Game of the World Tree

The rhythmic ‘swishing’ sound echoing from afar steadily grew louder as it got closer.

It was the noise of metal scraping against stone, a synchronized sound that grew louder, akin to thunder, and soon it quickly drew the attention of both sides on the battlefield.

Creatures inhabiting the Underdark were familiar with this noise, as it was the sound of crypt spiders moving swiftly, their metallic legs striking the ground.

“A-Are those… Crypt Spiders?!”

Looking at the eight-legged figures appearing on the edge of the border, the chief of the Holy City of Itkazar opened his mouth wide.

Crypt Spiders are colonial creatures, dwelling deep underground all year-round, and Dark-Dwarves often encounter them in the mines.

These beasts, which usually feed on minerals and occasionally prey on sentient beings, are nearly impossible to tame.

Moreover, as collective creatures, Crypt Spiders usually have a queen that controls all the lesser spider broods. This queen typically hides deep underground, making her hard to find and even harder to tame due to her proud nature.

Those powerful enough to subdue them did not want them, and those who desired them lacked the strength to capture them.

As such, within the world underground, no one had ever heard of anyone using Crypt Spiders as mounts.

Yet now, he was witnessing a group of elves riding Crypt Spiders?!

By the gods!

How did these elves manage to do that?

At this moment, the leader of Itkazar furrowed his brow, his eyes darting in disbelief as he struggled to comprehend the absurdity of the situation before him.

However, leaving his confusion aside, seeing the elves coming as support quickly lifted his spirits.

Elves!

Undoubtedly, these were the reinforcements foretold by their Patron Deity’s divine oracle!

With reinforcements also came hope.

Itkazar’s chieftain scanned his surroundings, then bit his lip and shouted:

“Our reinforcements have arrived! Hold on, everyone!”

With it being enhanced by magic, the chieftain’s voice quickly spread to every corner of the city wall. And upon hearing his words, the soldiers of the Hermetic Alliance felt a renewed surge of energy as their dwindling morale was bolstered by his encouraging call.

The noise of the crypt spider cavalry steadily marching grew louder and louder to the point that even in the fiercest parts of the battlefield, some soldiers noticed the sudden sound.

When the soldiers saw the rising dust and the immense number of crypt spiders, they were first stunned, then erupted into cheers as the morale of the Hermetic Alliance soared further, and their previously precarious situation began to stabilize with the knowledge that reinforcements had finally arrived.

With their newfound vigor, the defending soldiers roared and launched counterattacks in some areas.

In war, momentum is very crucial.

The sudden arrival of reinforcements acted as a tonic for the Hermetic Alliance, bolstering their morale and strengthening their resolve on the battlefield. However, in contrast, the Dark Alliance was thrown into disarray by the unexpected turn of events.

In some areas where there were fewer stationed undead and goblins, the dark army was even pushed back by the Hermetic Alliance, being driven off the walls.

Whilst watching the dust rising in the southeast, the Lich King stood in his camp on the hill, seemingly unsurprised.

“Elves? So they’ve finally arrived. This must be the Hermetic Alliance’s trump card.”

Perone then turned to face Dorulu, who was gazing dazedly at the spider cavalry in the distance, and said indifferently,

“Dorulu, I recall you telling me that those elves supporting the Hermetic Alliance were all infantry mercenaries.”

Hearing the Lich King’s words, Dorulu shuddered.

Forcing out an awkward smile, the traitorous gnome answered nervously:

“W-Well… Lord Perone, I didn’t expect those elves to use Crypt Spiders as their trump card…”

“But don’t worry, Your Majesty! There are no large crypt spider colonies in the western region, so their spider cavalry must be limited in number!”

“Moreover, although these elves can resurrect, there are only twenty thousand of them, and they’re all only at the mid to low Iron-rank! Without a teleportation array, it won’t matter once we defeat them, even if they can resurrect!”

After hearing Dorulu’s explanation, the Lich King merely turned his gaze away.

He then looked at a gray-robed mage standing nearby, who respectfully stated:

“Your Majesty, what Dorulu said is indeed true.”

This particular grey-hooded mage was the one Dorulu had met in the tavern beforehand and the key figure who infiltrated Shanathar and swayed Dorulu to turn to their side.

After listening to his words, the Lich King finally nodded slightly as he raised his head and commanded:

“Form a defensive formation and block those charging elves!”

Following his order, the rear ranks of the Dark Alliance army immediately sprang into action. The soldiers at the back erected long shield walls, while the spearmen thrust their spears through the gaps in the shields, forming a defense line against the approaching spider cavalry.

Seeing his soldiers’ orderly movements, the Lich King, Perone, was left feeling quite satisfied.

In truth, Perone wanted to personally engage in battle, but the presence of High Priest Niel stationed on the wall made him wary, causing him to reconsider.

A formation of fifteen thousand soldiers should be enough to halt the charge of a thousand elven cavalry.

With this thought, Perone looked back at the rapidly approaching elves.

Initially, only a little over a thousand elves came into his view.

They wore splendid armor and rode fearsome Crypt Spiders, running and shouting like wolves spotting prey, as if the mere sight of the Dark Alliance army have thoroughly excited them.

But as they got closer and closer, their numbers too continued to increase…

From the initial one thousand…

To two thousand…

Then at three thousand…

Finally, as the dust settled, more and more elven cavalry appeared, making Dorulu’s eyelids twitch, while Perone’s gaze flickered with slight surprise.

The Lich King’s camp fell silent as the full might of the elven army was revealed.

Twenty thousand elven cavalry emerged, their silhouettes stark against the horizon. They were mounted on Crypt Spiders, their eight-legged steeds moving with eerie grace, or on other monstrous beasts bred for war.

Dorulu was utterly stunned.

“H-How… how is this possible?”

He stared wide-eyed, mumbling incoherently.

Crack…

The ground beneath Perone’s feet fractured, as his aura surged, a palpable menace that sent a shiver through the air.

The high-ranking members of the Dark Alliance felt a chill, recognizing this as a sign of their leader’s fury.

However, they understood completely.

No one had expected that the Hermetic Alliance’s reinforcements would consist entirely of cavalry!

Twenty thousand spider cavalry, in fact!

These elves, who came as reinforcements of the city-state of Shanathar, all had their own mounted beasts!

Considering the combat enhancements provided by those beasts, this force’s battle capability was far greater than its numbers suggested, elevating it by several levels.

The thunderous sound of the twenty thousand-strong cavalry marching echoed through the immediate vicinity, hitting everyone’s hearts like a boulder.

Leading the charge were the crypt spider knights, clad in heavy armor, making them heavy cavalry. These were the players who had chosen the tank warrior class.

They formed a wedge-shaped formation at the front of the cavalry corps.

Meanwhile, behind them were ordinary warriors, brandishing swords and spears, shouting fiercely.

Finally, there were archers, mages, and druids.

Some nocked arrows on their bows, while others chanted spells one after another…

With their actions, arrows rained down in a dazzling display of skills, striking the Dark Alliance army first.

Then, under the enhancement of colorful magical buffs, the entire cavalry corps, like a sharp blade, finally pierced through the shield wall formed by the Dark Alliance army.

— 385 —

【 UNSTOPPABLE FORCE 】

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