In the forest at dusk, men shouted and horses neighed while the Earth Dragons' roars echoed through the woods. It was as if some enormous monster were rampaging through the forest, making everyone uneasy. The White Legion's Earth Dragon Knights trapped within it felt as though arrows were flying at them from every direction. They had no idea how many men and mounts were lying in ambush, so they had no choice but to make a temporary retreat.
The setting sun spilled over the long, gently rolling ridge and poured into the valley, dyeing heaven and earth orange-red. Under the evening glow, Yuta's flame-red hair shone brilliantly. After repeatedly drawing her large crossbow and firing several arrows, she saw the Cruzian vanguard knights beginning to retreat and immediately ordered the young wizard beside her, "Quick, follow the plan!"
"Captain, you have to let me catch my breath," Klu complained loudly, sweat streaming down his forehead like a waterfall. "Do you think large-scale Illusion Magic can be cast whenever you feel like it? And there are two of them!"
"Stop your nonsense. That's an order. If you can't do it, I'll cut off your head with one slash."
Klu cursed furiously inside, completely ignoring the fact that the plan's creator was Mel, whom he himself had praised to the skies earlier. Still, curses were curses; he recited the spell as quickly as possible. He raised the staff in his hand, and a hazy army suddenly appeared under his command, as though mountain mist had gathered out of thin air. Within the mist, men shouted and horses neighed, outlining the form of cavalry ready for battle. Klu trembled as he maintained the staff, sweat pouring down like rain. The army moved parallel to the retreating Cruz Knights, passing through the forest and