Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

"Don't you feel rage, doesn't your blood boil in anger when you see them in such a miserable state? If you want to rescue them, if you want to redeem them from their current plight, then you must wield your weapon. That would be the greatest salvation and honour for them, to die in your hands. That way, they would depart as a fellow soldier of this soil".

Her words, laden with a sense of duty and a call to honour, were like a surge of energy injected into a machine that was running low on power.

The effect was palpable. The soldiers, initially struck by the disheartening sight of the Enslaved Legion, found renewed strength and purpose. It was as if Cynthia's words had reforged their determination, turning the initial shock into righteous anger.

The soldiers, momentarily shaken, now stood tall, their eyes reflecting not only the fire of battle but also a commitment to liberate those who had been unjustly shackled.

What's there to be hesitant about, weren't they already briefed about something like this happening? Cynthia's words had not only reinvigorated their morale but had also transformed their perception of the situation.

The Enslaved Legion might be powerful; however, one could see the reflection of the toll of enslavement on their bodies. Exhaustion, resignation, and, in some cases, the haunted look of those who had experienced unimaginable suffering.

It was one thing if they were in full strength but in a condition where they were physically exhausted and severely outnumbered, there was no way, they would be able to hold out against the elite Army that Cynthai raised from the tower town and mountmend.

One after another, they fell to the blades of their fellow countrymen. The scene might look very cruel; however, there was no other choice. Cynthia's face remained impassive as she saw the blood and bodies of the former soldiers of her kingdom slowly stain the ground red.

If the enemy thought that just this would be enough to stop them, then they were severely mistaken. The enemy's ploy to demoralize them had backfired; instead, it became a catalyst for a surge of unified determination.

On top of the wall, Marshall Cavalier saw the scene with a solemn expression on his face. He thought that the princess's army would be more demoralised after seeing the former soldiers of their kingdom like that. However, who knew that they would quickly shed away their hesitation? That lass had once again foiled his plan.

"Hmph, useless piece of trash, they can't even handle some so simple" he clicked his tongue. His eyes looked over at the Hellfire Artillery Unit who had recovered their mana and a gloating smile once again appeared on his face.

"Be that may, I never thought that I could just stop your army with just the enslaved legion. As useless as they might be, they have at least completed their job as human shields. Now, let me see if you can survive this"

Saying that, he extended his hands and swiped it down. Immediately, the thousands of mages in the walls, pulled their staffs out as they started casting. Powerful waves of mana emitted out of them as their magic slowly took shape.

Mighty intermediate tier AOE magic dropped on the battlefield like rain once again, causing extreme devastation and changing the topography of the land.

'This time for sure the princess's army won't survive' Just as this thought arrived on the Marshall, he was once again shocked to see the army standing on the ground perfectly fine with not even a single injury much less any casualty.

What was going on? If the first time he attributed them surviving due to miraculous luck, then what about this time? Over on the bastion, the general slowly narrowed his eyes as a knowing glint flashed over them.

"Interesting, seems like the princess does have the foundation to be so arrogant. Good, this will be an interesting war".

As he spoke, his eyes looked at the woman beside the princess. Over at the base of the wall, the kingdom's army finally pushed the enslaved legion back and managed to reach the gates.

"Hmph, I don't know what kind of trick you using, but don't think that our kingdom of Blackthorn only has the Hellfire Artillery Unit. Tainted Knights, get in position. The enemy has reached the wall, don't let any of them breach through the gate"

On his commands, knights wearing dark grey armours that released peculiar energy, stepped forward. At this moment, they formed three wings, each wing comprised more than twenty five thousand knights.

As they received the order, they lifted their shields and charged towards the onrushing army thus stopping their momentum. Although their number was lower than the combined army of the princess, Duke Redcrest and several of the nobles, one must see the individual level of these Tainted Knights and the quality of the gears they were wearing.

Each of these tainted knights, even the lowest ranking squires were all above level 350, much less needs to be said above those high ranking knight captain and knight commanders who were all above 400.

The Tainted Knights Unit was one of the elite forces of Blackthorn and their strengths and level represented the investment the kingdom had put into raising them. Needless to say, there was no comparison between them and the Enslaved Legion.

As if meeting a steel board, the accelerating momentum of the kingdom's army finally came to a stop when these elite knights, stepped on the battlefield.

"Tainted Knights, you are the elite units of the Second Army under His Majesty, Lord Gladion. Show the opposing army the fierceness of Blackthorn and make them regret ever challenging us"

On Marshall Cavalier's assertive and arrogance filled words, the tainted knights gave a loud roar. Theroi weapons shone with a greyish black glint as they swung them towards the kingdom army. Immediately, numerous casualties appeared on the princess's side.

"Your Highness, the Tainted Knights have finally stepped in. Currently, our frontlines are suffering great casualties"

Over at the backlines where Cynthia was, Annette promptly informed. Her eyes that glimmerd with a spirit light, seemed to be able to penetrate through the wall and gaze at extremely far distances. Novel Fire - novelfire.net

"It cannot be helped, we already knew this would happen the moment the Tainted Knights stepped onto the battlefield. Neverhtless, no matter how powerful they are they are in the end still humans. Continue sending bodies towards them, once they are exhausted, we will send our elites"

Cynthia spoke those callous words without batting an eye. She was aware of the principle that 'One cannot win the war if they weren't prepared to make sacrifices and throw away a part of their humanity'.

The forces of the kingdom of Blackthorn were extremely powerful, from the beginning she was prepared to suffer large casualties on her side. She knew that these soldiers who respected and followed her, would end up dying on this cruel battlefield.

That being said, she was not entirely callous, as could be seen from the formation that their army was rushing inside the gate. Most of the people spearheading the charge, comprised of soldiers from the nobles and duke's army.

As for the soldiers from her own army, they were tactically placed in a way where they wouldn't have to take the brunt of the power of the tainted knights head on. They could wait for the other soldiers to tire the other party out before engaging with the enemy.

As for the adventurers of the tower town who had plenty of experience under their belt, they knew when to take advantage of the situation to proceed and retreat. They acted in a team and took action decisively.

Cynthia left them to their own station and gave them the authority to make their own decision.

"How goes the preparation on Blake's side?" She questioned. Annette looked at the distant mountain range and commented "They are ready and are waiting for your orders".

"In that case, tell them to start the operation. Let's show the enemy the might of the kingdom".

.

.

Over at the wall, Marshall Cavalier wore an extremely delighted expression on his face as he saw the number of soldiers being culled by the Tainted Knights. Standing true to their rigid and training, each of them were powerful enough to overwhelm numerous soldiers.

What's more, with the aid of the special weapons and armour given to them, they were even more powerful. How do the ordinary soldiers of the kingdom compare to their Tainted Knights?

Marshall Cavalier arched his body back and laughed, relishing in this bloodbath when…

"Cavalier… how many times have I told you not to underestimate the enemy?" the general's cold voice filled with silent anger, suddenly doused his parade.

He looked at the former and asked with some dread "What's wrong General? We have complete control over the battlefield. The enemy can only use their numbers against us, and once even that runs out, they will be just sitting ducks waiting to be butchered. At this point, nothing that they can do can turn this around"

Marshall Cavalier laughed, he could already see the ending and the miserable expression of that lass once they crushed her army.

"Do you really think that? If so, then turn your head towards the top of the walls". What was there to see on top of the walls? The place should be surrounded by their forces. Although he thought that in his mind, he nevertheless obeyed the general's command and turned his attention towards the top of the walls.

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