Chapter 97
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Recruitment of Editors: https://gravitytales.com/recruitment-of-editors/
Chapter 97: Duke of Tersk!
It was close to noon.
A rumbling sound trembled throughout the Forbidden Forest, birds flew high, and clouds of smoke rose from the ground.
At the distant horizon, shining in light, a black tide surged forth.
Filled with killing intent, their spirits were high.
Leo and others stood on the lookout tower of the joyful branch altar without any panic.
Because among that black army flew the flag of Tersk—a long sword piercing the heart of a giant dragon.
"Ah, may the God of Order bless us, the Marquis of Logan has truly survived." Even the least devout Viscount Carter couldn’t help but place his hand on his chest in prayer.
"Yes, I can finally see my brother!" Kalian showed an excited expression.
But the Saintess of Order and her believers did not show any excitement; they subtly moved farther away from Kalian and the others.
Leo looked at Kalian with concern.
It’s one thing for Viscount Carter, but how can Kalian, an heir born into the royal family, lack political awareness like this?
If Logan is really in that Black Cavalry, then this meeting will not be a cozy family gathering.
Originally, when the Duke of Tersk passed away, the Marquis of Logan, as the first heir, should have easily taken the throne.
But the problem is, he just lost a battle and nearly ruined North Land’s wealth, and finally, he fled, abandoning the guards at Winter Fortress.
In sharp contrast, Princess Kalian’s speech at Winter Fortress about "living with her people" stands out.
Comparing the two, the question of who should inherit the throne becomes controversial again.
If they win the war against the Night Demon, it would be a good story. The Marquis of Logan has fought many times and saved the people of North Land from the Night Demon’s grasp.
If they lose… or even if they win, but Kalian takes the credit.
Then, Kalian’s presence becomes a big problem.
As long as Logan wants the throne, his half-sister must be removed as an obstacle.
In that case, it is hard to say what will happen in this meeting.
"The imperial family is the coldest and most heartless," Leo shook his head, already thinking about how to take the first action.
Yet he still could not figure out how Logan and his Black Cavalry surrounded them.
"Something feels off." Just as Leo was deep in thought, Viscount Carter frowned, "Why are there so many Black Cavalry soldiers, and they show no signs of loss?"
"Numbers?"
"Yes, the Black Cavalry is the duke’s direct army. Although it has less than thirty thousand soldiers, it is a fully armed heavy cavalry. The selection of soldiers is extremely strict, making them the best of the best."
"But during the Winter Fortress, didn’t the Marquis of Logan lead them into the Night Demon swarm? I was really worried, thinking that we would lose half of our best soldiers in that battle, but it seems like we didn’t lose many at all."
"That shouldn’t be true; we all saw the marquis’s defeat."
"Marquis, defeat, elite, Black Cavalry." Listening to Carter’s words, Leo’s heartbeat suddenly sped up, "Mechanical Sect, Kalian… God of Order, White Cavalry Army…"
He suddenly thought of a possibility, one that he even felt was impossible.
And, continuing to follow this possibility, he thought of something even more chilling.
Something that could overturn the entire North Land, even the Dawn Empire.
"No way… If that’s really the case…" Leo swallowed hard and glanced at Saintess Fleur, who was moving away.
"What is it, Master?" Skuld leaned closer.
"No, it’s nothing. The Black Cavalry is about to arrive. Once we see the commander, the truth will be revealed."
Leo followed the others down from the watchtower, his eyes looking into the distance.
……
"Neigh!"
Among the sounds of the horse’s whinnies, the speed of the Black Cavalry began to slow down.
Kalian clasped her hands together, feeling very nervous.
The strong knight at the front pulled on the reins, lifted his helmet, and revealed a solemn face.
It was a face that looked quite old.
On either side of his hawk-like nose were deep lines, and his jaw was covered with gray hair. His forehead was filled with fine lines, but his hair remained bright red.
But that face made everyone present show a look of extreme shock.
Especially Saintess Fleur, who unconsciously took two steps back.
"Dad, Dad? Is it really you, Daddy?"
Kalian was the most surprised of them all, staring at the heavily armored knight with trembling in her voice.
"Yes, it’s me. I didn’t expect you to be here, Kalian."
The man dismounted and walked in front of Kalian, placing his hand on her head, "Why did you come back? Aren’t you studying at the Mechanical Sect? Cough, cough, North Land is so chaotic, why are you here?"
"Daddy, is it really you?" Kalian raised her head, her long-held grievances and longing for her father nearly leaving her speechless, "Aren’t you already…?"
"Yes, it’s me, hahaha, cough, cough, don’t worry, I’m still alive. It seems like they frightened my daughter." The man coughed twice, laughed heartily, and a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes, "None of the enemies in North Land will escape."
As he spoke those bold words, a strong pressure radiated from him, causing everyone present to shudder.
It was a pressure that was no less than that of Knight Lennon, belonging to a warrior above the sixth tier.
At the same time, the Black Cavalry raised their spears in unison, their movements perfectly in sync, and their voices rang out loud enough to almost make one deaf.
Deaf to the sound.
"North Land! Glory!"
"Tersk! Victory!"
"North Land! Glory!"
"Tersk! Victory!"
A powerful fighting spirit and a tangible aura of killing filled the air.
That was the confidence of an undefeated army, a strength that only veteran soldiers possessed, forged in the heat of battle.
Yes, this army is the Black Cavalry that makes the Night Demon tremble with fear.
Indeed, the heavily armored knight on the horse is the Duke of Tersk!
That duke who should have died!
Leo gently turned his head to look at the dazed Saintess Fleur.
He saw shock and panic on her face.
Her expression did not seem like a disguise.
"So it really is like this…"
Leo’s throat moved, goosebumps covered his body, his heart raced, and his mind buzzed.
Yes, his guess came true.
The Duke of Tersk is not dead, and his Black Cavalry has never been to the battlefield.
The soldiers Logan brought to raid Winter Fortress were not from the Black Cavalry, but from another army, which made the war one-sided.
The Duke of Tersk kept this a secret from everyone; probably no one knew the marquis was alive except the Marquis of Logan.
This of course includes the Order Sect.
Otherwise, they could not have sent all their armed forces to the front lines, nor could they have sent a sixth-tier Knight Commander into Winter Fortress.
So why did they do this?
Why did the duke fake his own death?
Where is this Black Cavalry hiding, and why has it not been discovered by the Night Demon?
What is the duke’s purpose?
Why did they only appear now, when the Order Sect’s forces have already been defeated?
Leo lifted his head and met Fleur’s troubled and frightened eyes.
"Not a single enemy from North Land will escape."
The enemy the duke spoke of, the direction his sword pointed to, was it the Night Demon, or something else…
What about the Order Sect?