novelraw Chapter 114 : Chapter 114
Chapter 114 : Chapter 114
Chapter 114: Assault on the Capital (3)
Thud, thud, thud!
With the earth-shaking sound of the cavalry’s hooves, the western army charged toward the capital, Kaien.
As they neared, just as the scout had reported, black smoke rose high into the sky, and the soldiers’ anxiety grew.
“Damn it!”
To shake off their fear and unease, the soldiers shouted at their horses as they galloped.
But when they reached a hill overlooking the capital, they were met with the devastating sight of Kaien burning.
“The capital…”
“This can’t be…”
Faced with the tragedy before them, the cavalry momentarily lost their will to fight, frozen in place.
Seeing this, Viscount Argon scolded them loudly and took the lead.
“Don’t lose hope! Look closely. The castle hasn’t fallen yet!”
As he shouted, a faint blue barrier flickered intermittently around the castle at the capital’s center.
“Do you know what that blue barrier means? It means they’re still holding off the enemy at the castle. Understand? It’s proof the barbarians haven’t breached the castle!”
Argon rallied them and issued orders.
“We must strike the enemy’s rear and break their assault!”
It wasn’t enough to fully restore the cavalry’s morale, but at least the despair faded from their faces.
Meanwhile, I analyzed the battlefield with a sharp gaze, and Gaiard, approaching quietly, spoke.
“Not all the Kandahr Tribe entered the capital. Compared to the reported size, it looks like only half went in…”
“Do you see that black flag fluttering in the center? That’s Bakan’s flag.”
“Bakan? Their leader?”
As Gaiard said, a black flag stood tallest in the Kandahr camp, waving proudly, right at the heart of their main base.
“Exactly. That flag means one thing: Bakan himself hasn’t entered the capital.”
“You said the name Bakan is a title given to the strongest in the Kandahr Tribe… So he thinks he doesn’t even need to step in?”
“You could see it that way. At this point, it’s like arrogance runs in their blood.”
As Gaiard noted, despite Bakan not moving, the capital was already on the brink of falling, and the castle was under siege.
Optimistically, you could say it was only this bad because he hadn’t acted, but conversely, it meant the enemy could push the capital this far while holding back.
Ugh. Annoying…
Whether it was Bakan’s arrogance or the Kandahr Tribe’s confidence, neither sat well with me.
Of course, that confidence wasn’t baseless, like that flag fluttering as if piercing the sky.
“Whatever it is, it’s an opportunity for us. Their weakness is that very arrogance.”
“I agree. I plan to exploit it.”
Gaiard glanced at the cavalry and clicked his tongue.
“Are those guys alright? Their morale’s already sinking.”
The cavalry’s condition wasn’t great.
To overcome their overwhelming numerical disadvantage, their morale needed to soar, but now it was crushed by the enemy’s dominance.
“With this mindset, they’d lose even if the numbers were equal. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, their low morale is probably because of the numbers.”
A similar thing happened at Verbon Fortress.
Back then, despite having the numerical advantage, we nearly lost due to the enemy’s momentum.
Now, the situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable.
We desperately needed something to turn the tide.
And the only ones who could do that were me and Gaiard.
“Gaiard, you’ve been itching to act, haven’t you? It’s your turn.”
“Finally putting me to use?”
“Yeah, but first, this comes before that.”
I pulled the Fire Dragon Orb from my cloak.
“I’ll talk to Viscount Argon first, so wait here.”
I immediately turned my horse and approached Viscount Argon.
“Viscount, I have something urgent to discuss.”
“What is it? If it’s not pressing, after the strategy meeting…”
“It’s about the strategy.”
“Hm?”
I showed him the orb in my hand.
“Before deploying the cavalry, I’ll use this orb to thin the enemy’s numbers.”
“The Fire Dragon Orb! Right, you had it!”
The orb’s radiant glow drew the attention of Argon and the surrounding soldiers.
“But how do you plan to use it? None of us have a mage who can handle it.”
“I know how to use the orb.”
“You?”
As famous as the Fire Dragon Orb was, Argon knew how dangerous its power could be.
He couldn’t hide his surprise that I could wield it.
“That’s astounding. But how exactly will you use its power?”
“I’ll take the lead…”
“No! The duke would never allow that!”
The duke had given strict orders, and the moment I mentioned “lead,” Argon jumped in, cutting me off.
“The duke explicitly ordered that you not be put in danger.”
“I understand. But I’m the only one here who can use the orb, and to use its power effectively, I need to get close to the enemy.”
“You’re right, but…”
“And didn’t I infiltrate Verbon Fortress and come out unscathed?”
My words were persuasive enough.
More importantly, this was a desperate situation where we had to save the capital by any means necessary.
Finally, Argon made up his mind.
“…Alright. Explain the plan in detail.”
“I’ll charge in with one subordinate. Just two of us, so the enemy will let their guard down. That’s when I’ll unleash the orb’s power.”
“You mean to throw their camp into chaos in one fell swoop.”
“Exactly. Once the orb’s power disrupts the enemy, you lead the cavalry to break through.”
My plan was simple but plausible.
In truth, it was the only option we had.
The cavalry alone would be like throwing eggs at a rock.
“But the Fire Dragon’s power won’t last long, will it?”
“Correct. It can deal a massive blow initially, but the chaos won’t persist.”
Even for me, controlling the Fire Dragon Orb perfectly was no easy task.
It would take a great mage like Ernst to wield it freely.
So while it could deliver a powerful strike, the effects wouldn’t last long.
“That’s why I’ve prepared another way to amplify the chaos.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s complicated to explain here. You’ll see it on the battlefield.”
I sidestepped the question, gripping the orb and looking ahead.
“There’s no time. When I unleash the flames, strike their flanks to avoid the fire!”
As I prepared to charge, Viscount Argon shouted urgently.
“Be careful!”
“Don’t worry!”
With my reply, I raised the Fire Dragon Orb high.
Recognizing it as the signal, Argon immediately issued orders to the cavalry.
“Everyone, prepare! Split into two wings and wait for Young Count Evan’s signal!”
At the command, the cavalry instantly divided into two groups and moved.
It was as if only Gaiard and I were charging toward the enemy.
Thud, thud, thud!
Amid the sound of hooves, we said nothing to each other.
With a resolute gaze fixed ahead, I drew my sword from atop my horse.
Shing!
Venus’s sharp blade gleamed in the sunlight.
I brought the sword close to the orb.
Instantly, the sword and orb resonated fiercely, vibrating intensely, and the orb’s power began to flow into Venus.
The blade trembled violently, unable to withstand the force, and fine cracks appeared on its surface.
If I channel any more power, I won’t be able to use Venus again. But I have to do this.
A sword that fails its purpose is worth less than rusted scrap.
It’s better to break fulfilling its role perfectly.
And now was the moment for Venus to give everything.
“Gaiard, don’t get caught up in this. I won’t be able to cover you.”
“Who’re you worrying about? Just take care of the guys in front of you.”
“I was planning to, even without you saying it.”
The Kandahr camp was rapidly approaching.
The Kandahr warriors spotted two figures charging toward them.
At first, they thought we were envoys coming to surrender, as there were only two of us.
But when they clearly saw one of us draw a sword, they realized we were enemies.
“Are those guys crazy?”
“What do they think they can do with just two?”
The Kandahr warriors laughed at us, some even betting on us.
“Why don’t we bet on who can shoot them down first?”
“What’s the prize?”
“The wine Bakan will grant us when we win this war!”
“Haha, deal!”
Laughing, they raised their bows, waiting for us to enter range.
But then, a strange sight unfolded before them.
“Wait, what’s that guy doing?”
“His sword’s glowing…”
The sword I held began to burn with a vivid crimson light.
Flames shot from the blade toward the sky, forming a long streak that pierced the clouds.
“A mage, huh?”
Thinking little of it, the sky suddenly turned blood-red, and a massive firestorm tore through the clouds, crashing toward the battlefield.
“Fire! Dodge!”
“Argh!”
Three or four massive pillars of fire scorched the plains, heading for their camp.
Seeing this, the Kandahr warriors panicked and shouted.
“Fire!”
“The fire’s coming!”
Some warriors began shooting arrows at me, the source of this disaster.
“Shoot that mage! Kill him before the fire pillars hit!”
Hundreds of arrows flew toward me, but they were swept away and turned to ash in the firestorm.
“Gaiard!”
Following closely behind the flames, I shouted loudly.
“I’m listening!”
Gripping the cracked Venus, I aimed forward.
“Go! Devour them all!”
“Just what I wanted!”
The other card I had prepared.
A name etched into the Kandahr Tribe’s blood over centuries.
“Go and announce the return of Gaiard Lecan!”
The one who once defeated Bakan, Gaiard Lecan, was about to bring a nightmare to the Kandahr Tribe once again.