As Karl's army marched south, inspiring news also arrived from the southeast.
Traveling day and night, Franz finally delivered the intelligence to Clift Fortress before the Empress Dowager's army arrived. Upon learning of the Empress Dowager's attempted sneak attack, Roland immediately made the necessary arrangements. On the surface, he gave nothing away and maintained the usual patrols and vigilance. In secret, however, he shifted the main force toward the direction from which the Empress Dowager's army was most likely to attack and set an ambush.
When the Empress Dowager's army, led by Earl Eisenberg and Viktor, charged fiercely toward Clift Fortress, convinced they would catch Roland off guard, they instead plunged headfirst into the trap Roland had painstakingly prepared.
The Carnford defenders, who had long been waiting in battle formation, surged out from all directions. Muskets fired in volleys and Cannon roared, battering the disordered Empress Dowager's army until they were utterly dazed. Earl Eisenberg was struck by a stray bullet amid the chaos and died on the spot. Seeing the situation turn dire, Viktor tried to gather the remnants and break out, only to have his path cut off by cavalry personally led by Roland. After a fierce battle, Viktor was exhausted and captured.
In this battle, the elite force dispatched by the Empress Dowager was almost completely wiped out. Only a handful of defeated soldiers escaped back to the Royal Capital. Roland had not only successfully held Clift Fortress, but also seized vast quantities of weapons, equipment, and supplies, while capturing several important members of the Empress Dowager's faction, including Viktor.
When the victory report reached Karl's army, cheers shook the ranks. Roland's victory not only removed the Carnford army's worries about its southern advance, but greatly raised morale as well. At the same time, it proved to