Pillar of Yita

When everyone reached the other side of the platform, the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team’s Gunslingers were still in hot pursuit, with gunfire sounding ever more intense and frequent. But Fang Hong wasn’t too concerned about what was behind him; he simply looked up—one side of the platform and the latter half of the Lonely Bridge were separated by a break that was much shorter than the previous one, certainly no more than ten meters, just within the blink range of his ’Energy Angel’.

Despite the break, there were still dozens of iron chains as thick as wrists connecting the gap. For Agility System Professions like Parker, Xiangzi, and Tainaric, crossing wouldn’t be too difficult, but for Vislan’s Priests and Heavy Armored Professions to cross amidst the harassment from the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team’s Gunslingers, casualties were likely.

Although he didn’t truly consider himself a member of Silver Weslan, the casualties didn’t really concern him, these people trusted his command unconditionally, and naturally, he had to assume the responsibility of a captain.

Thinking this, he couldn’t help but look back at the situation with the pursuers and realized the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team’s Gunslingers weren’t waiting for the close-combat Professionals of the Blood Oath Alliance; instead, they were pursuing by themselves. After a moment’s contemplation, he understood their intent; it was to maintain contact with them to prevent a smooth bridge crossing.

It was undoubtedly a good tactic. The elite Summoners selected by the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team seemed to be no simple matter. Keep in mind this was a judgement they made on their own without their Commander. Had it been any common Guild, they probably would have been as disorganized as those Chosen from the Blood Oath Alliance, blindly attacking without coordination.

While the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team’s Gunslingers were without a frontline, Fang Hong would bet that as soon as he ordered Silver Weslan’s Knights to charge, the enemy would disperse like birds and beasts. When his forces regrouped, those curs would come back like Hyenas. With the enemy’s main force on its way, he didn’t have time to play a game of cat and mouse with these people.

But to let them be was also not an option. At level 14, Magic Guided Gunners have a ’Desperate Command’ which can provide a terrifying enhancement to piercing, accuracy, and attack. Under this command, even Silver Weslan’s Heavy Cavalry would likely not hold up.

While Desperate Command required the Gunslingers to fight to the death and had range limitations, these two restrictions would be virtually nonexistent for the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team’s Gunslingers as Silver Weslan’s people climbed the chains to cross the bridge.

Plus, those Jiefulite Red Cloak Team’s Gunslingers were clearly aware of this, not seeming overly eager and never straying too far from the buildings on either side even as they were chasing.

Obviously, they were well aware of Silver Weslan’s professional composition and combat style. This tactic was simply an adaptation of the Elite’s—Level 15 Paladins had the professional ability ’Paradise Steed’, and their move was precisely to prevent the Paladin’s mounted charge.

Moreover, Level 15 Paladins’ mount duration wasn’t long, so their tactic was quite worry-free.

The leading Knight of Silver Weslan witnessed this scene with a headache: ”These bastards have learned this move too, think we’ve got no countermeasures, huh? ... Watch, if these guys didn’t have backup coming, I’d smash them so hard they’d be picking up their teeth, thinking they’re Elite?”

He cursed indignantly. After several defeats in encounters with the Elite, Silver Rose’s Knights had not been sitting ducks, but in this situation, his words had no follow-up—because the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team’s Gunslingers were clearly aware of this too; it was precisely because they had reinforcements at their back that they dared to do so.

After all, their aim wasn’t really to fight and win, only to delay Silver Weslan’s people as much as possible.

”Take two or three people to disperse them,” Sophie said frowning as she saw the situation, ”The rest will take this opportunity to get on the bridge.”

The Knight nodded and was about to look for volunteers.

But Fang Hong stopped him, saying, ”Wait a moment, the ones left behind would be in too much danger.”

”Someone has to cover the rear,” Sophie replied, ”For our cause, Silver Weslan can afford to pay even this price—Xi, come help me lead those responsible for covering the rear.” She looked seriously at her Companion Star Knight.

The mountain girl showed no fear and silently nodded.

However, Fang Hong shook his head, interrupting them, ”No need, I’ll find a way.”

”What way?” Sophie was startled. As Princess of Silver Weslan, she was accustomed to the valiant combat style of the Silver Rose, overcoming the many with the few, the weak defeating the strong, breaking all their enemies head-on.

But Fang Hong had an idea as soon as he saw the enemy’s tactical intentions. Elite had consistently used this move against Silver Weslan’s Heavy Cavalry with great success, but they met defeat when they went up against the Silver Forest Crown.

Although the professional composition of Silver Weslan differed greatly from that of the Silver Forest Crown, the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team was far from matching the Elite.

An opportunity to reenact that classic battle had just presented itself.

He pulled the Knight aside and whispered a few words; the latter was slightly startled and then looked at him with some surprise, nodding his head.

Having made arrangements, Fang Hong began to organize the others to cross the bridge. He first used his ’Energy Angel’s’ blink ability to send Hilveld across, and then he covered for Silver Weslan’s Rangers to escort the Priests across the bridge; initially, it was going quite smoothly.