On the distant horizon, a massive cavalry charge surged forward. Clad in jet-black armor, they moved with deadly precision, their formation so disciplined they seemed like specters risen from the underworld.
Even a layman could tell at a glance—this was an elite force among elites!
This was the Black Eagle Guard, the core strength of the Reynolds Family.
"Impressive momentum. The Black Eagle Guard is formidable… though still slightly inferior to Lone Wolf's former rogue mercenary band," Kael mused silently.
While the Black Eagle Guard exuded both power and discipline, they fell just short of the sheer lethality Kael had witnessed from Lone Wolf's old group. Of course, their numbers far surpassed those of the mercenaries back then.
This only further proved Lone Wolf's exceptional command prowess.
Kael shot Lone Wolf a glance, signaling him to take full control of the battlefield.
Across the vast plains of Laphie Territory, the Black Eagle Guard charged like a pack of wolves unleashed, while the city itself appeared as vulnerable as a lamb in their sights.
At first, the cavalry had been mere dark specks against the pale horizon, but now they swelled into an unbroken tide, the thunder of hooves growing ever louder.
Many of the untested recruits paled slightly, but the veterans—tempered under Lone Wolf's drills—stood unwavering, their expressions carved from stone.
Lone Wolf had strategically interspersed the green soldiers with seasoned fighters. The rookies, though nervous, instinctively looked to their battle-hardened comrades, drawing stability from their resolve.
Kael nodded inwardly. Lone Wolf's preparations left nothing to question.
"Zev." Suddenly, Kael's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto a single figure among the Black Eagle Guard.
There he was—Zev, draped in a sapphire-blue robe, his face gaunt and sharp, his slitted eyes radiating malice. His spiritual sense unfurled, and as his gaze swept the landscape, it snagged on Laphie City.
As a Level 10 mage, Zev's awareness was keen enough to detect another presence of equal strength within the city—though he didn't yet realize it was Kael.
Zev's expression darkened slightly. Bringing five thousand Black Eagle Guards had been the right decision—Laphie City actually housed a Level 10 mage!
"I refuse to believe a backwater like Laphie can withstand the might of the Reynolds Family!" Zev sneered inwardly, his eyes narrowing as he swiftly stepped forward.
As a Level 10 powerhouse, Zev could soar through the skies effortlessly. In an instant, he ascended, his voice amplified by a thread of mana:
"Lord of Laphie! Come out and face your death!"
His words dripped with unmistakable bloodlust.
Clearly, his target was Kael.
Zev's mind raced. He knew of Kael's connections to the Sacred Council and his title as Count of the Three Continents.
But the Reynolds Family and Kael were already locked in a feud to the death. If Kael were allowed to grow stronger, he'd become an existential threat. Better to eliminate him now—the Sacred Council wouldn't wage war over a corpse.
Kael stepped forward leisurely, locking eyes with Zev across the thousand-meter divide.
Zev smirked coldly. "Lord of Laphie, you dare show your face after murdering the Reynolds heir? I almost admire your audacity."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Kael shrugged, feigning ignorance. He'd never admit to killing Lucian. "Why has the Reynolds Family marched on my city with such hostility?"
His gaze had already sharpened to slits.
"Fine. Deny it all you want. Last time, you slipped away—today, you won't be so lucky! I'll bury Laphie with you!" Zev's voice turned arctic, as if dredged from the depths of the underworld.
Ever since Kael's escape, the Reynolds Family had spared no effort to uncover Lucian's killer. Though Kael had disguised himself, his eyes, stature, and other traits had left traces. Their intelligence network had finally pinpointed him.
Zev lunged forward like a bolt of lightning, while behind him, the five thousand Black Eagle Guards surged like a black tidal wave.
As the cavalry charged, Zev raised a hand, issuing a silent command. The riders accelerated unnaturally, their warhorses whinnying wildly as they closed the distance with terrifying speed.
The warhorses of the Black Eagle Guard were no ordinary steeds—they were Level 4 magical beasts: Golden-Horned Horses. Though valuable, they still paled in comparison to the Frost-Horned Horses once ridden by Lone Wolf's rogue mercenaries.
However, the mercenaries had only possessed a few hundred Frost-Horned Horses, whereas here—five thousand Golden-Horned Horses charged in unison!
The Reynolds Family's wealth was truly staggering, befitting their status as one of the mightiest clans in the Kingdom of Mide.
The wind howled as the Black Eagle Guard closed in, yet Kael remained motionless.The distance between the cavalry and Laphie City shrank rapidly…
Still, Kael stood his ground, utterly unfazed. He had entrusted full command to Lone Wolf.
With a discreet hand signal, Lone Wolf channeled his battle aura and roared:
"Formation—NOW!"
In an instant, the battlefield transformed. The five thousand Black Eagle Guards plunged into a trap, as countless Laphie soldiers, previously concealed, surged forth from all directions!
Like a gigantic net, the Laphie forces encircled the entire cavalry unit!
Seizing the chaos, over a dozen pre-positioned Arcane Crystal Cannons unleashed hell.
The crimson-barreled cannons spat tongues of fire, their scorching projectilesstreaking across the sky, dyeing it a searing red.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The earth quaked violently, as if terrified by the cannons' wrath!
The vanguard of the Black Eagle Guard was swallowed by the inferno. Where the cannonfire concentrated, the ground collapsed into a massive crater!
Zev's face twisted in alarm. "Damn it! They've got heavy siege weaponry! Halt the advance—fall back and regroup!" he bellowed.
But his order came too late. The frontlines were already mired in the crater, their Golden-Horned Horses panicked and uncontrollable. Many riders tumbled from their saddles.
And in that moment of disarray—the Laphie warriors struck.
Like two raging torrents colliding, the Black Eagle Guard and Laphie's forces clashed in a frenzy of steel and blood.
The vanguard of the Black Eagle Guard had completely lost formation, rendering any organized counterattack impossible. In the chaos, most were swiftly cut down by Laphie's soldiers!
Nearly a thousand Black Eagle Guards at the front were annihilated in moments!
To their credit, the remaining forces responded with discipline. Following Zev's orders, they halted their advance and regrouped, preserving the bulk of their strength.
Still, Laphie's opening strike had decapitated nearly a fifth of the elite cavalry—a devastatingly brilliant feat!
Of course, Kael knew this victory owed everything to the Arcane Crystal Cannons' surprise bombardment. Without that element of shock, such results would've been impossible.
Future engagements wouldn't be so easy. With the forces now locked in close combat, the cannons risked friendly fire—their advantage neutralized.
Zev fought desperately to stabilize the situation: "Fall back! Disperse!" He understood that a clustered formation made easy prey for Kael's tactics.
The Black Eagle Guard, ever disciplined, fanned out swiftly, scattering like quicksilver.
Zev's gaze locked onto Kael, murderous intent blazing in his eyes. He'd always known this brat was troublesome, but Kael's cunning had still far exceeded his expectations.
"You've got skill, boy, and a scheming mind. A shame your luck ran out when you crossed the Reynolds Family. Today, you won't escape—the Three Continents will lose another so-called 'genius'…" Zev's lips peeled back in a venomous sneer.