Chapter 1201 - 192: Old Jasper Approaches (Part 2)

Chapter 1201: Chapter 192: Old Jasper Approaches (Part 2)

At the same time, stories about the Night Wanderers began circulating in the taverns across the territories.

The roads of the Empire are always plagued by the dead. Either awakened from slumber by the desecrating whispers of the undead mage or buried in places soaked with dark magic, these undead march endlessly, using every unfortunate soul they pass to grow their ranks. Whether the movement of such corpses serves a purpose or not, they often become the center of folklore. Many terrified tavern goers gather around the fire, listening to tales of wild hunts, ghostly legions, and corpse carts coming to claim the careless.

Among these stories, one is particularly famous. If you wander between the Gray Mountain Range and the Black Pine Forest, always listen for the creaking sound of wheels and bells. Do not wait to ask the carriage for a ride. Quickly hide. Cover your ears. Whatever you do, do not go in the direction the bells guide. That is the Night Wanderers calling you.

They are a horde of roaming undead, drawn together by the ancient lich Old Jasper. He will depart from the Gray Mountain Range when both moons appear as crescents, leading his corpses through the Black Forest Mountain Range, awakening the dead in his path. The route of the Night Wanderers seems to have no pattern or reason. However, whenever they are sighted, their numbers are sure to have increased.

Upon hearing Su Li’s order, Oliver calmly replied, "Our territory has also received reports about the Night Wanderers recently."

Su Li waved to the guards, then instructed Hilude to take Bayonetta to settle in, while he himself walked toward the council chamber with Oliver, Oerstein, and other ministers.

His expression was serious, his brows knitted, the activity and speed of the Night Wanderers exceeding his expectations.

Seated on the authoritative lord’s seat, he asked the ministers, "What information do the reports about the Night Wanderers in the territories contain?"

Oerstein immediately replied, "It’s information reported by the Half-Elf Arnholt. Would you like to inquire him personally?"

Su Li pondered for a moment, realizing that personally understanding everything would greatly benefit the upcoming battle, so he did not refuse. He was now a Divine Chosen Knight, and even without the assistance of the ministers, he could manage the whole picture!

Thus, he nodded, "Let him come over and give us a detailed introduction."

Soon, a poorly dressed Half-Elf was led into the council chamber. In an instant, faced with so many powerful Chosen Ones and countless dignified gazes, the Half-Elf was somewhat timid and apprehensive, quickly bowing to Su Li, "Greetings mighty lord, may the Hyacinth protect your health, longevity, blessings, and prosperity."

Su Li’s lips curled into a smile, the Half-Elf’s wishes quite matched his own; he hoped for health and longevity, then a large offspring and fortune.

Thus he spoke calmly, "Arnholt, I heard you’re quite familiar with the Night Wanderers? Tell me about them. If there is valuable information, I’ll have my knights reward you with a Golden Crown!"

"I... I’ll certainly tell you everything, Lord. Night Wanderers are usually corpses unaware of their own death. Even a Half-Elf guard on the road to the dangerous village can take down dozens of such corpses."

"But this does not include the double crescent night. During this night, Old Jasper will ride his corpse cart from the Gray Mountain Range, and no one would wish to cross paths with them at that time."

Double crescent night?

Oliver quickly did the math, then immediately said to Su Li, "Which is in 3 days, the time is almost here."

Three days!

Su Li pondered slightly, asking, "Can our troops assemble in such a short time?"

Oerstein frowned and responded to Su Li’s inquiry with a practical tone marked by a touch of urgency, "Lord, three days is indeed too tight. Our territory is vast, and the troops are stationed defensively across various strategic points."

He walked to the large leather map hanging in the council chamber, his rough fingers passing over different regions, "Currently, it is spring, and our Heavy Knight Order is training at the Blood-red Plateau, with thousands of war horses freely grazing on the fertile, cool plateau lands. This is our most elite mobile force, but the fastest they could make it to the potential battlefield at the Central Plain requires at least two and a half days of forced marching."

"The Eternal Light Knight Order on the Flash Spear Plains also requires at least two days to assemble and mobilize. The Dwarf Allies from the Gray Mountain Range and our Dwarf forces, although closer in distance, mountain marching is inherently slow, and they must be on guard against the Greenskins and other threats in the mountains, so they cannot depart completely."

His finger finally landed on the western edge of the Hesse Territory, "Furthermore, a significant portion of our ’Free People Corps’—comprised of adventurers, mercenaries, and pioneers—is currently heavily deployed at the western foothills of the Dusk Mountain Range, locked in a tug-of-war with the damn Swamp Territory, attempting to stabilize the newly expanded frontier. They are tied up in those battles, making it impossible to withdraw them in a short time!"

Oerstein’s face was solemn as he looked at Su Li and said gravely, "Sir, assembling a force capable of directly countering the main force of the ’Night Wanderers’, especially the legendary lich Old Jasper within three days, is nearly an impossible task. The outcome of a hasty mobilization could very well be exhausted troops with chaotic structure entering the battlefield, leading to them being devoured by the undead army."