The Valkyrie stood encircled by a cadre of formidable warriors, a torrent of iron trailing in her wake. An aura of dominance radiated from her, surging forward to meet the enemy. The Redmane army, positioned as defenders, held their ground at the swamp's edge, motionless and resolute.
Unlike the Haligtree Army, which had united several factions, the Redmane knights were vastly outnumbered. They were scattered among each squadron, serving as commanders, which made General Radahn appear less imposing. But Throne knew the truth—the outcome of this war hinged on the duel between Radahn and Malenia. Clang. Clang. Clang.
The heavy thud of footsteps grew louder as the Haligtree Army advanced. Radahn, a man of direct action, bypassed probes and schemes, plunging straight into the fray. The two forces closed the distance. On a distant hilltop, breath was held tight—the pressure on the frontlines was unimaginable.
The gap between the armies narrowed to three miles. Malenia, leading from the front, abruptly raised her right hand. Boom! Iron boots struck the ground in unison, and the massive army halted. The sound was deafening. Warhorses stamped uneasily; soldiers gripped their weapons, palms slick with sweat.
Silence engulfed the battlefield. Only the flutter of banners and the snort of horses broke the stillness. "Your Highness," Finlay turned her head, speaking quickly, "the Redmane are baiting us to attack."
"They aim to use the swamp to neutralize our cavalry and drag us into chaos. Our siege weapons would be useless." Both sides were battle-hardened; Radahn's strategy was transparent. He sought to bog down the Haligtree Army in the riverbanks' mire. Malenia gave a slight nod.
She had seen it too—a charge into that encampment would trap her forces like a stubborn rock at their backs. "Thoughts?" She glanced at her commanders. "We should retreat ten miles, establish our own encampment, and bleed them slowly."
Veteran General ONeil, clutching the military banner, raised his riding crop and pointed into the distance. "Advance the golems, have the cavalry charge repeatedly, and push the encampment forward until we're right on top of them."
It was a strategy of fortified camps and attrition, but victory was likely—it leveraged the legion's collective strength. "How long?" "Given the Redmane's resolve, at least half a month." Malenia paused, then shook her head. "No. Too long."
The veteran was stunned. For a battle deciding the fate of The Lands Between, half a month was trivial. "Are you concerned about Lord Miquella?" "Partly." The Valkyrie's gaze fixed on the burly figure in the distance. "Don't forget—our rations last only half a month."
"Radahn has shown us respect by meeting us head-on. Do you think he won't resort to schemes?" The generals fell silent. Ivan, a Cleanrot Knight on the perimeter, recalled a jest Throne had made and couldn't resist interjecting. "Your Highness is right."
Radahn is a warrior, but he is no fool. If we adopt a conservative strategy, he won't just stand there stupidly waiting to die." In the strictly hierarchical Haligtree Army, he would normally have no right to speak during a military council of this level, but Ivan's words still caused all the bigwigs to look his way. "What do you think he will do?"
Finlay stared at him with her emerald eyes, thinking that if he couldn't explain himself, she would give this idiot a good beating when they got back. "Ahem, they will retreat into the swamp and let us pass." "You idiot!" Finlay raised her riding crop, furious, but was stopped by the Valkyrie. "Ivan, continue."
The knight, who was preparing to receive a whipping of love, suddenly found his courage and answered eloquently: "Caelid is too vast for us to occupy entirely, and there must be large amounts of supplies hidden within the swamp. Moreover, this area is right in the center of Caelid; they can strike from all sides to harass our logistics.
Coupled with General Radahn's Gravity Magic, I fear we might end up wiped out if things go wrong." The Lands Between was not the Middle Ages; individual strength was enough to alter the course of a war. To put it in terms used by the Lunar people, the Valkyrie excelled at anti-personnel combat, while General Radahn was specialized in anti-army warfare.
Once the Redmane poured out of the swamp, the Haligtree Army would have to divide its forces to respond. "Indeed, I cannot be everywhere at once, and even a regiment of a thousand men would be instantly wiped out if they encountered Radahn." The Valkyrie nodded, causing the generals' expressions to turn serious.
An army always needs to rest; facing an enemy striking from all sides, they would naturally have to huddle together for defense. But once gathered, they would become a giant target; a few meteorites dropped down and everyone would be dead. Plus, since Radahn could fly, trying to catch him was nothing short of a fantasy. This touched upon a sore spot for Malenia.
She was here to find Miquella, but she lacked a clear objective. Even without harassment, she would still need to spread out her army to search for him; she had no time to play hide-and-seek with Radahn. If a powerful demigod chooses to play dirty, it is nearly unsolvable. "That person told you this, didn't he?" Looking at the complacent knight, the Valkyrie mercilessly exposed him. Uh.
Ivan paused, then had to nod honestly. "Yes, it was indeed him who said it. The original words were that a powerful demigod is not scary, but a powerful fighter who plays dirty is despair-inducing, and Caelid never lacks the capital to play dirty." It wasn't just Radahn; those Night Sorcerers were also experts at sneak attacks, holding the advantage in small-squad skirmishes. It was him, indeed.
Malenia looked at the surrounding red earth, but she didn't dwell on the missing little figure; in fact, she had expected it long ago. Do not look at the Haligtree Army's unparalleled military edge; that only works if the enemy fights head-on. If they abandon martial honor, this legion would surely be the first to bleed dry. "Your Highness, should we talk to Radahn?"
Finlay was also feeling a headache coming on, feeling as though the army was like a great beast that had blundered into a quagmire; the more it struggled, the deeper it sank, and it was already too late to turn back.
Limgrave's capacity to endure had reached its limit, Liurnia was mired in constant chaotic fighting, and the Altus Plateau had already seen a victor emerge, with Morgott leading his defeated troops back to the capital. It could be said that it was easy to come, but difficult to return. "Talk about what? Do you think he will make way and let us run wild in Caelid?" No one answered.
The matter was too obvious. Radahn was not Godrick; Miquella's disappearance was none of his business. Allowing his greatest rival to run amok in his own territory—where would he put his face? Besides, if they really wanted to avoid this battle, they would have sent someone to negotiate when the Haligtree Army conquered Stormveil; why wait until they were right in his face to relent?
The black-haired Marais rode over and said viciously, "Your Highness, negotiation is a ruse. The truth is to swarm him and take down Radahn. As long as the Starscourge is dead..." "Shut up." Malenia looked at him coldly until the latter shrank his neck, then she averted her gaze. "Radahn has his dignity, and I have my pride!"
She took a deep breath, looked at the opposing, not-so-orderly military formation, and slowly raised her prosthetic blade. "Pass the order: the entire army is to prepare for an assault. Begin the battle!" The rumbling sound of footsteps echoed once more as the Haligtree Army began to shift its formation, bringing the giant golems into the center of the ranks.
This scene was entirely observed by Radahn, who still kept his arms crossed, but a smile had already appeared at the corner of his mouth. "General, they have come indeed!" The Grand Sage Edred rode up. He was currently a man under indictment, but he had no regrets about entering this grand battlefield. "Hmm, Malenia didn't have many choices.
This is how it should be; how can one wage war without taking risks?" Radahn appeared rough, but in reality, he had already calculated all of the opponent's options to death. If they retreated, he would stick to them and join forces with the local nobles of Limgrave, ensuring the Haligtree Army could not escape.
If they advanced step by step, then they shouldn't blame him for not adhering to martial honor. He knew the mountains and rivers of all of Caelid by heart, and the militia had already been mobilized. What right did the Haligtree Army, having come from afar, have to fight him? "Hahaha, this is good too! Let's finish it quickly so we can go drink!" Radahn laughed heartily.
For him, there was nothing more pleasurable than defeating an enemy; if there was, it would be an even stronger enemy. "Pass the order: the entire army is to slowly retreat into the swamp. Disperse the knights and engage them in hundred-man squads—stick to them until they die!" He had the advantage of terrain, while the opponent had strong troops and sturdy horses.
This battle was truly the most blood-pumping, fifty-fifty match. "Understood!" The Grand Sage received the order and rode off, and the already somewhat loose lines began to retreat. Soldiers stepped into the sludge and ducked into the thickets, while another portion entered the encampment. The golems raised their greatbows, and fire-bombs were loaded into the catapults.
Viewed from the sky, the two great armies advanced and retreated. In front of the encampment, only a single figure faced those iron cavalry and soldiers. After a moment, Radahn took down his greatbow, and a purple radiance suppressed the morning sunlight along with it. "Let's start with a greeting, Valkyrie!" He released his fingers, and the Gravity arrow flew out like a purple meteor.
Malenia stepped on her saddle and met it nimbly, a sword aura over ten meters long lingering in the air. Clang!! A white shockwave sent sand and stones flying, and the great arrow flew into the sky. The Valkyrie was pushed back several meters by the inertia and lightly shook her long blade. Whoosh—the dust vanished in an instant.
She leaned forward, saw Radahn riding away while laughing, slowly raised her blade, and then pointed forward. "Where the Princess's blade points, our iron hooves shall follow!" Finlay paced in front of the knights and suddenly raised her spear. "Valiant knights, follow me in the charge, and trample these Caelid people!" "Begin the incantations, do not spare your stamina!"
"First, Fifth, and Eighth Infantry Squads—advance! Take that encampment!" "Archers, nock fire arrows!" "Catapults, creeping barrage!"
The blare of horns mixed with the roar of men. Flashes of incantations lit the sky, then faded. Silence shattered into storm. The thunder of hooves grew louder—the cavalry, hundreds strong, surged forward.
Finlay led the charge, her mount tearing through the rain of arrows. From the enemy encampment, golems loosed their bowstrings. A whistling volley of arrows, thick as spears, ripped through the air. One struck a Marais knight square in the chest.
The warhorse crumpled instantly, flesh and bone ground to pulp. The knight's plate armor splintered like paper. He didn't scream—didn't have time. His body exploded into a crimson mist. The hooves behind trampled what remained, churning it into the dirt.
The earth drank deep, savoring the first blood spilled to open this battle's curtain.
It had begun.
Throne held his breath the moment the cavalry surged. From his vantage point, the clash of steel, the frenzy of horses, left a searing impression. This was his first taste of large-scale combat—no towering city walls to shield him. Just two armies, face-to-face, tearing into each other. The sight chilled him.
Strength mattered here—but only at a certain level. Individual skill meant nothing in this chaos. Bodies pressed together, no room to dodge or weave. No chance to unleash martial prowess.
Catapults rained destruction. Golem arrows pierced flesh like paper. Even the finest armor couldn't withstand dozens of spears or longbows firing at once.
Neighing warhorses threw their riders. Iron hooves trampled them into paste.
Finlay pressed forward, her charge swift, decisive. The Redmane forces hadn't yet retreated into the forest. She spotted their five-line rearguard. A bloodthirsty smile curled her lips.
"Follow me—hold them back!"
Her warhorse kicked up dust, leaping meters at a time. Ahead, a shield wall bristled with spears. To her left, archers manned a wooden palisade. Arrows rained down, felling dozens. But more raised their shields, leveled their spears, tightened their grip on their mounts.
"Kill!"
Her shout split the air. Finlay surged ahead, her moon-blade spear glowing golden. The Holy Spear Barrier fanned out, snapping spears, shattering shields. The dense formation ripped apart. Knights poured through the breach.
Bodies flew, blood spraying. They hit the ground and were trampled into pulp. Storm Art and Haligtree thrusts lit the air, widening the gap. The cavalry wedge split into two, driving the breakthrough left and right.
"Warriors, follow!"
The veteran general raised the banner. A thousand infantrymen advanced, shields locked. The right flank became the focus. Archers suppressed the Redmane encampment as arrows filled the sky. Bodies fell on both sides.
The veteran general raised the military banner, and the neat infantry regiment of a thousand men followed with shields raised; it was clear they had placed the main direction of attack on the right flank. As they advanced, the accompanying archers suppressed the Redmane encampment, and arrows flew back and forth in the sky, with many on both sides falling.
Their comrades surged forward without hesitation, filling every gap in the line. Giant fire-bombs arced through the air, crashing into the crowd. Soldiers erupted into human torches, their screams piercing the chaos as they fled in all directions. None made it far—arrows cut them down before they could take more than a few steps.
The wooden walls of the Redmane encampment splintered under the assault. Massive arrows tore through, sending limbs flying like petals scattered by a storm. On this battlefield, knights were nothing more than cannon fodder. Heroes? Just numbers in a ledger.
A battle-hardened Banished Knight swung his greatsword, carving through a dozen men. His blade hissed through the air, still charging for another strike. Shadows moved. Javelins shot out from the darkness, skewering him until he bristled like a hedgehog. Nearby, a Misbegotten with strength worthy of legend flung a Cleanrot Knight aside. It paused to catch its breath. A warhorse thundered past, severing its hands in a single stroke.
The creature bared its teeth, ready to bite. The second line of cavalry surged forward. Spears thrust upward, lifting the Misbegotten into the air like a grotesque trophy. The Cleanrot Knight, once formidable, tumbled from his horse. He staggered to his feet, only to be met by a dozen spears thrusting from every direction. Here, no one was the hero.
There was a saying about "three dogs slaughtering a fire-bringer." But here, who wasn't facing attacks from dozens? Sturdy greatshields, crossbows firing from the shadows, even lightning pots hurled into the fray. A single misstep, and regret wasn't an option.
The Haligtree Army pressed forward, their momentum unrelenting. Slowly, the tide turned in their favor. The Redmane forces couldn't break free, pushed backward inch by inch. Malenia sat atop her white horse at the rear, her gaze sweeping the battlefield. Banners and armor filled her view. Her voice cut through the din, cold and commanding. "Second, Third, and Seventh Squads, advance."
"Deploy the golems and Trolls to breach the camp." She turned to another officer. "First and Fifth Squads, reinforce the front line. Tell Finlay not to get bogged down. Charge into the swamp and flank north." The air crackled with shouts and the clash of steel, but beneath it all, a thunderous rumble grew.
From the south side of the swamp, a squad of two hundred Redmane Guard emerged. Their helmets gleamed, red tassels flowing like a sea in motion. They circled around, driving straight into the flank of the Haligtree infantry. "Redmane Guard," Malenia murmured. "As expected, they were prepared."
Her eyes locked onto the knights. They didn't charge headlong into the Haligtree's defensive formation. Instead, they swept past, greatbows raised. The sound of arrows slicing through the air filled the battlefield—swish, swish, swish. Like a sudden downpour, the arrows fell.
These weren't ordinary arrows. They were as thick as spears, punching through shields and men alike, turning them into bloodied sieves. On the camp walls, Redmane soldiers concentrated their fire, pinning the Haligtree regiments in a deadly crossfire. Soldiers fell like wheat before a scythe, their bodies piling up, trapping the reinforcements in place.
Back at the swamp's edge, warriors poured from the woods, launching a counter-charge. The Haligtree cavalry, their momentum spent, were pinned down. Malenia and Radahn, two of The Lands Between's greatest commanders, had locked into a stalemate.
"Breach the camp immediately. Tell Finlay to dismount and fight on foot; retreat is not allowed, not even a single step!" Malenia watched for a dozen seconds, her voice icy. She turned to the two or three hundred cavalry waiting at her side.