Translator: 549690339
Time rewinds back to the present.
The air in Ice Rock City at this moment is filled with tension, unease, and excitement.
The oblivious commoners were still unaware of what was happening, but all the nobles knew that they had reached a point of no return.
Duke St. Hildeâs outright refusal had left the lords with no way out.
Orders were passed down, and the army was making the final preparations before the battle.
A deadly aura enveloped the city. Tonight, sleep was destined to elude many.
Knight Cain Sudor was one of those who couldnât sleep. He felt his heart thudding against his chest, beating with a rhythm that was a bit frightening.
After tossing and turning for a long time, Cain decided to simply not sleep.
After getting dressed and stepping outside, Cain unconsciously headed towards his uncleâs room.
âGood evening, Miss Penny!â Halfway there, he ran into the Uman Clanâs house manager and promptly greeted her.
âGood evening, Knight Cain. Are you also going to see the Count?â
âNo, no. Iâm just strolling around.â Cain quickly denied.
He knew that while this Miss Penny was officially the Uman Clanâs house manager, in reality, she was Count Umanâs lover.
And not just any Lover.
It was said that the reason Count Uman took a liking to Penny was not just because of her beauty, but also because of her wine-red eyes.
The color of humansâ eye pupils in this world were generally blue, black, or green. Wine-red pupils were extremely rare.
Count Uman himself had the same color of pupils.
Count Uman, with no understanding of genetics, thought that even though Penny was from a lowly origin, that she could possess eye pupils of the same color may indicate she might be the descendant of some ancient bloodline.
Regardless of whether the rumors were true or false, Pennyâs high status in the Uman Clan was a confirmed fact.
Even her illegitimate son with the Count, Walra, received more attention than the usual illegitimate child.
Not only did Count Uman baptize him into knighthood, he went to great lengths to help him marry the daughter of a baron, Kaitlin, who is Colinâs sister.
Thatâs why Cain showed such respect to a housekeeper.
And also, he realized at this time, Miss Penny was likely heading towards Count Umanâs room toâ¦
So, Cain wisely chose not to disturb the Countâs pleasure.
After saying goodbye to Cain, Penny arrived at Count Umanâs room and entered without knocking.
Count Uman saw Penny come in without even knocking and didnât reprimand her.
âIs everything ready?â he asked.
âYes.â Penny answered casually.
She then went forward to help Count Uman unbutton his shirt.
Count Uman kissed the forehead of the woman in front of him, then he began to help her undress.
The Countâs wife had been dead for many years, he hadnât married again since.
Instead, he and his lover Penny acted more like a married couple.
If outsiders were to see this scene, they would be very puzzled.
Why would a count treat a lover of low birth so well?
Even if Penny was extremely beautiful in the past, now that she was over forty, could she still have such a strong attraction to the Count?
Or is it that her wine-red eyes were indeed so noble in the Countâs view?
If that were the case, then all the commoner girls in the North Territory with wine-red eyes would probably flock to Fallen Eagle City.
However, Count Uman did not seem to think there was anything wrong with treating a commoner lover this way.
And Penny just took it for granted.
âWhat are you worrying about?â Count Uman caught the look of concern on
Pennyâs face and asked suddenly.
âNothing.â Penny avoided the Countâs gaze.
Count Uman held Pennyâs chin and made her look at him, âYou need to trust me, this is our best and only option right now!â
âBut youâre helping the St. Hilde family consolidate their rule.â Pennyâs eyes were full of reluctance.
âWe have no choice. When Marquis Garcia chose to go north to chase the trolls instead of south to Winterfell City, our plan had failed.
I donât know what agreement the two brothers reached to make Marquis Garcia withstand the temptation to become the master of the North Territory and willingly become his elder brotherâs sword.
Besides, we also have to blame that fool Gambick!â
The loss of a three hundred thousand strong army to a mere fifty thousand men is nothing short of disgraceful!
Given the current situation, I have no choice but to comply with Duke St. Hildeâs secret orders and deal with the defiant lords.
Penny fell silent, quietly helping Count Uman unbutton his clothes.
Seeing this, Count Uman felt irritated. He asked again, âHas someone approached you?â
Pennyâs hands momentarily hesitated, before gently nodding her head.
A flash of anger appeared in Count Umanâs eyes. He voiced sternly, âDo not trust those Trolls! Remember, we are using them as much as they are using us.
Do not ever consider them as our allies!â
âItâs not the Trolls.â Penny shook her head slowly, staring into Count Umanâs eyes, âItâs a letter from my brother.â
The Countâs gaze intensified, âWhat did he say?â
âHe saidâ¦â Pennyâs eyes flickered, carrying a hint of scrutiny, âHe said you were playing both sidesâ¦â
âNonsense!â Count Uman snorted coldly. He held Penny by her shoulders, pulling her closer to him, âYou donât believe me either?â
Penny held her loverâs gaze for a long moment before whispering two words, do.â
Relieved, Count Uman pulled Penny close, âRest assured, I will fulfill the promise I made to you.â âHmm. Letâs sleep.â
The next morning.
The atmosphere in Ice Rock City had reached a choking intensity.
Squads of soldiers marched through the streets, congregating outside the South Gate.
Even the most obtuse commoner noticed the impending events, retreating into their homes, sealing their windows and doors, daring not to venture out.
Meanwhile, an armyâs presence emerged five kilometers south of Ice Rock City.
The golden lion flag was shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.
It was the direct-army of the St. Hilde family, the Golden Lion Legion!
On the west side of Ice Rock City, a black ocean had gathered.
An army was there too, the Dark Cavalry!
The heavy killing intent pervading the field lowered the temperature noticeably.
Earl Dawson stood in front of the Dark Cavalry formation, gazing at the opposing formation of the Golden Lion Legion and coalition army of lords, lost in thought.
At nine in the morning, as the final round of negotiations failed, the harsh sound of the military horn echoed.
The Vanguard of the Golden Lion Legion and the Coalition Army of Lords began drawing closer.
Soon, shouts of war pierced the wilderness.
Earl Dawson watched the clashing sides at a distance with a calm expression.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the crucial forces to become completely entwined, unable to disengage themselves with ease.
Finally, close to noon, the battle between the Golden Lion Legion and the Lordsâ Coalition had reached its peak.
Overall, the Lordsâ Coalition seemed to have the upper hand.
They had the advantage in numbers after all.
But at that moment, Earl Dawson who had been observing quietly finally ordered an attack.
The thunderous gallop of warhorses shook the earth.
The sound of horses bearing down like a roll of muffled thunder, resounded in everyoneâs heart. It drew their attention to the cavalry that had suddenly stormed into the battlefield!
Those who had never directly faced a Dark Cavalry charge could never fathom the sight before them.
In the past, the target of the Dark Cavalryâs charge had always been Trolls, but this time, it was humans standing in their path.
The warriors of the Lordsâ Coalition, seeing this scene, began cheering excitedly.
Because, the Dark Cavalry was charging towards the formation of the Golden Lion Legion!
However, their joy did not last long.
Suddenly, the route of the Dark Cavalry veered drastically, and like a released flood, charged towards the right flank of the Lordsâ Coalition!âBoom!â
The situation reversed instantly!