Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 423: This was the first battle.

Knight - Grand Knight - Master Knight - Crusader - Transcendent. These five knight ranks correspond respectively to the mage realms of Apprentice - Sorcerer - Magus - Arcanist Mage - Spell Creator. Although the two different approaches to utilize mental energy emphasize different aspects at each stage, overall, there is no significant difference in combat strength between them.

The biggest difference between knights and mages lies in magic being more systematic and broadly applicable, while combat techniques mostly specialize in fighting, have freer casting methods, and offer greater operational flexibility.

Due to the Kingdom of Velys unofficially permitting lower-class civilians to train their mental energy and study combat techniques to fight against monsters, numerous civilian organizations such as adventurers’ guilds and mercenary unions had emerged.

Additionally, the Holy Church of Light actively encourages its believers to learn light magic for healing purposes. These measures collectively enhance the individual combat quality within the kingdom.

For example, among this vanguard force attacking the outpost, every single mental energy signature sensed by Lyra was at least that of a middle tier knight, and Grand Knights weren’t rare either, those arrows wrapped in cold gales served as the best proof.

And... it wasn’t limited to just this...

Lyra turned her gaze aside, using her Master Knight-level mental energy to scan across the battlefield, detecting magical fluctuations within the crowd.

They didn’t merely deploy heavily armored infantry; mages were also concealed among them.

In contrast, most rank-and-file soldiers from the Valeria Empire were merely low-tier knights. Those reaching the peak tier Grand Knight level could even serve as squad leaders. Moreover, their resistance against magic was extremely low, magic-related books were considered precious resources in the empire. Even elite soldiers stationed at borderlands found it difficult to access them, let alone the civilian class serving as the primary recruitment pool.

Throughout the entire outpost, anyone capable of constructing magical circles and casting defensive spells was an invaluable combat asset.

A clear sword imprint faintly flickered beneath her fingernail, soft light modified penetrating her glove under the night sky. Lyra returned the arrow shot at her along its original trajectory. Accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, the arrowhead pierced through a shield, penetrated sturdy body armor, and the tremendous force nearly pinned the man to the shield behind him.

According to Duke Charles’s words, aside from the outpost commander, she should be the strongest mage here.

Meanwhile, the leading soldiers of the Kingdom of Velys had already approached the walls. Thanks to pre-established magical engravings, these brick walls gained the [Shaping] property, making them immune to any earth-element magic, thus preventing the walls from easily collapsing under magical traction.

"Immediately drop the boulders."

As she thought, a deep male voice echoed across the wall. Soldiers tasked with defending the outpost received the squad leader’s order and began hurling heavy stones from the ramparts into the battlefield.

The next second, vast shadows obscure the sky. The densely packed crowd’s assault was temporarily halted by the rolling stones. Trampling, screams, and clashing metal sounds mixed together, resembling an ant colony struck by fire.

However, the Kingdom of Velys forces clearly knew how to respond. Mages hidden within the formation immediately erected arcane shields. The enormous kinetic energy within the boulders strikes transparent barriers inscribed with profound engravings, scattering debris, while pale purple light trembled and flashed in the air.

Lyra observed the fluctuating magical energies beneath her feet. A flicker of hesitation crossed her blue eyes, her slender white swan neck slightly shifted, before she softly exhaled.

Once on the battlefield, they were all soldiers. She should also prepare herself to take their lives.

Just as she had done inside the Holy Sword test back then.

She hesitated for less than half a second. Her elemental vision expanded, quickly locating the position with the strongest magical reflections. Lyra silently chanted a spell formula in her heart. Her sky-blue eyes shimmered with a bright layer of light as she cast.

Several rays of scorching light formed around her, resembling sacred wings encircling the young girl. As mental energy continuously flows in, the temperature rose further. At its peak, multiple light arrows surged forth.

Wielding the Holy Sword and engaging in close combat with countless heavily armored infantry below clearly wasn’t suitable. As a mage, providing high-damage output from an elevated position was exactly what she should do now.

Under the deep night sky, the brilliant light arrows targeted the core mages within the formation, directly piercing through flesh unprotected by shields or armor. Scorching heat burns the metal, and waves of white steam rose.

Several sounds mixed within the magical clashes. The bodyguards were the first to notice something missing, trying to protect their comrades behind them, but middle-tier Magus-level light magic was far beyond what a Grand Knight could withstand.

In an instant, Lyra’s assault disabled several mages from combat. Yet, the moment she finished casting, an equally powerful presence had already locked onto the pink-haired girl standing atop the watchtower.

This was the Kingdom of Velys’s first offensive against the Valeria Empire. In warfare, momentum was paramount. An initial victory would greatly boost troop morale.

Under such strategic objectives, how could a formation of heavily armored infantry appear alone?

On the tundra, row after row of catapults faintly appeared and disappeared within deliberately creating thick dark-element mists.

Sensing imminent danger, Lyra immediately drew her long sword. A shimmering light rippled from the blade, instantly forming a set of sacred armor around her body.

Not to dodge the boulders, but to prepare to confront the enemies already aiming at her.

"Lyra Beckett."

From the shadows, a brown-haired man wearing standard-issue armor looked toward Lyra.

"The Holy Light Knight of the Valeria Empire... If she falls in this battle..."

"It will deliver a massive blow to the defending side’s overall morale."

Another middle-aged woman, dressed in a light-blocking long robe, picked up the conversation, her tone low.

"I heard she’s also the close friend of the Third Princess, Alina."

"I wonder if the noble princess will shed a few tears upon hearing the news of her death."

As the woman spoke, she fully drew her bowstring. At the same time, the man who had just spoken secretly activated his staff. A blazing fireball rose and spun, its intense heat warping the surrounding air.

Mechanical sounds rumbled from behind, as if reaching the perfect moment, the arrow and fireball were simultaneously launched, converging with falling rocks toward Lyra.

"First, power the defense barrier."

"Retreat the defensive line, quickly move to the center."

"Watch out for evasion!"

Shadows rapidly expanded across her pupils. Lyra raised her hand, five fingers lightly pressing forward. The instant the boulder approached, it struck an invisible wall and immediately shattered into pieces.

Just as she blocked one attack, scorching flames arrived suddenly. The wind blew her smooth pink hair and fluttered her sleeves. Arcane barriers developed in front of Lyra cracks from her palm, rapidly spreading across the entire surface like drought-stricken land splitting open.

Different from before... This was a Magus-level attack...

Even after enduring this blow, she actually felt a slight strain.

Before the fireball is completely dissolved, another arrow imbued with a sharp wind blade shot towards Lyra’s left chest at an unusually tricky angle.

Sensing mortal danger, Lyra’s heart rate suddenly accelerated. Her left hand constructed an arcane barrier, while her right hand gripped the Holy Sword, attempting to deflect the arrow. However, the moment the arrowhead struck the transparent barrier, the previously spider-web-like glass surface suddenly shattered, and rolling heat surged directly toward Lyra.

Most of the fireball’s power had already been neutralized by the arcane barrier. The remainder was something the Holy Light Armor could withstand.

Her mind rapidly analyzes the battle situation, simulating the arrow’s trajectory. The pink-haired girl reacted immediately, no longer caring about the fireball, and instead lifted the translucent light sword to strike the flying arrow.

The blade striked the arrow shaft. The wooden arrow, which should have been cleanly split in two, didn’t break, but continued toward Lyra at its original speed, as if the previous strike had merely adjusted its angle slightly, changing the target from a vital spot to her right shoulder, an area that would easily disable her from combat.

Faced with such a bizarre arrow, Lyra didn’t intend to block it directly with her Holy Light Armor. In a flash of lightning-fast movement, she maneuvered her sword-wielding right arm, using the sturdy arm guard to scrape against the sharp arrow tip, then cleverly used her elbow to deflect it.

A series of sparks flashed as the arrow passed along the outer side of the girl’s right arm, through the watchtower, and after flying a certain distance, heavily embedded itself into the frozen soil.

Just as she barely blocked what could have been a fatal strike, more magical reflections formed around her. Lyra rotated the sword hilt and slammed the blade tip onto the ground.

[Lightfall].

Spring-like light gushed out from between the sword’s edge and the ground, instantly forming a sacred light domain.

Defending soldiers bathed in the light immediately felt their aching limbs slightly improved, as a warm current spread through their bodies.

"Baroness Lyra, be mindful of your mental energy reserves."

During the opening created by the Lightfall, a massive stone hurled towards Lyra. Before the girl could even raise her sword to slash, the airborne rock was shattered into fragments by an externally projected mental energy blast.

Another Magus besides Lyra, the primary person responsible for the outpost’s reconnaissance task, wore black armor, his face hidden beneath a metal helmet. The man lowered his sword, the residual mental energy dissipating into the night.

"Our mission is to halt the Kingdom of Velys’s offensive momentum and buy time for the rear forces."

"This isn’t the main battlefield."

After hearing this, Lyra didn’t slow down her mental energy output, her gaze sweeping over the outpost defenses already cracked under the boulders’ bombardment.

"I understand, squad leader." Lyra replied.

As the outpost closest to the Kingdom of Velys’s border, its wall height, thickness, and the quantity of specific magical defensive installations were far inferior to Liya Tower Fortress, which served as the second defensive line.

The outpost’s sole purpose was to counteract the enemy’s initial assault, inflict as many casualties as possible, blunt their edge, and thereby grant Liya Tower Fortress sufficient tactical buffer time.

Seeing her response, the squad leader gave a slight nod and continued directing soldiers to drop fire nets soaked in flammable materials, turning the wall’s base into a sea of flames.

Time passed second by second. As continuous stone throws pounded the walls, large areas of ice shields began to rise below. With defensive supplies at the outpost nearly exhausted, the squad leader ordered a gradual retreat.

Preserving living combat forces were extremely important in war. As long as possible, they needed to be preserved.

Anyway, they had stored vast resources at Liya Tower Fortress. Currently, they don’t need to worry about food shortages.

"Drop one final wave of rolling stones, and throw down all the phosphor grass."

"All mages above mid-tier apprentice level, before leaving, channel your mental energy into the magical runes beneath your feet."

Looking at the wall, now nearly reduced to a mound by stone throws and fire magic, the squad leader changed at Lyra. The pink-haired girl, receiving the command, quickly ended the [Lightfall] around her.

"You go ahead first, Miss Lyra."

"I’ll cover the rear."

A middle-tier Magus-level mage, as long as they’d learned wind magic, even if not wind-specialized, could achieve flight through the air.

On the battlefield, they were the most mobile fighters.

Upon hearing this, Lyra shook her head, her voice calm.

"Together. My mental energy reserves are sufficient."

Having said this, she raised her sword, a sharp sword aura gathered at the blade’s edge.

The squad leader, hearing this, didn’t insist. He turned back to continue directing the troops.

Smelling the bloodstained air that refused to dissolve, seeing the wall bases and earth soaked red with blood, Lyra gripped the sword with both hands. Faintly, light wings formed behind her.

After another deep breath, the intense smell of burnt flesh filled her nostrils. Lyra swung her sword powerfully. The horizontal sword energy swept forward, striking the front-line soldiers about to breach the magical barrier.

..............

A quarter-hour later, all remaining mobile sentries on the wall had completely withdrawn. Roughly estimated, in this defense battle, the Valeria Empire’s soldiers suffered about thirty percent casualties. In the end, fewer than eighty percent successfully retreated to Liya Tower Fortress.

Of course, as the attacking side, the Kingdom of Velys’s casualty rate will only be higher.

Lyra spread her light wings, looking down from the air at the fallen outpost. Wind brushed her clothes, fluttering the black ribbon tied in her hair.

The last group of retreating mages completed their final magical rune engravings. At the exact moment the Kingdom of Velys’s vanguard troops toppled the wall, brilliant sparks ignited across the ground.

As for what came next, from the outpost to Liya Tower Fortress, mages had rebuilt defensive installations. Any walking soldier across the tundra will be enveloped by bone-chilling cold and frozen into an ice sculpture.

Not everyone was a Magus with the ability to fly through the sky. Heavily armored infantry needed to destroy these magical circles step by step to advance forward. And this was exactly their main achievement during the outpost defense.

Duke Charles had explicitly stated that the Kingdom of Velys came aggressively with clear intentions, to plunder land and resources. As long as they held the fortress and denied the enemy any gains, the inherently unstable enemy morale would eventually collapse.

A cold wind blew, sending a chill across her cheeks. Even while flying in the air, her Master Knight-level enhanced vision still allowed Lyra to clearly see the ground.

See those soldiers who died before the watchtower, those faces burned by flames, and those limbs and flesh pierced by sharp arrows.

This was the first battle.