Volume 2: Chapter 123 - Two People and One Horse

  Has Ryūsui-gun been taken down?

  Yes, it certainly should be taken down. The Seth family's running dog, the ignorant Black Flame Legion, the arrogant and stupid Scar General, all of them should be driven out of Hamilton's sacred territory.

  But shouldn't it be Hamilton or even the strongest Golden Branch Legion of the Kingdom to complete this task and gain the highest honor?

  How did it suddenly become Middy's achievement?

  After all, with a mere 2,000 cavalry, how can we capture a heavily guarded city with 20,000 defenders?

  In an instant, all the generals' brains short-circuited.

  They looked at the captain of the vanguard one after another, then looked at each other, and were at a loss for words, so that the scene suddenly fell into silence. And the captain of the vanguard could only lower his head to accept the sharp gaze of the generals, with cold sweat all over his face, waiting for orders.

  "This is too strange, you immediately go to verify again..." After a while, a general finally came back to his senses and opened his mouth with an embarrassed expression.

  However, before he could finish giving the order, another group of scouts returned to the central army's formation. This time, it was a whole squad of ten scouts.

  "We saw the Hamilton banner on the bell tower of Linlithgow," said the scout who had led the way, and the other nine nodded in unison that they were absolutely certain.

  The general who had just opened his mouth to request reconfirmation suddenly shook violently, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer, and his face turned deathly pale.

  "This could also be a ploy by the Black Flame Legion to pretend that Liushui County has fallen, luring us into their encirclement and then ambushing us." Another general stepped forward, making such an inference.

  This guess is somewhat logical and has been recognized by others.

  It's not that the generals are ignoring the scouts, nor is it because they're wary of Midia's hostility. It's just that taking Flowing Water County with 2,000 men is too far-fetched, to the point where no one thinks it's real.

  But at this moment, more scouts returned to their own camp and brought intelligence about the Liushui County for the third time.

  "We have contacted the garrison in Ryūsui County and they are comrades from the First Cavalry Regiment of the Golden Branch Army. Their identities are not a problem. They are now making preparations, Lord Midori said that he will personally welcome the arrival of the Master." The third scout reported back like this.

  The generals' thoughts suddenly fell into a blank.

  Is it possible that Liushui Prefecture, a stronghold with 20,000 Black Flame Army troops stationed there, was actually taken down just like that?

  How is this possible... How can this be

  The generals were shouting and roaring in their hearts, but on the field, there was a dead silence.

  The three waves of guards stood in place, without orders they couldn't leave on their own, but standing like this also made them feel extremely awkward. And yet, the only one who was clear-headed and also had the qualifications to give orders, Fina Hamilton, just smiled as she watched all of this, not saying a word.

  It's as if they had read the script and expected this scene all along.

  After a while, a voice that tried its best to sound calm and composed, but still trembled slightly, finally spoke up.

  "Speed up the march but remain vigilant" Colonel Clark of the Golden Branch Army gave orders with a stern face, trying his best to suppress the turmoil in his heart.

  Seeing is believing. He had to see it for himself. This was the only thought left in his mind as a standard military man, and it just so happened that everyone present, from scouts to generals, all wanted to do the same thing.

  When the army of thirty thousand finally reached the city of Liushuijun, all doubts and worries disappeared.

  The south gate of the Flowing Water County was wide open, with a thousand golden-armed cavalrymen from the Golden Branch Army lined up in two neat rows, waiting for the arrival of the main force and the inspection by Deputy House Master Filina Hamilton. They were not the Black Flame Army's fake troops trying to create chaos, because many knights within the main force had already recognized familiar comrades among the ranks, and they saw excitement, agitation, and a sense of glorious pride on the faces of these cavalrymen.

  It seems different from a week ago. Many people have such an idea.

  It's just a matter of not seeing each other for a short week, it's just been seven days since I've been under the command of Midee, who was considered a madman, a pretty boy, a freeloader, and a fake genius. These cavalrymen have already given people a completely different feeling. Whether it's their posture or spirit, even their eyes seem to have undergone a significant change, as if they've already begun to take on the appearance of seasoned veterans.

  However, this seems to be a matter of course, because these cavalrymen, with two thousand people, defeated twenty thousand people, personally took down the Flowing Water County, and won the first real battle of the Bellmare Civil War.

  And the commander who led them to win this miraculous battle was at the forefront of the team.

  The black-haired and black-eyed youth had a massive greatsword on his back. He was accompanied by a gigantic Blood Toothed Leopard, its fur fluffed up by the cold wind, resembling an inverted flag or an eagle about to take flight. From afar, it was impossible not to be dazzled by the sight.

  As soon as he saw the main force arrive, Mi Di immediately patted his mount, and the Blood Toothed Leopard opened its four legs and rushed over like the wind.

  The aura of ferocity emanating from every pore of the Bloodthirsty Beast, combined with Mi Di's sharp and intimidating aura, immediately caused the entire formation to involuntarily clear a path for him.

  One man, one horse, soon arrived at the central main camp.

  At this moment, the generals silently confirmed the fact that Liushui County had been taken back, with extremely complex eyes looking at the young man who brought them a brilliant victory. Even Clark, who was usually calm and didn't show emotions, stood there stupidly, completely losing his usual pride and demeanor.

  It was this young man, who they thought of as a pretty boy and a freeloader, only eighteen years old, and once a spoiled rich kid with a mere 3rd level ranking, who achieved the victory that they didn't even dare to dream about.

  Soldiers always take strength as honor.

  The generals of the Golden Branch Army were indeed arrogant and had an attitude that was above others, but it was because they themselves stood at the pinnacle of the duchy's power.

  Now, facing a commander stronger than them, they didn't know what to say for the moment.

  Midi didn't approach these generals either, but instead dismounted and rushed straight to Feena.

  He rested his left hand behind his back and placed his right hand on his left shoulder, bowing deeply to perform a perfect knight's salute. Only then did he take a step forward and say succinctly: "Your city, I have taken it back."

  The red-haired girl smiled, and in an instant, the city was overturned. Let alone Midee, even the generals were a little dazed at this moment - it turned out that their lord was not only strong, nor just a beautiful but reserved girl, but also full of such feminine charm?

  "Alright, take me there then." Fiona said.

  Without waiting for Mide's answer, she walked forward and stood in front of that giant blood-toothed leopard.

  Bloodtoothed Leopard felt the powerful aura emanating from this petite girl in front of him and he carefully crawled forward, as obedient as a kitten. Apparently, this deliberate attempt to please her made Fina very satisfied. The girl rubbed Bloodtoothed Leopard's head vigorously before lightly jumping onto its back, landing slightly towards the front.

  Are you two going to ride together on one horse?

  Midi's heart skipped a beat.

  Joy is a matter of course, but he also has some worries.

  After all, for the master of a noble family, maintaining dignity and distance, shaping a fair and just image is the only way to control the family, just like the Iron-Blooded Grand Duke. What an upper class needs is not some kind of intimate conversation, but awe, admiration and unconditional trust.

  But now, Feena was showing her favoritism and partiality to herself in front of the 30,000-strong army, in front of these unruly generals of the Golden Branch Army.

  This will undoubtedly have some adverse effects, making people wonder if she is fair, mature or just being capricious like a little girl.

  "What are you daydreaming about? Come on." Suddenly, Feena's words broke into Middy's thoughts. The red-haired girl smiled at the black-haired boy and stretched out her hand.

  That sweet smile completely relieved Mitty.

  That's right, even if suspected what? If shrink from fear of others' evaluation and gaze, then it wouldn't be Fiona Hamilton. The bullet queen that Middy knew was always uncompromising, forever free-spirited, never bound by anything, like the wind.

  So, what's there to worry about?

  "It's an honor," Mide replied, taking Fina's hand and then leaping to land steadily behind the red-haired girl.

  Feeling the fragrance of Fiona's hair, at this moment, he felt extremely happy.

  This scene, in the eyes of the generals, was a completely different picture.

  If what Fiona showed before was "partiality" and "support", then at this moment, what she is showing is unreserved "intimacy". From another perspective, this also seems to confirm the rumors that Fiona and Middy are lovers.

  Facing the open city gate of Liushui County in front of them, they can no longer say words like "little white face" or "eating soft rice", and even in their hearts, they cannot think that way.

  This kid, isn't he a once-in-a-century genius general?

  The generals were speculating in their minds, and just at this moment, Feena's voice interrupted their thoughts.

  "What are you all staring at? Everyone, follow me and Middy into the city." The red-haired girl turned her head and said casually, "You must all be very curious, how he won with 2,000 cavalry against 20,000 defenders. Along the way, let Middy explain it to you properly."

  The next moment, accompanied by the Bloodtoothed Leopard's long howl, that head of red hair as beautiful as Belmar's autumn maple fluttered in the wind.

  Like a banner that always wins.

  Dazzling, yet impossible to look away from.