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“Lord Cusius, I didn’t expect you to be involved in this ambush.”

After sending off his brother and the northbound army, Count Evan turned back and smiled at a middle-aged man dressed in a white mage robe:

Cusius didn’t seem to want to expand on the topic, and simply responded in a lukewarm manner, “I just happened to be present.”

Of course, these words didn’t fool Count Evan, but he didn’t question it further.

This ambush against the Dark Cavalry evidently involved many powers. Count Evan felt the need to personally return and question his father to learn the whole truth.

However, seeing the injured soldiers gathered around, Count Evan’s brows furrowed deeply.

At this moment, he understood clearly the fierce price that his brother had paid for the ambush on the Dark Cavalry.

The Pegasus Army of two hundred thousand, had suffered thirty thousand deaths, fifty thousand injured, and another twenty thousand had become deserters under the Dark Cavalry’s ferocious counterattack.

In other words, the Pegasus Army had already showed signs of defeat. If it were not for the Dark Cavalry completely running out of blood, the victory of this ambush might not have belonged to the East Territory.

In addition, eighteen knights had died, including a fifth-rank knight!

This heavy price was paid for the annihilation of the Dark Cavalry.

Count Evan wasn’t sure if it was worth it.

Only now he understood why his brother insisted on leading the army northward.

The ambush had taken their advantage in timing and location but resulted in a Pyrrhic victory. If Marquis Vincent were to return to White Dew City in such a state, his reputation would surely be in ruins.

Duke St. Prowse surely wouldn’t let this son who has caused over half the Pegasus Army to be damaged off easily.

Count Evan suddenly felt that Marquis Vincent’s trip to Silver Moon City might not go so smoothly.

Sighing, he did not feel like worrying about his brother unnecessarily. He turned back to the orderly officer and commanded, “Let’s set off.”

“Yes.”

The Half-Elf Palace.

Following the knighting ceremony, the banquet officially began.

Colin casually fended off the half-elf nobles who came to flatter him, then he promptly dismissed them and ascended to the second floor via the spiral staircase.

The cold night wind blew into the empty palace, creating a stark contrast between its tranquility and the bustle below.

After taking a few steps, Colin saw the elegant silhouette leaning on the balcony.

Vera was dressed in a pink rose crochet skirt reaching about ten centimeters above her knees, revealing a pair of slender legs.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you wear stockings,” Colin stood behind Vera, complimenting her.

Vera turned around, smiled sweetly at Colin and said, “These were given to me by Queen Isa.”

Due to the lack of nylon in this world, the stockings were generally made from silkworm silk or cotton silk.

And the silkworm silk stockings from the Half-Elf Kingdom had always been popular among noble women.

“Hmm, they suit you well.” Colin nodded in approval, his eyes surveying Vera.

Apparently unable to bear Colin’s sultry gaze any longer, Vera tugged at the hem of her skirt shyly.

However, obviously, that was in vain.

Vera’s innocent demeanor accelerated Colin’s heartbeat.

Taking several steps forward to stand by Vera, Colin looked up at the starry night sky and laughed, “Why are you here alone? Is the banquet boring?” “Actually, yes.” Vera nodded, looking a little melancholic.

It appeared that Colin understood something, “Are you homesick?”

Upon hearing this remark, Vera turned to look at the suitor beside her.

Colin’s warm gaze gradually calmed her nerves, prompting her to admit, “A bit.’

“Don’t worry. Marquis Garcia is leading the Dark Cavalry to pick us up, you’ll be home soon.”

“Mmhm.” Vera obediently nodded.

But Colin’s next words made her heart rate skyrocket.

“As soon as we get back, I’ll ask your father, the Duke, for your hand.”

Vera stayed silent, too shy to look at Colin, yet her pale face was instantly flushed brighter than the most vivid roses.

“1…1 heard… the one who killed the former king in the night was known as the ‘Winged Knight’…” In her embarrassment, Vera rigidly diverted the conversation.

Colin found the situation amusing and interesting.

“Really? ‘Winged Knight’? Sounds rather formidable.”

“Do you know why the knight has bat wings?” Vera saw Colin not continuing the previous topic, and she felt both relieved and a tad disappointed.

“Perhaps he is also a druid.” Colin quickly repeated the reason Count Evan made for him.

“Druid? But isn’t the profession said to have been lost long ago?”

“Who knows? Maybe not everything has been lost.”

Vera pensively nodded, “Then, this ‘Winged Knight’ must be a half-elf, as only the ones with elven blood can practice being a druid.”

“That seems to be the case.”

Colin suddenly thought that he could ask Queen Isa to arrange for someone to steer the conversation towards this topic.

In doing this, everyone would be looking for this Winged Knight among the Half-Elves, and suspicions wouldn’t be directed towards Colin.

He could use the Winged Knight’s identity to perform tasks that weren’t convenient for him to do in person.

Just then, Colin heard subtle footsteps behind him.

Turning around, he found Queen Isa dressed in her royal attire standing there.

“Viscount Angler, Miss Vera, I hope I’m not interrupting?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s good to hear. I came up to inform you both that the Dark Cavalry is about to reach Silver Moon City.”

“Really? Uncle Garcia is almost here?” Vera exclaimed with delight.

“Yes, the patrolling Silver Moon Guards have encountered the vanguard of the Dark Cavalry and have sent back signals.”

“Then let’s go to the city gate to greet them,” Colin said, taking big strides outwards.

Despite the late hour, the walls of Silver Moon City were lit up bright as day by countless torches.

Colin, Vera, and Queen Isa stood shoulder to shoulder at the city gate, with an honor guard arrayed behind them.

Soon, the earth began to subtly tremble.

With the rumbling of horse hooves, a thin black line emerged from the darkness, gradually spreading towards Silver Moon City. This familiar sense of oppression allowed Colin to fully relax.

But it didn’t take long before he knitted his brows.

Because, he smelt a hint of the scent of blood.

And, as time passed and the Dark Cavalry got closer to Silver Moon City, the scent of blood became increasingly strong.

Queen Isa realized something was wrong as well, and turned to look at Colin, “Viscount Angler, something seems off.”

Colin pursed his lips, remaining silent.

Vera’s countenance became slightly alarmed, seemingly wanting to say something. However, upon noticing Colin’s severe expression, she swallowed her words howsoever.

Finally, the Dark Cavalry arrived underneath Silver Moon City, slowing down.

Only then did the welcoming party see the state of the army—every soldier amongst them was covered in blood!

And, their numbers were off!

The fifty-thousand-strong Dark Cavalry was certainly more than what was staring back at them right now.

An ominous premonition enveloped Colin, causing him to break out in cold sweat.

Under the astonished stares of everyone present, a blood-stained knight stepped out from the army and went towards the city gate.

“Toot, Toot, Toot …”

The Half-Elf Guard unexpectedly began to play a welcoming tune, but their music was stopped by a stern look from Queen Isa.

Knight Logh came up before Colin and the others, dismounted, removed his helmet, knelt on one knee, and reported in a choked voice:

“Miss Vera, Viscount Angler, the main force of the Dark Cavalry was ambushed in Shadow Gorge, Marquis Garcia is surrounded… we don’t know whether he’s dead or alive…”

The news was a sudden blow to Colin—he felt dizzy, hardly believing his own ears.

Marquis Garcia was ambushed?

How was that possible?

And in a place like Shadow Gorge?

Given Marquis Garcia’s cautious battle strategy, how could he possibly lead his army into the valley—a veritable death trap for cavalry—without a thorough reconnaissance?

Forcefully regaining his composure, Colin inquired, “How did you guys get ambushed? Why didn’t you conduct a thorough investigation in advance?”

“Count Dawson betrayed us! He deceived Marquis Garcia and led the Dark Cavalry into the enemy’s trap!”

“Fran Dawson?” An image of a dwarf instantly surfaced in Colin’s mind.

At the same time, a thought he could no longer suppress bubbled up—could it be that Count Dawson, under Duke St. Hilde’s orders, betrayed Marquis Garcia?

If that was the case, then as far as Colin could tell, Duke St. Hilde had been plotting against him and Marquis Garcia all along!

Using Silver Moon City as bait, he intended to completely eliminate the unstable element of the Dark Cavalry, ensuring that there would be no dissent in the North Territory henceforth.

“How many are you left with now?”

“Eight thousand!”

“Eight thousand…” Colin responded with a grave expression.

“Colin, my uncle…” Vera appeared frantic and disoriented.

He took hold of Vera’s hand and looked, with determination, first at her, then at Knight Logh, solemnly promising,

“Don’t worry, I will avenge the Dark Cavalry!”