When the Glittergold Empire's troops appeared in front of Passus' sentry post, they didn't even bother to conceal themselves.
These scouts were as clear as Pastan about what was in this godforsaken place. In fact, they had already seen the terrified expressions on the faces of the militias standing on the sentry post. This made them laugh and proudly look at the militias' panicked expressions.
This time, Pastan didn't choose to attack in the dark of the night. Instead, he attacked in broad daylight to let the foolish people in these places clearly understand the strength of the Glittergold Empire. Then, they would completely lay down their weapons and open the door to surrender.
These scouts were just the vanguard. In fact, Pastan believed that when his 5,000 well-equipped soldiers appeared in front of this small stronghold, they would immediately make a decision.
From a certain point of view, his idea wasn't wrong.
"Leave this place!!"
Looking at the approaching first column of the frontline army, Barter shouted in fear. He clenched the weapon in his hand and felt that his palms were full of cold sweat.
Although he knew that this day would come sooner or later, he still felt weak when he saw the Glittergold Empire's soldiers running around outside the stronghold.
This represented the arrival of a war. But what would this war turn into?
There were less than a thousand soldiers in Parsus, most of whom were militias. Their numbers were even smaller now, and they had not received any rigorous training. Many of them had never thought of participating in a war!
But now, they had no choice but to face this possibility.
They were about to step onto the battlefield, and their opponents were the well-equipped soldiers of the empire. Could they really stop these terrible guys?
"Sound the alarm and let the others take refuge. Hurry, send horses to the manor and report to the Lord that the Glittergold Empire's bastards have arrived at our defensive line."
Saying until here, Barter couldn't help but reveal a trace of a bitter smile.
Defensive line?
Relying on this wall that was less than 3 meters high?
It might be able to stop some goblins and ratmen, but against an army, what could this low wall do?
"Are we going to light the beacon?
My Lord? "
A soldier holding a torch asked in a trembling voice. If there was any communication between the Lord and Barter, it was that the Lord had promised Barter that when the border was invaded, they could light the beacon and he would send his men to assist in the battle.
"No, not now."
Hearing his subordinate's question, Barter went silent for a moment and shook his head.
His Lordship had warned him that the beacons could only be lit after the enemy crossed the stream in front of the defensive line.
Barter knew why. Because that stream was one of the borders of Passus. So even though the Glittergold Empire's soldiers were showing off their strength, as long as they didn't cross the stream, they wouldn't be able to enter Passus.
"When they cross the stream, we will light the beacon, and then you can retreat."
Then, staring at his men, Barter said seriously.
Upon hearing his words, the others couldn't help but widen their eyes in surprise.
"What about you?
My Lord? "
"I will stay here."
Barter said as he pulled out his sword.
"At the very least, we can't let the people of the Empire think that we're a bunch of cowards. I don't know what Sir Overlord wants to do, but I know that if we turn around and flee before the battle begins, we'll become the laughingstock of everyone in Eagle Plateau. So at least I'll stay here …"
Barter said and glanced at the soldiers beside him.
"… And now, you can leave. I know that many of you aren't real soldiers. When you were training, you didn't think that one day you would fight against your own people.
If you want to leave, then you can leave. "
"…"
No one answered. The soldiers looked at Barter with a complicated expression. More than once, they privately thought that the reason why Barter could sit in this position was because he had a relative who was the mayor of the town. But now, they finally realized that this man in front of them was indeed more qualified than them to sit in this position.
"I will stay, Sir."
At this moment, the adjutant who had been following Barter, holding a torch and preparing to light the beacons, suddenly said.
He stared at the soldiers who were showing off their strength, and his eyes were filled with unprecedented anger.
"Indeed, Passus may not be worth mentioning to the Glittergold Empire, but this isn't a reason for those damn pigs of the Empire to show off in front of us.
In my opinion, these dirty guys are no different from those goblins. Maybe they are smarter and can speak the common language, but don't they look like goblins?
Since that's the case, what's the difference between them and us?! "
"Well said!!"
At this moment, another soldier yelled.
"These guys are just a bunch of lowly goblins!
Hahaha, I can't wait to see what he looks like when he falls miserably into the swamp. When his corpse is mixed with the mud of the swamp and stinks, I'll put that beautiful armor in my bedroom and use it as a footbath! "
"The Glittergold Empire will definitely hate you!"
"Hahahaha …"
The soldiers' laughter dispelled the tense atmosphere. At that moment, everyone was smiling and confident. They didn't think that they could stop the powerful soldiers of the Empire, but they did it anyway. No one said a word. Soon, the soldiers returned to their posts and focused on their work.
For some reason, Barter believed that they wouldn't leave.
"What are those country bumpkins doing?"
Looking at the low city wall from afar, the soldiers of the first column whispered curiously. They thought that the militia who had never seen the world would be scared out of their wits.
But in fact, even though the country bumpkins on the city wall seemed chaotic at first, they had now regained their composure.
This made the soldiers somewhat confused. It wasn't that they hadn't seen the local militia before. They didn't have any combat power at all, and just seeing the flag of the Glittergold Empire made them tremble.
But these guys looked a little different. Or at least, they seemed different.
"Who knows? Maybe they are so scared that they are waiting to die?"
"I don't think so."
Hearing his companion's ridicule, the commander of the first column glared at him.
Facing his words, the commander didn't seem to mind.
It was no wonder. The militia's performance along the way made it difficult for them to raise their vigilance. Not to mention, Passus was a poor and broken place. In their opinion, they were basically sending themselves to their deaths.
At this moment, a Cavalryman Scout rushed over.
"Sir Perstan's army is behind us!"
"What instructions does Sir Perstan have?"
Hearing until here, the column commander asked.
Hearing his question, the scout nodded.
"Sir Perstan wants you to attack immediately and test the enemy's strength."
"Test?"
Hearing until here, the squad leader frowned.
Previously, they weren't just toying with the militia, but also observing their reaction.
Now it seemed that this stronghold should be similar to the intelligence they received. There wasn't any defensive ability.
As for the low city wall, these battle-hardened soldiers of the Glittergold Empire didn't care about it at all.
Is there a need to test against such a guy?
Isn't Sir Perstan being too cautious?
Even though he cursed in his heart, the column commander still gave the order.
Soon, the soldiers of the first column immediately lined up neatly, raised their shields high, and marched forward slowly.
They're here!
Looking at this scene, Barter clenched his sword and stared at the soldiers.
Watch them go on, and on, and on, across the marsh, and across the meadow, and then — over the stream.
Now's the time!
Just as the Glittergold Empire's soldiers stepped out of the knee-deep stream and stepped onto Passus' land, Barter finally gave the order.
"Light the beacon!
Release the signal! "
Hearing Barter's order, the soldiers quickly raised their torches and ignited the beacon around them. Then, black smoke soared into the sky and drifted into the air.
"They lit the beacon?
Now? "
Looking at this scene, the column commander frowned. This timing seemed to be a little inappropriate. If they were to rule the rear, then they should have done it when they appeared.
But if they were to give a warning, wasn't it a little too early?
What are these people thinking …
"— — —!"
All of a sudden, a strange shriek caught the Column Commander's attention. He lifted his head and discovered a dazzling meteor streaking across the sky, darting toward him!
This is …
Boom!!
Before the commander reacted, at the next moment, a dazzling meteor smashed into the crowd and blasted the Glittergold soldiers away. In an instant, the scorching heatwaves of the explosion, along with deafening roars, spread far and wide, making it impossible for one to look directly at it.
Then, in the midst of the smoke, a crisp, childish voice rang out.
"You're finally here!
You bunch of pigs!
I can't wait any longer! "