Huh? Why had the rhythm of the music changed again?
What exactly was John Maslow doing?
Outside Horseshoe City, to the east, near the Blueflower Vine Woods.
Listening to the music shifting once more through the air, Leon Li's brow slowly furrowed, his expression turning uncertain.
The original sound of hoofbeats was still there, but now it was mixed with the neighing of galloping warhorses.
It was as though a vast army stood on the verge of arriving before them. Those neighs and roars amid the charge gave Leon an indescribably bad feeling.
Could it be that the enemy was confident they could eliminate his Blackfeather Forces?
But how was that possible? His Blackfeather Forces had been selected from countless candidates, choosing those most suited to inherit the Darkfeather spellcraft.
Combined with Heim Alchemical Technology, they had become a first-rate assassination force.
In less than five years, they had risen from an unknown unit to the very top among assassination forces.
Even compared with the Empire's Black Eagle Special Forces, they were no weaker.
John Maslow had brought only a Mage Corps. There was no way he could deal with his elite unit!
So it had to be that he—
"Report, General Leon! The communications unit has just received an urgent telegram from the Blackfeather Forces inside Horseshoe City!"
Just as Leon kept trying to reassure himself, the signalman's voice abruptly interrupted his thoughts.
Seeing the signalman's grave expression, Leon's heart clenched, and an unprecedented sense of danger rose within him.
Still, he forcibly suppressed his emotions and said in a low voice,
"Read it!"
"Yes. The Blackfeather Forces were ambushed by an enemy assassination unit. Their spellcraft completely countered ours. They are suspected to be instructor-level assassination members of the Empire's Black Eagle Special Forces. Lieutenant Colonel Enzo has