Chapter 125

Chapter 125 Regressor of the Fallen Family Chapter 125 Boooo! Thud. As the horns sound echoed over the walls of Bifrost, the heavy iron gate constructed of heft timber descended across the moat, the knights were the first to pass through on their steeds. All 150 knights were clad in plate armor engraved with flame motifs across their chests. Armor expertly crafted from well-refined steel shone radiantly, boasting of their presence as they reflected the suns light. From amongst them, one stood out at the forefront, garbed in armor that was slightly more distinctive than the othersKnight Eileen, now dressed in custom-fit armor that matched her body, quite unlike the armor she wore when she first joined the knights. The armor suited her small stature and body shape perfectly, shimmering in a subtle shade of silver. Dont say things like Im just asking to die because Im visible, okay? Ive heard enough of that already. Eileen retorted sharply, perhaps feeling Logans gaze on her. Its just a way of showing concern for a fellow comrade. After all, there is no knight within our territory who does not acknowledge Lady Eileen Knight now. He quipped, withholding the second part of his thought that her nickname was a bit odd. Perhaps due to the unsaid words, Eileens expression brightened a little. Well youre probably right. She seemed mildly offended at first, but her expression quickly lightened, drawing a smile from Logan. Shes just nineteen after all. It was Logan who had given her the chance, but it was Eileens efforts that enabled her to adapt and fit in beyond expectation. She was worthy of praise. Above all, it suits you well. And judging by the color, thats no ordinary steel either. Ah, you think so? Hmm. Well, it was Hammer-nim who crafted it, mixing in mithril, so its defensive capability should be certain. Mithril? Dont look at it that way. Though I did use my fathers name to procure it, I paid with my own money. The reward money. Ah. Haha, whos to say otherwise? Its impressive. Certainly stands out enough to be worth the risk. Plus, it should make movement a lot easier. With mithril alloy in her custom-fit armor, it was certain that it would draw attention and likely improve her odds of survival through enhanced capability rather than increasing her chances of being targeted first. Hehe. Thank you. Seeing her smiling brightly, Logans heart eased. Ease my heart? Caught off-guard by his own thoughts, Logans expression hardened for a moment. I brought a well-living girl to a perilous place; its natural to feel a sense of responsibility. With that thought, he turned his head away from Eileen, catching a glimpse of the achievements his family had made. Behind the knights followed 1,500 crossbow cavalrymen, not in flashy plate armor like the knights but in quality chainmail, armed with repeating crossbows, and also equipped with auxiliary crossbows and swords at their sides. There were exactly twelve quivers of bolts secured to the back of each horse a standard armament for the McLaine crossbow cavalry. Now symbolic of the McLaine name, these troops were made up entirely of talented soldiers likely to become knights, and their achievements were splendid, so their pride was no less than that of the knights themselves. With shoulders back, the troops followed in an ordered march: shield bearers in the front line, with the rest in chainmail and equipped with spears and repeating crossbows. With no horses, they only had three quivers of bolts attached to their belts, but it was enough. There were already over 3,000 of them. Next came wagons at regular intervals, laden with rations and other consumables, including quivers, for the entire force to replenish. Though additional supplies might be sent later from Bifrost Castle, the current provisions were calculated to sustain at least 2-3 weeks of battle as an adequately stocked supply unit. At the forefront of all this, students of Golem Tower, including Clayton, were in place. They managed ten covered wagons, the contents of which were completely hidden. Clayton, guiding the wagon at the front, looked worriedly at the small girl sitting beside him. Victoria. Are you truly alright? Clayton could still feel the weight of the gazes from young lord Logans side towards himself, lined up in the distance. The watchful eyes of a knight with red and blue odd eyes kept turning his way. Its okay, Master. Brother wont say anything more. For your brothers worry about you Thats why! I need to show him that I can handle this on my own. For her brothers sake, too. Hmmm. However, do not stray from my side. I promised your brother as much. Yes, Master. While viewing the approaching McLaine forces from atop the fortress walls, Yordan Valdermaine couldnt help but chuckle repeatedly. Even though they were an additional force near one-eighth the size of the friendly 40,000 strong, his expression was oddly uneasy. And reading his expression, Roger Bifrost quickly interjected. No doubt theyre a ragtag bunch. Desperate to bolster their numbers with what little remained after their decimation before. Hmm Yet their movements suggest proper training, their equipment is also formidable. Arent you judging them a little too harshly, Roger, because of your personal dislike? Roger Bifrost rolled his eyes at his colleague, who was taking the contrary angle, Lucen Tarlos, with his generic brown hair and blue eyes an unremarkable figure common throughout the Grandia Kingdom. Lucen was a lazy good-for-nothing who, in Rogers mind, seemed to take pleasure in getting in others way without ambition or purpose. Had it not been for marrying the dukes niece, such a man would have likely declared neutrality. Yet, strangely, the Duke held Lucen in high esteem. Thus, he stood beside the Duke himself at present. And in such times, as now. What say you, Lucen? The Duke asked for his opinion first. Just a glance at their equipments quality seems on par with yours, Your Grace. They seem well-trained, and besides, if theyre as serious as they were when they humiliated you, they could be a significant force. If theyre not serious? If they have come with ill intent, it will be a deadly poison to our own cause. Roger Bifrost interrupted. Its rare that we agree. That would be the case if there was no other explanation. What? That supply, those troops. Wouldnt it be too costly? Had they arrived with a smaller elite force, maybe, but with such numbers, its too much for them to simply squander. Theyd be crushed and absorbed by the First Princes faction immediately if they lost that army. Not a fool would fail to see that Lucen threw out his indifferent response, and Roger Bifrost felt like a fool. But the Dukes words came faster. Tell His Highness the Prince. We will receive them. By all means, let it be grand. Your Grace! Dont be narrow-minded, Roger. Havent you forgotten the promise I made? Theyre only meant to be arrow fodder we can throw away in the end. Well, its not that, I just Enough of the long discussions. Use them to deal a blow to the First Princes faction while we rally for a turnaround. Keep just that in mind. As you wish. Not long after, McLaines army reached the front of the western fortress gates. The news was barely notified when the western gates of Alrun Fortress opened, leading to a force with the Phoenix banner moving ahead of them. A battalion of more than 500 knights. And among them, two superhumans. But foremost was a palanquin carried high by eight soldiers. the Second Prince, Romaine von Grandia. The young, arrogant prince sat atop the palanquin with a haughty expression as he observed the approaching McLaine household. Glory! Patrick McLaine pays homage to the rightful heir to the throne, His Highness Prince Romaine von Grandia! As Patrick knelt and saluted, his knights swiftly followed suit in unison. Behind them, the soldiers created a disorderly scene some knelt like the others while some simply stood, unsure. And the prince greeted the incoming McLaine house leader with considerable disdain. Rightful Hah. An expected phrase, but youre rather late. What is this fool on about? It was a comment that nearly caused Logan, who had bowed his head following his father, to inadvertently raise it in surprise.