Chapter 743 Operation in the Desert

When Iron Ax closed his eyes, he could feel the smell of being surrounded by yellow sand.

This was his fourth day in the desert, and it was also the third week since the First Army left Neverwinter. After the end of this week, two-thirds of winter will be gone, entering the coldest winter evening. However, compared to the western region of Greycastle, which is always snowing, this place is much less affected by the evil moon. Although the sky has been showing a depressing gray, at least there is no biting north wind, and it is enough to freeze the whole world. Desert ice and snow.

Since Yinchuan does not converge with any river, and most of the water flows through the ground, the army can only advance on foot. Iron Ax did not follow the original plan, waiting for the 500 recruits stationed in the Cliff City to prepare for the march, and then mixed them into a large force to act in unison. Instead, he threw those people to Brian and took the first step to try to catch up with them as soon as possible. To Iron Sand City.

The recruits may be fine standing still and pulling the trigger, but the continuous march on foot will only kill them in the sand. And even if there are five hundred more people, it will not help the situation much.

He knew in his heart that if he wanted to achieve His Majesty's goals, he could not rely on artillery attacks. The First Army was the capital to ensure the fruits of victory, not the means to conquer the sand people.

The Mojin people have a set of traditional solutions.

As for the 500 new recruits, they only need to do the simple job of seizing the Yinchuan oasis and ensuring that the vanguard troops are not flanked by others.

In the extreme south, the oasis is the lifeline. Whether it is attacking or fleeing, it is inseparable from the supply of the oasis.

Facing the veterans marching neatly, even if they have not seen the power of muskets, the tribal sand people can feel the power emanating from them. Along the way, no one stood up to question the army from Greycastle. Only when they filled their water bladders and replenished their food and set off again, the sand people would whisper behind their backs.

At this speed, the First Army should be able to reach the iron sand city before nightfall today.

"I don't quite understand. Can the so-called holy duel be launched at any time in any season?" A woman with beautiful blond hair walked up to Echo. Her fair skin formed a sharp contrast with the princess of the Osha clan. In contrast, "Even if it is a challenge of honor among nobles, it is allowed to refuse, after all, everyone is in a bad state. In such a cold weather, everyone wants to sleep by the warm stove for a whole day instead of coming out Fight, kill, kill? I mean... what if someone refuses to agree to a holy duel?"

Iron Ax remembered that her name was Andrea, and she was a battle witch who often accompanied His Highness Tilly. According to His Majesty, the original foreign aid would only be Ashes of the Extraordinary, but for some reason, she finally followed.

"When someone picks up an ax and rushes into your house and kicks over your stove, even if you don't want to fight and kill." Ashes pouted, "You think this kind of life and death decides the life and death of a family to some extent? Will the contest follow the set of hypocritical norms among the nobles?"

"That's called a sneak attack or massacre, not a duel," Andrea said disdainfully, "Even if the Mojin people are barbarians, they can't even distinguish between them. Do you think everyone is as ignorant as you? "

"Say this in front of the echo, you are really a man of many talents."

"Don't misinterpret my meaning!"

Iron Ax didn't care about the saying of barbarians, Border Town doesn't ask about his background, this is what His Majesty told him personally. Compared with the Mojin people, he has a more important identity, that is, the resident of Neverwinter.

He didn't cough twice until Echo looked at him asking for help, and explained, "Miss Andrea's worries are not too much, although the holy duel cannot be refused, and it must be done when both parties are well prepared. , will be recognized by the three gods, but a duel cannot be initiated at will, first of all, the challenger must have the qualifications for a duel."

"What qualifications?"

"First of all, it must be a complete Mojin clan." Iron Ax briefly introduced, "One person cannot represent the clan, not even the patriarch or the princess. Occupying one-sixth of Iron Sand City’s territory. In addition, it excludes foreigners from the scope of duels—Iron Sand City allows foreigners to fight on behalf of the clan, but does not allow them to occupy the core power.”

"Doesn't that mean that we have no qualifications to initiate?" Ashes raised his eyebrows, "Hui Yin has been exiled for several years, and the Aosha clan no longer exists, or do we have to start by looking for her surviving clan members? ?”

"No one can survive in Endless Cape," Iron Ax shook his head, "but we can change the way, such as making Master Silver Moon the patriarch of a new clan."

"That's... alright?" Andrea said in a daze.

"The Mojin people don't value blood as much as you do. Compared with blood inheritance, strength is the most important thing." The commander-in-chief of the First Army said calmly, "After the previous condition is met, anyone who can survive around Iron Sand City Clans that have a foothold in the oasis are equivalent to having the qualifications for a duel. There are four small oases in total, and the newly rising clans usually fight around them. There are no rules and no restrictions, so these four places are also called blood-stained places. .”

"They are equivalent to admission tickets, right?" Ashes didn't care at all.

"You can think of it this way. In fact, these clans are generally divided into two categories," Iron Ax paused. "Challengers...and Watchdogs."

"Watchdog?" the blond witch wondered.

"It's the obstacles set up by the top clans who don't want to see major changes in the order of Iron Sand City." This time she answered Echo, "With their huge resources and influence, they recruited a large number of warriors to form a mixed clan. Rooted in the small oasis. The watchdog will not issue a holy duel to the master, but occupies the position of the challenger. Although it cannot enter the iron sand city, it can still live well with the water and food provided by the small oasis."

"It sounds like a hound willing to eat leftovers," Ashes sneered, "this description is quite appropriate."

"Because the holy duel is full of variables, the big clans will win over or buy potential challengers who enter the blood-stained land. Back then, my father was unwilling to act as a watchdog and insisted on launching a holy duel against the Iron Whip clan, but in the end ..." Hui Yin's voice dropped, obviously thinking of something sad.

"They will pay the price for their insidious actions back then, Lord Silver Moon," Iron Ax comforted, "Now, death is not far away from them."

"So we need to find a challenger first, and then let Echo replace the patriarch of the opponent, and then initiate a duel request to the six major clans?" Andrea asked.

"Once people settle down, they will lose the motivation to move forward. Therefore, those who occupy a small oasis and do not immediately challenge them will become new watchdogs in all likelihood. Afterwards, whether it is to persuade them with words or with strength , it will not be so easy." Iron Ax said slowly, "We came here with thunder and gifts under the order of His Majesty the King, there is no need to be so troublesome. No matter how humble a clan is, with the support of the First Army It is unstoppable. If anyone dares to stand in front of His Majesty, they will all be crushed into powder."