Breaching the City

Dragon City.

A huge crater has appeared where the city gate used to be, and the surrounding area is charred black.

Broken bricks, stones, and earth flew everywhere, mixed with human bodies.

This is an extremely horrific explosion site.

The giant gate that Dragon City was once so proud of was blown to pieces, and the guards on it also suffered heavy losses.

Buzz!

Gran's head was spinning, and he was experiencing intense tinnitus.

He looked up blankly, then finally understood what had happened: 'That's it... a Wizard, carrying the Southern Duke's token, claimed to have a way to break through the defenses of Dragon City!'

"This is... terrible witchcraft!"

Beside Gran, Rophis, his entire body shimmering with silver battle aura, formed another layer of protection beyond his steel armor, appearing to be the most relaxed of them all. "It's probably not just witchcraft, but also some kind of arrangement near the city gate... Indeed, only a duke could accomplish such a feat."

"We should prepare to attack, but it would be best to regroup our troops first."

Gran looked around blankly.

Although they had been warned and their ears plugged, few people actually followed the instructions. Furthermore, upon witnessing this miraculous scene, many Soldier from the north looked bewildered, as if they had been terrified.

Some militiamen even cried out the name of the Mother Goddess as they fled, only to be caught and beheaded by the well-prepared Northern Knights.

"Charge! Charge!"

Grand Duke Frank woke up earlier than him and roared out his orders.

Waaah!

The horn roared, and a large number of northern troops were driven toward the open gates of Dragon City.

"Kill!"

A large number of knights acted as the vanguard, charging into the breach and wielding their heavy weapons to knock away the Soldier tried to close the gap.

The most important factor in defending a city is morale!

The Soldier originally relied on the fortified city of Dragon City, which created a false sense of security. Once this security was breached, the blow to their confidence was unparalleled.

Even though they outnumbered each other, they were now being forced to retreat.

Furthermore, although the northern army was small in number, its soldiers, living in the harsh environment, were all tall, fierce, and wild.

"Release the arrows!"

Another troop of Soldier surged forward, and at the command of their lead knight, they drew their bows and unleashed a 'rain of arrows' upon the battlefield.

The fierce Northern Territory Soldier fell in large numbers, but to the heavily armored knights, it was nothing more than a drizzle.

With a single charge, they reached the Archer' ranks, ready to unleash a massacre.

"Stop them!"

At this moment, Royal Knights clad in gold-painted armor roared and charged out, plunging the two groups of extraordinary warriors into battle and forcing ordinary Soldier to retreat.

Throughout the battlefield, ordinary people have their own circles, and extraordinary people have their own circles.

Even the Wizard found their own opponents, and all sorts of spells flew and rained down.

"The Chief Court Swordsman — Edward Livingstone?"

Rophis, his silver aura flashing, stepped in front of Edward: "I demand a duel of honor."

"I recognize you... the Silver Hand of the Northern Territory, the most talented knight! Lord Rophis!"

Edward's expression was flippant. "You are no match for me."

He was already at the stage of transforming into the fourth rank, and his swordsmanship was far more exquisite than that of the northern barbarians.

"Rank has never been the sole criterion for determining victory or defeat!"

Rophis roared and thrust his longsword forward, the intense silver battle aura transforming into a beautiful White Crow.

"But... it's the key to victory or defeat! Sword Technique: Mighty Lion!"

Edward's longsword trembled, and a battle aura of gold and silver emerged, transforming into a lion, with the blade becoming the lion's claws and teeth.

Bite!

Two longswords clashed, and the White Crow and the lion fought, their fighting spirit constantly waning.

However, it is clear that the battle aura mixed with gold lasts longer than the Silver Light.

"Sword Skill Unleashed!"

Edward drew his sword again, and countless sword tips appeared, like a giant flower blooming in mid-air, enveloping Rophis.

Jingle bells!

The battle aura pierced through Rophis's battle aura and armor defenses, leaving him covered in blood.

"You've lost..."

Edward said calmly, without much joy.

"As expected... I'm not a true genius... I've lost..." Rophis gave a bitter laugh, then suddenly looked up. "But I haven't lost yet, because this is war! I'm sorry..."

"Um?"

Edward suddenly sensed danger and quickly retreated.

Pfft!

At his original spot, thorns appeared, chasing after him like pythons.

"Iron Curtain!"

He brandished his longsword, creating a circular beam of light that caused all the vines he had probed to fall to the ground.

Edward, however, showed little joy. Instead, he stared at the cloaked figure who had suddenly appeared and said, "Eric, you have indeed betrayed the King!"

"I'm sorry, Edward, I had already pledged allegiance to another lord, although it was only a month before the king recruited me."

Eric sighed and quickly chanted a spell. A beam of emerald light fell on Rophis, causing his wounds to stop bleeding and heal rapidly.

"This secret technique can suppress your injuries and unleash your potential, but be careful not to exhaust yourself, or you will die!"

Eric then turned to Edward and said, "I've long wanted to test the waters: how your swordsmanship will fare against my sorcery."

The next moment, the battle broke out again.

The energy of magic and battle aura overflowed, ravaging the surrounding buildings.

After a long while, on the ruins.

Rophis was covered in blood and panting heavily. Eric, who was next to him, looked alright, but his right arm was nowhere to be seen.

"He escaped?"

Rophis breathed a sigh of relief, "This strongest supporter of the Queen has finally admitted defeat."

"Edward... he's stronger than I thought. He actually had the ability to drag us all to our deaths, but he chose to back down!"

Eric smiled slightly, "After all, he is loyal to the king, not the Queen... Besides, he only needs a few years of transformation to fully ascend to the Gold Knight, he can't bear to die."

"Then we are really lucky."

Rophis was silent for a moment. "He has already fulfilled his duties as a vassal by going this far... So, shall we go to the palace next? The royal family's foundation... there shouldn't be another Edward, right?"

"Rest assured, I have thoroughly investigated the royal family's trump cards... The long years and wars have consumed too many Curio, and even the Dragon Rider's legacy has become incomplete... Currently, the royal family should only have one last war-related Curio left, called ' The Last Refuge,' which can support a defense covering the palace and withstand attacks from fourth-tier forces... However, it cannot be maintained for long, nor does it have any destructive power."

Eric said, "The evil Kingslayer will surely be punished."

"And our blindly loyal Duke wants to find a collateral branch of the family most closely related to Philetrin III to inherit the crown!"

Rophis replied sullenly.