Chapter 455: 443 Life and Death_1
The Felkorde Empire, also commonly known as the Western Empire.

At its peak, this old empire’s territory once touched every corner of the continent.

Whether it was the Dawn Forest or the Cordan Plains, or the Dragon Bone Wasteland or the Snow Field, all were once involved.

However, since the powerful empire split in two, the strength and status of the Felkorde Empire on the continent have been in decline.

And now, this old empire is on the brink of life and death.

Located to the southeast of the Western Empire, the Eastern Empire’s Castilla army has already surrounded the Mud Quagmire Fort, and a total attack could happen at any time.

If it weren’t for the peculiar geographical environment around the border city of Mud Quagmire Fort, where the vile sludge from the Death Swamp surrounds it, the Eastern Empire might have already launched an attack.

Death Swamp is a vast swamp, about a third of which is within the territory of the Western Empire.

Another third belongs to the Eastern Empire, while the rest is unclaimed land.

The reason for this is that the remaining third is close to the Dark Forest, where powerful demons and undead creatures often emerge.

As a result, most normal creatures generally avoid this area.

However, the most dangerous thing about Death Swamp is its natural environment.

If one were to venture deep into the Death Forest without an experienced guide, they would most likely sink in an unnamed corner.

In order to prevent this from happening, the Eastern Empire is currently waiting for a large number of wooden boards to be delivered to cover the swampy mud.

Otherwise, launching an attack carelessly may result in the loss of a large number of soldiers being swallowed up by the Death Swamp.

Of course, if the Eastern Empire were to use one of its Floating Cities, things would become much simpler.

However, unlike the Western Empire, which lost its Floating City, the Eastern Empire would not easily use its Floating City unless it could guarantee absolute safety.

In fact, its deterrent effect is far greater than its strategic use. Only a brainless ruler like the one in the Western Empire would agree so readily to let Stania move away from the Eastern Empire and venture deep into the Dragon Bone Wasteland alone.

This time, the Eastern Empire has declared war on the Western Empire and is definitely determined. This can be seen from the elite soldiers stationed in front of Mud Quagmire Fort.

They are the Crimson Legion, the personal troops of the Eastern Empire’s Empress, and the elite of the elite.

As for Mud Quagmire Fort, it is filled with ordinary soldiers, and even farmers who have been urgently conscripted from the surrounding area.

These misfits alone would definitely not be able to stop the Crimson Legion, but reinforcements from the Western Empire are already on their way.

The Western Empire also understands the gravity of the situation and will absolutely not easily surrender Mud Quagmire Fort to the Eastern Empire.

The same logic also applies to Mel City.

Mel City is a border city between the Western Empire and the Feliton central region and is similar in strategic position and surrounding circumstances to Tamora Fortress.

The only difference is that Mel City is not only a military fortress but also an important commercial hub for the Western Empire leading to Felton, Farrand, and the Dawn Forest.

However, now there is no trace of the previous prosperity, as the assets of various trade associations were forcibly confiscated for military expenditure and their guards and servants were conscripted.

Even if these trade associations were backed by many high-ranking nobles, the current Mel City could not afford to care about such things in the face of the imminent threat of invasion.

Even a certain Chief Knight and Prince were forcibly thrown into jail, and their subordinates were forced into the ranks of the garrison.

As for the precious items they brought with them, they had all been used as military expenses.

It can be said that the relationship between the Western Empire and Felton is now completely torn apart.

But, to be blunt, Felton is already a fallen nation, and Mel City is filled with terrifying monsters. At this time, there is no one foolish enough to feel sympathy for them.

At this moment, the person in charge of commanding the entire Mel City is Duke Carmela, a legendary swordsman of the Western Empire.

His strength is among the top in the entire continent.

Of course, this is on the premise that Konoheim does not act.

However, even Duke Carmela is on the verge of collapse when witnessing the countless monsters and Nord people below the city walls.

Although he is a legendary swordsman, he is not a god. With this number of monsters, if he were thrown into the fray, he might massacre many at first, but when his strength is exhausted, he would be torn to pieces and devoured by countless monsters.

Therefore, the safest strategy for now is to stick to the city walls.

At this time, if Feliton’s Chief Knight Kari was standing beside Duke Carmela, he might remind the duke to be careful about what lies beneath the ground.

Unfortunately, Kari and the Feliton Prince are currently locked in a dungeon, counting the number of spiderwebs in the corner out of boredom.

However, even if Kari wasn’t locked up in the dungeon, he might still avoid mentioning it, as he still holds a grudge against the Western Empire for not coming to the aid of Tamora.

But in reality, Carmela would naturally be willing to help Tamora if possible, but the Western Empire already had two expeditionary forces suffer losses in the Dragon Bone Wasteland.

Even if the empire’s foundation is deep, it takes time to mobilize a large number of troops again.

More importantly, while the empire still has reserves, most of these forces belong to the nobles who were granted land in various parts of the empire.

It takes a lot of time just to gather these forces, and not every noble is willing to contribute their private soldiers for the nation.

Just like the trade associations in Mel City, if it weren’t for Duke Carmela’s timely conscription, they might have already fled with a large number of essential supplies under the protection of numerous guards.

“The empire has already rotted to the core…”

Duke Carmela sighed helplessly before looking at a flag behind him.

The flag’s base was red, with a chilling emblem engraved on it.

It was a circle surrounded by five terrifying muscular arms, each holding a curved blade.

This was the sacred emblem of the God of War Garagos, one of the deities worshipped by the Western Empire.

And Duke Carmela was the most loyal follower of the God of War.

Duke Carmela turned his gaze back to the countless monsters and Nord people below the city walls, his heart already determined.

If it really comes to the most critical moment, even at the cost of his own life, he would keep these filthy monsters and shameless Nord traitors outside Mel City!