Deploying the Battle Lines

At Karl's words, his gaze once again turned toward the Horse Corps banner drawing ever closer, and his voice brimmed with confidence. "The Skarn people... once opposed Harald, yet now they have to bleed for him."

"Excellent. It seems that this time, we can make Corps Commander Domenic and the Skarn warriors under his command shed plenty of blood. Let them carefully weigh whether emptying the blood of the Skarn people for Harald's ambition is truly worth it."

With that, Karl reined in his horse and turned slightly, looking toward the rear of his own army.

The somewhat disorderly marching columns had vanished. In their place stood a fully formed, imposing, and steadfast infantry defensive formation. Spears rose like a forest, densely pointing outward and forming an impassable thicket of metal.

The Musketeers stood ready in the gaps between the spears and in the rear ranks, their gun muzzles flashing with cold light. Officers of every rank moved through the formation, constantly adjusting the details. The entire infantry formation resembled a massive steel hedgehog crouching on the ground, radiating a defensive power that made one's heart tremble.

Seeing that the infantry formation was ready, the last trace of concern in Karl's heart vanished.

With this solid support behind them, the cavalry ahead could fight without restraint! Even if the cavalry charge commanded by Lyon faltered, or even if they were defeated and forced to retreat, the Sauron cavalry would never dare casually attack the infantry square that was already on full alert.

The retreating cavalry could withdraw to the flank and rear of the infantry line and reform. If the Sauron Cavalry dared pursue them, they would surely suffer a devastating strike from the infantry's muskets and spears. This ensured that the worst possible outcome of the battle would be