Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Shadow warriors

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Although Number 7 couldn't understand where his confidence came from, he still used all his strength to force his severed limbs to move, crawling across the ground in an attempt to destroy the magic tools.

But before he could even touch one, Ash stepped on the back of his head, forcing his face into the ground.

"…Don't dream of doing anything, and don't think you'll die easily."

Ash's voice was calm, yet cold.

"You slaughtered civilians here without hesitation, didn't you? Once you lose your value, I'll hang you and your companions on the city walls."

After saying this, he signaled the soldiers to drag the Shadow Warrior away.

A moment later, six flares soared into the sky.

Although they did not illuminate the entire night, they pierced through the darkness, emitting streaks of colorful light.

No, absolutely not… If this goes on, we won't be able to defend it!

With his mouth stuffed with cloth, Number 7 let out muffled, panicked sounds as he watched the signal flare rise. His heart was filled with fear and desperation, but with his hands and feet severed, he had no power to stop it.

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Empire's Border – Forward Command

The general stationed at the Empire's border was none other than Ludwig Valhart, grandson of Valhart, one of the Three Great Knights of the Northern Nations.

As one of the New Three Knights, Ludwig was praised as a disciple who surpassed both his father and grandfather.

A middle-aged man appearing to be in his thirties, he carried a massive bow as tall as a person on his back. His imposing presence exuded seriousness, and as the strongest among the current Three Knights, he was also a well-known border military noble of the Empire.

Having received intelligence in advance, he remained stationed at the city gate all night.

The moment he saw the six flares soaring into the sky, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Start now—all troops, attack!"

His voice, amplified through magic, echoed across the battlefield.

Beneath the towering city walls, an overwhelming number of armored soldiers moved in perfect synchronization.

There was no hesitation—only the flawless execution of a meticulously rehearsed assault.

As if responding to a single command, the entire army advanced in an orderly manner.

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At that moment, countless small openings appeared in the barrier ahead, allowing large numbers of soldiers to pass through in formation.

In the pitch-black night, the well-trained imperial army moved like ghosts in the darkness, marching swiftly and silently toward the distant pass.

Their armor glistened faintly under the moonlight, emitting a cold, eerie sheen.

With every movement, there was a unique sound—subtle yet distinct.

The soft, rhythmic friction of metal against metal.

It was like the whisper of death approaching.

The delicate yet dense sound of countless armor plates shifting together was eerily clear in the silent night.

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At the very front of the advancing forces was an elite vanguard unit.

Unlike the others, the warriors leading the charge wore armor carved with ancient runes and wielded magic-infused weapons that gleamed with an ominous light.

Every piece of metal on their bodies was imbued with ancestral wisdom and power.

To be precise—these were artifacts bestowed by Flamme, the founder of magic in the Empire's faith.

Although they were merely high-quality replicas rather than the originals, they still contained immense power.

The thousand-man brigade, which had separated from the main force and was now marching 500 meters ahead, had an incredibly weak presence—almost imperceptible.

Their armor produced no sound, not even the slightest metallic clink.

Even light seemed to bend around them, making their forms almost invisible in the night.

Each step felt as though they were treading the boundary between reality and illusion, quietly approaching the enemy checkpoint.

Their swords and shields carried the accumulated magic and knowledge of their ancestors.

And more importantly, each piece of their equipment held the power to alter the battlefield.

Even though they were replicas, they allowed ordinary soldiers to stand against lesser demons in one-on-one combat—something that would have been unthinkable otherwise.

Fighting against demons one-on-one may not sound like a big deal, but for ordinary humans who always rely on numbers to win, it is actually not that easy. It is a decisive force that has been built at a huge cost.

As long as such troops approach... and the magicians blast open the city gate, they can quickly tear open a hole and gain enough advantage for subsequent troops to occupy the pass.

Ludwig and the magicians and knights of his family also quickly mixed in, waiting to tear down the pass and drive in together.

That's right, Ludwig, the head coach, also went out in person.

Because the military nobles in this world are different from those in Ash's previous world. They are always at the forefront of the charge, relying on force to establish their status and possessing the highest command authority, but the overall command is often done by others.

　　.....

The Kingdom's Side

Ash, who originally intended to find the magician hiding on his side and kill him directly, also deliberately drew out the protective power of the core of the barrier to try to fish and see if he could solve the problem at once.

After all, both Solitar and I are here. It would be much easier to let the other party come out of the barrier on their own initiative and then destroy them in one fell swoop... At least this way, our losses can be minimized.

Maybe there won't be any loss. All you need to do is analyze the barrier and then occupy it. At most, you will consume more magic power.

".....Think carefully, the Holy Staff Court and the Magical Special Forces have also arrived here. This must be false intelligence, right? It was released to cover up the actions of the Shadow Warriors. Those magicians are probably just pawns to cover up the truth."

Linie had already hidden the beasts above the canyon. Ash stood on the top of the city wall at the edge of the primeval forest, gazing into the distance, thinking about the current situation, and just waiting quietly.

At this moment, the night was falling, everything was silent, and the light of the barrier had gradually dissipated.

Only the densely distributed stars were left, twinkling in the dark sky, adding a sense of mystery to this tense and silent night.

On the city wall, the defending soldiers, wearing heavy armor, stood on both sides and around him like silent statues. The magicians' ears were pricked up, trying to capture any possible movements of the enemy in the distance, even the slightest sound.

Everyone was nervously waiting for the enemy vanguard that might appear at any time, and the air was filled with a depressing and tense atmosphere.

With every breath, it seemed possible to feel the coming storm.

Occasionally, a gust of night breeze blew, bringing a hint of coolness, which gave the tense nerves a moment of relief.

But this tranquility did not last long, as both Ash and Solitar noticed that the vanguard troops on the other side of the horizon had used magic equipment to hide their figures.

He raised his hand slightly, and the soldiers quickly tensed up again, ready to deal with any situation that might arise. The magicians even prepared a joint military magic, but were stopped by Ash... After all, it would be a waste of magic power to use it now in case it was blocked later, so it would be better for them to break through first.

So he, Solitar, and Linie all flew into the air.