Outside the city walls, chaos erupted. Yuna Ji charged into the enemy ranks, braving the hail of arrows behind her. In an instant, countless foes fell to the ground.
At this moment, the enemy began to move to both flanks. I could no longer keep track of the siege attackers’ movements. Through the haze, I glimpsed siege ladders and ropes. Right now, just holding back General Crimson Plume was taking everything I had.
The baleful energy inside me was tightly locked down, not a trace leaking out. It was like a boiling cauldron within. I struggled to block every strike from General Crimson Plume, completely on the defensive.
I was racking my brain for a solution as the enemy forces advanced to the base of the wall. Even with concentrated firepower from above, such a massive army pressing forward couldn’t be stopped in a short time. Soldiers kept falling from the ramparts.
"You’ve improved a bit, but you’re still far too green!"
With two swift slashes, I managed to dodge the vital points, but my chest was still gashed twice. I crashed into the city wall behind me. General Crimson Plume crouched low, gripping her twin swords in reverse. My eyes widened as the space around us began to distort—I instantly understood her intent: she wanted to carve an opening in the wall.
I raised Belle with both hands and charged at General Crimson Plume. I absolutely couldn’t let her destroy the wall. My entire focus was locked onto her—every tiny movement she made, I caught.
I drew closer and closer to General Crimson Plume, my mind blank. I was waiting for the exact moment she struck—my only chance to counter her attack.
Everything seemed to slow down, as if frozen in time. General Crimson Plume lifted her head slightly; her twin swords moved.
With a furious roar, I swung Belle upward in a diagonal slash. There was a thunderous crash, and then I felt my body about to fall apart, sent flying backward.
Two streaks of crimson sword light flashed before my eyes. With a thunderous crash, I was thrown to the ground. An explosion erupted behind me, mingled with agonized screams. The city wall shuddered under the impact, two deep scars gouged into its surface.
I scrambled to my feet. The enemy army had already reached the base of the city walls on both sides. Hooks shot upward, and long ladders were raised, rattling against the stones.
At the heart of the distant battlefield, Yuna Ji was locked in combat with General White Plume.
A strange sensation washed over me. Before, I couldn’t see General Crimson Plume’s attacks clearly, but this time I caught a glimpse and managed to alter her trajectory with a counterstrike. Otherwise, there would already be a gaping hole in the city wall.
Once again, General Crimson Plume became a streak of crimson light, charging straight at me. I gripped Belle tightly, focusing all my senses on her. Catching a fleeting shadow, I dodged swiftly to the side atop my horse.
With a harsh crack, I dodged her attack, but a layer of bone was scraped from my body. Steadying myself, I raised Belle and, with a metallic clang, hurled myself toward the enemy soldiers besieging the city.
A thunderous collision—I crashed into a cluster of enemies. Atop my horse, I swung Belle relentlessly, cutting down foes who turned to ash. In the distance, General Crimson Plume seemed to have abandoned her plan to breach the city wall, now intent on pursuing me.
Enduring her relentless blows, I kept luring General Crimson Plume through the enemy ranks. She cared nothing for her own soldiers—one after another, they died under her sword. Her wild laughter echoed as nearby troops halted their assault and began to retreat.
I've always hated General Crimson Plume's methods, ever since the first time I witnessed her in battle.
With a metallic clang, I seized the chaos and struck with my sword, only to be blocked by General Crimson Plume. My hands went numb from the force of her blow. She laughed madly, thrusting her twin blades at me. As I dodged, a chorus of screams erupted behind me—the soldiers of the Empire.