As Azpen took the lead, the cavalry surged forward.
Unlike yesterday, the earth mages had already begun their work. Instead of creating a straight road toward the nest, they reshaped the battlefield itself. Keeping the nest at the center, they flattened the surrounding ground in a wide circle, removing rocks, tree stumps, and uneven terrain. There was no single attack lane anymore. We could approach from several directions.
Beside Azpen rode some men, five on each side, carrying long tower shields strapped to their backs.
At first, I didn't understand why.
Normally, when assaulting a fortification, the first rule was to use blunt weapons like hammers or maces to break through walls and gates.
So why were they carrying shields instead?
After riding for some time, we finally reached the nest.
Only then did I understand.
Yesterday, the nest had been protected by a single wooden barricade.
Now there were two.
The original wall still surrounded the nest, while another crude barricade had been built outside it overnight using sharpened logs and freshly cut trees.
Lizardmen stood behind the outer wall with long spears ready.
Behind them, rows of archers waited with arrows already nocked.
So that was the reason for the shield bearers.
They weren't here to break walls.
They were here to protect us from the first volley of arrows.
Our scouts had done their job this time.
Azpen never slowed down.
Neither did the cavalry behind him.
The moment the lizardmen spotted us, they quickly formed ranks. Long spears pointed toward our charge while the archers behind them raised their bows.
Then the first volley came.
There was no point trying to dodge.
Our only option was to maintain the formation and reach the barricade before the arrows could break our charge.
Azpen remained at the very front.
Not once did he look back.
His horse continued charging without slowing.
We followed close behind, trusting the formation.
I tightened the reins.
Rusty understood immediately and surged forward.
The arrows descended like black rain.
Every mounted mercenary held their position.
No one broke formation.
We simply kept charging behind Azpen.
Just then, the men riding beside Azpen suddenly shifted formation.
They moved into a spearhead formation with Azpen at its tip.
The shield bearers rushed to the front, raising their massive shields.
As the arrows fell, they released their Aura.
I had heard stories that high-ranking knights could manifest their Aura outside their bodies, almost like a mage casting a spell.
Now I was seeing it with my own eyes.
A thick wall of silver Aura spread from their shields, forming an eight-foot barrier that covered the entire spearhead formation.
The arrows struck the Aura wall with countless dull thuds.
Most bounced away.
Some shattered.
Only a few slipped through, wounding several knights, but the formation never broke.
Protected behind the moving wall, we continued our charge.
Then Azpen moved.
He drew the greatsword from his back with both hands.
The front line of lizardmen lowered their spears, preparing to stop him.
Even from a distance, I could see how tightly they gripped their weapons.
Azpen swung.
A massive crescent of blazing fire erupted from the greatsword.
The flaming arc tore across the battlefield.
It sliced through the outer barricade as if it didn't exist.
Spears snapped.
Wood exploded into burning fragments.
Every lizardman caught in its path was cut apart or thrown aside.
Anything the attack touched either burned or shattered.
The outer defense collapsed in a single strike.
Without slowing down, Azpen charged straight through the opening.
That single attack became our signal.
The shield knights lowered their barriers and surged forward.
The lizardman archers barely had time to reach for another arrow before we crashed into them.
The first raid on the nest had begun.