Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Ambush Preparations
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“By now, they’ve probably fortified their defenses.”
“Likely, sir.”
“I’m curious to see how they’ll respond.”
Blizan stood atop a mountain at the border between Aslan and Tuherm territories, gazing down at Tuherm territory alongside Alteon.
Originally, he had planned to head to Norshey territory with Skevin.
But before departing the count’s estate, he had asked Skevin to let the Horcamun Tribe join the second column.
Compared to the first column, the second’s forces were too weak, and for some reason, he felt they needed to stick together.
Thus, the Horcamun Tribe had been incorporated into the second column, where the Defen Knight Order and Basil Knight Order were stationed.
While those knight orders were assembling their troops at the territory’s border, Blizan had led the Horcamun Tribe up to this mountaintop overlooking Tuherm Castle.
He planned to exploit the moment when Count Bordan was distracted elsewhere and launch a surprise attack.
The goal was to force a surrender in one swift strike and then link up with the first column.
The second column’s main mission was to pin down Count Bordan and prevent reinforcements from Marquis Mandora, but it also aimed to join the first column as quickly as possible with minimal losses.
On top of that, Blizan had a personal motive: to satisfy his curiosity.
Ever since consuming the Awakening Agent from the Namshar Empire, drastic changes had occurred.
The most prominent was the overwhelming surge in his mana.
His aura had grown wild like a beast’s, and when he unleashed his killing intent, even he felt a chill at its density.
Moreover, once he got riled up, a savage fury took hold that he could barely contain.
It was nothing like his former self.
He had sparred with his subordinates to gauge his condition, but he couldn’t risk losing control and causing an accident.
That was why he intended to test it in this battle.
Anticipation and anxiety swirled within him.
‘There shouldn’t be any issues…’
It was then that Blizan’s gaze deepened.
In the distance, he spotted Count Bordan’s forces marching out.
“That looks like their full mobilization.”
“The castle will be wide open.”
Alteon flashed a sinister grin.
Blizan mirrored the grin before turning around.
“Let’s get ready.”
***
At that moment.
The Mandora Marquisate was in an uproar.
“That insolent whelp dares to challenge me?”
Mandora’s usually affable face was twisted in venomous rage.
Fresh from having his pride crushed by the emperor, he now faced provocation from Julius’s upstart in the form of a preemptive strike.
It was like pouring oil on a fire.
“I’ll make this a lesson they won’t forget. They’ll learn exactly who I, Mandora, am.”
As he trembled with fury, a burly middle-aged man entered.
His short white hair and bulldog-like features exuded a fierce presence.
His eyes, impossibly deep and sharp, could intimidate anyone with a mere glance.
He was the Mandora Marquisate’s knight order captain—and the fifth-ranked knight in the Oscar Empire!
Count Trevic.
“We’re ready to march, Your Excellency. Just give the order, and I’ll crush them in one fell swoop.”
His calm, seasoned voice carried an air of composure.
Mandora reined in his boiling anger and asked,
“How many troops do they have?”
“Their knight order numbers around five hundred, with three thousand regular soldiers.”
“That’s all the families branded as devil worshippers banding together. Defeated remnants daring to defy me?”
As his anger flared anew, Trevic added,
“As the rumors say, about a third of their knights ride Britanniker and Giant Wolves. It seems they’ve mastered taming monsters.”
“It’s not mastery—it’s the power of devils.”
Mandora scowled.
Trevic pondered briefly before speaking cautiously.
“Perhaps it’s possible because they’re the Julius Count Family. Chosen by the Gold Dragon, after all.”
“That was a century ago.”
“But looking at what’s happening now, who would believe they were merely clinging to their lineage?”
“So you’re saying a dragon that supposedly went extinct a hundred years ago has reappeared?”
“More likely, Teheran left some contingency for his descendants.”
“Hmm…”
A judgment worthy of a veteran of countless battles.
He never grew arrogant from power or underestimated even the weakest foe.
The true ruler of the battlefield.
Mandora’s expression grew grave.
If Trevic was right, this was no laughing matter.
Even if they were remnants, a Sword Master could be among them—and above all, the monsters were the issue.
With monsters present, allied cavalry would be useless.
Significant casualties seemed inevitable.
As Mandora’s silence stretched, Trevic guessed at his concerns.
“Your Excellency.”
Mandora looked at him wordlessly.
“The goal of war is singular: victory. Nothing else matters.”
“I know. How could I not? But heavy losses would weaken my standing among the high nobles. Especially after falling out of the emperor’s favor this time…”
As Mandora trailed off with a grim look,
“Your Excellency, disaster!”
Count Huan, the family’s guardian mage, burst into the office in a panic, as if the enemy had already stormed in.
Mandora pressed his temple and asked coldly,
“What now?”
“Marquis Valtre has declared war!”
“...!”
It came out of nowhere.
With the empire already in chaos over the Julius Count Family, who was that man planning to fight now? Irritation surged.
“Who’s the opponent?”
Huan swallowed hard, his voice trembling.
“E-Emperor Ruan.”
“...!”
Mandora shot to his feet without realizing it.
Even the usually stoic Trevic widened his eyes and asked Huan,
“Where did you hear this?”
“Marquis Valtre sent envoys to all families announcing it. One should arrive here soon.”
“How could this…”
Trevic’s brow furrowed.
Emperor Ruan had spared his half-brother’s life and even allowed him to keep his marquisate—an unimaginable grace.
Yet he had declared war on the emperor.
“Worse than a dog.”
Mandora’s face contorted as he sank into thought.
No one knew better than him the might of the Central Guardian Knight Order. Plus, the emperor had Grand Archmage Altros and the empire’s strongest, Jangjarban.
The high nobles were all the emperor’s loyalists.
Regardless of hidden forces, this was a path to ruin.
“You’ve dug your own grave.”
“Your Excellency, Marquis Valtre declared that any family cooperating with the emperor is his enemy.”
“That’s only natur—!”
Suddenly, the Julius Count Family flashed in Mandora’s mind.
The upstart was currently branded a devil worshipper, but he was effectively opposing the emperor.
Each family had pressured the Julius Count Family per imperial orders.
In other words, they were cooperating with the emperor.
It hit him: perhaps Marquis Valtre and the upstart had joined hands.
Now it made sense—the marquis delaying his march at the noble council by urging caution, and now, amid requests for nearby families’ aid, declaring war on the emperor and threatening all houses.
The pieces fell into place, dissolving his doubts one by one.
Realizing he’d been played, fury boiled over.
“Those bastards…”
As Marquis Mandora gnashed his teeth,
“Your Excellency, an envoy from the Borman Count Family has arrived!”
“What does that fool want?”
“They’re facing off against the Julius Count Family and request troop support!”
“What!”
Mandora’s face twisted horribly.
Trevic and Huan wore grave expressions, realizing they’d fallen into the enemy’s trap.
‘Arthur Julius…’
***
“Defend the gates!”
Anscent Castle’s knights and soldiers threw everything into blocking the priests’ assault.
Roth couldn’t approach closely due to the arrow barrage pouring down like rain from the walls.
As casualties mounted and he agonized over what to do,
“Don’t stop the attack!”
Millerph’s shout came from the rear, and a massive mana barrier unfurled over the priests’ heads.
Arrows struck the barrier and ricocheted harmlessly.
But priests outside the barrier still struggled.
“Damn it!”
“We can’t advance like this!”
As their faces twisted, a sudden gust from behind scattered all the arrows.
Millerph’s magic and Parsia’s aid had neutralized the enemy’s attack.
Stunned by the turn, they exchanged bewildered glances.
Then one of the Seven Priests shouted,
“What are you waiting for? Charge!”
Uwaaaah!
The priests surged forward with all their might.
With the arrow fire suddenly halted, the knights panicked.
“What’s happening!”
“They have a mage! Inform the count at once and keep attacking!”
The knights loosed arrows without respite.
But the shots were repeatedly blocked by the mana barrier or dispersed by headwinds, falling powerless.
“Damn it all! Cavalry!”
At the knight’s cry, the gates swung open.
Knights in white plate armor emblazoned with golden crosses charged out fiercely on horseback.
Anscent Kingdom’s Holy Knight Order.
The mounted knights raised their swords overhead and bellowed,
“Those who defy Lord Karen’s will—pay with your lives!”
The cavalry swept through the priests, unleashing merciless strikes.
Their blades, wreathed in black aura, struck with devastating force.
They cut down the priests without mercy.
“Argh!”
“Urk!”
Priests’ blood sprayed everywhere.
As the momentum shifted to the Holy Knights in an instant,
Hoofbeats echoed from somewhere.
The sound grew closer, shaking the ground like an earthquake.
The Holy Knights’ faces twisted at the sight of the approaching group.
Men in red armor and skull helmets rode massive horses—no, monsters—toward them.
“The Demon King’s familiars?”
“Fear not! Lord Karen protects us!”
“Stand and fight!”
The Holy Knights roared and charged.
Helot, who had been watching them, bellowed,
“Assault formation!”
The V-formation shifted seamlessly.
Killing intent gleamed in the Assault Squad members’ eyes.
At the same time, the Britanniker unleashed ferocious auras at the oncoming horses.
Hiiing-!
The Holy Knights’ horses reared in terror, bucking wildly.
Some tumbled forward into the dirt, others flung their riders and fled.
“Argh!”
“What’s wrong with them!”
“Arrrgh!”
Helot raised his massive sword high, eyeing the panicked foes.
The Assault Squad followed suit, hoisting their blades.
Soon, they were enveloped in blue auras, radiating immense power.
A deep blue aura blazed like flames around Helot’s sword.
“For the golden glory!”
Shouting the count family’s motto, they charged headlong at the Holy Knights.