Chapter 89 - 88: City Raid

Chapter 89: Chapter 88: City Raid

The 2nd of the Harvest Month.

At 6:30 AM, Gaode woke up on time.

Ever since coming to this world, he had developed the good habit of sleeping early and waking up early. After all, it was all because this world had no mobile phones!

Upon waking, he first did his usual half-hour of simple exercises, then took a shower, and began preparing today’s breakfast: an "otherworldly vegetable congee" boiled from wheat and some vegetables.

After finishing breakfast, Gaode checked his pocket watch. It wasn’t even eight o’clock yet, leaving him with an hour before work. He decided to use the time to calculate what he needed to prepare for his trip to Saint Sean City.

After much deliberation, the best choice at present was still to travel by water. Although there was no direct waterway connecting Bremen City and Saint Sean City, the journey required crossing different Water Series and landmasses, necessitating Conversion transfers in at least five or six cities. Taking into account factors like the season, water currents, wind direction, and stops along the way, the entire journey would take at least several months.

But compared to traveling by land, it was at least much safer and less prone to accidents. However, such a long journey obviously couldn’t be embarked upon on a whim; he had to be fully prepared.

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

CLANG CLANG CLANG!

Just as Gaode was buried in his calculations, a rapid alarm rang out Tuwu, echoing back and forth throughout the entire city and interrupting his thoughts. Hearing the sound, he couldn’t help but be startled.

This was a city-wide alarm.

"What happened?" he wondered.

He opened his door, attempting to observe the situation on the street, and found that most of the people in the neighboring houses were doing the same, opening their doors to look around. Everyone was bewildered. Since they hadn’t noticed anything unusual, they couldn’t understand why the warning bells were ringing.

But the crowd’s confusion was soon answered.

The moment the alarm sounded, bizarre mechanical birds resembling wind-up toys had already been dispatched from the city center. They scattered in all directions, flying to every corner of the city. Spreading their glowing wings, the mechanical birds swooped low over every block and street at breakneck speeds.

From within their bodies, the mechanical birds emitted a synthesized, mechanical voice that was clear and stern:

"A new Earth Vein has emerged around Hogan City. Earth Vein Creatures are rioting and launching attacks on surrounding cities. A large swarm of Fierce Bats is currently heading toward Bremen City.

"All residents currently outside, please return home as soon as possible and keep your doors tightly shut. Do not go out until official notice is given, otherwise you will bear the consequences!

"Furthermore, we are urgently summoning all Mages in Bremen City who possess Attack Magic to help defend against the Fierce Bat attack.

"Anyone who participates in the defense—Mage Apprentices, regardless of their conditions—will receive a reward of 5 Gold Coins, while 1st Ring Mages will receive a reward of 20 Gold Coins.

"Additionally, for every Fierce Bat you help kill, you will be rewarded with an extra 1 Gold Coin! Those interested can immediately proceed to the various city walls to register and await deployment!"

The instructions were concise and forceful, like an invisible Magic spell. First, it cast those who heard it into a tense silence. Then, like startled rabbits, the crowd instantly scattered, rushing back to their homes and tightly shutting their doors and windows!

Gaode took a deep breath as he looked at the street that had emptied in the blink of an eye, and the tightly closed doors and windows on both sides.

Sure enough... it had happened.

A new Earth Vein. Even Bremen City, which was so far away from Hogan City, was about to suffer an attack from Earth Vein Creatures. One could only imagine what kind of terrifying offensive Hogan City, which was adjacent to the newborn Earth Vein, was enduring.

Standing at his doorway, Gaode hesitated for just a moment before making a decision. He closed the door, but instead of going back inside, he headed straight for the nearest city wall.

That’s right—Gaode was going to answer Bremen City’s call and participate in the defense.

Leaving aside the principle of mutual survival, the generous terms alone were attractive enough. As long as a Mage participated in the defense, they would unconditionally get 5 Gold Coins in hand, with additional rewards for helping to kill Earth Vein Creatures. Most importantly, the attacking Earth Vein Creatures were a large swarm of Fierce Bats—all the same species of Earth Vein Creatures. This meant that he was highly likely to obtain a new point of Origin during this defensive battle!

As for the potential dangers...

If he were asked to leave the city to hunt Earth Vein Creatures, Gaode would indeed have to think twice. But right now, defending on the city wall alongside a group of Mages, with real Mages holding the frontline, the level of danger was actually extremely, extremely low. Furthermore, Gaode didn’t believe that Bremen City—the largest city in the Bremen region—would be unable to handle an attack from a swarm of Earth Vein Creatures.

Such opportunities were absolutely rare. There was no reason not to participate!

By the time Gaode rushed to the city wall nearest to the Camond District, he found that many people were already waiting in line at the entrance to the stairs leading up the wall. They were all city Mages who had hurried over to join the defense. Almost all were Mage Apprentices, currently undergoing verification by Bremen City’s official staff and receiving their pay.

The 5 Gold Coins reward was actually being distributed in advance, before the battle even started! This showed just how sincere the officials were.

Gaode observed from the sidelines for a moment and found that the so-called verification was extremely lenient. Each person just had to step forward to the registering staff member, register their Mage Level, and without even having to specify what Attack Magic they knew, they would directly receive 5 Gold Coins. Then, based on the staff’s assignments, they were organized into various squads. The captains of these squads were all official Mages.

"The Fierce Bats are expected to strike in thirty minutes! Mages who want to join the defense, hurry up!" the lead manager urged loudly.

Gaode hesitated no longer and immediately joined the queue. Before long, it was his turn.

"Name?"

"Google Ditu."

"Mage Level?" the registering staff member asked without looking up.

"Second-class Apprentice."

"Alright, go to Squad Seven." The staff member handed over 5 Gold Coins and gave Gaode his assignment.

The 5 Gold Coins were instantly in his hands, and his deployment was finalized. The entire process took less than ten seconds—it was remarkably swift and decisive. Gaode pocketed the 5 Gold Coins and, following the directions of another staff member, joined a group of over a dozen people gathered to the side.

This must be Squad Seven. Coincidentally, his arrival brought Squad Seven to full strength.

Seeing that the roster was complete, a uniformed Mage—who was clearly affiliated with the officials—spoke up. "Everyone, I will be the captain of our temporary squad. You will follow my commands for all subsequent actions. My name is Rillo.

"Our squad has a total of seventeen people including myself: six Third-class Mage Apprentices and eleven Second-class Mage Apprentices. We are tasked with defending a one-hundred-meter section of the western city wall. Any questions?"

"No questions," the group answered in unison, fully cooperative.

Even though this captain was only a Third-class Mage Apprentice, and there were five others in the squad at the exact same realm as him, he completely commanded the room. Whether it was due to his status as an official Mage or the sharp, imposing aura he exuded, he easily held authority over the group. Besides, no one was a fool; they all knew that this was not the time to show off. Following the orders of someone with experience was undoubtedly safer.

"If there are no questions, follow me!"

Rillo led the group along the inner path of the city wall, ascending to the ramparts until they reached the section they were responsible for defending. Up on the wall, fully armed City Guards had already prepared everything, including the defensive fortifications, and were awaiting the arrival of the Fierce Bats.

They were the true main defensive force in this battle.