Chapter 95

95.

The cavalry commander in charge of the vanguard for the Holy Liberation Army narrowed his eyes and surveyed the approaching cloud of dust.

A group clad in uniform armor.

Only knights would don such an overwhelming amount of steel and ride warhorses. Not just one or two, but hundreds.

It was a knight squadron participating alone on the battlefield.

Among them, a flag stood tall and firm.

The crest of a raven with a silver bellflower was well-known to the cavalry commander.

“A knight squadron bearing the emblem of the imperial house.”

The Imperial Household Knight Squadron of Altain.

Before Altain waged war with Sylvester, this squadron was a symbol of fear.

“But what about now?”

Recalling the level of the Imperial Household Knight Squadron, the cavalry commander chuckled.

It was nothing more than a relic of its past glory.

It’s a well-known fact that the Imperial Household Knight Squadron has become the Empress’s rusted sword.

Since the two empires ceased hostilities, there have been rumors that Altain’s imperial authority changed, leaving its internal state in chaos.

The superhumans who once staunchly supported the Imperial Household Knight Squadron gradually departed to noble families, and talented knights also moved to new homes.

Amidst this, the news spread that the Imperial Household Knight Squadron, which had previously only accepted proven knights, openly recruited new members.

Becoming a knight is no easy feat.

Yet, they only filled the ranks with clueless rookies.

Who would willingly join the Imperial Household Knight Squadron?

Had the noble knight squadron of the Desert Empire, Sylvester, fielded an elite unit, the cavalry commander would have felt a considerable tension.

But even the young superhuman Eidan Brayden, who fought valiantly against Sylvester’s Ten Blade Demons, was dragged into political strife and met his demise.

Are there truly any formidable superhumans left in Altain?

The Imperial Household Knight Squadron recklessly charging forward consisted only of inexperienced ones. And with only 200 knights against our 3,000 cavalry force…

The cavalry commander swung his arm wide and spurred his horse.

Hiiiiiiing!

With a sharp cry, his warhorse struck the ground. Following this, the 3,000-strong cavalry force began galloping orderly across the plain.

Feeling the solid thud of his forces behind him, the cavalry commander shouted.

“The first cavalry company and respective squad leaders to the center! The rest, disperse!”

Booooh! Booo!

As the cavalry commander’s cry and the sound of the horn echoed grandly, the movement of the cavalry units changed.

Forming a winged structure with the cavalry commander and a 1,000-strong cavalry unit at the center, the knights would hold against the knight squadron’s assault, while the rest on the flanks attacked from the sides.

With a heavy thud, the 3,000 cavalry charged quickly across the Rudd Plain.

If we continue like this and ram into the knight squadron, we can encircle and obliterate them as if swallowing prey.

“Though we were instructed to simply ascertain the enemy’s level…”

Annihilating the Imperial Household Knight Squadron in one fell swoop wouldn’t just boost morale but also secure significant merit.

The cavalry commander gripped his sword at his waist and eyed the approaching Imperial Household Knight Squadron.

“The fellow leading that is Macbilian, I assume.”

Even among the knights dressed in similar armor, there was one who stood out prominently.

The young man galloping with a massive greatsword slung over his shoulder at the forefront. He didn’t even wear a helmet, fearlessly charging forward.

“He was the one who executed Eidan Brayden, they say.”

He had heard rumors that this man was a skilled individual who had defeated the infamous monster. Was that why he advanced so confidently?

The cavalry commander spurred his horse forward at the front of the formation, drew his sword while increasing his speed.

Fwiiiish!

With a light swing of his sword in the air, four cavalrymen who exuded powerful prowess emerged from among the first cavalry company.

“Can five mana manifesters handle these?”

It was mysterious how an ordinary person without any sign of inner fire could have defeated such a monstrous creature. However, the cavalry commander unleashed the surging mana he’d been holding back.

An overwhelming sense of omnipotence accompanied by the rise of superhuman power.

The mana surged throughout his body like a tidal wave, enveloping his sword in a white light.

As the cavalry commander unleashed his mana, the four following cavalrymen also unleashed theirs.

“Foolish boy.”

How could the national chief and squadron leader of a country be this foolish?

The first victory report of the Holy Liberation Army.

I intend to take the credit for this accomplishment.

While sensing the swirling flow of mana from all directions, the cavalry commander gripped his sword firmly.

***

My unit and I gradually increased our speed as we left the main camp.

Hundreds of warhorses galloped across the Rudd Plain, pounding the ground.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

The sound of hooves mercilessly trampling the earth, the regular impacts from the violently shaking saddle spreading throughout the body.

Inhaling the wind and the faint scent of fine dirt, I casually glanced behind me.

“Are the defenses ready?”

Beyond the main camp’s fortifications, imperial soldiers armed with spears and shields were forming defensive lines. I could see the archers between them.

It seemed to be a precaution in case the knight squadron lost. This must be Barnel’s orders.

Turning my head forward, I saw the enemy cavalry unit’s movements changing.

The cavalry unit was spreading out to the left and right with the center as the baseline. The intent was to completely surround and sweep us away without leaving any escape routes.

Considering the difference in numbers, it was a reasonable strategy. They intended to overwhelm with sheer numbers.

“How overwhelming.”

I’ve never seen such a large scale even in the estate battles of the northeastern territories. With the 3,000 cavalry unit galloping across the plains in unison, the mere momentum alone exuded an intense sense of压迫.

“If the breakthrough fails, it won’t do.”

I have to deal with enemy cavalry units attacking from both sides.

If that were to happen, the knight squadron would be swept away without putting up much of a fight.

“All I need to do is penetrate.”

The enemy doesn’t know the true firepower of the knight squadron, or rather, my combat capabilities.

I’ll take advantage of their underestimation.

Since cavalry play an important role in subsequent battles, this is an opportunity to reduce their numbers.

“At least half will be dealt with.”

That way, we can gain the upper hand in the cavalry battle.

Just as I was about to give orders before the chaos ensued, a change occurred in the enemy cavalry unit.

A cavalryman dressed in splendid armor had suddenly emerged from the center, accompanied by four others wearing shoulder sashes.

A strong presence could be distinctly felt from afar, and their weapons were emitting a white glow.

The telltale sign of a mana manifester.

There were five of them.

“The cavalry commander and the commanding officers. And all mana manifesters.”

The formation where five superhumans firmly blocked the center was rapidly approaching. A direct collision would pulverize the group with weaker firepower.

At a glance, both the number of troops and the presence of mana manifesters suggested a certain victory for the opposing cavalry unit. The intimidating aura of the advancing superhumans was gradually becoming palpable.

However, what the enemy neglected was that I was at the forefront of the knight squadron.

“Form a wedge formation! Proceed with the breakthrough!”

Peeeek!

With a powerful blast of the horn, the unit members adjusted their formation.

I’ll break through first and eliminate the approaching superhumans, then immediately penetrate their center. Once the breakthrough is complete, I’ll turn around and sweep away the disordered enemy cavalry unit.

Should the breakthrough be obstructed, we’ll lose our mobility and be surrounded helplessly.

Nevertheless, our unit’s breakthrough won’t be obstructed.

While the approaching superhumans drew closer, I tightened my reins.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

The horses’ speed increased as I spurred them on.

Though I distanced myself from the knight squadron maintaining their formation, this was optimal.

I needed sufficient space to wield the massive sword called Calion freely. Moreover, it was essential to maintain a minimal distance to prevent my comrades from becoming entangled with the corpses I would be slicing through.

“Huh…”

Gripping the hilt of Calion, I gradually spread the surging heat throughout my entire body.

The intense thudding of the hooves reverberated in my ears.

The clear sight of the piercing blue eyes from within the helmets.

Finally, I met with the fierce oncoming vanguard.

At the moment when the weapons imbued with mana from the superhumans lunged recklessly towards vital points, I swung Calion.

Swosh!

Four spears and one sword simultaneously lunged at me.

The massive blade of Calion clashed with the weapons of the mana manifesters in the air.

Intense sparks flew as their weapons were severed in half.

“What…!”

The startled eyes visible through the helmets.

As I swept past the unprotected opponents, I swung Calion again.

“Impossible…!”

“Unbelievable…!”

Their desperate attempts to turn their bodies or reach for auxiliary weapons were futile as the blade had already passed through their heads.

Thud!

A dull noise accompanied by the gushing blood exploding into the air. The crimson liquid splashed against their armor, and its acrid smell tickled my nostrils.

The five headless bodies fell from their horses.

Crunch! Thud!

The sound of something breaking under the hooves of the galloping horses behind them could be heard.

There was no need to look back.

It must be the sound of the fallen bodies being trampled by my unit’s horses.

Without the time to savor the results of the initial clash, I once again slung Calion over my shoulder.

With the mana manifesters broken through, an enemy cavalry unit came into view.

The main army of the enemy.

Their original plan must have been to stop our breakthrough with the vanguard superhumans, then confine our unit using follow-up blows from their main force.

The confused knight squadron would have been decimated one by one from flanking attacks from both sides.

However, the breakthrough was not obstructed, and the knight squadron retained its momentum.

With the sudden deaths of the superhumans, the enemy main force was thrown into confusion.

I immediately spurred my steed towards them.

“Hnnn!”

A light exhalation.

The intense heat spreading throughout my body.

As I moved my arm while swiftly passing by the frantically turning enemy horses,

“Kuh!”

“Krack!”

Calion felt incredibly light as I swung it like lightning, cutting through horse and rider alike. The bodies and blood exploded under the force of the blade.

The fragments of flesh and mist of blood scattered in all directions.

The excitement from the battlefield’s heat and blood seemed to have agitated my horse as well, making its movements more intense.

Leaving the increasingly accelerating beast unchecked, I shouted loudly,

“Increase your speed! Penetrate swiftly!”

The clashing of steel and hoofbeats against the ground intensified.

The harsh sounds of tearing armor and piercing flesh.

Chaotic screams echoed everywhere as the enemy’s orderly formation gradually began to crumble.

“Keep moving forward. Don’t stop!”

Without looking back, I continued moving forward.

Leading the charge at the forefront, swinging Calion to carve a path.

Due to the death of the enemy’s mana manifesters at my hands, the momentum has completely turned. The enemy main force continues to be mercilessly pushed back without being able to mount a proper counterattack.

As the main force retreats helplessly, the rest are busy turning back and unable to pursue our knight squadron.

The enemy has devolved into a disorderly rabble, but the Imperial Household Knight Squadron isn’t so weak that it would fall to them.

For the squad members who trust and follow me, all I need to do is forge ahead.

“Save… us!”

Puck!

With the final slash across the back of the fleeing cavalryman, all obstacles blocking the way disappeared.

“…”

As the cavalry unit that blocked my line of sight vanished, a wide-open landscape stretched before me. Regulating my breathing altered by the battle, I awakened my senses to the fullest and took a look around.

“That’s…”

The vast expanse of Rudd Plain.

And beyond the ridgeline, the dense clusters of golden flags in sight.

“Almost completely through, it seems.”

It appears the main force of the Holy Liberation Army has mostly emerged from the Meiton Gorge. Judging from the chaotic atmosphere, they seem to have witnessed the result.

Seeing the 3,000-strong cavalry unit being mercilessly pushed back must have been utterly absurd.

Sending out a reconnaissance unit was one thing, but the situation that they charged immediately is another.

Furthermore, being chased and defeated by a small unit with a clear numerical disadvantage must be frustrating indeed.

“Well, they should have deployed the Ten Blade Demons earlier.”

Though, the outcome probably wouldn’t have changed.

“Let’s strike two more times.”

Afterward, reinforcements will arrive from the Liberation Army, so it’s sufficient to pursue them appropriately and then retreat to the main camp.

Glancing briefly at the scattered cavalry unit and shouting,

“The deputy commander, lead the first and second sword units to the left! The rest, follow me to annihilate the enemy! Charge, Knight Squadron!”

With a powerful blast of the horn, we galloped once more across the emerald plains.