The Red Banner Cavalry fell apart in the forest, and the blazing red swallowtail banners collapsed with a crash. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Silence surrounded Pallas, the seasoned general whose fingers whitened as he gripped the sword hilt—it was the Rubis Mercenaries from the report, to think they endured until now.

The old knight closed his eyes, deep fatigue evident in his wrinkled face. Sir Wied was a young man he admired, but war leaves no room for regret; Erune had already shed too much blood. When he reopened his eyes, his dim gaze held only cold, indifferent resolve.

The rebels have revealed their trump card, and the outcome is already decided.

"Knights of Jandener, rise up, and add a vivid stroke to your glory," he waved his hand, as if leaving victory entirely in the hands of the young men.

Amidst cheers, all the knights from Jandener Territory, those Silver Rank warriors, shouted in unison.

Yet, such cheers couldn't stir even the slightest joy in Pallas's heart.

For Erune was asleep, just as he was, the old man's gaze pierced through the horizon's dusk, seemingly already seeing the deep darkness. When had even victory lost its hopeful hue, seeing only the thick color of blood?

Where did things go astray?

"The Knight Order is moving," a cold voice reached Yuta's ears. The Maid Corps Commander turned back, seeing Medisha's unchanged face. The small Elf Girl stiffened her face, still quite cute, with a hint of the Elf Royal Family and Princess General's aura.

Yuta nodded.

The battle's outcome hung in the balance, even she could see that. Yet she couldn't see a chance for victory; the previous battles had drained her stamina, and even before this Elf Princess, she struggled to maintain composure as her breath quickened.

Just like this defense line, anyone could see that it was on the verge of collapse.

But Yuta couldn't help but look at Medisha with some confusion, pondering whether it was Elven pride or some unnamed confidence that supported this young girl to remain unfazed in such circumstances.

Where does her confidence come from?

The Maid Corps Commander breathed lightly, for the first time disregarding the anxious looks passed from behind their "own people," turning back to inquire earnestly: "How do we respond?"

A woman's pride prevented her from bowing down; she wanted to see where this general-like confidence came from. Clearly a child, how could she understand everything on the battlefield, did this Elf Girl truly know what she faced?

Yuta was doubtful—

But Medisha was clear-headed.

"Sound the horn," she said.

Yuta looked at this Elf Princess in disbelief; even though she was fully clad in silver battle armor, she still looked like a child-like general at that moment.

"What about Madara?"

Sounding the horn was a signal to mobilize the Cave Dwellers, and the Cave Dwellers held back Madara's final forces. This was no secret, both sides of the battlefield were fully aware of this. It was the last reserve force for both sides, and whoever deployed the reserves first would lose the war.

Medisha glanced at her, picked up the spear beside her with a calm gesture, and replied, "Prepare my horse, I will lead them personally."

"I..." Yuta suddenly found herself at a loss for words, grabbing Medisha's shoulder: "My people can't accompany you to die..."

"And you?" Medisha asked, tilting her head.

"I..." Yuta took a deep breath and nodded: "I'll accompany you, little sister."

Medisha smiled.

As the long horn sounded in the forest, it was like an ancient ballad, both sides of the battle seemed to sense a desolate presence from the ancient wilderness.

The Dragon Horn, Pallas suddenly felt time had reversed, returning to those years of warhorse and campaign. The battlefield of the Holy War only left blood-for-blood slaughter, the former allies were gone, a war devoid of glory, yet it was the medal for the veterans.

He licked his somewhat dry lips.

"It's the Cave Dwellers."

"The Cave Dwellers have appeared."

"Is it time for a desperate struggle?"

"These rebels... they are indeed worthy opponents."

"Where did they come from?"

Indeed, where did these people come from? The old knight suddenly found himself puzzled; they were not ordinary rebels, they were the most outstanding warriors of Erune. But why have the excellent Eruein people always been shedding their own blood? The old knight suddenly felt a desire to meet that young man named Brand.