Chapter 109

Episode 109

The members of the separate unit swiftly secured the inner castle.

Jericho arrived shortly after, leading the Lucius Inspection Unit investigators. The inner castle, caught between the pincer attack of the separate unit and the investigators, completely crumbled.

“What are our casualties?”

“Almost none! Only a few soldiers are injured!”

Deneve reported with an excited voice. He added, “Lady Ionia’s performance was incredible! Anyone who didn’t know her would have thought she was a bloodthirsty mercenary.”

He was praising his comrade instead of boasting about his own achievements.

I remembered Baron Fontaine in the capital, asking me to take care of his son. He had raised a fine young man.

“Tend to the wounded and search the area thoroughly. And burn all the Gerard family banners. Their name will be erased from this land starting today. Replace them with our family banners.”

“As you command!”

Jericho approached, dusting off his hands.

“My lord, how did you open the gate?”

“I anticipated that their defenses would be lax. I exploited their weakness.”

“You didn’t use magic, did you?”

“I only used the enclave.”

“Aha! That’s a clever method. It must have been helpful.”

Jericho seemed pleased. The “enclave” was a secret technique of the Tulu family, to which he belonged. He must have been happy to see it being used effectively.

“Some disloyal scoundrels tried to burn documents, so I had to teach them a lesson. The investigators are securing evidence as we speak. It’s only a matter of time before we catch a big fish.”

“Knowing Roman, he probably has some backup evidence prepared. He’s not the type to go down alone.”

“Hehehe. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Anyway, good work. Send a messenger to the ambush unit and tell them to get ready. The news of the castle’s fall will reach the Gerard main force soon.”

“I’ve already sent a messenger. But will Sir Ferguson be alright on his own? I’m a bit worried because he lacks experience.”

I had a different opinion.

Ferguson was a former soldier selected by the Lady. He might lack experience, but he had other qualities that compensated for it.

“It all depends on how much rage the volunteer soldiers can unleash. Just wait and see. It’ll be fine.”

Just then, an investigator from the Inspection Unit rushed towards us and saluted.

“Sir Jericho! You need to see this.”

He handed Jericho a stack of documents. Jericho’s eyes widened as he quickly flipped through the pages.

“Wow! We already caught a big one!”

He picked out a piece of luxurious paper and handed it to me. It was a letter written in elegant handwriting.

The sender wasn’t mentioned, but the content was clear and concise.

“Kill me by any means necessary?”

“It’s obvious who sent it, even without a name, isn’t it?”

It was definitely from Grand Duke Hylix.

‘He didn’t write his name because he doesn’t trust Baron Roman. That bastard would probably keep the letter instead of burning it.’

It was a tragedy born from mutual distrust.

We now had evidence that a third party was involved in this territorial war.

Connecting it to Grand Duke Hylix might be a logical leap, but it could be a useful card to play someday.

“My lord!”

A soldier on horseback galloped towards us. He was from the main force led by Selendis.

“The enemy’s main force has set up camp on the Hartan Plain! The captain ordered me to inform you that the battle is about to begin!”

“Tell the captain that we’ve captured the castle and to focus on her mission. Return immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

The castle occupation proceeded smoothly. We had secured all the members of the Gerard family, including the families of the key knights.

All that remained was the decisive battle on the Hartan Plain.

***

“It seems a major war has broken out before we even had a chance to spar, Captain.”

Paris spoke, his gaze fixed on the enemy lines. The enemy’s forces, led by their cavalry, looked formidable.

Selendis, who was also observing the enemy, nodded slightly.

“But I’m relieved to have you by my side, Sir Paris.”

“Enough with the pleasantries. Let’s talk about something more realistic. Can we hold them off? They have three high-ranking knights.”

The Walker Knight Order was significantly weaker in comparison.

The reason why House Walker and the Inspection Unit had been able to hold their ground so far was because of O’Brien. His strength was beyond imagination.

But now that he had gone to capture the enemy’s castle, the responsibility of defending this place rested solely on the shoulders of the two knights.

“I experienced something worse than this a long time ago. It’s still vivid in my memory, even though it was many years ago.”

A brief silence fell. Selendis continued, “I was young and weak back then, and I couldn’t do anything. But it’s different now. I have reliable comrades and subordinates. And most importantly, I have a lord I can depend on. I trust his strategy.”

This short conversation was enough for Paris to realize that Selendis harbored special feelings for O’Brien.

He felt a sense of pride.

To be fighting alongside such a loyal and capable knight.

“I’ll handle Donovan and one other high-ranking knight. Sir Paris, please take care of the rest.”

“That’s absurd! How can you fight two high-ranking knights at once? You’re throwing your life away! A commander shouldn’t be so reckless with their life!”

“There’s no other way. Please trust me.”

Paris sighed. He thought of his wife and children, who had trusted him and followed him to this remote place. But now was the time to think about the greater good.

“Why are you trying to shoulder the burden alone? I won’t back down from anyone who points their sword at me.”

Donovan was believed to be Grand Duke Hylix’s man. If they underestimated his skills, they would lose their heads.

Selendis hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“Please don’t be reckless with your life either, Sir Paris. Your family is waiting for you.”

“Don’t worry. I’m tougher than I look.”

A change occurred in the enemy’s ironclad formation. Trumpets blared, and the cavalry split into two groups, spreading out to the left and right.

“It seems the attack is about to begin. Sir Paris, get ready.”

“Good luck.”

Selendis stood before the soldiers and prepared her final speech.

She first checked their eyes.

Their morale was high, even though they were facing an enemy that outnumbered them by more than two to one. This was a war for justice, not a personal vendetta.

“The enemy’s cavalry will charge soon. We’ve prepared for this. I’ll say it again: never show weakness when facing cavalry as infantry. Even if you’re knocked down by a horse, keep your wits about you and swing your weapon. Being knocked down is an opportunity. Attack the horse if you have to, and bring the rider down. Remember, being knocked down isn’t defeat it’s an opportunity. Your greatest enemy isn’t the cavalry. It’s fear. Overcome it. And we will win this battle!”

“Oorah!”

The soldiers roared in response. The trumpets blared again from the enemy lines.

“Form ranks.”

“Everyone, form ranks!”

The soldiers moved as one. Five hundred infantrymen dispersed perfectly, like a single organism.

No, they weren’t just dispersing they were dividing into smaller units while maintaining a central formation.

It was a tactic that intentionally created gaps for the cavalry to charge into, only to be swallowed whole. It was a risky tactic, but it was effective with highly trained soldiers.

*Thud! Thud! Thud…*

The ground trembled slightly, like an earthquake. The tremors grew stronger, shaking the soldiers’ minds.

“The enemy is coming! They’re attacking from the flanks! Don’t break formation! We die together!”

The Gerard cavalry had spread out to the left and right and were now attacking from the sides.

Selendis and Paris tried to launch sword beams towards the flanks, but they had to focus their aura on blocking the overwhelming barrage of sword beams coming from the center.

*Boom!*

*Crash! Boom!*

The incoming sword beams were blocked, creating a cloud of dust. If they had failed to block them, half of the five hundred soldiers would have been incapacitated.

The enemy knights emerged from the dust cloud, riding leisurely.

Donovan, leading the charge, grinned cruelly and shouted, “I heard you just became a high-ranking knight, but your aura is quite mature! Impressive, Knight Selendis. You managed to withstand our attack. But don’t get complacent. The war has just begun…”

Selendis and Paris exchanged glances and charged forward. The Gerard knights dismounted and engaged in close combat.

The young Knight Captain of House Walker had cleverly secured a favorable position.

She blocked the advance of Donovan and Micra, the two high-ranking knights who were emanating a menacing aura.

“Are you planning to face us alone? With that frail body of yours?”

Selendis didn’t answer. She simply held her shield firmly and tightened her grip on the Frost Sword in her right hand.

She assumed a unique stance.

Donovan, a seasoned high-ranking knight, felt a strange sensation. He had never seen such a solid stance, like a wall of iron.

It was the most defensive swordsmanship style he had ever encountered.

“…I see, you have something up your sleeve. This will be interesting.”

Donovan wasn’t a braggart. He sensed danger.

Selendis steeled her resolve.

She was planning to unleash all the secret techniques of the Savion royal family today.

“Come.”

“As you wish!”

*Boom!*

A shockwave shook the earth. Two powerful auras crashed against Selendis.

The best way to block incoming sword beams was usually to intercept them. That way, you could prepare for the next attack even if you failed.

But Selendis blocked the two incoming auras with only her shield.

*Boom!*

*Rumble!*

More sword beams followed relentlessly.

They changed their patterns, trying to overwhelm Selendis.

*Clang! Clang!*

Donovan and Micra’s ferocious blades threatened Selendis’s life, but she blocked them all with her Frost Sword and shield.

“You’re persistent. How long are you going to be a slave to defense?”

Selendis wouldn’t fall for their cheap provocations. She took a step forward.

As the distance between them closed, the two high-ranking knights swung their swords.

Their purple auras raged fiercely, but they couldn’t break through Selendis’s shield, which was focused entirely on defense.

*Brrrt!*

A trumpet sounded from behind.

Something incredible had happened.

The Gerard cavalry, which had been charging with overwhelming momentum, had been reduced to half its size after a single clash.

The trumpet signaled the Walker Knight Order’s victory in the first engagement.

The Walker soldiers had taken Selendis’s advice to heart. Even when they were knocked down by horses, they swung their weapons and dragged the riders to the ground.

They had inflicted heavy casualties on the cavalry by taking them down one by one.

Donovan finally understood why Selendis was only defending.

‘That damned woman is playing dirty!’

He had to end this fight quickly. The morale of his main force would plummet if their first attack failed.

“Sir Micra, I’ll handle her. Go support Sir Nathan!”

*Whirr!*

Donovan channeled all his aura into his blade and charged towards Selendis.