Chapter 121
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Chapter 121: Penetration
In truth, anyone with sharp eyes could see that while called long-spear formations, the deadliest fighters were indeed the Pikemen. Yet the true core of the Black Flame Legion’s signature move lay in the front lines—those low-profile Great Shield Soldiers forming an unshakable iron wall.
Without these three-man teams creating an impenetrable barrier, the long spears and throwing javelins behind couldn’t unleash their power, let alone defend themselves. They’d fare worse against cavalry than roaming gunslingers or gunners.
Breaking the long-spear formation meant breaking through the Great Shield Soldiers first.
But this proved extremely difficult. Behind those magic-resistant tower shields stood three men instead of one. Even against full-speed charges from Heavy Knights, this setup showed unmatched resilience.
Yet Midi shattered their formation with a single Overlord-like whip strike.
The blow completely bypassed their proud defenses, piercing straight through steel to strike the fragile bodies behind.
Skill counteraction.
Another thunderous crack followed as the second strike landed. The Breaking Army Rising Dragon Whip’s power crushed dozens behind the shields into pulp instantly. Within moments, the formation gaped with a hole large enough for cavalry to swarm through.
Just then, a two-meter-tall brute charged forward, slamming his equally tall tower shield into the ground. Spikes erupted from its base, anchoring it firmly.
This was the level 40 commander of five thousand soldiers—the Black Flame Legion’s most defensively powerful warrior.
"Come at me! No brat passes the north gate while I live!" he roared at the black-haired boy on the Blood Fang Panther, eyes blazing with arrogance. "Name yourself, whelp daring to attack the Black Flame Legion!"
Midi frowned. Ultimate Intent flowed through him as he whipped forward.
Crack!
The commander flew through the air, disbelief flashing across his face as he flailed uselessly. Before he could react, Midi’s glowing whip became a storm of strikes—not single blows but relentless barrages.
The whip’s shadow weaved through air like countless snakes. The armored commander burst into bloody mist midair, raining warm crimson and metal shards.
Against Ultimate Intent-enhanced whip techniques, level 40 meant nothing—only strong physical attributes and Vitality remained. But how long could flesh endure such punishment?
Instant annihilation.
"Dead men need no names," Midi stated flatly, flicking blood from his whip.
Seeing their invincible commander crushed, even the disciplined formation wavered. The Golden Branch cavalry seized their moment, flooding through the breach.
A compromised formation was like a cracked dam against floodwaters.
Without shield protection, slow-moving Pikemen became easy prey for charging cavalry. Rear Heavy Spearmen struggled to aim accurately while adventurers’ bullets and ice spells rained down.
The long-spear formation collapsed like wheat before scythes.
Soon only the sealed iron gate remained.
"Stay close!"
Midi coiled his glowing whip and drew his greatsword. The blade hummed as magic gathered along its edge, condensing into a chilling light beam.
Sword Soul skill: Breaking Extreme Blade.
The iron door tore like paper. Twisted metal screamed as shockwaves erupted. With a powerful swing, Midi’s greatsword smashed the ruined gates aside.
Due to the overwhelming power of that strike, the greatsword in Midi’s hand couldn’t withstand it. As city gate fragments flew through the air, the weapon itself cracked and warped before crumbling into iron dust that scattered from Midi’s grasp like ash in the wind.
But none of that mattered now – nothing could stop Midi’s breakthrough at this crucial moment.
The two-thousand strong Golden Branch cavalry squadron had stormed Flowing Water County under night’s cover, destroyed over half of the Sais family’s stockpiled supplies, thrown the Black Flame Legion into chaos, and crushed both a long-spear formation and its five-thousand strong commander. Now they poured through the shattered gates like an unstoppable tide.
Only endless flames and wreckage remained for the haughty Scarred General.
"This… this is the power and wisdom of a genius commander," Odel finally breathed out, unable to contain her awe.
Kelvin nodded beside her. "That command style, that way of fighting… I never dreamed I’d witness such a battle, let alone fight in one."
Not just the novice adventurers experiencing their first real battle, but even the veteran Golden Branch cavalry elites emerged from their combat trance to share similar sentiments.
Two thousand against twenty thousand in siege warfare – such odds defied Belmar’s military history. Yet under the black-haired boy’s leadership, they’d achieved this near-impossible feat with minimal losses.
They’d raided the enemy stronghold with ease, carved straight through its defenses, then withdrawn unscathed before pursuers could react. By any measure, this counted as a dazzling victory.
Yet for the youth astride the Blood Fang Panther, it all seemed routine. Midi’s calm demeanor and unshakable poise amidst this miraculous triumph struck his troops harder than the victory itself.
Was this boy someone who devoured victories like daily meals?
The Golden Branch cavalry found themselves wondering this even as cheers rose around them. But before celebrations could properly begin, a youthful voice cut through the noise.
"Brother Midi, didn’t you promise to capture Flowing Water County? Is one raid enough?"
All eyes turned to Alyn, the half-Elf gunslinger whose growing feminine charm couldn’t mask her childlike sincerity. Her luminous eyes blinked in genuine confusion.
The troops burst into good-natured laughter, Odel hiding an embarrassed smile behind her hand. Midi had indeed vowed before Dragon’s Spine Fortress commanders to "take Flowing Water County within two days."
Yet the Black Flame Legion still occupied the county despite their humiliating losses. No supplies destroyed could offset their twenty thousand strong garrison. By strict terms, Midi had broken his promise.
But who would dare protest? Against such odds, this raid already pushed two thousand troops beyond reasonable limits. Strategically, they’d bloodied the Sais family’s nose and stalled their main advance – enough to claim victory by any sane measure.
The girl’s literal-mindedness drew chuckles from all. Even Odel shook her head ruefully – clearly, the half-Elf needed more social coaching. As the Arad tavern saying went: "Take it too seriously, and you lose!"
Yet while others smiled, Midi nodded seriously. His tender gaze met Alyn’s as if she alone understood him, before leaning down to affectionately ruffle her hair.
"M-Midi?!" The flustered girl turned crimson.
"You’re right. This raid’s just the beginning," Midi declared, sweeping his gaze across the stunned crowd. "Though two days proved insufficient, our true goal remains capturing Flowing Water County completely within days – exactly as I vowed at Dragon’s Spine Fortress."
Silence fell. Conquer the county? With two thousand? Before Golden Branch reinforcements arrived? Every face froze in disbelief, every mind screamed "Impossible!"
Yet meeting their commander’s blazing eyes, recalling how he’d carved through battlefields like a war god incarnate, doubt warped into forbidden hope.
What secret strategies did this youth harbor? What hidden cards remained unplayed? None knew. Yet against all reason, anticipation kindled in every heart.
