Chapter 558 War's Second Phase (2)

Olivier smiled at Nathan and greeted the team. "Thank you for your hard work and welcome to the fortress!"

"Let me bring you to your barracks."  Olivier looked at the battle-worn troops in front of him and dutifully led them to the place where they could rest.

Along the way, he also introduced the common facilities inside the fortress.

"This is the mess hall… this is where we dine and prepare our food…"

"Over there is the training and sparring area… you may want to go visit there when you have already rested…"

"This is the huddle area where the platoon leaders and even our lieutenants and captains meet the rest of the army to announce any battle plans ahead."

As Olivier introduced the facilities in the fortress, Nathan and the troops were repeatedly amazed. They could not believe that this fortress, all well thought off and excellently constructed, was made in just a few days.

The awe in their faces was so evident that Olivier could not help but notice, "Are you shocked that this was made in such a short time?"

The troops nodded candidly.

Olivier let out a chuckle and nodded, "We were just as shocked as you when we could only witness how everything was mobilized in such a short time."

"The crucial fact here was that the array ports we previously set up for ambush purposes were used to ease the transportation of the manpower and the rest of the resources.

Of course, we could not ignore the fact that it was Randel who thought of how the entire structure came about."

When they heard those words they immediately understood, the creation of the fortress is everyone's effort, which is why it turned out so amazing in such a short time.

"Alright, here is the way to your barracks. Feel free to rest and recuperate. We still have a lot of endeavors ahead."

"Thank you, Sire!" The troops saluted and went on their way.

As for Nathan, he went with Olivier and met the rest.





"Is His Highness still unconscious?" Nathan asked worriedly.

As the matter of the battle in the gorge was known to many, Nathan also knew of the fact that Leon sacrificed his body condition in order to wield the power that could withstand a vessel of the evil spirit fragment.

Hearing Nathan's question, Olivier dejectedly shook his head and answered, "Up until now, there were still no signs of him waking up. We have had his body checked many times already, but it seems like the mana receptors were still in the process of waking up."

"Can we do something about it? Is there any clue from back home?" Nathan worriedly asked.

Olivier could only shake his head and say, "Before His Highness decided to do this, he had already told us that this would happen. In fact, even he did not know how long he would be put to sleep once he used the power of the ancient spirit dragon."

Nathan remained silent and his thoughts wandered. Having Leon out of the picture is really worrying, especially when the news of the possible face-off between the Pope and Eli's side is already around the corner.

"You know, I could not help but worry…"  He said. "To handle one spirit fragment, my Little Sister Eli's contracted spirit became dormant for a long time…"

"What if that would be the case as well for His Highness…"

Hearing Nathan's concerns, the face of Olivier also darkened. He had completely forgotten about the matter of Wisey's sleeping.

Wisey only took one of the spirit fragment's attacks and yet, it took her more than a year to recover.

But his Captain fought a vessel carrier head-on and even exhausted himself by channeling the power of the ancient spirit.

How much more would Leon suffer then?

A gloomy mood overwhelmed the two lads as they were filled with worry over this matter.

Moreover, if this is how intense the damage would be on their side just to face a vessel of the evil spirit fragment, then who among them can withstand its strength?

While they were thinking about the sound of the second alarm bell rang.

Olivier raised his head and said, "It seems that we are being summoned."

"Let's go then.." Nathan knew that they could only choose to put the matter aside.

At the alarm of the bell, the captains and lieutenants, and even the platoon leaders were summoned.

In the huddle area, they met Temple Knight Captain, Mishael, First Prince Kazimir, and Second Prince Antoine.

"As all of us are here… we should start by announcing that the Vanderford troops will soon discover the recent attack on the Holy Island." Kazimir stood up and started to explain everything.

"Our informants and spies have already reported that the armies that were gathered in the capital are numerous. Naturally, this will be the troops whom the Pope and the Fake Paladin will bring should they find out the matter of the main temple."

"The scale of troops was clearly way over the troops that were currently on the island at the moment."

"Thus we summoned you here to announce that we will be also participating in the battle by sending troops to reinforce our side."

"This is the Pope and the Paladin we are talking about and so one must know that one would be facing a lot more curse users than the previous battle you have been into."

"All of those who will volunteer will be led by our very own Temple Knight Captain, Mishael along with the Crimson blades."

"Also I would like to inform you that the Green Wave continent warriors will also be participating. And so we are saying that this fight is an important fight for us as this would be defending the side we are believing in."

"The Pope along with those who side with him submitted to the Spectres and corrupted the main temple. That is why our brothers and friends fought to reclaim it a few days ago. Now we are going to defend it with our lives as well!"

As soon as Kazimir explained the situation, the faces of the leaders turned serious.

After a few days of smooth sailing battles, there would be another tougher one with a tougher enemy. But how could they cower when there were already several of the fallen who did their best in order for them to lay the groundwork for victory?

They became determined and resolute as they opened their mouths and stomped their feet in a battle cry.

–

On the coast just across the holy island, several soldiers stood on top of the cliff, putting telescopes on their eyes.

They looked in the direction of the holy island and determined that there were a lot of people, not from the temple, roaming around, guarding the place.

"It is as we have worried, there were intruders in the place." One of them frowned and said,

"Let's be quick! This has to be reported immediately to the capital!" Another said.

"Half of you continue to investigate, another half shall prepare the messenger birds. We have to inform the officials and the Pope on this matter!" Their leader said.