Chapter 10: The War God's Iron Hooves

Lucien Windrider stood at the entrance of Southern Gorge Pass, his black armor reflecting the cold morning light. His long sword was stabbed into the ground, its blade still wet with blood. His gray-blue eyes were like frozen ice, and the scar running from his brow to his temple marked him as death's chosen, a reminder of his past humiliation and the killing intent he carried into this life.

Behind him, five thousand Iron Cavalry stood in formation.

The vanguard of a thousand heavy shield-bearers held their long spears, shields gleaming in the light.

The central force of three thousand lancers gripped their reins, their warhorses pawing at the earth like rolling thunder.

The rear guard of a thousand archers guarded the supply wagons, their quivers full, their presence casting a heavy shadow over the gorge.

Three days ago, Redblade Catherine and Sharktooth Jack had delivered Selena's challenge. The Nightshade family has returned. Your Iron Cavalry We await them.

Lucien had laughed. Selena Nightshade.

A foolish woman. In the past life, she had loved him madly, betrayed her family for him, and he had personally driven a sword through her heart.

And now

She dared rise against him

Lucien's fist clenched. The muscle beneath his scar twitched as he recalled the past, the way the Nightshade family's intelligence network had once left him isolated, how the nobles had laughed as they watched him fall.

Not this time.

He had summoned the full might of the Iron Cavalry, vowing to burn Grey Mist City to the ground and make Selena kneel at his feet.

His War God System had updated the mission.

Eliminate Selena Nightshade

Reclaim absolute control

Rewards five thousand fate points, unlock War God Domain

He murmured, Selena, you venomous snake. Today, I cut you down.

The Battle Begins

The narrow throat of Southern Gorge came into view, cliffs rising high on both sides, the wind howling like a warning.

Lucien narrowed his eyes and gave a low command. War God System, scan the terrain.

Scan complete

Southern Gorge entrance is fifteen meters wide, exit is ten meters wide

Mid section bend detected

Cliff height is one hundred meters

Wind blowing downward from the cliff top

Gunpowder and coal oil detected, enemy ambush likely

An ambush Lucien smirked, gripping his sword hilt.

Is that all you have, Selena

He raised his hand.

Vanguard, advance Shields up

A thousand shield-bearers surged forward, holding their heavy shields high, while Lucien led the central force close behind. The archers guarded the supply wagons, moving carefully.

Then

A thunderous explosion erupted.

Five barrels of gunpowder exploded at the entrance.

Boulders tumbled down from above.

Four hundred cavalrymen were blasted into the air.

Warhorses screamed, shields shattered, flames ignited.

The air reeked of smoke and blood.

Lucien's warhorse reared up, but he yanked the reins and slashed a falling rock in half, roaring, Shields forward Archers, ready arrows

The shield-bearers regrouped, forming a defensive wall against the stone rain, as Lucien's gray-blue eyes burned with fury.

System, analyze enemy tactics.

Enemy tactics detected

First phase gunpowder at entrance to disrupt the vanguard.

Second phase hidden tripwires to cripple cavalry mid pass.

Final phase more explosives at the exit to trap the army, forcing them into Blackpine Forest.

Blackpine Lucien snorted.

So you want to burn my main force Naïve.

He signaled his troops, and the three thousand lancers turned toward the forest, while six hundred surviving shield-bearers cleared the debris at the entrance.

Another explosion erupted.

The second wave of explosives erupted in the mid pass, sending a hundred riders flying. Hidden tripwires snapped, toppling dozens of horses.

A toxic mist leaked from the spike pits.

Ten soldiers collapsed, gasping.

Lucien's eyes darkened.

Poison

Pathetic.

He spurred his horse forward, his blade slashing through the fog.

Heavy cavalry, charge Archers, shoot the cliffs

A thousand arrows soared upward, striking down the five assassins hiding on the cliffside.

Lucien stormed into Blackpine Forest.

Smoke filled the air.

Up ahead, a fake supply ship stood in plain view.

A drunken man jumped overboard.

Lucien's lips curled.

A bait

Flames roared.

Cannons blasted, toppling a hundred cavalrymen.

Tripwires snapped, sending horses tumbling.

Musket shots cracked from the trees, burning eighty men alive.

More barrels of Black Serpent Mist burst open, filling the forest with poison.

Lucien's warhorse collapsed beneath him.

He rolled off, sword slicing through the fog, snarling,

Selena, you venomous snake

He activated War God System.

Battlefield Command activated.

Lancers, pierce through the trees

Vanguard, detonate the forest path

Archers, fire at the treetops

Three thousand cavalry spearmen speared through the musketeers.

The fire was trampled down.

A thousand arrows cut down the snipers.

A cannon shell shot toward Lucien.

He parried it with his sword.

The impact veered it off course, and he drove his blade through Cannonmouth's chest.

Blood spurted.

Lucien muttered coldly.

Weak.

Counterattack and Breakthrough

At Southern Gorge's cliffs, Selena released the final poison mist.

Lucien charged through the fog with five hundred elite riders, his black armor dripping blood.

System, enhance combat stats

Close Combat Boost activated Strength plus fifty percent, Speed plus fifty percent.

Lucien slashed apart the shadows, dispersing the poison mist with a single swing.

Vail leaped at him.

Lucien severed his arm with one stroke.

Vail screamed.

Lucien thrust his blade through his chest.

Selena teleported, firing three poisoned bullets.

Lucien deflected them.

He swung his sword down.

Selena rolled off the cliff, shoulder bleeding.

Lucien sneered, Run all you want. You will not escape me.

At the docks, Rock's musketeers collapsed under a rain of arrows.

Iron Bear betrayed Selena.

The warehouse exploded.

Selena, wounded, escaped on a small boat into the mist.

Aftermath and The Unexpected

Grey Mist City burned.

Lucien stood amid the ruins, bloodstained sword in hand.

System, battle report.

Losses One thousand two hundred soldiers

Selena's forces Annihilated. Only three survivors escaped.

Lucien smirked. You were worth one thousand two hundred men, Selena.

Then

A messenger sprinted back, pale faced.

My lord, the warehouse burned, but but the gold and supplies they are gone

Lucien's expression froze.

His sword slashed a wooden post in half.

What

He turned toward the misty sea, eyes dark.

Selena, you cunning snake. You dare steal from me

He roared, Search the entire coastline Find her

The hunt was far from over.