Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 74 Clash of Fire and Iron
In their ability to understand human nature, the nobles of the kingdom are in no way inferior to the old officials of Eastern Xia on Blue Star.

“Every professional in the Emerald Kingdom who can pass the first job advancement has a detailed record in the Green Pine Treasury. I had the scribe and several advisors carefully study Pavin’s information. He is smart, decisive, and resolute, but he has a fatal flaw.”

"He came from a poor background and had too little capital, so he was too stingy and too fond of seizing opportunities on the battlefield."

"As long as he sees an opportunity to take advantage, he will definitely show up!"

The squad led by Yunwu was able to traverse mountains and valleys and cross the entire territory of the enemy country by relying on the information advantage brought by drones, but this was only a local information advantage.

Overall, the Marquis of Zircon holds the information advantage.

Although Nanguan Territory is still resisting, a portion of its forces have already surrendered to Green Pine.

The Marquis of Monroe deliberately relaxed control over the riverbanks, while simultaneously deploying numerous hunting squads composed of elite Green Pine troops and "Emerald" collaborators across the vast plains on the north bank to create the illusion of localized battles and skirmishes.

As the investigation intensifies, new clues continue to emerge.

Traces of someone swimming were found on the south bank. After the search was expanded, the carcasses of horses were found in the dense forest several kilometers away.

At a bend in the downstream river, the thick logs that had been pushed into the water were intercepted.

The thorough search on the north shore uncovered scattered but clearly identifiable traces of activity.

Having determined the river crossing point for the Cloud Mist Territory team, Marquis Monroe once again increased the number and scale of the actors in this area.

According to the Marquis's plan, such an arrangement would make it difficult for Cloud Mist's squad to move an inch. Therefore, if an opportunity is found, Peiwen, the Golden Scale Swordsman, is very likely to take the risk and make a move.

Then they captured the person, found out the location of the young princess, and arrested her in one fell swoop.

While we're at it, let's pluck the feathers from the "crow" in the sky, roast it, and see what good stuff it can produce. Finally, we'll give it to Misty Moon to boost our sales figures.

Collusion is impossible; Green Pine has already sold itself to the Misty Moon Divine Court.

The plan and execution were perfect. Although Captain Pevin was cautious enough, he eventually fell into the enemy's trap after the opponent kept creating opportunities and increasing their stakes.

However, Zircon underestimated Pevin's beast-like battlefield instincts and reaction speed—the trap had just been triggered, and before they could extract a single word, the two sides were already facing off with swords drawn.

There's no way around it; acting requires actors. In such a vast area, where are there so many high-level professionals available? That's why this scene of a lowly henchman chasing a high knight has come about.

Of course, the Marquis was also prepared to switch directly to the "action play" if the "civil play" failed—he stuffed Green Pine's high-level combat power into the escape team.

At this moment, the fifth knight of Zircon Territory had already determined that the Cloud Mist Territory team was nearby. With several loud whistles, several magical beacons rose into the sky and exploded into bright orbs of light.

Before long, the large forces from the surrounding Cloud Mist Territory will quickly surround the area and turn it upside down.

“Captain Peiwen,” the Fifth Knight’s voice carried a deep regret as he took a step forward, his heavy boots shattering the dust beneath his feet, “before I came, the Lord repeatedly instructed me. He greatly admires your talent and hopes to have the opportunity to meet you. Would you do me the honor of coming?”

Seeing that Peiwen did not speak, the Fifth Knight smiled slightly and stepped forward again. "Chief Peiwen, with your knowledge and ability, even in our Marquisate, you should be the city garrison commander of a great city or the chief of the territory's defenses. Yet in Emerald Cloud, a count's territory, you can only serve as a follower of a little kid."

"Isn't it unfair to see those idiots swaggering around over you?"

"If it weren't for the insufficient resources and the constant running around, you would have advanced to the next level long ago. How come you've been stuck at the Golden Scale Swordsman level for so many years?"

"Can't you see?" The knight shrugged. "The little princess you serve is nothing more than a commodity to be sold in Cloud Mist Territory. Once she's sold for a price, what will you do then? Go and be a watchdog for the next master?" The fifth knight pressed on relentlessly, his words both cruel and truthful. Peiwen seemed somewhat unsettled by these blunt words, his grip on the hilt of his sword tightening and loosening repeatedly before finally collapsing limply, trembling slightly.

"Bring the zircon!" the Fifth Knight shouted, trying to strike while the iron was hot!

"Zircon will provide you with resources and help you advance in rank. Before you reach rank five, the lord will grant you the position of captain of the city garrison in any major city you choose—Zircon's seven cities, or future major cities within the territory, the choice is yours! After you reach rank five, I will step down my position for you..."

That's a very sincere promise!
Faced with such a fierce psychological offensive, Peiwen finally made a move.

Swift as thunder!

The Golden Scale Swordsman swiftly slipped his hands into the weapon pouch at his waist, and when he pulled them out, he had two No. 4 grenades in his palms, which were the most powerful thermobaric grenades at close range.

Pevin simultaneously used both thumbs to release the safety, pulled the pin, and as he threw the sword at the knight in front of him, he rolled to the side, drew his sword from its sheath, and shouted the command: "Defensive stance! Prepare to charge!!"

The latest version of the thermobaric grenade sent by Dongxia has both delayed detonation and impact detonation modes. This is mainly to prevent agile Star Warriors from throwing or kicking the grenade before the fuse detonates.

At such close range, the collision triggered an instantaneous explosion.

"BOOM!!! BOOM—!!"

Two deafening, terrifying roars rang out almost simultaneously! Orange-red fireballs suddenly exploded in two places, in front of and behind the Fifth Knight! The scorching, violent flames swept out and instantly engulfed the Knight's figure.

The shockwave whipped up a cloud of sand and dust, like a small sandstorm!
When Peiwen gave the order, the Cloud Mist Warriors, who had undergone repeated training, quickly lowered their bodies, focused their energy throughout their bodies, assumed a defensive posture, and opened their mouths.

This was taught by Chen Mo to prevent sound waves from directly shattering the eardrum.

Although the shockwave caused his blood to surge and his ears to ring, he was only pushed a few steps by the blast wave and was not seriously injured.

Zircon's side was in a bit of a mess. Several Pine Warriors who were following behind the Fifth Knight and approaching in a semi-encircling formation were hit squarely by a thermobaric bullet that Pevin had chosen to position himself.

Those nearby were engulfed by the flames, while those further away were caught off guard and were hit squarely by the sound waves and shockwaves, causing blood to spurt from their eyes, noses, mouths, and ears, before collapsing to the ground.

Before the Zircon Knight could even emerge from the smoke and dust after the attack, Peiwen had already timed the explosion's aftershocks perfectly, letting out a roar: "Charge! Free Search!" He then transformed into a sharp arc of light, tearing through the air as he charged forward.

His target was Connor, the former Knight Commander of the South Pass, who had been standing motionless behind him with a somewhat gloomy expression.

Pevin's plan was very clear: use thermobaric grenades to kill or severely injure Zircon's so-called Fifth Knight, and he would spare no expense to cripple Knight Connor.

Then look for an opportunity to withdraw from the battlefield.

If we can get back in time, we'll take the team and run away.

If there's no time to go back, then at least try to drag the enemy's encirclement forces in another direction to cover the princess and Chen Mo and the others in the hideout.

Unfortunately, he didn't even get to the first step.

The primary target, the fifth knight of Zircon Territory, shook his head regretfully at Pevin in the blink of an eye.

(End of this chapter)