“Well, it seems we’ve been outplayed.”
“Where on earth did they hide those troops?”
In the main camp of the Baronial Alliance, the three lords of the border regions—Baron Brock, baron Josef, and Baron Allen—conversed while observing the enemy lines atop their horses.
For over two weeks, they had been monitoring the troops entering and leaving Calix Castle through their scouts.
However, the appearance of far more troops than they estimated rendered their meticulous plans futile.
But it wasn’t entirely their fault.
Raul had used large-scale ‘Teleport Gate’ magic circles to summon players and guild forces.
This required at least a 6th-circle mage and consumed dozens of mana stones for each activation.
In simpler terms, it was incredibly expensive.
Who would have expected such an inefficient spell, rarely used even in national conflicts, to be deployed in a mere territorial war?
And therein lay the difference in perspectives between Raul and the barons.
While the barons aimed to gain visible benefits from the war, Raul sought an overwhelming victory for the future, even at a loss.
“Ha, it appears they’re desperate as well, cobbling together troops from various places.”
“The rumors about his wealth weren’t exaggerations. Look at the mercenaries he’s gathered.”
From their perspective, it was hard to see Raul’s forces as elite.
With over half of the 3,500 being mercenaries and players, the disorganized appearance of their mixed gear and attire hardly inspired confidence.
They couldn’t begin to comprehend the true nature of the players.
“The cavalry is a bit concerning, but our knights should handle them easily enough.”
“Indeed. Though they have numbers, they can’t compare to our knight order.”
“Don’t worry. The power armor renders the number and quality of troops meaningless.” said two knights standing proudly beside the barons, wearing unadorned, plain knight armor.
The knight in black armor was Latrell, a top-level knight from the Black Bear Knights hurriedly sent by Viscount Jaden.
The knight in gray armor was Zachary, the leader of knights dispatched by another supporting house.
“It looks like Ashton’s Iron Bear Knights are here. Is that concerning?”
“Hmph. There’s no need to worry about a mere minor order. They hardly have any power armor.”
With 60 of their 150 knights being armored users, they believed losing was nearly impossible.
At that moment, they saw a knight from Raul’s camp slowly moving to the center of the battlefield.
“Is it an envoy?”
“Perhaps for pre-battle negotiations.”
As the barons wondered, Latrell from Viscount Jaden’s forces reacted with shock.
“No, that’s Young master Raul! What is he thinking, coming out without any escorts?”
“Really?”
All eyes turned to Raul.
Capturing Raul would swiftly end the territorial war without the need for battle, making his move even more baffling.
Reaching the middle of the battlefield, Raul scanned the Baronial Alliance’s lines, drew his sword, and shouted.
“I am Raul de Ashton, Lord of Calix, Francois, Louisin, and Tern, Master of the First Knight Order, and leader of the First Knights! You opportunistic and despicable scoundrels seeking to profit from the kingdom’s turmoil! Is there anyone among you rogues who dares to face my blade!!”
Raul’s roar, amplified by Rabel’s magic, resounded across the battlefield.
When his raised sword emitted a golden mana blade about 2 meters long, a cheer erupted from Raul’s side.
Regardless of the outcome, the sight of their lord stepping forward and drawing his sword personally boosted the morale of both soldiers and knights.
“Wow, that’s badass!”
“I don’t know about anything else, but damn, that’s cool!”
“Raul, you’re amazing!”
Caught up in the atmosphere, even the players cheered along with the soldiers.
Some female players, already fans of Raul, screamed and frantically saved the video footage.
“But wait, if he loses, aren’t we screwed too?”
“This is a bit much. Should the commander-in-chief really be doing this?”
“He’s young and overconfident. How does he know who will step forward? What a gamble.”
Of course, there were plenty who watched with concern.
It was natural to be uneasy when the top commander was recklessly provoking the enemy from the front lines before the battle had even commenced.
Conversely, the Baronial Alliance was smirking at this unexpected opportunity.
“Hahaha, he’s lost his mind after gaining some fame at such a young age.”
“This is our chance! Let’s capture him and end this territorial war right here.”
“He must think very little of us. So, who do we send to deal with him?”
The barons passed the opportunity to the two senior knights who were there for support.
Frankly, there were no high-caliber knights among the baronial houses.
A typical barony had fewer than twenty knights, most of whom hadn’t even breached the Expert rank.
Though they scoffed at Raul, none believed their knights could handle him.
Latrell and Zachary eyed each other competitively.
Believing the prey was already caught, each vied for the glory of capturing Raul.
“Maybe I should go. After all, I recently defeated their chief knight.”
Zachary suggested.
Latrell of the Black Bear Knights snapped at that.
“Damn it. The chief knight was only highly regarded due to being the son of a viscount. We have more knights, so it’s only fair I go.”
Despite knowing Raul had reached the high Expert level, they felt confident as high Experts themselves.
None believed a mere sixteen-year-old Raul could defeat them.
But the final decision came quickly, dictated by their masters and the hierarchy.
“Well, it seems I’ll have to do it. I’ll teach that brat a lesson he won’t forget. Hahaha.”
“Commander Zachary, remember, don’t kill him! We must capture him alive.” urged Baron Brock urgently.
Zachary chuckled darkly and promised he wouldn’t forget.
‘As long as he’s alive, it doesn’t matter if I cut off a few limbs.’
After all, his mission was to weaken the Count Ashton’s house and inflict as much damage as possible.
Zachary hadn’t expected the opportunity to fulfill his lord’s orders would come so swiftly.
Carrying a self-assured expression, he spurred his horse towards Raul, a massive battle axe slung over his shoulder.
*
Two knights faced each other on the plain.
Having already sent their horses back to their respective camps.
In a mana-infused duel between knights, horses were merely a hindrance.
“Raul.”
“Zachary.”
There was no need for formalities. Raul’s eyes glowed golden as he studied Zachary, who, in turn, cautiously observed him.
“Not using the greatsword?”
“Well, there’s no need to bring out the family’s techniques against mere thieves.”
“Arrogant brat.”
Zachary noted that Raul stood with just a longsword, rather than the signature two-handed greatsword of the Ashton household.
In contrast, Zachary wielded a massive battle axe, exuding sheer destructive potential.
‘So the McNeil Marquessate is involved.’
Despite wearing armor devoid of any insignias and not revealing his affiliation, it was clear. In the Ruben Kingdom, the only house that used such weapons as their mainstay was the McNeil Marquessate.
The exploration phase ended, and it was time for weapons to speak. Activating his power armor, Raul charged towards Zachary.
‘I’ll make you regret meddling in someone else’s fight.’
Boom!
The plains echoed with explosions and shimmering light.
*
It took only two minutes.
“H-How is this possible…?”
Zachary, staring dumbfoundedly at his shattered power armor, murmured in disbelief.
He didn’t have time for more.
Schink! Shlak!
“Ugh!”
Raul’s golden mana blade severed half of Zachary’s shoulder guard, and a searing pain on the opposite cheek signaled a stream of blood.
Tremble.
The battle axe’s handle shook violently in his grip, his hand trembling along with it. The disparity in skill was overwhelming. In the past two minutes, Zachary’s battle axe and mana blade hadn’t even grazed Raul’s clothes.
For reasons unknown, his body felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton, and Raul seemed to anticipate his every move, effortlessly deflecting his attacks.
On the other hand, Raul’s attacks never missed. His seemingly casual swings effortlessly penetrated Zachary’s defenses, landing each time. Even strikes Zachary thought he could block somehow changed trajectory at the last moment, striking his body.
‘I’ve never seen such skill, except for my lord….’
Since reaching high-rank Expert and becoming the chief knight, no one besides his master, Marquis Clifford de McNeil, had ever overwhelmed him like this. Even when sparring with various commanders of his house’s knights, he felt he could hold his own despite losing.
Yet, to feel so utterly defeated by a mere 16-year-old was beyond comprehension. Were it not for his power armor’s protective field, he would have been dead long ago. And now, with the field gone, his luck had run out.
“Damn… you monster.”
Those were his last words. Zachary crumpled to the ground, felled by Raul’s golden mana blade piercing his forehead.
Thud.
A thunderous cheer erupted from Raul’s camp. Watching in amazement as Raul annihilated his opponent, many couldn’t help but shout in admiration.
“My god. I’d heard rumors, but to see him demonstrate such skill!”
Lamont, the deputy commander of the Iron Bear Knights, couldn’t contain his amazement. While the regular soldiers might not fully understand, Raul’s performance held significant meaning beyond what was visible.
Zachary had appeared to be of high-rank Expert or higher. His power armor was also top-tier, at least C-rank.
Defeating such an opponent in just two minutes?
This indicated that Raul possessed something beyond what could be seen.
‘Now it all makes sense. The seemingly impossible battle plan and his confidence.’
Wait, does that mean Young master Raul really plans to execute that strategy?
Lamont urgently shouted to his subordinate knights,
“Prepare for battle! When the order is given, charge straight into the enemy main force!”
Lamont swallowed nervously, watching Raul’s back intently. At that moment, Raul’s voice echoed across the battlefield again.
“Is that all you’ve got? Is this the best you can offer to dare set foot in my territory?”
Swish! Boom!
As Raul swung his sword from left to right, the golden mana blade surged like a wave, exploding in front of the Baronial Alliance’s front lines.
The sight of soldiers instinctively retreating in fear was clear even from a distance.
“Come on! It doesn’t matter how many of you come at me; I’ll take you all! Is there no knight brave enough to stand before me?”
Raul’s booming voice echoed like a lion’s roar, causing the Baronial Alliance’s forces to shrink back in fear.
“What, what should we do?”
“Sir Latrell, do something!”
The barons, their faces pale, couldn’t hide their panic.
Even the knights, who had been brimming with confidence just moments ago, were now visibly unsettled, realizing Raul’s extraordinary skills. Even Latrell, who had been so assured, could only bite his lip and avoid the barons’ gazes.
‘What do they expect me to do?’
Facing Raul alone now would be tantamount to suicide. As silence gripped the Baronial Alliance’s camp, Raul shouted once more.
“You cowards! If none of you will come out, then I will come to you! Baron Brock! Baron Josef! Baron Allen! Prepare to meet your end!”
Without hesitation, Raul charged towards the enemy camp.
(To be continued)