In the distance, the Archduke of Black Sand Region, Chapman Lampard, was fully armed as he rode on his horse.
Under the protection of countless infantry and cavalry troops, he looked into the distance with cold eyes.
Under the deafening battle cries, the two Constellation flags in the distance began to shake under the siege of six large troops and more than two thousand Eckstedtian light infantrymen.
Archduke Lampard touched the sword at his waist.
It was the sword he used to kill his elder brother in a duel. It had never left his side for more than ten years.
"It has begun," Count Levan said softly behind him, "They will soon break out of the encirclement and retreat towards the fortress. We only need to wait for Sasere to send reinforcements."
His most trusted strategist, Viscount Kentvida also nodded.
"The light cavaliers and mounted infantrymen on both sides of the battlefield are ready. We can quickly tie down any troops that come out from the fortress as reinforcements.
"The knights and three hundred heavy cavaliers have already unloaded half of their burdens. They can charge at a faster speed … Even if all three thousand people in the fortress rush out hand in hand, we can at least defeat their vanguard at the first instance … That is, if they do not retreat within five minutes.
"Five hundred heavy swordsmen and eight hundred heavy-armored axemen are on standby. They can follow up later …
"Archers, Mystic Gun troops, and the remaining ordinary recruits can also attack.
"When they start to break out of the encirclement, we can advance at the right time. The heavy infantrymen can set off first."
The stern-looking Chapman Lampard raised his hand at this moment and stopped Kentvida's report.
"No, have everyone stay put and wait for orders. No one is allowed to approach the battlefield without permission.
"Let the light infantrymen continue to fight.
"We have to give the Fortress Flower some time to consider whether to send reinforcements or not."
Beside Archduke Lampard, Lord Tolja's expression tensed up when he heard that.
"If they break out of the encirclement in the direction of the fortress, it is best for us to have the main force follow up appropriately." Being familiar with warfare, he frowned and said, "If they are too far away, even if our cavaliers hold back Sasere's reinforcements, the heavy infantrymen will not be able to catch up, let alone destroy the opponent in a field battle. With her ability, she can definitely snatch their prince back in time.
"Then, whether it is seizing the opportunity to attack the city or exhausting them in a field battle, our plan will be meaningless."
Lampard looked at the battle in the distance and shook his head.
"Sasere is a cautious person." Archduke Lampard stared at the Broken Dragon Fortress in the distance with a complicated expression. He slowly said, "If we want to lure her into sending out her troops, we must take the risk and give her some hope. If we do not send out our troops, their prince will definitely perish on the battlefield. If we send out our troops, we might have half a chance to snatch the prince back."
"And as the prince breaks out of the encirclement from the back and gets closer to the fortress, the latter's chances will increase …"
"Even the most prudent and rational person, such as Sonia Sasere, will be swayed when she sees that the hope is getting bigger and the possibility of success is getting higher and higher."
There was an unprecedented desire to challenge in Lampard's eyes, and his gaze was focused on the Starry Double Cross Star Flag of Broken Dragon Fortress.
"Now it all depends on our old rival, the Fortress Flower's decision."
"Sonia Sasere."
"Are you going to send reinforcements and rescue their only prince, or are you going to watch the heir of Constellation perish in battle?"
—
"What is going on?!" Sonia stood on the tall fortress wall and watched the chaotic battle on the plains in the distance. She gritted her teeth and punched the wall of Broken Dragon Fortress. "Does Lampard want to kill His Highness in public here?"
"The ones besieging the prince are only two thousand and three hundred light infantrymen. With the Fury Guards, they might be able to hold on for a while.
"But the disparity in numbers is too great." Miranda observed the situation of the enemy on the plains and said with a frown, "Lampard's other main forces are far away. If Baron Murkh can break out of the encirclement with the prince and at least retreat a certain distance, we should be able to send reinforcements in time to tear apart the light infantrymen's encirclement and bring the prince back. "
She turned her head and said to Sonia, "I can attack. I need a thousand men, including elites like the Starlight Unit who can break the enemy's formation.
"The Starlight Unit can ride out on horseback. The opponent is just some light infantrymen. If we only need to break through the encirclement and rescue His Highness …"
"No!" Sonia stared furiously at the stalemate on the battlefield and said with difficulty, "The prince's diplomat group is not his focus …
"Sending out the only elite troops we have to defend the city to rescue the prince … This is what Lampard wants!
"I can guarantee that his cavaliers are already prepared. They will stop our reinforcements at all costs. They will even attack the fortress' sluice gate without caring about casualties and injuries. Then, they will press forward on a large scale …
"At least, they will be able to destroy our reinforcements …
"If it's the former, then the fortress will be in danger of falling. If it's the latter, it will also be able to greatly deplete the fortress's military strength and pave the way for him to attack the city later on."
Sonia clenched her fists tightly. "We will never do as the enemy thinks."
Miranda raised her eyebrows and remained silent for a while.
The sounds of battle in the distance continued.
"But that is the second prince, and the only heir of Constellation." Miranda thought for a while and said quietly, "If the fortress does not send out troops, then it is very likely that he will be annihilated in the battle. As for His Majesty …"
Sonia gritted her teeth, closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. "This is Lampard's goal. He is waiting for me to make a choice. The fortress and the prince's safety, military or politics. He wants me to choose one of the two.
"This is a trap that cannot be more obvious.
"It was originally impossible for Lampard to take down the fortress, but he actually managed to find a chance … Lampard's courage is truly beyond imagination!"
Miranda tightened her grip on the sword at her waist, raised her head and said, "Perhaps with Baron Murkh's ability, when he breaks out of the encirclement, he can bring the prince further away and closer to us. He can even bring him into the fortress's area of protection?
"We will try our best to end the battle as soon as possible. Before their follow-up troops arrive, we will safely …"
"Be careful!" Sonia opened her eyes abruptly. Her gaze was filled with caution. "That is what Lampard wants us to think. The fortress is our greatest reliance. You do not know how much he desires for our troops to walk out of the fortress and fall into his rhythm of battle.
"Everything he did was for the sake of smoothly taking down Broken Dragon Fortress at the lowest cost!"
Miranda was stunned. "But does he really dare to use the crime of killing the Prince of Constellation as a wager?"
—
"What if the Prince of Constellation really dies in the battle?" Lord Tolja looked at the battle in the distance and said hesitantly, "Anything is possible on the battlefield."
"Then, we will see if the Sunset Goddess will protect us, and how loyal Sonia Sasere is to the Jadestar Royal Family," Archduke Lampard said in a low voice. "If we win this gamble, we will open the door to the Northern Territory of Constellation. If we lose … Hmph."
He did not speak again.
"I am afraid that the prince's life or death is not a matter of luck, but of our choice," Viscount Kentvida said in contemplation.
"If Sasere refuses to send her troops and would rather watch their prince's entire army be annihilated than defend the fortress … Are we really going to kill all of the prince's diplomat group?"
"Not necessarily." Count Levan shook his head. "We only sent out light enlisted infantry. Based on the current situation, the Constellatiates can at least hold on for more than fifteen minutes … If that time really comes, it will not be too late for us to blow the horn and withdraw our troops."
"Then invite the prince in and tell him that everything just now, including so many dead people, was a misunderstanding?" Tolja replied with a frown.
Their archduke lifted the reins and urged his horse forward a few steps so that he could get a clearer view of the situation in the distance.
Archduke Lampard stared at the huge fortress with an indifferent expression. "If Sasere still refuses to come out, it will be fine."
Archduke Lampard tightened the sword belt around his waist and inhaled a breath of the cold winter air. "When that time comes, we will slaughter everyone in the diplomat group, leaving only that seven-year-old brat alive.
"Then …
"Everyone in the fortress will see how we strip their only prince and tie him to a flagpole. Then, we will raise their heir and attack the fortress … Let's see how much of a test the Constellatiates' morale can withstand."
"Of course, regardless of whether we succeed or not, that poor brat will survive and be sent to Dragon Clouds City after this to show our respect and loyalty to King Nuven. I will not be stained with the blood of the Jadestar Royal Family. Since the Age of the Empire, that family's blood has been filled with curses and misfortune.
"Under such circumstances, as long as he does not die, Constellation will only see the humiliation the prince left them, and not the enmity formed between them and the Lampard Family."
Hearing this, Tolja could not help but frown deeply.
"He is only a seven-year-old child."
The unsmiling Archduke Lampard was silent for a moment.
The scenes of his brothers fooling around flashed across his mind.
But the others did not know what he was thinking.
The next moment, Chapman Lampard raised his eyes and said coldly,
"He is a prince.
"A prince cannot be a 'child' from the moment he is born.
This is their privilege, and also their price. "
Tolja stared at Archduke Lampard in a daze. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he lowered his head and sighed.
Only Viscount Kentvida frowned.
"That child will hate you. When he is crowned as king in the future —"
But he was interrupted by the archduke.
"He will be afraid of me!" Lampard said resolutely.
Lampard said firmly, "Even if he becomes the King of Constellation, wears the Nine-Pointed Star Crown, and holds the Staff of Constellation in his hand …
"I will also make him remember today — the most humiliating, terrifying, and terrifying day of his life!"
—
* Thud! *
Genard raised his shield to block a heavy hammer. The huge force caused him to lower his body.
But the veteran cleverly took advantage of the situation and cut open his kneecap. Then, he ended Genard's life when he fell to the ground.
But Genard's left shoulder blade was pierced by a sword that came from the side. He endured the pain and retreated to the second row while trembling.
However, the soldier who replaced Genard was obviously inexperienced. The moment he moved forward, he was stabbed in the thigh.
Genard could only grit his teeth and move forward again. He blocked the enemy's sword fiercely and let his injured comrade retreat.
The veteran sensed that the frequency of Eckstedt's light infantry's attacks had begun to decrease.
'It looks like it's time to break out of the encirclement.'
However, Genard sighed at this moment.
On the battlefield, the first to die were the unskilled new soldiers. The surviving veterans were all smart, tough, and steel-like existences.
'What comes next is a tough battle.'
"So, the key to the battlefield lies in Sasere's choice." At the center of the battle formation, Thales panted harshly and said to Putray, who was nodding slightly, and Arracca, whose face was covered in blood.
"And no matter what she chooses, Lampard should have his own corresponding strategy. Attack the fortress, weaken our military strength, or capture me in a humiliating manner to use as a bargaining chip to attack."
"No matter what she chooses, we will still be in a dilemma." Putray furrowed his brows. "Lampard's light infantry is enough to give us a hard time. The soldiers will not be able to hold on for too long."
Arracca looked at the dead and injured subordinates around him. He was extremely furious as he sneered, "If you have any ideas, you better say it out loud before the Eckstedtians chop us into minced meat and hang you up while they're at it."
Thales did not mind Arracca's disrespect. He raised his head and glanced at the Lampard Family's Iron Fist Flag not far away.
He exhaled and slowly said, "No matter what, Sonia's choice is a dilemma.
So, she cannot make the choice. "
Thales' gaze was cold. Under Putray and Arracca's different expressions, he clenched his fists.
"We can only choose on behalf of Lady Sasere.
To eliminate her hesitation and hesitation. "
"Prepare to break out of the encirclement," the second prince said coldly.
Putray was slightly startled.
On the other hand, Arracca grinned.
—
"It seems like they are about to break out of the encirclement." Miranda looked at the battle situation in the distance and said hesitantly, "Are we really not going to send reinforcements?
Even if they really break out of the encirclement and get closer to the fortress? "
Sonia closed her eyes in pain.
'No.
'Guarding is my greatest duty.
'I have already failed once … This time, I cannot …'
"No." Sonia gritted her teeth and lowered her head. She placed her hands on the city wall and said with difficulty, "It is impossible to save them by sending only a small number of troops. If we send out all our elites, we will be falling into Lampard's trap.
"Guard our fortress well … We cannot give him even the slightest chance.
"I will face His Majesty."
Miranda did not say anything. The city wall was silent for a while.
But the silence was soon broken.
The sounds of battle rang again in the distance.
"Commanding officer!"
Miranda looked at the chaotic battlefield in the distance in shock. "They are starting to break out of the encirclement!
"But it is very strange …"
Miranda's face was filled with disbelief.
'Hmm?'
Sonia opened her eyes in puzzlement.
—
"Sir!" Tolja urged his horse anxiously from afar. "News from the light cavaliers!
"They are starting to break out of the encirclement!"
Archduke Lampard opened his eyes and looked at the two flags of Constellation.
"Very good," he said, "Now, we just have to wait for Sasere …"
'Wait.'
Lampard narrowed his eyes.
'The fluttering of the flags …
'Something is not quite right.'
He immediately realized that something was wrong.
'It can't be.'
Archduke Lampard widened his eyes and opened his mouth in shock. "Could it be …"
"Yes, my lord, our plan must be amended immediately!" Tolja said loudly and nervously.
Tolja said loudly and nervously, "And according to the report from the light cavaliers, there is more than one accident!"
Lampard suppressed the hidden annoyance in his heart and cast an inquiring gaze at Tolja.
Tolja gritted his teeth and said on his horse, "There is another person with that prince."
Archduke Lampard furrowed his brows tightly as he watched Tolja say something that caused the surrounding vassals' expressions to change.
"It's him!
"It's that guy!
"With that bow!"
—
With a cold expression on his face, Arracca tied Thales tightly to his back. His body was pressed tightly against the silver-black greatbow.
"Is it really safe to stay behind this guy?" Aida asked angrily. "I keep feeling like I've lost my job."
Thales smiled at her. "Just take it as a vacation … Even authors have times when they stop updating their novels."
"This is very risky. It means that we are also gambling," Putray said worriedly. "We are betting on the enemy's choice."
Thales took a deep breath and smiled at Putray.
"Yes, this is a bet between me and Lampard.
It is a game of 'do you dare or not'. "
"Young prince, I will ask you one last time." Seeing that most of the Fury Guards in the first row were dead or injured, Arracca suppressed the anger in his heart and said coldly, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"This is the only way," Thales said with a bitter smile.
Arracca did not speak.
Thales gritted his teeth as he lay on Arracca's back. He adjusted his abdomen, which was in contact with the greatbow, and forced a smile. "And are you really as powerful as the rumors say? Please prove it to me."
Arracca still did not speak.
Thales gently closed his eyes, then opened them firmly. His gaze was sharp.
"Constellation's most valiant warrior …
"Arracca Murkh."
He exhaled softly and loudly uttered the name that everyone in Constellation knew.
"The Kingdom's Wrath."
The moment he uttered these words, the expressions of the people who were in a predicament froze. It was as if the atmosphere around them had changed as well.
In the next second, Arracca tilted his head and sneered at Thales.
"A long time ago, in a hopeless situation, a Jadestar told me …"
Thales could not help but be startled.
Arracca pulled out the two-handed greatsword from the ground, swung it around, and strode forward.
Putray, Wya, Ralf, and the others followed behind them with either determined or worried expressions.
Arracca strode onto the stirrups. His gaze was fierce.
Aida nimbly followed behind their horses.
Arracca continued to speak coldly.
"He said …
"Since there is no way to retreat …
"Why not go forward with all your might?"
Thales could not react for a moment.
In the next moment, Arracca Murkh, the man known as the Kingdom's Wrath, spurred his horse forward with a fierce expression and bypassed his guards.
"Fury Guards, attack the formation!"
The Kingdom's Wrath's greatsword pointed at the Iron Fist Flag fluttering high in the distance.
He roared furiously, "Our target — North!"
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