I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 375 The Withered Seedling of the Tree of Life

……

……

After a while.

Coralie was helped by the soldiers and brought to Rhodes.

"Your Majesty the Emperor!"

Coralie knelt helplessly on the ground, pleading, "Please save my Duke!"

"The ghouls have surrounded the entire Ancient Wood Fortress and are about to break through the defenses!"

Rhodes did not rush to reply.

He sat in the chair, calmly looking at the young woman before him, and asked, "How many people are left in the castle?"

"There are still three thousand men, Your Majesty."

Coralie looked up, her eyes filled with anxiety. "They are all the elite troops of the Duchy of Ancient Wood! They are the last hope of the Duchy of Ancient Wood!"

"Can such a small number of people withstand tens of thousands of ghouls?"

Rhodes looked at Coralie with some surprise. "It seems that those people from the Church of Life and Nature still have some ability."

"We're about to be overwhelmed, Your Majesty!"

Coralie's weak voice was filled with anxiety: "More and more people in the city are turning into ghouls, and more and more are flooding the castle. We can't stop them any longer!"

There are about 60,000 to 70,000 people in Gumu City. Even if some fled after receiving the news, the number would still be no less than 40,000.

If all these people turn into ghouls, then Ancient Wood Fortress will naturally be in imminent danger.

But with so many ghouls, Rhodes had to proceed with caution.

"Then how did you escape?"

Rhodes continued, "My guards reported that you rely on teleportation. Is it a magical item or your ability?"

"My ability is remote teleportation, with a maximum distance of three kilometers."

Coralie honestly reported, "It can be used continuously, but it will deplete your life force."

Seeing Coralie's weakened state, Rhodes realized she must have exhausted a lot of her life force to get here.

"Then you should rest and recover. I will arrange for someone to take care of you."

"The matter of rescuing Duke Gumu needs to be discussed carefully with my generals."

“Those necromancers are likely hiding in a corner, and I can’t let my soldiers recklessly rush in and risk their lives.”

Coralie's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she knelt on the ground, bowing uncontrollably. "There's no time to discuss it, Your Majesty!"

"It's too late! If we don't get to Gumu Fortress soon, it will fall!"

"We are willing to pay any price as long as you can save the Duke!"

Coralie lay on the ground, pleading.

But Rhodes did not soften his heart because of this.

Rhodes could not easily decide to attack a city completely occupied by ghouls just for the sake of Duke Ancientwood.

Even though Duke Gumu submitted to Rhodes, Rhodes was not very willing to send troops to take risks.

Moreover, Rhodes now also has to consider the opinions of his other ministers.

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now."

Rhodes waved his hand. "Serf, take this lady away and let her rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The guard responded respectfully.

"Your Majesty Yanlong!"

Just as the guards were about to step forward, Coralie suddenly spoke.
"Beneath the ancient wooden fortress, there is a withered sapling of the Tree of Life."

Coralie shouted with all her might, "That's extremely important! It absolutely cannot fall into the hands of those necromancers!"

"A withered sapling of the tree of life?"

Rhodes had never heard of such a thing before and turned to look at Vivian.

Vivian understood and lowered her head to contact Avril.

"The Tree of Life is an incredibly powerful magical plant, possessing immense magical power and vitality."

"The most powerful Tree of Life will become the source of magic and life for the world, and may even give birth to new life!"

Corally explained, "Even ordinary Trees of Life condense Dew of Life."

"Just one drop can bring someone on the verge of death back to life!"

Coralie's words immediately drew everyone's attention.

Rhodes felt this was too exaggerated and said calmly, "These are just legends."

"That can only be a legend, Your Majesty."

Vivian turned around, having finished speaking with Avril, and explained:
"The Tree of Life has never appeared in this world, but ancient wizards saw it in other worlds, so it was recorded."

“A mature Tree of Life is something even a sixth-tier wizard would fight over.”

“But withered seedlings… I don’t know what value they have.” Vivian shook her head helplessly.

Rhodes turned his gaze to Coralie. "What use would the Church of Magic and Death have for it?"

"The Church of Magic and Death?"

Coralie paused for a moment, then realized what she meant.

"Your Majesty, we have all been deceived by Romissa!"

Coralie quickly said, "She's not a follower of the goddess of magic and death at all!"

"She is a follower of the dead and the goddess of vengeance!"

"That goddess is extremely evil, and vicious and ruthless. She loves to create necromancers and manipulate souls!"

Rhodes nodded slightly, but whether it was the so-called Church of Magic and Death or the Church of the Dead and Vengeance.

To Rhodes, they were all the same; they were all enemies.

"The saplings of the Tree of Life, falling into the hands of those necromancers, could very well become a medium for draining the life force of the world!"

Coralie continued to explain:

"Necromancers can rely on that life force to continuously create undead legions!"

"It might even create powerful undead creatures, resurrecting the dead and vengeful goddesses!"

Coralie's words startled everyone; the resurrection of such an evil god would surely be a disaster.

But Rod didn't believe Coralie and questioned, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"If the necromancers really go all out to snatch the so-called seedlings from the Ancient Wood Castle, you won't be able to stop them at all."

If the Tree of Life saplings are so important, the ghouls invading Ancient Wood Castle will number in the hundreds of thousands.

"Your Majesty, they don't know..."

Coralie explained with her head down, "But if Ancient Wood Castle falls, that seedling will inevitably fall into the hands of those necromancers..."

"This will be a terrible disaster."

"If you can save Duke Gumu, he will offer up the sapling of the Tree of Life with both hands."

Coralie said with utmost seriousness, "I swear on my life that I have told the truth, there is no lie whatsoever."

After listening, Rhodes nodded slightly.

But he did not agree immediately.

Rhodes beckoned to Vivian and then whispered a few words in her ear.

Vivian nodded, then closed her eyes and contacted Avril again.

Rhodes's gaze returned to Coralie.

“You know my attitude toward the church.”

Rhodes' voice was calm, but carried an undeniable authority.
“I can send the Imperial army to save everything, but those priests of the Church of Life and Nature will lose their freedom in the future.”

"The Duke of Gumu and the three thousand elite soldiers of the castle must obey my orders in the future."

Rhodes could not possibly save a nobleman who was out of his control.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty."

Corally immediately explained, "The Church of Life and Nature is not a member of the Holy Council."

"They revere nature and believe in the Tree of Life itself."

Rhodes was somewhat surprised. "Worship the Tree of Life? Is the Tree of Life a deity?"

"Gods are not the only faith, Your Majesty. You can understand that they are more inclined towards sorcerers."

Corally explained, "Or you could call them wizards of life and nature."

"They were originally a Tree of Life serving in another world."

"After losing contact, they began to explore and study magic on their own, eventually turning to faith in nature."

"Right now, all they want to do is protect that withered sapling of the Tree of Life."

"If you can lend a hand, they are willing to do their job for you."

This time, Coralie made no secrets and told everyone everything.

Rod was somewhat curious about this church that was not affiliated with the Holy Council.

The Wizard of Life and Nature sounds like a great asset to the Flame Dragon Empire.

While Rhodes was thinking, Vivian snapped out of her reverie.

“Your Majesty, what Coralie said is indeed possible.”

"And it is theoretically feasible."

She lowered her voice, her eyes becoming serious.

"My sister said that if a necromancer could corrupt it, he could transform it into a necromancer tree."

"The Tree of the Dead not only absorbs the life force of its surroundings, but it can also assimilate the environment, making it suitable for the survival of the undead." "This will be a disaster far more severe than what we are facing now."

……

……

"north!"

"They're coming up!"

"Oil! Quick, get some oil!"

"Archers!"

"Watch out for that giant ghoul, take it down!"

……

A cacophony of shouts echoed across the walls of the ancient wooden fortress as soldiers fought fiercely against the ghouls that kept climbing up the walls.

The moat below the city walls was piled high with the corpses of ghouls, all traces of what had happened before.

At this moment, those corpses became a bridge for other ghouls to attack the castle.

The ghouls had no siege equipment; they were able to climb the city walls using only their claws.

They surged forward like a tide, one after another.

Of course, it was precisely because they lacked tools that the soldiers on the city walls were able to hold them off.

"Ahead!"

"Another one is coming up!"

A soldier cried out in terror, "Another giant ghoul is charging at us!"

"Fire the arrow! Fire the arrow!"

At the commander's order, dozens of flaming arrows shot out from the air, striking the giant ghoul's head one after another with precision.

With a loud thud, the giant ghoul crashed heavily to the ground, crushing the ghouls behind it into a bloody pulp.

At the same time, countless oil canisters and boulders fell from the city walls, instantly turning the area below into a sea of ​​fire.

But the ghouls didn't care about the casualties, and more ghouls surged in.

The prolonged and intense fighting exhausted the soldiers.

Even the knights were already staggering, let alone the ordinary soldiers.

Just as the soldiers were unconsciously retreating, streaks of green light suddenly appeared in the sky.

An elderly man dressed in a dark green robe stood behind, holding a staff aloft.

A fist-sized emerald gem was inlaid on the staff, shimmering with a dazzling light.

Immediately afterwards, green specks of light fell from the sky like raindrops, landing on the soldiers.

The soldiers immediately felt lighter and their energy was rapidly returning.

The wounds from the ghoul's scratches were slowly healing, and even the deathly aura on the city wall had subsided somewhat.

The soldiers rallied again, their eyes gleaming as they pounced on the ghouls!
"kill!"

The commander roared, "Drive these monsters off the city walls!"

The soldiers, wielding their sharp blades, pressed forward with all their might, and actually drove all the ghouls off the city wall!
"Boom boom boom!"

Just as the soldiers were in high spirits, a loud explosion occurred!
Looking up, a horrifying scene unfolded!

Hundreds of giant ghouls surged toward the castle!

Behind them followed countless figures, a dark mass rushing toward the ancient wooden fortress!
"Stop them!"

The commander roared, "Archers! Stop them!"

Countless arrows streaked through the air, and even spears were launched!
Even so, it still couldn't stop the giant ghouls!

In the blink of an eye, they rushed to the city walls and gates, violently ramming them with their bodies!
"Bang bang bang!"

With a series of loud bangs, even the entire city wall began to tremble!
"It's over!"

"The city wall is about to collapse!"

"Shut up and hold the line!"

The commander roared and picked up his spear, throwing it with all his might at the giant ghoul below the city!
With a loud "thud," the giant ghoul's head was pierced!

But all of this is just a drop in the ocean!
The fallen giant ghoul became a staircase, with more ghouls climbing up by stepping on its corpse.

Even more terrifying, the city gate was now groaning, and it sounded like it wouldn't be long before it was smashed open by the giant ghoul!

The commander on the city wall realized something was wrong and grabbed a nearby soldier.

"Notify the church to take the Duke away!"

"quick!"

The soldier immediately understood and shouted, "Yes, sir!"

Just then, a tall, dignified middle-aged man led four people dressed in robes onto the city wall.

"I will not leave. I will defend the ancient wooden fortress with you!"

After saying that, the middle-aged man drew his longsword. "Warriors of the Ancient Wood Clan, I, Steyr Ancient Wood, the ruler of the Ancient Wood Duchy, will always stand with you!"

"kill!"

"kill!"

The soldiers' morale soared once again!
Four robed figures simultaneously raised their staffs, from which dozens of vines sprouted and instantly pierced the ghoul's head.

Then, the vines moved swiftly across the city wall like long snakes, reaping the lives of more ghouls.

"Look at the sky!"

At this moment, the soldiers anxiously shouted, "What's that in the sky!"

A dark shadow swooped down from the sky and tore the soldier's head apart!
An archer reacted quickly, drawing his bow in an instant and shooting him down with an arrow!
"Ow!"

The dark figure screamed and crashed to the ground!
"A winged ghoul?!"

The soldiers' eyes widened in surprise!

This ghoul has a pair of bat wings on its back!

"Look!"

Just as everyone was in shock, the sky in the distance turned completely dark!
They're all winged ghouls!

"Archer!"

The commander roared, "Shoot those guys down!"

However, the imagined rain of arrows did not appear this time; only a few arrows were shot out!
"My arrow missed!"

"I don't have any left either!"

"My lord, you're out of arrows!"

"Damn it!"

The commander cursed, but had no time to complain!
Because another horde of ghouls has surged up from under the city walls!

"Be on guard! A winged monster has flown into the castle!"

The commander could only shout at the soldiers to be careful!
But he knew that, facing attacks from both the ground and the sky, the castle was in grave danger!

Just as everyone was in despair, a huge black shadow flew out from the clouds!

The raging flames surged and crashed into the horde of bat-winged ghouls!

In an instant, the winged ghouls fell like rotten fruit from a tree!

Several giant dragons flew out, their breaths landing on the ghoul horde!
The dark, swarming ghouls instantly turned into a sea of ​​fire!
Not only that, but more than a dozen giant eagles and falcons flew in from the other side of the city!

The black jars kept falling into the ghouls, turning them into seas of fire!

The bat-winged ghouls in the sky not only turned to ashes, but the ghouls on the ground were also thrown into chaos!
"Reinforcements!"

"They're our reinforcements!"

The soldiers shouted excitedly, gripped their blades, and began to fight fiercely!

"It's reinforcements!"

Duke Gumu immediately realized, "It's reinforcements from the Flame Dragon Empire!"

The duke suddenly brandished his longsword.

"Warriors!"

"Drive all these monsters away!"

"Kill!"

……

……

With the dragon's support, the ghouls on the city wall were finally pushed back once again.

The ghouls' attack continued, but without the threat from the air and with the help of the Church of Life and Nature, the ghouls were temporarily unable to scale the city walls.

Soon, the dragons and the Skyfire Legion gathered in front of the castle, and their joint defense eased the pressure on the soldiers.

The black flames circled once in the air before slowly descending onto the castle square.

Wearing close-fitting dragon scale armor, Rhode jumped off Black Flame's back.

This dragonscale armor was reforged by the Dawn Order, with added enchantments for resilience, swordsmanship, and energy protection. It was also inlaid with earth gems, making it able to withstand first-level spells.

Vivian, Carlos, and the others had already landed and were guarding Rhodes.

Duke Gumu was already waiting, and upon seeing Rhodes, he respectfully knelt on one knee.

"Great Emperor Yanlong, thank you for your rescue!"

Duke Gumu spoke sincerely and without hesitation: "The Gumu family will be loyal to you for generations to come!"

"Etiquette can be skipped at such times."

Rhodes looked at him and said calmly, "Bring the sapling of the Tree of Life."

(End of this chapter)