Chapter 112 - What Was The Last Thing That Went Through Their Heads?
Somewhere in the Wildlands, on a certain hilltop that seems to be the heart of a beast tribe, the transcendental 6-Tailed Silver Wolf laid in a lackadaisical manner. As a transcendental beast and the king of a tribe, it stood at the peak of power and there weren't many things that could excite it.
Most of its time was normally spent on its hill overlooking the development of its tribe that did not consist of only its own kind, but also various other beast races. Although there were many conflicts of interest among the beast races, the king itself wasn't prejudiced. In its books, any beast within its territory and loyal to its rule, was its subject. So it would not discriminate.
If the troops from the Great Wall were present, they would gasp in amazement at the sight of the beast tribe. Although the military has been made aware that beasts don't necessarily possess intelligence below their own, they would still never think that the beasts would adapt their humanly ways.
There were many large huts and tents made of wood, straws, grass and even beast hides and bones were included. It was very similar to how humans started out during their primitive stages or nomadic lifestyle in the past.
At this moment, the 6-Tailed Silver Wolf raised its head with a frown as if it had smelt something unpleasant... something that made it felt revolting.
Its ancestry had always been known for its extraordinary sense of smell, so much so that even a newborn cub would possess a sense of smell that was a hundred times greater than that of humans.
As a full-grown Silver Wolf with transcendental fleshly might, the 6-Tailed Silver Wolf's sense of smell was far beyond that of a newborn cub and it was able to smell up to a few hundred miles away.
"Awooo!"
The king issued its howl to the sky and a flock of aerial beast soon descended as they were summoned by their king.
Among the aerial beasts that consists of giant crows, one small figure stood out at the forefront from among the group of black crows and appeared to be the head of the group. It possessed the appearance of a young girl with jet black wings like a fallen angel in black-feathered dress.
The young girl's small frame made her look particularly weak with her flimsy limbs and silky smooth skin. However, one should not judge the young girl by her appearance. Behind her thin arms lies an astronomical amount of strength compressed within that was contrary to its frail appearance.
The two did not converse in the human language. Instead, they spoke in the ancient beast language that was universally used by the beasts throughout the Wildlands.
"Something big is happening in the Human Domain. Go and investigate it for this King." The Transcendent silver wolf ordered with an imposing air.
"That is suicide! My people will die!" The young girl protested.
"Hmm? Are you planning to disobey this King's orders, Lilith?" The silver wolf narrowed its eyes.
The lives of its subjects were inconsequential, only results mattered. Beneath the Transcendent level, all life were ants and unworthy of the Silver Wolf's concern.
"…"
"No!" Lilith answered after a moment of silence.
Before long, the young girl and her flock of giant crows took off to the skies with a sad but determined look and flew east.
The king's order was absolute!
…
There was a reason why aerial beasts no longer attempted to fly past the Great Wall to scout the Human Domain in the many years the wall had been erected.
During the cataclysm, many things had been changed and transformed. The sky was also no exception to the changes. There was an unknown pressure within the sky that bore down on all creation.
The higher one flew, the increasingly difficult it becomes. Thus, whether it was aerial beast or airships, none had been able to break the thousand feet limit. The only exception to the limit were Transcendent-level birds.
For non-transcendent birds to attempt to bypass the Great Wall at such low heights, it was akin to suicide as they are still within firing range of human firearms.
At this moment, a flock of aerial beast could be seen approaching the Great Wall with great speed without slowing down.
The ever-vigilant watchers atop the walls were immediately alerted of their arrival and rung the alarm. They would never relax while on watch duty. It had been drilled into their beings to always be wary and vigilant of the beasts. The false talk of peace was too incredible for them to believe. They didn't slip up then, they wouldn't slip up now.
"It's the aerial beasts! They have come!"
"Dammit, I knew there would never be any peace between our two races!"
Troops quickly lined the wall and took aims with their firearms in a swift manner.
Bang* Bang* Bang*
The shots were fired and the flock of crows were all hit.
While the bullets failed to penetrate their bodies at such height, it was a different story when their feathered wings that were weak in defense.
Caw… Caw… The crows cried.
Their wings were riddled with holes and they helplessly dropped from the skies.
The crows seemed to be vehement in crossing into the Human Domain, but it seems like it was futile. They were easy targets for the trained shooters on the wall.
One by one they all dropped out of the skies and plunged headfirst into the ground with their sharp beaks. The momentum gained from plunging from such height was extremely fatal and without surprises, the crows all splattered on the ground with booming noises.
None of their features could be recognized after they had all become bloody mushes, but if they still could then there would have been content expressions on their faces.
Why content expressions?
In the air, Lilith managed to slip into the Human Domain unnoticed, but she was heartbroken by her clansman's sacrifice. She had hidden under the big frames of her own people and used them as shield in order to succeed.
…
The soldiers arrived at the location of the bloody mushes to see if there were still any salvageable materials they could recover from the bird's carcasses.
"Damn… these stupid birds never learn their lessons, do they?" Harry commented to himself.
"What do you think was the last thing that went through their heads, when they hit the ground?" He suddenly ask his good mate at his side, Tim.
"Hmm… I don't know…. maybe its ass?" Tim looked at the bloody mushes in the ground and answered.
"…"
Harry looked at his mate, speechlessly and dumbly.
This buddy of his actually… took his words in the literal sense… he doesn't know what to say about this.
"That wasn't what I mean you know… Actually, never mind…"
Tim scratched his head dumbly. Did he say something wrong?
Harry ended their short conversation there and rubbed his temples.
Most commoner soldiers chose to enlist in the army because they weren't good with education. They were more brawns over brains. Tim was one such example and his way of thinking would naturally be simpler.
…
Back at the Capital,
The commoners to retreat into the Upper District at a steady pace. However, the rear started to grow frantic in their hearts when they saw the crawlers closing in. There were no burning buildings left between them to delay them.
Owen gulped at the sea of crawlers. There was still more than half the number of commoners left in the Lower West District.
It seems like where he stood will be his final resting ground… no, these bugs would not even spit out his bones. He would be in their stomaches.
Leon also saw the situation. At the same time, the nobles and aristocrats returned with weapon and armor.
He looked at their shiny suits of armors with interest. It must have cost them a fortune to afford it.
"We will follow your orders, your highness." They said steadfastly and firmly. The protection of their armor seemed to have boosted their confidence.
Leon quickly arranged for them to replace the palace guards' role of guiding the commoners into the Upper District without disorder.
"Guards, at my command!"
"What are your orders, your highness?" Isaac answered.
"We will go help the rear. Those lousy city guards will not be able hold the crawlers off by themselves." Leon stated.
"Yes, your highness." Isaac was prepared to carry the task out at once.
"One more thing. Since my mother has placed you in charge of the western defense, you will naturally be in command. I will not take this role from you." Leon said.
He still had some self-awareness and didn't think he was some great commander. He had been directing the order of things based on what needed to be done and what had to be done.
He had yet to complete his military training. He had no experience in commanding the guards in battle and definitely no knowledge of their guard formations and such. The defensive commands should be left to the capable.
"Yes." Isaac saluted with his fist and palm with respect and admiration. The prince knows when to step down.
At this moment, someone called out to him.
"Leon."
He looked down and found that Aria and her family already made it to the gates. They were at the rear; how did they make it to the front so soon?
The commoners let her through due to her status as Saintess, Leon immediately understood.
"Go on, the people will need you to calm them down, Saintess." Leon flashed her a warm smile.
Aria nodded quietly and entered the Upper District compliantly. Under the cover of her hair, her face was flushed with embarrassment.
Saintess!
That title is going to stick, isn't it?!