A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 1615 - 1080: Building a City

Meanwhile, in the Rogues’ Camp, Tacheng Xiao Mao and Naruse Mio were sitting idly by the campfire, feeling bored.

After all, aside from being in a daze, they had nothing else to do.

The entire Blood Wasteland was shrouded in darkness due to the influence of evil forces. Only the areas lit by fire had some light. People in the Rogues’ Camp were either preparing for battle or out on patrol. Only a few merchants stayed behind to peddle goods, but the two didn’t have the currency of this world, so even if they fancied something, they could only look on helplessly. As a result, they could only sit by the campfire and daydream.

By the way, Xiao Mao wasn’t wearing her Power Armor anymore, and the reason was simple. Although the Power Armor was indeed incredibly protective, Xiao Mao discovered a significant issue once she put it on.

She couldn’t fly.

Yes, as a Demon, Tacheng Xiao Mao should theoretically be able to spread her wings and fly through the sky, but that was when she was wearing her school uniform that allowed for an opening at the back. However, the Power Armor was so tightly sealed that not a wisp of air could pass, and Xiao Mao’s wings couldn’t squeeze out. Moreover, the suit was too heavy, so even if Xiao Mao extended her wings, she couldn’t fly. This was why she had to rely on Naruse Mio’s Gravity Magic to return.

Therefore, when not in battle, Xiao Mao would stow away the Power Armor — she couldn’t exactly wear it 24/7 like Duanmu Huai.

"Sigh, when will uncle be back?"

Looking at the dim and gloomy sky, Naruse Mio sighed helplessly. Duanmu Huai had left to check on the movement of the Royal City’s reinforcements, leaving the two of them behind without mentioning when he’d return... Could it be he won’t be back today?

"Xiao Mao, what time is it now?"

"Three in the afternoon..."

"I thought it was almost time to sleep..."

Saying this, Naruse Mio yawned. The weather in this ghostly place made day and night indistinguishable, disrupting her schedule. Had she not heard Xiao Mao’s response, Naruse Mio might have thought it was already eleven or twelve at night.

"———————!!"

Just as the two were staring blankly at the campfire, a commotion suddenly came from outside, along with shouts and hurried footsteps.

What happened?

Just as the two stood to see what was happening, hurried footsteps approached, and then Kasha burst into the tent, fully armed.

"Is the Steel Warrior here?"

"Huh? Uncle? He went out and hasn’t come back yet..."

"Where did he go?"

"He said he was going to check on the reinforcement preparations at the Royal City... what happened?"

"Scouts just reported that a large number of Demons and Undead are advancing towards the camp; we’ve been discovered!"

"Huh?"

Hearing Kasha’s response, the two were shocked.

"How could this happen?"

"It’s likely that the elimination of the Blood Bird and Leoric alerted Andariel, which is why she chose to attack the Rogues’ Camp at this time..."

"Then, what should we do next?"

"There’s no choice but to hold the line!"

"Hold the line? Here? Can we defend it?"

It must be said, faced with Kasha’s decision, Naruse Mio and Tacheng Xiao Mao were equally bewildered. In fact, even though Duanmu Huai complained, they shared similar thoughts internally. The Rogues’ Camp was entirely built on a dilapidated ruin. Moreover, this ruin didn’t even have a shelter from the wind and rain, only the collapsed stone wall barely over a meter high.

At the time, Duanmu Huai had mocked how useless this place was. Although the two didn’t say it aloud, they thought the same thing.

But in truth, they didn’t know that building the Rogues’ Camp here was a decision made out of necessity!

After all, the wasteland was a playground for Demons, and the slightly larger ruins were awakened Undead creatures due to evil invasions, the forests were full of mutant creatures. Animals like hedgehog rats, once small, now swelled to near pig-size.

Under these circumstances, reaching the perilous ruins for refuge was impossible, and so was venturing into the forests filled with mutated Demon Beasts. Hence, they had no choice but to establish the Rogues’ Camp in this spot.

At least here, there was a wall! Other places didn’t even have that!

"Even if we can’t hold it, we must!"

Kasha gritted her teeth and looked at the two.

"When will the Steel Warrior be back?"

"I don’t know either, maybe something happened at the Royal City..."

Naruse Mio and Duanmu Huai had lived together long enough to understand his uncle’s temperament. Simply put, he was a hotheaded impatient type. If things were fine at the Royal City, Duanmu Huai would have returned by now. Since he hadn’t shown up for four or five hours, it was probable something at the Royal City was holding him up.

"Really... Whatever, you two need to help as well!"

Leaving that statement, Kasha hastily turned and left, while Naruse Mio and Tacheng Xiao Mao exchanged a glance and also walked out of the tent.

By now, the Rogues’ Camp was in chaos, with many already preparing weapons for battle. Even ordinary civilians were either helping to repair the collapsed stone walls or crouched under the wagons... under the wagons?