410 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

**Chapter 410: Vanquish the Enemies!!** With a resonant shout spreading across the enemy camp, the imperial army began its advance. From the battlements, where he vigilantly watched the approaching enemies, the Sword Master couldn’t help but let out a low groan. The enemy had reinforced their ranks, adding two more legions. Initially, decimating what amounted to roughly one legion amidst four had been a feat, but now they faced double that number. And that wasn’t the only change. Gone were the dragon insignias from the armor of the knights and soldiers marching forward. It was puzzling why the reinforcements took more than a day to join the battle... “His Majesty's concerns weren’t unfounded.” “That's a relief, at least.” The sorcerer Truth, standing beside him, responded. He was the third disciple of Clayton and currently responsible for managing the grand magic array alongside a small number of sorcerers at Shield. “Have the changes been completed as per His Majesty’s orders?” “Yes. While the use of mana stones will increase, we can hold out for another two days.” “Two days, huh...” As the defenders, they needed to resolve things swiftly. The Sword Master sighed in frustration, realizing that this wasn't the end of their troubles. “More than that, it's those mages at the back that worry me.” Truth’s gaze fixed on the thousand or so mages gathered at the rear of the enemy's formation. The remaining elites of the Empire’s seven great magic towers had all converged to join the punitive force. Though they were not the core magical division rumored to be with the central forces, such numbers alone posed a significant threat to Shield. The strategy the enemy's mage division had used at Kyle's castle would undoubtedly lessen the effectiveness of their most powerful weapons, the repeating crossbows and the Liberatio. The Sword Master, not blind to this, could only grit his teeth as there was no way to reach those positioned at the very rear of the enemy lines. “Casualties will be significant. You should retreat inside.” “No, even a mere hand such as mine must help.” In truth, all twenty mages managing the grand magic array at Shield were already out on the battlements. Though it was unrealistic to expect much from those below a 4th-circle mage like Truth, the sincerity in their determination kept the Sword Master from saying anything. Naturally, there were those whose resolve only intensified at the sight of the approaching enemy. Thud. “Worry not, Commander. I will crush those cunning fiends this time.” “Luther, your confidence seems excessive.” “The odds have shifted from 7-to-4 to 5-to-4 in our favor. How can they stop us when you’re with us, Commander?” “Hm.” Luther referenced their superhuman assets. Numerically still inferior, yet as Luther declared, they had the upper hand in terms of strength. None among the enemy could contend with a top-tier aura user, and two of the only formidable foes were already slain by the Sword Master’s own hands in previous skirmishes. This time, they would crumble even more swiftly. “If you lead the charge, Commander, and I provide support, no amount of soldiers can stem our advance.” Luther, with his giant-like frame, reignited everyone’s determination, making his outrageous claim seem almost plausible. “Where are Sir Burdel and Mister Gunther?” “I believe they've fully recovered…” No sooner had those words left his mouth than familiar presences arrived from behind. “Here we are, Commander.” “Preparing as we speak, Sword Master.” An archer with brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in leather armor unlike the other soldiers, and an elder knight with a star insignia on his armor nodded towards the Sword Master. “Mister Gunther, you still carry the talisman I gave you, I hope?” “Of course. I wouldn’t neglect a gift from you, Sword Master.” Gunther Liberty, the sole superhuman of Liberty Kingdom, bowed with a faint smile at the Sword Master's inquiry. Just days ago, the Sword Master had gifted him an artifact engraved with a ‘Flame Crest.’ Although its effects were modest, the gift came from none other than the Sword Master himself. ‘An aura-user of the highest caliber.’ The tales of a king who allegedly defeated the Sword Master before turning thirty were stuff of legends, difficult to grasp. Yet, the skill the Sword Master demonstrated in their last battle was vividly evident now. The fact that this formidable figure, not even a member of McLine, was taking special care of him was deeply moving for Gunther. Unaware of Gunther's inner sentiments, the Sword Master expelled the lingering unease in his chest with a brief sigh. “Very well. We’ve made all the preparations we can. All forces, ready for battle!” “Prepare for battle!” The kingdom’s forces, already tense at the impending imperial army, reaffirmed their readiness with renewed vigor. The Sword Master bellowed forcefully, his voice echoing throughout the fortress. “We have once already repelled the Empire’s dogs! And that history shall repeat today! I am confident of this. And you all?” “Yes!” “Pin your arrows into the skulls of those filthy invaders! Thrust your spears through their hearts! Let us remind them once more that no one crosses this fortress without our permission!” “Yes!” “Commence battle!” “Charge!” With the Sword Master’s command, a hail of quarrels descended upon the advancing imperial army. And their numbers had nearly increased by 50% compared to before. With massive supplies from Taren, the repeating crossbows and ammunition were furnished abundantly even to Liberty's reinforcements. The same went for Liberatio; the knights lined along the battlements hurled scarlet stones with strength beyond ordinary humans. Swoosh. Thud-thud-thud! “Aagh!” “Urgh!” The bombardment raining down showed immediate results. However, soon, a blue light began to spread from the rear of the enemies, forming a massive wind barrier over the advancing soldiers. Crack-crack-crack! More than 80% of the continuous bombardment scattered or was blocked by the wind barrier, reducing the impact from Liberatio’s explosions by over 60%. “Now’s the time! Advance!” “Don’t fall back!” “Advance!” Seeing casualties significantly reduced, the imperial commanders bellowed with zeal, urging their troops to charge with renewed fervor. Arrows infused with 'red aura' were the only weapons piercing through their ranks and causing fatalities among the imperial forces. However, when Drexler Littman, the commander of the fourth legion, leapt onto the battlements, those fatal shots, previously aimed solely at the officers, all focused on him. "This time, let’s end it, archer!" "Who’s talking!" Boom, boom! The clash of two superhumans initiated, followed by one imperial knight after another leaping onto the battlements. In that moment, a shared thought crossed the minds of those imperial knights. - The enemy's weakening magic array will soon be rendered useless. Charge without fear. They all believed in the decree issued in the Emperor’s name. Wasn’t it for that very reason they diligently scrubbed off their proud golden dragon insignias? - This humiliation will be avenged. Fueled by such resolve, the imperial knights' morale soared skyward. But then... Thunk. "What?" "How is this..." "Still there!!?" "It’s still active! The enemy magic... Argh!" As they set foot on the battlements, the familiar wave of enervation enveloped their bodies once more. The imperial knights, who never doubted the magic's nullification, were hit by the staggering weight of their misplaced faith. "Die!" Thunk. "Begone, invaders!" Crack. The spears and swords of the awaiting soldiers and knights immediately hacked into the imperial knights attempting to scale the wall. To add insult to injury, the fourth legion commander, Drexler Littman, was caught off guard and took a red arrow to his thigh. "This... how can this be..." "Die." Approaching him, Burdel unleashed a deadly rain of red arrows, smiling grimly. "Damn it all!" Boom! "Oh, Burdel, what a promising start." Witnessing the scene from the forefront of the battlements, Luther crushed three imperial knights simultaneously with his massive warhammer, smiling all the while. Then, spotting an audacious brown-haired superhuman who appeared like lightning before him, he sprinted forward without hesitation. "Long time no see, you slippery traitor! Have you sold your country now? Even erased your emblem!" "Damn you!" Blake Evenor, commander of the Empire's third Eastern Legion, clenched his teeth, suppressing the rage boiling inside him. Contrary to what they were told, the magic sapping their strength persisted, coiling around him as tightly as ever. To think the Emperor’s orders could lead to such a misstep. ‘What were the strategists and intelligence units doing? How could they let His Majesty make such an error?’ His fury burned, yet there was no time to dwell on it. "This time, I'll settle this!" Before he knew it, a great warhammer blazing with fiery aura loomed perilously close. Boom! “Ugh!” A mistake. He had foolishly taken that crude hammer head-on. As he felt his body recoil and internal organs twist painfully, Blake realized his blunder: pitting his greatest weakness against the enemy’s greatest strength. “Ha ha! Die!” With success in his grasp, the opponent's weapon neared him once again. There was a small mercy in knowing he had backup. Boom! "Sir Blake, just like before!" Second Legion Commander Zepen Trey shouted, altering the trajectory of the hammer with a giant spear. His meaning was clear. In this sticky, binding magical array, it would take both of them to handle this enormous threat. Though their strategy had failed, they could manage this much. Unlike last time, the wind barrier shielded the Empire’s forces now. Yes, hopefully. ‘Wouldn’t you agree, Sir Miles?’ Inevitably, his thoughts drifted toward Miles Malpin, who had taken over as North Expedition commander in place of the deceased Jamie Gillan. "I’ll avenge Jamie and Melvin!" With his eyes reddened by rage, Miles charged toward him. The Sword Master, not having forgotten the peculiar superhuman with the massive scythe, couldn't help but be puzzled. ‘Alone?’ Was the one who emerged unscathed from an encounter like that foolish enough to challenge him alone? It seemed absurd, but he soon realized it wasn’t the truth. "For the Emperor!" Roaring like fanatics, five knights beside him surged forward, their power unexpectedly magnified to extreme levels. From mere ordinary knights, they transcended in an instant. ‘Superhumans?’ Their faces obscured beneath black helmets, yet the sinister red aura radiating from their swords unmistakably… It was aura. "Hah!?" Since when were aura users so common? What is this sinister red aura? Even amid this chaos that defied logic, the Sword Master instinctively sidestepped most of the incoming attacks. ‘Are they quintuplets or something?’ When the identical angles and synced speed of their sword strikes struck him as eerily similar, he noticed a particularly ominous scythe blocking his path. Boom! "Sword Master, today will be your death day!" Miles, his face flushed as he grappled for dominance, opened his mouth despite the effort. Everything about him was different this time—his unsettlingly gleaming eyes, for instance, seemed far from sane. As the Sword Master furrowed his brows in confusion, the sinister red aura rained down from all sides again. ‘Focus, no time for idle thoughts.’ Whoosh. Even against six aura users, total concentration would not suffice. At that moment, the Sword Master became a streak of red lightning, slicing through the barrage of attacks. Lightning Chaser. The pinnacle of speed martial arts he pursued, exhibiting its supreme skill, accelerating his body to its utmost in an instant. As he poised to cleave one of the black knights apart... "Not so fast!" The massive scythe once again interjected, blocking his path dramatically, as if willing to die in place of the black knight. Spotting the opening without hesitation, the Sword Master thrust his sword forward. Thunk. "Let's die together, Sword Master." Myles, pierced through his abdomen, clung to his sword with a twisted grin. Advertisements Simultaneously, the bodies of the nearby black knights expanded suddenly. "For the Emperor." "For the Emperor." "Long live!" BOOM! A deafening explosion, more powerful than ever before, shattered a corner of the battlements.