NOVEL WEB Chapter 21: Expedition
The next morning, the Southern Alliance army mobilized.
Countless infantry, archers, knights, it was a vast and enormous legion sprawling over the mountains and plains. It might even be the largest legion in human history. Alongside it, the scale of logistics transportation was unprecedented in human history.
Richie raised his father's banner high and walked at the forefront. *The soul fire burned fiercely in his eye sockets.*
Many, many years later, historical scholars depicted this period as follows:
"Mid-September of the Silver Moon Second Year, after the battle of Salted Fish Harbor, the White Bone Holy Light Court finally joined forces with the Southern Alliance, their swords aimed straight at the capital of Gustav and the nest of the Black Dragon Clan at Dragon's Peak."
"It was a war that many had anticipated for a long time. During that time, newspapers across the continent broke sales records, each person eagerly awaiting another great victory of justice. Any news from the front lines quickly spread throughout towns and streets, a new fervor sweeping across the Keltos Continent."
"However, at that moment, people did not know that the one issuing orders was no longer the Lich King Gray Gruggle they had known. Beneath the Lich King's mask was a young and innocent soul. Though he too upheld justice, *the fires of vengeance were gradually consuming his heart.*"
"Richie Gruggle, the younger son of the Lich King Gray, donned his father's mask and raised his father's banner, desperately maintaining the situation his father left behind. Like a performer walking on a tightrope, a single misstep would lead to a crushing end. Alongside him, humanity's good fortune, achieved through centuries of darkness during the Fourth Epoch, would also be shattered."
"There is very scarce historical documentation on Richie Gruggle during this period, even less than the records of Gray Gruggle before he became a Holy Knight. Hence, the conjecture about Richie Gruggle's psychological state during this time varies greatly and lacks solid basis. None are genuinely convincing."
"However, one thing we can be certain of: Richie Gruggle was determined to avenge his father, even if it meant waging war against Heaven, Hell, and the Black Dragon Clan, sacrificing himself without hesitation. No one in this world could change his decision."
The news of the army's expedition quickly spread across the Keltos Continent. Or perhaps, not only the Keltos Continent, Heaven and Hell were also watching closely.
...
In the Holy Light, voices were discussing.
"What's going on? Isn't the Lich King dead?"
"That's impossible, the Lich King must be dead."
"Then why hasn't there been any internal conflict among the Lich? Given their nature, it's impossible for them not to have internal turmoil. How could they still act in unity?"
...
In the Abyss, the demons were also in heated discussion.
"They concealed the Lich King's death, that's certain. They replaced the Lich King with another Lich. Who could it be?"
"I don't think any known Lich could accomplish that, unless... it's Gray's son, Richie."
"The son we helped create?"
"If nothing unexpected happened, then it must be."
"Have we made another powerful enemy?"
...
At Dragon's Peak, the Black Dragons were stunned by this turn of events.
"If the Lich King 'isn't dead,' then our previous war effort was in vain?"
"Maybe we should expose them, spread some information."
"It's a Lich, every skeleton looks the same. Do you think humans can recognize the difference? As long as the old Lich from the Judgement Council supports him, he is the true Lich King."
"Don't worry, there must be internal cracks among the Lich. If any random Lich could reunite the Undead Army, why hasn't the Undead Clan managed unity all this time? Even if it's the Lich King's son, he's just a three-year-old child. Do you think we would lose to a three-year-old child?"
"He indeed is only three years old, but the old Lich behind him are not."
"In any case, we couldn't possibly lose to an army led by a three-year-old child, right?"
"That's true. Since that's the case, let's defeat the 'Lich King' outright!"
...
From Manggis to Black Dragon City, the army marched for a full three months. Not until mid-December of Silver Moon Second Year did they reach the outskirts of Black Dragon City. Along the way, there were almost no significant battles, the Black Dragon Clan did not make a move, and the Gustav Empire directly withdrew local troops, only heavily guarding Black Dragon City.
For a human army, considering its size, such a marching speed was extremely fast. For the Undead Army, this was the slowest march in history.
"Why choose Black Dragon City as the first target? I thought you would choose Dragon's Peak," Delia asked.
"Dragon's Peak has numerous defensive arrays. Our understanding of that place is limited to ten thousand years ago. In ten thousand years, they could have achieved anything there. Luring the Black Dragon to battle at Black Dragon City is the safest approach for us," Richie replied, "And, I need time."
During the three-month march, Richie desperately studied various tactics. You have to admit, *strategies and tactics of magic and even those of immortal species differ vastly from human strategies and tactics. Knowing magic does not mean understanding those strategies and tactics. The Lich, always notorious for being scattered, were evidently clueless about it.*