Chapter 343: The Battle Ends
Watching the flames surging below, Matthew muttered to himself:
"Multiple mages cooperating to cast an enhanced spell… the power is truly astonishing!"
Ordinary spellcasting would never produce such devastating effects.
This technique was specifically developed by the great arcanist Ioulum to enhance the destructive power of spellcasters on the battlefield.
Unified Casting!
It is said that Ioulum drew inspiration for this cooperative technique from the high elven mages.
Matthew had mastered this technique before and had participated in it countless times.
Either facing it or casting it.
However, in the past, he only understood how it worked, not why. He was unaware of the principles and details behind it.
After all, the game's explanations were quite vague.
This time, he observed it clearly and understood its workings.
He even secretly learned a new trick!
Unfortunately, with the current scarcity of mages in Bay Territory, incorporating this power into the regular battle sequence would take considerable time.
The destructive force of Flame Storm not only nullified the orc's progress.
It also caused their assault to halt for nearly half an hour.
The Blackstone orc were preparing to attack again.
However, this time was different from the previous assaults.
In addition to attacking the front of Carlisle City, the orc soldiers launched full-scale assaults on the walls to the left and right.
After facing another wave of attacks, the defensive pressure reached unprecedented levels.
Confirming that the defenders couldn't cast a similar high-level spell again anytime soon, Black Blackstone also deployed tamed magical creatures and wild beasts.
These added significant pressure on the ordinary defensive soldiers.
The defensive line was on the verge of collapse!
Harley's expression darkened as he watched more and more orc soldiers breach the walls.
Without hesitation, he deployed the reserves.
Well-equipped elite soldiers rushed to the frontlines.
They helped other soldiers seal the breaches, slaying orc and stabilizing the defenses.
However, Harley was well aware that as the breaches increased,
even if they killed more orc soldiers, it would be the Blood Moon Army that would collapse first.
The brutal trade of life for life was both cruel and effective.
Restraining himself from using their last resort, Harley Knight asked 343 to send a request to Matthew:
"Launch your attack early to disrupt the orc's advance!"
Matthew, who had been waiting, patted Yaya, who was ready to strike:
"It's our turn. Time to officially debut in Bloodmoon City and the Eastern Province!"
Yaya flapped her wings joyfully and dove downward.
"Roar…!!!"
Accompanied by a soul-shaking dragon roar, Yaya burst out of the clouds, gliding toward Carlisle's walls.
Under the incredulous gaze of both Blackstone orc and Blood Moon soldiers, Yaya effortlessly slashed through the ladders clinging to the walls with her sharp claws.
Crack! Crack!
One ladder, then another.
The hardwood ladders were easily split and shredded by dragon claws.
The orc soldiers on the ladders screamed as they fell.
Some Blackstone orc tried to attack Yaya, but it was a futile effort.
In just two minutes, Yaya had destroyed over a hundred ladders on the front wall.
Thousands of orc screamed as they plummeted.
The elite orc on the walls instantly lost reinforcements, soon falling into dire straits as they were surrounded and killed.
The morale of the defending soldiers soared, while the Blackstone orc's morale plummeted.
The orc had learned of the dragon's presence the night before, clinging to the hope that "if I don't see it, it doesn't exist."
Now, with Yaya appearing on the battlefield and destroying most of the ladders in one move, their assault was nearly cut off entirely.
With their current capabilities, the Blackstone orc army had no means to stop Yaya.
Even the magical creatures and wild beasts they relied on were either fleeing the battlefield or losing control under Yaya's dragon's might.
They had no way to deal with Yaya!
Their morale inevitably took a massive hit!
On the other hand,
the Blood Moon Army's morale skyrocketed. They tenaciously held the line, repelling the elite orc's attacks.
Watching Yaya repeatedly destroy the ladders and disrupt the orc's momentum, Black Blackstone sighed:
"Retreat!"
A long, mournful horn resounded across the battlefield.
The retreating Blackstone orc displayed exceptional military discipline.
The wounded stayed behind to cover the withdrawal, while the others retreated in an orderly fashion.
In just over ten minutes, the Blackstone orc had receded like a tide.
The Blood Moon Army did not pursue, silently watching the formidable and dangerous orc withdraw from the battlefield.
Unexpectedly, the orc army, upon returning to camp, did not stay long.
They escorted a convoy of carts, large and small, retreating northward.
So decisive!
"Victory! We've won!"
"Haha, we've won, we're alive!"
"Whew… that scared me to death!"
"Finally, it's over…"
"…"
Many soldiers of the Bloodmoon City Army, having survived the ordeal, shouted to vent their emotions.
The Blackstone orc army had brought immense pressure and inflicted severe casualties.
Fortunately, they had held on!
Many soldiers cast envious glances at Yaya as she descended slowly, also noticing Matthew on her back.
Yaya folded her wings gently, ignoring the stares gathered around her.
After Matthew dismounted, she flapped her wings and vanished into the clouds.
Many sighed wistfully, then turned their curious gazes toward Matthew.
"Who is he?"
"You don't know? He's Matthew Ser, the lord of Bay Territory!"
"He's the heir of the Ser Family and also an intermediate arcanist!"
"Bay Territory? The ones who came to support us?"
"Exactly. I heard they cut off the orc's supply lines, forcing them to retreat without access to food or resources."
"Really? A baron with only a few thousand soldiers…"
"You can't say that. He has a dragon!"
"A real dragon!"
"Though it's still a bit small…"
"…"
Ignoring their chatter, Matthew walked directly toward Harley Knight, glancing at the pale-faced Schroder beside him, and smiled warmly as he said:
"Mission accomplished."
Looking into Matthew's deep, dark eyes, Harley couldn't read much but unabashedly praised:
"Thanks to Lord Matthew and his dragon! And thanks to Bay Territory's contributions!"
"Not only did they defeat over sixty thousand orc vanguard troops on their own,
but they also helped trap the orc army and cut off their supply lines, making them the heroes of this battle!"
"Now, everyone, quickly clean the battlefield. We'll hold a victory feast this afternoon and evening!"
"Celebrate this great victory and honor the soldiers who fought bravely and sacrificed their lives…"
Amid Harley Knight's loud proclamation, the exhausted soldiers busied themselves again.
However, most faces were filled with smiles and joy. Some bore tear-streaked cheeks, marked by fear and sorrow.
But regardless, this battle was over!
What they didn't know was that the turbulent era had just begun!