Chapter 235: This Is a Tough Battle

Isolde believed this was no time to seek shelter from the rain; the farther they traveled, the better. There was nowhere nearby to take cover anyway, so she declared, "Let's keep going. We'll find shelter in about an hour."

The village chief, though a martial artist, was elderly. After a night's journey in the heavy rain, he was exhausted. Isolde's words displeased him. "It's not that we aren't walking; we're merely taking a short rest. You are young and can continue, but how many villagers are old? Can't you show some consideration? Martial skill is one thing, virtue is what truly matters."

Isolde saw the weary faces before her, complaints rising, heavy breaths filling the air. They were undeniably tired.

Isolde hardened her heart and shouted, "Don't delay! Leave immediately!"

Turning to the village chief, she said, "The people of Rustwood are known to keep their word. Since you agreed to follow my orders if you lost, you must obey me now."

The village chief was furious. "You little girl, your heart is too cruel."

Despite their resentment, the people of Rustwood kept their word and continued moving forward.

The rain persisted, but the wind had subsided. Still, everyone was exhausted, walking slowly under heavy loads.

Gerald, who had recently clashed with Isolde, suddenly stopped and shouted, "Did anyone hear that sound?"

His voice, unamplified by internal energy, wasn't clearly heard by all. A rumbling sound echoed from afar.

Isolde cursed under her breath. Quickly, she climbed a tree, child still in her arms, and peered into the distance. Darkness obscured everything. Using her internal energy, she sent a message: "Hurry! The mountain is collapsing!"

The rumbling intensified, the ground trembling noticeably. Everyone felt the quake.

"Oh my God, the mountain is really collapsing! Run!" someone screamed.

Isolde shouted sternly, "Don't panic! Don't run! Maintain the previous order!"

She called out again, "North Campth Army, listen! All soldiers move to the sides and let the villagers pass first. Maintain order; no rushing or pushing!"

Over a hundred soldiers moved aside, clearing a path for the villagers' retreat. No one knew what lay behind them; they might well be buried by the landslide.

Isolde instructed others to hold the children while she and the North Campth Army brought up the rear, ensuring everyone's safety.

Hector quickly approached, shouting, "County Princess, you go first!"

Isolde grabbed his arm, urging him forward. "Hurry! Don't stop until we reach safety."

Hector refused to leave. "Then I'll stay at the rear."

Isolde ignored his insistence and continued assisting the evacuation.

The rain had lessened, but the oil-soaked torches wouldn't light, leaving them to move forward in darkness. Days of relentless rain, beginning with a hurricane and storm, had made the mountain paths slippery and muddy, hindering balance. Accidents were inevitable. Isolde, in her efforts to save others, lost count of how many times she fell or slipped, twice nearly tumbling down the mountain.

Finally, they reached safety—a church at the mountain's foot. Learning of the villagers' evacuation, the priests offered comfort and reassurance.

The villagers had brought supplies, but Isolde couldn't rest. She joined the soldiers to help cook for everyone.

While Isolde worked on disaster relief, news reached Kamari's estate in Zloimond.

Learning that over 10,000 soldiers were deployed for external security, Kamari exploded at Ashley, "This should be my chance to win the people's hearts, but you, a stupid woman, delayed it!"

Ashley reasoned patiently, "Your Highness, winning hearts is a gradual process; there's no need to rush. Protecting the royal residence and you is paramount. Isolde is likely targeting the palace; once our people are evacuated, she'll attack."

"That's just your guess!" Kamari shouted angrily. "I ordered you to blow up the stone house, but you delayed it, claiming the gunpowder was unusable. Now that they've left, even with gunpowder, what good is it? Imperial troops are scattered providing disaster relief, and the people are growing loyal to the court. Any uprising will take longer. You're incompetent!"

Ashley felt anger but restrained herself. "Your Highness, some matters are more urgent. Protecting the royal residence is paramount."

Kamari raged, "Isolde has only three thousand troops; I still command five thousand! How can we not resist? You've ruined my plans! How dare you falsely issue orders in my name, keeping soldiers outside? If the people see I only care about my estate during a disaster, my father's reputation in Zloimond will be destroyed instantly! Remember, you are nothing more than a dog at my side, obeying my orders. If this happens again, I'll expel you immediately!"

A chill went through Ashley's heart. After three years of service, she was merely a dog in his eyes.

Swallowing her resentment, she looked at Kamari with humiliation, kneeling. "Your Highness, trust me this once. Isolde is undoubtedly targeting the residence. If we disperse our forces, she'll attack immediately. Please, don't withdraw the soldiers."

Kamari no longer trusted her. Deception and false orders were intolerable. With a wave, he summoned the garrison commander. "Withdraw the troops immediately. Assign more men to guard the granaries and prevent looting. Execute looters on the spot; no need to report. Send the rest to assist with citywide rescue and evacuation. Once the people are settled, let officials procure more grain."

Ashley kowtowed, her voice filled with sorrow. "Your Highness, if you do this, your residence won't survive!"

"If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll chase you out immediately!" Kamari roared.

"Your Highness!" Ashley called out. She had always spoken freely, believing she held some weight in his heart. Now, she realized he truly saw her as nothing more than a dog.

Watching her plans unravel, Ashley felt helpless and furious but could only step back in silence.

Outside Kamari's residence, the main army withdrew, leaving only five thousand soldiers to defend the estate.

Doug's spies had been watching. The moment the troops retreated, they sent a messenger to Isolde.

Isolde had just descended from the church, her clothes soaked. Hearing the news, she grinned, revealing sharp, white teeth. "Pass the order. Assemble all soldiers! We launch a full-scale attack on King Kamari's residence!"

The command was pre-set: an all-out attack upon troop withdrawal. The army mobilized swiftly. Within an hour, they gathered in Bumblewick, ready for battle.

Dawn broke, the torrential rain still falling, though weaker than the night before.

Three thousand exhausted North Campth soldiers faced five thousand well-rested palace guards. The odds were against them. Yet, by striking swiftly and catching the enemy off guard, Isolde still held a seventy percent chance of victory.

This, however, was undoubtedly going to be a tough battle.