Main storyline updated, quests modified, castle defense underway.
The dungeon expedition team instantly transformed into a “Protect the Carrot” brigade as everyone began constructing defensive lines around the small manor in front of the castle.
“So reliable, Miss Demon-Hunting Nun.”
“If it weren’t for the nun’s intelligence, we’d have foolishly walked straight into the Magic Forest.”
“Just thinking about it makes me scared.”
“Yeah, exactly.”
Surprisingly, the first to trust the Demon-Hunting Nun within the expedition team were the eight Heretic Inquisition Knights. Although there had been some minor friction before, they were now completely won over by the nun’s aura and eloquence.
Especially her eloquence, this was the most essential skill for a clergy member, because it allowed her to persuade more comrades to join the holy war.
Samimi truly understood the art of speech; not only did the Inquisition Knights trust her, but even the Papal Left Hand had absolute faith in her. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind regarding the nun’s words.
It was precisely because of his endorsement that Samimi’s plans could proceed, allowing her to command this expedition team filled with hidden agendas.
Aside from the Church knights, five elite Kingdom Knights also trusted the Demon-Hunting Nun’s words and began establishing the defenses.
For them, it wasn’t a matter of belief, it was about following orders. They couldn’t just slack off. Work hard and talk less, that was the style of the elite Kingdom Knights.
However, some still resented Samimi, especially the youngest hotheads in the team.
“Damn that nun.”
Director General Messerine felt her authority completely stripped away, all of it taken by the Demon-Hunting Nun.
She had become a lone figure, sitting uselessly at the castle gate while the Inquisition Knights and the Papal Left Hand obediently followed the nun’s orders to get to work. No one listened to her anymore.
On top of that, she had been assigned to the rear, guarding the castle gate. This was a blatant sign of distrust in her abilities!
Director General Messerine sat alone on the steps in front of the castle gate, propping her chin on her hand, lost in thought, her heart heavy with frustration.
Besides the Director General, two young Spearman adventurers and a mysterious Archer also held strong resentment toward Samimi.
The Spearmen’s resentment was simple: Samimi was far too young. Why was she so amazing at such a young age? They were inwardly displeased.
But despite their grudge, they had no choice but to obey the Demon-Hunting Nun’s orders, following their mentor, the Mad Moon Disciple, to help build the defenses.
Finally, there was the mysterious young female Archer.
Her dislike of Samimi was far more complex.
Unlike the other three young hotheads who were only half-convinced of Samimi, she completely distrusted her, internally denying Samimi’s very existence from start to finish.
As to why? No one knew it was just too mysterious (laughs).
“This manor is easy to defend but hard to attack. However, we don’t have many people, so we must find an efficient way to kill enemies.”
Samimi knew they didn’t trust her, but what could she do? They were just inexperienced roadside beauties who hadn’t matured yet, hardly worth worrying about. She still had to figure out how to survive the dungeon.
“The castle sits atop a cliff, and there’s only one path leading up. This is our greatest piece of good fortune.”
“We only have to defend one direction, which greatly reduces the pressure. But even so, we cannot afford to be careless.”
“The enemy is the terrifying and unknown Blood Clan monsters. Even I only have intelligence on them—I’ve never actually seen a real Vampire.”
Samimi led her Demon Hunter Team, flanked by the Mad Moon Disciple and the Papal Left Hand, patrolling the surrounding area to strengthen defenses.
Starting with the terrain—the front of the castle featured a small manor with several houses, and most importantly, a sturdy surrounding wall. This was an absolute boon for the defenders.
The Adjudication Knights and Kingdom Knights focused on reinforcing this wall, barricading the main gate, and organizing night watch posts to ensure nothing slipped through.
Once the basic tactics were set, the Mad Moon Disciple and the Papal Left Hand joined the defensive lines, walking to their assigned points to familiarize themselves with the battlefield before the fight.
“Qiqido, find a high sniper position,” Samimi ordered.
“I’m a close-combat archer. I’m not accurate at long range; I need to shoot face-to-face,” Qiqido replied.
“Alright then. At night, Captain, you’ll command Niubao and Qiqido in combat. But be careful not to be reckless. Karl, you don’t need to join the frontline defenses—take charge of logistics,” Samimi directed.
Everyone nodded in agreement, following the orders.
Watching the team build an ironclad defense, Samimi nodded with satisfaction.
The expedition team members were all professionals, and nothing had arisen yet to spike Samimi’s blood pressure.
However, her original plan had failed.
She had planned to lead the Demon Hunter Team and just run away, leaving others to their fate. But now, that was impossible.
Plans can’t keep up with changing circumstances. Besides, a castle defense was no place to abandon teammates. She couldn’t just trick others into the Undead Forest to die. She had been foolish.
“What about those two archers refusing orders? Aren’t you going to say something?” Captain Frolro whispered.
“Don’t bother with them. Once the fighting starts, they’ll find their own positions,” Samimi replied.
“Why?” Frolro sounded confused.
“They’re not close-combat archers. They’ll find their own spots,” Samimi smiled. “Let’s eat first. You need strength to fight.”
“After seeing that cliff, do you still have an appetite?” Frolro asked.
“No food means no strength to fight. We need to hold out for the long haul; don’t let yourself burn out on day one,” Samimi said.
“By the way, how long do we have to hold the castle?” Frolro asked.
“I don’t know either.” Samimi looked up at the Black Sun in the sky, helpless. “Could be one day, ten days, maybe ten years. We have to endure until the Seal repairs itself. Every extra day we survive delays the extinction of the Human Race by one day.”
Everyone went into the warehouse to sit down, gnawing on dry rations, squeezing in rest time.
Gradually,
The Black Sun in the Spiritual Alien Space began to set.
The entire land sank into a pure darkness so thick you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.
“Hu! Hu! Hu! Hu! Hu! Hu!”
Fortunately, the expedition team was prepared.
They placed bonfires throughout the manor’s corners to dispel the darkness.
Several large bonfires were even set outside the walls, illuminating the entire battlefield.
The Human Race knights climbed the walls, silently watching the eerie Magic Forest in the distance, alert to any movement.
“Woo~ Woo~ Woo~”
Soon, shadows flickered within the eerie forest, accompanied by unsettling howls and mournful cries of the Human Race.
A stench of rot hit first, as mangled humanoid monsters leapt from the forest.
Their twisted limbs and grotesque gait rapidly advanced toward the walls, ready to attack.
“The Zombie Horde is coming.”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.