Chapter 748

Chapter 748: Silver Steel Cavalry

At the end of July, a group set out from the Xiangyu Sect aboard a floating airship heading north toward Luo Capital.

“Wow, what a spacious place.”

Yu Tingyu excitedly examined her new bedroom, curiously touching everything around her. On the airship, each disciple was assigned a bedroom, and Yu Tingyu shared one with Lolan Hill.

Beside her, Lolan Hill looked up at the three-meter-high ceiling and the wooden furniture painted all around. She felt that the Eastern floating airship was not much different from those in the West, except for its larger size.

The floating airship they were on was reportedly custom-made a few years ago for the Yanhang Sect, capable of accommodating nearly a thousand people. Inside, there were abundant storage warehouses to carry various items.

The shape of the floating airship resembled a sperm whale, with an oval belly below and several pavilions above, like a bridge.

During this journey, Lolan Hill had also curiously asked Senior Brother Gu Lie why the Eastern airships were much larger than Western airships. Gu Lie explained that it was because the Eastern region had more giant monsters and sea creatures.

Some skeletons of giant monsters or sea beasts were used as the keel, paired with corresponding runes, which could bear more weight and increase the volume. Additionally, many high ancient trees in the Eastern region could be used for shipbuilding, providing better quality and performance.

Western airships couldn’t be made as large not due to lack of technology, but due to the scarcity of appropriate materials. However, a thousand years ago, the Oz Country built sky warships using their national resources, and no one has surpassed them since.

After finishing her inquiries, Lolan Hill found herself recalling some of her former roommates.

—

Two years ago, in the Western Continent, at the Heavenly Enlightenment Fortress.

On the golden plains, there were dry grass roots and soil everywhere. The autumn sun shone down, carrying the scent of dried leaves far away.

Thud.

An iron-clad foot stepped onto the ground, crushing the wheat stalks into broken soil. Then it lifted, leaving clear footprints.

Fully armed warriors marched across the land, wearing various styles of armor, with noble emblems on their outer coats. They carried halberds and crossbows, advancing westward through the golden plains.

The army of the Crimson Empire crossed the border once set with Snow Flower Seven Kingdoms, arriving at the Heavenly Enlightenment Fortress, where they began to settle down.

Nearly two hundred thousand troops started building camps, digging trenches for long-term combat. Every evening, cooking fires lined up, almost illuminating half the sky.

On the Heavenly Enlightenment Fortress, Kranxia’s generals and officers watched this scene through binoculars, discussing and strategizing.

“According to intelligence reports, this is probably just their vanguard. Once the camp is built, subsequent siege cannons will gradually arrive. After that, when the preparations are complete, about two million troops will gather at the border.”

“Moreover, this is only their first mobilization. If the situation is favorable, the nobles in Cui Cui might lower their guard and worries, bringing even more elite private armies. And perhaps the forest elves will also join in,” said an officer worriedly.

“If we estimate based on the recruitment ratio during the ‘Battle of Broken Bows’ centuries ago, the final army raised by Cui Cui could range between four to six million. Last time, they recruited over three million soldiers, and now their population is more than double, so they can field even more soldiers.”

“How terrifying. No wonder it’s the strongest empire in the Western Continent,” an elderly general sighed.

“How is the response back home?”

“The Star Seeker Pulman has issued a call to arms to the homeland and our allies.”

“The main forces of Kranxia will march here. Many have experienced the war against the Frost Alliance, and these forces total about 1.5 million. Then, the Black Rock Autonomous Province will send 100,000 infantry southward, and the beastmen will dispatch 300,000 troops to support. Within the six provinces of Vergha, another 300,000 troops will be gathered. The Falcon will also summon 100,000 cavalry to assist, adding to the 300,000 already stationed at the fortress, totaling 2.6 million troops,” reported the officer on the current intelligence.

“2.6 million, such a lucky number, just like the ‘Battle of Broken Bows’ from the past.”

“But this time, we’ll face an enemy twice as numerous.”

“Yes, the enemy’s numbers are doubled, but we are also stronger than the Snow Flower Seven Kingdoms of the past, stronger by more than just a factor. We must believe in the inevitability of victory, but also be cautious in our tactics.”

“Wise men said the same thing in the past, to despise the enemy strategically but respect them tactically,” the general patted the young officer beside him.

This officer took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

“Yes, wise men are right. That’s how we’ve come this far, and we will continue to do so.”

“Sound the horns. Take them by surprise while they’re still settling in, let them see our brave soldiers,” the old general pressed his hat brim, lifting his rough hand.

“Yes, General Sarge!”

The mournful horns sounded, and the gates of the fortress opened, revealing rows of fully armored cavalry marching out.

They wore perfectly fitted full-body armor, including their horses, with white-golden capes. Long lances were held firmly in their hands, pointing straight toward the sky, like swords. Below the lances, triangular flags fluttered in the wind.

These were members of the Kranxia National Knight Order, each well-trained, with official members having power levels above Sequence 3. They were the backbone of Kranxia’s military, executing various state missions.

Hooves trampled over dry soil, scattered wheat stalks and roots in the harvested fields rose with the accelerating cavalry, stirring up dust.

The earth reverberated like a drum, initially with a slow sound that grew louder and denser, creating a heart-pounding rhythm.

The army of the Crimson Empire stood behind hastily erected barriers, holding long spears aimed at the sky, facing the approaching enemy.

Though they had never fought the Snow Flower Seven Kingdoms, the fame of the Western Wind Cavalry had reached their ears. Now that Kranxia had taken over the Western Wind’s territory, using cavalry charges was expected.

As the steel cavalry wall approached from the horizon, the commanding officer raised a broadsword and struck it forcefully.

“Fire!”

Arrows rained down, briefly obscuring the sky before piercing downward.

Thud.

Powerful enchanted arrows penetrated shields, drawing blood, and causing muffled sounds from within the iron helmets. Some cavalry and horses fell.

“Resonance Formation!” shouted the cavalry commander leading the charge.

White-golden patterns lit up on their armor, and the core of the war sequence began to operate rapidly, transmitting magic power in all directions, like a complex circuit network connecting the cavalry. A thin layer of golden light covered their armor.

The arrow rain continued, enchanted crossbow bolts hitting the raised shields, sparking and leaving sharp marks, then falling to the ground, shattered by the heavy hooves of the cavalry.

“Tsk.” Watching this, the commander of the Crimson Empire gritted his teeth and spat, waving urgently to prepare the thorn mages behind.

Cui Cui had suffered many losses on the Western Wind’s iron cavalry, so they had extensively studied countermeasures. Pickets originally set up in front of the camp were now entangled with thick thorny vines. These vines were covered with long black spikes, tightly connected to the pickets, with their roots deeply embedded in the soil, reinforcing the barriers against cavalry.

Then, hidden steel war wagons slowly emerged from the rear of the army. These wagons had triangular horns like dragons, with wheels lowered, forming a sturdy fortification when lined up. Long lances five meters in length were mounted behind the wagons, ready to strike at any daring attackers.

Facing such a formidable formation, direct frontal assault was generally not advisable; flanking attacks were better. But with nearly 200,000 troops of the Crimson Empire arrayed, circumventing to the rear would require a very long detour. Also, the rear might not be undefended, making a direct and swift charge more viable.

Times never ceased progressing.

If Cui Cui faced the Western Wind’s cavalry of the past, this defense might have been effective. But these cavalry, who had once broken through the frost alliance’s golem walls, might underestimate such resistance.

White cloaks and horse manes fluttered wildly in the wind, forming a vast sea of white. Silver steel helmets had been pulled down, leaving only narrow gaps to view the enemy lines. Lances were lowered, reflecting dense starlight under the sun.

As magic power from the war sequence flowed into the lances’ runes, golden patterns spread and bloomed, and colorless flames ignited from the lance tips, turning them into scorching irons.

“Solar Impact!”

The commander shouted, and a white-golden flame cone shot out, directly burning through the thorny barriers, turning them to ashes. Then, thick lances collided with the steel war wagons, melting metal and piercing through, sending up fragments and blood. Soldiers defending behind cried out, some fleeing in panic, their bodies stained with cooling metal shards.

Discarding their shattered lances, the white-helmeted knights drew their long swords, continuing their charge, cutting down those resisting and fleeing.

Horses neighed, and the clash of weapons echoed everywhere. Thanks to Kranxia’s technological advancements and the capture of many alchemists from Ruerna, their weapons and armor were enchanted, far superior to the conscripted soldiers of the Crimson Empire.

The long swords occasionally swung, their handles straight, resembling crosses. Behind the grip, a spherical weight ball was engraved with a star pattern surrounded by wheat ears, symbolizing Kranxia’s coat of arms.

[Silver Steel Cross Sword] (Silver Grade, Rare): An excellent product after obtaining the techniques of the Frost Alliance and alchemists. Currently widely equipped among Kranxia’s cavalry, used as secondary weapons, it is the third-generation standard equipment. It comes with dual enchantments [Sharpness Lv3][Toughness Lv2], with a center of gravity balanced for human force application, a classic design refined over several years.

Sss—

The sword swiftly cut through the air, a silver arc briefly flashing under the sunlight, then slicing off the necks of the opposing side, even through iron armor, leaving smooth cuts.

Blood gushed from the necks, flowing down through gaps in the armor.

Under the scorching sun, silver steel-armored knights charged through the scattered formations, their swords swirling, creating arcs of silver light, and splashing blood.

As the front ranks broke apart, soldiers behind began to scatter, running frantically in terror. The collapse after defeat was unstoppable, even the rear guards could only watch helplessly as they retreated with the retreating masses.

Under the blazing sun, the gold-armored cavalry swept through the enemy lines, stirring up countless surges of blood, spreading death.

In this battle, approximately 60,000 soldiers of the Crimson Empire were killed on the spot, 80,000 surrendered, and only about 50,000 escaped back into their own territory.

Night fell, and black-cloaked cavalry rode through the battlefield with torches, like scattered lights on the earth. Their armor was covered with black cloaks, faces concealed by black cloth, long iron spears in hand, checking the corpses for possible survivors.

A general riding a horse arrived at the battlefield, gradually stopping, looking down at the piles of blood and corpses. Four black knights stood nearby, guarding and alerting.

Soon, a black knight on horseback approached, the sound of hooves clear and distinct in the night.

“General Kodveid, the eastern battlefield has been checked. Twenty-three surviving Cui Cui soldiers were found, and the rest have been confirmed dead.”

“Good.” The general’s dark eyes were illuminated by the firelight. His voice was low as he continued giving orders.

“Let the white-robed priests come and burn the corpses clean.”

“Yes, General.”

The black knight saluted seriously and signaled to a few companions to head towards the fortress.

Soon, white-clothed priests entered the battlefield, pouring holy oil from the Holy Land onto the corpses, and a great fire rose, burning the piles of bodies.

In the cold night, small mountains of white flames burned outside the Heavenly Enlightenment Fortress, sparks and odors from the burning corpses drifting into the unknown distance.

On the fortress, observing generals looked down at the unextinguished flames illuminating the earth.

“How many lives will be lost in this great battle? Today’s fallen will only mark the beginning of everything.”

“And all we can do is win one battle after another until the ultimate victory arrives.”

I will synchronize the stories of the Eastern and Western continents soon.