"Killing these Rotten Corpses isn't so hard after all," Field said, his confidence surging as he flicked the filthy blood from his sword.
"My Lord, watch out!"
Another Rotten Corpse, severed at the waist, seized the opening and crawled forward, its teeth snapping at Field's ankle. At the critical moment, Ashina snatched a pitchfork from the wooden cart and drove it hard into the creature's spine, pinning it to the ground.
"Whew! Well done!"
A cold sweat broke out on Field as he stumbled back several steps, his heart pounding violently. That was too close!
Though the Church's clergy could cure corpse venom, the cost was exorbitant. No cure came for less than a hundred gold coins.
Regaining his composure after the intense palpitations, Field took a deep breath. He ruffled Ashina's hair gratefully. "For saving my life, Ashina, I'll reward you with one gold coin!"
Ashina's eyes practically turned to sparkling gold coins. She'd never seen so much money in her life. "Eh? Really? But... I was just doing what I should."
These Rotten Corpses weren't like the zombies from horror tales. Any weapon thrust into their bodies inflicted damage.
More Rotten Corpses surged forward, gnashing their teeth and brandishing their claws as they attacked the barricade formed by the wooden carts.
Seeing the creatures weren't overwhelmingly strong and couldn't breach the cart wall, and witnessing their Lord and even the frail-looking girl fighting back, many of the enslaved men grabbed farming tools and joined the counterattack against the zombies outside the barrier.
Field wasted no time either, raising his sword to continue the slaughter.
As crimson blossoms splattered one after another, numerous Rotten Corpses fell beneath the farmers' tools and Field's longsword.
"Aaagh!"
A sudden scream pierced the air. One of Connor's cavalrymen, while maneuvering near the formation, had his cloak seized by a Rotten Corpse dressed as a village woman. A violent yank sent the horseman tumbling backward, legs flailing.
*CRACK~*
The abrupt fall caused the back of his skull to strike the ground. Instantly, the unlucky man lay still.
"Shit! Useless!" Connor roared in fury.
What infuriated him even more was that Field hadn't been scared witless. Instead, the young lord was calmly directing the slaves.
"Chop the heads off every corpse. Pile them together and burn them on the spot," Field commanded. He'd been cramming knowledge about the Corruption during the journey. The corpses of these corrupted humans posed a severe environmental hazard if left unattended, quickly becoming new sources of pollution. Field frowned, his gaze troubled as he looked toward the distant grey fog merging with the horizon. "We haven't even reached Duskwind Territory yet, and we're already encountering so many zombies. Not a good sign."
Sure, his family disliked him and had exiled him, but sending him straight into a corpse-infested zone? That was downright cruel.
"Thank you for your aid, Milord!"
The fleeing refugees acted as if they'd seen their long-lost father. They crawled forward on their knees, then prostrated themselves before Field, kissing his boots.
"May the God of War light your path!"
Field accepted their gratitude calmly. He scanned the refugees, bedraggled as beggars. "Where are you from? How are there so many Rotten Corpses? Shouldn't those corrupted creatures be held back by the towering walls of Ka Mountain Fortress?"
"It was the Death Mist! That grey fog from the Northern Wastes... it seeped through the fortress walls and engulfed our Oak Village. It happened at night. Most villagers were asleep, corrupted by the mist in their dreams... turned into Rotten Corpses. Only we managed to escape." The villager trembled violently, shaking like a leaf, as if reliving a horrific nightmare.
The grey fog, known as the Death Mist, was said to be the root of the Corruption. Mixed in the air, once inhaled by plants or animals, it swiftly killed the host and transformed them into corrupted monsters. Only those possessing Lord's abilities, or the Chosen Ones, were immune.
Alternatively, one could purchase the Church's Absolution Lamps to disperse the mist. Of course, they were exorbitantly priced. Field had spent fifty gold coins for just two lamps – and that was only because of his noble status.
Field listened quietly to their account. He frowned. "What about your Lord? As far as I know, every border fortress has a Chosen One stationed precisely to prevent the mist from penetrating."
"The Baron and the Chosen One went to investigate traces of a heretical cult. Only the Baron's son remains in the castle."
"Let's go. We'll pay a visit to the master of this place," Field declared once everyone had regrouped. He mounted his horse.
Reaching Duskwind Territory required permission from the local Baron.
Upon arriving at Ka Mountain Fortress, Field was awestruck by the sheer grandeur of the citadel. The continuous stone walls and rounded towers formed a formidable, towering defense system integrated with the mountains. The walls, wide enough for cavalry, bristled with ballistae, catapults, and cauldrons of boiling oil. Such fortifications would make even a hundred-thousand-strong army break like waves against a cliff. Everywhere, the griffin banners fluttered powerfully, proclaiming the might of the old empire.
But the biggest problem was immediately apparent.
"Where is everyone?"
Field gaped. The entire outer wall was utterly deserted. Not a single soul in sight.
Connor also paled. "Could they have been taken by an orcish surprise attack? If the orcs breached Ka Mountain Fortress, the entire province would fall instantly!"
"Probably not. It wouldn't be this quiet if they had," Field reasoned.
Fortunately, after advancing a short distance, Field spotted torchlight flickering from the fortress's inner citadel.
"Halt! Who goes there?" a voice shouted from the walls. Torchlight revealed numerous heads moving behind the battlements – clearly, the castle was well-manned.
*Why on earth would they suddenly abandon the outer military stronghold?* Field wondered.
"I am Baron Field of House Roth, en route to take up my post at Duskwind Territory. Please open the gates of Ka Mountain Fortress and let us pass."
The officer on the wall seemed hesitant. After a moment's pause, he called over a young man – the son of Baron Bull.
"No! My father hasn't returned! No one tricks open these gates! Leave now, or we loose arrows!"
Hearing the absolute refusal from the wall, Field's mouth twitched. He guessed the young man had been terrified witless by the Rotten Corpses. "It's me, Field!" he shouted back. "I even donated funds here! Remember? I'm not your enemy!"
"Just a few stinking coins? The whole Empire sends money to the border! Who the hell do you think you are, expecting me to remember? Damned outsider, coming to Bull Barony to make a fool of yourself!"
*Screw it. Of course, nobles are rarely decent,* Field thought, grinding his teeth. The original owner's last act of kindness had gone down the drain. If only he had soldiers, he'd storm the place immediately. Forcing patience, he tried again, "These villagers, I rescued them on the road. You—"
Field didn't get to finish before curses rained down.
"Damn it! You think my castle has food to spare? Who asked you to save those worthless fools? Meddling bastard! Bring them one step closer, and I'll give the order to shoot!"