Chapter 139
Chapter 139
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Empire's Vanguard Assault
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Those are the bastards.”
Juan gazed at the red-armored knight order lined up along the ridgeline.
Trevic let out a low whistle.
“One and all, they’re elites.”
“Still, they’re woefully outmatched against us.”
“That may be true, but…”
Trevic’s concern was the Britannikers they rode.
He’d known from the scouts’ reports, but seeing them in person, they exceeded expectations.
As long as those Britannikers were in play, no cavalry charge would work properly.
So they decided to target the enemy another way.
“The mages will have to take point in this battle.”
“I agree.”
Juan raised his right hand above his head.
From the rear, about twenty robed men on horseback advanced forward.
They were Marquis Mandora’s mage corps.
Formed under the command of 6th Class mage Juan, they boasted the empire’s finest power outside the emperor’s own mage corps.
It had been years since they’d last seen the battlefield—back when they supported Marquis Tano at the border against endless provocations from the Southシャル Empire.
One of them rode up beside Juan.
It was Gutanos, Juan’s successor.
Not yet twenty, he was a prodigy among prodigies, having reached the 5th Class realm.
His face lit with excitement as he eyed the Julius Count Family’s knight order.
“So they’ve become devil worshippers. Looks like the rumors are true.”
Juan smiled faintly.
“Guess you didn’t buy the gossip.”
“You know me, Master. I don’t believe anything I haven’t seen with my own eyes.”
“Even so, you wouldn’t doubt the emperor’s own proclamation.”
“Fair enough. It’s just my nature.”
Gutanos smirked, activating ‘Hawk Eye’ to scrutinize the knights.
They all looked formidable—no mere house clinging to faded glory.
Even with demonic power, that aura couldn’t be forged overnight.
The standout was Helm Del of the Kandara Count Family.
The empire’s sole Bow Master—his intense presence reached even this distance.
Just as Gutanos thought no one else caught his eye,
The knights parted to reveal three figures.
A man gripping a black spear astride a Giant Wolf.
Another radiating Sword Master-level power.
And a man in black plate armor with a dragon-jaw helmet, escorted by the red-armored knights.
Instinct told him who it was.
The head of the Julius Count Family.
Arthur Julius!
His piercing eyes and untouchable aura set Gutanos’s heart racing.
“Impressive.”
Aura rivaling Helm Del’s.
The sheer force evoked the empire’s strongest knight, Jangjarban.
Gutanos clenched his fist. He burned to clash with him.
Especially since the man was younger.
Was that why?
Jealousy stirred unbidden.
‘I’ll test if he’s worth all the hype.’
Gutanos glared with raw fighting spirit, but Juan and Trevic’s faces darkened gravely.
Trevic gauged Arthur’s strength most accurately.
‘Stronger than Sir Helm Del. Just shy of mid-tier Sword Master.’
Worse, intel on him was scarce.
He didn’t even wear a sword at his waist.
Clearly no ordinary swordsman.
Some early sacrifices were inevitable to minimize allied losses.
To probe their strength, they’d commit the archers first.
“Danekt.”
At Trevic’s call, the man right behind stepped forward with a resolute face.
Danekt, vice-captain of the Espanya Knight Order.
At twenty-two, a promising Sword Expert Upper rank—and Trevic’s son.
His main weapon was the bow; when needed, he wielded the ‘Shotel,’ a slashing curved sword.
Its blade arced extremely, allowing it to bypass shields or weapons and stab deep.
A tricky weapon most avoided, yet he’d mastered it to Expert Upper—his talent was exceptional.
All believed he’d surpass Trevic one day.
“Yes, sir.”
“We need to test their mettle.”
“Understood.”
Danekt turned and headed to the archer unit.
Moments later,
Silver light-armored archers advanced.
They formed three ranks, nocked arrows, and raised bows at forty-five degrees toward the front.
Danekt drew his bowstring, aiming at Arthur.
The Julius Count Family reacted instantly, erecting a defensive wall.
All tensed, awaiting his command.
“Loose!”
With his heavy shout, arrows launched.
The sky filled with countless shafts.
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pat—.
Arthur stepped forward from the wall, drew his dagger, and bellowed at the incoming volley.
“Death Knights!”
Ack—.
The knight order roared in response.
“Stand your ground!”
Arthur spurred Khan forward into enemy lines with a mighty kick.
The knight order advanced with the wall, like a massive bulwark on the move.
“What the—?”
Trevic’s face hardened at the unexpected tactic.
Juan’s did too.
“Defend and attack at once?”
“No. If attacking, they wouldn’t move like that.”
“Then what?”
Trevic frowned.
“A declaration—they won’t yield. Sir Juan, join the assault.”
“Got it.”
Juan signaled Gutanos, who ordered the mages to attack.
The mage corps chanted runes in unison.
Fireballs formed in their hands, floating in the air.
Dozens of fireballs hovering brought crushing pressure on the Death Knight Order.
The mages dominated the battlefield’s mood by their mere presence.
Not to be outdone, Drakan bellowed at the top of his lungs.
“Spears of the Empire, fear not!
The Lannister Knight Order slammed their black spears into the ground.
Boom!
Skevin shouted next, boosting morale.
“Death Knights! The invincible order revives—show the world! Hold the line!”
Ack—!
As the knights roared, fireballs streaked across the sky.
Arthur halted Khan amid the arrow storm, now facing dozens of fireballs inbound.
He’d spotted the robed troops and anticipated early mage action.
That’s why he charged despite the barrage—to bring them into his strike range.
“Time to say hello.”
Arthur summoned K1 Rifles in both hands and unleashed hell.
Tu-tu-ta-ta-ta-ta—.
Aura blades poured out.
Trevic tensed at Arthur’s bizarre, long-heard attack and drew his sword.
“Espanya!”
Boom! Chak—!
The knight order stomped as one and raised swords to their faces.
Trevic parried incoming aura blades with his sword and shouted.
“Glory forever with us!”
Then charged Arthur.
The knight order followed fearlessly.
But aura blades felled them helplessly.
Shields rushed to reform the wall, but the barrage was too fast.
“Argh!”
“Aaaagh!”
Juan chanted, erecting a mana barrier.
The mages joined defensively.
A massive barrier appeared, shielding the knights from Arthur’s assault.
‘As expected.’
Arthur’s face set as they countered his near-surprise attack swiftly.
Worse, Marquis Mandora’s sword had deflected his strikes effortlessly!
Trevic closed in with ferocious momentum.
Arthur hadn’t imagined a head-on clash with the enemy leader from the start.
This moment!
Would decide the battle.
Arthur summoned all his mana.
Golden aura flared around his black plate.
“Parsia.”
-Speak.
“I need your power. Can you help?”
-I’m sorry. By agreement with the spirits, I can protect you from threats, but not join direct attacks.
“No choice, then.”
Arthur would face Trevic alone.
He dismissed the K1 in his left hand, gathered mana, and formed a grenade.
‘One shot!’
Pin pulled, he waited.
At ten meters, he hurled it.
Then hosed with the K1.
“Take this!”
Tu-tu-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta—.
‘I was ready!’
Trevic surged with mana.
Intense deep-blue aura blazed; his sword wreathed in it.
He activated ‘Aura Armor.’
Even his mount gleamed with aura as it charged through the barrage.
“Returning the favor.”
He swung hard.
Paa-pang—.
A heavy arc of aura blade flew.
Just before collision—
The grenade detonated.
Kwang!
Golden aura filled the air instantly.
But Trevic’s aura blade took no damage.
It deflected Arthur’s incoming blades and rocketed toward him.
“……!”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
The reversal stunned him, but he had to react.
Dodging would expose the trailing knights.
He alone had to handle it.
He resummoned the K1 for dual machine guns.
Tu-tu-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta—.
Golden aura blades raged.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
Each clash boomed, shaking the earth.
But he couldn’t stop it.
Like a runaway locomotive, it bulldozed obstacles.
Khan sensed danger, howling to flee, but Arthur gripped the mane.
“Hold still!”
Arthur aimed at the charging Trevic.
“I trust you.”
Tu-tu-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta—.
Trevic’s deep-blue aura blade neared Khan’s head!
“Parsia!”
At Arthur’s cry, she appeared, extending a hand.
The aura blade struck her palm.
Kwa-aang—!
A massive explosion billowed smoke.
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
Hidden in the fog, Trevic parried more blades.
Meanwhile, mage corps barrages hammered the Death Knight lines.
Kwang! Kwa-ang! Kwa-aang!
“Argh! My arm!”
“My eyes!”
“Mercy!”
Screams erupted; chaos reigned.
Trevic instantly recognized his blocker.
“Quite the guy. With a wind spirit, no less. But not enough against me!”
He thrust his sword full force.
Pa-pang—.
Deep-blue aura blade formed a massive arrow, lightning-fast.
Parsia’s face hardened for the first time.
-He’s strong indeed. But so am I. Go.
Fierce wind spiraled along her arm toward Trevic.
It swelled into a vortex, swallowing the aura blade.
Kwa-aang!
Blocked again.
Trevic smirked at his double block.
“Blood’s pumping after ages.”
Aura flames licked his sword.
He drew it back like a bowstring.
Mana converged; blue deepened to near-black.
The sword turned pure deep-blue.
“Block this.”
Brengried First Form.
Sword of Destruction.
Pa-pang—.
Lightning-quick deep-blue aura hurtled.
On another level entirely.
The momentum shook the air; even distant Death Knights felt it.
“My lord!”
Despair gripped all.
Parsia sensed peril, extending both hands, palms together.
-Get back.
“No retreat…….”
Arthur’s eyes glowed gold; his aura exploded.
“I am… head of House Julius, Arthur Julius.”