The Amber Sword

v3c330
The Holy War(15)

The sunlight was like a sharp sword, piercing through the mist. On the highlands, the flowers were laid out like beds and the flowing river sparkled silver, but spears lined up between the forests broke the serenity. The Highland Infantry marched together, and countless coats of arms and banners could be seen. Each was painted with various emblems, from lions and thorns to pelicans and garlands.

Finn’s Division, Constantine’s Division, Beale’s Division, and the Northern Coalition Army were rallying. The forest was dominated by thousands of spears, tips of these spears gleaming white as snow, shifting with the breath of the infantry. It created a scene of rippling silver and flashing light for miles around.

Looking into the distance, from the Anker Mountains, the southern area seemed to have turned a depressing black. The flags above the water waved around, an occasional flash of weaponry breaking through. Brendel pursed his lips, This is a real battle. It was only at this moment that he felt the illusion of returning to the past.

Everyone was gripping their swords so tightly that their knuckles turned white. Even the nobles’ private soldiers had forgotten to breathe, only looking at the huge army with their mouths wide open.

More soldiers appeared continuously from behind the army, their number already surpassing tens of thousands. If all these people were to breathe together, the sound of it might even be stronger than the rushing of the wind.

The gentle breeze blowing across the Mar Highlands was quickly calming down.

The air became humid and stifling, a sign of the coming storm. Across the green meadow, a knight left the main array of the Northern Coalition Army. He raised his spear and trotted towards the north.

But unfortunately…

“As soon as the central force is defeated, the Princess’s army will lose its support.” Viscount Von Dougning pointed his finger toward the shadow of the Anker Mountain and analyzed, “The entire battlefield will be divided by us, and they will only be able to fight on their own. Defeat is just a matter of time.”

“How could Oberwei make this kind of mistake? He is the Lone Wolf of the kingdom!” A noble officer said in a loud voice.

“It is the Lone Wolf’s personality to want to take a stronger initiative. He has great forbearance and wants to win in one fell swoop!” The Viscount said with confidence.

“Where are the Nagas and the students of the Royal Calvary Academy, then?”

“They must be in both the right and left flanks!” Viscount Von Dougning answered.

Everyone came to that realization. Count Vitokin looked up and stared at the shadow under the Anker Mountains. After a while, his eyes stopped upon the young man on the Earth Drake’s back. “Viscount Von Dougning, are you willing to be the herald for the new king?”

Viscount Von Dougning was delighted, as he knew that this was his best opportunity to become a legend in history. He lifted his head high, “Of course.”

The soldiers who were dispatching orders went back and forth, and clamor of nobles giving commands rose across the wilderness. Flags of the Northern Coalition Army waved back and forth. The army slowly started to take action.

Everyone held their breath and Brendel felt a chill down his spine.

The wind blew.

“Raise your spears!”

“Forward! Stay in line!” The first to move was the Beale army from Bursas. The Beale infantry each had a breastplate, war halberd, wide-brimmed helmet, and iron gloves. They had strict discipline, and their unified blue and white tabards made them look like blue and white ribbons spreading out from the Northern Coalition Army from above.

Viscount Von Dougning rode on a huge Earth Drake, followed by his Rangers behind the infantry.

In total, two thin lines of infantry stood across the entire valley. Although not everyone could be clearly seen due to the uneven terrain, there were hundreds of thousands of flags waving in the air.

Even knowing the first attack would just be a test, it was inevitable for the men to feel their blood rushing.

Now, this was a real battle. How many people could see such a sight with their own eyes, not to mention actually participating in it? Moreover, Von Doughning understood that this battle would make his name resound even further.

Viscount Von Dougning will be a glorious name written in history from now on.

He raised his spear high into the air and shouted with all his might, “I will take the first step, and you shall find victory in me! Long live Aouine! Long live the King!” His voice rang out and the Northern Coalition Army cheered in response.

Their cheering voices rose like a tsunami.

The roars worried Count Audine’s private soldiers. They gripped tightly onto their spears and sweat ran down their faces and backs like rivers. Count Audine looked at his uneasy soldiers and could not help but sigh. This plan is really too bold. How will my soldiers win in such a battle?

He turned and looked at Brendel.

Brendel showed no signs of worry, listening to the Princess at the side.

“I’ve heard of Mr. Brendel’s brave actions in Fortress Riedon from Oberwei, but what was it like when you made your move to attack?” Princess Gryphine looked at the Northern Coalition Army with a passive expression.

“That time?” Brendel laughed, “I didn’t think too much. A person has to survive. The same goes for both nobles and ordinary people. There aren’t any differences when we’re talking about life.”

“Are you trying to warn me about something?” The Princess asked shrewdly.

“No, it’s just a thought.”

Princess Gryphine glanced at him.

Brendel was silently counting in his heart, then he suddenly turned around and asked, “Amandina, how much further?”

“Less than ten meters, my Lord.” Amandina, who was yawning behind him with blood-shot eyes, answered.

The well-dressed Beale infantry brigade moved forward along the river valley. The Princess’s camp, up on the north bank at the intersection of the creeks, was still unclear to them and none of them knew what kind of ambush they might encounter.

The priests of the Holy Cathedral of Fire, who followed the army, started chanting prayers, their hymns echoing in the sky above the wilderness. Rays of golden light shone down from the sky on the infantry, strengthening them.

This was a flame protection spell. It gave the beneficiaries an additional one point of protection and one point of retaliation against fire. However, this spell did not syngergize well with their armor, so those who were more lightly armored benefited from a more complete protection.

Suddenly, everyone on the battlefield saw a ray of light appear among the Beale infantry, throwing a few of them up into the air in an instant. Their dead bodies fell onto the meadow like wooden puppets, accompanied by an ear-deafening explosion which shook the wilderness.