Rear Guard

Why did Karen go to such lengths to draw the battlefield onto his own territory? Because only then could he wield the greatest advantage as the host. As long as the battle took place within his domain, as long as Karen held the energy of his land, and as long as someone fell in combat upon it, he would have an endless supply of undead.

Thus, when the fighting broke out on Karen’s land, the outcome was essentially predetermined. Poor Ryan, who had finally slaughtered the goblins and was about to savor his victory, was suddenly besieged by over seven thousand undead rising from the earth, launching the fiercest assault.

Do not underestimate these undead. Though they were only of the lowest ranks, their combat strength far exceeded imagination. After all, they were undead—impervious to pain, immune to fear. At Karen’s command, they transformed into the most terrifying engines of war, attacking with a wild, horrifying ferocity. Even if wounded, even if half their bodies were severed, as long as they were not utterly destroyed, their assault would not cease.

Such relentless, dreadful attacks were more than even Ryan’s legion could withstand. This was no longer a matter of mere strength. When those corpses rose, not only Ryan’s soldiers, but Ryan himself felt his scalp tingling with dread.

Yet at that moment, the state of Ryan and his army mattered little to Karen. Once he spent his hundred and thirty thousand units of domain energy, Karen knew the war was drawing to its close. And indeed, Ryan could not withstand the undead army.

Beyond the immense psychological pressure brought by the resurrection of the undead, another crucial factor was that Ryan’s troops had already endured a brutal battle. The entire force, Ryan included, was greatly depleted—not incapable of fighting, but unable to perform at their peak.

With morale and stamina both waning, defeat began to take hold from the very outset.

“Retreat! Fall back!” Ryan called decisively. He knew this situation left him no way to continue fighting Karen. He couldn’t handle this undead army—and even if he could, he dared not risk it, uncertain if Karen might snap his fingers again and raise the fallen anew.

Under such circumstances, Ryan could only give the order to withdraw.

But now that Karen had unleashed his undead, escaping was hardly simple. The seven thousand undead clung to Ryan’s forces like a pit of despair, trapping them firmly.

“I can’t get them all out! There are so many I can’t save!” At that moment, Ryan realized that unless he paid a price, he could never escape this horrific battlefield. Yet it was a price he desperately wished not to pay.

“It seems we made a foolish decision—provoked an enemy we should never have challenged!” While Ryan was tormented and indecisive, the Wraith, sword in hand, cut down the oncoming undead and approached Ryan’s side.

“What’s the point of talking about whether we should’ve provoked him? It’s already done,” Ryan snapped, slashing down several undead.

“True enough,” the Wraith replied, rubbing his nose and dispatching a first-rank undead with a backward stroke. “It’s been a long time since we fought side by side like this. Honestly, I kind of miss those days with you and the one-armed fool, but I suppose they're gone for good.”

Hearing his old comrade’s rambling behind him, Ryan frowned. “Now’s hardly the time for reminiscing.”

“Sorry, sorry. Getting old makes one prone to chatter,” the Wraith apologized, though he didn’t stop. “But things look grim. The main force of the Black Iron Mine Tribe is wiped out, and will likely become servants of this necromancer. From today’s events, it’s clear everything was planned by him. Now he holds this power, and next he'll purge Goblin Forest. Once he controls it, you know what that means. And he just demanded we stay—why do you think that is? Consider what happened days ago in Moon Worship City; this necromancer is far less simple than we thought, perhaps even colluding with those filthy nobles. If that’s true, you’ll have serious trouble ahead!”

“What are you going on about?” Ryan first raged, then suddenly realized, shouting, “Don’t even think about doing anything reckless! I can lead us out—”

“I truly admire your confidence, saying that so boldly,” the Wraith sighed, shaking his head. “Look at these undead, then at those arrayed before the necromancer—without someone to cover the rear, you won’t break through.”

“It shouldn’t be you staying behind—”

“No, it must be me. This plan was mine; if not for me, you wouldn’t be here. Now that it’s failed, I must bear the consequences. Besides, for the kingdom, I’m just a traitor. I can die, but you cannot. The kingdom soon faces upheaval; when trouble comes, someone must guard the southern gate, and that someone can only be you.”

With that, the Wraith snatched Ryan’s helmet, donned it, and waved him off. “Go, take your best men and Dima with you. All my contacts are in his hands. And if you get the chance, tell that one-armed fool—thank you, no, I mean, I’m sorry.”

He finished, ignored Ryan, raised his sword, and shouted to the soldiers in Ryan’s voice.

“Warriors of the kingdom, show your courage—charge!”

“Kill!” The word thundered from his throat, and the Wraith gripped his sword, charging at Karen at the forefront.

Under his lead, the soldiers of Moon Worship City found their morale reignited, launching a frenzied assault against Karen.

While the Wraith led the charge, Ryan drew a deep breath, reaching out several times to stop him, but ultimately turned away, leading his elite troops and Dima in a breakout. With Ryan’s escape, the battle drew to its close…