Chapter 490

Chapter 113: Clash of Iron Bones and Burning Blood – Part Twelve

Boom—

In the instant the ice wall shattered, I retreated over twenty meters using Moon Step. The surging inferno burst forth like a giant wave from ahead, accompanied by the sizzling sound of steam as countless ice blocks and dense fog soared into the sky, whizzing past my ears. The strong wind stung my ears, so I quickly shielded my face with my hands. Then, I bent my knees and pushed off the ground forcefully, leaping high into the air.

I couldn’t see anything…

But the direction the fireballs were coming from was clear!

My eyes glowed blue once more, and in mid-air, my petite body seemed like a deep blue sun. The order force within me surged like the sea. I took a deep breath, compressing and gathering the immense power to my palms.

Crack, crack, crack, crack—

The frost force condensed around me like a tangible substance, the sounds of breaking ice constantly bursting around me. My eyes were fixed on the direction from which the fireballs were coming. I judged that they were likely from the distant high wall where there were no longer any knights from our side. This was a fact confirmed by Isaac.

With this realization, I could release my power without reservation—

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!!!

The moment I pushed forward with both palms, the frigid ice frost surged like a tidal wave, tearing open a massive hole through the fog. The swirling mist, laden with countless ice fragments, rolled forward with an unstoppable force, pushing beyond the visible horizon.

Instantly, I heard countless screams from a hundred meters away. The frost force had seemingly hit the wall accurately. The crisp sound of ice spreading echoed continuously, and the next moment, faint flames flickered in the distance.

Rumbling…

The air trembled, and denser fog mixed with steam suddenly drifted over, reducing visibility even further. In the fog ahead, another fiery ball roared towards me, the temperature rising sharply. I stepped on an ice platform and used Moon Step to dodge the impact of the fireball, landing afterward.

Boom—!!!

The fireball exploded from behind, stirring up a violent wave in the fog, blowing my black hair wildly. The vision ahead remained shrouded in white fog. I couldn’t confirm if my previous attack had achieved the desired effect or how many heretics it had killed. However, it was evident that the frost force hadn’t inflicted significant damage on the person casting the fireball; he could still counterattack.

Without being able to pinpoint their location, it was impossible to fight effectively…

Let’s retreat first.

Since I had made up my mind, there was no point in wasting time. Amidst the thick fog, a third fireball flew towards me again. I rapidly retreated using Moon Step, returning to the edge of the fog in moments. A gigantic horned horse stood quietly there. I leaped lightly onto its back, ignoring the explosion behind me, and turned the beast’s head towards Isaac’s direction.

The hooves pounded the ground swiftly as I charged forward in the darkness. Soon, I arrived before the elite cavalry. The bald deputy commander rode his beast down the slope and came forward: “I heard intense explosions. Did you engage the rats?”

“More or less.”

I nodded and added, “I can disperse the fog. But the range isn’t ideal… about two hundred… no, three hundred meters. Within a three-hundred-meter diameter. Beyond that, it’s possible, but the temperature would be unbearable for the knights.”

The words were disjointed, but I believed I conveyed the message clearly. Roughly estimating, if I controlled it well, my frost order could disperse the fog within a three-hundred-meter radius. Beyond that, it would require the Frost World, a temperature these knights couldn’t endure.

The fierce-looking bald man fell into thought: “Three hundred meters… too narrow on the battlefield… If the elite cavalry spread out in front, the remaining thousand knights following behind… It wouldn’t work; it would be too crowded. Moreover, we’d lose the mobility advantage of the elite cavalry, becoming easy targets…”

“What if… we take six hundred men and attack first?” I tilted my head and asked, “Isaac, let’s go in first, find the fog order, kill him, and dispel the fog.”

“No, too risky.”

Isaac immediately shook his head: “Even if we found him, we’d surely face the heretics’ strongest ambush. We don’t know their strength, and whether the two of us could eliminate a powerful heretic in a short time under multiple attacks is uncertain. If we delay, the knights entering the city will be in a very passive situation, possibly leading to total annihilation.”

“Then, let’s go together.”

If it were just me, the chances weren’t high. But with Isaac, the success rate might increase significantly.

“Little one, why so extreme?”

However, I was scolded by the bald man: “I understand your desire to save lives, but this is a battlefield. Taking such risks is absolutely forbidden. One wrong step could cost not only our lives but also those of hundreds of soldiers and tens of thousands of civilians behind us. Your actions just now were already quite dangerous. If the heretics have other means to trap you in the fog, what then? Each must take responsibility for their actions.”

His tone was stern, making his expression even fiercer. I bit my lip in silence, understanding that he was right, and I had been too hasty.

“Captain Isaac, please treat the lady gently.”

The young bishop spoke beside me, offering a comforting smile: “Miss Silvija is still young and inexperienced with warfare. It’s normal for her to think that way. Risking herself to save trapped soldiers and civilians shows her compassionate heart, doesn’t it?”

“But she bears the responsibility of a knight.”

Isaac scratched his head and looked at me: “Now is not the time for idle talk. What’s urgent is how to more effectively dispel the fog… Does the Order of Faith have no better methods?”

“No better options left.”

The young bishop frowned at the dense fog in the distance: “The fog is too thick. Even if we perform a miracle of snowfall, it would take a lot of time. Whether the low temperature would disperse the fog remains unknown. The method of snowfall is slower than Miss Silvija’s frost order. The reaction of the heretics during the process is unknown, and the people in the city can’t wait.”

“What if we combine the frost order? Is it feasible?”

“It’s not impossible. But in that case, the Order of Faith would be unable to provide effective support to the cavalry for a short time. We can’t follow the charge; everything depends on you.”

Isaac fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the forest, the thousand-strong cavalry led by Angel appeared under the night sky. The golden armor formed a long stream, glowing orange under the starlight, moving along the mountain slope towards the elite cavalry. Cavalry Captain Safiros rode ahead, speaking briefly with the messenger knight before shouting loudly to the rear: “Up the slope, quick formation!”

At the rear, Pope Angel rode atop the massive beast clad in gold armor, gazing at the distant city enveloped in fog and flames. His eyes flickered with indescribable emotions.

“Haha, they’re here!”

In the wilderness, Isaac watched the shadowy figures of the thousand knights in the dark, raising his eyebrows and laughing. He instructed the knights behind him: “Report the situation here to His Holiness immediately!”

Under the night sky, the vast wilderness was silent except for the clanking of armor. The golden flood gathered in the wind, the entire formation swift and orderly. The knights far away gazed solemnly at the southern city, their faces filled with intense battle intent, their eyes shining brightly.

…

On the walls shrouded in thick fog, the man in black clothes emitted a faint blue glow, observing the assembling cavalry from the fog. After a moment, a ghostly smile curled his lips as he turned to speak to the person beside him: “It seems everyone has arrived.”

“Yes.”

The person nodded.

“Notify them that in fifteen minutes, I’ll remove the fog. Everything will proceed as planned. The human wall can be deployed now.”

The person nodded again, a sinister smile appearing on his fog-covered face.

“First Cavalry… Haha.”

“This time, let’s play an interesting game with you. Don’t get too excited and cry, okay…”

…

“Your Holiness.”

In the wilderness, the cavalry deployed on the high slope, with Isaac’s elite cavalry roaming at the forefront. Behind the crowd, Pope Angel dismounted, joining me, Isaac, and the young bishop.

Forward. The bald giant pounded his chest in salute and quickly said, “There’s an Order of Mist among the enemy. If we can’t break through soon, it will be hard for us to advance.”

“Aletheion is on the brink of collapse. We don’t know the status of the Third Knightly Order because of the mist. It’s difficult to discern their movements and possible traps. We dare not charge recklessly, but we can’t just wait here either. Your Holiness, please decide.”

After Isaac reported, I told him about dispelling the mist. Angel rubbed his hair and looked thoughtful, “The Order of Mist… ah, I remember an uncomfortable fellow.”

His words were cryptic, and Isaac and I exchanged glances, unsure who he was referring to. But clearly, Angel didn’t care. He waved us off casually, “Pass my orders. Foot soldiers and knights with shields in front, elite cavalry with spears behind, the Faithful Order in the middle, advancing in a hook formation. Thin in the center, thick at the sides. Miss Silvijah, stand in the center of the formation to ensure the knights aren’t affected by the frost while using low temperatures to dispel the surrounding mist and clear the view. I’ll cast Free Wind from behind, expanding the cold air to its maximum range. All priests of the Faithful Order, fully open the Arcane Barrier to assist the Judgement Fist as we charge towards Aletheion!”

Soon, the fifteen hundred knights on the plain began to move.

It was the darkest hour of night. Apart from the distant flames, there were no stars or moonlight. A gentle breeze swept across the field, carrying a faint acrid smell. The mud stained red with blood, small grasses swayed stubbornly amidst the stench.

Below the city walls, there was commotion, mixed with occasional cries, and the sound of swords being drawn. In the mist, everything was chaotic. Two kilometers north, a tightly organized knight formation had formed on the hilltop. A golden torrent shaped like a blade, I stood in the center of the formation, surrounded by dozens of members of the Faithful Order. Beside me were Isaac and a familiar young bishop.

In the darkness, a quiet yet grim atmosphere spread outside the city.

But just as the knights prepared to advance, I heard a faint sound from the fog ahead.

That…

It seemed to be voices, mixed with footsteps and other sounds. Before I could decipher what they meant, the knights at the forefront began to stir.

“What’s going on…”

“Why has the mist… dispersed…”

The dense fog over Aletheion vanished in an instant.

Far away, the clamor of footsteps and shouts gradually approached this side. I glanced at Isaac, then turned to look at the Pope behind me. Suddenly, a golden radiance burst forth from the direction where Angel stood, accompanied by a humming divine miracle. Blinding white light reflected against the night sky. Gold flowed from the horizon, instantly forming a sun-like orb that scattered light, dispelling the darkness. The entire plain was illuminated as if it were day. I couldn’t help but squint slightly.

Under the holy light, in the distance, countless heretics emerged from the dissipating mist.

I was startled.

What trickery…

My mind hadn’t caught up yet, unsure why the heretics would disperse the fog, abandon the city walls, and choose to fight outside. Clearly, it was disadvantageous to them. I didn’t understand what they were doing, taking deep breaths as my heart raced. Regardless, I held the black scythe tightly in my hand, ready for the final battle, waiting for Isaac’s command.

But in the next moment, I heard the bald giant’s enraged exclamation: “Damn you! Damned beasts—”

!

What happened…

I stood in the formation, the giant already moved aside, and before me were countless knights in turmoil, blocking my view. I felt bewildered, with a bad premonition. I stood on tiptoe, but still couldn’t see past them. In desperation, I activated the Order of Chaos. With a “bang,” half-meter-high ice columns rose beneath my feet. Standing on the ice, I looked far into the distance.

Then, my heart tightened abruptly.

On the illuminated plain, countless shadowy figures slowly advanced toward us. At a glance, there were at least five thousand, perhaps more.

These were the heretic troops.

And at the forefront were hundreds, even thousands, of prisoners stripped naked, covered in wounds.

Amidst the clash between heretics and knights, flickering fires burned across the plain, accompanied by the flashes of blades and whips, and the cries of the captives. They huddled in the wind, driven like pigs and dogs, staggering forward. They appeared exhausted, some collapsing and unable to rise again.

At the front, several bodies hung from the flagpole, beaten to a pulp, heads drooping, uncertain if they were dead or alive. Crimson blood dripped from their feet. One of the armless bodies seemed familiar to Isaac.

“That’s… Nick Williams…”

The commander of the Third Knightly Order…

In an instant, my heart sank like ice.

“Get up! Keep moving—”

Whips lashed out from behind the captives, driving them forward. On the hilltop, the knights’ figures stretched out, the commotion subsiding as they watched.

Todd, a young knight with numerous injuries, walked among the captives, his sobs muffled.

He was a new knight of the Third Knightly Order, only sixteen years old, having joined the campaign after less than half a year of training. Over these months, terrifying heretics had surged like a flood, one comrade after another dying. People changed daily, until all faces became strangers.

Countless people had thrown themselves in defense, but ultimately, they couldn’t hold back.

The defeat tonight came too quickly. By the time his squad reacted, enemies were everywhere. He and his comrades fought desperately but lost. Many died; those who survived fought until exhaustion, initially accepting death, but the heretics stripped them of their weapons and armor without killing them.

They were corralled behind the city walls, ordered to crouch and huddle together, stripped naked. The knights’ honor was lost—not out of fear of death or a desire to be captured by demons. Rather, many believed there was still a chance, hoping to take down a few more heretics before meeting their end.

They shivered in the night wind, silent, awaiting their opportunity. Soon, they saw the commander of the Third Knightly Order.

That one-armed figure, heroic to Todd, was stripped of his armor, bound with ropes, dragged behind a beast, falling and leaving a trail of blood. When he was barely alive, he was tied to the flagpole.

That’s when Todd understood—they had no more chances.

Todd thought of death, but the courage to die so ignominiously wasn’t something every knight possessed. At least, he wasn’t ready. He wanted to die bravely, meaningfully.

Not long after, the heretics released the mist, driving them out of the city. Many were seriously injured, unable to walk, supporting each other. Passing the flagpoles, they saw Commander Nick hanging there, someone sobbing uncontrollably.

That once-mighty body was now pitifully battered from head to toe, barely clinging to life. Todd glanced once, unable to bear looking again.

The night wind howled, sweeping over the open plain.

Thousands of heretics slowly advanced, facing the eerily calm knights. The tension was palpable, the distance shrinking as the captives moved forward. In front of the heretic lines, dark-robed figures and burly men awaited the knights’ response.

From atop the hill, I, Isaac, and the young bishop witnessed this. The chilling sense of foreboding faded, replaced by a sense of helpless defeat and burning rage and sorrow.

“We underestimated…” The young bishop beside me breathed heavily, “Brothers of the Third Knightly Order… they couldn’t hold… We… came too late…”

“Isaac…”

My lips trembled.

Calling Isaac’s name was almost a strained whisper, anger nearly overwhelming reason. Yet, I knew I couldn’t act rashly at this moment.

The bald man remained expressionless.

He glanced at me, then slowly raised his right hand high.

“Charge! Swords—!!!”

Clang—

A synchronized clashing sound erupted from the hilltop as the knights raised their swords, pointing forward. However, their faces were filled with hesitation.