Blackwater Valley.
A river that was not particularly wide wound its way through, splitting the wasteland on both banks.
The valley was long and narrow, with gently rising hills on both sides like two outstretched arms embracing the area.
This was the graveyard that Wu Liang had meticulously selected for the Roland Empire's expeditionary force.
When Taiwen Merlin led his great army to the eastern side of the valley, the sun had already risen, casting golden sunlight onto their polished armor and reflecting a dazzling brilliance.
Five thousand heavy knights of the Griffin Knights Regiment were like a moving wall of steel, exuding a cold and heavy sense of oppression.
They stood in formation silently, their lances pointing diagonally toward the sky, forming a fearsome forest of steel.
Behind them, the hundred-man Mage Corps had already begun constructing temporary spell positions, and the magical elements in the air began to grow active and dangerous.
Taiwen Merlin rode his majestic white warhorse at the front of the formation, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he scrutinized the enemy on the opposite side of the valley.
However, the sight across from him caused his brow to furrow tightly.
There were none of the disorganized howls or chaotic formations of the savages he had imagined.
In their place was a dead silence.
A dark mass of an army was divided into several neat square formations, standing quietly on the west bank of the valley.
At the very front were infantrymen holding massive tower shields and long sabers; their shields formed an airtight wall, like a black dam.
Behind the shield wall were several infantry formations holding a strange kind of black, long-tubed weapon.
They wore uniform black military attire and were arranged in three rows, their movements perfectly synchronized, exuding the discipline found only in professional soldiers.
What confused Taiwen even more were the twenty strange steel creations placed on the flanks and rear of those infantry formations.
They were fixed onto four-wheeled carts, their dark muzzles wrapped in oilcloth, making it impossible to tell what they were.
But a trace of solemnity still welled up in Taiwen's heart.
The discipline of this army's appearance and its murderous aura were not at all inferior to the elite legions of the Empire.
"Father, they look... a bit different."
Arthur Merlin urged his horse to his father's side, his tone carrying an unconcealable surprise.
"They are indeed somewhat different."
Taiwen's voice was low.
"However, they are just a rabble of tribesmen; I doubt they can stir up much of a storm."
Just then, a single rider slowly emerged from the opposing army's formation.
The newcomer also wore a suit of dark-gold full-body armor and rode a majestic black warhorse.
He wore no helmet, revealing a young and handsome face, with short black hair swaying slightly in the wind.
It was indeed Wu Liang.
Behind him followed several equally heroic and extraordinary female generals, and a figure that caused the pupils of both Taiwen and Arthur to shrink simultaneously.
Aniya Merlin.
She wore a suit of exquisite leather armor that did not belong to this barbaric land, her long golden hair tied in a ponytail, her small face filled with tension and unease.
She followed closely behind Wu Liang, her posture like that of a knight following her lord.
"Annia!"
Arthur couldn't help but cry out in shock.
Taiwen's expression instantly turned so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.
He stared fixedly at Wu Liang, his eyes looking as if they wanted to swallow him alive.
Wu Liang stopped a hundred meters from the riverbank, looking at Taiwen from across the babbling water.
"You are Count Taiwen Merlin?"
Wu Liang's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to the other side with a condescending calm.
Taiwen suppressed the rage in his heart and spoke coldly:
"Savage leader, you are Wu Liang?"
He scrutinized Wu Liang; this man looked far too young, not at all like a formidable leader who could command a Tribe of such scale.
But the composed aura about him made it impossible to underestimate him.
"It is I."
Wu Liang nodded.
"Count Merlin, it must have been hard work bringing so many people from so far away to be guests in my territory."
"However, our Black Rock Tribe is a small place; I'm afraid we cannot afford to entertain so many distinguished guests."
"Stop your glib talk!"
Taiwen's voice was like ice.
"Wu Liang, I will give you one last chance."
"Immediately release my daughter Annia, and then lead your Tribe to swear allegiance to the Roland Empire."
"For Annia's sake, I can spare your people's lives and only execute you as an example to others."
He paused, his tone filled with unquestionable authority:
"Otherwise, today my Griffin Knights Regiment will trample this place, along with your Tribe, into the ground! All of you will turn to dust!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Liang let out a light chuckle, as if he had heard some hilarious joke.
"Heh... Hahaha..."
His laughter grew louder, filled with undisguised mockery.
"Count Merlin, have you mistaken something?"
Wu Liang withdrew his smile, his gaze instantly becoming icy.
"You are currently standing on my land, making threats against me. Where does your confidence come from, Lord Count?"
He pointed his riding crop at the forest of steel behind Taiwen.
"Based on these five thousand tin cans of yours? Or those hundred people in the back playing with fireballs?"
"You!"
Taiwen's face turned the color of pig liver; he had never suffered such humiliation.
"Only the victor has the right to talk tough."
Wu Liang's voice suddenly rose, filled with powerful confidence and dominance.
"Want me to submit? Fine, but talk about it after you've beaten me."
"As for sparing my life? Those words should be said by me."
Wu Liang's gaze swept across the entire army of the Roland Empire. There was no fear in his eyes, only the greed and excitement of a wolf seeing a flock of sheep.
"Now, I will give you a chance."
"Lay down your weapons and kneel in surrender. I might consider incorporating you, letting you become laborers for my Black Rock Tribe to contribute to our construction."
"As for you, Taiwen Merlin, I can give you a dignified way to die."
"You're looking for death!"
Arthur Merlin trembled with rage, drawing the longsword at his waist and pointing it at Wu Liang as he roared.
"How dare you insult my father like this! The iron hooves of our Roland warriors will trample Great Yellow Mountain!"
Taiwen Merlin looked at Wu Liang with icy eyes filled with pity, as if looking at a dead man.
"Foolish savage."
"You simply don't understand what kind of great power you are facing."
"With your pathetic ignorance, you have chosen the fastest road to death for yourself and your clansmen."
His gaze moved past Wu Liang and fell upon Annia behind him.
"Annia!"
Taiwen's voice became complex, carrying a hint of heartache.
"Come to your father! You've been bewitched by these savages! As long as you return now, I can let everything from the past be bygones!"