In the end, the battle never took place.
For one thing, the young lady had put on quite a show of force. The night had sent her combat strength soaring, and the power of the Seed of Life within her had manifested at the Silver rank. As a unique extension of the Nature God's power in the mortal world, it perfectly countered the boost the Sico Winged Cavalry enjoyed in the woods.
For another, the Blood Eagle vampires had arrived quickly.
Most terrain obstacles meant nothing to creatures capable of flying at supersonic speeds in the night.
The rescued Thorn Clan members arrived soon afterward as well. However, a few unlucky men under Count Andre had been injured, so his loyal servant Vista had stayed behind to care for them.
By the time Count White Mountain came rushing over with a sword in hand, the two sides had already gone from being on the brink of a fight to holding a conversation that was anything but peaceful.
The Blood Eagle members hovered in the air, surrounding the area, while the Winged Cavalry spread out through the woods to keep watch, leaving the leaders of both sides room to talk.
Count White Mountain was tactful and knew his place. He did not ask to listen in or move closer. Under Adele's wary gaze, he simply found a decent spot to sit and rest, then took out his book of poetry and began to read.
In the middle of the woods where the two sides had met, in a hollow beneath the approaching dawn, the young lady leaned on her Night Howl staff and watched the Winged Cavalry leader dismount from his tall horse.
The man strode up. When he was seven paces away from the young lady, he removed his helmet,