Chapter 131
Caion’s unit sudden appearance from the side caused Diorant’s eyes to tremble violently.
“How are those guys moving to that location?!”
As an independent unit under the 6th Legion, only Kiaran, the 6th Legion Commander, had the authority to command them.
However, in this situation where they were acting as reinforcements, Diorant also had command authority.
Yet, shaken by Galveron’s sudden appearance, Diorant could only think of ways to retreat.
No, even that was proving difficult, as Galveron’s cavalry was advancing at an incredible speed, almost pinning them down...
And now, a mere three-hundred-man unit was charging toward a force led by an Aura Master?
“Th-those lunatics!”
Diorant shouted.
“Hahaha, this is madness, isn’t it?”
Kyle, who was running beside Dianal, let out a slightly crazed laugh.
Jerka, who was on the other side, spoke.
“But if the unit leader were here, he would definitely have done the same.”
Nod.
Dianal nodded in agreement.
He pondered and pondered again.
What would Damian have done?
In this situation, where their comrades could all be slaughtered, how would he have acted?
‘I’m sure this is the right path.’
If there was a way, Damian would have somehow succeeded. That’s the way of the Caion unit.
Even though Damian wasn’t here, standing by and fleeing while their comrades could be wiped out was out of the question.
‘If we did that, he’d return and tear us apart.’
He couldn’t tarnish Damian’s name like this.
“Remember, don’t go too deep. We’ll strike and retreat, just like when we fought the Rose Knight Order.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, sir!”
Besides, their opponents weren’t infantry but cavalry.
If they got caught up in that speed, they’d be trampled to death on the spot.
“Foul!”
Peeeeeee!
With the sound of the signal whistle, the thirty archers led by Paul quickly moved to the side.
Their target was the cavalry’s flank.
If they could cut through the middle, they might be able to sever the rear from the rest.
Thud!
Paul, running ahead with the archers, lowered his stance and raised his bow.
The training must have been effective, as they moved almost as one, drawing their bows in unison.
Then,
“Fire!”
Shh-shh-shh-shh-shhh!
At Paul’s command, their arrows shot toward the center of the cavalry.
Though the enemy’s speed and long spears could deflect some of the arrows...
Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!
They couldn’t block them all.
Neighhhhh!
Three horses hit by arrows reared up and collapsed on the spot.
“Aaargh!”
“There’s an accident up front! Avoid it and keep moving!”
As a horse running in the middle fell, the cavalry behind it tripped, causing a chain collision.
Seeing this, Dianal, along with his troops, charged toward the disrupted cavalry.
‘About twenty horses have fallen?’
Even in this moment, their ability to adapt and keep advancing was a testament to the skill of a unit led by an Aura Master.
They had aimed to take down at least fifty, but...
Even this much was enough.
The enemy’s speed had clearly slowed after losing a chunk of their forces.
“You insects!”
“You dare challenge us?”
The cavalrymen of Galveron sneered as they saw the Caion unit charging at their flank.
But at that moment,
Whoosh!
“......!”
Seeing this, Dianal concentrated all the mana he could into the sword held in both hands.
‘I have to block this...!’
If he dodged, his troops would be in danger.
In an instant, Dianal made his decision and charged directly toward Galveron’s mana wave.
And then...
“Haaaaah!”
At the moment of impact, Dianal slashed in an X-pattern with all his might, striking the mana wave head-on.
Clang!
A deafening roar erupted as a vortex of mana swirled wildly in all directions.
Rumble!
The ground shook violently.
Dianal bit his lip as he looked at his shattered sword. Then he shouted,
“Retreat! Everyone, move quickly!”
With the vortex of mana swirling and their vision blurred, this was the perfect moment to escape.
At Dianal’s command, the squad leaders quickly relayed the orders to their troops, and they began retreating to their designated points.
“Run! Run! Run!”
“Run like your life depends on it! If you fall behind, you’re dead!”
Every soldier in the Caion unit ran as fast as they could.
In an instant, they broke through the cavalry attempting to surround them and began fleeing.
It was a maneuver they had performed countless times with Damian.
Disrupt the enemy’s balance, then retreat and regroup for another chance.
It was the best strategy to offset the overwhelming difference in strength.
Watching the retreating Caion unit, Galveron’s expression turned cold.
“Those bastards...!”
He considered splitting his forces to chase after them. But then...
‘...Are they the ones who defeated Piaren’s Rose Knight Order?’
A queasy sensation stirred within him as he recalled their identity.
This situation was almost identical to what had been described in the previous war report from Sragan.
“Ha, ha ha ha... So they’re the Caion unit, the ones who took down the Rose Knight Order.”
He had heard it was a hundred-man unit, but they must have received reinforcements during the short interval.
They seemed to have about three hundred men now.
Swoosh.
Galveron completely turned his horse to face the Caion unit.
The reinforcements from the Baroque Kingdom had already suffered significant losses.
Even if they moved to Sragan now, it would take a long time to regroup.
In that case, we should...
“Jeffrey. Lead the infantry and hold off the Baroque Kingdom’s reinforcements. Just prevent them from moving to Sragan.”
“Yes, sir!”
“I’ll lead the cavalry and wipe out these guys.”
The Caion unit.
At this point, their reputation was spreading across the entire continent. If he could completely annihilate them...
“Hahaha, my status would rise to the heavens.”
Galveron was already famous as the Empire’s fourth Aura Master.
And if, after breaking through the borders of the Tirkan Kingdom in his first battle, he could stop the Baroque Kingdom’s reinforcements and annihilate the Caion unit...
‘There couldn’t be a more perfect outcome.’
It was a golden opportunity to prove his martial prowess.
Having sorted out his thoughts, Galveron looked at his cavalrymen.
A few knights had fallen due to the Caion unit’s attack, but compared to the whole force, their losses were minimal.
Galveron shouted,
“Anyone able to move, form up quickly. We’ll pursue them immediately!”
The fortunate thing was that this was a plain, without dense forests or hills to hinder their horses.
So, even if the enemy fled, catching them wouldn’t be difficult.
‘The Rose Knight Order was caught in their trap due to the terrain.’
But in this open space, it would be impossible for them to plan any special tactics.
“We’ll chase them down. We’ll wipe them out before the day is over!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Let’s go!”
Galveron urged his horse in the direction the Caion unit had fled.
In his mind, the only thing that burned was the thought of the fame and glory he would gain from a perfect victory.