Chapter 452 - 350: Captain of the Big-beaked Bird

Chapter 452: Chapter 350: Captain of the Big-beaked Bird

"There’s a second phase?" Shire’s eyes widened as he watched the Grand Commander of the Holy Order Army flap her wings in the distance.

This young woman was probably the most formidable opponent he had ever faced, aside from the Feathered Serpent God. Not even Caocao, Red Eyes, Little John, and Pazani combined could defeat her. In fact, Shire suspected the girl with the high ponytail was more likely to be the ultimate victor.

’How did she get so powerful at such a young age?’ He couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement. From the looks of it, she was about Mary’s age. ’The Holy Order Army is truly terrifying.’

He had heard that to join the Holy Order Army, one had to swear a Blood Oath before an idol of the War God. The more fervent the oath, the greater the power bestowed. ’This girl is probably a combat genius to begin with. Add the War God’s Blessing on top of that, and it’s no wonder she’s made such incredible strides in her personal combat abilities.’

Shire wasn’t envious, though. In aristocratic circles, the Holy Order Army wasn’t held in high regard. There was a saying that went, "Members of the Holy Order Army are just commoners who have sold their souls to the War God." Most of them were indeed common folk, some even street beggars. They had to do many things for the War God Church, and even if faced with a mission that meant certain death, they had to charge forward without a second thought. To them, death was merely the key to entering the "War God Garden."

Shire scoffed at the notion. ’The "War God Garden"? It’s probably just a lie, like the stories of Paradise from my past life. Just a pretext to trick these battle-crazed fanatics.’

Just like now. Despite clearly knowing the immense power gap between herself and the Elephant Lord, she still charged ahead, as if death wasn’t something to be feared, but a medal to be etched upon her very soul.

BOOM! The Elephant Lord swatted Diana away again, sending her crashing through a wall. She struggled to her feet, her hand tightening around her Giant Sword. The air was filled with fluttering, golden-streaked white feathers shed from her wings.

"This is a tough fight." She wiped a smear of blood from the corner of her mouth, her white-glowing eyes narrowing slightly. ’I have to find a way. Find this Evil God’s weakness. Maybe then I can win.’

At this thought, Diana beat her wings with effort and rose into the air again. ’Every time I charge, the elephant just uses a shockwave to slow me down. Could it be that its defense is actually weak?’

’If I ignore the damage and get in close for a powerful strike, could I break through its thick hide?’

With that, Diana gritted her teeth, preparing to risk it all on a single attack.

In the distance, Shire frowned. ’It looks like the Grand Commander is about to go all out.’

’This is getting complicated. These battle fanatics from the Holy Order Army fight like they have a death wish.’ If he hadn’t trapped those Paladins at the bottom of Darren Lake, his entire clan would be in turmoil. His only option then would have been to kill them all. ’But killing them would certainly provoke a retaliation. It’d be a case of losing eight hundred to kill a thousand. Besides, I have no idea if they’re carrying some nasty kind of Magic. If a whole squad of the Holy Order Army dies here, it might just attract even more Paladins.’

The situation had Shire scratching his head. He couldn’t be sure if they were carrying Tracking Spells. If everyone involved in this operation died, including a Vice Commander and the Grand Commander, then the Holy Order Army—which held the Title "Battle Madhouse"—would likely mobilize in full force to flatten his Goblin Kingdom.

’This whole scheme was poison from the start,’ Shire thought with a frown. ’That merchant plotted against both the Feathered Serpent Evil God and the Holy Order Army. Both sides are hot-headed battle fanatics. Either the Evil God kills the entire Holy Order Army, or the Holy Order Army razes the Feathered Serpent Kingdom. My luck is just the worst, to have stumbled right into the middle of this conspiracy.’

He loathed that merchant with a passion now. If the man were standing in front of him, Shire wouldn’t mind reviving the old goblin custom of cannibalism just for that bastard.

BANG! A shockwave rippled outward. This time, Diana made no move to defend herself, simply beating her wings to meet the impact head-on. Although the blast slowed her advance, she still managed to charge right up to the Elephant Lord. Stomping one foot on the ground, she used the power from her core and legs to spin her body violently. The Giant Sword, gripped in both hands, instantly carved a glittering arc through the air as she swung it at the Elephant Lord’s foreleg.

CLANG! A muffled thud, like a hammer striking stone, rang out as the Giant Sword was abruptly repelled. Diana’s pupils contracted. She was shocked to realize her judgment had been flawed. ’This elephant’s hide is incredibly tough.’

The next second, she was flung away again.

"Chief, I’ve brought them," Buck Teeth said in a low voice, running up to Shire’s side.

"You have them?" Shire glanced behind him and, sure enough, saw the Paladins, their arms and legs bound.

CRASH... Amidst the sound of shifting rubble, Diana staggered to her feet once more, covered in dust. She shook the debris from her clothes, her eyes locked on the Elephant Lord before her. As she moved, more of her white feathers drifted slowly to the ground.

"Alright, could you hear me out for a moment?" Shire called out, seizing the opportunity.

His voice successfully caught the attention of the Grand Commander of the Holy Order Army. Diana said nothing, but fixed her gaze on Shire.

The next second, she bit her lip hard.

Dozens of Paladins had been propped up by the goblins behind Shire. They were all trussed up tightly, bound so thoroughly it was clear the goblins were terrified of giving them even the slightest chance to fight back.

"They’re from the Holy Order Army that attacked me before. These are the ones who survived. You can take them with you," Shire said.