"Fifteen days? Impossible, the Beastmen will definitely not wait that long to launch an attack. I estimate that they will be on the move by tomorrow at the latest... or perhaps this afternoon, we are in for a fierce battle..."
Dustin shook his head and said.
The soldier, however, displayed a hint of anticipation on his face.
"Army Commander, we have five Holy Rank warriors on our side, along with seven Chimeras. Let those damned Beastmen come! I don’t believe they’ll make it back alive!"
Clearly, the arrival of the Elf Clan and Dwarf Clan last night had given him immense confidence.
With five Holy Rank stationed at Kuhan City, he didn’t think there was any army capable of taking it down.
But beside him, Dustin wasn’t as optimistic.
Dustin’s expression remained stern as he kept his eyes fixed on the distant Beastman army that looked like ants. He parted his lips slightly and sighed:
"Ah... I’m afraid things aren’t as simple as we imagine..."
The personal soldier cast a puzzled look, but Dustin did not elaborate further.
As an Army Commander, there were things he couldn’t say that would dampen his own troops’ morale.
Maybe the ordinary soldiers weren’t aware, but as a seasoned veteran and an Eighth Rank Great Knight, Dustin had a clear grasp of the current strength within Kuhan City.
Indeed, the Holy Rank is formidable, and those Chimera Sub-dragons are too.
But that all depends on the Beast Race army having limited numbers; in such a scenario, victory might come easily.
However, the current situation is unlike that, with the Beast Race army too numerous, far exceeding the Alliance Army’s numbers by tenfold.
In such a situation, even a Holy Rank warrior, no matter how capable of killing, how many could he possibly kill?
Five thousand? Ten thousand? Or fifty thousand?
Bear in mind, Holy Rank warriors aren’t perpetual motion machines; once their internal Energy runs out, their Strength will decline dramatically.
And the Beast Race has an army of millions; if they decide to attack the city at all costs, sacrificing lives to overwhelm, they could pile up and overcome the Holy Rank.
Though the power of the Holy Rank is great, it is not entirely Invincible, at least not against such numbers of the Beast Race army, it’s barely impressive.
If the attacking army were humans instead, perhaps the Holy Rank’s massacre could intimidate other survivors.
But the attackers are single-minded Beastmen, who, once caught up in the battle and see blood, will fight recklessly, unfazed by their comrades’ Death.
This is why, despite being detested by all other races across the continent, the Beast Race remains unextinguished.
The fact is, their numbers are too numerous, claiming the entire northern grasslands as their kin.
"Perhaps, we could implement a decapitation tactic..."
Dustin Watts squinted his eyes.
Holy Rank warriors may struggle in a head-on collision against so many Beastmen, but if they could break into the enemy camp and assassinate the commander, or even the Beast King, it would be easy.
But the problem now is, among the million-strong Beastman army, finding the commander’s position is not easy.
"By common sense, those brainless Beastmen, once they start fighting, usually the commander leads the charge..."
"However, knowing there are several Holy Rank stationed at Kuhan City, they should avoid making such foolish decisions..."
"Ah..."
Dustin Watts sighed, knowing the next steps might be challenging.
Just at this moment, a group of approximately several hundred split off from the distant Beastman army, charging toward Kuhan City on Grassland Magic Wolves at high speed.
"What’s going on?"
Dustin was bewildered by the scene unfolding before him.
Are the Beastmen trying to negotiate by sending these few hundred over, or are they attempting to persuade surrender?
The speed of the Grassland Magic Wolves was swift, completing five kilometers in less than two minutes, arriving outside the fifteen-meter high Kuhan City Wall.
On the Magic Wolves’ backs sat uniformly Beast Race’s elite Wolf Cavalry, led by a Beastman General exceeding two meters tall, clad in exquisite armor.
"Cowards of the Human Clan! I am Beastman Governor Ogatlon! I’ve come here today to initiate the Agvalon Ceremony against your Holy Rank! I challenge your Holy Rank!"
Once the Beastman arrived beneath the city gate, he shouted loudly. His voice was extraordinarily loud, clear even to the civilians hiding within the city.
"Ogatlon!!"
Dustin immediately recognized the identity of the newcomer.
Though the two had never crossed swords, they were both Eighth Rank entities and leaders of their respective forces, naturally familiar with one another.
"Ogatlon! You do not have the qualification to challenge the Holy One!"
Upon hearing this, the Beastman Governor below burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! The cowardice of the Human Clan truly astounds me! What, are you planning to evade the sacred Agvalon Ceremony?!"
His words incited the guards atop the city gate, who erupted in indignation, hurling curses at the Beastman below.
On this continent, the Agvalon Ceremony is the most sacred challenge ritual, usually initiated from low-level to high-level, embodying a fearless spirit of life and Death.
Hence, if such a challenge is refused, the refuser will be permanently branded a coward, a cowardly person; undoubtedly an unbearable disgrace.
Now, Ogatlon, invoking the name of the Agvalon Ceremony, challenges the Holy Rank within the city, practically forcing them to accept the battle.
After all, the dignity of the Holy Rank isn’t easily insulted.
If truly refused, it would be the five Holy Rank within the city who face the humiliation.
Thus, this is precisely Ogatlon’s overt scheme, an unavoidable battle.
But the soldiers within the city are not at all nervous.
Because, in their view, on their side are Holy-grade warriors; how could they let an ordinary Beastman Governor defeat them?
Yet Dustin smelled a hint of conspiracy from it.
He understands Ogatlon; the opponent wouldn’t be this foolish.
An Eighth Rank fighting against a Ninth Rank, regardless of profession, stands almost no chance.
"Could it be that he has already broken through to the Ninth Rank?"
Dustin scrutinized the opponent closely but could not discern any signs of the Ninth-order Strong People’s unique harmony with nature.
"Still Eighth Rank... Impossible... Who gave him the courage to do this...?"
The Army Commander wore an expression of doubt, thinking things might not be that simple, suspecting hidden traps.
"Ogatlon, you are not worthy of challenging the Holy One! I will be your opponent!"
After considering for a moment, he loudly replied.
All the soldiers around focused their gaze on him.
Some wanted to step forward to dissuade him but knew they could not show fear, so halted their steps.
Among those present, only this Army Commander was an Eighth Rank; if he didn’t take to the field, truly only the Holy Ones could step in.
As Dustin’s words fell, he leaped down from the city wall and landed steadily opposite Ogatlon.
The Beastman Governor glanced him up and down, displaying a hint of disdain, saying:
"You? Want to duel me? You don’t have the Strength!"
His words immediately sparked uproar, prompting "friendly greetings" from the guards on the city walls.
"Whether I have the Strength isn’t determined by mere words, let’s go! If you can’t even defeat me, then what qualifies you to challenge the Holy One!"
Dustin removed the large shield from his back and the Longsword from his waist, pointing the tip towards the Beastman Governor nearby, taking a combat stance.
"Hehe, since you’re courting Death, don’t blame me."
Ogatlon sneered and twisted his neck, raising his broad-bladed sword too.
Seeing this, the Wolf Cavalry accompanying Ogatlon consciously retreated, leaving ample space for the two to duel.

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