The Knight squad's spearhead, gleaming like a silver blade, pierced through the rear ranks of the Jiaxia forces.
The crowd turned into chaos, with many fleeing in panic and falling to the ground, only to be trampled to death by the horses.
Occasionally, warriors would draw their weapons in resistance, only to be pierced by the precision of Knight's spear. Leading this unstoppable tide of combat, at the forefront of the blades stood Knight Naimon Mor, his azure cape fluttering behind him in a striking display that made enemies flee in panic. After a full charge, both his spear and sword were drenched in blood.
From a small hillside at a distance, Tifeke Wembton observed the battlefield situation. By this point, the rear of the three-thousand-strong unit had lost its former orderly formation, with the troops dispersing further and the advance of the column nearly coming to a halt.
They wouldn't last much longer, Tifeke thought. If the Third Sister's squad fought another two rounds, they'd collapse. These men couldn't withstand the assault of Graycastle's elite Knights. Most were even without armor—just one strike would cripple them.
As he had anticipated, after spending an extra hour circling around Eagle City, crossing a mountain pass, and traversing a sparse grove, the Knight's unit returned to the main road. He then ordered the entire force to accelerate, and by noon they had finally caught up with Giasia's main army.
Following the Duke's instructions, Tifeck divided the Knight Regiment into three groups of approximately three hundred men each, taking turns to flank and attack the enemy's flanks and rear. This strategy preserved the horses 'stamina while maintaining a reserve force for emergency reinforcements. To avoid being surrounded, the Knights didn't charge into the main battle but approached from the flanks, accelerating to cut off and eliminate small segments of the enemy's rear, inflicting dozens of casualties each time.
This tactic clearly paid off. Within just a few rounds, the enemy suffered over a hundred casualties while being completely defenseless. Though they attempted to organize a cavalry counterattack, the disparity in equipment and training was too great. Compared to the elite Knight Regiment of the capital, their hastily assembled cavalry were nothing more than a ragtag of foot soldiers on horseback. In a single clash, these so-called 'cavalry' who had braved the battle were scattered in all directions.
This unilateral slaughter dealt a severe blow to morale, and Tifeco observed that some of the Jiasia's troops had begun to disband and flee in other directions.
It was time to launch the final assault, he thought. When the凛风Knight returned with his unit, he didn't order the next charge but instead retreated to the Knight's ranks from the small hillside.
"Your Majesty, they are nearly scattered." Naimen wiped the sweat from his forehead, the bloodstains on his palms leaving streaks across his face—enemy blood, yet he had fought to this point without a single scratch.
Tiefike pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to him, "Well done. Take a short rest, and we'll deliver the final blow to the enemy." When the next wave of the tail-cutting assault failed to arrive, Garcia's forces realized the decisive battle was imminent. The massive army halted completely, slowly converging until they formed a tight mass. The outermost ranks raised their wooden spears in unison.
Tiefike sneered. This was nothing but a desperate last stand. Without a steed or armor, relying solely on flesh and blood to withstand the Knight Regiment's assault would only end in utter defeat. Whether Third Sister was still in the ranks now or not couldn't alter the outcome. Perhaps she had already changed her disguise and left, leaving the group to buy her time.
But he soon found out he was wrong.
The crowd once again raised the banner of the Queen of Azure Waters, its green silk pennant fluttering in the wind. The design of a sailboat and crown made Tifeck frown. He raised his scope to survey the enemy ranks. A woman's indistinct figure stood on a human platform set up by several warriors, her hands raised as if shouting something. Though he couldn't make out her face, the flowing gray hair at the back revealed her identity.
Garcia, Wimbledon – she didn't even run.
Tie Feike took a deep breath. Good thing. This way, the farce would end here sooner. He wouldn't have to make another trip to Bishui Port.
After the horses had rested sufficiently, the new king issued the order for the entire army to attack.
Over 800 cavalrymen, including Knights and their attendants, charged at the enemy under the command of the Knight Regiment in the capital. The vanguard of the Knight Regiment remained the凛风Knight—Naimon Mor.
As the Knights were about to charge into the enemy ranks, a horde of cavalry suddenly appeared on both eastern and western horizons. They let out eerie howls and charged toward the battlefield's center.
Tiefike stared in disbelief—these were some strange people.
Without banners or family emblems, the sudden appearance of these troops stood apart from any faction in the kingdom. Under the scope, most wore no armor, their weapons a chaotic mix of various types. Yet in Tefiko's perception, only those with towering physiques and grotesque features possessed such traits.
The people of the southernmost lands!
He no longer needed to guess whether the other party was friend or foe. There was no doubt—Jiaxia and Shaminda had struck some deal, allowing these damned outsiders to meddle in the Graycastle royal court. At this thought, Tefiko was consumed by rage. Turning around, he bellowed, "Horn! Summon the Knights back!" But it was too late. The army, charging at full speed, couldn't easily turn their heads. The Knights plunged headlong into Jiaxia's ranks, stabbing like butter being cut with a hot knife, aiming straight for the Queen's position in the emerald waters.
Tifeke stared intently at the flag standing defiant against the wind, hoping it would snap under the assault. With the sandmen attacking from both flanks—each group numbering around a thousand—Jiaxia's army had swelled to five thousand, a force he could no longer handle alone. The sandmen's individual combat prowess was formidable, and once locked in close-quarters combat, they posed a grave threat to the Knight Regiment. If he could eliminate the enemy leader at this critical moment, sever the flagpole, and crush Jiaxia's militia, he might still stand a chance of victory.
The flagpole swayed slightly, yet it remained standing firm in the formation.
The Shamans completed the encirclement and joined the battle through the passage opened by the Knight Regiment.
Without this reinforcements, the three thousand desperados of Jiaxia would have long since scattered. Yet now, they cling on like a swamp, slowly dragging the Knights deeper into their clutches.
The retreat horn sounded across the battlefield as Knights began to break through and converge on Tefiko, though many remained trapped in enemy lines, including the Wind Knight.
He was cornered by a towering foreign warrior, his breath labored by the struggle. The giant wooden club swung by the enemy created a gaping void around them. Naimen's mount had already been crushed to death, but with his lightning reflexes and nimble movements, he dodged left and right. Yet the heavy armor drained his remaining strength rapidly. In a final desperate attempt, he lost his footing while dodging sideways and was struck squarely in the chest by the sweeping club. The force was so immense that the armor sank into his body, splitting the club in two.
The blue cloak fell slowly and disappeared into the crowd.
Half an hour later, the number of knights still engaged in battle dwindled. As the Shamin turned their gaze to the spot where Tifek stood, he gritted his teeth and issued the evacuation order. The group began their retreat northward. Compared to the massive force they had been with, only three hundred remained by the new king's side.