volume 1 - Chapter 54 (1/2)

TL: I will be concentrating on the JP series next week and I expect the next regular release for the CN series on 12 March.

I also want to say my sincere thanks to the donators. You guys allowed me to purchase a lot of artbooks, and I’ll post up some photos on them once they arrive some time in late march.

Chapter 54 – Breakthrough

The gargoyle skidded against the soft river ground ten over meters after it was forced down. The damage against this monstrous creature was minor, but Brendel and Ciel were hurled towards the ground with considerable impact.

The n.o.bles’ soldiers around them immediately became excited once they landed on the ground, and they swarmed towards them like angry insects. Even though they were a bunch of low ranking mobs, the riders’ charge made them look terrifying. After Ciel stood up from the ground and shook off the sand, he received a shock after looking at his surroundings and immediately asked: “My lord, what should we do now?”

Brendel pulled his leg out from the mud and drew his sword. He yelled: “Cut the c.r.a.p, create a wall now!”

This was the cla.s.sic strategy of Aouine’s wizards against the riders. The players’ strategies gradually evolved from this basic spell as it was effective against inexperienced riders.

Ciel immediately understood and used a ruby and pointed to the front: “To halt, to counter, Wall of creation—” Strings of light extended everywhere and formed a wall. The strings of light disappeared and a firm wall made of air was created.

Most of the riders had no idea what it was and they charged forward. There were a few experienced soldiers who split into two directions while Makavu tried to command his troops to circle the enemies, but the noise created from the galloping horses drowned his voice.

The first row of riders crashed into the wall of air. The horses knelt onto the ground, while the riders were thrown upwards and crashes into the wall. The next row of riders trampled onto the first row and then stumbled to the ground. As the third row crashed onto the second row, the increasing pressure shattered the wall of air, and suddenly a great number of the corpses were propelled forward and landed near Brendel’s feet.

This happened in a single instant, and the forceful impact frightened even Brendel and Ciel. They took a step backwards involuntarily.

Makavu cursed in anger from behind. The first row of riders were immediately killed, and the second row of riders were heavily injured. The third row of riders were mostly incapacitated and could not join back in the fray. Twenty odd men were never going to come back and rejoin his army, and he felt heartbroken by that fact.

He clenched his teeth and quickly bandaged his bloodied hands, then charged forth with a brandished greatsword. There were still ten over veteran riders remaining and he needed to lead them personally to suppress the two enemies in front, until the footmen were able to catch up with them.

[We need to target that wizard! If he continues to use his magic it would spell disaster for us!]

Makavu waved his greatsword twice, signalling his men to spread out and surround the enemies. He was fuming slightly when he saw their hesitant behavior. Each one of them was at least an Iron-rank, but when it came to the critical moment they were reluctant to advance.

“Charge! Attack as one!” Makavu understood he needed to spur them despite his anger.

He did not know that Brendel had been observing him for quite some time already.

[I fought more than enough times to know what you’re thinking. There’s no need to try and hide your tactics.] Brendel watched Makavu advance on an Arreck horse as he continued to issue out commands.

He spat out the sand in his mouth and tapped Ciel’s shoulder, then pointed to Makavu.

“See that man, coordinate with me at the right moment with a magic arrow.”

Ciel immediately shook his head. “He’s on a horse and I’m not that accurate.”

“No problem, you don’t need to worry about mana conservation, if you miss just keep on shooting.”

“Then it should be fine.”

Brendel checked the riders in his surroundings, grabbed his sword’s hilt and readied himself. After Makavu and his riders circled once, Makavu raised his sword just like he expected.

[He’s preparing to charge with everyone.]

Thirty meters.

Twenty meters.

Brendel was waiting for a chance like this. He went into a stance and unleashed his sword from the scabbard. Light burst forth along with a violent gust. Makavu saw the translucent ripple spreading forth along the ground, dragging pebbles along its path. Even though he had never seen the royal court’s sword style, he recognized that danger was coming towards him. He immediately jumped high up from his horse.

As he went up in mid-air, Brendel’s technique swept past the Arreck horse, and the giant horse suddenly stumbled forward and collapsed into a heap.

Its four limbs were severed.

Makavu drew a cold breath as he thought of a term.

[Sword aura—]

But before he could finish his thoughts, a beam of white light pierced through the air and struck his chest. A second beam stabbed his shoulder, the third beam impaled his abdomen, and the final beam of light went past him. Makavu changed directions three times before cras.h.i.+ng down onto the sand lifelessly.

This sudden change made the riders pull their reins. They were not shocked by Makavu’s death, but by the technique displayed before them. It was a signature move used by paladins. Their expressions changed into fear as they wondered who the young man was.

“You’re quite accurate.” Brendel sheathed his sword.

“Ho ho. But this credit belongs to my lord.” Ciel answered with a straight face.

Brendel smiled when he heard that. He checked the scenery in front of him. Even though the riders were stunned into inaction, he could not relax as he saw the shadows from the infantry in the Long Spear Forest.