Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

A long dragon roar sounded the note of death. The red clouds in the sky gathered, and everything was like the end of the world. Although it was already early in the morning, the rising sun did not bring clear and warm sunlight. Red Maple City was enveloped in a red light. The concentration of elements in this area had completely lost its balance.

This capital of Goethe was the first city to stand in the land of Calonia hundreds of years ago. It had experienced the establishment, prosperity, and decline of Goethe. After hundreds of years of operation and the construction and strengthening of more than ten generations of Grand Dukes of Goethe, it was the world-renowned and indestructible city.

However, from the day of the war, the fate of all the firm cities had been broken through, because the large-scale use of magic in the war had drawn a stop to the dispute between the spear and shield.

No matter how solid the city wall was, it could not endure the endless attacks of spells.

From the moment the Elven Expeditionary Force launched a surprise attack without any warning, Red Maple City had already lasted for nearly 24 hours under the crazy attack of the Twilight elites. The crazy spell attack at all costs caused several city walls to fall. It was all thanks to the Goethe soldiers desperately blocking the gap. Everyone knew that it was only a matter of time before the city fell.

Many sections of the city wall were already on the verge of collapse. Most of the protective runes had already been extinguished. The elemental content that the white mud city wall strengthened by the Holy Stone and the Seven Glory Crystal could accommodate had already reached the upper limit and could no longer provide effective spell protection. The Goethe army guarding was already tired.

This was the tactical goal of the elves. The reinforcements of the Twilight Expeditionary Force were still continuously arriving, and one soldier of Goethe died in battle. The difference in national strength between the two countries determined the tragic and sad tone of war. War had always been unfair.

If not for the city defense strength that Red Maple City had accumulated for hundreds of years, this battle would have ended in a few hours… However, the elves had long proven one thing with countless victories, and that was that static defense could only fail. The tall and solid city wall could only delay the speed of destruction.

The balance of victory was already on the verge of collapse, and the elves were still increasing their weight on his side.

This was because not long before dawn, the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary army, Sylvan Keller, finally forcefully rejected the order of the council and pressed all the air force and heavy magic troops secretly reinforced by the natives onto the battlefield.

He hoped that the high-speed air force formed by the horned eagle, pegasus, and dragon could gather and unleash their speed advantage, distance advantage, and range advantage, allowing the elf army to cross the overly solid and difficult city wall of Red Maple City and open up a new battlefield to further unleash the magic, numbers, and even tactical advantage of Twilight.

This epoch-making idea and tactic had been a huge success.

Under the suppression of the dense barrage of bullets, the mages of Red Maple City could only passively defend against the incoming spells and did not have the time to care about the high-speed air force.

The horned eagle knights threw enchanted arrows at the spell and war machine positions. The pegasus knights rushed left and right in groups under the sparse interception. They attacked the field hospital, attacked the supply convoy, and dispersed the militia team. The three Dragoons ruled the sky. The dragon roared and roared the Doomsday Horn, attacking the various mage towers and arcane centers and further weakening the magic power of Red Maple City.

Even if it was the first large-scale air operation, the elf knights who were fighting separately still understood what they had to do with their terrifying war sense under the lead of the extremely accomplished officer.

Destruction, surprise attacks, causing chaos, weakening the combat strength of the enemy army, and arousing the fear of the commoners were not only attacks on the food warehouse, armory, and medical station, but also higher schools, libraries, churches, and commercial areas. Arson, poison, and explosions were created. They broke through Goethe’s spells and long-range interceptions with a high-speed advantage and searched for areas with weak defense, continuously restraining the reserve military strength of Red Maple City.

Goethe could not do anything about this.

They could rely on the solid city wall to fight the powerful armies of the world and resist bravely, but against powerful enemies from the air, Goethe’s methods were really limited.

Bows and war machines could not effectively threaten targets moving at high speed. Mages were restrained by spells from outside the city and could not divide their troops. Even if a few brave mages flew into the sky and stopped these enemies from the air, they quickly fell.

This was because the elves also had an air battle mage to hold the line.

When the Elven Air Force formations turned to attack the city wall from behind, restraining the archers and mages and providing support to the friendly troops attacking the city, the balance of the battle slid to the side even faster.

More and more city walls were declared to be lost.

The expeditionary army headquarters advanced another 20 kilometers and was already extremely close to Red Maple City.

The real-time situation of the battle continuously returned. The situation of the mages fighting, the situation of the long-range spell tug-of-war, the situation of the legions attacking the city wall everywhere, and the results of the air force.

It was simply an overwhelming result, an overwhelming advantage.

He continuously read the battle report, judged the situation, sorted out the results and losses of the air force being the first to be used on the battlefield as the main attack force, and analyzed the gains and losses.

He quickly improved his battle tactics with the war sense of the genius commander and the Twilight General.

“Order the first Flying Wings Air Cavalry Regiment to remove their armor and throw away their spears. The pegasus will only retain the minimum vital defense of its heart and abdomen. The knights will only leave behind light repeating crossbows. The remaining loads will all be carried with alchemical bombs and spell scrolls of the Burning Fire School. Landing to fight is forbidden and it will maintain an empty posture.”

“Their mission is to throw bombs at the key target and use scrolls. After throwing them, they’ll return to rest and hang the bombs again. They’ll treat their injuries and use energy medicine before entering the battle again.”

“All the horned eagle cavalry troops of the second shadow regiment will form eight groups and a formation. They will also retain the minimum armor and discard all the direct killing arrows. They will all carry poisonous cloud arrows, explosive arrows, and ice arrows and shoot at a medium combat distance. Every team commander will carry a short-range communication magic device and memorize the map of the Goethe city wall. They are required to immediately recognize the areas of the various city walls.”

“Their mission is to respond to the call of the siege team and provide medium- and close-range tactical support. There will be specialized communication mages to tell them what to do!”

“Aerial combat mages…”

He continuously gave orders. The advisors immediately responded and continuously transmitted the commander’s orders.

The Deputy Chief of Staff continuously assigned tasks. Only when the commander finally stopped did he heave a sigh of relief.

Moreover, he looked at his superior with admiration and fanaticism.

“This war will go down in history.”

He said sincerely, “I have to say it again. You’ve opened a new era. This is an epoch-making initiative. The future war situation will be rewritten, and we’re still at the front.”

There was something he did not say.

Such a victory, such contributions, and such initiative were enough to make up for violating the strict orders of the council and throwing themselves into the aerial combat troops.

Sylvan Keller was still frowning.

The air force’s unstoppable victory only slightly calmed his anxiety.

He violated the council’s order and invested in the air force. He ordered the expeditionary army to attack Red Maple City at all costs, shamelessly, and without caring about casualties. He only hoped to take down this city before someone arrived.

He could only hope that it would be faster, faster.

Lord of Dawn Light ignored his subordinate’s praise and asked, “Have you locked onto the location of the Tedrell family members? I need their exact information!”

The Deputy Chief of Staff said, “The intelligence team and the soldier hunting team are searching and analyzing.”

“We need larger air units. Be it the war beast of the Druid College or the war machine in the center of the alchemical army, we need them.”

“We need alchemical weapons that can carry heavy magic devices and huge beasts that can place the elite troops at the designated location in one go. My mentor told me that war is one. I strongly agree that this newly born army and tactics should be fused with land attacks and not independent. I have many thoughts to verify and many guesses to try, but my friend, there are countless strange thoughts in my mind. The sparks of war are shining here, but I’m also very uneasy…”

Sylvan Keller muttered, “Red Maple City is destined to be defeated. The reinforcements of the Goethe people are the ones we have to be wary of. Where’s Kang De, the Cathayan?”

The Deputy Chief of Staff blinked and said nothing.

So far, the casualties of the air force were not high and they were completely capable of launching a siege on Kang De. This city was about to be occupied by the Twilight army. What could a Cathayan change?

However, he would not say such a thing tactfully.

Sylvan Keller was silent for a moment before saying, “Tell the intelligence team to speed up. After locking onto the location of the Tedrell family, I’ll lead the elite experts of the entire army to enter on an aerial cavalry battle beast. We only have one chance. If we fail, the Goethe people will be wary.”

The situation was indeed unprecedentedly bad.

...

After the Elven Air Force entered the battlefield, Red Maple City, which was already struggling to endure more than 20 hours of violent attacks, immediately fell into a dilemma. When the sky was completely occupied by the elves, there was a problem with the defense operation of the entire city. A large number of reserve military strength was restrained, and the mobilization of resources and soldiers became obstructed. Chaos gradually arose, and flames arose everywhere. There were enemies everywhere.

This was because the enemy was in the air.

They could attack at any time and place.

Running on the ground was never as agile as flying in the sky.

The operation of the war machine, Red Maple City, which was struggling to support under a high-intensity attack, had already slowly slowed down and malfunctioned. The defeat of war had always been a chain.

When Sylvan Keller quickly adjusted his tactics and allowed the air force to better use its advantage, many of the city wall guards that were difficult to resist had already begun to collapse.

This was because the stalemate was broken by the Horned Eagle Knight who had heard the news. The air cavalry who approached in a low altitude and high-speed shot enchanted arrows one after another. Poison clouds dissipated, and they exploded and roared. Such a high frequency and non-consumption shot attacked the stalemate node, just like the full-strength volley of more than ten spellcasters. Moreover, it came from the most tricky direction—it was enough to break the balance.

As for the pegasus knight, he threw down alchemical bombs one after another, blocking the rescue of the injured and the transportation of the reserve troops, greatly restraining the attention of the garrison.

The expeditionary army used the method of magic device communication to establish battlefield communication between the air force and the siege army that had just appeared. An attack order was issued by the staff team who paid close attention to the real-time dynamics of the battlefield. The high-speed breakthrough and the elusive air force launched a surprise attack to cover the siege army to attack. Such a tactic was not something Goethe could resist. They did not have an air force, and the spellcaster army was at a disadvantage.

The battle was no longer balanced.

The city walls completely fell.

...

The elf troops who followed continuously climbed up the city wall and launched an attack formation. Even if the Goethe troops tried to counterattack, Knight Horned Eagle’s continuous enchanted arrows had already whistled over.

The bridgeheads echoed one after another. The elves had already stabilized their footing on the outer city wall of Red Maple City.

Red Maple City’s failure was a foregone conclusion.

Panic, despair, sorrow, and anger were spreading in the city. The elf army showing off in the sky was the bellwether of the battle. No matter how belated they were, they knew that the destruction of Goethe was already in front of them. When the disaster of the fallen country descended, the people who had experienced all this had their own choices.

Brave resistance, timid survival, the unyielding wiping of spears, the smart calculating the future, and those who adhered to their duty were still holding on, not only soldiers.

“The light of Tedrell is about to be extinguished in my hands.”

After rejecting the general’s request, Grand Duke Goethe left the command post and boarded the nearby city wall. This place had not been attacked by the elves, but the dragon roar in the sky had already indicated that danger was approaching.

He touched the rough bricks and looked back at Red Maple City he had protected all his life. His beautiful home had been ravaged by the enemy. The blue sky was red. The elf knight was showing off. This city that shone in epics and legends was finally coming to an end.

The Grand Duke said softly, “Tina, are you afraid?”

His other children were all fighting everywhere in Red Maple City, and his daughters were no exception. Only Tina was beside him. This beautiful pearl was not good at martial strength and knowledge, but she still bravely asked to go to the front line personally, encourage the soldiers, and be inseparable from her father.

Tina’s appearance was clear and did not damage her face, making her look even more pitiful. She was like a flower swaying in the wind, causing people to worry that she was about to wither.

She shook her head, but tears flowed.

The Grand Duke said softly, “Then why are you crying?”

“Father, I’m sorry…”

Tears rolled down Tina’s face. She bit her lip, clenched her fists, and lowered her head.

“I lied…”

The dilemma finally welcomed relief, but there was only pain and reluctance in her heart.

When she first realized that the elves were about to launch a second surprise attack, she could have written a letter to call Kang De to help. However, she realized that this was a trap for the elves and did not want Kang De to be stained with blood for this country anymore. Therefore, she lied, hid this matter, and sent her innocent aunt to Valentine.

The price was that Goethe would step into the tomb today.

There was no right or wrong in choosing. Only tortured souls had to bear the price of choice.

Moreover… it should be valuable.

Her tears were gently wiped away.

The Grand Duke said softly, “I knew it long ago.”

Tina looked up in surprise and saw her father’s calm and indifferent smile.

“I can’t even tell what’s on my daughter’s mind. I’m too much of a failure as a father,” the Grand Duke said with a calm smile. “There’s nothing wrong with it. If a country built by the Goethe people is reduced to being saved by a foreigner, it’s time for it to step into the grave…”

Tina said tearfully, “But…”

“There are no buts. Protecting Goethe is my responsibility, not yours. It’s already a huge humiliation to lose my country. If I fly into a rage because of your choice and hate you for not asking him for help, it’ll not only be a humiliation to me as a Grand Duke, but also a humiliation to my father.”

He hugged Tina gently. “It’s the right choice not to let innocent people get involved in the flames of war. I won’t criticize you for the right thing… Since you don’t want that kid to be Tedrell’s son-in-law, let him get lost. I can’t bear to.”

Tears streamed down Tina’s face.

The dragon roared and exploded. Spells filled the air. The cheers and battle roars of the elves resounded through the world everywhere. The duchy was on the verge of destruction and the city was about to fall, but the brave heart still had one last choice. That was to brand blood and souls on this land forever to protect its home.

The Grand Duke said, “Tina, are you afraid?”

Tina wiped her tears and shook her head forcefully.

“Then follow me to the last moment. Fight them in the streets, in the square, in the palace, until we bleed out until the last drop of blood falls…” The Grand Duke pulled out his sword and looked around. He shouted, “Goethe people! There won’t be reinforcements!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the world rumbled.

An explosion that was completely different from the bombardment of spells and magic devices sounded outside the city from afar. Everyone turned around in surprise and saw the elves’ reserve team in the distance raising flames and a large amount of dust in the air. Countless broken limbs and flesh flew into the air. Orange flames continuously exploded, and the shock wave roared wantonly.

In the expeditionary army headquarters, Sylvan Keller suddenly widened his eyes.

“He’s here!”

As if time had stopped, the expressions of the advisors instantly froze.

They looked in the direction of the banner in unison. Their hearts began to beat wildly, and their mouths secreted saliva. An indescribable trembling enveloped their entire bodies.

Ah, that Cathayan… was here?

“Immediately recall all the air troops. The cavalry unit is prepared. The backup mages are on guard. According to the previous tactical arrangements, disperse the troops and expand the formation. Magic devices are accumulating strength. Watch the sky closely!”

He rushed out of the tent and looked in the direction of the battlefield with the Eagle Eye Technique, “It’s that kind of long-range magic device attack! Soldier deployment! Space mage, prepare! Immediately lock onto his location and restrict his teleportation ability!”

The might of a peerless expert erupted. Lord of Dawn Light was like an unsheathed sword.

“Find him! Find where he is!”

On the city wall, the Goethe people watched as the explosion that almost overturned everything continuously happened forward, overturning and scattering the elf phalanxes. It was as if more than ten heavy magic devices were firing continuously. The dense attack stretched forward, and all the elf troops nearby hurriedly retreated. Even the strongest protective spell shattered under that attack, and almost none survived.

Amidst the flames, blue and golden light intertwined and echoed.

“About that…”

The Grand Duke looked at it a few times and turned to look at Tina. “That seems to be your aunt!”

Sword Saint Snowfall’s battle aura.

At least two top-notch experts were advancing.

The bombardment that destroyed everything seemed to be opening the way for them.

Tina was already stunned on the spot. Her beautiful eyes widened as she looked in that direction.

“Reinforcement!”

The Grand Duke pulled out his sword and unfolded his battle aura. It was like a pair of light wings that pointed at the sky. The two shadows immediately changed direction. The Goethe people gathered their remaining courage and carried out a rescue shot, sweeping away the cavalry troops rushing over. In an instant, two figures rushed out of the black smoke and flew up the city.

One of them had a blue sword, and snowflakes fluttered. The other was wearing lava heavy armor. His eyes were dazzling gold, and his beautiful face carried a peerless aura that looked down on all living beings, causing everyone present to not dare to look straight at him.

Grand Duke Goethe shouted, “Hill!”

Sword Saint Snowfall frowned and said, “Why did you run to the city wall?”

The Grand Duke shook his head and said, “It’s a long story. Why are you here? And this…”

The siblings were reunited. Before they could say anything, the gorilla walked straight toward Tina. The surrounding soldiers made way. This woman was a little scary.

The gorilla’s gaze swept across the other party’s chest and revealed an unhappy expression.

Tina looked at the heroic woman in front of her in confusion and felt that this gaze and expression were a little familiar. However, this was not important, because the series of cannonballs earlier made her think of something.

Her body trembled slightly, and a guess that she did not know if she was happy or worried appeared in her heart.

The princess muttered, “He…”

The gorilla raised her hand and threw something over. Tina hurriedly caught it. Although she did not know this thing, she could barely recognize it through its appearance.

She could also know its background.

There was only one person on the entire continent who could have such a thing.

She said in a trembling voice, “Kang De… where is he?”

The gorilla snorted and took out the “quantum communication device” before pressing the button.

Then, she took out something else and threw it into the sky. How strong was her arm? That thing let out a whistling sound and rose higher and higher.

The communication device in his hand lit up.

Three, two, one.

She counted down until the communication device lit up again. She shouted, “Look up!”

Everyone looked up in unison.

In the next moment, the dark spatial door opened. A silver figure whistled out, and an explosion that exceeded the speed of sound sounded in the sky of Red Maple City. Blazing tail flames streaked through the sky. The technological crystallization of Earth’s cutting-edge modern industry and the top results of the art of war appeared in the sky of the other world, in the sky of the soon-to-fall Red Maple City, and in the sky ruled by horned eagles, pegasuses, magic, and dragons.

The walkie-talkie in Tina’s hand sounded.

“Hello, hello. This is Kang De. Our unit has already arrived at the designated engagement area and is about to provide air support and air control operations for Goethe.”

The familiar voice revealed a smile that he had not seen for a long time.

“I’ll fight for you, my lady.”