Chapter 277: Chapter 53: Legend! Legend! (Part 1)

The disorienting sensation of spatial distortion abruptly faded as his feet planted on solid ground.

The familiar air of the Eagle’s Beak Peak hollow, a mixture of sulfur and metallic rust, filled his nostrils. Though still acrid, it was far less oppressive than the air in the Deep Red Wilderness.

Wait!

Less oppressive?

Just a little less!

Murphy quickly looked up. The Plane Passage at the summit of Eagle’s Beak Peak, originally over thirty meters in diameter and resembling a giant sore on the sky, had now shrunk to less than ten meters!

The twisting and writhing at its edges had slowed, and the roiling streams of Chaotic Energy within had grown dim and thin, like a spring on the verge of drying up.

When they had first entered, there had been monsters around, but they were nowhere near as densely packed as they were now.

Now, as far as the eye could see, the mountain ridges, the rock crevices, and the scorched earth teemed with dark red figures.

Large Scorching Beasts, Earth Rock Worms, and even Frenzied Flying Cockroaches—which Murphy had only encountered deep within the Deep Red Wilderness—circled low in the sky...

They wandered and gathered around the peak, turning this entire area into a massive monster nest.

The foul, savage stench permeating the air was almost suffocating.

Even more disheartening was the sight in the direction of the distant Blackstone Fortress.

Faintly visible plumes of thick smoke rose to the sky, accompanied by an ominous glow of fire.

Even here on Eagle’s Beak Peak, they could feel an extremely faint tremor coming from under their feet.

"The passage is shrinking..." the younger of the Storm Twin Blades Brothers said hoarsely, leaning on a makeshift crutch, but there was little joy in his eyes.

Ostun, the representative from the Golden Coast, managed to stumble out. When he saw the surrounding monsters, a sound like a choked sob escaped his throat, and he nearly collapsed again.

Just then, the expression of Knight Commander Raymond, who had been silently observing the distant Blackstone Fortress, suddenly turned exceptionally dark.

"Something’s wrong..." he muttered, his eyes locked on the unusual glow and pillar of smoke above the fortress.

"Commander Raymond?" one of the Temple Knights asked, noticing his strange expression.

Knight Commander Raymond whipped his head around, his gaze sweeping over the group of battered survivors behind him who had lost most of their combat strength. His voice carried an unprecedented weight and urgency. "Blackstone Fortress... the situation is dire! Judging by the sounds and that fire... the outer wall has likely already fallen, or is about to fall! We must get back there immediately!"

At his words, the surviving Great Knights all paled.

"Knight Commander..." Knight Armand clutched a wound on his side that had begun to bleed again, his facial muscles twitching. "Look at the state we’re in... most of us are severely injured, exhausted, and our Life Energy is depleted... To get to the fortress from here, we have to cross at least ten-plus kilometers of monster-infested territory... We... I’m afraid we won’t be able to break through."

The highlander in the tattered wolf skin leaned against a rock, staring at the distant monsters. A heavy gasp escaped his throat as he shook his head.

The Iron Wall Imperial Guard Commander silently leaned on his lance. His heavy Black Armor was stained with blood, and every breath he took was a heavy, rattling sound.

Ostun, however, shrieked in terror, "No! We can’t go back! Going back is suicide! We barely made it out... The Church Court promised they’d provide support for our escape! We should find a place to hide and wait for rescue!"

"Wait for rescue?" Knight Commander Raymond cut him off sharply. "If Blackstone Fortress falls, the entire Iron Ridge Mountain Range defense line will collapse! The monsters will pour in unopposed. Where will there be a ’safe place’ to wait for rescue then? When the nest is overturned, no egg stays unbroken!"

He took a deep breath, suppressing the sharp pain from his wounds and the anxiety in his heart. His gaze became resolute. "The Church Court’s support... from the looks of it now, we probably can’t count on it. We must save ourselves, and we must... fulfill our final duty."

His gaze shifted to the five Temple Knights behind him who could still move, albeit with difficulty.

"Templar Order, hear my command!" Raymond’s voice echoed in the mountain wind. Though hoarse, it carried the solemnity of a martyr. "Our mission is not yet over. Blackstone Fortress is in grave danger. Our brothers and comrades who need our protection are there, as is the core of the defense line that may still be holding. I have decided: the Templar Order will depart immediately to reinforce the fortress!"

Despite their injuries, with two of them being severely wounded, the five Temple Knights straightened their backs without hesitation upon hearing his words. They balled their right hands into fists and struck their battered Chest Armor, producing a dull THUD. "As you command! For the glory of Oriane!"

Knight Commander Raymond gave one last look at the other surviving Great Knights. There was no coercion or condemnation in his voice, only a heavy tone as he said, "Your wounds are grave, and the path ahead is perilous. Whether you come with us is your own decision. But remember, if the fortress falls, this place will be no sanctuary. May the Radiance of Truth guide you."

After speaking, he said no more. He gave a low shout, "Templar Order, form an assault formation! Target, Blackstone Fortress! Forward!"

The six Knights formed a tiny but exceptionally steadfast triangular formation. A faint white Holy Light once again began to glow from their broken Armor and weapons.

Without the slightest hesitation, they charged resolutely along a mountain ridge where the monster density was relatively lower, yet still dangerous. They soon made contact with the wandering monsters, and the sounds of battle rang out once more.

In the hollow, the remaining figures—Knight Armand, the highlander, Ostun, and the others—watched the receding backs of the Templar Order, their expressions complex as they fell into a difficult silence.

’Go back?’

’Almost certain death.’