In the Name of Empress-Chapter 299 - 204: Red, White, and Yellow Spilled All Over the Ground
Helentz Castle, underground tunnel.
Joseph leaned against the earth wall, resting with his eyes closed.
He was covered in blood and grime, even with the enemy’s brain matter congealed on him, looking somewhat disheveled. However, his golden hair was still tied into a neat ponytail, not a strand out of place.
This was his final defiance.
Just half an hour ago, he had slain several of the enemy’s elite troops who had infiltrated the tunnels, including one who had nearly reached the threshold of a Transcendent.
The brutal battle had left his golden hair soaked with sweat, in complete disarray.
After the battle, he immediately found a mirror to tidy up his hair, then sat here catching his breath.
Soon, he opened his eyes, judging from the footsteps, it was the youngest deputy commander, Tom.
He patted the spot beside him, indicating for the other to sit down.
Helentz Castle was once a model of small city construction in the Odin Empire, with a developed drainage system and an already mature sewer system.
The garrison dug deeper, connecting these sewers to form a mature underground tunnel system.
If they relied solely on a few thousand people to dig, they couldn’t have dug this deep even if they worked themselves to death.
Tom skittishly came over and sat down next to Joseph, "Brother Joseph, you must be no ordinary Holy Hall."
Joseph opened his eyes wide and quietly asked, "Why do you say that?"
"The Holy Hall who sacrificed himself a few days ago was not even one-tenth your strength. I’m sorry, I mean no disrespect to him, just discussing strength."
Joseph said nothing, a hint of displeasure flashed in his heart.
One-tenth? Clearly, it was one-twentieth!
Though he wanted to retort, he couldn’t say it out loud, as it would be too disrespectful to the sacrificed.
Seeing Joseph not denying it, Tom smiled and said, "The captain and Jerry even wrote their wills, I’m the only one who knows we’ll definitely win."
"Reason?" Joseph liked Tom a lot, this kid’s optimism was genuine, easily infecting others. Fighting side by side over these days made Tom familiar with him, daring to joke around.
"You’re no ordinary Holy Hall. I don’t quite understand the rules of your Divine Court, but you must be a big shot, right?"
Joseph was stunned for a few seconds and leisurely said, "Sort of. But compared to Saintess Christine, I’m quite inferior. She’s even the overall commander of this war now."
"Is that Saintess Christine stronger than you?" Tom was full of curiosity.
"Stronger than me...wait, you brat, why are you asking all this? I’m the one asking you."
Tom chuckled, scratched his head, and quietly said, "Even if that Saintess is about the same as you, you must still be an impressive figure. Someone like you wouldn’t be easily abandoned, so the Saintess will surely come to rescue us, right?"
Joseph couldn’t bring himself to shatter Tom’s illusion, so he smiled and said, "You’re very smart."
He didn’t deceive Tom, as he wasn’t sure anyone would come to the rescue.
But he gave Tom hope nonetheless, as logically, there should be a rescue.
Watching Tom’s nimble, joyful departure, Joseph’s smile gradually faded.
He had participated in the pacification operations three years ago, even served as Christine’s deputy.
Before the decisive battle, he staunchly opposed using the Forbidden Guard as bait, but Christine insisted.
Her reasoning was simple, "No one would use the Forbidden Guard as bait, so the enemy will surely be fooled."
Indeed, a baiting method that transcends human comprehension. No one could understand it.
Using five thousand as bait to annihilate the rebel core forces in one encounter, decisive victory through brilliant strategy. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
However, the fish caught, the Forbidden Guard’s loyalty was lost.
The Forbidden Guard is indeed the royal family’s staunch sword and shield, but being used as expendables, who would be willing?
Joseph acknowledged that Christine’s tactical choice at the time was the correct one, but he also believed it would lead to endless trouble.
After all, people are not chess pieces, they are beings of flesh and blood.
They feel fear, joy, anger.
Joseph sighed softly, thinking to himself, Tom, my young brother, the real reinforcements you hope for may never arrive.
Even if there’s a High Tier Holy Hall, Christine still won’t change her mind.
Before leading five hundred Temple Warriors on a mission, Christine explicitly told Joseph that he could withdraw alone if necessary.
This was an open message to Joseph that Helentz Castle was bait.
Joseph really wanted to tell Christine that even bait deserves the right to survive.
If the true intent of the bait can’t be openly disclosed, at least there should be a full-force rescue effort.
Christine, if you can’t understand this, you’ll never become a renowned general like your grandfather.
Joseph closed his eyes again, preparing to regain his strength for the next battle.
His lips curled slightly, seeming to think of something pleasant.
Christine was the most proud yet most regretful disciple of Grandfather.
Three years ago during the suppression, Grandfather had already passed away over a year, the Imperial Family could only ask his best disciple, Christine, to take charge in his stead.
The loss ratio Christine achieved in the battles would have made Grandfather exclaim in admiration even if he were alive, but along with the victory, seeds of disaster were sown.
Very likely a future threat that could overthrow the Wende Empire’s royal family.
He probably understood Christine’s stance, she was a commander, not a politician. She promised to win the battle, but never promised to solidify the royal family’s position.
Christine has always been clear about her position, she desires the crown of Pope of the Divine Court of Light, closest to the Goddess, to receive her teachings.
Joseph sighed, somewhat wistful.
Grandfather couldn’t change Christine, and he certainly couldn’t either.
All he could do was to share the fate of Helentz Castle.
It might seem foolish to others, but he couldn’t bear to abandon the comrades he had fought alongside for over a dozen days.
Their optimism, composure, and bravery touched his heart.
Here, he found a long-lost sense of team belonging.
He would never leave his comrades behind to escape alone, especially since escape wasn’t an option.
Sven the Seventh’s forces might lack capable ministers and generals, but they never lacked brave warriors.
In yesterday’s battle, he faced off against a high-level Berserker nearly two meters tall.
The opponent’s immense arm strength almost knocked the Warhammer out of his hands.
Fortunately, his concentration prevented any mishaps.
If he attempted to escape alone, he would undoubtedly be stopped by a High tier Berserker.
Joseph gripped his Warhammer tightly, wore a relaxed expression, but was already prepared to be buried here.
The sharp ringing sounded again, and Joseph leapt up, dragging the heavy head of the Warhammer on the ground as he quickly ran towards the warning location.
In the fierce battle, the defenders of Helentz had long devised a method of signaling and combat coordination within the tunnels.
The teams dispersed, forming multiple combat groups, with the more capable individual fighters (like Joseph himself) acting as support points to rush to each fire.
Joseph didn’t know where the next battle would occur, but he knew he would be involved.
Dragging the Warhammer wasn’t because he couldn’t lift it, but to save energy.
After all, it was over a hundred pounds, and using it for long was quite exhausting.
He soon saw the enemy.
Berserkers with round helmets were frantically hacking and slashing.
Joseph twisted his waist, hoisted his pelvis, swung his arms, and precisely smashed the 100-pound Warhammer onto the berserkers’ captain’s helmet.
Red and white scattered all over the ground, and the berserkers’ captain died without a sound.
The move wasn’t graceful, but it was practical.
This was the correct posture to exert maximum force within the tunnel.
The roar echoed, shaking the tunnel and causing dust to fly.
Joseph’s expression was solemn as his formidable rival returned.
When warriors meet on a narrow path, the brave will win—there was no avoidance this time; it was win or die.
A smile played on Joseph’s lips as he tore a cloth strip to bind his wrist, charging toward where the High tier Berserker was.
Two unfortunate Temple Warriors and three new soldiers were chopped to pieces by the High tier Berserker wielding a gigantic battle-axe like a windmill.
The High tier Berserker turned his head warily and saw Joseph.
"Hey, coward, can you run this time?"
"I’m not running anymore, sending you off."
Joseph smiled as he swung his arms wide, smashing the Warhammer towards the opponent’s head.
The High tier Berserker knew well the power of the hammer’s strike; he roared angrily, his skin rapidly turning red, stomping the ground forcefully, and charged forward with a roar.
With a powerful stomp, he shattered the hardened sewage stone slabs, and the swinging axe created a sharp blast as it traveled through the air.
This axe actually produced a sonic boom effect.
Joseph’s expression changed slightly.
Being a strategist-type talent, combat wasn’t his forte, and he naturally suffered when meeting a High tier Berserker specialized in battle.
But he had no choice but to raise his Warhammer and brace himself.
"Clang!"
Sparks flew; the massive shockwave from weapon collision caused Joseph’s tiger’s mouth to bleed profusely.
Damn brute!
He cursed internally, using the excuse of wiping blood to stretch his hand towards his waist.
Reluctantly, but he couldn’t delay any longer.
He grasped a specially-made explosive, about to throw it when his peripheral vision caught sight of Tom behind the High tier Berserker.
Joseph grew anxious, casting Tom a "get away" look, yet Tom flashed a confident smile.
Joseph saw the weapon in Tom’s hand.
It was a large-caliber firearm of ancient design, likely an archaeological find.
A smile appeared on Joseph’s lips as he threw the explosive out.
Thick smoke billowed, and the pungent smell swept through the tunnel.
"Bang!"
The gun barrel let out a thunderous boom, the immense sound surprising even Tom himself.
The High tier Berserker fell with a crash, his formidable vitality making him continue to struggle.
Of course, Joseph wasn’t about to show any courtesy; he charged into the smoke, relying on memory, and found the High tier Berserker.
Three continuous blows finally cracked open the massive watermelon-sized head.
Red, white, and yellow splattered all over the ground.
