Chapter 8

For years, Ossu, who often clashed with the Kingdom of Adriya, would frequently capture important figures from the other side. After each war, the Kingdom of Adriya would propose exchanging these captives for a large ransom. Since then, Ossu has been particularly cautious about important figures during battles with the Kingdom of Adriya, as they are essentially golden human cargo, and killing them rashly would mean losing a significant gain.

The report from his subordinates made Huroshan imagine the anger of his troops. A legion commander, such a significant figure, could fetch a substantial ransom. Yet, his subordinates proposed killing the enemy. Just how troublesome must this Nefal, the legion commander of Ledan, be to make his subordinates suggest this? Intrigued, Huroshan decided to go and see the situation himself.

At this moment, the central square of Ledan's military town resembled a gruesome battlefield. Blood stained the entire ground, and the bodies of Ossu barbarians lay scattered. Nefal, holding the "Gale" sword to support himself, looked around at the Ossu barbarians tightly surrounding him. Since the battle began, his guards and adjutants had already fallen in the overwhelming attacks of the Ossu barbarians. If not for the Ossu barbarians' intention to capture him, he might not have been able to hold on.

Sweat dripped from Nefal's weathered face, his armor, covered in wounds, was drenched in blood, and his cloak was torn to shreds. The prolonged battle had left even Nefal, a high-ranking swordsman, exhausted. Without the "Gale" sword in his hand, the battle would have been even more arduous. A fine weapon undoubtedly allowed a warrior to display greater strength.

Nefal, who had repelled the Ossu barbarians several times, did not know how much longer he could hold on. If the enemy ignored the ransom and decided to kill him, Nefal knew he would not be able to continue. Suddenly, as the Ossu barbarians collectively roared, his gaze shifted to a high platform in the distance.

It seemed a significant figure had arrived, truly giving him some respect.

Huroshan, on the command platform, saw the gruesome scene in the square and understood the anger of his subordinates facing a difficult situation. As his subordinates urgently requested permission to kill the enemy, Huroshan nodded indifferently. The great Ossu revival plan did not need such a small obstacle. The primary goal was to swiftly and decisively complete the plan, and such a small gain should not hinder the army's progress.

Upon receiving the order, his subordinates smiled cruelly. With such heavy casualties, it was time for revenge. In the Ossu army, most commanders were leaders or descendants of various barbarian tribes, and their soldiers came from their own tribes. The number of casualties directly affected the strength of their tribes. Occasionally, feuds would break out between tribes, and the defeated would have their names swallowed up. Therefore, heavy casualties in battle could lead to attacks by enemies back in the north.

Ossu was a confederation. The powerful Ol tribe unified the northern steppes hundreds of years ago and established the Ossu confederation, building a political system for the barbarians based on the political structures of most human kingdoms. Each tribal leader had the greatest authority over their tribe but had to obey the leadership of the Ol tribe. Those who disobeyed would face a joint attack and division by all the tribes.

As a key commander of a major force, Huroshan was an important member of the Ol tribe. The army's actions were under his control, and when it came to whether to kill an important figure from the enemy, his subordinates would seek his opinion. After all, in the loot from each raid on the Kingdom of Adriya, the Ol tribe would take one-third. If they easily killed the enemy, the Ol tribe might find some pretext to further exploit their future loot.

Nefal narrowed his eyes, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes twitching slightly. It seemed something bad was about to happen. When the Ossu barbarians roared and attacked again, he knew his premonition had come true.

Unlike the previous attacks aimed at capturing, this time the Ossu barbarians completely changed their tactics. As the silver-tipped spears were raised, it was clear they intended to kill directly.

Nefal, unwilling to die in place, opened his eyes wide. The "Gale" sword in his hand glowed faintly, and the wind currents along the blade grew increasingly violent!

Charge!

Knowing he would ultimately die, Nefal had other thoughts when he saw the high platform in the distance. Even if he died, he would try to kill the important figure on the platform, potentially causing trouble for the army.

As Nefal charged, countless short spears were hurled at him, tearing through the air with a fierce sound. In an instant, they were close to Nefal!

"Get out of my way!"

In his charging roar, Nefal swung the "Gale" sword in a circle, releasing a strong wind vortex around his body. The short spears, encountering the wind vortex, wobbled like drunkards and were deflected into the sky, losing their target.

Nefal's speed was fast. Before the Ossu barbarians could react to the thrown spears, he launched a close-range assault. Each time the "Gale" sword struck an enemy, a powerful wind current sent them flying. The Ossu barbarians, who had already experienced Nefal's tactics in previous attacks, still fell victim to this move. They fell like wheat stalks in a field, mostly due to the impact of the "Gale" sword.

Huroshan watched the legion commander charging and killing with interest. The target seemed to be himself, but Huroshan did not feel any danger. The enemy underestimated the Ossu warriors.

Halfway through his charge, Nefal's eyes were fixed on his target. The Ossu barbarians blocking his path did not pose much of a threat. Just as he sent one Ossu barbarian flying, his perception as a high-ranking swordsman made him pause.

A tall, ordinary-looking barbarian, wielding a two-handed greatsword, approached him step by step. The surrounding Ossu barbarians seemed to sense something and stopped their attacks, shouting.

Very dangerous! This was Nefal's first thought when he saw the approaching barbarian.

It had been a long time since Nefal had encountered someone who made him feel danger, and it was an Ossu barbarian!

"Your advance will end here, and your head will be taken by me. Speak your last words, warrior of the south!"

The barbarian with the greatsword stopped and faced Nefal, speaking calmly in the Eldran common language.

"Hmph!"

Nefal did not say much. While he was surprised that the barbarian spoke Eldran, the other's arrogance made him snort. Empty words were better left to be proven by strength!

"Although your weapon is good, it cannot change the gap in strength!"

"..."

Nefal's response was a sudden attack. He did not want to waste time on useless words; only strength could speak!

The tall barbarian shook his head, seemingly dissatisfied with Nefal's behavior, but he did not take the attack lightly. His greatsword met the incoming sword with a fierce strike!

The clash of blade and sword echoed across the battlefield, sparks and wind currents colliding violently!

Nefal, whose initial attack was suppressed, was startled but quickly changed his tactics. He deflected the barbarian's greatsword and nimbly shifted his position, the "Gale" sword changing angles for another rapid attack. However, to Nefal's surprise, the barbarian's agility exceeded his expectations. As Nefal deflected the greatsword, the barbarian quickly recovered and responded to the second attack.

The two moved continuously in attack and defense. Nefal did not dare to be careless. Each of his attacks was accurately predicted and blocked, and the occasional feints and traps did not fool the barbarian. Such a formidable opponent made Nefal cautious!

Watching the intense battle, Huroshan was intrigued. He waved to a nearby soldier and asked which tribe the brave warrior belonged to. Clearly, Huroshan was considering recruiting him.

"The report, sir, is that the warrior is Uleg, the eldest son of the Kachas tribe's chief."

The soldier's report made Huroshan somewhat regretful. If it were a regular tribal warrior, he could recruit him, but if it were the eldest son of a tribal chief, who might inherit the position, it would be more complicated.

However, the old chief of the Kachas tribe had the courage to send his son to face this challenge, likely to build his reputation and authority in the war with the Kingdom of Adriya. Was he planning to pass on his position after the war? Huroshan couldn't help but pay more attention to Uleg in the battle.

Uleg's greatsword was clearly not an ordinary weapon. It showed no signs of damage even after continuous clashes with the "Gale" sword, and the wind currents generated by the "Gale" sword were forcefully split by the greatsword, preventing any impact.

As the relentless attacks continued, Nefal's body began to show signs of fatigue. From the encirclement to the charge, Nefal had been in constant battle, pushing his body to its limits. Now, those limits seemed to be approaching.

The unstoppable momentum of the charge was interrupted, gradually wearing down until it began to wane. But this was war, and war allowed no excuses.

Life or death, success or failure.

At the moment Nefal's fierce attack suddenly paused, Uleg changed his stance. Before Nefal could react, the greatsword had already slashed through, blood flying in front of him. The pain seemed to take a moment to register.

A large gash opened on Nefal's chest, blood gushing out. He quickly retreated, but Uleg's greatsword followed without hesitation.

Nefal felt his body weakening, and his desperate defense gradually failed. Was he really going to die like this, unwillingly? Was there nothing more he could do?

As Uleg's next slash approached, he sensed that Nefal had no intention of defending. Was he trying to die with him? But the sword had already been swung, unstoppable!

However, as Uleg's sword cut through without resistance, a strange smile appeared on Nefal's face. The long sword in his hand, powered by his last reserves of strength, was thrown with great force toward Uleg's back!

Was he trying to? Uleg's eyes widened as he turned to see the "Gale" sword, now a silver streak, heading straight for Huroshan on the distant command platform!

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