Cornflower Witch

Chapter 273 The Speeding Figure

Under the night sky, Hilti rode forward on horseback. In the distance, the fortress was burning with fire, and the walls were filled with figures fighting.

"The city of Riftax is just ahead, my lady," a Regas cavalryman told the young woman, following closely beside her.

"How is the situation there?" Hiltiya asked.

"We received a report from the Eagle Training Command that there are many troops stationed in the city at the moment, and they occupy many high points. We are fighting very hard and I'm afraid we can't hold out for long."

"I see."

Hiltiya bent down, took out a fragrant carrot, fed it to the windhorse beneath her, and then put a few red currants into its mouth.

The girl whispered her words of advice into the ear of the windhorse.

"There will be a lot going on tonight, and we'll need to work together to get through it. Keep running, I believe in your potential, which is far greater than this."

Chewing on its food, the white messenger horse neighed in the night wind, its limbs rising and falling, its speed increasing until it finally transformed into a white comet, breaking away from the flock and rushing towards the distant mountain fortress.

On the open field, nearly a thousand cavalrymen galloped on horseback, closely following the girl and her silhouette, rushing towards the burning fortress city.

These cavalrymen came from various towns in Regas. Some were Regasians who rebelled against Antioch, some were followers of the Hundred-Eyed Cult of the Advent, and a small number were Antiochian soldiers who had been subdued by Hiltiah.

Although Hiltija shattered their lines of suppression against the Regas, she also rescued them from the encirclement and attack of many Regas people filled with hatred.

“I know you don’t want to die in a foreign land, and I know you don’t really have much of a choice. If you want to live, follow me and fight for me. I can promise you that you will all return home alive.”

Amidst the burning flames, surrounded by Regasians wielding guns and blades, their eyes filled with hatred, the desperate Antian soldiers could only kneel on one knee, begging for the protection of this powerful figure.

A person's charm is hard to describe. Perhaps an exquisite appearance can make most people's hearts flutter, but the figure wielding a sword and easily tearing through enemy lines time and time again on the battlefield is also something that people yearn for.

That power, so simple and unadorned, that glory of victory, like the most dazzling gem in the night, attracts countless figures to follow.

In the darkness, the young girl climbed the city wall, her figure gliding lightly across the wall. The sword in her hand flashed and slashed, cutting through thrusting steel spears and piercing through sturdy heavy armor. Sparks flew and iron filings crumbled as enemies who stood in her way fell one by one.

The knight guarding the city of Rift Axe, clad in heavy black armor and wielding a two-handed greatsword, strode forward, his eyes, peering through the gaps in his helmet, fixed on the girl who was charging up the city wall.

The mighty greatsword slashed down, and the resulting shockwave made the cheeks of the surrounding soldiers sting.

The first time, the girl stopped, gripped her sword with both hands, and parried the greatsword that was about to strike. Sparks flew as the blade flew and shards flew up. Then the two clashed again, and the knight's two-handed greatsword gleamed with a cold silver light, exuding a dangerous aura.

This time, the longsword in Hilti's hand broke, and the shattered blade grazed her cheek, leaving a trace of blood.

After dodging the attack, Hilti threw away the broken sword and stared at the powerful heavily armored knight. Starlight flickered in her eyes as she slowly raised her wrist from her black sleeve. A golden longsword emerged from the void and returned to her hand.

Then the girl acted again, the golden blade twirling and dancing in the night wind, like flowing golden light, appearing between the black skirt and sleeves, and golden blade marks falling on the heavily armored knight, one after another.

Until one moment, these golden cracks shattered completely in another slash, scattering off the city wall.

With a thud, the heavily armored knight knelt heavily on the ground, his head bowed, and he slowly stopped breathing. Only then did a trickle of dark red blood slowly flow down from between his eyebrows.

After the death of the most powerful guardian of Riftax, the remaining Antian soldiers lost all will to fight and began to flee.

At that moment, the image of the black-haired girl standing on the city wall with a knife was deeply imprinted in everyone's minds.

The city gates slowly descended, and cavalrymen galloped across the wilderness into the city of Rift Axe, shouting loudly.

"Surrender without killing!"

"Now, we, the people of Regas, will take over this city. All Antian must lay down their weapons and raise their hands, and no one shall harm them!"

Their voices echoed throughout the city, the thunderous hooves shattering the night and ending the remaining fighting.

Half an hour later, the Antioch Kingdom's flag on the city wall was slowly lowered, and the dark flag belonging to Regas was slowly raised.

Then, one by one, the surrendered Antian soldiers were led out and gathered in the square. Standing straight on both sides of the road were figures wielding weapons; among them were Regasians, unfamiliar cultists in black and red robes, and even Antian warriors in their unadorned armor. At this moment, they seemed to transcend national and factional distinctions, standing tall and proud. Once all the captured Antian soldiers had arrived in the square, a black-haired figure hurried over. She ascended the high platform of the square, and the soldiers in the square knelt on one knee in unison, paying homage to this queen.

This scene shocked the captured Antian soldiers, and even many onlookers in the city of Rift Axe looked at the figure on the high platform with great surprise.

From any angle, she appeared to be a delicate-looking young woman who didn't seem particularly imposing. However, the blood-stained golden longsword in her hand spoke volumes.

In the pale golden firelight, she sheathed her blade, her clear, pure blue eyes slowly sweeping across the entire area. Her voice was clear and gentle, calming everyone down without them even realizing it.

"Now, you must make a choice: either come with me to save more towns, or face the judgment you deserve and atone for your sins."

"If you follow me, I can promise that you will be able to return home safely after everything is over."

“However, not everyone has this opportunity.” Hiltiya looked at the soldier running towards her.

"Sir, this is the list we obtained after consulting and verifying with the residents of the city."

After receiving the list, Hilti glanced at it and then handed it to the scholar next to her, who had also been rescued just a few hours earlier.

"I have come to announce the judgment on behalf of Lady Siltia," the scholar began.

“Those named on the list are all people who have committed unforgivable crimes. You will be handed over to the local residents for punishment.” After he finished speaking, the residents who were watching cheered loudly, and some even raised their weapons and fists.

Then, one by one, their names were read out, and they were taken away by Regas's soldiers. Soon after, these people were executed by executioners who were local residents.

Seeing this, many Antiy soldiers turned their heads away, fear and relief rising in their hearts at the same time.

In the next two minutes, the Antioch soldiers, unable to withstand the angry gazes of the surrounding residents, lowered their heads one by one and declared their willingness to follow and pledge allegiance to this new king.

Hilti knew they weren't very loyal, and she didn't care. All she wanted to do was end this corrupt situation.

If these people escape, Hilti won't care, as long as they no longer appear in her sight. If they are willing to follow her, that's even better; she has more power to solve the problem, and she is confident that she can eventually give these reformed soldiers a safe haven.

Seeing these people take their oath, Hiltiya nodded and instructed her followers to reissue weapons and armor to the surrendered Antian soldiers, and to give them warhorses.

This immediate trust left the Antirian soldiers on site somewhat bewildered. Fortunately, some experienced soldiers had already set an example for them, showing them what to do next.

"Now, everyone mount up and follow me to the next city."

The city gates opened again, and a vast army once more charged into the night, heading towards the surrounding towns. The entire siege and incorporation process took no more than forty minutes, incredibly fast.

However, it is precisely this unique charm of that speeding figure that makes people willing to follow behind her and keep moving forward.

As night fell, towns were set ablaze and then extinguished, and the flags on the towers changed one by one.

Even if it's a fantastical ideal, it can be realized as long as someone believes in it and takes action, right?

The rapidly advancing army continued to grow, quickly developing a strong sense of teamwork and discipline through repeated raids, until the last town in the southern border of Legas regained stability and the colors of its flags changed.

At this moment, in the distant night sky, layers of dark clouds spread out, and a striking silver-blue light beacon rose, slowly descending upon the world with a strange and eerie aura.

Hilti rode her horse out of the town behind her, gazing at the rising beacon light in the distant mountains, feeling the faint call of the 'alien' aura.

That was the headquarters of the Hundred-Eyed Cult, and also the final battlefield tonight, Hilti thought to herself.

"Now, let's move in the direction where the beacon is rising."

"Yes."

The sound echoed through the pitch-black night as long swords were drawn from their sheaths and thrust towards the sky.

The group of figures once again brandished their whips and reins, following the girl as she charged into the night.

(End of this chapter)