Lord: I can see loyalty.

Chapter 246 Standoff

On the plains, smoke and dust obscured the sun.

The army of the Golden Saddle Horse Clan surged forth from the northern horizon like a golden tide, vast and stretching for miles.

At the forefront were five thousand elite knights, a cavalry legion clad in white armor with gold trim, their warhorses clad in armor, their long spears and swords standing upright, gleaming with a blinding cold light in the sunlight.

The small flags hanging from the tips of the spears fluttered in the wind, each embroidered with the horse head emblem of the Golden Saddle Horse family.

This is the oldest family crest in the North, and the most awe-inspiring symbol of power in this land.

Behind them were five thousand elite militiamen, dressed in battle robes and carrying long spears and shields. They marched in unison, maintaining a perfect distance from the cavalry, ensuring they would not interfere with the cavalry's charge but could quickly follow up and consolidate the line after the cavalry broke through.

The entire marching formation resembled a sophisticated war machine, with every component in its proper place and every screw tightened to its maximum.

The leader was a man, wearing heavy white armor with gold trim, and a fist-sized sapphire was inlaid on his breastplate, shimmering with an eerie light in the sunlight.

He wasn't wearing a helmet, revealing his angular face. His features bore a striking resemblance to Count August, but he was younger and sharper. His deep blue eyes held no fear, only a calm scrutiny.

He was Reno Kingsma, the eldest son of the Kingsma family, and the commander-in-chief of this operation.

Renault reined in his horse and raised his hand to signal the group to stop.

He squinted, gazing at Iron Anvil Fortress, a city that had been occupied by the Southern Territory and was originally an outpost of the Golden Saddle Horse family.

A brand-new Southern Border flag fluttered on the city wall, its gray-blue background embroidered with the coat of arms of the Southern Border Earl. The fortress he had known since childhood looked particularly dazzling in the morning light.

Behind the crenellations of the city wall, one could vaguely see the figures of soldiers from the southern border. Archers were already in position, and the cold glint of their crossbow bolts flashed in the morning light.

But Renault did not order an attack; he simply watched quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"My lord, the main force of the southern border is encamped on the plains over there." The adjutant rode closer and pointed to the gray plains west of the city.

"Their outpost is just ahead. The commander seems to be a young knight named Russell. According to intelligence, although he is young, his serpent-fighting swordsmanship has reached the superior level and should not be underestimated."

Renault nodded slightly. "How many knights are there?"

"There are approximately three thousand knights, mainly cavalry, and tens of thousands of militia, but not all of them have been mobilized yet. In addition, most of their three thousand main force remains near the Grey Wolf family's territory and has not all come."

"So, less than three thousand?" Renault laughed, a cold laugh. "Three thousand men, and they dare to occupy our city?"

"My lord, shall we attack?"

Renault was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"No rush. Don't forget our mission is to hold them off, not to defeat them. We'll win when the Black Serpent Clan sends out their troops and the Griffin Legion marches south."

He paused, his smile deepening. "Moreover, the Earl of the Southern Border isn't a fool. He dared to send three thousand men to guard this place; he must have a backup plan. If we attack rashly, we'll be playing right into his hands."

The adjutant opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately kept it closed.

Reynolds turned his horse around and waved to the army behind him.

"Pass down the order: set up camp on the spot and confront the Southern Army. No one is allowed to fight without my command."

As the bugle sounded, the army of the Golden Saddle Horse family began to stir.

The cavalry dismounted, the infantry raised their shields, and the camps quickly spread across the plain, like a golden sea.

The southern camp was only a few miles away from them. The two armies' banners faced each other in the wind, one golden and the other gray, like two giants about to duel, both waiting for the best moment to strike.

Russell stood atop the highest watchtower of the city wall, gazing at the golden camp with a furrowed brow.

Several knight captains stood beside him, their armor covered in dust, their faces weary, but their eyes still sharp.

"Captain, aren't they attacking?" a young knight asked.

Russell did not answer, but just stared at the camp.

The Golden Saddle Horse family's camp was set up in a very orderly manner, with barricades, trenches, and watchtowers—everything was there, clearly indicating their readiness for a protracted war.

Moreover, their current forces are more than two or three times the size of the knights left behind at Anvil Castle, yet they refuse to attack. This does not seem like they are waiting for reinforcements, but rather like they are deliberately delaying the inevitable.

"They're not here to fight," Russell finally spoke, his voice low. "They're here to stall us."

"Hold us back?" Another captain frowned. "But what about the Earl—"

"The Earl is negotiating an alliance at the Grey Wolf's house, and his main force is there too." Russell turned around and walked down the city wall. "You all stay here and don't go out to fight. I'll go and report to the Earl."

Russell mounted his horse and, with a few guards, galloped toward Grey Wolf Castle.

The horse's hooves kicked up a trail of dust, and it quickly disappeared into the horizon.

In the southern camp, the soldiers were still busy, but only on guard; no one gave the order to attack.

The two armies stood facing each other, neither making the first move. An eerie calm permeated the air, the calm before the storm.

Grey Wolf Castle, Council Chamber.

Earl Alder had already left, and Vio was standing in front of the map, his finger moving back and forth between the Grey Wolf family's territory and the Golden Saddle Horse family's territory, his mind rapidly calculating troop deployments and marching routes.

The door was pushed open, and Alec strode in.

"Your Excellency, Russell has returned."

Vio looked up. "Let him in."

Russell strode into the council chamber, his armor covered in dust and his lips chapped, clearly having rushed all the way. He knelt on one knee.

"Your Excellency, the Golden Saddle Horse family has arrived."

"

Vio's brow furrowed slightly. "How many people?"

"At least ten thousand men, five thousand knights, and five thousand elite militia. The commander is Renault, the eldest son of the Golden Saddle Horse family, but they did not attack. They simply set up camp outside the city and confronted us."

-

Russell looked up. "My Lord, they're not here to retaliate, they're here to hold us back. They're probably waiting for reinforcements, waiting for the Black Serpent family and the Griffin Legion to march south."

Vio was silent for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Cedric wanted to stall, and so did the Ma family in the Golden Saddle. They were both waiting for their troops to be assembled, for supplies to arrive, and for the best opportunity to crush the main force in the south in one fell swoop.

He couldn't afford to delay; if he did, the supply lines would be stretched, morale would drop, and the smaller families who were still observing would also side with Cedric.

He must strike first before they have fully assembled.

"They want to stall? We won't let them." Vio stood up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Send the order down: assemble the entire army and march straight into the heart of the Jin An Ma family's territory."

"They want to stall, right? Let's fight them right at their doorstep and see if they still dare to stall."

"My Lord," Russell stood up, "the Golden Saddle Ma family currently has at least ten thousand warriors, and we only have three thousand at the front lines. The main force is still in the rear—"

"So we need to be quick," Vio interrupted him. "Before they've fully deployed their formation, we'll pounce and catch them off guard."

"Besides, we also have the alliance of the Grey Wolf family—" Vio said, looking at Alec. "Alec, you and Jimmy will lead the main force of the Azure Peak Knights and the Giant Whale Knights to advance from the front."

"Russell, you guard Anvil Fortress to prevent them from launching a surprise attack."

"Yes, sir!" the crowd responded in unison.

The sound of horns rang out outside Grey Wolf Keep, and the army in the south began to assemble.

The black-armored cavalry of the Azure Peak Knights were the first to leave the camp, galloping towards Iron Anvil Fortress.

The militia formation followed closely behind, their spears like a forest, their steps perfectly synchronized, and the dust obscured the sky.

The Grey Wolf banner has also joined the Southern Frontier's forces—Old has decided to openly side with Vio, even though the Grey Wolf's main force has not yet been deployed.

Outside Iron Anvil Fortress, the camp of the Golden Saddle Horse family.

Renault was sitting in the main tent, holding a glass of wine in his hand, with a map spread out in front of him.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the tent, accompanied by hurried footsteps.

"My lord! My lord!" The adjutant rushed into the tent, his expression changing slightly. "The people from the southern border—they've left the camp!"

Renault put down his glass, stood up, and remained expressionless. "How many people?"

"It looks like—it's all of them! At least ten thousand, knights and militia are all pressing towards us!" The adjutant's voice trembled slightly. "They're coming from the direction of the Grey Wolf clan; they should be heading towards the Southern Territory!"

Renault frowned, but quickly relaxed.

He muttered to himself, "Taking the initiative? That takes some guts."

He originally thought Vio would continue to stall until the main force of the Grey Wolf family was fully integrated, joined the Southern Territory, and the Southern Territory's supply lines were stabilized before engaging him in a decisive battle.

Unexpectedly, he made his move so quickly.

This was illogical, but Renault didn't have time to think about it—he had waited so long for the Southern Territory to take the initiative.

He was confident of a head-on confrontation.

"Send the order down: assemble the entire army! Prepare for battle!" Renault strode out of the tent, mounted his horse, and drew his longsword from his waist, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

He couldn't wait.

In the military camp of the Jin Anma family, bugle calls rang out one after another.

Soldiers poured out of the tents and hastily formed ranks. Five thousand elite cavalrymen quickly lined up in front of the forest, followed by five thousand elite militiamen.

The golden flags fluttered in the wind, and the soldiers' eyes held no fear, only a long-suppressed fighting spirit.

These warlike elite knights had been waiting here for days, and were already seething with anger.

Renault rode his horse to the front of the formation, his gaze sweeping over his soldiers, a slow smile playing on his lips.

"Knights of the Golden Saddle, prepare for battle!"