Chapter 109 – The Crimson Knights' Charge
The noon sun blazed over the battlefield, reflecting off thousands of blades. The open plains of the right wing trembled as the thunder of hooves drew nearer—3,000 enemy heavy cavalry surging forward like an unstoppable wave.
Eisenwald's infantry under Darius Holt had endured the first clash. Their shield wall still held, though battered, sweat and blood mixing on their armor. Yet all knew—the true storm was coming from the flank.
From the distance, banners of Falkenhain and Hohenberg whipped in the wind, leading the charge. Lances lowered, their riders roared, the earth splitting beneath them.
Fenrir's eyes sharpened atop the command ridge. His voice was calm but carried weight.
"Kael. The moment has come. Show them the fangs of the Crimson Wolf."
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Kael Morgenstern raised his massive blade high. In that instant, black aura erupted around him—not faint or flickering, but thick, oppressive, engulfing him and his warhorse. It writhed like living shadow, darkening the very air around him.
Eisenwald's soldiers gasped. Many had heard tales of Kael's power, but to see it… it was as if a war demon had manifested in the flesh. Even hardened veterans felt their hearts clench.
"CRIMSON KNIGHTS!" Kael roared, his voice booming, layered with aura. "INVERTED V FORMATION—WITH ME!"
At once, 150 knights wheeled their steeds into a wedge. Kael stood at the tip, his aura blazing like a black sun. The earth quaked beneath the hooves of their destriers.
From the infantry lines, Eisenwald soldiers shouted:
"Look—it's the Crimson Knights!"
"They're devils on horseback!"
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The enemy cavalry closed, lances gleaming. Their roar shook the sky. If they broke through here, Eisenwald's flank would collapse.
Kael lowered his blade, aura pulsing. Then he thundered forward.
"CHARGE!"
The Crimson Knights surged like a storm, hooves pounding like drums of war. The wedge formation split the air, straight into the enemy's path.
The collision was cataclysmic.
The first lances shattered as Kael's aura-shrouded blade smashed through them. His swing tore two riders from their saddles in a single stroke. Black energy trailed his every motion, cracking armor, splitting bone.
Screams erupted.
"What is that monster?!" cried an enemy knight before Kael's sword cleaved him in half.
Behind him, the Crimson Knights followed like wolves through a flock. Their swords and spears carved through mounts' legs, slashing unguarded flanks. 150 elite knights carved a bloody channel through 3,000 enemies.
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Fenrir watched from the ridge, eyes gleaming. Good. But now, the hammer must fall.
He turned to Garrik Stormhoof, commander of Eisenwald's cavalry.
"Garrik. Kael is the spear. You are the hammer."
"With pleasure, my lord," Garrik growled, raising his lance.
450 riders thundered forward. As Kael split the enemy ranks, Garrik slammed in from the side. The combined impact shattered the enemy formation like glass under an iron mallet.
Chaos erupted. Horses toppled. Riders screamed. Blood painted the trampled earth.
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Behind them, Selene Aestra stood tall among her archers.
"Archers! Target the enemy rear cavalry! VOLLEY!"
Seven hundred bows bent, loosing a storm of steel-tipped arrows. The sky darkened for an instant before the rain of death fell. Horses collapsed mid-gallop, riders toppled screaming. The enemy charge broke apart in panic.
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At the heart of it, Kael raged like a storm. His aura thickened with each swing, his blade cleaving five foes in one motion. No one could stand before him.
"Retreat! RETREAT!" enemy voices broke. Their courage withered under the crushing presence of Kael's aura.
"CRIMSON KNIGHTS! PRESS FORWARD! BREAK THEM!" Kael roared, his knights answering in unison.
From the ridge, Fenrir's lips curved into a wolfish smile. This is why I accepted him. Kael is my sword. And the Crimson Knights… my fangs.
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By late afternoon, the enemy cavalry shattered. Hundreds of corpses littered the plain. The survivors fled in disarray.
Kael returned at the head of his knights. From 150, 145 remained standing. Their armor dripped with blood, but their formation was unbroken.
He dismounted, knelt before Fenrir, blade planted in the soil. His aura finally faded.
"The right flank is secure, my lord. The enemy is broken."
Fenrir nodded. "Well done. Today, the world witnesses the true Crimson Knights."
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Real-Time Troop Update
Eisenwald Army
Starting: 10,500
Current: 10,350
Losses: ~150 (infantry & light cavalry)
Crimson Knights: 150 → 145 remain
Morale: Very High
Enemy Alliance Army
Starting: 15,000
Current: 13,500
Cavalry lost: ~1,000 men + mounts
Morale: Shaken
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Fenrir looked across the battlefield as the sun dipped westward. The cheers of his men rang loud, but his gaze remained cold.
This is only the beginning. The Crimson Wolf has bared his fangs… and tomorrow, he will taste blood again.
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