I can evolve everything

Chapter 82 Departure

In the North, the sky is always very low in winter.

The east and west gates of Winterhold were wide open, from which countless thin streams of black liquid poured out. These were the knightly squads dispersing to various defensive zones.

From the air, on this boundless white frozen land, these thousands of human soldiers looked like countless black ants crawling forward, trying to use their flesh and blood to stop the impending torrent.

The wind and snow swirled at the doorway, as if hesitating whether to rush in.

Renn pulled on the reins, gave his equipment one last check, and prepared to set off.

"You're leaving already?"

A deep voice came from not far behind.

Ryan turned around. Karen was standing behind him, her gray hair disheveled by the wind.

The old knight, as imposing as a mountain, seemed more silent than usual.

"Sir Karen." Because he was on horseback, Renn was unable to perform a proper knightly salute, so he could only give a slight bow in place of a salute.

Karen did not respond to the greeting, but silently watched Renn, examining the two-handed greatsword on his back.

Listen up, kid.

Karen's voice was very low, almost drowned out by the wind, but every word reached Ryan's ears clearly.

"Once you step out of this door, that wall won't be able to protect you anymore. Nor will I be able to protect you."

"We don't know when Hughes will arrive, so Roderick and I have to hold this place. Therefore, over at Shattered Tooth Canyon—you'll have to rely on yourself."

"If we really can't hold out, then we'll take the soldiers there and run. We only have one life. As long as the northern fortress doesn't fall, we can accept the loss of a small section of the wall."

"Hey, old man!"

Ella suddenly leaned her head closer, a smile on her face, looking completely at ease.

"Don't make it sound like you're giving your last words, okay? You underestimate me."

Ella tossed a gold coin she was playing with high into the air, caught it steadily, and stuffed it into her bosom.

"As long as I'm here, even if this guy is barely clinging to life, I can drag him back."

Karen looked at the half-elf student who was even making faces at her and gave a wry smile.

"it is good."

Karen withdrew her hand and took a step back.

"Then come back alive."

"Go."

Renn didn't say anything more.

Then, he suddenly pulled on the reins.

"Set off!"

The team of eighty people stepped into the boundless snowstorm without hesitation.

Karen stood still until the team completely disappeared from sight, until the snow filled the empty space again, and he still did not move.

"Worry?"

A voice sounded beside him.

Roderick Stark appeared there at some unknown time. The leader of the Knights of the North stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"They all need to be tested and tempered."

Karen sighed, "It's just that the wind is a bit too strong this time."

"How could someone so young develop wings capable of soaring through the sky?"

"Roderick said calmly."

"Let's go, old buddy."

"Where to?" Karen asked.

"Underground." Roderick turned around. "I'll take you to see the Eternal Hearth."

Karen paused for a moment, then followed.

"Twenty years ago, you absolutely refused to take me to see it."

"You said that was the secret of the successive commanders."

"Twenty years ago, we also thought winter would never really come."

Roderick's figure appeared exceptionally tall and lonely at that moment.

"A secret remains a secret because there's always tomorrow. If we lose, there will be no more secrets in the world."

"Go and see, Karen. Go and see how much longer that fire that has kept the Northern Fortress burning for hundreds of years can keep burning."

Two days later, Renn's team was walking on a section of the city wall.

"The wind has made my face stiff."

Ella sat on horseback, half her head hidden under her cloak. Although she was complaining, her eyes were still darting around, observing everything around her.

"Hey Renn, if those dire wolves really come, should I stab their left eye first, or their right eye first?" She turned her head and winked at Renn, who was deep in thought on horseback with a serious expression. "I heard that the left eye is connected to the monster's brain, and shooting it there will make them writhe in pain."

Renn tightened the reins and glanced at her sideways.

Most of the soldiers around him had solemn expressions, and some were even whispering prayers to their gods, hoping to get through this difficult time.

The half-elf girl, however, seemed oblivious to the serious atmosphere and remained unchanged.

"Anywhere is fine as long as you can hit it." Renn's lips twitched slightly, his tense nerves easing a little at the absurd joke. He then joked with Ella, "But I suggest you stab her in the leg. After all, we're going to be stuck in the canyon this time, and a slow wolf is a good wolf."

But it's clear that Ryan doesn't have much of a talent for joking; in fact, he maintained a serious demeanor even while saying those words.

"Tch, so unromantic." Ella curled her lip, toying with the short sword in her hand. "This is the first time I've ever met someone who can joke with such a serious expression."

Just then, a burst of laughter came from the flank.

"Haha, Ryan! Looks like you're in a good mood!"

Valen rode up to him.

His 23rd patrol ran alongside Ryan's group, the two groups together numbering over a hundred, their hooves thundering on the city walls, shaking the snow off the battlements.

The vice-captain of the Griffin squadron was wearing a full suit of plate armor today, with his helmet hanging beside his saddle, revealing his stubble-covered but energetic face.

"I'd heard that most half-elves are thick-skinned, and seeing it today, I can confirm it," Valen said, pointing at Ella. "I've also heard that half-elves are born without knowing what fear is. We humans, on the other hand, tremble."

He pulled a flat wine jug from his pocket, shook it, and heard the liquid inside sloshing around.

"How about it? Want a sip? These are extraordinary times, and drinking isn't as strictly controlled as usual. Once we get to the encampment, we probably won't have time for that."

Ryan shook his head: "Save it for the celebration. I need to clear my head right now."

"Okay, then I'll drink it for you." Valen tilted his head back and took a swig, a little bit of wine dripping down the corner of his mouth, which he casually wiped away.

The two teams slowly separated at a fork in the road on the city wall.

To the west lies a black pine forest, and to the northwest, a broken-tooth canyon.

The two places are more than ten kilometers apart. Normally, it would only take half an hour to get there by horseback, but with the roads blocked by heavy snow, a normal march would probably take half a day.

"Raine".

Warren's smile faded, he reined in his horse, and looked at Ryan with a serious expression.

"Shattered Tooth Canyon is a windy spot, but also a death trap. Once the defenses here are breached, my flank will be completely exposed. So my back is in your hands."

"rest assured."

Raine extended his gauntlet-covered fist and waved it toward Valen, as if bumping fists. "Unless I die, no monster will be able to slip out of the canyon and bite your ass."

"Good! That's enough!"

Valen laughed loudly, then yanked the reins sharply. "Twenty-third Squad, follow me! Go!"

As he watched Valen's team disappear into the snowstorm, Renn took a deep breath.

"Full speed ahead."

"Target: Shattered Tooth Canyon."

"1

We estimate that the beast tide won't even make a splash.