There were still several hundred meters between the two sides!
The voice of the man with short golden hair, however, clearly reached the ears of the Kingdom's forces who were surrounded.
"Did they use a magic item? Or some kind of magic?"
Gazef's eyes sharpened and grew serious. The four figures were in stark contrast to the surrounding soldiers.
It wasn't just the difference in their appearance and attire, but more so the disparity in their auras!
It was like a tiger appearing in a flock of cats; no matter how many cats there were, they couldn't hide the tiger's presence and stature.
"With that kind of attire, are they the Empire's Four Knights?" Gazef's heart trembled as he guessed what was happening. "Miss Renners?"
Renners didn't respond, instead gazing intently at the four from the Empire, completely ignoring Gazef's question.
Gazef showed a hint of awkwardness and wiped his nose.
Although they worked together, and there was a certain level of competition between them, Gazef still wanted to get closer to Miss Renners.
However, her reaction was always cold.
"Congratulations, Renners, the injury on your face has completely recovered."
"The last time we met was at a banquet."
The man with short golden hair exclaimed, his voice devoid of any hostility:
"You know, His Majesty is a great emperor. He doesn't care about the impact of nobles being massacred, because the number of nobles eliminated by His Majesty will only be greater."
"The Re-Estize Kingdom is already rotten, and its end will eventually come. Your transgressions are not severe."
"With your abilities, if you return to the Empire, you will surely be entrusted with important tasks again. His Majesty has personally promised this – Renners Lockburrs!"
This speech, attempting to persuade with both reason and emotion, caused a brief stir among the Kingdom's troops.
"Hey, hey!"
"Our Kingdom is doing just fine." Gazef grinned, his face full of displeasure as he shouted, "Such provocation won't work on us!"
Without the amplification of magic items, Gazef's shout could only be heard by the Kingdom's soldiers behind him, unable to affect the Empire's side.
However.
Gazef's original intention was to reassure the soldiers behind him. His peripheral vision glanced at Renners beside him, and a string in his heart tightened unnaturally.
Renners' fluffy golden hair was tied at her waist. The black hair tie was a headband Tang Zheng had given her on the "Prayer Day" of the New Year.
"Heh~"
Renners' lips curved into an arc, and she let out a cold laugh.
It was unclear whether this laugh was mocking the Empire, the Kingdom, or both, as she had never truly served the Kingdom.
"From left to right, the title is 'Lightning Flash.' He is a swordsman, and his title comes from the sword in his hand."
"'Immovable,' it is said he excels in combat styles involving striking and charging, possessing extremely strong defensive capabilities."
Renners turned her fair profile, pausing her speech here:
"The one speaking is Nimbul. His title is unknown. He possesses both warrior and faith-based magic classes, and his methods are varied, so be cautious. He was not among the 'Four Knights' when I left."
"The other one I haven't met before; he is also a newly appointed Four Knight."
Renners looked at Gazef, who was listening intently beside her, her lips parting: "A reminder, the selection of the Empire's Four Knights does not consider status, personality, or loyalty, only strength."
"Mm, although I don't think you'll lose to them with your abilities."
"It is an honor to be praised by Miss Renners." Gazef was momentarily stunned, then lifted his Razor Edge with one hand, his eyes serious: "It looks like it will be a tough fight."
Renners' pupils gradually turned icy. She raised a finger and gently touched the pendant hanging around her neck.
It was a pendant made of a finger-thick, fire-red mane tied with a hemp rope. Its style was quite rugged, making it slightly conspicuous on Renners.
Magic Item: Thorned Mane.
It was a sacred artifact of the Lionfolk, an item that integrated offense and defense. It wasn't very useful for Tang Zheng, so he gave it to Renners.
Hummm—
A red light suddenly appeared on the pendant.
"Radiant Sunbeam!"
A crimson beam of light shot out from the pendant. In two breaths, it had crossed several hundred meters and was aimed at the direction of the Four Knights.
Where the high-temperature beam passed, the air burned, emitting a scorched smell!
"Dodge!"
A furious roar erupted from one of the Four Knights.
Although the magical attack was sudden and even extremely fast, there were still several hundred meters between the two sides, which was enough for the Four Knights to react.
The four figures simultaneously moved away from their original positions!
The crimson beam of light fell among the soldiers behind, easily piercing through more than a dozen of them.
This was followed by an explosion of flames!
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
Screams of pain rang out, with over 30 soldiers dying instantly and more than 50 suffering burns of varying degrees.
This was the attack power of Fifth Tier fire magic!
If the distance had been shorter, the casualties would have been even greater.
"Did they dodge it?"
Renners' beautiful eyes flickered, not particularly surprised by this outcome.
This item could unleash a Fifth Tier magic level defense and attack once each, so using it right at the start was indeed a bit of a waste.
The most important reason she did so was to dispel any defensive feelings that Gazef and his soldiers might have towards her, especially after Nimbul's instigation.
Seeing this, the Kingdom's soldiers were astonished, and then let out cheers of encouragement. The fear of being surrounded by the enemy dissipated significantly.
The power of Fifth Tier magic shocked everyone present!
"This woman—I'm going to kill her!"
Rotten Wolf's eyes glowed with an unnatural red, his expression twisted and filled with murderous intent as he growled.
The other three of the Four Knights wore grim, cold expressions, and a sense of lingering fear flashed through their minds.
With the power of that magic, if they had been hit, they would have been seriously injured even if they didn't die.
"Lightning Flash and I will hold off Gazef,"
Gekifu said calmly. "That woman Renners will be dealt with by Rotten Wolf and Immovable."
"His Majesty's orders are very clear: no matter the cost, we must kill Renners!"
"Hehehe!"
Rotten Wolf's lean body bent slightly, his shoulders twitching. "Fighting on the battlefield, this is much more interesting than the arena!"
"Don't underestimate that woman," Immovable said with a serious expression. "Her methods of attack are unusual. Once injured, ordinary healing magic and potions won't be able to treat it."
"Also, this woman has the means to destroy low-tier items, so be careful during the fight!"
Rotten Wolf narrowed his eyes, a hint of seriousness creeping into his previously confident demeanor.
Just as the Four Knights were about to act!
"Four of you, wait a moment!" A gentle yet authoritative voice called from behind.
An armored warhorse carried a young general, no older than 30, clad in light armor. His face was gentle, and he clearly possessed noble blood.
"General Rei?" Gekifu frowned.
This was one of the Empire's eight generals, and the youngest at that. Being a general at such a young age demonstrated his talent and the Bloody Emperor's high regard for him.
This was also an ambitious fellow!
However.
The "Four Knights" were directly under the command of the Bloody Emperor and not part of the regular army. General Rei had no authority to order them.
"Everyone, rash actions on the battlefield are fatal. This is not a personal duel between warriors,"
General Rei spoke with a soft tone, but his words felt somewhat abrasive:
"His Majesty arranged for the Royal Aerial Guard Corps and personally dispatched you, the 'Four Knights,' to the battlefield, not just to eliminate a traitor to the Empire."
Looking into the distance!
General Rei gazed at the Kingdom's elite troops, who were completely surrounded, a hidden fervor flashing in his eyes. He said with seriousness and solemnity:
"We must completely extinguish the Kingdom's hope of rising!"
"Archers, prepare—!"
With a rustle.
Imperial soldiers from all directions raised their bows, nocked arrows, and drew their strings, the vibrating hum filling the air.
"Fire!"
Whoosh— Whoosh—
A sky full of arrows transformed into a chilling, sharp rain, blanketing the sky.
"Defensive formation!"
"Shields!"
Renners and Gazef's expressions changed slightly, and they immediately issued commands.
While they could easily block such an attack with their own strength, it posed a serious threat to the soldiers.
"The Four Knights aren't attacking..."
A bad premonition arose in Renners. Her original plan was to provoke the Four Knights and directly confront them with her and Gazef's strength.
If they could kill even one of them.
It would be a severe blow to the Empire's forces.
The battlefield is not a place for individual combat!
Even with the strength of the Hero Domain, one could easily slaughter thousands of soldiers, but their stamina would inevitably be severely depleted.
Renners and Gazef were both top-tier powerhouses. If such individuals decided to flee, even an army couldn't stop them.
But now, both were generals of their respective armies. Unless their entire armies were annihilated, if they abandoned their troops and fled, there would be no place for them to survive in the Kingdom!
"The smell of blood, how wonderful."
General Rei, mounted on his warhorse, let out a sinister laugh.
—However!
Unnoticed by everyone, at the edge of the battlefield, creatures resembling rats, adept at hiding, emerged from underground.
They then died without a sound.
From the corpses of these animals or monsters, vibrant red flowers burst forth, blooming as if stained with blood.
The red petals swayed!
Faint yellow pollen spread into the air.
Mid-Fire Month, August 12th.
The adventurer party, led by "Blue Rose" and Anri, finally arrived at the northern depths of the Tove Great Forest.
Personnel losses were close to ten percent.
At the same time!
The forces led by Renners and Gazef were completely entangled with the Empire's army.
Over the past two days, the Empire's forces had lost over 3,000 men, while the Kingdom's forces had only lost about 100.
Despite a 30:1 disparity!
The morale of the Kingdom's forces had severely plummeted.
The Empire adopted an encirclement strategy of waiting for the enemy to tire, even deploying a "surround three, leave one open" tactic.
They were continuously forcing the Kingdom's troops to move away from the radiation range of the border fortress "E-Rantel," thereby cutting off their supply lines!
Even with the strength of Renners and the other, who had slaughtered over 3,000 people with overwhelming force, the impact on the overall battle was ultimately limited.
This was not a difference in tactics or strength!
It was a difference in the importance placed on the situation by the Kingdom and the Empire. The Kingdom was clearly still viewing the Empire's harassment from its past perspective.
Northern depths of the Tove Great Forest.
A desolate area of withered trees.
Two trees with lush leaves stood at the center of this region.
"They're here!"
The Tree Spirit Pinesis was inwardly panicked.
The human adventurer party's strength was too terrifying. All the monsters that had stood in their way along the path had only served to slow their advance.
What to do?
What to do!
"The Terror Treant definitely won't be a match for those humans."
Tree Spirit Pinesis hid within her main body, trembling, filled with despair. "I already made the monsters in the forest stop harassing the humans."
"Why are the humans still coming in!"
Initially, the chaotic monsters were controlled by the Terror Treant, but after she took over, she stopped doing that.
"Only when Lord Demon Tree awakens, even if it's only partially, will I be able to survive—"
Tree Spirit Pinesis seemed to have made up her mind upon thinking this.
On the battlefield of the Laz Plains.
The blooming red flowers became increasingly vibrant.
And at this moment, the adventurer party had completely entered this desolate area.
"What in the world is going on here!"
"All the trees have withered?"
A large number of adventurers stared in astonishment at the abnormal phenomenon before them.
"So, we've reached their base," Gaguran walked up to a withered tree and casually punched it with her fist.
With a "snap," the seemingly sturdy dead tree broke apart!
Whoosh!
A red figure flew from above, creating a whistling sound as it cut through the air.
"Enemy detected!"
"Three kilometers ahead, there are two abnormal normal trees. They should be unknown plant-type demon creatures."
Iville Ai, suspended in mid-air, her voice magically amplified, reached the ears of the adventurers below.
"I thought they would hide, but they've completely exposed themselves to us?" one adventurer muttered in confusion.
"Everyone!"
Lakyus's gaze sharpened. Wiping dust from his face, he addressed the crowd, "We'll take a 10-minute break, and then—we'll completely annihilate these two monsters!"
"Ooh—!"
"Ooh!" The adventurers, shaking off their fatigue, shouted excitedly.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
However, the crowd's excitement didn't last long. They watched as some of the dead trees ahead began to shake violently.
The next moment.
A portion of the dead trees seemed to come alive. Their roots, like human legs, emerged from the ground, transforming into ferocious-looking treants!
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