Chapter 743: Desert Operation
Tie Axe could feel the sensation of being surrounded by yellow sand even with his eyes closed.
This was his fourth day entering the desert, and the First Army's third week since leaving Neverwinter. After this week, two-thirds of winter would have passed, entering the coldest late winter. However, compared to the snow-filled Western Region of Graycastle, this place was much less affected by the Evil Moon. Although the sky constantly presented a depressing gray, at least there was no biting north wind, nor ice and snow that could freeze the entire desert.
Because the Silverstream did not converge with any rivers, and most of the water flowed underground, the army could only advance on foot. Tie Axe did not follow the original plan to wait for the five hundred new recruits stationed at Cliff Edge City to be ready for marching, then combine them into a large force for unified action. Instead, he left those people to Brian, and proceeded ahead, striving to reach Iron Sand City as soon as possible.
New recruits might be fine standing in place pulling triggers, but continuous marching on foot would only lead them to perish in the sea of sand. Moreover, even with these five hundred people, there would not be much help for the situation.
He understood in his heart that to achieve His Majesty's goals, it could not be achieved by artillery assault. The First Army was the capital to ensure the fruits of victory, not a means to conquer the Sand People.
The Mojin people had a set of traditional solutions.
As for the five hundred new recruits, as long as they did a simple job of seizing the Silverstream Oasis, ensuring that the vanguard force would not be attacked from both sides.
In the Far Southern Region, the oasis meant lifeline. Whether attacking or fleeing, they could not do without the oasis for supplies.
Faced with the orderly marching veterans, even if they had not seen the power of firearms, the tribal Sand People could feel the strength emanating from them. All the way, no one stood up to question this army from Graycastle. Only when they filled their water pouches, replenished their food, and set off again, would the Sand People whisper behind their backs.
At this rate, the First Army should be able to reach Iron Sand City before nightfall today.
"I don't quite understand, can the so-called Sacred Duel be initiated at any time of year or day?" A woman with beautiful golden hair walked to Echo's side, her fair skin forming a stark contrast with the Aoshawan clan princess. "Even noble honor challenges are allowed to be refused, after all, everyone has times when they are not in good condition. Like this cold weather, everyone wants to curl up by a warm stove and sleep all day, rather than come out and fight, right? What I mean is... what if they don't agree to the Sacred Duel?"
Tie Axe remembered her name was Andrea, a combat witch who often followed Princess Tilly. According to His Majesty, the original foreign aid would only be the extraordinary Ashes, but for some reason, she eventually came along as well.
"When others pick up an axe and rush into your house, kicking over your stove, you can't refuse to fight." Ashes curled her lips. "Do you think this kind of contest that determines the life and death of a clan to some extent will follow the hypocritical rules of the nobility?"
"That's called sneak attack or tussha, not a duel," Andrea said disdainfully. "Even if the Mojin people are barbarians, they shouldn't be unable to distinguish that. Do you think everyone is as uneducated as you?"
"Saying that in front of Echo, you really are a learned person."
"Don't twist my meaning!"
Tie Axe didn't mind the term barbarian. Neverwinter did not ask about one's background, His Majesty had said that to him personally. Compared to the Mojin people, he had a more important identity, that was, a resident of Neverwinter.
Until Echo cast a look of help towards him, he coughed twice and took the initiative to explain, "Andrea xiaojie's worries are not unwarranted. Although the Sacred Duel cannot be refused, and must be approved by the Three Gods under the condition that both sides are ready, the duel cannot be initiated whenever one wants. First of all, the challenger must have the qualification to duel."
"What kind of qualification?"
"First, it must be a complete Mojin clan." Tie Axe briefly explained, "One person cannot represent a clan, even the clan leader or princess. This rule is to avoid the victor only having a dozen or so people, but occupying one-sixth of the territory of Iron Sand City. In addition, it also excludes foreigners from the duel range—Iron Sand City allows foreigners to represent the clan in battle, but does not allow them to occupy core power."
"Doesn't that mean we don't have the qualification to initiate at all?" Ashes raised her eyebrows. "Echo has been exiled for several years, and the Aoshawan clan has ceased to exist. Are we going to start by finding her surviving clan members?"
"No one can survive in Endless Cape," Tie Axe shook his head, "but we can change our approach, such as letting Silvermoon become the leader of a new clan."
"That... works?" Andrea was stunned.
"The Mojin people don't value bloodlines as much as you do. Compared to bloodline inheritance, strength is the most important thing." The commander of the First Army said calmly, "After satisfying one condition, any clan that can gain a foothold in the small oases around Iron Sand City will have the qualification to duel. There are four small oases in total, and the newly emerging clans usually fight around them. There are no rules or restrictions, so these four places are also known as the Land of Blood."
"They are equivalent to admission tickets, right?" Ashes did not care.
"You can think of it that way. In fact, these clans are generally divided into two categories," Tie Axe paused, "challengers... and gatekeepers."
"Gatekeepers?" The golden-haired witch said.
"They are obstacles set up by the top clans who do not want to see major changes in the order of Iron Sand City." This time it was Echo who answered her. "They recruit a large number of warriors to form a mixed clan, rooted in the small oasis, relying on their vast resources and influence. The gatekeepers will not issue a Sacred Duel to the master, but occupy the position of challenger. Although they cannot enter Iron Sand City, they can live well with the water and food provided by the small oasis."
"Sounds like hounds willing to gnaw on leftovers," Ashes sneered, "that's a fitting description."
"Because the Sacred Duel is full of variables, the large clans will try to win over or buy out potential challengers who enter the Land of Blood. Back then, my father was unwilling to act as a gatekeeper, and insisted on launching a Sacred Duel against the Iron Whip clan, but in the end..." Echo's voice dropped, obviously thinking of sad things.
"They will pay the price for their treacherous actions, Silvermoon," Tie Axe comforted her, "Now, death is not far from them."
"So, we must first find a challenger, then let Echo take the place of the other party's clan leader, and then issue a duel request to the six major clans?" Andrea asked.
"Once people settle down, they will lose the motivation to move forward, so those who occupy the small oasis and do not immediately challenge are likely to become new gatekeepers. After that, whether it is to persuade them with words or suppress them with strength, it will not be so easy." Tie Axe said slowly, "We are here under the command of His Majesty the King, bringing thunder and grace, there is no need to be so troublesome. Even the most inconspicuous clan will become unstoppable with the support of the First Army. If anyone dares to stand in front of His Majesty, crush them all into powder."