The Gnolls were beaten back step by step and began trying to flee. Henry could only lead those blood-crazed soldiers in continuing their fierce assault.
Riiip!
Henry's battle axe got stuck in a Gnoll's body. Left with no choice, he abandoned the axe and drew his Greatsword.
In truth, Henry's battle axe had long since been chipped and dulled. Many of the Gnolls he had cut down were finished off by the soldiers beside him.
With Henry's fighting style, his weapons would definitely need repairs after every battle—and might even be beyond repair. It was far too extravagant!
Henry became even more terrifying after switching to the Greatsword. His immense strength made the soldiers around him scatter to the sides, afraid that one careless swing from Henry would take them out as well.
As the Greatsword in Henry's hand swept through the air, one Half-Orc after another was cut down, their blood flowing into rivers.
Covered in blood from head to toe, Henry bared his teeth in a grin and charged at his next target.
Before long, the Noble Private Army and a reserve unit from the Seventh Legion joined the battle. Half-Orc reinforcements also arrived, making the fighting here even bloodier.
Dozens of lives vanished every second. Ten or more years of growing up seemed like a joke; one attack from an enemy was all it took to make all that time disappear into nothing.
At this moment, Henry had become the key figure in this section of the battle. His immense strength left everyone in awe.
Even those cold nobles who disliked him had no choice but to deeply admire Henry's valor.
The Gnolls began to collapse, madly charging into the Goatman troops supporting the rear. This gave the Noble Private Army a chance to beat a drowning dog.
The soldiers who had originally followed Henry had already withdrawn. They no longer had the strength to fight, and their casualties were far too severe—they had lost a full third of their number. The fact that they had not broken was all thanks to Henry.
The grassland was now filled with a thick stench of blood, and the ground had been dyed red. Sunlight shone upon the bloodstains, trying to drive away the darkness here.
Henry stood in a pool of blood, looking especially savage and terrifying.
He panted heavily, staring at the troops still fighting desperately before him. He could only rest where he stood, or even fall back to rest.
He was out of strength too. He had no idea how many Half-Orcs he had killed, but it was certainly no fewer than a hundred.
Bain and Philip arrived at Henry's side with their troops and protected him.
"Milord, you can't fight like this! Why did you suddenly rush out on your own?! You still have your fief, and there are plenty of good days ahead! There's no need to risk your life like this!"
Henry looked at the agitated Bain and smiled. He had not done it for the spoils of war, but for... levels and training points. Yes, that had to be it.
It definitely wasn't because Henry wanted to chop something up! Impossible, absolutely impossible!
"Philip, take the cavalry over there and bring back my warhorse. I need to rest.
Bain, leave those nine Veteran Shielded Crossbowmen behind. Put the rest under your command and lead them in! It's time to prove your ability!"
After receiving his orders, Philip led a group of cavalry into the distance. Before long, he returned with Henry's warhorse.
At Bain's command, he took the lead by leaping down from his horse and rapidly led the soldiers behind him into the battlefield.
The New Recruit Squad held sharp blades in their hands and hacked without hesitation at every Half-Orc they saw. They formed a Shield Formation and compressed the battlefield step by step, reaping Half-Orc lives.
Boman and Fas, who had already joined the battle, both noticed Bain and were deeply shaken.
Henry being so fierce was one thing, but how was even his attendant this ruthless?!
Bain led the soldiers in fighting bravely against the enemy. His valiant performance drew the attention of the other soldiers, and those who had spontaneously formed battle formations to follow Henry began gathering around Bain.
Cries of killing rose and fell across the battlefield. Henry sat atop his warhorse and observed the situation. Seeing the New Recruit Squad under Bain gain a local advantage, he felt quietly relieved.
At that moment, a gust of wind swept in, carrying an intense smell of blood. Henry took a deep breath and felt the cruelty of war.
This was clearly a slaughterhouse!
The battle had already lasted a full three hours and dusk was approaching. Both sides had rotated their fighting forces three times, and the war had reached its fiercest point!
The Legion Commander of the Third Army finally noticed the fighting on the right flank and asked, "Did Autongard call away every noble on the grassland who knows how to fight?"
Sebastian shook his head. "As you can see, Knight Henry Bro's valor has stirred the nobles' blood. Perhaps they want to recreate the glory of the first generation of nobles?"
"Marquis Alberti Leona Batista, have the elite Lancer unit of your Eleventh Legion attack from the right flank. I'll also have my Grassland Heavy Horse Archer Battalion circle around and strike them from behind!"
Alberti Leona Batista, Legion Commander of the Eleventh Legion, was a true member of the Empire's upper ranks. He came from a court Duke family and had a trace of royal blood—of course, only a tiny trace.
He was both a Marquis directly under the King, with vast territories, and a Legion Commander of the Empire, wielding immense authority.
Among the three Legion Commanders, Alberti held the highest status, while the Legion Commander of the Third Army held the lowest. His legion had been targeted and ambushed by the Half-Orcs, suffering devastating losses.
Marquis Alberti looked at Henry's Family Banner and asked, "What did you say his name was?"
"Henry. Knight Henry Bro, Lord of West Lyme."
The Marquis repeated the name quietly several times, then said approvingly, "His achievements in battle are substantial... This name sounds familiar. Was he the one who proposed this Pioneering War?"
"That's right. Across the entire Eastern Border, he was the first to propose submitting a joint petition."
"This Pioneering War will completely elevate him into a great noble. He may even merge his titles and become an Earl."
Soon, the truly elite cavalry force began moving. Once they entered the battle, the Half-Orcs on the right flank could almost only await death.
The elite Lancers only had some reservations when charging Minotaurs, Bear-people, and Tiger-men. As for the rest, even Centaurs were easy prey!
Watching the elite Lancers rampage across the battlefield, Henry felt another surge of strength. He immediately urged his warhorse forward and charged toward the Half-Orcs.
Meanwhile, the Third Army's final elite force, the Grassland Heavy Horse Archer Battalion, also displayed its high mobility and explosive power!
The Half-Orcs' ranged troops—Rabbit-people and Fox-people in great swathes—were shot down. Both riders and horses of the heavy horse archers wore armor; only the javelins of Centaurs and Tiger-men posed any threat to them.
Some Lesser Nobles with too few men had already withdrawn. They could no longer keep fighting. No one dared erase their contributions, so retreating was the better choice.
Henry rejoined the meat grinder. Though he was no longer as effortless as before, the Greatsword in his hand still took a Half-Orc's life with every swing beneath the light of dusk.
Fighting was exhilarating!
Before you continue