Chapter 705: Official Declaration of War
This meant that it was Jade Dragon Kingdom was going up against a coalition of two premium and three intermediate countries.
This was downright bullying.
It was no wonder they didn't fear Heavenly Spiral's intervention.
After all, Heavenly Spiral was only one premium country. What's more, they were certain that Heavenly Spiral would be pulling their punches. That gave them the audacity to push forward with the invasion.
Lin Jin recognized the city down below as Dragon Bearing City. It was one of Jade Dragon's oldest cities and the last time Lin Jin visited, the scenery and culture here were delightful.
Most of the city's walls had collapsed, and a great majority of its buildings bore the scars of war. As all citizens had escaped, only the armies and beasts of both factions were left to duke it out amidst the rubble.
Less than a hundred of Jade Dragon's soldiers remained standing, coupled with roughly twenty beasts, all of whom were either Rank 2 or 3.
Thankfully, they had the support of a thousand men from Heavenly Spiral. Still, in comparison to the reinforcements, the enemy coalition was overwhelming.
The enemy numbered three thousand soldiers but they controlled more than ten thousand beasts.
The average rank of these beasts was Rank 3.
Ten thousand Rank 3 beasts had the combat ability equivalent to a hundred thousand human soldiers. This was a result of their larger size, as well as their sharp claws and fangs. As if that wasn't horrifying enough, these beasts were clad in heavy armor. It was unsurprising that Dragon Bearing City was reduced to such a state, since beasts from Grassy Continent were notorious for their ferocity.
By now, the coalition had breached the city walls, allowing thousands of beasts to pour in from all sides. It was a majestic sight to behold, and they also had many Rank 4 beasts to hold the formation.
One of the enemy generals wearing a full suit of armor rode a rhinoceros that was also covered in steel plates. The general flashed a cheeky grin at Jade Dragon's soldiers.
His eyes were filled with disdain.
"People of Jade Dragon, your city walls have been destroyed and most of your defending troops have been eliminated by us. If it weren't for Heavenly Spiral's intervention, you would all have died under my blade. Your heads would have been removed from your corpses and crafted into wine pots by our artisans, and they would be stored below my house. Thank Heavenly Spiral Kingdom for keeping you alive till this point. I am now giving you a chance, kneel and surrender. For Heavenly Spiral's sake, I will spare your lives."
This Grassy Continent general acted as if everything was under his control.
One of the generals from Heavenly Spiral wore a grim expression.
He did not have the power to turn things around.
Although Heavenly Spiral had reacted quickly, they only managed to dispatch less than fifty thousand men, and an equal amount of beasts. Most of them were sent to areas where there was heavy fighting, or they were sent to defend Jade Dragon City. This indicated that Heavenly Spiral would never let the enemy take the capital.
This war was a tricky one. The Grassy Continent coalition had gone on an all out attack, with the support of over a million troops and a million beasts. Forget an intermediate country like Jade Dragon, even the premium country, Heavenly Spiral, could not fend of such a powerful force.
Interestingly enough, the coalition made it clear that their target was only Jade Dragon Kingdom and no one else. If outsiders insisted on intervening, they would be unilaterally declaring war against the coalition.
This news was swiftly sent back to Heavenly Spiral City and the generals on the frontlines were all awaiting the emperor's order.
Whether they stood their ground or retreated, it all depended on their emperor decision.
They could only try to protect as many of Jade Dragon's cities and soldiers as they could, to stop the massacre from being carried out by the coalition.
At present, only about a thousand of Heavenly Spiral's troops and beasts remained. If they were to fight, they would surely be devoured by the enemy's ten thousand beasts.
What's more, Heavenly Spiral's general was still waiting for his emperor's orders.
He was contemplating how they should react if the coalition decides to go on another offensive.
All of a sudden, his thoughts were interrupted by someone tapping on his shoulder.
"General, Jade Dragon's soldiers are very grateful for what you have done for us. Please go. This is Jade Dragon Kingdom, and we are her sons. If we have to die in battle today, we will accept our fate with grace. There is no need for you to die here with us."
A Jade Dragon general who had sustained heavy injuries smiled at his Heavenly Spiral counterpart with determined eyes. Standing beside him was a wolf beast as tall as a human adult. The wolf had armor that covered its back and belly, and it wore a steel helmet. Like its owner, its fur was stained with blood from its injuries.
One could tell from its appearance that it had experienced countless battles. In spite of its injuries and exhaustion, just like its owner, it was determined to fight to the bitter end. It showed no fear in the face of certain defeat.
In fact, the remaining hundred soldiers and their pet beasts stood tall and fearless. It was almost as if they welcomed death with open arms.
The Heavenly Spiral general was moved by this display of honor. His lips opened to say something, but he was stopped by Jade Dragon's general.
"You've done more than enough for us. If you do join the fight, you will end up dead like us. Why sacrifice yourself when it's not the time for you to die?"
Jade Dragon's general laughed heartily. Then, he unsheathed his sword and shouted, "Men of Jade Dragon, who shall take on the enemy with me?"
"Me!"
The remaining hundred soldiers drew their swords and shouted as well, their beasts roaring beside them. The next instant, the general led the charge without an ounce of fear or hesitation.
His soldiers followed him toward the enemy.
They knew they were rushing into the jaws of death, but no one was afraid. If they showed fear, it would have had a detrimental effect on the morale of Heavenly Spiral's soldiers.
Jade Dragon Kingdom would never place their allies in such a tough spot.
If they had to die, they would choose to die alone. They couldn't possibly drag their friends into the same situation.
What's more, once they were dead, they wouldn't have to put up with seeing the ugly mug of the enemy general. Jade Dragon's general tightened his grip on his sword. He figured that it would be worth it if he managed to slay the conceited bastard.
And so, the hundred men and beast, most of whom were already wounded, charged courageously at the enemy's formation.
"Hmph! This is pointless! It seems you all have a death wish!" cackled the general of the Grassy Continent coalition. He deliberately instructed the archers to hold back their arrows, as he wanted the enemy to charge forward so that he could pick them off one by one.
Heavenly Spiral's general had his fists clenched so tightly that the veins on his almost exploded. He wanted to help, but he knew that it would amount to suicide.
At that moment, one of Heavenly Spiral's army messengers leaped down from his eagle and declared, "By orders of the emperor, Heavenly Spiral Kingdom has officially declared war against the Grassy Continent coalition. We will defend Jade Dragon until the last man!"
"Brothers! Charge!" yelled Heavenly Spiral's general upon hearing this message.
Raising his sword high in the air, he charged forward into the battlefield.
Heavenly Spiral's thousand men and beasts heeded his instruction.
The Grassy Continent general frowned at this.
Heavenly Spiral was joining the fray?
So what? They were only one premium country while the allied nations had two premium countries. The enemy would still be fighting a losing battle.
"Kill them all, leave no one alive!" barked the general of the Grassy Continent coalition.