Chapter 324: The Battle of Okkagral (Part Six)
In the grand scale of this war involving over a hundred thousand soldiers, the death of a young count was but an insignificant corner of the battlefield, hardly causing any ripples.
The Kingdom's army continued to advance, seemingly unstoppable. Order seemed to be gradually collapsing, and commands could no longer reach the headquarters. Each family's private forces fought independently, sparing no effort to preserve their strength.
Amid this chaos, the Duchy of Bosk's most elite forces—its private troops passed down through generations—finally mobilized en masse.
"Lionheart Knights! Advance!"
"Fight for Grand Duke Leo! Fight for the Duchy of Bosk!"
The Lionheart Knights' Grand Knight Commander, "Golden Lion Knight" Maxi Stewart, held a shield in his left hand and a lance bearing the Bosk flag in his right.
The flag billowed in the air as the Lionheart Knights' battle cries roared like lions, shaking the battlefield.
"Fight for Grand Duke Leo!"
"Fight for the Duchy of Bosk!"
The 120 members of the Lionheart Knights, led by six renowned Knight Commanders, were all at least Level 4 Professionals. Together, they formed a cohesive battle formation capable of far surpassing their individual strength.
The knights' lavish armor and dazzling shields quickly drew the enemy's attention, not only from the Kingdom's army seeking glory but also from players eager to loot their equipment, their eyes red with greed as they eyed the opulent Lionheart Knights.
"Damn, these elite mobs look so cool!"
"Leave me a set of that armor!"
"Heh heh, I'd love to strip them all."
"It's the Lionheart Knights! Kill them, and we'll earn noble titles!"
Maxi was unfazed, raising his Oathblade and commanding loudly, "Lionheart Knights, hold the bond!"
The Lionheart Knights raised their silver swords in unison, which glowed brilliantly. As the holy oath magic took effect, luminous chains connected them, linking each knightly group of twenty to Maxi's sword tip.
Ultimately, the 120 knights formed an unbreakable, radiant fortress, raising their heavy shields to create an impregnable defensive formation that dominated the battlefield.
They combined offense and defense seamlessly, coordinating with precision and clear roles.
Damage inflicted on any member was distributed across the entire group.
Their attacks, however, could converge on a single member, unleashing unimaginable power.
This made the Lionheart Knights a mobile fortress on the battlefield, capable of both staunch defense and devastating offense. They were the "Lion's Bastion" of the Northlands.
"Kill them all!"
"For the Ember King!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Amid the gunfire, goblins and tiefling infantry poured bullets at them in a frenzy.
Yet, the Lionheart Knights' silver shields shimmered with magical ripples, blocking all the high-powered bullets from advanced semi-automatic rifles.
The Kingdom's troops had never encountered such a defense.
Ogre grenadiers hurled grenades into the knights' formation, aiming to inflict massive internal casualties.
Meanwhile, players' tactics grew more varied: spears, hammers, poison flasks, Molotov cocktails, even kobold stink pants and wyvern dung—anything remotely harmful became a makeshift weapon.
Naturally, they had their justifications.
After all, war employs many methods.
Yet, the radiant shields extended overhead, deflecting all incoming projectiles and thwarting the players' plans.
Bosk's elite forces, led by Maxi, maintained their formation, advancing steadily. Their sharp lances pierced any monster or player blocking their path.
Miraculously, they stabilized the allied forces' collapsing lines, even hinting at a counter-offensive.
"Damn, such a tough turtle shell!"
"How do we fight this? Got any tunnelers?"
"Where's the Wild Sorcerer? Come save us with a ninth-circle spell!"
"No, no, no, don't! Who knows if her ninth-circle spell would hit allies or enemies?"
Players debated wildly, proposing all sorts of bizarre strategies against the "Lion's Bastion."
The Kingdom's commanders found the situation equally tricky. Ogre cannons might break their defense, but with both sides locked in melee, the massive shells risked friendly fire.
"Let them witness the way of nature."
"I'm coming! Roar—!"
The naked "Holy Light Bro" roared furiously.
Enhanced by [Enlarge Person], he crouched oddly on all fours, transforming into a massive bear. Leaping from the hilltop, he charged straight at the Lionheart Knights.
"Swish!"
The Lionheart Knights raised their lances in unison.
The bear transformed from Holy Light Bro was instantly riddled with dozens of holes.
The spell wore off, leaving the naked Holy Light Bro impaled and slumped onto the Lionheart Knights' silver shields, blood dripping down.
"Disgusting thing, a dishonorable opponent."
Maxi disdainfully flung the corpse from his lance and raised the flag.
"Break them!"
"We are unstoppable!"
"We are the Lion's descendants!"
The Lionheart Knights rallied, shouting fervently. They even began singing the triumphant anthem, "Song of the Northern Lion", as though already victorious.
Against such determined and powerful forces, the Ember Kingdom's troops seemed to have no solutions.
Suddenly, the air grew hot and distorted. Sparks flew in the sky as goblins, tieflings, and ogres cleared a wide path.
Rhythmic, heavy footsteps echoed.
Clad in ornate crimson armor, emanating fiery auras, the Dragon-Oath Paladins marched forward. Beneath their heavy helmets, their glowing golden eyes burned with fanaticism.
"Rule with an iron fist—"
"The Dragon Lord above all—"
"For the Ember King!"
At the forefront, Anthony raised his blazing longsword, roaring. Crimson dragon scales protruded across his face, adding to his menacing appearance.
It was the Dragon-Oath Paladins!
Above their formation, an ethereal dragon shadow seemed to unfurl its wings, surveying the battlefield with disdain.