The thought that someone like Nolan had once taken notice of his former, insignificant self stirred something deep in Vyke.
"For Lord Nolan, for the Lands Between, for all people, charge!"
Nepheli reacted just as swiftly, the lingering heat of magic fading from her body.
She led the infantry forward, following closely behind Nolan as they surged into battle.
The fortress walls were still holding, though battered and riddled with damage, on the verge of collapse.
Even so, they stubbornly stood.
Nolan raised his staff again. Several magic projectiles shot forward at incredible speed.
Cannon of Haima!
With a series of thunderous blasts, the walls could no longer hold.
The massive gates shattered into splinters, while chunks of stone and debris rained down.
The heavy cavalry thundered forward, their charge shaking the ground, kicking up dust like a pack of beasts rushing into the city.
The Founding Rain of Stars had not lasted long, and the surviving soldiers inside were quickly rallied.
They scrambled together and rushed toward the gates in a chaotic wave, trying to block the advance.
But the sight of the iron cavalry bearing down on them shattered their nerve.
Some had not even realized what was happening before their bodies were torn apart by lances, crushed into pulp beneath iron hooves.
At the center of the surging cavalry, Nolan stood out clearly.
Several heavily armored riders surrounded him, guarding him closely.
Melina stood quietly nearby. She had not entered her spirit form and simply watched the slaughter with cold detachment, showing no intention of intervening.
She had no plans to involve herself lightly in this battle.
If every danger required her to step in, then there would be no point in seeking allies at all.
Keeping himself at peak condition, Nolan took a sip of the blue Flask of Cerulean Tears while observing the battlefield.
The city was in chaos. Aside from the Miro family's elite troops, there were also Banished Knights and Redmane Knights present.
Banished Knights wandered the land without a home. Seeing them here was nothing unusual.
The Redmane Knights, however, belonged to Radahn's army. He had once been allied with these nobles.
Without the support of Godefroy and the local lords, that general would not have been able to cross Limgrave so easily and march toward the Royal Capital.
It was clear that this loyal Shardbearer had not stood aside or taken advantage of his allies' plight. Instead, he had sent forces to help.
"Radahn… I'm starting to look forward to fighting him."
Nolan let out a quiet chuckle. On the road to becoming a Lord, he was an enemy he could not avoid.
…
Clang, clang, clang.
A sharp, urgent alarm tore through the sky, echoing over Miro Fortress like rolling thunder.
The entire fortress was thrown into tension in an instant.
Knights in heavy armor, armed with long spears and shields, rushed out of their barracks at full speed.
As they ran, they pulled on their helmets in one smooth motion, their movements practiced and precise.
Count Luke was no fool.
Ever since the six baronies to the north had fallen one after another to the Tarnished, Miro Fortress had remained on the highest alert.
The soldiers on garrison duty did not dare relax for even a moment. Whether eating or sleeping, their weapons never left their hands, and their armor stayed on at all times.
Before long, a tall knight hurried into the great hall.
Before he could even steady himself, he shouted toward the middle-aged man seated high above in silver armor:
"My lord!"
"What is it?"
The man sprang to his feet.
His gleaming silver armor reflected a dazzling light, and the ornate cloak embroidered with golden thread draped over it made him look like a finely crafted work of art.
But now, with the alarm blaring outside, Count Luke was too anxious to care about appearances.
He paced back and forth in agitation, nearly stumbling before a nearby retainer rushed forward to steady him.
"My lord, bad news! The Tarnished have appeared!"
"What?"
A chill ran through Count Luke's chest.
At that moment, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble faintly.
His expression changed immediately.
"Where are they now? How many?"
"They've gathered at the main gate, my lord. There are over a thousand of them!"
The knight spoke quickly, doing his best to remain composed.
Heavy footsteps thundered closer from outside.
Count Luke's heart tightened as he turned toward the entrance.
A group of armored knights surged in like a flood.
They moved in haste, as if something terrible were chasing them.
They rushed forward and dropped to one knee in unison before the lord.
There were so many of them that the soldiers outside began pushing and crowding, the scene turning chaotic.
What is going on? Instead of reinforcing the front line, why are they all coming here?
Count Luke could not make sense of it.
Then, with a series of sharp metallic sounds, several swords were drawn at once.
The enemy was at the gates, yet these men had come here instead of fighting. It was hard not to suspect something was wrong.
And yet, they knelt as soon as they arrived, showing no sign of hostility, leaving the guards uncertain.
The atmosphere turned strange. No one spoke. The tension was suffocating.
One knight slowly raised his head, glancing around with a helpless look.
He took a breath and said,
"My lord, forgive my presumption. The Tarnished attacked, and the sky was suddenly covered by dark clouds. A strange sorcery descended."
"It was too powerful. Our shields and armor could not withstand it."
"With no other choice, I made the decision to withdraw here with my men. I beg your forgiveness!"
His armor was soaked in blood. The sight alone was enough to silence any doubt.
Count Luke's heart lurched as a sense of dread rose within him.
Could that violent tremor just now...
It had felt like the end of the world.
But if they had all retreated, then what of the fortress?