Chapter 28: There’s a Traitor

Generally, territories are chosen in locations that are easy to defend but difficult to attack, such as the tomb-style territories of the Undead or sea-based strongholds for those favoring maritime factions.

Although Qin Yu held the [Blood Church] blueprint, he viewed it only as a vital auxiliary force.

Obtaining legitimate Church-affiliated unit structures was incredibly difficult; building one without the Holy See’s permission would result in being labeled a heretic.

The only way to acquire them legally was to join the Church, but doing so meant the Lord existed in name only, possessing only the right to use the recruited Church army, which the Holy See could reclaim at any time.

The [Blood Church] perfectly circumvented this issue.

Essentially, it was a branch of the Blood Clan; it could utilize Church-style auxiliary units like nuns, clerics, and bishops, while also possessing the formidable power of the vampires.

Of course, there were drawbacks: if a unit’s will was not steadfast, their mind would gradually deteriorate, making them prone to bloodlust and turning them into beasts craving gore.

Given this, Qin Yu viewed them as a crucial auxiliary force rather than his primary combat army.

As for his true primary combat units, Qin Yu already had a candidate in mind.

Powers overlapped on the Central Continent—mighty forces like the Holy See, the Dwarves, and the Drow Elves, as well as rising factions like the Green Forest Tribes.

What Qin Yu sought was a rising power similar to the Green Forest.

“Uh, why are we coming to a place like this?”

The five girls were perplexed as Qin Yu led them into a marshland.

What was the plan here? Enjoy a swamp hot spring?

“It’s so damp and humid here, everything feels sticky…”

[Rock Sugar Pear] took the opportunity to lean closer to Qin Yu.

“Because I intend to establish my territory here.”

“WHAT???”

Several girls shouted in unison, startling the flocks of birds resting nearby into flight.

“Servant, has your brain malfunctioned? Establishing a territory here?”

Yin Feixue couldn’t understand what Qin Yu was thinking; no matter how one looked at it, this place seemed unsuitable for a territory.

“Rest assured, this is only part of the territory. First, we need to go and take over our new unit structure.”

Qin Yu continued forward, and Yin Feixue and the others could only follow him with growing questions.

When they reached the heart of the swamp, they stopped; any further forward and they might sink into the mire.

“This place isn’t fit for humans to live in…”

“Can we run away now?”

“Don’t even think about it. You’re already on my ship; even if you run, I’ll just catch you and bring you back.”

Qin Yu joked.

Suddenly, Yin Feixue sensed something. “About twenty Tier 4 creatures are approaching, and one of them is Tier 5.”

Everyone immediately went on high alert.

Twenty-plus Tier 4s was no joke; the six players here were all currently Tier 1, relying entirely on Yin Feixue’s Tier 7 power to carry them.

As for Luna, her current Tier 4 strength allowed her to act as a close-quarters bodyguard for Qin Yu, albeit barely.

The sounds drew closer as several agile figures swung toward them on vines.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Several dark shadows instantly surrounded the group. Qin Yu signaled Yin Feixue not to act just yet.

These shadows were dressed very simply, essentially wearing skins of fierce beasts to cover their vitals.

Their skin was a deep bronze, their physiques were athletic and robust, and they held spears or swords and shields, with bows and quivers strapped to their backs.

They were the Amazon Warriors of the marshlands—a mid-tier unit proficient in both offense and defense.

The Amazons spoke a different language, but thanks to the convenience of the [Fate Paradise] system’s translation, communication was seamless for the players.

“Invaders, leave this place! This is the territory of the Amazon tribe!”

The leading Tier 5 Amazon warrior bellowed, her booming voice genuinely startling Sugar and the other girls.

It appeared these Amazon warriors were quite disdainful toward girls who looked as delicate as Sugar’s group.

Their attention was fixed entirely on Yin Feixue and Qin Yu.

They watched Yin Feixue because her strength was unfathomable, and Qin Yu because he was a man…

The Amazon tribe was a matriarchal society where the females were born with strength surpassing that of ordinary humans.

Their reproduction relied primarily on raiding human men to procreate.

A single human male might have to face dozens of Amazon women, and once they had been used, those men were often disposed of…

Consequently, being stared at so blatantly by a group of Amazon warriors didn’t exactly make Qin Yu feel wonderful.

“More Tier 1s are approaching from that direction…”

Yin Feixue continued her warning; they were truly surrounded.

“Pardon our intrusion. we mean no harm; we simply seek the assistance of your Amazon tribe.”

“If you do not leave immediately, you shall all be buried within this swamp!”

Clearly, these people had no intention of listening to Qin Yu.

They raised their weapons in a combat stance just as their reinforcements arrived.

Dozens of Tier 2 blowgunners appeared.

They were leaner than the warriors and were the younger fighters of the tribe; they could fire poisoned needles through their blowguns, making them a dangerous unit as well.

“Should we… should we use a teleport to escape?”

“With so many enemies, we can’t possibly win, can we?”

Several girls were already considering a retreat.

“Xiao Xue, knock them out, but don’t kill them.”

“Servant, you are asking for the impossible.”

Yin Feixue didn’t know the meaning of “mercy,” but she tried her best to comply nonetheless.

“[Blood Swamp]!”

The surrounding mire was instantly stained with the color of blood, and countless tentacles surged out to entangle the Amazon warriors.

“I can’t move…”

“Such immense power…”

The Amazon warriors were rendered completely immobile; Yin Feixue’s Tier 7 strength was essentially an overwhelming force against these people.

“Now, can we have a civil conversation?”

Qin Yu walked up to the Tier 5 Amazon leader and spoke.

“Man, what exactly is your goal?”

The Tier 5 Amazon’s struggling grew less frantic, as if she were plotting something.

“I told you just now. I need the help of your Amazon tribe.”

These Amazon warriors were exactly the primary force Qin Yu needed—born warriors who possessed absolute dominance in frontal combat, capable of holding their own even against cavalry units.

“Help? Why should we help you?”

The warrior was accumulating strength as she spoke.

“Your Amazon tribe is currently short on manpower, isn’t it? I have a [Territory Core] and can collaborate with you…”

Qin Yu noticed the Amazon warrior’s intent.

Suddenly, a sword light flickered, its sharp edge lunging toward Qin Yu.

Luna appeared and blocked the strike for him.

Bang!

Relying on her tier advantage, the Amazon warrior pushed back the Tier 4 Luna, then used the momentum to snatch Qin Yu and vanish into the depths of the swamp.

“Uh… so, are we going to save him?”

Sugar and the others were dazed; the event had happened so suddenly they hadn’t even reacted.

“Did you let that woman take my servant on purpose?”

Yin Feixue floated over, her eyes burning with rage as she interrogated Luna.

“No! Not at all! That woman was a tier higher than me and stronger! I just didn’t react in time!”

Luna retorted loudly to hide her guilt.

In truth, that was exactly what she had intended…