Way of the Knights

Chapter 380 - War: Unexpected Development

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"We can do this!"

"Keep going! Push!"

"We're halfway through their numbers! Keep the pressure up!"

"We will win!"

"For our home! For the Final Haven Kingdom!"

War cries can be heard all over the battlefield. Amidst the colorful lights or energies, loud explosions and painful cries of the beasts, the Kingdom's army remained strong and unyielding. Their powerful words and supportive actions uplifted their camaraderie, further boosting their performance against the beast horde, who's numbers are swiftly dwindling.

Paul who was holding the barricade, was now joined by other Defenders. And just like him, they mounted their spears onto the barricade, stabbing those who dared to come close while others are covering their backs just in case some decided to sneak past them. 

Ellen danced in the battlefield like the Darling of Flames. Her dress was on fire, leaving trails as she flew past the demonic beasts. She repeatedly sent waves upon waves of fire, incinerating nearby enemies to ash. Sometimes she would fly up in the air using her fiery wigs and will send orbs of fire that would case a huge explosion, engulfing multiple enemies and reducing them to ashes. She's undoubtedly the most destructive warrior as of now. 

Anne remained in the air, riding on the back of her eagle. She consistently surveyed the battlefield with her sharp vision, providing cover fire and sniping some higher tiered beasts. Her arrows could penetrate even the most toughest of hides or scales. And her aim is impeccable too, every arrow she fired counts, each one will either be aimed at the vitals or outright kill them, if this wasn't possible, then at least she will try to immobilize them. Her aerial maneuvering is impressive too, something has yet to hit her while she's in the air. 

Mark on the other hand was even faster. It was as if his legs were made out of steel that doesn't show signs of exhaustion. It had to be known that he had been sprinting across the battlefield ever since it began, it's nearly eight hours since the war started and he has yet to stop. Everywhere he went, blood and gore follows him with occasional sparks of electricity. He and Old Lee are nearly done with their task, after this they'll be focusing on slaying beast. And with the two of them, the rate of slaughter will rise on another level. 

As for Luna, she was focusing on beasts larger and stronger than her. Her graceful bearing as well as her battle expertise cause many people to admire her. Her targets are Tier 5 Demonic Beast and above, the reason behind this is because she wanted to minimize the damages on their side, and only killing these stronger beasts would allow her to achieve that. On top of all this, her aura was constantly pulsing through the battlefield. Not only did it boost her performance, it also strengthens her allies and providing them some healing as well. 

These people are the most dazzling assets on the battlefield. It was hardly believable that this kids grew up so fast and are now the main pillars of the Kingdom. 

Back on the East Gate, Luis kept observing the war using the arrays but this time, his attention was divided. 

He pushed his communication device and said: "West, South, North, give me updates."

After a couple of seconds, some messages arrived. Luis listened to them one by one to assess the current situation. 

"West Gate reporting. We've slain half of the horde on our side thanks to the reinforcements. Over."

"South Gate reporting. Our soldiers are almost done clearing up the battlefield. Over."

"North Gate reporting. We're halfway done with the horde on our side. We'll give reports once we're done here. Over and out."

Luis sighed in relief, he relayed one more message to them, telling them to make an urgent report should any kind of developments happen on their side. After receiving confirmation, he placed his attention back at the war happening in front of him. 

It's quite fortunate that only small group of beasts were attacking them from the other sides. It was also quite fortunate that they had some back up plans to deal with them, it would've been bad if they didn't allocate some people to guard the other gates. 

*Cough* *Cough*

"Dear!"

"Your Majesty!"

Almost everyone who's stationed on top of the East Gate panicked as soon as they saw King Alexander broke into a fit of coughing. Elizabeth held on top him and used her healing arts to soothe his condition yet her heart nearly leapt on her throat as she saw Alexander's hand covered in blood. 

She didn't even get the chance to say anything before the King hid his bloodied hand and waved to the rest of them, signifying that he's alright. 

"I'm fine, everyone. It's just sore throat, nothing serious." He lied, wanting to ease their concerns. 

Some people bought it, while the rest don't. Elizabeth bit her lips and fought the tears. She never liked seeing her husband this weak, the idea of him dying one day greatly terrified her, and when the fact that she was partly responsible for his condition was added, pained her even more. 

The King's warm and strong arms grasped her hand. He said no words since it wasn't needed, for the two of them, this action was enough. 

Alexander kept looking over the horizon, steeling his nerves and not allowing himself to show any signs of weakness. But it was quite hard knowing his situation. The Poison Laws are continuously eroding his body. The maintenance that Richard provided kept it at bay, preventing it from doing any severe damages to his health, yet it's not enough. 

Even with the maintenance, the burning feeling inside his body never faded. He never told anyone, but every time his illness flares up, it feels like his body was being fried from the inside. Breathing becomes painful and it won't stop unless he takes his medicine. This feeling was something that he could never get used to. 

"Your Majesty." 

Alexander turned around and heard a familiar voice. He then saw Richard walking towards them. Before he could even say anything, Elizabeth was already talking.

"Richard! Thank the heavens you're here. His illness just flared up." 

"I told you, I'm fine." Alexander said but the look on Elizabeth's face silenced him. 

"I am aware." Richard said, "His Majesty forgot his medicine today, that's why I'm here."

Elizabeth's face turned a little sour as she quickly glared at her husband. Alexander did his best to avoid her stare while silently cursing Richard in his mind. His face twisted a bit as he felt a sharp pinch on his sides along with Elizabeth's threatening whispers.

"You stubborn Old Fool." Elizabeth twisted her pinch, making the King grimace even further. "You told me you took your medicine earlier. Had I known this, I wouldn't have allowed you to come here."

"Alright, alright. I get it. Isn't he here already? I'm going to take my medicine now, so can you stop pinching me already?" Alexander coaxed her while gently tapping on her arms. 

Elizabeth snorted and let go, Richard smiled at this scene and said: "Please, follow me. I've already prepared a room for you."

"There's no need for that." Alexander shook his head, "I'll just take the medicine here." 

"Lead the way, Richard." Elizabeth replied while dragging the King with her. 

"Liz…" The King called out softly but a glare from Elizabeth was all it took for him to stop. 

Helpless, he could only nod at Luis, subtlety telling him that he's leaving this place in his hand. Luis got the message and nodded back. After that, he was then dragged by Elizabeth towards the chambers that Richard prepared for the treatment. He didn't really understand the need for all of this, he could've taken the medicine without leaving his post. 

After they entered the room, Richard immediately asked the two to take a seat, to which the both of them complied. Alexander kept looking out of the window to take peek outside, unfortunately he could only see the wall from here and could only hear the sounds of war. 

All of a sudden, a terrible wave of energy swept past them. The King instinctively stood up and had an incredulous look on his face. That energy just now was too evil and too familiar. 

There was no way he could ever forget that energy reading for it left an indelible mark on his life, and he had once made a decision to personally end the owner of that aura. 

"Alastair!" 

The King's face twisted, yet his illness flared up once more, causing his break into a fit of coughing once again. Elizabeth went towards him and held his hand. 

"Don't go." She whispered to him. 

"I must." The King insisted but Elizabeth held onto him firmly while shaking her head. 

"Your Majesty, you're in no condition to fight right now. Please, rest here for a bit." Richard added. 

"You don't understand, Richard." Alexander gritted his teeth, cursing his situation inwardly. "They're in danger. Alastair is extremely dangerous."

"I am aware, Your Majesty. And believe it or not, I'm not locking you up here. I just don't want you to fight him unless I am certain that you're completely cured."

"Then why are you - " The King didn't even get to finish since he realized something. "Wait! What did you say?"