In remote regions like Tonyger and Yu Song, most residents actually do not live near cities. Even in Vorn, the more prosperous the area, the higher the degree of urbanization. Probably due to reasons like commercial trade, cities are inhabited by many craftsmen, monks, artists, and municipal personnel along with their families and others who rely on these people for their livelihoods.

But in Tonyger, the situation is reversed. There are many scattered settlements in the wilderness, farms are distributed along the edges of the forests, and hunter cabins in the hills. The Centaurs discovered just such a situation, with a family living inside the house. They feared they were Jandener's Scouts, so they brought them along.

The leaves rustled softly as the Centaur Warriors, tall and robust with reddish-brown muscles and purple-white war patterns smeared across their cheeks and shoulders, led the shivering men and women, along with their children, in tattered clothes with greasy, tangled black hair, looking like refugees.

Brand glanced down the mountain. The forest was as black as ink, with flags of different colors interwoven, but the sounds of battle were momentarily in stasis, and the entire battlefield stalled because of their sudden appearance. He noticed the nearest Grusian was secretly adjusting their formation, with the gray-green Noble Private Soldiers faintly visible in the forest.

However, he didn't care and turned back, saying, "They are not Scouts, just refugees."

"Lord, we..." The man's eyes filled with terror. Refugees caught by nobles are mostly beheaded; from 'Daolin' to the 'Somer' highway, there are many headless bodies, mostly refugees, and a few are bandits.

"Who are you!" The child broke free from his mother's pale hands and asked loudly.

...

The army suddenly appearing on the flank made Pallas feel a chill like a thorn in the back, but hearing that the opponents only numbered a few hundred, he heaved a sigh of relief, tapping his forefinger on the smooth sword hilt, and asked, "Any response from the Scouts?"

"No."

Pallas nodded.

Just a mere few hundred people dare to appear; the Old Knight heard his knights beside him discussing in a relaxed tone. The soldiers seemed to be mocking the enemy's overconfidence. Though arrogant soldiers are destined to lose, no General would dislike a confident troop. He was satisfied with his subordinates' morale; the enemy's reinforcements seemed to become a joke for a moment.

"Those 'reinforcements' are hesitating!"

"Ha ha, they are probably considering whether to retreat or flee in panic."

"Cowards, if they had attacked us unexpectedly when they first appeared, maybe they could have surprised us, but they've wasted the opportunity in vain."

"To have bypassed our flank is already a testament to their ability."

"That's just because the Grusians are too incompetent."

Pallas couldn't help but shake his head again. Why consider the enemy? His subordinates are too conceited. He took a deep breath and replied, "No response means they are the enemy. Let the Grusians stop them; they've embarrassed themselves enough."

The army's mind could be utilized.

"Then let's set off." The Old Knight lowered his visor and stood up from the rock. An attendant had already brought his warhorse over. Looking around, the knights were already prepared for battle.

A slight change on the battlefield could not alter his decision. Though Pallas was cautious, he possessed the decisiveness of a General. He nodded to the attendant, and the Metal Ring Armor rubbed with a rustling sound. The attendant in leather armor picked up the horn hanging at his waist. With puffed cheeks, he blew, and a sharp battle horn pierced through the forest—

Then countless soldiers emerged from the forest, clad in red and blue battle robes, wearing iron helmets, longswords belted at their waists, holding Vulture Shields in one hand, as the iron boots cracked and crunched over the dead wood.

The squads of soldiers converged into a torrent, filling every gap between the trees, appearing all over the mountain and fields. The Noble Private Army formed several huge phalanxes, like a flowing stream slowly passing over the battlefield, scattered arrows launched toward them. Even if occasionally someone fell, the soldiers in the rear would immediately fill the vacant place. The enemy seemed endless, evoking a sense of helplessness in people.

The great army advanced.

The mercenaries still resisting in the forest couldn't help but put down their bows, as the momentum of tens of thousands of troops appearing simultaneously was enough to make the Earth tremble.

Everyone swallowed hard.