Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1194 - 24 The Great Alliance Moves Forward (9)

Chapter 1194: Chapter 24 The Great Alliance Moves Forward (9)

"Clang."

"Clang."

"Clang."

The saber clashed against saber, sparks flying, ringing sharply.

Two light cavalry junior officers fiercely battled on horseback; if not for the differently colored silk bands wrapped around their arms, they would be nearly indistinguishable.

Because not only were their attire similar, their age alike, but even the skills they employed in slashing and stabbing were taught by the same mentor.

The sabers hissed through the air, drawing graceful arcs beside them; the panicked warhorses neighed continuously, equally kicking and biting each other.

The two junior officers engaged back and forth, as if performing some kind of special dance.

Yet what they held in their hands were neither harmless props nor practice wooden swords, but fearsome weapons capable of easily ripping flesh and fracturing bones.

And the "venue" wasn’t a training ground, let alone a theater stage, merely a nameless wild land near a quiet little village.

The curved sabers danced up and down, as agile as extensions of their arms; no referee and no audience, the junior officers employed masterful techniques that only each other could appreciate, striving to take each other’s lives.

In this death duel, ultimately, the elder with a white silk band on his arm—Captain Luosong of Thunder Group County—proved superior.

As the cold gleam of the blade flashed before his eyes, Captain Luosong raised his saber to block, simultaneously using his knee to maneuver the warhorse’s direction. He seized the fleeting opportunity to occupy his opponent’s weak side, swung back his shoulder, delivering a sharp strike.

The junior officer with a red silk band on his arm was forced into an extremely awkward posture to defend, inadvertently exposing the side of his saber under Captain Luosong’s blade.

The saber in his hand emitted a faint sigh, the internal lattice defect within the saber rapidly grew under the stress, ultimately leading to misfortune.

The saber of the junior officer with the red band was directly severed by Captain Luosong’s full force strike.

The momentum of Captain Luosong’s steel blade did not wane, followed by leaving a terrifying wound on the opponent’s back.

The wound stretched from shoulder to backbone, blood surged out, soaking the uniform instantly. Amidst the blurred lines of flesh, stark white bone shards faintly appeared.

The junior officer with the red silk band on his shoulder let out a chilling scream from his throat, fiercely spurred the horse forward, fleeing northwards at full gallop.

This small-scale cavalry encounter outside River Valley Village shifted direction in an instant.

The still-living cavalry soldiers of the New Reclamation Expeditionary Army were already injured, upon witnessing their officer retreating while heavily wounded, they immediately scattered in escape.

Captain Luosong watched his opponent leave, did not pursue the retreat. Blood dripped from his saber, falling onto the wild grass-covered ground.

This battle occurring in River Valley Village has yet to be given a name, both participating sides fear, curse, and await it for a long time.

But in truth, it has just begun.

Without sparing time to tally the results, Captain Luosong, leading six subordinates still able to mount horses, dashed straight towards the east. After traversing several low hills, an advancing army abruptly appeared before him.

It was a majestic sight:

Spears like a forest slanting towards the sky, carving an insurmountable straight line on the earth;

Armored soldiers at the front of the lines leading the vast army, holding shining long halberds;

The cavalry on both wings kicked up overwhelming dust clouds, their ornate feathers on helmets rippling with the warhorses’ strides.

In the rear of the enemy’s formation, Captain Luosong noticed a large column advancing, flanking towards the south of River Valley Village—bearing flags belonging to forces other than the New Reclamation Legion.

Captain Luosong wanted to continue observing, however, like a hive with ants, when an army moves in coordination, its behavior will resemble that of an intelligent living being.

Soon, the "living being" being watched realized unidentified cavalry appeared beside it.

Two cavalry units swiftly surged from the wings, resembling outstretched arms, "embracing" towards Captain Luosong’s group.

Captain Luosong didn’t linger, unhesitatingly ordered a retreat, carrying the latest intelligence on the enemy, riding swiftly back towards River Valley Village.

...

[Mirror Lake County]

[River Valley Village]

River Valley Village is located at the northern foot of Yunque Mountain, situated atop a small mound at the valley’s exit, hence the name.

Due to the terrain, the gathered waters in the valley curve before it, forming a zigzag; likewise, due to the terrain, the province’s main road skirts the village, leaving an abrupt turn.

However, its terrain isn’t high enough to be impenetrable, nor the river protecting it deep enough to be uncrossable.

Much like its unremarkable name, River Valley Village is a nondescript place.

Church, farmhouse, dirt road, small plots of vegetable garden in the backyard, vast fields surrounding the settlement...

It houses only a dozen families and an old, dilapidated church, as ordinary, serene, and untroubled as any farm in the Newly Reclaimed Lands Province.

In fact, most villagers can’t tell whether they fall under the jurisdiction of Changhai Town or Sheze Town.

However, whether River Valley Village is special or innocent, fate chose it to bear the flames of war without reason or consideration of its willingness.

The Four Counties Allied Forces are surging into this small farm, with each passing second, the number of soldiers in the village increases.

The recruit from Mont Blanc County, "Erno," is among them.