Chapter 576

Chapter 576: Scarlet Descent and Iris Codex

In the night ambush that took place in the jungles of Huangnan County, the Frost Rose Coalition’s army suffered heavy losses.

Fortunately, in the end, under the intervention of a ‘hero,’ the remaining troops in the camp managed to organize themselves and repel the enemy.

“According to the commendation from the Coalition Parliament, this ‘Frost Rose’ medal is specially awarded to you, Idah.”

In the center of the reorganized camp, the surviving remnants of the forces gathered in neat formation, watching the female knight on the high platform bestowing medals.

This red-haired knight was precisely the ‘hero’ who had turned the tide that day.

“General, I am unworthy of such an honor,” Idah said, half-kneeling on the platform, her head bowed, seemingly filled with guilt.

“There is no need for that. Your actions were right, or perhaps I did not react quickly enough, leading to such heavy casualties. You have earned this honor.”

“Take it, this is the pride of a soldier,” Jenkins repeated.

Idah fell silent for several seconds before speaking again.

“Thank you for your commendation.” She raised her hands to receive the medal and pinned it to her chest.

Jenkins then gave a summary speech about their recent setbacks, and the audience listened in solemn silence.

After this battle, the original 200,000-strong vanguard army now numbered only 140,000, with 60,000 lost. Some died in the fighting, but many more perished due to trampling and inhaling thick smoke.

Following this battle, Idah’s reputation as ‘Sawtooth Sword’ spread among both sides of the army.

This beautiful yet cruel military commander, wielding a sharp, toothed longsword, would cut down fleeing soldiers in times of crisis, stabilizing morale. Her ruthless and brutal methods struck fear into many lower-ranking soldiers.

The remaining troops did not stop; instead, they sped up, leaving the jungle and entering the vast plain, heading straight for Hope Lane.

During their march, the New Vergha Alliance’s army clashed with them several times. Although no full-scale major battles were fought, the skirmishes and ambushes allowed both sides to gradually understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

It could not be denied that after entering the open terrain, the mechanical golems and airships began to show their superiority, causing significant damage to the New Vergha forces.

However, the New Vergha Alliance was not entirely defenseless. Over the past few years, the numerous mage associations established by the Juvenile Moon Council had nurtured young mages and brought in many powerful high-level mages.

It was these mages who, on that night, combined their secret arts to summon the enormous meteoric fire from the sky.

After several encounters, the Frost Rose side finally understood their opponent’s capabilities.

The previous night raids had succeeded because one of their number was a fairy, the Nature Sequence 6·Cui Luo Fairy, who provided cover, allowing small detachments to evade detection by the aerial airships.

Then, the meteoric fire that fell from the sky was led by ‘Scarlet Descent’ Corinla, a powerful mage skilled in flames, with the Magic Sequence 7·Red Lotus Fire.

This sequence was a simplified version of the Magic Sequence 7·Annihilating Red Lotus. Though its power and skills were somewhat reduced, the difficulty of advancement was much easier.

Had it been the complete version developed by Cinasar, the Magic Sequence 7·Annihilating Red Lotus, the meteoric fire, unimpeded, would have scorched the surrounding ten miles of jungle and land into glass.

However, such a legendary sequence was still too difficult to advance due to its immense power. The developers, witches, prioritized maximum power and did not consider ordinary people learning it. Later generations had to simplify it to progress.

Leaving aside the Juvenile Moon Council’s mages, many were more surprised by the Nature Sequence 6 fairy. As one of the rare intelligent fantasy creatures among demonic beasts, fairies usually lived deep in forests. With human expansion, such beings had become increasingly rare.

Unexpectedly, another appeared at this time. Both sides’ mages were curious why this high-level fairy obeyed orders, knowing that such creatures in legends were unpredictable and disliked being constrained and commanded.

Compared to the Frost Rose, the mages from the Southern Islands were even more intrigued. They curiously asked the Alliance and learned that the fairy was hired by the Callistus Guild.

It was said that Miss Lacy had personally signed an agreement with them and paid the fee. She brought several Sequence 5 fairies under her command, who temporarily obeyed the guild representative.

“Incredible!”

In the council hall of Hope Lane, representatives from various factions argued and negotiated over future strategies. In the back row, a woman with wavy golden hair propped her chin up, watching the fairy with transparent butterfly wings nearby.

Such a fantastical creature was extraordinarily beautiful and enchanting, its wings glowing intermittently. She appeared to be just an adult, with emerald-green hair scattered over her pale skin, standing no taller than a meter, giving off a delicate and petite impression.

Now, this fairy was playing with some companions, occasionally speaking in tones outsiders couldn’t understand, paying no mind to the arguments in the central meeting.

“How does Miss Lacy communicate with them? Such fairies are so fascinating, I wish I could take one home for research,” the woman exclaimed excitedly.

“Corinla, behave yourself. While you’re excellent at manipulating fire, when it comes to cultivating demonic beasts, you shouldn’t mess around with others,” a bespectacled mage commented.

“Oh, Tug, can’t you say something nicer? Are you my boyfriend or not?” Corinla complained, leaning back in her chair and pinching the man beside her waist, twisting him.

“Sss—Gently, my lady,” Tug hissed, grabbing Corinla’s hand and pulling it away.

They had once studied under the same mentor and later became lovers. If not for their busy schedules with research and advancement, they would have married long ago.

Before the war broke out, they had arrived early in Hope Lane, hoping to secure substantial research funding from overseas support. They even decided to build their own tower near the port of Hope Lane if they ever had the means, as a future residence and laboratory.

Although this war was unexpected, it temporarily made them leaders among the hundreds of mages sent by the Juvenile Moon Council to the New Vergha Alliance.

Both were Magic Sequence 7. Tug was responsible for planning operations, while Corinla handled combat and casualties. Their names gradually became known during this war.

‘Scarlet Descent’ Corinla and ‘Iris Codex’ Tug emerged as two rising stars in the conflict between the Rose and the Star.

(End of Chapter)