Romelia, seemingly unaware of their blocked escape route, was waving a flag in the center of the battlefield.
“Captain Zaltz, if this continues…”
One of the soldiers cried out in despair. Zaltz understood without being told.
No matter how strong the Romelia Knights were, they numbered only about twelve hundred. The Demon King’s army numbered three thousand, with each soldier said to have twice the combat power of a human soldier. The strength ratio was six to one. Even the Romelia Knights couldn’t overcome such odds.
“We must join them. We can’t let them die!”
“But Captain Zaltz! What can we do in our current state?”
Vice-Captain Orm tried to stop him.
The soldiers of Polvic might not have the power to aid the Romelia Knights. But there had to be something they could do, even with just three hundred men. At the very least, they had to open the castle gates and let them in. They couldn’t abandon those who had come to their aid.
Just as Zaltz was about to head out to help, the sound of drums and gongs echoed from the battlefield. From the three surrounding forests, about four thousand infantry emerged, encircling the Demon King’s army.
“What’s that? Whose army is this? They’re not the Romelia Knights!”
Zaltz saw the new soldiers and instantly recognized that they weren’t part of the Romelia Knights. Each group bore flags indicating their allegiance. Zaltz recognized those flags.
“The hammer crest is from the mining city Zapan. That bear and moon flag is from the Northern Oeres Defense Force. There’s also the flags of Baron Kennet and Baron Dostora. This must be the Romelia Alliance!”
Zaltz exclaimed in amazement.
The frontier soldiers threatened by the Demon King’s army had gathered and were now attacking, encircling the Demon King’s army. The sudden appearance of the Romelia Alliance completely flanked and overwhelmed the Demon King’s forces.
Zaltz was briefly captivated by the sight of the gathered frontier soldiers but quickly realized something important.
“We can’t stay here. We’re going out too! Everyone, follow me!”
“But victory is certain. There’s no need for us to go out.”
Zaltz raised his weapon, but Orm was puzzled as to why they needed to join the fight.
“Fool! These soldiers from various territories came to help us. Even if it’s just a few of us, we must join the ranks and fight alongside them, or we’ll disgrace the proud name of Polvic.”
At Zaltz’s words, Orm realized and nodded.
“Even a small number is fine. Let’s join the fight!”
Zaltz led his soldiers and hurriedly descended the castle walls.
I rode my white horse at full speed through the forest.
Wearing white armor and carrying a flag while riding through the forest was tough. But this flag, adorned with lily of the valley motifs in gold thread, symbolized the Romelia Knights, officially known as the Cashew Defense Force, so I couldn’t let it fall.
When I emerged from the forest holding the flag, I was on the battlefield.
The black army of the Demon King was swarming the hilly area, launching an offensive against the fortress city Polvic.
Their numbers were roughly three thousand. Even though it had been three years since the Demon King was defeated, such a large force still remained in the kingdom. Moreover, their formation was so perfect and even beautiful.
If we faced them head-on, it would be difficult to break through. But we had managed to flank them by emerging from the forest.
As I rode my horse vigorously, the Demon King’s soldiers noticed me and moved aside in surprise.
“Captain Rome!”
“Lady Romelia!”
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Hearing voices from behind, I briefly glanced back. Two cavalrymen were chasing after me, scattering the Demon King’s soldiers.
Al, clad in blazing red armor like a burning flame, and Ray, wearing sky-blue armor, were there.
Both had grown and transformed into admirable knights over the past three years of battles.
When I first met Al, he had a cheeky look. But after many battles, he now had the presence of a lion. As for Ray, he used to be scrawny and poorly raised, but in these three years, his freckles had disappeared, and his chiseled jaw made him a handsome and gallant figure.
Not only had their appearances changed, but their skills had also improved, earning them numerous honors. Thus, they were knighted, with Al becoming Albion and Ray becoming Raven.
“It’s dangerous, Captain Rome!”
“Yes, Lady Romelia, please fall back!”
The two shouted while chasing after me. Even though they were now knights with new names, to me, Al was still Al, and Ray was still Ray.
Behind them were a dozen or so members of the Rome Squad, also known as the Romelia Twenty Knights, and over a thousand members of the Cashew Defense Force, now known as the Romelia Knights, following me and scattering the enemy.
“Lady Romelia! It’s truly dangerous! Fall back!”
Ray shouted right behind me. He was right. Even though we were exploiting a gap in the Demon King’s army, it was dangerous to be at the front.
Moreover, the miracle power [Grace] that God granted me, which bestows luck on those around me, didn’t work on myself, so I could die if my luck ran out.
“Just a little more, just a little more!”
I shouted to the two behind me, spurred my horse’s flanks, and increased my speed.
It was certainly dangerous, but there was a reason I had to be at the front.
It had been three years since I came to Cashew and formed an army to fight the Demon King’s forces. As we defeated the Demon King’s forces across the land, I had become known as a saint. The Rome Squad was praised as the Romelia Twenty Knights, and the Cashew Defense Force was nicknamed the Romelia Knights. The military alliance I established was now called the Romelia Alliance.
Honestly, I was embarrassed by the constant mention of my name and didn’t want to be called a saint. But each time my name was spoken and I was revered as a saint, young men wished to join the Cashew Defense Force, and letters arrived asking to join the alliance.
Now, I am the symbol of this knight order. Though I don’t want to admit it, I have become an icon. Icons have their roles. Whether I like it or not, I must fulfill the role expected of me. If people revere me as a saint, then I must stand at the forefront as a saint before them.
For that reason, I have adorned myself with this conspicuous white armor and a white horse.
However, being noticeable also means being visible to the enemy. As expected, the Demon King’s army aimed a hundred arrows at me.
A barrage of arrows, like a mass of deadly intent, rushed toward me. But just before they hit, they veered off, as if avoiding me, flying off in different directions.
Some might think this is a miracle of God, but of course, it’s not. The effect of [Divine Grace] doesn’t apply to me. The arrows were deflected by Ray’s magic, who is also known as the Wind Knight. He, running behind me, used wind magic to cover me and divert the arrows.
However, this made me too conspicuous. Ray’s magic isn’t omnipotent.
“Captain Rome. We can’t hold on any longer,”
Al said, as he and Ray overtook me, and the members of the Rome squad surrounded us.
I had done enough in my role as an icon, so I accepted being protected. But I still had work to do. While the role of an icon is what people demand, the job I desire is to lead us to victory as a commander.
While riding my horse, I surveyed the surroundings, observing the enemy’s movements and grasping our situation.
Half of the Demon King’s army hadn’t noticed us yet. On the other hand, our Cashew defense squad was advancing through the breach made by the Rome squad, scattering the Demon King’s army.
We had the advantage due to the surprise attack from the side. But this advantage would be temporary. The Demon King’s army still had superior numbers. The chaos from the surprise wouldn’t last forever. Watching the battlefield, I noticed movements in the Demon King’s army ahead and further to the left.
In front of us, the Demon King’s heavy infantry had finished turning around and were waiting for us with shields raised. To the left, their cavalry was beginning to move in response to us. Their plan was to hold us with heavy infantry and annihilate us with cavalry.
Their situational awareness and quick decision-making suggested a capable commander.
“Al, Ray. Forward!”
I pointed the flag forward, indicating the heavy infantry unit.
Normally, we should change our course, but I wanted to crush this capable commander and unit quickly.
“Understood. Let’s break through,”
Al muttered softly, and the Rome squad formed a line and charged like an arrow. Waiting for us were the shields and spears of the heavy infantry in a defensive formation.
As soon as our spears clashed, the heavy infantry’s line was blown away.
The spears of Al and the Rome squad pierced the Demon King’s shields, shattering their defensive formation.
Especially noteworthy were Al and Ray at the front. Their names now resounded throughout the country as they competed to take down the enemy.
When Al swung his spear, Demon King soldiers flew, and when Ray thrust his spear, he instantly skewered several demons. The performance of these two, who were the strongest in the Rome squad, was exceptional.
But it wasn’t just Al and Ray excelling. The giant Otto swung his massive war hammer, sending enemies flying. When a demon tried to exploit Otto’s wide swings, Kyle’s thrown dagger pierced its throat.
Seeing that individual skills were insufficient, six demons moved in unison with their spears. However, the twin knights of the Rome squad, Gran and Ragn, blocked them. The twins, riding so close they almost collided, wielded their long spears in perfect harmony.
Ordinarily, their spears and limbs would get in each other’s way, but Gran and Ragn moved as if they were tied together, never touching each other despite their proximity.
Their coordinated attacks, as if they were a single entity, overwhelmed the Demon King’s army, which was knocked down.
As the Cashew defense squad poured into the breach made by these six main members of the Rome squad, they annihilated a hundred heavy infantry.
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