Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Advance!
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***
“Argh!”
“Louder!”
At the knight’s bellow, the trainees shouted with all their might.
Argh-!
Their cries echoed thunderously across the training grounds.
Millerph approached Arthur, who was watching the scene with a satisfied expression.
“You were here?”
“How’s the mood in the village?”
“Everyone’s thrilled and welcoming the return of the Lanister Family.”
“Looks like they’ve always had a good reputation.”
“They were the spear of the Julius Count House, after all. How could they not?”
Millerph smiled brightly as he glanced toward the training grounds.
“They’re all working hard.”
“They have something to protect now.”
“Having a purpose makes all the difference.”
As Arthur nodded, Skevin approached with a grim face.
“New intel has come in from the informant watching Yarve Count.”
“……!”
Arthur’s eyes flashed as he headed straight for the command tent.
Upon arriving at the tent, they gathered around the central table with serious expressions.
Arthur spoke first.
“What’s the report?”
“Yarve Count is personally leading his forces. They’ll arrive at Aslan Territory tomorrow.”
“Already?”
Millerph’s eyes widened.
“They set out two days after Hazan arrived.”
Arthur asked with a hardened expression.
“How many troops?”
“He’s received knight orders and soldiers from Barton, Malsab, and Tensha Territories. Valcan Territory has also sent the Steel Knight Order.”
“Just as expected.”
Arthur glanced at Millerph.
After a moment’s thought, Millerph asked Skevin.
“Nothing about the Apos Mercenary Corps?”
“No mention of them at all.”
“Hmm.”
The Steel Knight Order’s involvement was anticipated, so it wasn’t a surprise.
But with zero information on the Apos Mercenary Corps, it was frustrating.
Just knowing they were involved created psychological pressure.
Figuring them out before battle was the top priority.
Millerph said to Arthur.
“We need countermeasures for the Apos Mercenary Corps urgently.”
“More importantly, will Yarve Count send an envoy tomorrow?”
“By the book, yes, but does he need to when we’ve been branded devil worshippers?”
“That’s what I think too.”
“Then we enter wartime status immediately.”
Arthur nodded at Skevin’s words and asked.
“How’s the adaptation to the Britannikers going?”
“They can mount them without hesitation now.”
“No issues for deployment, then. Things might move fast, so be ready to sortie at any moment. And start assigning guard duties to the trainees too.”
“Yes, sir!”
Skevin saluted crisply and exited. Dark entered right after.
“You called?”
“How are the squad members?”
“Poshe and Lamni are nearly recovered. Everyone’s on standby.”
“Then scout the southern mountain pass from Aslan Territory right now.”
“……?”
“Yarve Count’s on the move. His main force hits Aslan Territory tomorrow, but there’s no sign of the mercenaries he hired. They’re probably taking another route.”
“Understood.”
“If you spot anything suspicious, don’t engage—report back immediately. They’re no ordinary foes.”
“Yes.”
Dark left swiftly.
Arthur stared at the map on the table.
‘If I were Yarve…’
He’d likely rely on overwhelming numbers and push straight ahead.
In that case, meeting them at the territory border would minimize damage to Aslan.
‘To do that…’
Arthur’s gaze deepened.
After several minutes passed.
He spoke decisively, as if he’d made up his mind.
“Tonight, we sortie.”
***
As dusk fell.
The castle buzzed with activity.
“Hurry!”
“Trainees, hold your assigned guard posts!”
“Argh!”
In the trainees’ place, the Phoenix Knight Order in sky-blue armor finished preparations and marched in.
Skevin, atop the platform, surveyed them.
Their eyes gleamed sharply.
They all knew territory war was imminent, yet no fear showed.
“Good.”
Skevin nodded in satisfaction, then eyed the Defen Knight Order lined up to the Phoenix’s left.
They looked tense, having heard Yarve Count was bringing a massive army.
His eyes met Hector’s.
He was just as on edge.
In this state, they’d freeze in battle, trembling until an enemy sword claimed them.
Now he understood why Arthur had left castle defense to them.
‘As expected.’
As Skevin admired Arthur’s judgment.
Arthur entered the training grounds.
The dragon helm and golden armor made him shine brighter, radiating intense power.
Skevin felt his body tense involuntarily, heart pounding hot.
Skevin leaped from the platform and bellowed.
“Entire unit, attention!”
Snap!
The Phoenix Knight Order snapped to position with perfect discipline, taut with tension.
Skevin saluted sharply.
“Argh!”
Arthur nodded and ascended the platform. He slowly scanned the knights.
The auras from Phoenix and Defen were worlds apart.
Just as expected.
As Arthur’s gaze turned to Skevin, he reported.
“Report! Phoenix Knight Order: 160. Defen Knight Order: 105. Total: 265!”
Arthur nodded and spoke.
“Tonight, we sortie.”
Resolve hardened every face.
“The enemy outnumbers us at least three-to-one, and they’re elites from various territories.”
Phoenix remained composed, but Defen paled.
“Are you afraid of them?”
“…….”
No one answered.
“They’re strong. But I! We! Are stronger than any!”
The stone-silent Phoenix Knights erupted as one.
Argh-!
The training grounds thundered.
Hector and Defen, facing this for the first time, cowered under their spirit, staring dumbfounded.
Arthur matched their fervor, shouting with full throat.
“We will win!”
Argh-!
The Phoenix’s heat set the grounds ablaze.
Arthur turned his head and whistled sharply.
Whiiiii-!
Moments later.
Clop-clop, clop-clop!
Khan galloped in amid hoofbeats.
Golden barding and breastplate gave him immense presence.
Hector and Defen recoiled in shock at the sight.
“M-Monster…!”
“What the…?”
Khan halted beside the platform, aligning with Arthur as if on parade.
Meeting Arthur’s eyes, Khan threw his head back and howled long.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
Heavy metal clanged as dozens of Britannikers appeared on the grounds.
Ordinary horses followed.
The blue-barded and breastplated ones exuded heavy power.
Phoenix’s victory confidence soared at their arrival.
“This is all…”
Hector floundered in shock, Defen quaking in fear.
Arthur looked at Hector.
“Don’t fear them. They’re our friends.”
‘Fr-friends?’
“Hector, I leave this place to you.”
Mounting Khan, the Phoenix Knights mounted in unison.
As Arthur raised his dagger skyward to shout.
Bwooooong-.
The alert horn blared.
Arthur spurred Khan toward the gates.
At the gates, he asked the sentry.
“What’s happening?”
“Look over there!”
The sentry pointed west to the mountains.
In the settling darkness, an unidentified group raised dust clouds, charging.
Not on horses—something else.
Arthur surged mana to sharpen his vision.
An astonishing sight unfolded.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-.
Men in raven-black armor wielding black spears rode Giant Wolves.
The Lanister Family men.
A tidal wave of massive aura crashed forth.
A smile tugged Arthur’s lips.
“Impressive.”
Skevin, following, gaped.
“What are they?”
“The spear of the Julius Count House, the Lanister Family descendants.”
“……!”
Skevin’s eyes bulged.
Two days ago, Arthur had returned from inspecting the western mountain construction site with the long-lost Lanister Family.
Medlin and those in the know were overjoyed.
They’d said they’d formally greet the count house once settled, but here they were in full battle gear.
Likely hearing of the territory war.
Skevin grinned.
“First impressions hit hard.”
Seeing their uniformly immense auras bolstered his heart.
More numerous than Phoenix, with Giant Wolves to boot.
Just looking screamed power.
***
‘That’s…!’
Drakan was stunned to see Arthur mounted on a Britanniker.
Linda, chasing close, faltered at the knights riding them.
‘How…?’
They’d tried taming Britannikers first too.
But couldn’t handle their ferocious strength, and as pack beasts, isolating one was tough.
Even when lucky enough to catch one, it broke free with raw power.
“What method did he use?”
“Britannikers and Giant Wolves together… a dream combo.”
Drakan’s lips curved up.
He halted before Arthur.
Drakan and all dismounted nimbly from their wolves.
Drakan slammed his spear into the ground before Arthur and knelt on one knee.
The rest followed.
Boom-!
Their majestic presence engulfed the area.
Drakan bowed crisply.
“Knight Drakan Lanister, at the family head’s side.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
At Arthur’s words, Drakan bellowed.
“The spear of the Julius Count House! Give the order—we’ll sweep all before us!”
Arthur glanced at Skevin.
“You take the vanguard.”
“Argh!”
Skevin saluted with grim resolve.
“Drakan, you’ll handle pursuit. Let none escape.”
Drakan slammed his spear down with a thud and replied heavily.
“Yes, sir!”
Nearly two hundred Lanister Knights slammed spears in unison.
Boom-!
Deep resonance ignited fierce spirit.
The knights arrayed around Arthur.
Phoenix to his right, Lanister to his left.
Defen Knights and trainees atop the walls gulped at the sight.
‘This is the Julius Count House?’
‘With this force…’
Hector’s eyes shook fiercely at the black spears.
‘The Empire’s Spear… has returned…’
Nearly four hundred knights, hundreds of Britannikers and Giant Wolves—their aura thrilled all.
Finally, Millerph rode a white horse to Arthur’s side.
“All preparations complete.”
Arthur nodded, eyes sweeping the knights.
“Tonight, we make the Julius Count House known to the world.”
He thrust his dagger’s blade toward the border.
“Advance!”