Chapter 96
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Chapter 96: Black Cavalry
The sun hung high in the sky.
The Joyful Churchbranch altar is less than fifty kilometers from Winter Fortress.
Leo looked around at the familiar surroundings and felt a sense of sadness that things had changed.
It had been two days since they left the banks of Winter River.
This mixed army, formed by three different forces, was marching north towards Winter Fortress.
Because Kalian had been unconscious for three days, they had much less time than they had expected.
Fortunately, the Night Demon’s guard had all died in Winter River, so their news of heading north had not yet reached the Night Demon Army, giving them a little more time.
The best place to rest on the way north is this hidden joyful branch altar within the barrier.
"Mr. Leo, what should we do next?"
In the warden’s room, everyone gathered together to discuss.
"Don’t rush, let me think for a moment."
Leo looked at the open map on the table, checking the location of each pass.
Returning to Winter Fortress is not difficult; it can be achieved in at most two days. The key is, what to do after getting back to Winter Fortress.
After all, what Leo is thinking about now is how to win this North Land defense battle.
Unfortunately, he thought for a long time but could not come up with even the slightest chance of winning.
From Mary Ann’s Great Wall, there are three routes: southeast, southwest, and directly south.
The southern route is the Winter Fortress line where Leo and his companions are. The biggest fortress, Winter Fortress, has fallen, and the Night Demon Army has pushed south to Winterfell Plain, less than three hundred miles from the royal city.
The southwestern route is the retreat path of the Marquis of Logan. That route has no defenses and is just a flat road; whether the Marquis of Logan can return to the royal city is a big question.
The only route without Night Demon Soldiers among the three is the one going north from Winter Fortress, skirting around Ice-snow Mountain and then weaving southeast along the mountain paths.
That path is a narrow mountain trail, easy to set ambushes, and it is rough, muddy, and filled with toxic mists. The Night Demons do not have a local guide, so they abandoned that marching route.
If they just want to get back to the royal city, they could take that road.
But the problem is, with this group of old, weak, sick, and disabled people, they probably do not have enough time to walk back. Even if they could return, they would not be able to change the outcome of the battle.
But what good does it do to stay behind?
To cut off the Night Demons’ supply lines?
"Mr. Leo, have a cup of hot tea, warm yourself, and think slowly."
Viscount Carter handed over a cup of red tea.
"Thank you."
Leo took a small sip, and a familiar taste filled his mouth.
He instinctively looked up, and sure enough, Miss Kalian was watching him from a distance.
Noticing his gaze, Kalian’s eyes darted away, and with a normal expression, she turned and walked away.
"Mr. Leo," Viscount Carter leaned closer and whispered softly, "Is it true that you and the young lady are having a disagreement because of the church?"
The situation between Kalian and Leo these past few days had been noticed by several generals from North Land.
The two, who used to be very close, now found Kalian avoiding Leo, even needing him, Carter, to deliver warm tea.
This cannot continue.
Although it may seem a little forward to say this, in the eyes of Viscount Carter and the soldiers, Leo was already seen as the future husband of the Northern Princess.
For soldiers, winning a battle is the most important thing, and Leo’s performance along the way had already won their hearts.
They had already become Leo’s supporters.
Besides, the young lady saved his life; how could she not have feelings for Leo?
"Um." Leo smiled to himself but didn’t say much in response.
It wasn’t because of the church; it was just that a certain princess felt so shy about what happened that night that she couldn’t even talk to me.
"Hey, don’t worry too much. Ha, I’ve never liked the church anyway; their idea of celibacy is nonsense… If you need anything, you can count on me and my knights," Viscount Carter said, patting Leo on the shoulder and giving him a reassuring smile.
"Thank you."
Leo felt warmth in his heart.
Do not underestimate the friendship formed in war. If he gains the rightful status to lead an army in the future, these soldiers will become his supporters and may even become his own strength.
"Report." At that moment, the Messenger Officer entered the room, "The patrol in the north of the camp has found an army!"
"An army?" Viscount Carter narrowed his eyes, "That can’t be true; isn’t the Night Demon’s army to our south?"
"It really is an unshakeable curse…" Miss Kalian also showed a tired expression.
Only Leo frowned and asked, "Did you see clearly what their armor looks like?"
"It was very foggy, so it was hard to see, but we could just make out that it was black armor."
"Black armor?" Leo raised an eyebrow, "The Night Demon wears red armor, and only the Black Cavalry from North Land wears black armor. Could it be that the Marquis of Logan made a detour and escaped?"
"Hmm? Brother…" Hearing this, Kalian’s eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope, "Really, Leo… Mr."
"I’m not sure, but whether it’s the Night Demon or the Black Cavalry coming, we must be prepared—"
"Report!" Another Messenger Officer rushed into the room and interrupted Leo’s instructions, "We have confirmed that the approaching army is the Black Cavalry! We have made contact, and their Messenger Officer will arrive here soon."
"Phew…"
"Haha, may the God of Order bless us!"
"Yes, the Marquis of Logan is still here, and the main force of North Land is still here! This battle is far from over!"
Everyone in the tent sighed in relief, raising their fists and cheering loudly.
Only
Leo remained silent.
Skuld walked up to him, "What’s wrong, my master?"
"By all accounts, the Marquis of Logan should not be able to come to this position. I have a bad feeling…"
……
"Have you heard? The Marquis of Logan is very close to us and will arrive soon!"
"Marquis of Logan? Isn’t he being chased by the Night Demon?"
"Well, we don’t know that, but the Black Cavalry is already nearby. Who else can control this army besides the Marquis of Logan!"
"So, does that mean we have reinforcements?"
"Of course! Not only do we have reinforcements! We can fight the Night Demons again!"
"Hahaha, with the Black Cavalry and Mr. Leo! This time we will definitely drive away all the Night Demons!"
"……"
Similar conversations kept happening in the branch altar of Joyful Church.
Under Leo’s leadership, this group of mismatched soldiers tasted the flavor of victory, and now that they heard reinforcements were coming, they couldn’t wait to join forces and fight the enemy.
Once the myth of being unbeatable is broken, it is no longer a myth.
As long as humans win against Night Demon once, they will not give up the chance to win against them a second time.
This is the power of hope.
The power of hope that Leo gave them.
Additionally, the Black Cavalry is famous in North Land and is the strongest army, without exception, having once achieved the great feat of chasing the Night Demon for a thousand miles.
In the eyes of these soldiers, the Black Cavalry will lose this time not because there is a problem with the army, but because their commander is incompetent.
If Mr. Leo were in charge…
"Knock, knock, knock…"
The earth began to shake, and the Black Cavalry that moved the whole North Land had arrived.