Chapter 506: Rising Temperature (1/2)
Western Frontier, Great Wall.
General Marquis Hendrick stood atop the black metal wall while another reputable person stood beside him. They both gazed down at the fiery wall of flames preventing the rat tide from advancing a step closer to their border in the dark of the night.
”It's great to have you take time out of your busy schedule to help us here at the frontlines, Duke Ignis.” General Marquis Hendrick said.
Duke Ignis shook his head and said while waving his hand, ”You spoke too humbly, General Marquis Hendrick. Against a threat like this rat tide, it is only right for me to lend my hand. Even King Heinrich is paying great attention to this matter.”
”His Majesty is?” General Marquis Hendrick asked with surprise. He had sent a messenger during the first outbreak, but no news nor reinforcement had made their way back until the following day.
”Of course. The New Capital Plan has been put on hold, and the Railway Construction Plan has also been redirected to the Great Wall. The railway route towards the Western Frontier is being built as we speak.” Duke Ignis explained.
General Marquis Hendrick was astonished by the news before he asked with doubt, ”I don't mean to be rude to His Majesty, but what took so long for His Majesty to respond?”
”Ah… that. I heard King Heinrich and Queen Elizabeth was both away from the Capital, toiling at the site of the railway construction.” Duke Ignis said wryly. ”Call it bad timing, I suppose?”
”That is not just bad timing. That is terrible timing,” General Marquish Hendrick rubbed his forehead with distress before saying, ”Just my luck, huh?”
”In any case, what matters is that we are here now.” Duke Ignis said optimistically. He did not come alone.
General Marquis Hendrick nodded before returning his gaze to the front, observing the rat tide's situation below.
A group of Fire Awakeners could be seen maintaining the firewall from atop of an earthen wall, erected by another group of high-level Earth Awakeners guarding them.
”Are these everyone?” General Marquis Hendrick asked casually without a hint of disappointment, despite the group of reinforcement numbering less than a hundred people.
Although the two groups consisted of blacksmiths and palace guards, they were also the strongest amongst the Fire Awakeners and Earth Awakeners in the empire.
He could not have asked for a better reinforcement than this, especially the Fire Awakeners. Their destructive element was far too useful in dealing with the rat tide.
Nevertheless, Duke Ignis shook his head, ”No, Queen Elizabeth will be coming with her entourage, and further 10-thousand troops are making their way over from the eastern side of the empire.”
”So many?” General Marquis Hendrick was taken aback before asking concernedly, ”Has the situation in the east stabilize?”
”More or less. Either way, the situation here in the west requires more attention than the stability of the east. If we lost the Great Wall to this rat tide, it would be an unprecedented calamity, rivaling the Crimsom War.”
”Right…” General Marquis Hendrick nodded solemnly.
Shortly after, Duke Ignis suddenly noticed something coming from the corner of his eyes before quickly warned with a serious expression, ”Something is coming!”
Seeing the incomer shooting towards them with incredible speed, Duke Ignis immediately conjured a flame lance in his hand before aiming at the fast-approaching figure.
General Marquis Hendrick scrutinized his eyes on the figure in the distant dark skies before they suddenly widened with surprise.
”Wait, Duke Ignis!” He immediately reached out his hand to stop Duke Ignis before the person could fire his flame lance. ”It's not an enemy!”
”Not an enemy?” Duke Ignis repeated, taking General Marquis Hendrick's word at face value, and dispersed his flame lance.