The curse took greater effect on Nord.
His weakened attacks no longer threatened Mana.
Clang!
Seizing the moment, Mana swung her greatsword and knocked Nord's weapon flying.
Nord prepared for a desperate fight, but Mana's sword was already at his throat.
"I surrender!" Nord closed his eyes in despair.
He hated himself for ignoring his wife's advice.
Had he attacked Anatolia's main city, he would now be relaxing in a grand mansion with his alluring wife, enjoying victory.
With Ninth Level Paladin Nord defeated, the remaining crusaders were helpless.
"General Mana, a woman claiming to be General Nord's wife is here. Should we kill her?"
Mana's subordinates brought forward a stunning, seductive noblewoman dressed provocatively.
Mana sized up Kreiss — waist-length rose-red hair, flawless milky skin carefully maintained, eyes filled with bewitching allure.
Her figure was stunning, with an ample bosom and deep cleavage rivaling Mana's own.
Her full legs were clad in gray silk stockings, feet in red-soled high heels.
"Kill her. She's just a woman, worthless to the Noah Empire."
Mana slowly said after looking her over.
In Noah Empire, only the strong mattered.
Even if the woman was the queen famed for goddess-like beauty, the king would not ransom her if captured by the enemy.
"Yes!" The soldiers nodded, preparing to execute Kreiss.
As the empire's strategist, Kreiss showed panic.
The smarter one was, the more she valued life.
If she died, all would be lost.
"Wait! Who says I'm worthless?"
"I am the Noah Empire's strategist, brilliant in intellect. Without me, you wouldn't have won such a great victory!"
Desperate for survival, Kreiss shouted.
"Wait! Hear her out."
Mana waved her hand, signaling her subordinates to bring Kreiss over.
"General, I can advise you, and in other ways, I can please Canglan Kingdom's noble Knight Master."
Kreiss showed off her sexy, voluptuous figure to Mana.
Especially her tempting gray silk legs, which even Mana, a woman, felt tempted to touch.
Mana recalled the strategy meetings in the luxurious carriage with Countess, Second Wife, Lake Witch, and Knight Master.
The Knight Master's time management was flawless, never idle, constantly going all out.
"The Knight Master must like this kind of red chamber courtesan style."
"If so, keep her alive and let the Knight Master decide."
Thinking this, Mana looked at her soldiers.
"Take Kreiss down, but no one is allowed to touch her. Female Magicians and Witches in the resistance will care for her."
"Yes!" The soldiers quickly nodded and led Kreiss away, leaving her in the care of the resistance's female magic users.
Relieved to be spared, Kreiss's expression softened.
In her heart, she cursed Nord countless times.
If he had listened to her advice and attacked Anatolia's main city, she wouldn't be a prisoner now.
"Nord's fate is sealed. Even if Noah Empire ransomed him back, he'd end up as the Elf Goddess's sacrifice."
"To survive, I must find another way."
Kreiss's eyes glinted with cunning.
As a strategist, now alive, her mind was sharper than most.
Mana watched her soldiers clean the battlefield.
Nord's crusaders were all dead except for Nord and his wife.
These crusaders had looted many Canglan Kingdom towns, carrying many treasures.
To reward the fearless resistance soldiers, Mana allowed them to keep any treasure found while cleaning up.
Lake Witch slowly approached, wearing a victorious smile.
"Where is the Knight Master?"
Mana looked at Lake Witch, noticing her once slightly swollen belly had shrunk.
Clearly, she had exhausted much energy casting curses on Nord.
"The Knight Master, upon hearing the victory, returned immediately to Anatolia's main city," Lake Witch said slowly.
"Our master said that though we captured Nord alive and killed the fifty thousand crusaders, Anatolia still has the Elf High Priestess."
"Until the Elf High Priestess is dealt with, Anatolia must maintain strong defenses."
Lake Witch was well aware of the Noah Empire's strength — even defeating Nord and his forces was difficult.
With the Elf High Priestess, their chances were nil.
Fortunately, the Knight Master acted decisively, eliminating Nord and his army.
Otherwise, with Nord and Elf High Priestess attacking together, Anatolia's main city would surely fall.
Mana and Lake Witch discussed ongoing defense plans.
Suddenly, sounds of fighting erupted on the battlefield.
"What's going on?" Mana frowned and went to investigate.
"General, this gold coin is clearly mine, but that guy is trying to snatch it just because he's bigger."
A thin resistance soldier said slowly.
"That coin was mine too, but this guy was faster. How can it be only his?" A burly soldier argued.
For these resistance soldiers who often lacked food, one gold coin was a huge temptation.
Especially those who failed to kill crusaders, hoping to benefit by scavenging battlefield loot.
Mana's face darkened — such disputes were certainly not isolated.
"Everyone, get down! All soldiers must hand over any loot to their captain. Anyone caught hiding items will be executed on the spot!"
"After cleaning, captains will distribute loot fairly."
To avoid conflict within the resistance, Mana had no choice but to enforce strict orders.
"Yes!"
Though reluctant, the two soldiers obeyed Mana's command.
At least by turning loot over to their captains, they'd receive a share.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。