The squire sent to check on Nigel’s situation returned rather quickly.By then, Kasallin had stopped the carriage briefly by the roadside with the knights, catching her breath.

“I report: His Majesty the Emperor received the message and changed course to a different route, not through the canyon,and has safely entered the Great Plains region.”

“Is that true? No casualties?”

“Yes. There are no injuries reported. Thanks to Her Majesty the Empress’s judgment,it seems they succeeded in evading the spies without wasting strength.”

A sigh of relief spread among the knights.Though Kasallin didn’t show it outwardly, she felt her inwardly anxious heart calm significantly.

“That’s truly fortunate. It seems Sir Nigel did well.He must have had a hard time crossing the mountains; is he alright?”

“You don’t need to worry about Sir Nigel.He’s the kind who’d get up fine even after starving for four days.”

When Kasallin asked in a concerned tone, a sturdy knight standing beside Vincent spoke reassuringly.She was grateful for his effort to lighten the mood and ease her worries.

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

Meanwhile, Vincent, standing close to Kasallin, spoke with a thoughtful expression.

“Earlier, inside the carriage, you mentioned there was an important reason we must go to His Majesty’s location.Could you provide a detailed explanation?”

Kasallin nodded slightly, leaning forward from the carriage seat.The knights, except those on guard, turned their attention to her. She began her story.

“When I received the secret letter that King Shallen had covertly sent spies into our Rennel Empire,I suspected his plans wouldn’t end there.I’ve observed him closely for a long time.He will surely try to harm His Majesty at the battlefield using another cowardly method.”

“May I ask why you’re so certain?”

Vincent asked cautiously.

“There’s an ally by King Shallen’s side.”

“An ally…?”

“With almost everyone having turned against him, there’s one loyal vassal who hasn’t betrayed him and stays by his side.His name is Alonzo Laugel, an old friend of King Shallen and the only person he trusts.”

Kasallin took a sip of water to moisten her throat before continuing.

“He would do anything for King Shallen.He’d eagerly join even the most despicable and vile plans and pretend to die if his lord commanded it.This time, King Shallen will surely rely on him.Is there, by chance, a detailed map of the Great Plains?”

Kasallin reached out to the knights as she asked.A squire fetched a large scroll from the luggage compartment and handed it to her.Kasallin spread the map on her lap, studying it carefully.

“I heard the Great Plains are mostly reed fields, is that correct?”

“Yes. To explain further, the western side is slightly higher than the opposite side,and a small stream flows through here.There’s also a sizable evergreen forest along the edges…”

Vincent, knowledgeable about the Great Plains’ terrain, pointed to various parts of the map, explaining in detail.Kasallin listened, slowly rubbing her chin.

“Then the most effective weapon would be a bow.King Shallen lacks the skill to face His Majesty one-on-one.So, he’s likely to target a vulnerability with some other method,like striking from behind with a bow. Such a task would fall to his close aide, Alonzo Laugel.”

The knights, listening to Kasallin’s explanation, exchanged subtle glances with quiet admiration.Kasallin folded the map decisively.

“But staring at this paper now won’t accomplish anything.For now, let’s continue to the villa near the Great Plains.We’ll regroup and reorganize there.”

Negotiations had broken down, and days later, the day of the decisive battle arrived.

At an hour when the bluish chill of dawn had not yet fully dissipated,knights emerged one by one from the tents, preparing for battle calmly and without hesitation.

From the temporary stables, each brought their warhorse,while squires busily saddled the horses or carried weapon crates.

Having completed most preparations on the way to the Great Plains,all that remained was for each to steel their resolve.

“Your Majesty, only your command is needed now.”

Parnes nodded briefly and mounted Blackgriffon.

Holding the reins in one hand and a long sword in the other, he stood at the forefront,silently gazing across the plain through the slit of his visor.

Though the distance was considerable, one figure stood out clearly among the tightly packed ranks.

Shallen Riche, standing at the front as a so-called king,with a dazed expression as if he had no idea where he was or what he was doing.

“The sun is rising.”

Sir Antonio, standing to the right, spoke with a voice tinged with tension.A flock of black birds swiftly passed between the two armies.

Beyond the evergreen forest, a dazzling light slowly seeped out,and soon, the round sun heralded the start of a new morning.

At that moment, a trumpet sounded, and Parnes, as if waiting for it, gritted his teeth and spurred his horse.

The Great Plains, calm with not a breath of wind, were soon filled with the roars of soldiers.Then, the thunderous sound of hundreds of hooves pounding the earth shook the ground.

No one else mattered.

Parnes ruthlessly knocked down the insignificant soldiers of the Kan Kingdom with one hand,charging madly toward a single target.

“The Emperor is coming!”

“Protect His Majesty the King!”

As Parnes crossed the central boundary line in an instant, heading toward Shallen,a dozen or so elite soldiers, seemingly handpicked, quickly formed a circle around Shallen.

It seemed he intended to hide like a coward to preserve his precious life until the end.

“Step aside. Those who retreat willingly will be spared with my special mercy.”

Parnes flicked his sword, dripping with red, through the air as he spoke.

As crimson stains scattered over the fine reed field, Shallen’s pupils widened behind his elite guards.

Despite the warning, the elite soldiers did not retreat. It was as expected.Parnes dismounted with a resigned air.

“I gave you a chance. Don’t resent me.”

It happened in an instant. Parnes charged diagonally across the golden reed field,cutting down the elite soldiers without mercy.

Most couldn’t follow his movements, stumbling and screaming as they fell.

The madman of the Red Plains. They’d only heard rumors, but never imagined he’d be this formidable.Shallen nearly lost the last drop of courage and spirit he had.

“Damn it… Damn it!”

As his so-called elite soldiers collapsed without resistance, Shallen began to feel genuine fear.He flinched and stumbled backward.

Parnes cut through the obstructing reeds with his sword, leisurely pursuing the retreating Shallen.

Before long, the two were far from the battlefield’s center, in a secluded corner.All that could be seen were tall reeds and calmly drifting clouds.

“What a pitiful sight.”

Parnes muttered with a voice tinged with a hint of pity.At the same time, Shallen’s back hit a cold rock.

Realizing there was no further retreat, he gasped as if suffocating,gripping his sword with trembling hands.

“Don’t misunderstand. I only moved us here to fight without interference.Now the real battle begins.”

Shallen spoke with a defiance that came from nowhere,but his facial muscles twitched pathetically, beyond his control.

Parnes let out an involuntary smirk.

“I’m grateful for your words. I was worried you might tuck tail and flee.”

“I truly don’t understand.”

Shallen glared at Parnes with narrowed eyes, muttering as if to himself.

“I can’t fathom why you harbor such deep resentment toward me.”

“…”

“I admit I did foolish things and wronged Kasallin.But if someone asked if I committed a crime grave enough for you to want me dead,I couldn’t easily nod.”

“I don’t know why you keep stalling.”

Parnes replied indifferently, as if he hadn’t listened to a word Shallen said.Shallen’s jaw tightened, as if his last shred of pride had been scratched.

“Is that all you have to say?”

Parnes lightly adjusted his grip on his massive sword and walked toward Shallen.His steps were relaxed, as if strolling through a park.

Shallen’s face, drenched in cold sweat, clung tightly to the rock’s edge behind him.

A strange flicker of conflict appeared in his eyes,and he shifted his gaze to somewhere beyond Parnes.

Noticing the subtle change, Parnes’s expression darkened,and a moment later, he followed Shallen’s line of sight.

“Now!”

Shallen shouted, his voice echoing across the plain.Almost simultaneously, a woman’s voice, one that shouldn’t have been there, rang out from the evergreen forest.

“Three o’clock!”