Chapter 1456: Chapter 1454: Taking the Initiative
A few hours later.
Having prayed, Frank rode on his horse, along with his twelve team members, marching along the road towards the north.
Around him were the dense ranks of the rest of the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion, consisting of both infantry and cavalry. The commander, clad in full silver armor, led the way with his bodyguards at the front, while the squad leader Heimann whom he disliked was not far ahead to the side.
Frank blinked at Heimann’s back, contemplating how to distance himself from him to avoid drawing attention and trouble.
Unexpectedly, Heimann turned his head as if sensing something, glared from horseback, and reprimanded him skillfully, "Frank Dais, what’s going on? As a cavalry small team leader, how come you’re so slow, almost falling to the back of the whole formation, worse than the infantry squads? What are you good for? Did you eat all the horse feed, leaving the horse hungry and causing this?"
As he spoke, the fleshy part of his neck shook along with him, looking both comical and annoying.
You’re the one who eats horse feed, no, you eat pig feed, that’s why you grew like a pig... Frank thought to himself, but on the surface, he dared not show it, putting on a smile, "Squad Leader, how could I eat horse feed? I’m a bit slow because I started a bit late."
"Are you afraid of battle?" Squad Leader Heimann rolled his eyes dramatically.
You’re the one who’s afraid of battle, I’m just worried about the small chance of something bad happening, so I lead the squad at the back for easier handling of danger... Frank thought, but explained verbally, "Squad Leader, how could I be afraid of battle? Even if I were, it wouldn’t show now. After all, we haven’t even reached the Gray Rock Territory border yet, still far from Shalin—can’t see the enemy, how would I fear battle?"
"Hmph, too lazy to argue with you, let’s pretend what you said makes sense." Squad Leader Heimann replied, "But even so, your squad’s performance can’t be said as good, seems like there’s a lack of regular training. It’s my fault for being too busy, when I have time, I’ll definitely train your squad well, so you’re not always falling behind, embarrassing me."
"Yes, yes." Frank responded repeatedly, full of "sincerity", "After winning this war, under Squad Leader your guidance, our squad will train properly."
"Hmm, just remember it." Squad Leader Heimann said, halfway through his words, suddenly looked forward as if hearing something.
Then they saw the commander at the front had stopped moving forward, one hand resting on the longsword at his waist.
What is this?
Heimann glanced around with some confusion, murmuring to himself, "What’s going on? Hey, is there some kind of sound?"
"Clip-clop, clip-clop!"
Just as Heimann finished speaking, dense horseback sounds quickly approached from all around.
"Swash!"
The commander in silver armor sharply drew the longsword, shouting out, "Enemy attack, prepare to battle!"
Frank: "..."
His face turned pale instantly, strongly wishing to slap himself twice—he shouldn’t have spoken that way just now—there were several unlucky lessons from speaking carelessly before, how could he never remember?
...
At the same time.
Reef Rock Castle, City Lord Mansion, Command Room.
In the room, a staff officer in uniform stood straight, holding a few sheets of paper, solemnly reading the contents aloud.
Military God Soron Bonaparte—who controlled the most military power within the Alliance, sat in a chair next to him, supporting his chin with one hand, staring into the air in front. He seemed to be deep in thought, unmoving, like a statue.
Voices echoed in the room.
"General, according to the information we’ve gathered, after the incident, that person quickly left the city, heading directly west, out of sight, presumably returning to Shalin. However, our border scout posts found no traces, so... it’s possible the person is still within our borders..."
"Until today, the new court institution has been formed, managed by an ’Emergency Council’ organization, which includes several royal family members and some ministers with real power. Apart from discussing the selection of the new emperor, they are deliberating on how to punish that person, as the act was done under public scrutiny with very bad influence.
However, the ’Emergency Council’ doesn’t have many troops, and they also need to consider internal security issues, so they can’t dispatch many, mostly ordering us, along with other outside territories and special defense area garrison troops to advance towards Shalin..."
"Under the ’Emergency Council’s’ orders, except for our own direct troops at Reef Rock Castle, which remain unmoved without your command, other outside territories and special defense area garrison troops have already begun to move, approaching Shalin. According to the Staff Department’s estimate, these garrison troops have now formed a semi-siege around Shalin, applying some pressure. It’s likely Shalin will adopt defensive measures, leading to skirmishes near the border, the results... are uncertain..."
At this point, the unmoving Soron suddenly seemed to think of something, gently curled his lips and let out a soft laugh.
"Hmm?" The staff officer reading the intelligence couldn’t help but be puzzled, "General, you..."
...
Gray Rock Territory.
"Enemy attack!"
"Enemy attack—"
On the advancing road, the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion’s commander shouted loudly.
By now, the approaching horseback sounds had gathered into a vast array of human figures clearly visible in sight, revealing five units of one-hundred cavalrymen. Each was clad in black armor, their faces hidden behind visors, eyes fitted with brown glass, no part of their bodies exposed.
These were indeed the famed Black Knights of Shalin, silently and swiftly approaching.
The Silver Cross Mixed Battalion’s commander looked on, his hands trembling—partly from shock, partly from surprise. He really didn’t expect to encounter Black Knights here, as they hadn’t yet reached the Shalin border, still within Gray Rock Territory. He also really didn’t expect Shalin to not take defensive action as predicted, but instead launch an active strike.
"Hoo—"
Taking a deep breath, the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion’s commander forcibly composed himself, shouting orders loudly, "Whole battalion prepare for battle, infantry spread defense on flank wings, cavalry regroup at the central army, await my order to charge!"
Orders were issued, the entire Silver Cross Mixed Battalion moved quickly, efficiency at its peak under mortal peril, striving to muster the entire battalion’s strength to withstand the Black Knights’ assault.
They were after all a battalion of over a thousand, whereas the Black Knights numbered only five hundred across five units.
The numbers ratio was two to one; in this respect, they had a definite advantage.
Many young recruits thought so.
Then reality taught them a lesson.
As the flanking infantry just formed a defense formation and the cavalry readied to charge under the commander’s lead, a sharp whistle cut through.
One of the approaching cavalry units suddenly reached back, drawing spears strapped to their backs, and on horseback with speed, they charged and threw them after gathering power.
"Whistling——"
The sharp whistle pierced eardrums, spears howled through the air, their surfaces glowing with bright and dangerous sheen, like lightning descending, striking with precision.
"Splat!"
"Splat splat splat!"
The Silver Cross Mixed Battalion’s commander standing at the front was instantly pierced through, dying on the spot. The bodyguards surrounding the commander met a similar fate, killed by the spears before they could make any resistance, some bodies being pinned to the ground with their horses.
Without even engaging, the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion suffered a heavy blow, losing nearly a tenth of their forces, specifically the most elite ones.
The rest of the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion was instantly stunned, watching in daze as the Black Knights in their view came closer, their armor glowing like flame, resembling demons emerging from the Abyss, wielding longswords with intense killing intent as they charged.
Fifty meters, thirty meters, ten meters.
"Bang!"
The Black Knights’ vanguard of a hundred-strong unit successfully collided with the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion.
And then... the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion was routed upon impact.
Yes, routed upon impact, unable to even briefly hold. As the Black Knights swiftly cleaved off heads and broke through formations, the remaining Silver Cross Mixed Battalion members fled frantically in all directions without hesitation.
Only then did some finally realize that numerical advantage alone did not guarantee victory.
Indeed, they numbered over a thousand, but the Black Knights didn’t need five hundred; only a hundred could annihilate them.
For these were the legendary Spark People from the North Wilderness, these were the Magic Knights armed to the teeth.
Of course, some realized this even sooner, like Frank, who had somewhat guessed the outcome upon hearing the Black Knights’ hoof beats.
So, as soon as the Black Knights appeared, he was mentally prepared to retreat.
When the Silver Cross Mixed Battalion collapsed upon contact, confirming the situation was irreversible, he was the first to decisively flee on horseback, heading east, knowing Reef Rock Castle, home to the strongest Alliance Army, lay there.
As for whether he could make it there, it was up to fate.
Hopefully, I don’t die along the way... Frank muttered inwardly, listening to the constant cries of agony behind him, he clung close to the horse’s back, whipping it desperately to dash forward.
...
