Dust billowed on the road, and the sound of hooves was incessant.Reinforcements arrived at Qingyu Ridge in waves, and the Northern Army's main force finally took over the front line.The soldiers set up tents and began to build defensive lines around the valley entrance: watchtowers, trenches, arrow towers, and even catapults and heavy ballistas were brought up.Within a few days, Qingyu Ridge transformed from a crude Snowsworn stronghold into a true Northern Barrier.The Snowsworn, of course, had no intention of retreating just like that.They dispatched small elite units from Ice Sea County, attempting night raids, arson, and supply line disruptions; some even fired single-shot projectiles at the stronghold.But all their attempts failed.They were either discovered in advance or ambushed and annihilated.Gibson's command was flawless; his troop deployment and battle formations were perfect.But he himself knew very well that the reason he was able to get ahead at several critical junctures was not because he was some kind of genius.It was because of the Baron who was drinking tea in the rear.Louis had completely relinquished tactical command after Gibson took over.His own achievements were already sufficient; earning more merit would merely be icing on the cake, and it was better to preserve his own strength.He lived in a private tent in the rear camp, sunbathing during the day and brewing tea and writing reports at night, adopting a retirement mindset.Of course, he wasn't completely resting; he would also subtly offer suggestions to Gibson based on the Daily Intelligence System.For instance, there was one time when Gibson was troubled by the enemy's whereabouts.Louis suddenly pointed at the map and said, "There might be enemy troops passing through this mountain path in the next few days.""How do you know?""A hunch."As it turned out, a small enemy squad of two hundred men indeed came through that path that night, and they were ambushed and wiped out before they even got close to the main front line.Later, Louis would occasionally remind Gibson of the enemy's tactics.Each time, it proved true, as if he had a divine eye, seeing through the enemy completely.Gibson found it increasingly difficult to suppress the reverence in his heart.In his mind, Louis was already a gifted war genius.Qingyu Ridge gradually stabilized.The Snowsworn were short on manpower, and their offensive grew weaker and weaker.Their final strong assault was even routed by the Imperial Army before their formation was properly arranged.They were unwilling but powerless, and could only retreat north little by little.Qingyu Ridge, this crucial choke point of the North, was finally firmly held....Snow Eagle City could no longer hold out.After a month of siege, the Snowsworn soldiers were starving and emaciated, their limbs weak, and even their war wolves were skin and bones, making no sound when they stepped on the snow.They had no food left.And no “people” left.Aside from the Snowsworn themselves, there were no living people left in the city.Flesh and blood became the only food, and piles of charred bones filled the bonfires beneath the city walls.This was not an army; it was a group of beasts driven mad by despair.Barnes stood on the dilapidated high platform, gazing at the thick dark clouds in the distance, waiting not for reinforcements, but for utter silence.He finally understood—no one was coming.Reinforcements from Ice Sea County were merely his own delusion.So he ordered a breakout."Whoever dares to hesitate even a step, I will personally cut him down!"That day, he personally executed two of his personal guards who were preparing to flee.The Snowsworn Army's morale was momentarily stunned by this madness, then pushed to a dead end.They rushed out of the city like specters, roaring and stumbling outwards.But just a hundred meters outside the city gate, the Imperial ambush appeared.Archers on both sides of the mountain walls were already waiting."Fire!"Arrows rained down like raindrops, cold light descending from the sky.The already starving Snowsworn could not withstand it; after only a few steps, their formation disintegrated.Some even threw down their weapons and fled for their lives.Barnes was still shouting, "Hold the line for me! Whoever retreats..."Before he could finish, an arrow pierced his thigh.Then his shoulder, chest, and abdomen.He fell into a pool of blood like a broken sack, his hand still trembling as he tried to pull out the arrow, but his body wouldn't obey.Blood stained the ground a deep crimson, his lips twitched, and he looked up, staring fixedly at the northern ridge.That was the direction of the reinforcements he had longed for an entire month.He died like a dog.Without command, the breakout became a one-sided slaughter.The Imperial Army had already formed their ranks, and the ambushing forces on both wings closed in like a tide; after three volleys of arrows, more than half of the Snowsworn had fallen to the ground.The remaining tried to charge, tried to break through, but their warhorses couldn't run, their infantry couldn't run fast, and the entire army was like a swarm of insects struggling in a quagmire.They couldn't hold out for ten minutes before the entire Snowsworn Army completely collapsed.The Imperial Army did not hesitate; they expressionlessly cut down the struggling enemies one by one.Blood stained the land, severed limbs and remains were everywhere, and stepping on them produced the crunching sound of broken bones.This was a reckoning.Every cry from Snow Eagle City was remembered.Now it was time for repayment.Half an hour later, the Imperial Army launched a general assault on Snow Eagle City.There was no resistance inside the city; they simply pushed open the dilapidated city gate.Most of the Snowsworn had died during the breakout, and the rest had long since given up in despair.Imperial soldiers stepping into Snow Eagle City felt like entering a purgatory.The streets were full of charred bones, smoldering wooden houses still emitted smoke, and the air was mixed with putrid and bloody odors, making one nauseous.Anger, resentment, and [N O V E L I G H T] malice erupted at this moment."Kill them all!"Thus, there were no prisoners, no interrogations.The Snowsworn were completely purged.After the war, Snow Eagle City was nothing but ruins....With the Snowsworn's great defeat, the situation rapidly deteriorated.Except for Ice Sea County and Snowfall County in the north, which barely maintained control, almost all other areas were cleared by the Imperial Army.Numerous strongholds were eradicated, supply lines were cut off, and main forces were successively annihilated in various regions.The fall of Qingyu Ridge and Snow Eagle City meant that this southward advance had completely collapsed.Elder Grom slammed his hand on the stone table, glaring furiously: "I warned you long ago not to be too arrogant! That Northern Barbarian Witch...""Silence." Shiro stood before the idol, his voice gloomy: "You're right, they are too difficult to deal with, so now we must accelerate.""You... what do you want to do?" A chill spread through Grom's heart."As long as the ancient god of the cold abyss revives, everything can be resolved," Shiro said softly.He raised his hand, and his personal guards immediately surged forward.Grom's eyes widened, and he was heavily restrained by them as he struggled."Stop! I am an Elder!"No one responded.He was hung upside down on a cold altar, beside several bound captives.The sacrifice began.Blood slowly flowed from their seven orifices, as if drawn by some invisible force, dripping into the stone basin of the altar.Their skin shriveled, their bones twisted, until only a pile of broken remains was left.A dull, strange sound came from underground, as if something was awakening.

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