Betrayal

Faced with Bird's accusation, the Intelligence Chief was so furious his flesh seemed ready to melt, but he did not argue.

The atmosphere had already been tense before the battle. With the clash between the two men, it grew almost unbearable.

Bird said nothing more. He lowered his head and silently watched his pocket watch.

"Click... click..."

The silver-inlaid second hand ticked forward one mark at a time.

Amid the horses' neighs, the men's hurried breathing, and the clicking gears, time trickled past like sand. Soon, the gold-inlaid minute hand reached the appointed time.

Click! Bird snapped the pocket watch shut with a flick of his wrist.

Then he gave a sharp tug, pulling his helmet's visor down over his face.

"Follow me!"

Bird hauled on the reins, kicked his horse's flanks, and led the charge toward the distant Ghost Warband!

"For the baron!"

"Kill them all!"

"Charge!"

The deathly still woods erupted. Shouts set the long, dreadful wait ablaze!

Hooves pounded, men roared, horses screamed, and steel clashed in a deafening din!

From above, the wraiths' formation resembled a long ribbon running along both sides of the river, while the charging cavalry looked like a sharp, short arrow!

Hooves thundered as the riders closed in. The patrolling wraiths truly had no time to react. Through that heart-stopping charge, the riders met no resistance at all!

Through the dust, dozens of heavily armored infantry came into focus. Xia Lun could clearly see the wraiths' rotting jaws and translucent tongues.

The wraiths had been marching along the river. At the thunder of hooves, a banner-bearing wraith blew its horn. The maimed wraiths raised their weapons and turned, but they were too slow!

The cavalry was about to strike their flank!

"Prepare to engage!" Bird shouted beside Xia Lun.

Amid the clang