Lord: I can see loyalty.

Chapter 247 The Golden Saddle Knight and the Golden Horse Swordsmanship

The Golden Saddle Horse family's formation stretched out like a long golden dragon across the plains.

Five thousand elite knights led the way, followed by five thousand elite militiamen, their spears forming a forest and their shields an iron wall.

When the southern army appeared on the horizon, Renault did not wait and immediately raised his longsword.

"Golden Saddle Knights, charge!"

The sound of horns ripped through the morning sky, and five thousand warhorses started moving at the same time, their hooves thundering and the earth trembling.

This Golden Saddle Knights Order is renowned throughout the Kingdom of Rovia; it is an elite force personally crafted by Earl August of the Golden Saddle Horse family.

Every knight has mastered at least the intermediate level of the Golden Horse Sword Technique, with the best among them reaching the peak of the advanced level. Overall, they are in no way inferior to the Azure Peak Knights.

They were dressed in uniform white armor with gold trim, and their warhorses were adorned with golden horse armor. Under the sunlight, they resembled a flowing expanse of gold, their imposing presence breathtaking.

Five thousand knights formed a triangular pyramid formation, with battle-hardened veterans at the forefront and young, spirited knights on both sides. The formation was orderly, with each knight in his proper place.

Russell stood on the city wall, gazing at the golden tide, his expression very solemn.

The black-armored cavalry of the Azure Peak Knights behind him had already formed ranks, but only less than three thousand men remained. The main force of the Southern Territory was still in the rear and could not arrive in time.

But Russell believed that they could fight them, thanks to the terrain advantage of Anvil Fortress.

"Hold your ground!" Russell shouted sharply. "Shield wall! Ballistae ready!"

On the city wall, the crossbowmen were frantically loading the cannons.

Before the city gate, the cavalry of the Azure Peak Knights stood in a dense formation, shields raised high and lances held horizontally.

Their formation was equally disciplined, but the difference in troop strength was too great—three thousand against ten thousand. The gap was not small, and every knight's face was filled with solemnity.

The distance between the two armies is rapidly decreasing.

500 meters, 400 meters, 300 meters.

The Golden Saddle Knights charged faster and faster, their hooves pounding like a rapid drumbeat, striking the hearts of every soldier in the Southern Territory.

"Fire!" Russell commanded.

The ballistae on the city wall fired in unison, and thick bolts whistled out, striking the Golden Saddle Knights' formation.

Several warhorses were struck by arrows and fell to the ground, their riders tumbling off and being trampled into a bloody pulp by the cavalry behind them.

But more knights bypassed the obstacles, and the formation remained intact.

On the city wall, the militiamen drew their bows and released arrows, which rained down on the golden tide, splashing up sprays of blood.

But the Golden Saddle Knights were too fast; the archers only had time to fire one volley before they reached the city gate.

"The Knights of the Azure Peak, attack!" Russell drew his sword, leaped down from the city wall, and mounted his horse.

The black-armored cavalry surged out of the city gates like a black torrent, heading towards the golden tide.

The two torrents of steel collided with a deafening roar, the sounds of metal clashing, screams, and the neighing of warhorses mingling together.

Russell took the lead, brandishing his longsword and cleaving down a knight with a golden saddle.

But more knights with golden saddles surged up and surrounded him.

Clearly, the fighting power of this Golden Saddle Knights far surpasses that of the previous Northern Allied Knights army.

Their swordsmanship was exquisite, their teamwork was perfect, and every attack went straight for the vital points.

While the Serpent Sword Technique of the Azure Peak Knights is renowned for its power, the Golden Horse Sword Technique of the Golden Saddle Knights is equally powerful and skillful.

The clash between the two styles plunged the battlefield into a tense standoff.

Russell parried the longsword that was cleaving towards him with a single stroke, and with a backhand slash, pierced the throat of a knight in a golden saddle.

But more enemies surged forward, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

"Damn it, they have too many knights!"

On the battlefield, the formation of the Azure Peak Knights began to be compressed.

The Golden Saddle Knights' numerical advantage began to show; they flanked the Black-Armored Cavalry from both sides, surrounding them in front of the city gate.

The knights attempted to bypass the city and flank the enemy, but were blocked by the infantry of the Golden Saddle Knights, and the situation began to turn against them.

On a high slope not far behind the battlefield, Renault stood on his horse, his gaze coldly fixed on the battlefield.

Beside him stood a tall man clad in heavy golden armor.

He had broad shoulders and a thick back, with arms that reached past his knees. His armor had no insignia except for a galloping warhorse engraved on his breastplate.

He was none other than Godfrey, the vice-commander of the Golden Saddle Knights and one of only two Grand Knights of the Golden Saddle Horse family.

He was once the second fiercest general under the old Earl August, fighting on the battlefield for thirty years, killing countless people, and his iron arms could split open city walls! With a long sword, he was as brave as ten thousand men.

He mastered the Golden Horse Breathing Technique many years ago and has now reached the level of a third-tier Grand Knight.

He gazed at the black figure fighting amidst the crowd, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"My lord, let me go and kill him."

Renault raised his hand. "No rush."

"Not in a hurry?" Godfrey frowned. "That guy is clearly not weak. Our knights are fighting, and people are falling every moment—"

"I know," Renault interrupted him, "but your target isn't these small fry, it's the Earl of the South and that Grand Knight of the West—they haven't arrived yet, and if you make a move now, you'll only expose your strength."

Godfrey paused for a moment, then released his hand from the hilt of his sword. "Then let's wait a little longer."

He gazed at the battlefield, a flicker of anxiety in his eyes. "I heard that the Southern Earl is a fourth-tier rank?"

Renault glanced at him. "That's right."

Godfrey grinned. "Aren't you afraid I can't beat you?"

Renault gazed at the battlefield, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Godfrey, how many years have you served my father?"

"Thirty years," Godfrey said.

"How many battles have you fought in the past thirty years?"

"Too many to count."

"How many times have you lost?"

Godfrey was silent for a moment. "Three times."

"Who were your opponents on those three occasions?"

Godfrey didn't answer, but Reno answered for him: "The old Earl of the Iron Hammer family, the greatest warrior in the North; Finn, the pirate king of the West; and the red dragon in the deep mountains of the North."

"These three monstrous beings are all renowned experts. Although you lost, you survived. What are those two compared to you?"

He paused, then added, "Besides, with that thing you're hiding, is it really that difficult to deal with two fourth-tier knights?"

Godfrey merely smiled slightly, but did not answer.

"So, you think you'll lose?" Renault looked at him.

Godfrey laughed, a cold laugh. "Fine, fine, I'll listen to you. Tell me when those two show up."

He paused for a moment, then added, "But don't keep me waiting too long."

His gaze fell on the battlefield, where golden tides were swallowing the black torrent.

Smoke filled the air, the sounds of battle shook the heavens, and the blood of both armies stained the plain red.

But on the distant horizon, dust rose again—the main force from the southern border had arrived.