Chapter 434: Chapter 434: 432 Riverside City (Part 1)_1

Riverside City was not actually situated beside a river.

The Angry River was hundreds of kilometers away, although, five hundred years ago, the river did indeed flow through the city. However, an earthquake caused the river to change its course, making Riverside City’s name no longer accurate.

The back hall of the City Lord’s Mansion was filled with music and laughter.

Young and beautiful half-elf dancers swayed in charming rhythms, their seductive glances arousing cries of excitement from the crowd and turning the banquet into a great celebration.

Viscount Yaga, the Lord of Riverside City, sat in the seat of honor, watching the half-elf dancers with tipsy eyes, enjoying every moment with a rhythmical nodding.

Unfortunately, some inconsiderate people were intent on interrupting his enjoyment.

“Lord Viscount, Lord Viscount!”

Viscount Yaga looked at Knight Palon who had approached him, and asked with a furrowed brow, “What’s the matter?”

“My Lord, another group of deserters has arrived from Alfalfa City. And according to them, the Blood Knight Army has crossed the river!”

“Knight Palon, you actually believe the words of deserters? With the Pegasus Navy protecting us, how can Northerners cross the Angry River? Also, haven’t I already sent people for confirmation? Did you send someone?”

“Of course I did, in fact, I sent three groups. But up until now, not one has returned.”

“The round trip from here to Alfalfa City takes around three days, right? It’s not that fast.”

“But my Lord, the fact that so many deserters have appeared in Riverside City shows that something must have happened in Alfalfa City. We should prepare in advance.”

“Didn’t I already send a message to White Dew City? And aren’t you already mobilizing our family’s army, always ready for battle? What else should we do?”

“My Lord, to be on the safe side, we should close the city gate.”

“Close the city gate?” Viscount Yaga hesitated, “Isn’t that an overreaction without confirmed information?”

Knight Palon sighed inwardly. The eastern territory had been peaceful for too long, and these aristocratic lords had lost their vigilance. Just as he was about to try to convince the viscount again, a half-elf merchant hurriedly interjected:

“Lord Viscount, we can’t close the city gate! Our caravan still has a batch of goods to be delivered to Riverside City today!”

The viscount’s eyes lit up.

Every time a half-elf caravan passed through Riverside City, they would present him with some “beautiful gifts”.

Watching the enchanting half-elf dancers, Viscount Yaga’s heart filled with desire, and he immediately said to Knight Palon:

“Then let’s wait for Mister Sass’s caravan to enter the city before closing the gate.”

Knight Palon glanced at the half-elf merchant warily and said, “My Lord, I fear we may not have enough time…”

Viscount Yaga’s eyes widened in annoyance and he snapped, “What do you mean there’s not enough time? Do you think I don’t understand warfare? Even if the Blood Knight Army has really crossed the river, it would take them two to three days, right? Then they have to transport their supplies. It would take at least five to six days for them to reach Riverside City. You’re exaggerating! Just do as I said!”

“Yes, my Lord.” With no other option, Knight Palon decided to comply and left reluctantly.

After leaving the City Lord’s Mansion, Knight Palon walked worriedly towards the West City Gate. There, he saw a long motorcade crowding the entrance.

It seemed the half-elf caravan had finally arrived.

Knight Palon’s heart tightened, and he quickly instructed the soldiers to speed up the caravan’s entrance into the city.

Suddenly, the caravan came to a halt.

“What’s going on?”

Knight Palon watched from above and asked.

“Sir Knight, a cart has collapsed under the weight of its cargo.”

“Clear it up quickly!”

Knight Palon roared in anger, a pang of dread swelling in his heart.

He had always had suspicions about these half-elf merchants. The Half-Elf Kingdom was firmly controlled by Count Angler and he had doubts about whether this caravan was sent by him as spies.

Unfortunately, Viscount Yaga had already been entranced by these half-elves, and Knight Palon could not convince him otherwise.

Now, all he could hope for was that the Blood Knight Army would not reach Riverside City so soon.

However, when you fear something the most, it tends to happen.

Thud, thud, thud…

The ground began to tremble. Knight Palon swiftly turned around, only to see a thin black line appear on the horizon.

The thin line gradually spread out, transforming into an ocean of black that was rushing towards Riverside City at an astonishing speed.

A chilling feeling coursed through his whole body, and he immediately shouted at the top of his voice, “Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”

The soldiers gathered at the city gate were stunned. They were still struggling to understand what was happening.

Those soldiers who were helping to clear the scattered goods outside the city gate dumbfoundedly continued to lift the cargo onto their shoulders, staring blankly at the cavalry appearing in the distance.

It wasn’t until Knight Palon jumped down from the city wall and knocked over several stunned soldiers that they finally snapped back to reality.

“Hurry, close the city gate!”

Several soldiers scrambled towards the control rope, but with the caravan blocking the gate, there was no way to close it.

By now, Knight Palon was certain of it: this half-elf caravan was certainly a group of Northern spies!

So, he showed no mercy. He led the soldiers to forcefully disperse the caravan, instantly attacking any who showed hesitation!

Seeing real bloodshed, the half-elves in the caravan scattered in panic, leaving their carts full of goods at the city gate.

With no other options, Knight Palon directed his soldiers to move the goods out of the way. He himself then gathered the city gate soldiers outside the city, forming a defensive line intending to halt the incoming Blood Knight Army.

There were still about a thousand or two soldiers at the city gate. Knight Palon felt that with so many men, they should be able to withstand the Blood Knight Army and buy some time. As long as the city gate could be closed, it would be unlikely for the Northerners to conquer Riverside City.

Cavalry was known to be ineffective in sieges, a common military knowledge.

Unfortunately, Knight Palon overestimated his own troops.

The eastern territories had been too peaceful for too long. The Angry River effectively blocked the Northerners, and the elves hid in the Bright Moon Forest, never showing a trace. The eastern territory’s army had hardly fought any real battles apart from occasionally dealing with thieves, and many of the soldiers didn’t even practice their drills regularly.

Perhaps they were more adept and skilled in using hoes than swords.

Therefore, when the vanguard of the Blood Knight Army arrived at the city with a terrifying and invincible aura, the defense led by Knight Palon collapsed swiftly and neatly.

They saw the vivid red blood, the ferocious faces, the merciless eyes, and then, they were scared witless.

Fear drove them to throw down their swords, ignore Knight Palon’s shouts, and instinctively turn around to flee into the city.

Watching this scene, Knight Palon was in complete despair.

But then, he looked down at the knight’s sword in his hand, and the oath he had once made resurfaced in his mind.

And so, this knight of the eastern territory stood alone under Riverside City, facing the incoming Blood Knight Army. With a thunderous roar, he shouted:

“Come on, you Northern savages!”