Chapter 94 "Cataclysmic Master"

Madie lit a stick of butter candle, and the dim light enveloped the three people by the table. Victor fell into a state of trance, as if he was engaged in a secret conversation with his subordinates. He listened to Harvey's low voice saying:
"Lao Lang talks about two recent major events in Fallen Leaf City. The news of the invasion of Braun Town by the foreign Orcs has spread. The Fallen Leaf City Council has passed a war resolution and dispatched the Redmane Legion to retaliate against the invading Orcs. They have also recruited a new legion of soldiers to assist the Redmane Legion, totaling 15,000 soldiers. It is estimated that Braun Town will be recaptured before the end of this summer. There is also news that recapturing Braun Town is just the beginning of the war, as Fallen Leaf City plans to take control of the entire Braun Lake Basin in one fell swoop."
"The recruitment of new soldiers was completed four months ago. The Crimson Mane Legion and the new recruits are stationed near the towns of Golden Sands, Fruit Shell, and Rote in the Eastern Province of Leaf City."
"The war tax in Leaf City is still being collected, with each person having to pay one silver tower per month."
"The headquarters of the Adventurers Guild has issued a war mission, with at least seven large adventure groups accepting the war mission. They have also arrived at the headquarters of the Crimson Mane Legion."
Madi's face turned bitter and the wrinkles on his forehead appeared even deeper. He sighed and said, "Oh, I wonder if Bartome managed to escape in the end... He used half-orcs and barbarians as his whetstone, always eager for a good fight. If he dies in Brown Town, there will be no one to give advice to the townspeople, and that would be a big problem."
Originally, the imposing and battle-ready presence of Gangyan in Borang Town deeply stimulated Boss Bartom.
For twenty years, he had been practicing swordsmanship in Borang Town, never letting up even in the face of wind and rain, until finally he couldn't hold back and wanted to test his sword against the invading Half-Beasts and Barbarians.
What level did Bartom, the Red Lion, actually reach?
He didn't have a reference before, and he probably wasn't even sure about himself. However, Dragon Vein Venerable Hugo Lant admitted that Bartom was qualified to fight him. Although the confrontation between the two powerhouses was stopped by Sarah, Hugo planted a seed in Bartom's heart.
A swordsman polishes his soul as sharp as a sword, keeping it hidden in the scabbard until it's time to reveal it in all its glory.
As half of the master of Brown Town, Bartom faced the oppression and provocation of the dragon knights, but he showed a very passive attitude and was not prepared for battle at all.
Sarah realized that the confrontation between him and Hugh Grant was a certain death, so she intervened to stop it.
However, Hugh Grant's affirmation of Batman made him both frustrated and eager to act. Until his home was destroyed, he finally let go of all restraints and resolutely confronted the formidable enemy.
Only after going through countless temperings can a sword be formed, just like the glorious achievements of an old warrior. At that moment, the significance of battle itself outweighed the outcome of life and death. No one could change Bartom's decision.
After all this time, the people at Adventurer's Home are still concerned about Barthom's whereabouts, hoping that he is still alive and that there will be a day when they can reunite with him.
Harvey would not directly ask the Thieves Guild for information about the Red Lion Barthom, and he cannot even mention the town of Braun. He only inquired about recent events in Fallen Leaf City. The Thieves Guild's old wolf naturally had to talk about the invading half-orcs, the war, Braun, and other major events.
The council of Leaf City is mobilizing for war, recruiting new soldiers, imposing war taxes, and issuing war missions to all adventure groups in the entire Dissa Alliance. All of this was expected. However, the army of Leaf City and the major adventure groups have already arrived at the towns of Jinsha, Guoke, and Lote, which are closest to Brown Town. The residents of Brown Town, including the mixed-race children trained by the Adventurers' House, are also evacuating towards these three towns.
If no one steps forward to take charge, nobody knows what the military commanders will do to the fugitives of Brown Town.
Curiously, Victor asked, "Can Leaf City recruit a new legion so quickly? Can they defeat the Half-Orcs from the Outer Domain and the Barbarian Alliance?"
Harvey immediately explained: "Many poor families in the city-state of Fallen Leaf struggle to put food on the table, and countless young people aspire to join the Legion. The Legion not only provides food and shelter, but also imparts skills. Like myself and Max, oh no, I mean Maddie... We were thrilled when we were chosen to enlist."
Madie interface said, "Recruiting new soldiers this time is different from before. We don't have to fight, they go directly to the battlefield. So, Fallen Leaf City levies a war tax per person... Don't be fooled by the relatively small monthly tax per person, it's deadly for poor families in the lower regions. They have no other choice but to sign up for the military. If they fail to pay the tax on time, they may be punished with hard labor or even sold as private slaves to the wealthy, and their situation will only get worse."
Victor shook his head and said, "The new recruits cannot defeat the half-orcs."
Harvey said, "Yes, the new recruits are not combat-ready. They can only serve as support troops. The Redmane Legion is the main combat force. I heard that the Redmane Legion is one of the three main legions in the City of Fallen Leaves. They are well-equipped and well-trained. They have 5,000 soldiers and a reserve of 2,400 troops. In addition, there are elite private soldiers from the Highland Noble Houses and various adventuring parties. It's entirely possible that the female warriors of the Hemer tribe will also participate in the battle... They will have no problem defeating a group of poorly equipped half-orcs and barbarians."
Harvey and Maddie are confident in the Half-Elf Army, but in Vertok's mind, he sees the image of the Butcher Chief of the Half-Orcs angrily slashing Steelrock. His robust and sturdy body is like an immovable mountain; his wild roar is filled with awe-inspiring power; his strong will is like a banner, gathering the belief that the Half-Orcs are invincible in battle.
Victor seems to see the birth and growth of the half-orc tribe in the leader of the butcher. They haven't reached their peak yet, but they are climbing up.
Would a Redmane Legion that has never fought be a match for this half-orc tribe?
"The Legion of Fallen Leaf City will lose," Viktor said calmly, as if stating a fact.
Harvey paused for a moment and exclaimed anxiously, "What should we do then? Should we hurry to Goldsand Town and rescue our people?"
He is worried that after the defeat of the Redmane Legion by the half-orcs, not only will they not be able to recover Brown Town, but they will also fail to protect Gold Sand Town.
Maddy was speechless. If you say that Harvey is brainless, he also knows that Gold Sand Town is in danger after the Redmane Legion's defeat. If you say that he has a brain, he believes everything Victor says without asking for reasons.
"The army of the Fallen Leaf City may lose the first battle, but it is uncertain afterwards. However, the foreign domain half-orcs and barbarians do not have the capability to attack Goldsand Town, as their food supplies are insufficient."
Victor added another sentence, and this topic is everywhere. The outcome of the war has little to do with them, only that the intelligence on the Red Mane Legion stationed in Golden Sands Town is valuable to them. But they are now out of reach and can only take it one step at a time, trying to find a way to evacuate the people from the Adventurer's Home in Golden Sands Town.
"Is there any other news?"
"Harvey nodded and said, 'Do you remember last summer when the Shepherdess Bertina infiltrated Leaf City and killed highland nobles and city guards?'"
Victor will definitely not forget this matter. Hugh Grant from the Goldengrove family used this as an excuse to accuse him of being an accomplice of the She-Wolf Girl and publicly detained him. This led to intense confrontation between the two sides, even alerting the Tribal Lord Steel Rock from the Tower Caven tribe, who led the Hammer tribe female warriors to drive the Dragon Knights of the Goldengrove family out of the town of Borong.
The evil deeds committed by the Wolf Girl are not limited to just one incident. Long ago, a warrant was issued against her by Torrent City, stating that she attacked the armed convoy of Torrent City, causing dozens of casualties. But no one expected that the Wolf Girl would go to Fallen Leaf City to commit a massacre, and also to Highland City, where she killed countless members of the city defense forces, causing rivers of blood. Even when the strong of Fallen Leaf City mobilized regular troops to besiege Bertina, they could only force her to retreat.
After this incident, the wolf girl Bellatina became infamous and became the number one bandit in the Diasa Alliance.
"Old Wolf told me that before the female bandit Bellatina committed the massacre, she infiltrated the Island Street in Luye North District, which was a common slum. It seems that Island Street didn't have a good reputation before, it was just an ordinary market for the poor. It started last year when the residents of Island Street opened two shops together, specializing in selling a few varieties of special snacks. The special snacks sold on Island Street are inexpensive and delicious, gradually gaining a reputation. Not only do common people like to eat them, but rich people also go to Island Street to taste them."
"That day, several young masters and misses from prestigious families in the highlands came to the island street. They got into a conflict with people in the dim sum shop. In a fit of anger, they first smashed the shop and then set it on fire. It is said that several people were burned to death. But that's not all, those young masters and misses also abducted two kitchen maids who were making dim sum. One of the maids had a young child who was ignorant and clung to her leg, but was tragically thrown to death by one of the privileged young masters."
"The she-wolf girl may not be able to stand by and watch, so she steps forward to stop those young masters and ladies. However, the young master from a prominent family does not recognize the she-wolf girl and, seeing her beauty, decides to capture her as his own slave."
“This time, Bertina revealed her true cruel face as a female bandit... She immediately killed all the noble young masters' bodyguards, caught the noble young master who threw a poor child to death, dug out his eyes, cut off his ears and nose, pulled out his tongue, cut off his limbs, and slashed the faces of the remaining young masters and ladies twice. She made them take the tortured noble young master back and threatened to visit his family. They must apologize and admit their mistakes, otherwise they will all be burned to death.”
"No one expected that before the prominent Highland Clan could react, the Shepherdess of Wolves followed those young masters and young ladies to Highland City. Then, she caused a sensational bloodbath in Highland City, until she was forced to retreat by several strong individuals from Highland City, and her whereabouts became unknown."
“In that bloody slaughter, the shepherdess became known for the first time by her name and title. She was the 'Miracle Queen' Bertina."
The sizzling butter candle suddenly burst into a ball of flame, casting flickering shadows. Madi was startled. He rubbed his chin and said self-mockingly, "The 'Miracle Queen' Bertina... this ruthless powerful figure truly sends chills down one's spine."
Harvey nodded approvingly and said, "She is still a beautiful girl, I didn't expect her to be so ruthless. Sir, what are your thoughts on her?"
Victor looked up, smiled slightly, and said, "Cruel? Ruthless? I think it's inappropriate to use such biased terms to evaluate 'Miracle Queen' Bertina... I would say she is a natural disaster powerhouse."
"Disaster Powerhouse?" Maddie asked with a perplexed expression.
"..." Victor raised an eyebrow slightly and slowly said, "Like flash floods, wildfires, hurricanes, blizzards, and fog..." His thoughts became clearer, and his calm tone revealed a profound strength. "There is no mercy, no contempt, and no resistance. Whoever gets caught in it will die. That's right, 'Miracle Queen' Bertina is a powerhouse like a natural disaster. For example, Dragon King Philumat and Steel Rock, the chief of the Tower Cavern tribe, are both disaster powerhouses."
"Disaster Strong... The master's words are really good!" Harvey said with a laugh.
Maddy couldn't be bothered and continued to ask, "Master, I haven't seen the 'Miracle Queen.' I did see the transformation of the leader of the Steel Rock tribe, and it was indeed incredibly powerful beyond imagination. But he was still surrounded and attacked to death by the half-beast people and barbarians. I don't really believe they are as powerful as Dragon King Filumat."
Victor shook his head and laughed, saying, "I often hear you guys discussing at the Adventurer's Inn, who is stronger than who, who is stronger than who... Who is stronger? I compare my size with the Dragon King Philippa to see who is bigger, and it is stronger than me; if it is smaller, I am stronger than it... Indeed, Bertina was repelled by someone, maybe because she was hungry, thirsty, tired, or exhausted... Every creature has its limits, it is ridiculous to compare their strength and weakness. I said Bertina, Gangyan, and Dragon King Philippa are strong like natural disasters because their abilities are like natural disasters, and their mentality in battle is also like natural disasters. These are all relative... For example, you are a natural disaster strong for ants. Are you cruel because you stepped on an ant's nest?"
Madi chuckled and said, "I think I understand, but... Steel Rock kills half-beasts and barbarians, and all I see is his strength, not his brutality. 'Miracle Queen' kills a noble young master who offends her, but then she gouges out his eyes and chops off his hands... Isn't that cruel?" As he spoke, he carefully observed Victor's expression and tactfully warned, "Sir, I may step on an ant nest, but if I do, I'll just leave it be. I wouldn't go out of my way to bother the ants."
Victor said inexplicably a little annoyed, "The information given by the thief may not be reliable. Did Bertina torture the noble boy? Did the Thieves' Guild witness it with their own eyes? Even if the whole process was witnessed by the thieves, is what Old Wolf and Harvey said true?" He paused and eagerly said, "I am very interested in the 'Miracle Queen' and hope to meet her in the future."
Harvey straightened up instantly, speaking urgently, "Sir, we need to act quickly. Because many people are looking for her... 'Miracle Queen' has already been issued a wanted warrant by the highest council of the alliance, with a bounty of 1 million gold towers on her head."
Maidi's eyes widened and he exclaimed, "So high?!"
Harvey glanced at him and said, "The turmoil caused by the Shepherdess of the Wolves hasn't subsided yet... After Belditina escaped, the private army of the highland noble families flattened Island Street and captured all the residents there. The mercenaries also hunted down the female bandits who were followers of Belditina, and over 300 people were sentenced to imprisonment. Their remains are still hanging outside the North Bangcheng of Fallen Leaf City, and all passersby can see cages hanging and the bodies inside them."
The cage punishment is to stuff the prisoners into a narrow iron cage, hang it outside the city, and let the prisoners suffer from exposure to wind, rain, snow, hunger, and thirst until death.
Since the Dissa Alliance implemented the system of slavery, the number of death penalties imposed on criminals has decreased, let alone the costly cage punishment.
This is simply a cruel form of private punishment.
The noble families of the City of Fallen Leaves, in their fury, cleared a whole street and trapped over 300 poor people in iron cages, causing them to die from suffocation. Such a tragic event is beyond imagination and too painful to contemplate.
McDy clenched his fists tightly, and his whole body was trembling slightly. The more he tried to control it, the more intense the tremors became.
"Now, the fallen leaf city is still capturing Belltina's accomplices. The old wolf said that we must never get involved with her. We must be even more cautious in crowded places and not discuss anything about Belltina with anyone, or we will invite big trouble."
Victor remained silent for a long time, only saying, "They're scared."