In just two minutes, Henwell leads his men to completely annihilate the attacking force of over three hundred.
At that moment, another cavalry squad charges in from the distance, clearly having received the news, rushing forward in full assault formation.
Seeing this, Obian grips his sword hilt, ready to shout for his men to mount and fight.
But his adjutant whispers, âSir, that looks like the kingdomâs cavalry. Their charge formation is similar to ours.â
In the end, Obian restrains his impulse and watches the situation unfold quietly.
Henwell and his group canât make it back to the manor in time.
Facing a cavalry charge out on the open plain, even knights risk being killed.
Henwell pinches his thumb and forefinger together, bringing them to his lips and letting out a sharp, piercing whistle.
Hearing this special whistle, Obianâs knuckles whiten as he tightens his grip on his sword.
Just as heâs about to leap down and verify whatâs happening, a massive figure bursts through the darkness, charging straight at Henwell.
Henwell sidesteps his Night Chargerâs charge, swings himself off the saddle, and leaps onto a galloping warhorse.
He draws his war spear from the horseâs side and charges headlong into the five hundred-strong cavalry force.
Following Henwellâs lead, Orak arrives with dozens of warhorses beside the knights holding the defensive line.
The knights mount their horses, draw their lances, and charge after Henwell, following Orak.
By now, Henwell has plunged alone into the enemy ranks, swinging his war spear to unhorse rider after rider.
Before they hit the ground, theyâre already dead.
The spearâs blade, over half a meter long, slices through armor and flesh with Henwellâs incredible strength.
Leaving a massive gap in the enemy formation, Henwell breaks through their lines.
Then, gripping the war spear tightly with both hands, he thrusts it hard into the ground.
The spearâs butt digs deep into the soil.
The huge momentum carves a deep, narrow furrow in the earth.
Night Chargerâs speed visibly drops as Henwell steers with a tight arc, turning toward the enemyâs rear to strike again.
After all the trials in Newwood, Night Chargerâs abilities have truly transformed. Its incredible physique grants it a fierce burst of power.
After a few breaths, it catches up to the rear cavalry again.
This time, itâs no longer a brief, intense frontal clash but Henwell trailing behind, unleashing ruthless slaughter.
Just then, Orak and the knights charge headlong into the enemy lines.
Watching Henwell dart left and right through the enemy ranks, undefeated in every encounter,
Obianâs adjutant remarks, âThe Lord of Blood Hillâs bravery is truly well-deserved!â
The kingâs envoy nods in agreement, âThis guy is fierce. To fight so skillfully in such chaotic night combat is impressive!â
Obian mutters, staring at Henwellâs fierce battle, âTell me, how much hardship and pain has he endured to gain such skill?â
Everyone is stunned by Henwellâs valor, barely noticing Obianâs mood.
The adjutant shrugs, âWho knows? They say he was once a gladiator. Countless battles, life hanging by a thread.â
The envoy adds, âThough on different sides, no one can deny heâs remarkable. A son like thatâif only all children were so. Luckily, heâs common-born; if he were noble-born, heâd be even more formidable!â
Obian stares blankly, âDo you think his parents would really want him to suffer so much?â
The adjutant shrugs again, âIf he were my son, Iâd be laughing in my sleep!â
The envoy chuckles, âDonât even mention you! Even His Majesty would wake laughing if he had such a prince!â
Obian says nothing.
No, his parents would truly worry about him.
Just then, Obian spots a group trying to scale the wall and sneak into the manor, aiming to sabotage Henwellâs carriage and the remaining warhorses.
A sudden surge of anger wells up inside him. âCowards!â
Without hesitation, he draws his longbow and shoots an arrow, killing one of the attackers attempting to kill the horses.
The kingâs envoy looks at Obian in surprise. âViscount, what are you doing?â
Obian pauses, then frowns. âThough we have orders to eliminate Vorryâs faction, we are knights, not sneaky assassins! If we kill them, it should be through honorable, face-to-face combat. Itâs respect for the enemy and for ourselves as Golden Guard Knights.â
His adjutant nods. âExactly.â
He then fires an arrow, killing another attacker trying to ambush Henwellâs base.
Obian shouts, âShoot down those despicable scoundrels!â
All the knights immediately leap onto the walls, raining arrows down on the attackers surrounding the manor.
The ambushers, under attack, quickly realize the knights are not just Henwellâs men but a other force.
They retaliate with arrows and split into over a hundred, preparing to rush and overwhelm the knights.
An arrow, by chance, flies toward Obian. It donât aimed at him but at the kingâs envoy beside him.
Heavily weighted, the arrow strikes with force, forcing the envoy to step back, leaving a dent in his finely crafted armor.
The kingâs envoy fumes, âDamn beasts! How dare they! Viscount, drive them back!â
Just the words Obian waits for.
He draws his longsword and jumps down from the second floor. âKnights! Follow me into battle!â
Over eighty knights form up behind Obian, bypassing the main gate and smashing through the wall to charge at the approaching attackers.
The Golden Guard Knights are Baleqiâs elite force, painstakingly assembled with great expense.
Each knight is handpicked, meeting strict standards of personal skill and potential.
The eighty-plus knights with Obian are the cream of his thousand-strong unit.
Among them, including Obian, are five Battle Knights.
They are the elite of the elite.
Without counting Henwellâs men, this squad matches the Western expedition force in individual skill and overall strength.
Faced with the Golden Guard Knightsâ charge, the attackers stand no chance. Theyâre shattered in a single assault.
Obian leads the charge into the manor, wiping out every intruding assassin.
Half an hour later, a bloodied Henwell returns to the manor gate.
Seeing Obian standing there with his sword, Henwell lowers his head, avoiding eye contact.
Orak dismounts and steps forward. âThank you for your aid. May I know your name?â
âFourth Captain of the Golden Guard Knights, Viscount of Mengluoso, ObianâObian from Diversion Bay!â
Orak blinks, puzzled by the unusual self-introduction.
Still, he bows. âOrak of the Phoenix family, Knight Lord of Beasley. Thank you for your help!â