Break the Army

Amid the earth-shaking thunder of hooves, the gravel on the ground began to tremble faintly.

It sounded as though the entire world were collapsing.

By the firelight, the cavalry on the dunes appeared and vanished in shadow. Countless horseshoes struck the sand inch by inch, and the muffled rumble filled their ears, making it nearly impossible for Tales to hear even the voices closest to him.

They charged toward the caravan's tiny camp.

Closer and closer.

"No, no, no." The caravan master, Tomding, seemed scared witless. He looked at the Beastmen blocking the way ahead, then at the Cracked Stone Tribe fleeing desperately behind them. Finally, he turned back toward the Star Kingdom cavalry sweeping across the horizon and muttered helplessly, "We... we..."

The other merchants were hardly any better. Some even began crying in panic.

"Dean, we're caught in the middle!"

The female captain's voice pulled the dazed Tales back to reality. He looked at the cavalry line charging in his father's name, ferocious and filled with killing intent, and his face instantly went pale.

Clearly, this was not the best time to smile, wave, and say, "Hello, comrades."

After all, he did not have four legs.

"They're charging!"

Amid the thunder of hooves and battle cries, Louisa's expression was frantic. She shouted herself hoarse, "We won't survive!"

The prisoners panicked.

"Above us, Desert God..." A merchant trembled as he watched the approaching cavalry, too frightened to speak.

"No, no." Tomding crouched down and huddled up, forcing out a sob. "We're going to die... We're going to die... And my goods..."

"Get your fat ass up and shut the hell up!" The bald Mercenary yanked Tomding off the ground, rudely interrupting the caravan master's impromptu speech that was demoralizing everyone.

Hooves thundered, and the ground shook.

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