Taiwen Merlin's voice was like a heavy hammer, slamming hard against Annia's heart.
Her small face instantly turned deathly pale, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
On one side were the father and brother who had raised her, the family she once knew and relied upon.
On the other side was the man who had taken everything from her, yet had given her a brand-new world.
How was she to choose?
"Sister! Come here quickly!"
Arthur also shouted urgently.
"Don't stand with that savage leader! He'll be the death of you! Come back to us; we are your family!"
The family's call caused Annia's eyes to instantly redden.
Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision.
She subconsciously took half a step forward, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something.
Just then, a warm and powerful hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, gently pulling her back to his side.
Wu Liang didn't look at her, nor did he even lower his head.
His gaze remained fixed firmly on Taiwen Merlin on the opposite bank.
But the strength in his hand clearly conveyed a message to Annia.
You are mine; you aren't going anywhere.
This domineering and unquestionable action settled Annia's chaotic heart.
She leaned against Wu Liang's solid arm, feeling his body heat and that reassuring aura.
In her mind, those chaotic thoughts seemed to be forcibly smoothed over at that moment.
She was no longer the pampered noble young lady she used to be.
Her body, her heart, her everything already belonged to the man beside her.
The Black Rock Tribe was her home now.
Wu Liang felt the slight change in the delicate body in his arms, from stiffness to gradual relaxation, and an imperceptible curve formed at the corners of his mouth.
He liked this feeling of being in control of everything.
"Annia, it seems you don't intend to come back?"
Taiwen Merlin watched his daughter nestling in that savage's arms, and the fire of rage rose in his heart once more.
It wasn't just anger; it was the shame of a father's dignity being trampled upon.
His own daughter was actually being held in a savage leader's arms like a trophy!
"Father..."
Annia finally spoke, her voice tearful and full of pleading.
"I beg of you, don't fight... don't make things difficult for the Black Rock Tribe anymore, okay? Wu Liang... he's not a bad person..."
"Shut up!"
Taiwen Merlin sharply cut her off.
"What kind of spell has he cast on you? He's not a bad person?"
"He slaughtered the Empire's army, kidnapped the Empire's nobles, and dared to openly provoke the Empire's majesty! A man like this deserves to die ten thousand deaths!"
His voice was cold and heartless:
"Aniya Merlin, I'm asking you one last time."
"Will you return to Roland's camp, to your family's side, or choose to stand with that savage and become an enemy of your family and your Empire?"
"If you don't come over now, from this day forward, I, Taiwen Merlin, will consider myself to have no such daughter! The Merlin Family will also be ashamed of you!"
These words were like the sharpest of knives, stabbing deep into Annia's heart.
Severing the father-daughter relationship?
Annia's body shuddered violently, and she could no longer hold back her tears as they slid down her cheeks.
Looking at her father's resolute and cold face on the opposite bank, the last sliver of hope in her heart shattered.
She knew her father's personality was exactly like this: he meant what he said, as unyielding as steel.
This war was now inevitable.
And she had to make a choice.
Annia took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand.
When she looked up again, although her azure eyes still held sadness, they also contained an unprecedented resolve.
She turned to face Wu Liang, and then, in front of both armies, she performed an action that made Taven and Arthur's eyes nearly burst with rage.
She stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Wu Liang's neck, and took the initiative to kiss his lips.
The kiss was very light, carrying the saltiness of tears.
But this action was like a resounding slap across Taiwen Merlin's face.
The entire battlefield fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the man and woman kissing before the battle lines.
The warriors of the Black Rock Tribe were stunned for a moment before bursting into earth-shattering cheers and whistles.
Their King was just that domineering!
Even the daughter of the enemy commander was utterly devoted to him!
Meanwhile, the soldiers of the Roland Empire were filled with astonishment and uproar.
Their beloved Lord's daughter was actually... actually kissing a savage leader in public?
"You... you rebellious daughter!"
Taiwen Merlin was shaking with rage, pointing at Annia with trembling lips, almost unable to utter a complete sentence.
Arthur's eyes were even more bloodshot, wishing he could rush over immediately and tear Wu Liang into ten thousand pieces.
"Shameless savage! Let go of my sister!" he roared.
"Father, let me try to persuade Annia again!"
Arthur's face was full of anxiety.
"Shut up! She's already been blinded by him!"
Wu Liang enjoyed Annia's kiss; he was very satisfied.
He gently pushed Annia away and wiped the tear tracks from the corners of her mouth with his thumb.
Looking into her reddened eyes, he said softly:
"Don't cry. From today on, your tears can only be shed for me."
Having said that, he turned his head and looked back at Taiwen Merlin on the opposite bank, who was so angry he was about to explode.
He pulled Annia into his arms again and declared his sovereignty, saying loudly:
"Taiwen Merlin, look closely."
"Annia is my woman now."
"What her surname is doesn't matter."
"What matters is that her man's name is Wu Liang!"
"You!"
"Aaaaaah—!"
Taiwen Merlin could no longer maintain his noble grace and composure; he let out a beast-like roar, his eyes filled with bloodlust.
"All troops, attack!"
He abruptly drew the command sword from his waist, pointing it directly at the Black Rock Tribe's formation across the river valley.
"Trample them for me!!"
"Kill!"
With his command, that silent wall of steel instantly came to life.
"For the glory of the Empire!"
"Charge!!"
Five thousand Heavy Knights simultaneously lowered their visors, producing a synchronized sound of grinding metal.
They lowered their Lances, the tips forming a forest pointing straight ahead.
"Hyah!"
The warhorses began to trot, then gradually accelerated.
The earth began to tremble violently.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thousands of iron-clad hooves struck the ground in unison, producing a sound like rolling thunder that made eardrums ache.
A torrent composed of steel, murderous intent, and the stench of death surged toward the Black Rock Tribe's position!
This was the massed charge of the Griffin Knights Regiment!
An incomparable torrent of steel capable of crushing anything that stood in its way!
Facing this world-shattering might, the faces of the shieldmen in the front row of the Black Rock Tribe couldn't help but turn pale.
Although they were well-trained, they had never seen such a terrifying sight.
The hands of some recruits holding their blades and shields even began to tremble slightly.
There wasn't the slightest hint of tension on Wu Liang's face.
He watched the approaching torrent of steel, his eyes instead showing a trace of excitement and cruelty.
He slowly raised his right hand.
The eyes of everyone in the entire Black Rock Army formation were focused on this hand.
"My foolish Count, the times have changed."
He spoke softly, then swung his right hand down violently!
"Fire!"