chsdbacks Chapter 295 Departure
Chapter 295 Departure
The chief mage arrived quickly; she was an elderly elven woman whose eyes gleamed with a faint blue light from years of studying magic.
After listening to Xiao Tianhao's brief explanation, she immediately began to cast a spell, drawing complex runes in the air with her hands and closing her eyes to sense the flow of energy from the abyss.
As time ticked by, the chief mage's expression gradually changed—from focus to confusion, and then to shock.
When she opened her eyes, her blue eyes were filled with disbelief.
"The energy field of the abyss... has indeed undergone drastic changes."
Her voice trembled, "Some stable source of darkness has disappeared, replaced by chaotic vortexes of energy... This... this does indeed fit the characteristics of an important dark stronghold being destroyed."
She turned to Lin Tian and bowed deeply: "If this was truly your doing, then please accept my highest respect. You have accomplished what we have failed to do for hundreds of years."
Xiao Tianhao finally believed it completely.
He stood in the center of the strategy room, looking around at the officers and at the portraits of past commanders on the wall. Suddenly, an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart—a complex feeling mixed with relief, gratitude, and a touch of guilt.
He turned to Lin Tian and solemnly saluted: "Then, please allow me, on behalf of all the soldiers of the Abyss Fortress, to express our deepest gratitude to you."
His voice was choked with emotion, "If it weren't for you resolving this threat, we don't know how many more brothers and sisters would have had to sacrifice their lives to hold this line of defense."
The other officers also stood at attention and saluted, their eyes filled with sincere respect.
Lin Tian waved his hand, seemingly feeling somewhat uncomfortable with this formal expression of gratitude:
"I'm just solving a problem for myself."
He stood up, indicating that he was leaving. "Kael'thas was targeting me; those attacks were just a means to an end. In truth, I'm the one who dragged the fortress down with me."
"No!" Xiao Tianhao shook his head firmly.
"It is in the nature of abyssal creatures to attack human territory, and Kael'thas merely exploited this. Even without you, they would have launched a large-scale attack sooner or later. And now, thanks to your actions, we have at least eliminated a major mastermind and weakened the power of the abyss. This contribution will be forever remembered by the entire fortress."
Lin Tian did not argue further.
He accepted Xiao Tianhao's thanks, but clearly did not want to continue the topic.
He inquired about the specific situation of the fortress in recent days and learned that although the frequency of attacks had increased, the losses had been kept within an acceptable range due to timely adjustments to the defense line and the soldiers' valiant resistance.
"However, we cannot let our guard down," Xiao Tianhao said seriously.
"Kael'thas's death and the destruction of Darkeil could trigger a chain reaction among the forces of the Abyss. Some previously suppressed factions may rise to power, or even more powerful beings may attempt to fill the power vacuum. We need to be on high alert."
Lin Tian nodded in agreement: "I will stay in Luoxia City for a while longer. If you need anything, you can contact me."
Xiao Tianhao understood that this was Lin Tian's way of expressing support, and he felt even more grateful.
As the conversation drew to a close, Celia whispered to Lin Tian:
"I want to do something for the fortress before I leave." She turned to Xiao Tianhao.
"I have some knowledge of the tactics and weaknesses of the abyssal creatures, especially those of Dark Eclipse City. If the commander permits, I can share this information, which may help you defend better."
Xiao Tianhao's eyes lit up: "This would be invaluable help! Of course, you're welcome!"
Celia then spent about an hour explaining to Xiao Tianhao and several senior officers in detail the common troop combinations, tactical characteristics, and countermeasures of Dark Erosion City.
She mentioned some little-known weaknesses—such as certain abyssal hounds being unusually sensitive to sounds of specific frequencies; shadow mages need to maintain a connection with a certain energy node when casting spells, and breaking this connection can greatly weaken them; and the siege engines of Dark Erosion City usually have a key energy core, and destroying it can paralyze the entire machine.
The officers carefully recorded every piece of information, occasionally raising questions.
Celia answered each question in detail, and her knowledge and insight surprised everyone present.
This seemingly delicate woman actually has a profound understanding of the Abyss War.
When Celia finished her presentation, Xiao Tianhao expressed his gratitude again: "This information will save countless lives. I don't know how to repay you."
"I don't need anything in return." Celia gently shook her head. "I just... want to do the right thing."
As night fell completely, Lin Tian and Celia prepared to leave.
Xiao Tianhao personally escorted them to the fortress gate.
The sky outside was completely dark, with only the magical torches on the fortress walls and the faint light seeping from the distant abyssal rifts providing illumination.
"Take care on your journey," Xiao Tianhao said solemnly. "Although Kael'thas is dead, the Abyss is never short of danger."
Lin Tian nodded: "Take care, everyone. If there's an emergency, don't hesitate."
"I will," Xiao Tianhao promised.
Lin Tian and Celia's figures gradually disappeared into the darkness leading towards Luoxia City.
Xiao Tianhao stood in front of the fortress gate for a long time without leaving.
His adjutant approached him and asked softly, "Commander, do you believe they really destroyed the entire Dark Erosion City?"
Xiao Tianhao gazed into the darkness and slowly nodded: "The chief mage's test results are accurate. Moreover..."
The adjutant paused for a moment, then asked, "So, has the crisis at the fortress been resolved?"
"It's temporarily relieved." Xiao Tianhao turned and walked back to the fortress, his shadow stretching long in the torchlight.
"But the Abyss will never cease its covetousness of the material world. We have only won one battle; the war continues. However..."
He stopped and looked back in the direction Lin Tian had disappeared. "With such an expert, humanity's hope is one step higher."
The fortress gates slowly closed, shutting out the darkness of the outside world.
The soldiers on the city wall continued their patrols, the magical runes continued to flash, and the giant stood guard in the night, as always.
Inside the fortress, Xiao Tianhao returned to the command tower and began drafting a report for the city lord of Luoxia City.
He meticulously recorded Lin Tian's account, the chief mage's test results, and the information provided by Celia.
At the end of the report, he wrote:
"...Based on the above information, we have reason to believe that the root cause of the recent frequent activity in the Abyss has been eliminated."
Although the threat has never completely disappeared, we have at least gained a valuable respite.
It is recommended to use this window of opportunity to strengthen defenses, repair facilities, and develop contingency plans for potential reactions from the Abyss forces.