Chapter 270: Flanking from behind

On the night Deputy Leader Hahn was killed, Korian led the remaining five knight squads of the Fifth Knight Order to reinforce—and briefly clashed with the Polter Thief Band.

His actions perfectly masked his betrayal, convincing every knight and soldier of the order that he had arrived too late to save Hahn.

In truth, days earlier, Korian had secretly dispatched his men in batches, disguised as merchant caravans, into Red Mountain Town; after the deed was done, he returned to Giant Rock Domain via a hidden trail from Cassiel Town, evading all surveillance of the knight order.

“If the Polter Thief Band comes to reinforce Giant Rock Fortress, even if they don’t send everyone, they’ll deploy the bulk of their elite forces. At that moment, both Cassiel Town and Red Mountain Town will be left defenseless.”

Inside the command tent, all the supernatural beings of the Wu Bei Domain’s knight squad—except Ridal—had gathered.

“Macken, you lead. Take the eastern trail from Giant Rock Domain and strike straight for Cassiel Town. After eliminating the Polter Thief Band’s garrison, swiftly seal off the town, seize its grain and iron ore warehouses, then prepare to advance north.”

This was Ronin’s move to sever the Polter Thief Band’s escape route.

Though Wu Bei Domain fielded only one knight squad, its combat strength was far from negligible.

Especially with the mage Elron among them—he could elevate the squad’s power, and his own prowess was formidable.

Besides Elron, there was the sorceress Jenny and the Silver Knight Macken themselves; seizing Cassiel Town, lightly guarded as it was, posed no challenge.

Upon hearing the special mission was to strike the enemy’s homeland, the troops erupted in excitement—their lord’s plans were always unpredictable.

“Enough. Joffrey, Rogner, go gather the knight squads. Macken, Elron—you two stay.”

Once the others had withdrawn, Ronin said: “Take Warwick with you. Let him guide you. When you reach Cassiel Town, conceal your movements. I’ll send you a signal from Carloss. If hail falls from the sky, retreat. If the heavens burn with crimson clouds, attack.”

Elron chuckled, “My lord, you have a singular talent for deploying dragons.”

Ronin smiled faintly. Had he not wished to avoid exposing Carloss, he would never have turned the beast into a courier, a transport, and a signal beacon.

Macken asked, “My lord, once we’ve taken Cassiel Town, when shall we strike Red Mountain Town?”

He led this mission—he wanted to deliver a glorious victory to prove himself.

“I’ll send you the signal from Carloss as well.”

The moment to attack Red Mountain Town should come when the noble alliance pushes back the Polter Thief Band and pursues them.

But this was merely Ronin’s hypothesis—it depended entirely on how the battle unfolded.

If the noble alliance lost, all these preparations would be meaningless; they would merely be transient guests in Cassiel Town.

Yet, honestly, defeat seemed unlikely.

Though the noble alliance was loosely organized, its core consisted of disciplined, professional soldiers.

If this pincer maneuver succeeded—decapitating both the leader and deputy leader of the Polter Thief Band—the southwestern border of Wu Shan Domain would enjoy a brief respite.

Then, the long-lost towns—Shore City, Sari Village, Flowing Sands Town, Cassiel Town, and Red Mountain Town—would all be reclaimed!

He would accomplish what Wu Shan Domain had failed to achieve for years—a feat unprecedented in history!

Red Mountain Town.

Amicus’s face was grim. Just moments ago, fortune had smiled upon them—now, they were trapped.

“Warwick—how the hell did he manage to ruin everything himself!”

He growled through clenched teeth: “If I’d known he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, I should’ve kept him as a lowly foot soldier for life.”

“Warwick is likely dead by now, my lord. What matters now is how we face the noble alliance.”

Deputy Leader Holdan reminded him: “Do we reinforce Korian—or hold Red Mountain Town?”

“Reinforce! Of course we reinforce!”

Amicus answered without hesitation: “If Giant Rock Fortress falls, we won’t hold Red Mountain Town—we’ll retreat straight to Cassiel Town, even to Shore City.”

Without Korian, they had no foothold here.

“Do as Korian ordered. Holdan, take Kilbart and Lanivisa, mobilize the troops immediately, and move at maximum speed to flank the noble alliance alongside Korian!”

“Yes!”

Amicus had utterly underestimated Warwick’s “honesty”—he never imagined the man would reveal even the hidden trail.

As the Polter Thief Band prepared to reinforce, and Giant Rock Fortress braced for defense, the noble alliance had already mobilized—fueled by hatred for the traitor—they surged forward like a flood toward Giant Rock Fortress.

In less than two hours, they arrived, surrounding the fortress completely.

The people of Giant Rock Domain were terrified. Hadn’t they hoped the noble alliance would crush the thieves? Why had they suddenly turned on their own lord?

Hearing the thunderous roar of “Kill the traitor!” they slowly understood—their lord was a traitor.

The mob was easily swayed, and they delighted in watching a noble fall from grace.

Many had already joined the chorus denouncing Korian.

Ronin rode atop Cloudstrider, watching Giant Rock Fortress enter full defense.

The drawbridge had been raised, severing access to the gates. The gates were sealed, barricades and traps erected to block any assault.

Along the walls and towers, archers and spearmen stood ready, poised in defensive formation.

“Korian—come out!”

Before the drawbridge, Lord Marven roared.

Korian appeared atop the ramparts, clad in full armor, radiating the gravitas of a knight commander.

“Korian, the Marquis entrusted the Fifth Knight Order to you—and you betrayed him openly. Do you deserve this trust?”

Marven began his tirade, his voice laced with aura, thunderous and clear to all within earshot.

Korian’s expression darkened.

He had betrayed them—that was true. But he was still a baron. To be publicly humiliated like this… his pride could not bear it.

“Marven, enough talk. If you’ve got guts, climb the walls and fight me one-on-one!”

Korian sneered. “If you lack the strength, shut your mouth. A viscount shouldn’t act like a shrew.”

“Ha! So what if I’m a shrew? At least I’m not a traitor!”

Between two armies, verbal warfare could be deadly—if it provoked Korian into losing his composure, shattering morale and exposing weakness, its effect would be immense.

But Korian had clearly resolved to hold firm. Marven’s insults bounced off him like pebbles.

His gaze swept through the crowd.

“Ronin—I underestimated you. As commander of this alliance, you’re competent.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” Ronin replied coolly. “If you open the gates now and surrender, perhaps the Marquis will spare your life.”

Korian ignored him, searching the crowd for Melonika—but found no trace of her.

“Where is Melonika? If he doesn’t come, I might just survive today’s siege.”

At that moment, the front lines parted. Two knights pushed forward a massive, dark object.

Ronin had ordered Ridal to bring forth the mana cannon. Marven fell silent, waiting for the weapon to ignite the battle.

“Come, Ridal—let them witness the power of a Level Six Mana Cannon!” Ronin commanded.

Ridal pressed his palm against the cannon’s rear. As aura surged into its core, the barrel glowed like molten flame.

“BOOM!”

A deafening roar split the air as a colossal dragon of fire burst forth from the cannon’s maw.

Koren’s pupils contracted violently; he cried out in shock: “Arcane cannon—it’s an arcane cannon! How do they have an arcane cannon?” (End of chapter)