Battle of the Strong

North of Blackrock Fortress, behind the rear of the Remnant Allied Army.

The raging flames devoured everything. Supplies, corpses, tents... all were reduced to ashes.

The firelight flickered, and the faces of the knights remained expressionless, like stone statues.

On this day, they violated the code of chivalry more times than in their entire lives.

"The rearguard has already begun to reinforce and protect the supply outposts of the Remnants Army," Bai Xiaowen said. "The difficulty of destroying the outposts will gradually increase... and our situation will become increasingly perilous. The real battle will only begin when the main force of the Remnant Allied Army retreats."

"Mount up! Next supply depot, let's go!"

Blackrock Fortress, the main battlefield.

The chieftain of the Remnant Allied Army, Absolon, riding a giant wolf and wielding a massive battle axe, charged down to the city walls.

Boom!

With a single swing of the axe, the heavy city gate shook violently.

"Even the specially reinforced city gate couldn't stop this guy...?" The high-ranking Human Allied Army on the city wall were surprised. The city gate was sturdy enough to withstand the impact of a battering ram, but Absolon's axe blow actually showed signs of failing.

However, before Absolon could swing his axe a second time, a barrage of stones and boiling oil rained down from the city walls. The powerful Orcs chieftain was forced to retreat several steps to avoid the attack.

At that moment, the city gates opened, and a troop of knights surged out like Windfury! Leading them was none other than Prince Nicholas!

A phantom of a giant hammer crashed down as Prince Nicholas activated his Heaven's Hammer skill. The wolf riders surrounding Absolon were smashed into piles of flesh and Bone Shatter. Only Absolon withstood the damage of this hammer blow without being instantly killed.

"So you are the prince of the Human Empire...?"

Absolon grinned maliciously, "You've got some skills, but you're still a long way from being able to fight me!"

No matter how many Elite Tier or even Leader Tier knights were behind Prince Nicholas, Absolon was fearless. He charged forward, Cleave, and with a slash, he cleaved one knight in two, leaving a horrific wound on the second knight.

A beam of light shone down from the city wall, and the wounds on the second knight healed rapidly.

The sound of prayer rang out, and golden light enveloped Prince Nicholas, greatly increasing his power as he slammed his warhammer down.

With a loud thud, both Nicholas and Absolon were violently shaken. Both suffered some recoil damage.

"Damn it, if you didn't have some kind of magical enhancement, you would never be able to stand against me!" Absolon roared in the Remnant Tongue, wielding his giant axe and engaging Nicholas in combat.

However, Nicholas's depleted Life Value would receive timely and effective treatment, while Absolon's declining Life Value would not be effectively restored. Furthermore, Nicholas's group of knights surrounded Absolon, relentlessly thrusting with lances and slashing with greatswords.

"Roar!" Absolon roared to the sky, and a visible blood-red wave spread out. More than half of the knights were stunned for a long time, while even the stronger ones, such as Nicholas and Count Danton, were stiff in their movements.

Absolon suddenly leaped off the giant wolf's back and Heavy Cleave.

Nicholas's armor shimmered with a deep blue light, and three layers of blue-glowing shields opened up! He laboriously raised his hammer and held it in front of him.

Clang!

With a deafening roar, Nicholas's beloved horse's four hooves sank into the frozen ground below, snapping completely! This impact had literally killed Nicholas's horse and caused considerable shock damage, though it was all absorbed by the blue shield.

Nicholas, enraged, swung his hammer horizontally, striking Absolon's giant axe and sending him flying.

Just as the fierce battle raged at the city gate, a mournful bugle call suddenly rang out from the camp of the Remnant Allied Army.

"A retreat signal?"

Absolon was stunned, both shocked and furious. "Who gave the signal to retreat without my order? I am the commander-in-chief!"

A bald troll riding a tall Raptor leaped over and shouted, "Great Chieftain, more than ten clan Boss Tier have jointly requested a retreat, which is why the retreat signal was sounded! You should return quickly too!"

After the retreat signal was given, the Remnant Allied Army who had been swarming around the walls of Blackrock Fortress retreated swiftly, like the tides of the sea.

Even the mighty Absolon dared not stay behind alone. He snorted, spurred his Direwolf, and joined the retreating army.

Prince Nicholas led his troops in a pursuit, but dared not delve too far into the fray, much less leave the range of the city wall defenders.

"It seems Dio's operation has succeeded," Count Danton rode up and said in a low voice. "Your Highness, we have successfully defended the city on our first siege."

"That's right, now we just hope he can get away safely and return to the fortress..." Nicholas said.

"Why retreat!"

"On the way back, "Absolon roared.

A red-haired troll with his hair tied in thin braids spread his hands and said, "Great Chieftain, our rear is in trouble... Three supply outposts have been attacked by humans, and thousands of logistics personnel have perished..."

"Just three supply outposts, what's that?" Absolon was furious. "If you had all followed my charge, we would have killed that human prince and entered Blackrock City long ago! Kaerhan, you and your Bloodspear Clan are cowards!"

"Absolon, we are not like you," another short, stocky Orcs, resembling an anvil, said in a deep voice. "The families of us clan Boss Tier are all in the rear strongholds, while your family is with you."

"There's another point," another clan Boss Tier said. "If we can't capture Blackrock City and all the strongholds are burned to the ground, what will the warriors eat? Will they fight on an empty stomach?"

"That's right, Absolon, you are brave, but not all humans are useless. That prince was actually able to withstand your attack... Blackrock City will not be so easy to take. Even if we charge in, there are other strong humans who will stop us."

"It's said that Kelman's troops were defeated by an archbishop who could cast forbidden divine spells. Just imagine, if such a terrifying forbidden spell were to fall on us during a battle... even with our strength, we'd probably be in grave danger."

"That's right, let's clear out the rear first, then slowly attack Blackrock City."

Absolon snorted heavily. Although he was powerful, he felt powerless and extremely frustrated in this noisy gathering of clan Boss Tier.