After breaking out, the Red Maple Cavalry Regiment followed a gap in the defensive line and accidentally charged deep into the Sika Kingdom's defenses, nearly getting surrounded.
What followed was a mad charge all the way through. They successfully threw the situation into chaos, but Mario failed to keep up in time due to a momentary lapse and fell behind.
Amid corpses strewn across the ground and flames burning all around, Mario sat atop his horse. Everywhere he looked was darkness, filled with the sounds of slaughter and thunderous blasts. His heart trembled, and he truly had no idea which way would be best to go.
Looking back, he saw that three subordinates and four horses were still following him. This was all that remained of his squad. He had no idea whether the rest were dead or separated.
Sigh, what a damn battle... Even if it had been four men and three horses, that would have been better... What use was an extra horse now?
Mario reached up in frustration to scratch his head, only to find no hair at all—just the smooth surface of his helmet.
Ah!!! The itch on his scalp tormented Mario to the point of madness. He truly had the urge to throw off his helmet, roll around on the ground, and scratch himself senseless. But he was an officer now, a squad leader. He could no longer do whatever he wanted like before.
I'm really going to die...
In a fit of exasperation, Mario began scratching the head of the horse beneath him. The horse snorted repeatedly, shaking its head in utter confusion.
Mario was scratching away enthusiastically while pondering which direction to head next when a sound suddenly came from nearby.
"Who's there!"
Mario instantly drew his sword and looked over. His remaining