Chapter 40

I embed Calion at an angle and hide behind it.

The moment my arms support the blade, the shockwave hits. The rain of arrows unleashed by the armed force brutally strikes Calion and the surrounding ground.

“Make yourself as small as possible!”

“Yes! I’ll just kick away the ambiguous ones!”

Not all of the arrows released by those guys came our way.

Pak! Pak!

Except for the dozens of arrows striking Calion’s blade, the rest just dig into the ground. There were some aiming for the parts not covered by the sword, but Cruel skillfully deflected them.

The problem was that the steel rain didn’t just fall once.

“Here it comes again!”

As soon as Cruel’s shout ended, another barrage of arrows was unleashed.

Hundreds of shadows majestically covering the sky and the sharp sound of arrows piercing the air.

The incessant metallic sounds hitting the blade and the rough thuds striking the mounds of dirt.

So far, there hasn’t been any significant damage.

Right now, the situation is relatively safe, and it’s a good time to gather my thoughts.

‘The scale of the troops is two units of a hundred each.’

Judging by the number of arrows flying, about half are archers, and less than two tenths are skilled enough to accurately shoot arrows at my exact location.

The rest are just wildly shooting arrows around.

For an attack aimed at an individual that isn’t a siege, it’s quite a waste. It’s like burying money into the ground.

‘But it’s an effective method.’

Even if you don’t hit, continuing to shoot arrows around can cut off escape routes.

To triumph in battle against a superhuman, it’s crucial to limit mobility and secure a minimal distance.

Because if we give them distance, we’re all dead.

Ziiik-

“Tch.”

The robe that was repelling the chill of winter was helplessly torn apart.

The arrow that barely grazed left the robe in tatters, the arrowhead slightly brushing against the skin and leaving a faint scar. A hot pain arises along the split skin.

“…”

“Ignore it and focus on the arrows.”

Hundreds of arrows are wildly showering down.

Since Calion doesn’t completely cover my large frame, it’s inevitable to get some minor wounds.

Even manifestation users who take slashes and injuries on their swords will die.

Though their persistent life force makes them not die easily, they will if they keep getting hit.

Naturally, I’m not a manifestation user; if I get hit by several arrows, I’ll die too.

‘It’s a bit annoying, but…’

It’s time to endure for what’s next.

The arrows aren’t infinite. This attack won’t last long.

If we had enough supplies, we wouldn’t be able to chase after the lone figures moving separately.

But that troop barely caught up with us heading towards the Foggy Plains.

It means they focused on marching with lightened armament.

They likely only have the weapons they personally brought. Once they’ve spent a while shooting, the only remaining means of attack would be swords or spears.

“Captain Cruel, as soon as the attack subsides, we immediately move. Once we throw Calion, it’ll momentarily disrupt their formation.”

“Isn’t it retreating but attacking?”

“We need to. They’ll keep chasing us until they are certain we are dead. With this level of troops, the rumors have already spread.”

Clearly, these forces were sent with determination.

Especially, it’s also an issue of an armed force from another noble intruding into the southern area.

The central nobles won’t be involved in sending troops here.

These troops are used as discard cards.

By now, they’re likely fervently fleeing to escape abroad.

‘But they can’t.’

At the time the troops were sent, Alberto and the royal knights were likely pursuing them.

One by one, they’ll be arrested and locked up.

“Commander, it’s slowing down.”

The rain of arrows that covered the sky gradually begins to subside.

Cruel deflected the final incoming arrow, and immediately picked up Calion.

My body was prepared with the heat of the battlefield. The power to sever a manifestation user dwells in the hand gripping Calion.

The muscles swell, the senses sharpen, and in the sights, the distant figure of the troops preparing to charge becomes vividly clear.

Much like the knight of Bradden who was thrown earlier, I set the stance.

The force condensed is unleashed as I harshly stomp the ground and throw the sword…

Whoosh!

The moment I launched Calion into the air,

a majestic trumpet sound resonated through the Foggy Plains.

Ordinarily, I would have ignored it and directly charged at the armed troops, but this time, I instinctively turned my body towards the direction the trumpet sound came from.

I couldn’t help but turn.

I could feel the unique aura of manifestation users behind me. And they were no less than five.

The direction was opposite to the small city of Bahen where the armed troops appeared, behind us. The path leading to the territory of the Margrave.

Without even confirming the sounds and results as Calion was embedded into the troops,

I blurted out the words boiling inside me at the sight unfolding before my eyes.

“Crazy.”

A massive cloud of dust rose.

The group rushing through the Foggy Plains, raising that enormous cloud, reveals the heavy presence of steel armor bathed in the soft glow of the evening light.

Du-du-du-du!

Dozens of war horses, as heavily armored as their riders, wildly flailing their legs.

The thunderous sound resonates more clearly as they approach, heading straight towards us.

“All mounted knights… no, knights. A knight division? What…?”

“With five manifestation users.”

After summoning Calion, I glared at the knight division charging fiercely.

The knight division was fewer in numbers compared to the armed force that appeared from Bahen.

Likely no more than fifty. However, the condition of their equipment and their oppressive aura far outweigh that numerical difference.

Not just a knight, but a knight division with such a force at their command, and among them, manifestation users mixed in.

A top-tier force even within the empire. And in the south, there was only one person who had this level of power.

“…Margrave.”

The ruler of the south.

Her knight division has appeared upon the Foggy Plains.

Bang!

I slung the returned Calion over my shoulder after it finished its task.

There was no time to worry about the armed force continuously shooting arrows from behind. The emergence of a new military force capable of easily crushing two units was not a good sign.

A situation of being surrounded from the front and rear.

The Foggy Plains were vast, and there was no decent place to hide the body.

The fog, which could act as a variable, was entirely cleared now, leaving everything wide open.

“Are they Feltan’s knights? Why are they…?”

“Hmm.”

I’m also curious. Why have they come?

It’s too far from the Margrave’s territory for them to be just on patrol.

It’s too fast for them to have responded to the armed force that invaded the south.

“Maybe they have a grudge against me, or perhaps they anticipated this situation.”

I cut off my words and tilted my head.

The rear attacking armed force also seemed to be in turmoil, sensing the chaos.

It seems there was no coordinated movement with them. They had also stopped their advance, watching the knight division.

“Prepare your mind.”

“…I already prepared long ago.”

“Well, if we survive this time, we will certainly gain a sure reputation.”

I firmly gripped the handle of Calion and lowered my stance ready to leap.

The charge of the cavalry is like an armored vehicle.

The charge of the knight division is like a tank.

Now, when manifestation users are mixed in with that charge, it transforms into a siege tank. It’s like a walking tactical bomb full of malice rushing towards us.

Wishing my body could survive a direct hit from that attack is absurd. I must take the lead and cut off the flow.

As the knight division drew closer, the emblem of Feltan carved into their armor became clearly visible.

The sound of horse hooves and metallic armor resonated as if dominating the sky.

The ground itself trembled as if trembling with fear.

“Prioritize survival. Absolutely, don’t step forward…”

In the midst of giving instructions to Cruel, a subtle change occurred.

At this change, I relaxed my stance and leisurely observed the knight division.

The flags swiftly rose at the center and rear of the knight division.

The steel-like navy rose emblem. The flag marked with the Feltan crest flutters fiercely.

This is the behavior that proclaims officially as the Margrave’s knight division and announces its name around.

Simultaneously, a clear voice echoed across the Foggy Plains.

“Knight division charge! Protect His Serene Highness!”

With swords drawn and pointed forward, the charging knight division split into left and right.

So as to pass by the side of me and Cruel standing right in the middle of the path.

Maintaining that separation, the knight division increased its speed.

The movement of the war horses intensified, and the earth-shaking sound grew chaotic.

In an instant, the knight division accelerated, quickly overtaking the person issuing the orders and reaching right before me.

In this highly concentrated moment, the world moved slower, and the calm gaze of the manifestation users examined me.

“…”

“…”

As the experts of Feltan observed me, I, in turn, gauged their skills.

Time was fleeting; the brief exploration, which lasted two blinks of an eye, quickly ended.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Generating violent gusts and noises, the knight division instantly passed us by.

Their vanguard was already heading towards the fleeing armed force. And from the leading knights radiated a blue light and an overwhelming aura.

Bang!

Gh-aa-aah-!

Leaving behind the knight division savagely mowing down the armed force, I turned my gaze.

A war horse with a hoarse neigh stopped before me.

Its muscular build was tightly wrapped in armor.

And there on the saddle of this warhorse sat the figure of a knight slightly shorter in stature.

I raised my gaze to meet the knight’s eyes. A fleeting moment of meeting the crimson eyes within the helmet. As our eyes met, the knight sheathed their sword and removed the helmet.

Flowing like waves, crimson hair tumbled down.

Between the strands of crimson hair glittered eyes like they contained flames.

The gentle eyes, yet firm and dignified.

I quietly observed as they slightly shook their head and casually adjusted their crimson locks. A clear and distinct voice then flowed out from their small lips.

“Forgive my impoliteness, Your Highness. Given the situation, I offer my respects from atop my steed.”

The crimson-haired woman closed her eyes and bowed her head.

After a while, when she raised her head, her crimson eyes fixated on me.

“Following the summoning, I have personally come to escort you to Feltan. The distance between the fiefdom and the plains delayed my arrival somewhat, but it seems I’ve arrived at an opportune time. I am relieved that you are unharmed.”

“…It’s been a while. Lord Feltan. You’re not the kind to adhere to formalities even during battle, so don’t mind it.”

The crimson-haired woman,

Lord Laura Feltan, the Margrave of the South, smiled faintly.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”