chapter 35

Chapter 35

The cold wind blew over the hills of Halstad, sweeping the tall golden grasses. The Barony of Halstad was a fertile land, known for its vast wheat fields and pastures. On the horizon, the ramparts of the main city rose with a certain majesty, but their construction seemed less imposing than that of the other baronies under Sky's control.

Elion was watching the scene from a hill overlooking the valley. His black cape floated in the wind, and his golden eyes shone under the pale light of the setting sun. Around him, the Knights of the Black Legion stood in perfect formation, their black armor inlaid with magic runes shining faintly under the effect of the Ki contained in the metal.

Eridan approached, his expression hard and concentrated.

"Halstad mobilized his troops. Baron Ardan raised about five thousand men. The majority are light foot soldiers, with some basic support mages."

Elion nodded, a cold smile on his lips.

- "Weak."

Eridan nodded.

"The Duke of Lorcan sent reinforcements." Two hundred heavily armed knights and a unit of fire mages."

Elion slowly turned his gaze to Eridan.

"Two hundred knights..." He let out an amused grin." It's not an army. It's a provocation."

"The Duke underestimates the Black Legion," added Veyla, who had just appeared silently behind them. His silvery hair floated in the wind, and his tapered dagger rested against his hip.

"He will pay for this mistake," Elion answered.

He scanned the valley with his eyes, watching the red and gold banners of Halstad floating above the ramparts.

"Where are their forces stationed?"

Eridan pointed to a dot on the map that he quickly deployed on a campaign table.

The main troops are concentrated behind the ramparts. The Duke's knights are positioned on the eastern hill, behind a line of tirailleurs."

Elion put a hand on the card.

"We're going to attack at dusk."

"A frontal attack?" asked Eridan with a hint of hesitation.

"No," Elion replied. "We will feign a frontal attack to lure their knights to the plain." Once they are out, we will surround them and crush them."

Veyla smiled.

- "A classic ambush."

"Classic, but effective," replied Elion. "Their weakness is their confidence. They think we're just an army of conquest. They don't yet understand the true power of the Black Legion."

Eridan nodded.

"The troops are ready." When do we give the signal?"

Elion looked up at the sky, where the sun slowly disappeared behind the hills.

"As soon as night falls."

Night quickly settled over the valley. A thick mist rose from the ground, enveloping the battlefield with supernatural darkness. The Knights of Sky deployed silently, forming an impeccable line of attack.

Elion, mounted on his black steed, watched the enemy's movements from the hill. The campfires of Halstad's troops shone faintly in the distance.

A horn echoed in the night. The gates of the city opened slowly, revealing a line of foot soldiers in light armor, followed by the Duke's knights.

Eridan approached.

"They fall into the trap."

Elion bowed his head slowly.

- "In position."

The Knights of the Black Legion raised their rune shields, a black light running through their blades. Symbols of dark magic lit up along the armor, as the troops formed.

Veyla stepped forward, a predatory expression on her face.

"Can I open them?"

Elion smiled.

"Take pleasure."

Veyla disappeared in a volley of shadows. A few seconds later, screams echoed in the night. The first lines of tirailleurs were silenced in an instant. The torches fell to the ground, briefly illuminating Veyla's slender figure before she disappeared back into the darkness.

The Knights of Halstad hesitated, disorganized.

"Now." said Elion.

The Black Legion charged.

The ground shook under the weight of the rune armor. Lightning of black Ki sprang from the blades, tearing shields and enemy bodies into a ballet of dark light.

Eridan led the right flank, his two-handed sword hurling a wave of bluish energy that shattered the enemy ranks.

"For Sky!" he yelled.

Elion calmly stepped through the chaos. His black blade emitted a dark glow as he struck a duke's knight, breaking his armor in one strike.

A fire mage screamed, throwing a ball of flames at Elion. With a fluid gesture, Elion raised his hand. A black Ki barrier blocked the attack, deflecting it to the sky.

The mage stepped back, terrified.

"What... what are you?!"

Elion approached him, putting a hand on his forehead.

"The King of Sky."

A wave of dark energy bursts out of his hand, reducing the mage to dust.

Within minutes, Halstad's troops broke under pressure from the Black Legion. The Duke's knights tried to retreat, but Veyla intercepted them, cutting their escape route.

Elion raised his sword.

"Finish them."

The Black Legion obeyed without hesitation. The last soldiers fell under the weight of Sky's devastating power.

Silence fell on the battlefield, broken only by the crackling of dying torches.

Elion advanced towards the corpse of Baron Ardan, lying in the mud. He knelt down, snatching the Baron's medallion.

"The first stone is laid," he whispered.

Eridan approached.

"The Duke of Lorcan will answer this affront."

Elion sat up, his golden gaze shining in the dark.

"He won't have time to answer."

He turned to Veyla.

"Get ready to walk on Lorcan."

Veyla bowed her head.

"With pleasure."

Elion contemplated the battlefield littered with corps.

"This is just the beginning."

His gaze was lost towards the horizon, where the lights of Lorcan shone faintly in the distance.