"BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"
A massive explosion echoed in the distance. Vlad and the rest of the warriors of the Xaos Kingdom turned towards its origin, seeing white lightning illuminating the sky, and realized it was coming from the Strong Hammer Military Base!
Vlad, Jormungandr, Freya, and all the soldiers of the Xaos Kingdom looked at each other in confusion. They did not understand what was happening. They had taken down the angelic forces of the Strong Hammer Military Base, and suddenly, a massive explosion seemed to arise in the fortress.
Immediately, all eyes turned toward Vlad, seeking a path and direction. He was the king, and his decisions would determine what actions they would take.
Vlad could feel all eyes focused on him, waiting for an answer and course of action. His mind rallied as he was just as full of questions as everybody else, wondering what had just happened.
’Could Orion have put an explosive artifact in the base to take it down in case she fell?’ Vlad knew that angels were not above such means, but the woman was so arrogant that there was no way she considered falling in battle.
Vlad’s mind arose with more questions, but soon, a flash of focus appeared as sharpness arose. "Let’s go. We need to see what is happening, assess the situation, and determine the state of the civilians in the Strong Hammer Military Base."
One of the reasons why they went through all this ordeal to fight the angels outside the Strong Hammer Military Base, keeping their numbers short to ensure a fruitful ambush, was so they could spare the civilians of the fortress and annex them to the Xaos Kingdom.
Of course, this group of less than thirty warriors would not have been the one making the initial approach, as they simply lacked the logistical means to give order to an entire city. The plan was to send a large force to take control of the fortress and establish proper control. However, the massive explosion threw away all their plans, and they needed to act fast, as the Strong Hammer Military Base might not exist if they kept waiting.
The Royal Guards and bloodline champions nodded. They were wounded and tired, but the Origin Force had helped, so even with the effects of the backlash, they could still move and fight, although not for long.
Vlad saw that everything was in order and guided the force forward, all running as fast as they could but not breaking their formation. Until they understood what was happening, they needed to stick together to ensure their safety.
It took them nearly ten minutes, but finally, they exited the paved road and could see the Strong Hammer Military Base without obstruction in the distance. Immediately, their eyes widened as they saw the right flank of the base had been blasted to pieces, and all the buildings and structures in the area were reduced to debris.
Vlad could not help but clench his fists as the might of such an explosion was even higher than the one he could unleash by combining his Inferno Comet Runic Set and Bloodline Ability. Soon, his eyes turned cold as he saw a massive force rushing into the city through the shattered portion of the wall.
There were thousands of human warriors, with hundreds clad in black armor and dark robes. They were already deep into the fortress, with fire and explosions echoing all across.
The bloodline soldiers did not understand what was happening, where this force came from, or why they were butchering everybody in the fortress. Still, Vlad, Jormungandr, and Amara showed coldness in their eyes as they recognized the elite troops of this human force.
"Azarin Empire!" Vlad uttered with coldness and killing intent as he saw the force. He knew the reason for the bloodshed was simple: the xenophobia and hatred of the Azarin Empire’s people toward the Constiaty Country’s citizens.
Vlad now knew the origin of the force and the reason for the bloodshed. However, he still did not understand why they would appear out of nowhere or march toward the Strong Hammer Military Base. He had placed spies across the border, but none detected anything, so they definitely did not cross through the area of the Inkmetal City dominated by the Xaos Kingdom.
Although the situation filled Vlad with more questions, they were pushed to the back of his mind when he saw the northern gate of the fortress opening and hundreds of people escaping.
Vlad’s first instinct was to rush forward and help, but his forces were too weakened, and there were too many soldiers in the Azarin Empire. It would place all his people under immense risk if they marched forward.
The decision between helping those civilians and ensuring the security of his troop froze Vlad’s mind for a moment. It was not easy, and it split his heart in two directions.
Another blast awakened Vlad. He saw how Mages sent a barrage of fireballs from their staff, blasting several families running away to pieces!
Vlad’s eyes widened as he saw that horrible scene, and all doubt vanished as he raised his aura. "Jormungandr with me. Royal Guards, cover us." After that, he turned toward the young Viking princess, his eyes cold and resolute, his voice not allowing any form of retort. "Freya, you will guide the bloodline soldiers. Cover the civilians and guide them into the forest away from the fight!"
When Vlad felt Jormungandr jump onto his shoulders, he flashed forward at full speed, accompanied by the Fire Elemental, and the six Royal Guards immediately chased after the trio. All of them understood the danger they would face, but none of them could endure seeing hundreds of women and children blown to pieces.
Freya relished the battlefield and did not like to be left behind, but she was not a foolish girl who did not understand the importance of rules. She was wounded, and unlike Vlad, she did not have Origin Force to heal herself.
"Let’s go!" The Viking princess turned toward the bloodline soldiers, who nodded toward the young woman. They were all ready to follow her commands as they dived forward.