Goblin Simulation: Building a Dark Empire-Chapter 206 – Garrison Fort

The black stone wall stands about 50 meters high, 20 meters wide, and stretches approximately 7 kilometers long.

It resembles a massive black mountain blocking the entrance to Windward Valley.

The Garrison Fort was completed over a century ago.

Initially, it was built to fend off invasions from Magical Beasts and Barbarians.

But as humanity rose, the Garrison Fort became a logistical base for the frontline.

Deep within the Ogre Mountains, Windward Valley hosts numerous outposts.

Each new outpost marks a slight expansion of human territory.

Looking beyond the black stone wall, a city has risen from the ground.

The city spans several dozen square kilometers.

Within the city, two-story buildings rise in neat rows.

A pure white church stands out prominently in the town.

The massive clock tower is one of the tallest structures in the town.

Over the past century, the Garrison Fort has gradually developed into a bustling city.

As a military stronghold, the vast military supplies have fostered a thriving commerce in the Garrison Fort.

The large garrison has also led to a population of 200,000.

A small portion of this population is military families.

Most of the population has migrated from other places.

As the only city on the border of the Ogre Mountains, the Garrison Fort attracts many adventurers.

The Garrison Fort is not only commercially prosperous but also a place where major guilds focus on development.

Morning, Garrison Fort, the Earl's Manor.

"Report, report, report!"

Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves echoed outside the manor gate.

A messenger soldier hurriedly dismounted from his horse.

He raised a scroll high and ran towards the manor gate.

The guards in blue armor outside the gate dared not stop him.

They quickly opened the gate.

The messenger soldier shouted as he ran, catching the attention of the manor's servants.

Before the soldier could pass through the outer garden, the castle-like building's doors within the manor swung open.

A middle-aged man in a noble robe stepped out.

"What has you so alarmed?"

The messenger soldier, having rushed to the door, knelt halfway to the ground.

"Sir, news from the frontline outpost: seventy thousand demon troops are advancing through Windward Valley!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged nobleman's face changed slightly.

He quickly stepped forward and snatched the scroll from the soldier's hand.

He opened the scroll right outside the door and began reading.

As he read, the nobleman's expression grew increasingly grim.

After a while, the middle-aged man finally rolled up the scroll.

"Immediately notify the frontline outposts to retreat to the Garrison Fort!"

"Yes, my lord!"

The messenger soldier stood up, turned, and hurried away.

Watching the soldier's departing figure, the middle-aged man furrowed his brows.

He turned and strode into the manor.

"Damn it, damn it!" freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Soon, the man's roar echoed in the manor hall.

His voice was filled with anger and helplessness.

Count Mors, sitting on the sofa, wore a troubled expression.

He understood better than anyone what war meant.

Since the demon tribe occupied the southern wastelands, the Garrison Fort hasn't had a single day of peace.

Several wars with the demon tribe have resulted in heavy casualties for the Garrison Fort.

Although the duchy sends reinforcements to support the Garrison Fort each time, the fort, being on the frontline, cannot remain uninvolved.

In less than a decade, the family has nearly exhausted its century-old savings.

If the war continues, Mors doesn't know how much longer he can hold on.

After finally enjoying a few years of peace, he was planning a major military reduction, only for the demon tribe to return.

How could he not be frustrated and angry?

Mors leaned back, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Just then, soft footsteps echoed in the hall.

A graceful figure approached Mors.

She wore a white and blue noble low-cut gown.

Her bright golden hair cascaded down to her hips.

The noblewoman who approached Mors from behind placed her delicate hand on his shoulder, gently massaging it.

"Darling, what are you thinking about?"

Mors sighed, reaching up to pat the hand on his shoulder.

"Sandra, the demon tribe has mobilized again; they're coming!"

Upon hearing this, Sandra's beautiful face changed slightly.

The hand on her husband's shoulder trembled slightly.

Sandra sighed, then smiled.

"Darling, we both knew this day would come. Let them come."

Mors tightly grasped his wife's hand, unwilling to let go.

There are no weak nobles in the duchy.

Only strong nobles can protect their people.

Once war breaks out, both he and his wife must go to the battlefield.

Sandra hugged her husband tightly from behind.

"The Garrison Fort is the duchy's gateway. The Duke won't just watch as the demon tribe tramples it. Go to the Crystal Temple and do what needs to be done. We'll get through this crisis as we always have!"

With that, Sandra released her husband.

Mors took a deep breath.

He stood up and strode out.

"Madam, I'll be back soon!"

Watching her husband's departing figure, a trace of helplessness flashed in Sandra's eyes.

If not for the demon tribe suddenly occupying the southern wastelands and repeatedly advancing on the Garrison Fort, she and her husband would already have children.

But now, nearing forty, Count Mors still has no heir.

As the countess, it's her duty to continue the family line.

She also hopes to bear an heir for the family.

The news of the demon tribe's invasion quickly spread throughout the Garrison Fort.

In the following days, the fort was in an uproar.

The fort's army was preparing for battle.

Some merchants were observing, while others were fleeing.

Although war is a time to make big money, the risks are also high.

If the Garrison Fort is breached, there will be no place to bury the dead.

The news of the demon tribe's invasion soon reached Auburnro.

------

Ogre Mountains.

Windward Valley, afternoon.

Dust billowed in the canyon.

It was like a sandstorm, spreading from east to west.

But it wasn't a sandstorm; it was a massive marching army.

The long column of troops stretched over ten kilometers.

Wherever they passed, dust rose.

"By tomorrow, we'll reach the Garrison Fort's walls!"

At the forefront of the army, over a dozen riders advanced at a leisurely pace.

"This time, we'll surely break through the Garrison Fort!"

"Lord Douglas, it seems the humans plan to defend to the death."

The demon army encountered many human outposts along the way.

Those outposts were empty.

The soldiers originally stationed there had all retreated.

Such actions made it easy to deduce certain things.

Douglas slightly raised his head to look at the end of Windward Valley ahead.

Windward Valley wasn't straight.

It was arched.

Thus, only the mountain could be seen at the canyon's end.

"Humans are truly foolish. How can a mere wall stop us?"

"Exactly, once the wall falls, human morale will surely plummet."

"Lord Douglas, is it time?"

Iron Face looked up at Lord Douglas ahead.

With Iron Face's words, all the ghost beastmen turned their gaze to Douglas.

Including Agatha, who was beside Douglas.