walls: "All troops! Prepare to meet the enemy!"

(End of this chapter)