Chapter 193: “Pale Knight” Crutel

“What should we do?”

Rehanna was the first to ask.

The others fixed their eyes on Nolan as well, their expressions intent as they waited for their lord to continue.

They had only just repelled the enemy’s encirclement. Casualties had been light, but the entire army was exhausted and in need of rest and recovery. Holding Coldsteel City would buy them more time to develop, and the Black Armored Legion still needed to expand. Otherwise, their overwhelming disadvantage in numbers would become their greatest weakness in any offensive campaign.

In defense, formations and fortifications could offset a gap in manpower. But attacking tens of thousands with only three thousand elites? Even if the enemy stood still like wooden dummies, they would be worn down to death.

Nolan understood their concerns. This was no impulsive suspicion born of the moment, but a lesson written in blood from his previous life.

He remembered it clearly. In the original course of events, Archduke Demont had suffered repeated defeats in the southern rebellion. Pressed on both sides by the kingdom’s southern legions and the royal guard from Alde Territory, he had been driven into a corner. With no way out, the old fox resorted to a vile dark magic provided by an envoy of the Shiva Undead Empire, launching a massive “biological conversion” ritual that swept across the entire province.

Countless living people under his rule, including his own soldiers and civilians, were transformed into emotionless, pain-insensitive monsters: a third-tier undead force known as the Undying Corps.

That army of living corpses became known as the “Lifeless Ones,” a nightmare for every player in the kingdom.

They were not slow. On the contrary, free from fatigue, they often moved faster than they had in life. Nor were they true undead, so sunlight posed no threat to them. Anyone injured by them would be corrupted by dark magic and turned into one of them in a very short time.

Their only weakness lay in the holy arts of the temple.

But for the kingdom’s forces, where temples were absent, this army was nearly impossible to counter.

The southern legions were crippled in that battle and never fully recovered, even when the Shiva Empire launched the Second Mandala War.

In this life, Nolan’s presence had forced the archduke’s rebellion into the open ahead of time. But it also revealed a more urgent reality: his contact with the undead had come far earlier than in his memory.

These thoughts flashed through Nolan’s mind. Seeing the uncertainty on everyone’s faces, he spoke calmly. “I know what you’re worried about, but we can’t afford to wait. Our growth must outpace Demont’s buildup. If we wait until he has gathered enough strength and reveals his trump card, we will have no chance left. We must disrupt his rhythm before he completes his preparations. At the very least, we have to force him to act early.”

Hank frowned, taking a deep draw from his cigar. “My lord… are you suggesting we attack Demont City directly?”

“No. That would be suicide,” Nolan replied, shaking his head. “Demont City is his stronghold, fortified over many years. With our current forces, we wouldn’t even reach the walls.”

He rose and walked to the map of the Elfin Kingdom hanging on the wall.

“Our timing is delicate.” He pointed north. “Winter is approaching. According to the intelligence I’ve gathered, the Shiva Undead Empire in the north is consolidating the undead lords along its borders. Their supreme will is forming several ‘Imperial Chosen’ under the emperor’s direct command. Do you remember the lord who attacked Rosenberg—the one called ‘Gangrene’? It was one of them, though merely a pawn, far from elite. Once their envoys complete this task, the next step will be to ‘test their blade’ against the Elfin Kingdom.”

“Test their blade…” Kayan murmured, his face darkening. To a follower of the Mother Goddess, who revered the sanctity of life, such disregard for the living was infuriating.

“By my estimation, this will happen at the earliest in deep winter, and at the latest by early spring next year.” Nolan’s finger traced slowly across the map. “Winter is harsh on human armies. Supplies grow scarce, morale falters. But for the undead, it is the perfect season. If their commanders have any sense at all, they will launch a sweeping winter offensive across the south.”

The weight of that threat pressed down on the room, stifling the air. Nolan’s grim vision left everyone unsettled.

If he was right, the entire southern region of the Elfin Kingdom would be engulfed in war.

“So what do we do?” Little Donnie’s voice carried a sharp edge of hatred. Having lost his parents, his resentment toward the undead ran deeper than most.

“The opportunity lies here.” Nolan tapped firmly on the map of Demont Province. “In this coming winter offensive, there is a single greatest point of leverage: the archduke’s undead ally—‘Pale Knight’ Crutel.”

At the name, Rehanna’s body stiffened.

“Rehanna, do you remember the Black Knights you encountered when you first met me?” Nolan asked, turning toward her.

“I remember… of course I remember!” she said through clenched teeth. “They nearly wiped out my Fire Fox Mercenary Company. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, my entire unit would have been lost. I’ll never forget it.”

“They were part of Crutel’s forces,” Nolan said. “This skeletal knight lord is no minor figure. Not only did it rise from the lowest skeleton soldier to become a lord, it is also the strongest undead ruler along the northern frontier of the Shiva Empire, commanding the largest territory. Moreover, it has deep ties to the Elfin Kingdom from its life, making it one of the most troublesome enemies the kingdom faces. Until the emperor of the Shiva Empire fully brings it to heel, this winter offensive cannot truly begin. What we must do is create a gap in time.”

Rehanna grasped his meaning at once. “So our offensive is meant to pressure the archduke. Once he’s pushed hard enough, he’ll be forced to call on his ally for aid.”

“Exactly.” Nolan nodded approvingly. “Once we drag ‘Pale Knight’ Crutel into the quagmire of war in Demont Province, the empire’s efforts to unify the northern undead lords will be significantly delayed. Even if the winter offensive still begins, it will be far less devastating without its strongest lord. That will buy precious time for the southern provinces of the kingdom.”

The entire strategy unfolded clearly before them—bold, intricate, and tightly interwoven.

Nolan was not merely looking at the present victory. His vision encompassed the fate of the entire kingdom.

“Let’s do it!” Hank slammed his hand on the table, eyes blazing. “If we can hold Crutel back, we buy time for the whole kingdom. My lord, give the order!”

“Our time is just as precious,” Nolan said, returning to his seat. “From today onward, our top priority in war preparations is to equip the entire Black Armored Legion with our latest ‘Raven Type’ black armor, no matter the cost.”

He looked at them, his voice firm and resolute.

“Within two months, the Legion will expand to ten battalions, five thousand men. Ours will be the finest fifth-tier force in the south—each soldier capable of facing three or four ordinary troops. And the day every man is fully equipped will be the day we launch our counteroffensive.”