The Dark Cross Wanderers

The battle within the Vampire Crypt yielded significant rewards. Not only had a formidable enemy been vanquished, but the strategic buffer of the Lich Castle had been pushed several hundred miles forward, gaining control over all the resource points surrounding the Vampire Crypt. After the battle, Allen did not halt his campaign of expansion. He led the Lich army onward, advancing until they reached the heavily guarded Mountain Fortress within the Cursed Valley.

The Mountain Fortress was the only barbarian stronghold in the Cursed Valley. The creatures that inhabited it—such as the Large-Eared Monsters, Ogres, and Cyclops—were all incredibly powerful, and their numbers were vast. It was even said that a Behemoth of the fourteenth tier presided over the fortress. For centuries, it had guarded the vital passage leading out of the valley, and had kept a wary distance from the undead deep within the Cursed Valley.

Upon extending his dominion to the very edge of the Mountain Fortress, Allen paused his campaign of expansion. He constructed military posts along the way to guard against any potential incursions by the barbarian forces. While the Lich army's combat strength had grown significantly after absorbing the vampire forces, it was still not yet the right moment to engage the powerful barbarians in battle.

"Issu, I place command of these vampire warriors in your hands from now on. Keep a close eye on the movements of the Mountain Fortress, but more importantly, make sure to gather intelligence on the depths of the Cursed Valley!"

With the Lich Castle having expanded considerably, it entered a period of internal construction and consolidation. The Bone Towers that summoned Skeleton Soldiers needed to be upgraded, and the Crypt that summoned Vampire Warriors required repairs and reconstruction—this demanded vast quantities of materials and effort. Allen, singularly focused on reaching the peak of the Divine Domain in his training, had little interest in such minutiae, so he delegated authority to Arno, Sarathos, and Issu. Issu, calm by nature and the fastest in her cultivation, was entrusted with the heaviest responsibilities. When Allen was absent, she became the supreme commander of the Lich army.

Throughout the wilderness, castles rose and fell daily—new fortresses were constructed, while immense ones were reduced to rubble overnight. Before securing absolute power, Allen decided to remain low-key and quietly expand his forces within the hidden Cursed Valley. Compared to the vast expanse outside the valley, his greater interest lay in the resources and powers deep within the valley itself.

The legend spoke of a fearsome Demon King of boundless magical power. Allen wondered what might be achieved if even a fragment of this being's divine will could be refined, or if he could devour its blood and soul energy. What heights might he ascend to?

Allen eagerly anticipated the valley's resources. Though the time was not yet ripe, when it came, he would not hesitate to launch his attack, crushing all opposing forces and exploring the rumored crypt that imprisoned the Demon King of Fear. Only once he had claimed dominion over the entire valley would the Lich Castle truly rise to power.

"Understood!"

Issu bowed and swiftly turned to leave with Arno and the others. Watching them disappear beyond the grand hall of the Lich Castle, Allen retrieved his Black Magic Pen, ignited a large number of crystals, and quietly retreated back to the distant monastery. Several days passed, and now, the time had come to seize the energy-infused Holy Crystal.

Upon returning to Wuhai Town, Allen immediately noticed something different about the settlement.

Inside the wooden fence, hastily constructed earthen walls had been erected, and armed soldiers marched nervously back and forth. The streets were eerily empty, with magic apprentices and warriors of swordsmanship or higher standing behind the earthen barriers. A tense and oppressive atmosphere hung over the settlement as if they were preparing for a dire threat.

"Allen, where have you been training these past few days? Are you all right?" Ophelia quickly approached him upon seeing his figure.

"I'm fine. Just spent a few days in the wilderness, took down a pack of Wind Wolves," Allen replied with a smile, masking his energy fluctuations. "By the way, Ophelia, what happened in the settlement? Why is everyone suddenly so on edge?"

"The danger from deep within the wilderness has most likely spread outward rapidly!" Ophelia said with a troubled expression, pausing briefly before continuing. "Since three days ago, no one has made it out of Wuhai Town alive. Whether it was large merchant caravans or powerful demon hunters, all those who tried to leave were wiped out, their heads sent back as proof. No one knows what kind of danger lurks beyond the settlement."

That's ruthless!

A chill ran down Allen's spine. "With so many powerful demon hunters here, not a single one has managed to slip out and scout the area?"

"They've tried, but none have returned, and their bodies were barely recognizable," Ophelia's face grew pale as she gripped her magic staff tightly. "Allen, Elder Akashi has urgently summoned all the nearby Knights of the Faith. They are preparing to escort the nuns to Fall Leaf City, a thousand miles away. They plan to leave as soon as night falls. You should hurry and pack; we leave tonight!"

"Understood, I'll be ready by tonight," Allen said calmly, though internally, he was brimming with excitement.

This was the moment he had been waiting for!

After lying low within the monastery for so long, this was the perfect opportunity. The more chaotic the settlement became, the easier it would be for him to strike. He would seize the Holy Crystal from the Crystal Tower in one swift move. To ensure the nuns' safe passage, the monastery would be forced to draw upon its elite forces—who would be left to stop him when the time came?

Watching Ophelia depart, Allen coldly smiled. "This is getting more and more interesting. Who, I wonder, has set their sights on this humble settlement?"

As he observed the hasty movements of the soldiers outside the monastery, Allen remained calm.

No matter what dangers lay beyond the settlement, it was all an opportunity for him. The stronger the unknown assailant, the better for him. Once he had the Holy Crystal in his possession, he would vanish with it, returning swiftly to the distant Lich Castle, where no harm could come to him, no matter how fierce the attackers.

As night fell, the monastery's evacuation began. Under the protection of the Knights of the Faith, the nuns hastily withdrew. Various factions, who had long been waiting for such a moment, joined the caravan, including anxious merchant convoys, uneasy demon hunters, and slow-moving civilians. Just as the heavy wooden gates of the settlement were about to open, the lead knight commander suddenly turned pale.

In the darkness ahead, a group of fierce, wandering hunters had appeared, mounted on towering unicorns, steadily drawing closer under the cover of night. The riders' weapons were varied—some were fully armored, others disheveled—but all emanated an unmistakable aura of bloodlust. Without exception, all bore a deep "X" scar engraved on their foreheads, as if two vicious, jagged wounds.

The Dark Cross Wanderers?

As more and more of them emerged from the darkness, the Knights of the Faith froze in fear.

The Dark Cross Wanderers were infamous across the Western Wastes. Among the many wandering warrior bands, they were neither the most heavily armed nor the largest, but they were by far the most brutal. Any town or fortress they raided was left in ruins. The young guards would be slaughtered without mercy, while women, the elderly, and even infants were not spared—they were even more savage than the beasts of the wasteland!

It's over, we're done for!

The commander turned to face the panicked group and the open gates. Before he could issue any orders, a sharp pain shot through his chest. Clutching at his wound, he collapsed from his horse. A simple bamboo arrow had pierced his heavy armor, striking cleanly through his heart.

A massacre!

The leader of the Dark Cross Wanderers let out a cold laugh, lowering his longbow. The scars on his face seemed even more grotesque in the moonlight. He waved his hand, and the formidable hunters surged forward, galloping toward the settlement like a tidal wave. Their horses' hooves thundered as they began to fire arrows blazing with smoke, striking the hastily constructed defenses of the Knights of the Faith.