A curtain of dust rose from the eastern horizon, blotting out the sky.
The earth trembled in a steady rhythm, as if thousands of colossal beasts were marching in perfect unison toward them.
A vast army appeared on the wasteland.
At its head advanced a dark wall of cavalry.
Five thousand heavy knights, sheathed from head to toe in thick steel plate, left only a narrow slit for their cold eyes.
The lances in their hands formed a moving forest of steel, spear-points glinting with frigid light.
The war-horses beneath them wore heavy armor as well.
These were pure-blooded imperial chargers bred over generations—each stood two meters tall and weighed more than a ton, the most terrifying mobile fortress on any battlefield.
When the five thousand knights formed a tight charge, they became an iron tide capable of crushing any wall or trampling any formation.
This was the elite Griffin Knights Regiment of Tiee Fortress.
Behind the cavalry came a square of nearly a hundred mages in robes of every color.
Protected in the center by equally elite infantry, they gripped staves of every description.
Because of them the very air carried a faint shimmer of mana.
They were another decisive force; a single high-tier area spell could rival a volley from a hundred catapults.
At the very front of the host rode a middle-aged man in ornate golden full plate upon a magnificent white war-horse.
With icy eyes he studied the distant outline of Black Rock Tribe.
He was the lord of Tiee Fortress, guardian of the Roland Empire's northern border, Count Taiwen Merlin—father of Aniya Merlin.
His face, chiseled by years and war, bore the harshness of a veteran.
Surprise flickered across his eyes at the size of the barbarian city, then was replaced by unwavering killing intent.
"Father."
A young knight on a tall horse rode to the count's side.
It was Taiwen's eldest son, Aniya's brother—Arthur Merlin.
"We're almost there. Shall I send the vanguard to probe them?""
"No need."
The count's voice rasped like grinding metal.
"According to reports these savages possess a powerful long-range weapon. Sending the vanguard would only cost lives."
He raised a hand and the entire host slowed to a halt.
"Pass the order: make camp here, build defenses."
"Have the Mage Corps set alarm wards and anti-scrying wards."
"Camp?"
Arthur was puzzled.
"Father, why not crush them in one charge? A mob of savages can't stop the Griffin Knights."
"Arthur,"
Taiwen turned, eyes stern.
"Never underestimate any foe. In a few short years these barbarians have built a city on barren soil and created those smoking steel monsters—they are anything but simple."
His gaze swept back toward Black Rock Tribe.
"Besides, Aniya is in their hands. I won't take risks."
A complex note entered his voice.
"My first purpose here is to bring your sister back."
"If they return Aniya and swear fealty to the Empire, I'll spare them."
"And if they refuse?"
Arthur pressed.
Murderous intent flashed unmasked in the count's eyes.
"Then wipe this place from the map."
...Inside Black Rock Tribe's council hall the air was heavy.
A huge sand-table stood in the center, every detail of the surrounding terrain reproduced upon it.
A red arrow was planted deep in the Tribe's eastern border, less than fifty li from the core.
"The enemy has stopped and camped in open ground forty-five li away,"
Akomann reported, finger on the marker, voice cold.
"They're cautious—ditches and stakes outside, anti-scrying wards from the mages. Our scouts can't get close."
"Five thousand heavy knights, a hundred mages …"
Ignis folded her arms, brows knit.
"Taiwen Merlin thinks highly of us."
Everyone present looked grim.
They trusted Black Rock's strength, but these were seasoned imperial troops, far beyond any Tribe they had faced in arms, training, and experience.
"Pass my order."
He lifted a baton and pointed to a spot on the table: a long, narrow valley between the Tribe and the enemy camp.
"We won't wait for their attack. At dawn tomorrow the whole army moves. The battlefield will be here—Blackwater Valley."
His voice rang through the silent command post.
"With a victory unheard of I will tell the Roland Empire: times have changed."
As the first light of dawn tore the veil of night,
the slumbering war-beast that was Black Rock Tribe awoke.
Long, mournful horns sounded in every corner.
In the central square troops formed up at speed.
Rifle Battalion in black uniforms shouldered rifles, ammunition pouches bulging at their belts.
Cavalry Battalion, Bow and Crossbow Battalion, Spear and Shield Battalion—three thousand in all.
In heavy plate they carried tower shields a meter and eighty tall and sharp long sabers, forming impenetrable shield walls.
Ignis's Ember Fire Legion: fifteen hundred.
In light leather armor they bore new-pattern spears and short blades, tasked to dart across the field like a dagger, striking the enemy's least expected flank.
In addition came more than five thousand auxiliaries from Dog Clan, Cat-ear Tribe, and other vassal tribes—poorly equipped but driven by love of home and fanatic loyalty to Wu Liang.
They would haul supplies, dig works, and, when needed, plug gaps in the line.
The square seethed with men and steel, a killing aura thrusting skyward.
From the Military Workshop came the rumble of heavy wheels.
Suina herself escorted twenty newly built maxim heavy machine guns and mountains of ammunition boxes, guarded by hundreds of elite troops, toward the rally point.
Each gun was bolted to a four-horse heavy cart.
Oiled canvas wrapped the black muzzles, yet death's chill breath still seeped through.
These were Wu Liang's trump card for taking the offensive.
Behind them, logistics and medical sections under Florgloria and Eliza ran at full tilt.
Grain, water, medicine, and bandages were loaded onto pneumatic-tired wagons ready to roll.
In Alesha's Medical School every student and doctor had donned practical short coats, turning barracks into field hospitals.
Every department of Black Rock Tribe spun at high speed in perfect order.
Wu Liang, clad in dark-gold full plate, mounted the dais.
He gave no rousing speech.
He simply drew his saber and pointed its tip east.
"Advance!"