"You mean... you? Is there another emissary here?"
The Marshal, seeing Nodaa Doiichi, seemed to have found hope.
"There are two of us carrying out this mission. To prevent the True God Cult from escaping and causing endless trouble, we split into two groups."
"My mission is to start from the Royal City, disintegrate the main attacking force of the True God Cult, and then push back all the way to the enemy's base camp, Qingsong City."
"Another one, named Jin Zai Shi, will attack starting from Shuangfeng City, then pass through Heguzhen, and then rendezvous with me at Qingsong City."
Nodaa Doiichi said with a relaxed expression.
As if the event that terrified the entire empire was something he could resolve with a wave of his hand.
There was no sense of urgency at all.
"Emissary, your strength is extraordinary, but... this enemy is a bit different."
"According to reports from the defeated soldiers, the enemy can confuse the minds of their targets, rendering them defenseless, and then slaughter them."
"Li Ran has also been controlled by the cult's divine will, and is now leading the soldiers he took with him to return and kill his own comrades!"
The Marshal reminded him cautiously.
"Heh, you believe in things like mind manipulation?"
"As far as I know, your empire has the most chaotic religions, such as the Zhongwu Hall, the Virgin Cult, the True God Cult, and so on..."
"Don't be superstitious. We now improve our strength through scientific methods, while you are still using traditional methods that are over a hundred years behind. No wonder you've fallen to this state."
"The ability to manipulate minds does exist, but it's only for single targets, at most a dozen targets."
"Have you ever seen anyone who can manipulate thousands of people? That's impossible!"
"In reality, it's just Li Ran colluding with the True God Cult to create panic. Of course, I don't rule out the possibility that there are experts in the True God Cult, otherwise they wouldn't have pushed you to this extent."
Although Nodaa Doiichi's tone was still very respectful, the slight upward curve of his lips revealed his contempt and disdain for everyone present.
"In short... in short... Emissary, please be careful!"
The Marshal didn't know how to persuade him further.
After all, the other party's strength was far superior to his own. It was impossible for a weak person to advise a strong person on how to fight.
"Don't worry. Wait for me. I'll be staying here tonight, please make arrangements!"
Nodaa Doiichi said, giving a perfunctory nod to Lin Zongzheng, and his gaze swept over Lin Zongzheng's favorite concubine again.
Then, with a flash of his body, he disappeared from the hall.
"Marshal, are we saved now?"
Lin Zongzheng asked, excitedly grabbing the Marshal's hand.
"This... Although the strength of the Black-tailed Swallow Legion is not to be underestimated, after all, this is only a candidate..."
"That's not the most important thing. What worries me most is... he's underestimating the enemy."
"This enemy is definitely not as simple as Li Ran's rebellion. I know his strength well; he wouldn't be able to conquer Gongwei City in just one hour."
"This enemy is far more terrifying than we imagined!"
"Even if the emissary is strong, if he misjudges the enemy's strength, he might fail!"
"Therefore... I suggest that the evacuation plan remains unchanged, and we prepare for both possibilities. If the emissary fails, this old minister will do his best to block the enemy and buy time for His Majesty's evacuation!"
The Marshal said to Lin Zongzheng with a serious expression.
"Then... that's fine... I'll say I'm going to Crystal Valley to recuperate for a few days..."
"This way, no matter what happens in the Royal City, it won't affect the subsequent itinerary."
Lin Zongzheng said with a slight tremor.
"Your Majesty is wise! I will go to the city to observe the battle now and report to you immediately if there are any developments. You should also prepare as soon as possible!"
After the Marshal finished speaking, he slowly left the palace with the golden armored guards marching in neat and powerful steps.
On the other side, in front of the Royal City.
The entire Royal City gate was tightly shut, and the cannons on the city walls were loaded.
Behind the main gate, two thousand cavalry were prepared to charge when the enemy was routed.
At this moment, Nodaa Doiichi stood alone outside the city gate.
However, his swallow-tailed coat and the Black-tailed Swallow Legion logo on his arm were exceptionally dazzling, greatly boosting the morale of the soldiers on the city walls.
In front of Nodaa Doiichi, there was a vast expanse of white mist.
It was foggy today, with visibility only fifty meters.
"At this point, why haven't the enemies come yet?"
Nodaa Doiichi said impatiently.
He dared not easily charge into the fog, not because he was afraid of an ambush, but because he was worried that the enemy would bypass him and attack the Royal City.
After all, his primary mission was to defend the Royal City, and secondary was to eliminate the True God Cult.
Failure in either would mean losing the opportunity to advance to a high position in the Black-tailed Swallow Legion.
Thump... thump...
At this moment, a sound of footsteps slowly emerged from the dense fog.
Immediately after, a warrior, whose sturdy physique seemed to be about to burst his armor, slowly appeared in view.
"Here they come! Such a terrifying physique, as if powerful energy is contained within his muscles... This must be a hidden master from the True God Cult!"
Nodaa Doiichi smiled slightly and shouted loudly at the approaching figure:
"I am Nodaa Doiichi of the Black-tailed Swallow Legion. Your life is mine!"
"Ugh..."
The strong warrior let out a series of low growls and then charged towards Nodaa Doiichi.
"Heh, fighting without any form. I overestimated you!"
Nodaa Doiichi flashed his body, dodged the warrior's attack, then drew his katana and shouted:
"Deathly Three-Stage Slash!"
Shua!
The katana transformed into three silver streaks of light, striking directly at the burly soldier's back.
"Aoo!"
The soldier let out a cry and swung his long sword to strike again.
"Damn it, he's not dead yet? What a tough guy!"
Nodaa Doiichi felt the gazes of the soldiers on the city wall, and his face couldn't help but flush.
As a member of the Black-tailed Swallow Legion, attacking an unsuspecting enemy from behind with a skill, and yet failing to kill him with a single blow.
This made him feel disgraced.
Shua Shua Shua!
After a few exchanges, Nodaa Doiichi suddenly retreated.
Blazing Lion Slash!
Roar!
Energy, along with the katana, transformed into a ferocious lion that pounced towards the warrior.
Bang!
In an instant, the warrior's long sword and armor were cut into pieces by the powerful energy, and dozens of wounds were inflicted on his body, with the deepest ones even severing his bones.
"One-hit kill!"
Nodaa Doiichi instantly sheathed his katana, turned around with a flourish, and forcibly suppressed his panting chest, trying his best to appear calm.
However, at this moment, from within the thick fog, the same sound of footsteps echoed again.
This time, however, there was not just one, but dozens...