The Battle of Qiaoying Village
Outside Qiaoying Village, the winds and clouds shifted ominously.
Four massive armies converged on the plain outside the village, like four galloping giant dragons. Yelan's rebel army wore black armor like a surging tide, their flags embroidered with silver-white waves, symbolizing the tide of resistance surging in the darkness; Traveler Aether's army, composed of adventurers and volunteers from all seven nations, boasted diverse equipment but shared equally resolute gazes; the Fontaine Army, adorned in gorgeous armor, stood with spears like a forest and marched in perfect unison, showcasing the elegance and might of the hydro nation; the Sumeru Army led by Dehya consisted of warriors with diverse complexions, hailing from both the rainforest and the desert, their war drums beating as steadily and powerfully as a heartbeat.
Six armies, sixty thousand soldiers in total, formed their battle formations outside Qiaoying Village.
Inside the village, eighty thousand troops of Yuan Xi's army stood in full battle readiness. Behind the towering stockade walls, banners fluttered loudly, and shields and armor stood in grim order. Yuan Xi personally took command, flanked by his two most trusted generals — Zhang He and Gao Lan.
"Sixty thousand against eighty thousand..." Yelan stood at the front of the formation, closing her folding fan gently, her eyes blazing like torches. "In this battle, we prevail through unity."
Aether rode a white steed at the intersection of the three armies, his gaze calm and profound. "Unity can break even metal."
Dehya tightened her reins, pointing her spear skyward. "Then let them witness the wrath of Sumeru!"
The commander of the Fontaine Army gave a standard military salute. "For justice!"
War drums thundered, shaking the very ground beneath their feet.
The General Trapped in Mist
At the very moment the battle began, an eerie thick fog suddenly rose on the eastern side of the battlefield. This mist was not natural; it carried a faint cherry blossom fragrance, yet sent chills down one's spine.
Yae Miko!
She had quietly arrived at the flank of the battlefield unbeknownst to anyone, gently shaking her Kagura's Verity bell to summon wave after wave of mist. Her eyes held a lazy smile, as if she were watching an elaborately staged play.
"General Zhang He," her voice echoed through the mist, laced with allure and killing intent. "Does this scenery suit your taste?"
Zhang He, a renowned general under Yuan Xi, was known for his cautious warfare and adeptness at adapting to changes. At this moment, he was leading a team of elite cavalrymen to attempt a flanking raid on the Fontaine Army, only to be caught off guard and trapped in the sudden fog.
"Not good, it's an illusion!" Zhang He's heart jolted, and he immediately ordered his troops to halt and form a defensive formation.
However, the fog seemed to possess a life of its own, constantly contracting and swirling, trapping his entire unit within. The sounds of hooves and soldiers' shouts echoed in the mist, unsettling everyone's minds.
"Loose arrows!"
At Yae Miko's command, the archers ambushed outside the fog released their bowstrings simultaneously.
"Whoosh — whoosh — whoosh!"
Countless feathered arrows tore through the air like shooting stars, striking accurately at the targets hidden in the mist. Screams rang out one after another, and Zhang He's cavalry, unable to maneuver in the cramped space, became sitting ducks.
"Break through! Hurry, break through!" Zhang He waved his spear, desperately fending off the incoming arrows. A valiant warrior with exceptional martial prowess, he blocked several rounds of arrow storms single-handedly. But the soldiers around him fell one by one, their blood quickly staining the ground beneath their feet.
Yae Miko stood outside the mist, watching it all silently. Her face still wore that faint, ambiguous smile, but a trace of coldness flashed deep in her eyes. "Zhang He, it's time for you to depart."
She raised her hand slightly, and the fog instantly thickened to its extreme, as if devouring all light. In the next moment, a specially crafted armor-piercing arrow pierced through the mist and struck Zhang He's throat with pinpoint accuracy.
"Ugh..." Zhang He's pupils constricted sharply, and his spear slipped weakly from his hand. He stared ahead in disbelief, as if trying to see who had taken his life. But the fog roiled endlessly, revealing nothing.
This battle-hardened renowned general ultimately fell to the cold ground.
Miko in Peril
"General!"
A heart-wrenching roar erupted from the central army of Yuan Xi's forces.
Gao Lan, Zhang He's closest friend and comrade, had witnessed everything that happened in the mist. When he saw Zhang He's figure collapse, he turned into a raging wild beast.
"Yae Miko!!!"
Gao Lan roared, dug his heels into his horse's belly, and charged alone toward Yae Miko's position like a released arrow. His speed was astonishing; Fontaine soldiers along the way tried to stop him, only to be violently knocked aside.
Yae Miko had not expected Gao Lan to be so frenzied. By the time she reacted, the towering man had rushed right in front of her.
"Prepare to die!"
Gao Lan stretched out his enormous, fan-like hand, grabbed Yae Miko by the neck, and lifted her entire body off the ground.
"Ugh..." Caught off guard, a look of pain appeared on Yae Miko's beautiful face for the first time. Her feet dangled in the air, and her Kagura's Verity bell fell to the ground with a crisp chime.
Flames of hatred burned in Gao Lan's eyes. He roared and slammed Yae Miko heavily onto the ground.
"Boom!"
The ground trembled violently. A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of Yae Miko's mouth. She struggled to get up, only to find her body numb from the tremendous force of Gao Lan's blow.
Gao Lan raised his broadsword once more, the blade glinting with a deadly cold light.
"Revenge for Zhang He!"
At this critical moment —
"Stop!"
A clear shout rang out like a clap of thunder.
Traveler Aether had rushed to the scene unbeknownst to anyone. Anger burned in his eyes, and his one-handed sword glowed with dazzling light.
"Your opponent is me!"
Aether leaped into the air, stabbing his sword toward Gao Lan like a shooting star.
Gao Lan had no choice but to abandon his attack on Yae Miko and swing his sword to block.
"Clang!"
The deafening clash of metal echoed, sparks flying everywhere. Gao Lan felt a massive force surge through his sword, numbing his arm.
"What immense strength!" Gao Lan's heart jolted.
Aether gave him no chance to catch his breath, launching a relentless wave of sword strikes, each faster than the last. His swordsmanship was unadorned, yet every move targeted a vital spot, carrying an indomitable resolve.
Gao Lan was a fierce warrior with astonishing strength and a brutal sword style. But Aether far surpassed him in speed and technique. After dozens of rounds, Gao Lan gradually fell into a disadvantage. His breathing grew ragged, and several wounds appeared on his body.
"Haah!" Aether let out a long whistle, accelerating his sword strikes to a storm-like speed, assaulting Gao Lan relentlessly.
"Opening!"
Seizing the moment Gao Lan paused to catch his breath, Aether's sword blade struck like a venomous snake, piercing his chest with pinpoint precision.
"Ugh!" Gao Lan let out a roar of unwillingness. His massive body swayed a few times before crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud.
Decisive Battle and Reunion
Gao Lan's death was like a heavy hammer, completely shattering the morale of Yuan Xi's army.
"Full attack!"
Seizing the opportunity, Aether raised his arm and shouted.
Sixty thousand troops surged toward Yuan Xi's position like a tidal wave. Yelan's rebel army, a black torrent, broke through the enemy's flanks; the Fontaine Army's spear phalanx, an iron wall, advanced steadily, tearing apart the enemy's formation; Dehya led the Sumeru Army like a desert storm, sweeping away all in its path.
Yuan Xi stood on the high platform, watching his army retreat steadily under the enemy's onslaught. His face turned pale, and the command flag in his hand trembled uncontrollably.
"Impossible... This can't be!" He muttered to himself, his eyes filled with despair.
Once, he had commanded eighty thousand troops, holding the advantages of timing and terrain. He had thought victory was firmly in his grasp. But he had forgotten that true strength is not merely a matter of numbers and equipment.
It is faith, unity, and the resolve to fight for protection.
"My lord, we must retreat at once!" His deputy general shouted anxiously.
Yuan Xi looked up at the chaotic battlefield. He saw Yelan's cold gaze, Dehya's fiery fighting spirit, the Fontaine Army's orderly march, and Traveler Aether's star-like, radiant eyes.
He knew he had lost.
"Retreat..." He uttered the word weakly.
However, it was already too late.
Aether led the elite vanguard troops, breaking through the enemy's layered defenses like a bolt of lightning, charging straight toward the central army where Yuan Xi was stationed.
"Yuan Xi!" Aether's voice thundered in Yuan Xi's ears.
Yuan Xi turned around in terror, only to see a young figure charging out of the chaotic battle, his sword shining with brilliant light.
"Protect my lord!"
Several personal guards desperately stood in front of Yuan Xi, but they were no match for Aether and were instantly slain.
Aether walked step by step toward Yuan Xi, his gaze calm yet filling Yuan Xi with unprecedented fear.
"You... You can't kill me!" Yuan Xi backed up to the edge of the high platform, his voice trembling. "I am the heir of the Yuan clan! I..."
Aether gave him no chance to continue speaking.
"For all those you oppressed, for the freedom of this land." Aether raised his sword. "Yuan Xi, your era has ended."
A flash of sword light, and blood splattered.
Yuan Xi's body fell from the high platform, crashing heavily to the ground, motionless.
With Yuan Xi's death, his army completely collapsed. Deprived of command and faith, they scattered like headless flies. But only surrender or demise awaited them.
The battle lasted until dusk. When the last soldier of Yuan Xi's army laid down his weapon, the Battle of Qiaoying Village finally came to an end.
After the Battle
The setting sun bled red, dyeing the entire battlefield crimson.
Sixty thousand troops reunited in front of Qiaoying Village. Warriors embraced each other, celebrating this hard-won victory. Though every face was covered in exhaustion and dust, their eyes sparkled with the light of triumph.
Yelan walked to Aether's side and nodded slightly. "Aether, you have contributed the most to this victory."
Dehya also approached, clapping Aether on the shoulder and grinning. "Well done, kid! Sumeru owes you a debt of gratitude."
The commander of the Fontaine Army gave Aether another standard military salute. "Sir Traveler, your bravery and wisdom command my respect."
Aether merely smiled gently. "This is not my victory alone; it is the result of all our joint efforts."
At that moment, a soft voice came from behind.
"It's you, little one."
Aether turned around to see Yae Miko walking slowly toward him. Her complexion had returned to rosy, and the red mark on her neck left by Gao Lan's grip had faded. She still wore her gorgeous shrine maiden attire, a lazy and mysterious smile playing on her lips.
"Lady Miko, are you alright?" Aether asked with concern.
Yae Miko did not answer, but reached out and gently patted Aether's head. Her hand was warm, and her touch was gentle.
"I'm fine." A complex emotion flickered in her eyes — approval, relief, and a trace of imperceptible... doting? "Thanks to you, little one."
Aether scratched his head shyly. "Protecting my companions is what I should do."
Yae Miko smiled, her smile as gorgeous as a cherry blossom, yet laced with an elusive depth. "Yes, companions..."
She looked into the distance, where Qiaoying Village appeared exceptionally peaceful under the setting sun. This victory was not only a military triumph but also a victory of faith. It proved that when different forces unite for a common goal, no difficulty is insurmountable.
"Next," Yelan's voice broke the brief tranquility, "we have more important matters to attend to. Although Yuan Xi is dead, his remaining forces still linger. We must pursue the victory and eliminate them completely."
"Indeed." Aether nodded, his fighting spirit reigniting. "For a truly free and peaceful future."
The gazes of sixty thousand people converged, forming an invisible force. This force would guide them to new battlefields and new challenges.
The beacon fires of Qiaoying Village had been extinguished, but a new journey had just begun.
This great battle had ended in victory, but the story was only just unfolding.