The First Magic World War

Charles was just about to respond when Philedrica reminded him, "It's already too late to run. If we change our formation now, it will turn into a one-sided slaughter. Only by facing the attack head-on can we maintain order."

Although Charles only discussed military strategies on paper, he knew Philedrica was absolutely right. Considering the composition of the Westwind Knights, once the battle began, those prisoners would probably flee, triggering an avalanche-like chain reaction. He immediately ordered the Westwind Knights to set up a solid defensive formation, preparing for the imminent impact.

Experience tales at empire

He did not know which armies were involved in the battle; he could only hope that the victorious side would be their allies.

Although the Patrolling Army was a local military force primarily responsible for maintaining public order and had barely any battlefield experience, they could still set up a basic solid defensive formation quite robustly since massive gang fights occasionally erupted on the streets. This formation could protect the Patrolling Army from significant harm to the greatest extent possible.

As for counterattacking?

What was that?

The Patrolling Army had never had such requirements.

Half an hour later, the landscape was swarming with fleeing soldiers, and behind them, a cavalry unit was methodically reaping lives, clearly a well-trained elite force.

Being born in the Behemoth Duchy, Charles recognized at a glance that the scattered forces fleeing ahead were from his "hometown," and even recognized them as Baron Phile's Yahoo Knights, having seen them since his childhood!

The Barons of Phile had always been vassals to the Dukes, owning lands on the eastern side of the Behemoth Duchy. This generation's Baron Phile had a deep friendship with Archduke Ferdinand, with their grandfathers connected through intermarriage and friendship.

As for the pursuing troops behind them, such elites definitely could not belong to Lady Southseraph's forces. The Southern Seraph Territory had no army of its own; it was managed by the Empire's military. The restorers of Southern Seraph had never undergone formal military training. Except for their burning passion, they were barely a tad better than the Patrolling Army.

The Old Continent had knights, but very few cavalry units. A cavalry that could form a pursuing formation must be the elite of the great empires. Although the pursuing cavalry was not wearing Baron's distinctive dark red uniforms, from the crescent moon loose formation they commonly used, Charles could precisely deduce that these were Baron's cavalry.

Charles cursed, "Hell's bells! How did we encounter people from Baron?"

Logically speaking, the Behemoth Duchy had just declared war on Southern Seraph, and Baron had just declared war on the Behemoth Duchy; Baron's troops should not have appeared on the battlefield so quickly.

Especially since they hadn't even reached the Behemoth Duchy yet; this area was still territory of the Fars Empire.

Charles feared encountering people from Baron the most.

He practiced Bloody Glory, and Baron's vampires hated humans who practiced Bloody Glory the most. Usually, they would draw swords upon meeting, and if they encountered each other on the battlefield, it would definitely be a fight to the death.

This Baron cavalry unit, upon learning that someone was practicing Bloody Glory here, might even give up chasing these fleeing soldiers from the Behemoth Duchy and attack the Westwind Knights with all their might.

Charles had very little faith in this troupe of knights under his command. Even though the pursuing Baron cavalry numbered only about a couple of hundred, he believed that under the charge of such elite cavalry, the poorly trained, disheartened, diverse, and utterly unmotivated Westwind Knights, lacking proper weapons like long spears or large shields to defend against cavalry assaults, might not withstand even one charge.

Charles looked around, about to find a long spear to conceal his identity, but immediately cursed himself silently, "Idiot!"

"What are you looking for a long spear for, use rifles!"

"No matter how clever the vampires are, could they possibly discern the origin of the martial skills of the user from an Antispace Sniper Rifle?"

Facing the elite cavalry of Byron, using the Vampiric Hand Axe or Blood Rose was not possible, as it could easily attract concentrated fire from the vampire army. However, there were no such restrictions on other Transcendent weapons. Without hesitation, Charles reached inside his collar and pulled out his beloved gun.

Since he was heading out to march, he obviously couldn't carry the alchemical wand. The battlefield wasn't a place to show off style or status. Consequently, he left his wand, Magnum Hand Shuttle, alchemical pistol, and personal carriage at home.

Now, with Madam Nancy and Mrs. Plum Sauce looking after Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58, he left without the need to send away and foster out the three kittens, which was reassuring indeed.

Charles waved his hand, and an aide brought over the box containing Magic-Breaking Bombshell Bullets. Normally, he carried only three such bullets, sufficient for a street duel. If the first three shots didn't kill the enemy, there'd be no chance for another shot. But on the battlefield, that was clearly insufficient.

Charles loaded twenty Magic-Breaking Bombshell Bullets and quietly took out two Silver Rhinoceros guns, also loading them with bullets, and slipped them into his holsters. He had originally left the Hockwell Silver Rhinoceros at Machu Picchu but retrieved it for the battlefield this time.

As for the other Fire Kelwell Silver Rhinoceros Mk-10, its Psy-Bullet magazine originally contained thirty-five bullets, roughly from seven people, each bullet's attribute was different, but all were quite powerful, loaded by Anne's proxy.

When Vinnie Yarsaenu played with it, she also compressed a few Fairy Cat Magic bullets, all basic Cat Transformation Spells. Once hit by a bullet, if unable to withstand Vinnie's magic, the target would instantly turn into a kitten.

After retrieving the three firearms, Charles felt somewhat relieved.

Just then, Dobin came galloping back on a magical horse, yelling, "The enemy only has two thousand men; we can win!"

Charles didn't need a magical horse, its best use besides escaping was for scouts. Thus, he had given it to Dobin, this veteran of the Patrolling Army, who did not disappoint, bringing back crucial intelligence.

Of course, although he knew the enemy only had two thousand men, he definitely wouldn't commit to the battle.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

What kind of material were the Patrolling Army made of? He knew perfectly.

The last thing one needs on the battlefield is a hot head.

Seeing Charles unmoved, Dobin quickly added, "They only have this cavalry unit; the rest are women from Lady Southseraph, whose combat power is even weaker than ours."

Only then did Charles show a slight change in expression, hesitating a bit.

As he deeply pondered, just when he decided to forgo taking a risk, the fleeing soldiers from the Westwind Knights spotted the Fars Empire's army nearby and swarmed towards them.

Although Charles lacked military experience, he had read enough historical and military web novels to know he must not let the fleeing troops break through his camp. If their formation were breached, a single charge by Byron's cavalry could rout this ragtag group of knights.

Despite his reluctance, Charles still raised his hand high and commanded, "Shoot on sight anyone who approaches; let them circle around and regroup in the rear."

"Yellow Bear, take five hundred men to intercept these routed soldiers in the rear. Execute on the spot those who do not obey orders."

Charles's commands, though chaotic and unprofessional to any real military strategist, let alone an armchair general, stabilized the morale at that moment.