Chapter 339: The Devastator of Harbor Town, the Mastermind behind the Ruin of the Church!


    In the scorching summer of the Hadrta Kingdom, just a few kilometers away from the royal capital, sprawled the wilderness.


    A vast swath of ck shadows crept relentlessly from the horizon towards the capital. Rust-colored gs fluttered in the air, apanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and the ttering of hooves, all in a remarkably organized fashion.


    "They''ve arrived rather swiftly!" Raphael remarked, gazing from the city walls at the approaching army, a mass so dense it seemed to stretch endlessly beyond sight.


    Rough estimates ced their numbers at least eighty thousand or more, divided roughly into three groups. While the nking legions boasted considerable numbers, their formation seemed somewhat disorganized. Soldiers appeared mismatched in their armaments and armor.


    "Herlram, Ougust, Baro... these are traitors from the neighboring kingdoms!" Hatar ground his teeth, recognizing the armies of several dukes by the distinctive emblems on their towering banners.


    Meanwhile, Lynn employed farseeing magic, observing the central silver-armored legion. Every member stood imposingly, advancing solemnly. Their ice-cold, ruthless gazes instilled dread in onlookers.


    They were the infamous Divine Punishment Army. In just a fortnight, the Papal forces had already reached the gates of the royal capital.


    Indeed, ording to the intel they''d gathered, some nobles along the way had attempted futile resistance. But against these forces, sturdy walls could withstand ground troops, yet they''d prove futile against the griffin knights descending from the skies.


    There was no need for the bishops to intervene; the entire city would fall within the hour."Do we need to sally forth to battle, Lord Lynn?" Raydell asked with a grave expression.


    Old York and the others nearby wore expressions of anticipation, eager for action.


    Despite the Papal army outnumbering them, they felt no fear. After all, when Duke Rickman led an army several times their size, they''d routed them with their firearms…


    So, to Old York''s mind, these weren''t just eighty thousand enemies; they were opportunities, heads to im.


    "No, not yet. It''s not the right time," Lynn shook his head.


    Considering the current rate ofser cannon production, it would take another two to three days to outfit them onto the airships. Rushing out for battle without air superiority might result in significant casualties.


    After all, their opponents weren''t just feudal soldiers wielding swords and spears; they also wielded formidable magical powers.


    "What do you think, Your Majesty Hatar?" Lynn turned to the king at his side.


    Hatar was incredibly anxious. With the vast eastern territories of the kingdom now fallen, he desired nothing more than to lead these wizards out to crush the ursed Papal legions, reim lostnds, and execute those noble traitors.


    But Hatar restrained himself. He understood that if Lynn said it wasn''t time, it meant theycked a surefire n. He gritted his teeth. "So be it, we defend… rather than attack!"


    ...


    Simultaneously, the Papal army halted in the wilderness outside the royal capital.


    A middle-aged man d in silver armor, bearing a holy emblem on his chest, kept his gaze fixed on the city walls. Despite the distance, his exceptional vision clearly identified his target amidst the crowd. With interest, he spoke, "That''s the great sorcerer Lynn, wanted for three hundred thousand imperial coins? He''s much younger than I imagined."


    "Don''t underestimate him, Arno. He''s not an easy target," cautioned Edweil, the one with the iron mask, before providing intelligence about Lynn.


    Previously wanted for the burning of Harbor Town, the bounty on him had escted from fifty thousand to an astounding three hundred thousand due to orchestrating this rebellion. And now, he was used not just of treason but also sphemy against the divine, a crime of unimaginable severity!


    This was an exorbitant sum; even a pauper with that money could buy himself a position as a Duke!


    In the Book of Sinners, descriptions of Lynn had escted to include the overthrow of the kingdom''s church, the ying of the Cardinal, and… defying the gods!


    There were no words to describe his heinousness. None of the previously documented sinners in the sacred texts could match him!


    "He wields a strange hellfire that devours flesh and blood; it''s challenging to extinguish conventionally," Edweil warned.


    "But once the elements in the air are isted, it can be quelled. Non-mmable sand and rocks can also bury it. Temperature ys a crucial role..." Edweil''s detailed exnation stemmed from their analysis of the wreckage of an airship and its peculiar mes.


    "In that case, I''m iming that three hundred thousand bounty!" Arno cracked a smirk, etching Edweil''s words firmly in his mind.


    "But if you have the capability, be wary of his ice magic…" Edweil, with the iron mask concealing his expressions, issued another caution before turning to several dukes of the kingdom.


    "Hebrew, Ouston, Baro... I entrust you to lead the kingdom''s armies as the vanguard!"


    "But... Lord Edweil, those wizards will use all sorts of mysterious spells. With just us, I fear we can''t even get close to the city walls," Duke Baro quivered slightly.


    The other nobles present were also hesitant. Though they surrendered without hesitation when the Papal army arrived, it didn''t mean they were devout believers.


    ording to intelligence, these wizard-trained troops employed strange mystical weaponry, immensely powerful.


    A fully trained cavalry unit had been easily routed during a charge. Even if they managed to take the capital, they''d suffer heavy casualties.


    "This is your only chance. Prove your loyalty to the Lord with actions and repent for your sins!" Edweil''s words carried an unyielding tone.


    Edweil felt no goodwill toward these opportunistic nobles. When the group of wizards killed King Bazeel and sparked the rebellion, only a few nobles resisted. Most remained undecided, even coborating with the wizards to persecute local priests and bishops.


    Undoubtedly, these were all sinners. So, regardless of whether they were barons, viscounts, or dukes from the eastern kingdom, Edweil had coerced them all, assembling this massive army.


    >


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