Chapter 459: I can’t help myself
Kriolev did not know what was waiting for him. When he led the First Army on a rapid march and found the Bonn Fortress, it was already evening.
"Fortunately, just in case, we didn't set up camp too far away, otherwise it would be really troublesome."
Looking at the small black dot of Bonn Fortress on the other side of the horizon, General Kriolev sighed with emotion, and then his face became solemn.
"Okay, I know everyone is tired, but we must move forward immediately and get to Bonn Fortress as soon as possible before dark. Karl, prepare to hand over the fortress. And we must renovate the fortress... Forget it , Let’s talk about it when we get there.”
Kriolev also sighed helplessly. He had never fought such a frustrating battle in his life, but now it seemed that no matter how frustrated he was, he would not be able to survive without fighting.
Not only that, Kriolev could also feel that the morale of his men was very low, which was understandable. The First Army, as Hermann's trump card army, has not been getting along well with Prime Minister Stisser since he seized power. Many generals are very dissatisfied with the behavior of Prime Minister Stisser and the Council, and they have complained in private. .
But at that time, they only complained privately, but after the Fourth Army Corps turned against the enemy and raised the banner of righteousness and slaying the sycophants, many generals in the First Army Corps also became interested. I think this is a good opportunity. After all, they and the Council are already incompatible with each other. In that case, why not just kill these bastards from a fishy country?
This was no longer just a private discussion, there was even a joint letter from the generals to General Kriolev, but he suppressed it.
But now, the Council not only wants them to fight each other, but even completely ignores their situation and forcibly formulates a strategy - to be honest, the generals and soldiers who had no ideas before must now have ideas.
No one wants to die, right?
As far as the council's ridiculous operation is concerned, even if it defeats the enemy, will the council reap its own benefits?
Kriolev also knew that the people below were interested, but he had no choice, so now he could only forcefully suppress his inner annoyance, and then focus on the upcoming defensive battle.
However, just as they were about to arrive at the fortress, the messenger suddenly ran over in a hurry.
"General, general...the situation is not quite right..."
"What happened again?"
Seeing the stuttering look of the messenger in front of him, Kriolev couldn't help but frown. He was not a good old man without a temper. After encountering so many unpleasant things in one day, no matter how well-mannered Kriolev was, there was a bit of anger in his voice at this moment.
Feeling Kriolev's anger, the messenger turned pale, but he still hurriedly spoke.
"We arrived at the fortress as you requested, but they refused to open the door! They said they had to see you to confirm in person!"
These damn bastards!
When Kriolev heard this, he became furious and blood rushed to his head. He is the general of the First Army! The First Legion is Herman's trump card legion, and now, such a mere fortress garrison dares to look down on him? I'm afraid these people are tired of living!
"I'm going to see who dares to stop our First Legion!!"
At this moment, Kriolev was also furious. He angrily walked forward, and his adjutant Karl followed behind him. Soon, they came to the front of the team, which is where the gate of Bonn Fortress is. .
Under the setting sun, the fortress looked a bit scary, and on the city wall, soldiers wearing Hermann armor stood fully armed, motionless. Looking very serious, Kriolev glanced at these soldiers coldly, then looked back and shouted loudly.
"I am Kriolev, and I have come to take over the Bonn Fortress by order of the Council. Open the door immediately!"
"Rumble, rumble..."
As Kriolev finished speaking, the door of the fortress slowly opened. Seeing this scene, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. However, before they were ready to enter the fortress, they saw a tall black figure walking out. It was wearing dark armor and a skull-like helmet. It also carried a huge war hammer behind it. It was as tall as a giant. the difference.
Seeing the appearance of this giant, Kriolev frowned, and the soldiers beside him also became nervous.
Then they saw the giant walking up to Kriolev and staring at him.
"I'm sorry, General Kriolev, but I cannot let you enter this fortress."
"What? What does this mean?"
"It's very simple."
Facing Kriolev's question, Duanmuhuai laughed, then suddenly picked up the war hammer and hit the ground in front of Kriolev.
"Because this fortress already belongs to our Tribunal!"
"What?!"
Hearing Duanmuhuai's words, Kriolev and his adjutant Carl were shocked. They raised their heads again and looked towards the city wall. Only this time, dozens of magicians in robes came from those Hulls. Man soldiers appeared behind them, raising their staffs and aiming at them. It was obvious that this was not a joke. In other words... this fortress had been captured by the Tribunal?
How is that possible? He clearly had someone keeping an eye on him. If the Tribunal invaded the fortress, why was there no movement?
But no matter how unbelievable it is, the current facts will not change. Kriolev gritted his teeth and stared at Duanmuhuai. In any case, now he has fallen into the trap, and the other party even has a magician... At this distance, they can't escape at all!
Damn it, is all this their plan?
"What do you want?"
Kriolev stared at Duanmuhuai and asked coldly, while Duanmuhuai shrugged his shoulders.
"Not really, actually I just want to ask you a question."
"………………Question?"
"That's right."
Duanmuhuai nodded.
"I'm not very familiar with you. I've only heard that the general of the First Army, Kriolev, is not only a veteran general who has experienced hundreds of battles, but also a wise general. And his adjutant is also recognized as wise and brave. He is Kriolev’s right-hand man, so I just want to ask you... Who are you loyal to? ”
"..." Hearing Duanmuhuai's inquiry, Kriolev twitched the corners of his eyes and said nothing.
"Loyal to the emperor? But now the emperor has been emptied out. Even senior officials from various countries know that Hermann's new emperor is just a puppet with no influence or power. Or? Are you loyal to the country? Then you have seen it, This country is now The people are short of food and clothing. In this cold and harsh environment, they can't even have enough food and clothing. However, the high-ranking aristocrats are the main culprits of all this. The culprit......"
As he spoke, Duanmuhuai raised his hand and pointed into the distance.
"It's right there, so I'm curious, who are you fighting for? Why are you fighting?"
Hearing this, General Kriolev closed his eyes and sighed.
Then, he raised his head and stared at Duanmuhuai.
"I am a black gold knight dedicated to the Herman Empire. Even if this old man dies, he is destined to fight like a knight."
"Knight?"
Duanmu Huai snorted lightly.
"Shouldn't a knight be loyal to the country, the lord, and the people? In order to protect the corrupt rights and interests of the council and those high-ranking officials who prey on the people, what kind of knightly honor is there?"
"……………………"
Kriolev clenched his fists and said nothing, while the adjutant Karl also blushed, but didn't know what to say.
However, what Duanmuhuai said next made both Kriolev and Karl stunned.
"I will not kill you, let alone arrest you, because my enemy is not you."
"Aren't you going to arrest me?"
Hearing Duanmuhuai's words, Kriolev raised his head and looked at him in surprise, while Duanmuhuai shook his head.
"I said, my enemy is not you. No matter what stubborn mentality you have when you stand in front of me, it's the same. No matter you are a wise general or anything else, there is no room for you to show off here."
"What do you mean?"
Hearing this, Kriolev was slightly surprised, but Duanmuhuai did not answer his words, but just waved his hand.
"Everyone, listen up. I am Duan Muhuai, the Grand Inquisitor of the Tribunal. I am here to fight against Stisser who colluded with the Priest of Oz and other heretics who dare to provoke the Tribunal! If you are not afraid of death, then Come and see if you can kill me!”
After saying this, Duanmuhuai smiled at Kriolev, then turned around and walked back to the fortress. At the same time, the magicians on the city wall also disappeared again, and only the soldiers wearing Herman armor still stood there.
But at this moment, Kriolev was not happy about surviving the disaster at all. On the contrary, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and his whole body was shivering!
I see! !
He finally understood Duanmu Huai's purpose!
The other party doesn't need to reveal his identity at all! But now, he has revealed his identity in front of the soldiers of the First Legion. Then the Council will naturally know about this matter. So what will the Council think after knowing this matter?
In fact, it didn’t take long for Kriolev’s premonition to become a reality.
"The Commander-in-Chief ordered that the First Legion must retake Bonn Fortress at all costs and capture the Inquisitor alive!"
Sure enough…………
Looking at the order in his hand, Kriolev gritted his teeth and stood on the council's side. This was simply great news. After all, the Bonn Fortress is not big. It can only accommodate 5,000 people at most, and the First Army dispatched 40,000 soldiers. Anyone who sees this ratio will think that the Bonn Fortress is absolutely impossible to hold!
From the standpoint of the Council, if they could capture the Grand Inquisitor alive, they might be able to use him as a hostage and obtain the powerful and strange weapons of the Inquisition!
In other words, the judge used himself as bait to lure the council into the situation!
I have to say that this move was indeed bold, and Kriolev could not figure out where the other party got the courage to lead up to 5,000 people and 40,000 people to fight to the death?
Isn't this a suicide?
But... Since the other party would do this deliberately, he must have been prepared...
"What should we do, my lord?"
"We have no choice."
Kriolev shook his head and threw away the letter in his hand.
"This is an order from the Council. We can only follow it... and prepare to attack."
Kriolev finally understood why the inquisitor said that his enemy was no longer himself.
Indeed... From beginning to end, this was all a contest between the inquisitor, Prime Minister Stisse and the Council, and he was, at best, just a pawn of the Council.
At this moment, Kriolev, a wise general who had experienced hundreds of battles, only felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
(End of chapter)