Chapter 223

Fire is always right.

Beyond the era of spears, swords, and arrows clashing in close combat, even in modern warfare with cannons and missiles flying, fire remains one of the most effective means of attack. Today was no different. Oil and fire once again proved their power to the world.

The encampment lit up as if it were broad daylight. Hundreds of tents were ablaze, regardless of whether they were occupied or not. The intense heat could be felt even from here.

*”Fire! They set fire to the camp! Retreat!”*

*”Everywhere’s on fire! Where do we go? What were the sentries even doing?!”*

As expected, the voices of the enemy, now in chaos, echoed clearly.

We killed all the sentries. They neglected their duty, so they have no right to complain.

*”Damn it! This path is blocked too! Let’s go right!”*

*”Get on the horses! We need to get out of here…!”*

The enemy scattered in all directions, panicking. A stark contrast to their bravery during the day. Of course, there’s a big difference between a warrior’s death charging at the enemy and a dog’s death fleeing from flames.

Either way, we couldn’t let them mount their horses.

“Charge unit! Prepare to advance! The rest will continue to provide cover here!”

After giving orders to the knights under my command, I poured water over my head and covered my nose and mouth with a wet cloth. The plan was to charge into the enemy camp, disrupt their formation, and strike key facilities… but upon closer inspection, there were some minor issues.

*[You’re going to jump into that inferno with just a handful of water pouches? I always knew you were crazy, but this is truly insane.]*

Hersela muttered in disbelief.

Hmm… even I think it’s crazy. It’s burning way more than I expected.

Perhaps it’s because the camp, made of wood and cloth, is in a grassy plain. From atop the barrier, it looks like a massive fire pit, hundreds of meters wide.

What are the chances of getting in there and coming out unscathed? Even the knights were reluctant.

“Can’t we just keep using fire attacks? Even so, that place is…”

If Nigel is saying this, maybe we should stop…?

No, no. We can’t do that.

“Fire attacks alone lack decisiveness. While the enemy is in chaos, we need to reduce their numbers as much as possible.”

If they regain order and attempt a breakthrough, there’s no way to stop them.

With less than fifty knights, spread in four directions, and without even horses, just wearing breastplates, there’s no way to stop over a thousand troops. We might even be wiped out instead.

So, even if we get half-roasted, we need to shake the enemy directly.

– Swoosh!

Drawing my sword, I looked at the knights lined up behind me.

Some hesitated, frightened by the flames. Others poured water over their heads with stiff expressions.

“I will fight!”

I shouted at them. The knights’ eyes all turned to me.

“Charge unit, what will you do? If you’re scared, you can stay behind. Even as knights, it’s natural to fear a pit of fire. I won’t call it dishonor or shame!”

It was irony.

If the commander is willing to fight, staying behind out of fear of fire is indeed shameful dishonor.

“But remember! The empire’s people are dying in the flames of civil war as we speak! We must destroy these bastards as quickly as possible and save as many people as we can. This opportunity is right before us!”

I pointed my sword at the enemy camp.

The Sword of Endurance, Durandal, gleamed coldly. The knights were mesmerized by Jin’s blade.

“What is the duty of a knight? Do you still remember the oaths you swore?”

“Fight without fear! We shall become the barrier of humanity!”

The charging knights drew their weapons in unison.

Nigel also shouted loudly, raising his spear. His eyes shone with firm resolve.

“Yes, if you remember, then charge! The time has come to prove your resolve! Fight for humanity!”

I turned and ran.

Toward the blazing encampment of the White Flag Troops, facing the scorching wind head-on.

“For humanity!”

“Follow Sir Median! Charge!”

With a morale-boosting battle cry, dozens of knights followed.

Their high spirits burned like the flames.

—-

[You really know how to rally the knights. I always knew you had a way with words.]

Hersela let out a hollow laugh, seemingly impressed.

‘What, are you going to mock me like usual?’

[No. That’s a valuable trait for a commander. Take pride in it and hone it further. It will always be useful.]

That was more generous than expected. What’s going on? I thought she’d call me a con artist.

*”The empire’s forces are coming!”*

There was no time for leisurely conversation.

Amidst the chaos of fleeing the flames, the White Flag Troops, who had just spotted us, screamed.

Without slowing my pace, I drew a dagger from my waist and threw it. The flash pierced through the flames and struck the enemy’s throat.

“Charge! The top priority is the horses! Seize the horses and mount them! Kill the rest and disrupt the enemy’s formation!”

“Yes!”

Together with the knights, I plunged into the flames.

Inside the camp was chaos.

Everywhere was a sea of fire, with black smoke swirling like a vortex, making it hard to see even a step ahead. The skeletal remains of tents collapsed with a crash, scattering ash and dust.

*”The enemy is here! We must stop them!”*

*”Horses! Get on the horses! We need to get out of here…!”*

The smell of burning leather, cloth, flesh, and oil assaulted my nose, while the screams of beasts and people mixed into an incomprehensible noise that rang in my ears.

The White Flag Troops. Ka`har’s elite…

The infantry, caught off guard by the sudden disaster, forgot all discipline and control, running wild like monkeys hit by a firecracker.

In this inferno, running around was no different from committing suicide.

Unsurprisingly, the ground was littered with people who had collapsed from smoke inhalation. The flames engulfed their backs and burned fiercely.

It was a sight to behold.

Who would have thought they’d fall into such disarray?

“Knights who can speak Eastern, shout and stir up chaos! Ah, only male knights!”

Nigel, who had been about to shout, suddenly hesitated, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

Well, it couldn’t be helped—most of Ka`har’s warriors were men. A woman’s voice shouting wouldn’t do much good.

“Fall back! We need to fight where the flames can’t reach! Head west!”

“The west is already blocked! North! We must go north!”

“Scatter! Move in all directions! If we stay together, we’ll all burn to death!”

The knights shouted in unison, spreading false information.

Other units, having noticed my command, soon filled the entire camp with shouts.

Now, giving orders from afar wouldn’t be enough to control the chaos.

Even if the White Flag Troops tried to calm their forces, they could only manage the soldiers around them at best.

If we just cut them down, the two thousand White Flag Troops would collapse like headless beasts.

—

Excluding the heat that felt like being in a steamer, the battle with them was ridiculously easy.

The enemy soldiers, trying to avoid the flames, were split into groups of dozens at most, and such numbers couldn’t stop a knight’s charge.

A sword swung in rage was blocked by a longsword, losing its power, and a flowing counterattack sent heads flying.

Only twenty. There was no one who could stop the steps of those twenty.

The knights, like lightning splitting dry trees, crushed the enemy without hesitation.

Soldiers charging on horseback were actually welcome.

If they had kept their distance and fired arrows, it might have been different, but charging in like this was like offering us a free horse.

Nigel and I threw daggers, piercing the cavalry and knocking them off their horses.

As the startled horses lost their riders, nearby knights quickly grabbed the reins and mounted.

The moisture on my cloak had dried, but it didn’t matter.

The water bags were coming to us on their own.

“Wet yourselves with the enemy’s blood! We’ll hold out for a while!”

I swung my sword at the charging enemy.

A flash of blue light cut through their waist.

The severed upper body rolled on the ground, and the spilled guts sizzled on the oil puddles.

The spurting blood soaked my entire body.

Before I knew it, the twenty-two charging knights had become eighteen mounted cavalry.

My condolences to the four knights who had been roasted.

“Nigel! I’m handing over command. Target the warriors! Prioritize anyone trying to take command! Don’t forget to switch horses if yours reaches its limit! I’m going to meet the enemy commander!”

“Come back safely! You hear me!”

Nigel shouted urgently. In the past, she would have tried to stop me, but it seemed she was getting used to my recklessness.

“When have I ever not come back? Don’t worry, just wait!”

I laughed lightly and pulled the reins.

The stolen horse, startled, began to gallop.

The enemy commander, Amin’s tent, was clearly visible in the distance.

—

I charged straight toward Amin’s tent.

“The Empire’s knight is targeting Amin!”

“Stop him! Knock him off his horse!”

The White Flag Troops, realizing my target, charged at me. Some on horseback, others on foot.

Perhaps because I was wearing a cloak, they hadn’t recognized me yet.

I spurred my horse and raised Durandal.

“Dieeeeee!”

A diagonal slash. The blue blade shattered the enemy’s sword like glass and continued forward.

The lower half of the warrior’s body, split in two, stained the saddle red.

“Chaaaa!”

I grabbed the cavalry spear aimed at my chest with an ice blade.

“Huh, wha—!?”

The leather strap securing the saddle tore off, and the warrior who had thrust the spear was yanked toward me.

Durandal sliced through his neck. His limp body crashed to the ground.

“What kind of power…! Is he the Empire’s great warrior? No, could it be…!?”

The enemy’s momentum faltered and wavered. A clear opening. My excited horse charged forward without hesitation.

Durandal glowed blue, and the cavalry spear in my left hand was enveloped in a crimson aura.

“Get out of my waaaay!”

The spear and sword swept through like a storm. Blood poured like rain, and severed and crushed bodies flew into the air.

I couldn’t match Havar’s skill, but my horsemanship was enough to break through these enemies.

“It’s Ha-shal-leur! The traitor, Ha-shal-leur, has appeared!”

[Those bastards!]

Hersela had another outburst.

…She’s surprisingly sensitive to insults, this woman.