At Azpen's command, the scout disappeared into the forest to search for the best possible location for our next attack.
Meanwhile, we moved from one place to another.
No one spoke.
We had scouts...
But there was no guarantee the lizardmen didn't have scouts of their own.
We didn't know the full extent of their preparations.
That was why it was always better to assume the worst.
We moved again, slowly and carefully, keeping our distance from the enemy's army.
I kept my Sensory Field active.
Compared to yesterday, the headache was much more manageable.
Perhaps the increase in my aura was helping my body handle the strain.
More than an hour passed.
The sun climbed high into the sky.
It was almost time for lunch when the scout finally returned.
But he wasn't alone.
At almost the same time, a crow descended and landed on Azpen's shoulder.
Azpen removed the message and quickly read it.
A smile appeared on his face.
He looked toward us.
"Stay calm."
"The attack on the nest is complete."
"The remaining lizardmen inside have been eliminated."
A wave of relief passed through the mercenaries.
He continued.
"Our infantry is already establishing defensive positions around the nest."
"They'll hold it until the Northern Knights arrive."
That meant our objective had changed again.
We no longer needed to destroy the nest.
We only needed to keep the marching lizardmen occupied...
And survive long enough for the Northern Knights to arrive.
The scout then explained that he had found a suitable position.
The swamp became shallower there, with firmer ground beneath our horses' feet.
On one side stood a dense wall of trees.
On the other side, however, the forest became much thinner.
Only a small number of swordsmen appeared to be stationed on the left side of the march.
More importantly...
The rear of the formation consisted mainly of shield bearers and spearmen who were moving backward while watching the road behind them.
Azpen listened carefully.
Then he looked toward us.
"Let's go."
"We'll meet them there."
This time, Azpen chose a different formation.
"The spearhead formation worked when we had a narrow target."
"But this time..."
"We'll use the Hammerhead Formation."
Everyone listened.
Azpen continued explaining.
"We'll spread out horizontally."
"Then we'll charge together."
"Think of a hammer striking a wall."
"The entire formation hits at once."
"This gives us a wider impact point."
He pointed toward the enemy's formation.
"We won't try to stay engaged."
"Strike..."
"Break through..."
"Then retreat."
His voice became serious.
"Kill if you can."
"But don't chase."
"If you become separated from the formation..."
"Return immediately."
"Don't become greedy."
Everyone nodded.
Azpen then gave the final instructions.
"If lost.."
"Follow the sun whenever possible."
"In the morning, move with the sun."
"At night, use the stars and the direction of the mountains."
"Stay beneath the mountain shadows."
"Don't light fires."
"Don't make unnecessary noise."
"We need to preserve our position until the final moment."
He looked toward the distant battlefield.
"Our attack must surprise them."
Eventually, we reached the position.
From where we were hiding, I could see the lizardmen marching in the distance.
Some were walking.
Others were riding water lizards.
But we knew one thing.
There were many of them.
Everyone tightened their grip on their weapons.
No one spoke.
Even the horses seemed unusually quiet.
I could hear my own breathing.
Around me...
I could hear the breathing of every mercenary.
Everyone stared toward the approaching army.
We waited.
And waited.
The marching column slowly came closer.
Then I saw them.
Their rear guard was moving backward as usual.
But this time, something was different.
Our target was the left side of the formation.
There were many swordsmen there.
Some carried swords.
Others carried maces.
I couldn't see many spearmen or shield bearers protecting that side.
Azpen noticed it too.
He didn't shout.
He simply drew his large sword.
That was our signal.
Everyone understood.
We rushed forward.
No war cries.
No horns.
No shouting.
Nothing.
Only the sound of hooves pounding against the ground.
The trees hid us until the last possible moment.
By the time the lizardmen noticed us...
It was already too late.
Panic spread through their ranks.
They turned toward us.
Shield bearers and spearmen from the rear began rushing toward the attack.
But they couldn't reorganize quickly enough.
Our Hammerhead Formation slammed into their left flank.
The impact was immediate.
The lizardmen were thrown into confusion.
I was positioned toward the right side of our formation, close to the enemy's rear.
I tightened my grip on my spear.
My eyes locked onto a lizardman who had just noticed me.
For a brief moment...
Our eyes met.
He raised his weapon.
I moved first.
I swung my spear downward.
The axe blade attached to its side carved through his defense and struck across his upper body.
The force of the blow drove him backward.
Before I could even stop the movement...
I followed the swing with a forward thrust.
The spear point drove into another lizardman nearby.
And that was when the real strike began.
Our entire Hammerhead Formation crashed into the enemy's flank at once.
The lizardmen had no time to reorganize.
Their formation broke apart.
And we drove deeper into their ranks.