The harsh sunlight shone on the shrubs, fields, and European beech trees, the glint from the helmets bouncing with the movement of the vehicles.

Puddles reflected the azure sky, the clear sky after the rain exceptionally refreshing.

But the next second, a short boot emerged, stomping into the puddle.

The once clear rainwater was instantly muddled by the mud, and before it could settle again, numerous big feet in short boots, riding boots, or straw sandals trampled into the puddle continuously.

Amidst the scattered village estates and wild grass, the eight corps of the Black Hat Army, acting as the vanguard, marched quickly in five columns.

Each corps was the same, with columns of Holy Gunners in the front and back, flanking a column of Long Spearmen in the middle.

This way, when encountering enemy forces, the Holy Gunners could swiftly change formation from column to line, standing on both sides, while the Long Spearmen advanced forward, forming the most basic battle formation.

The coarse flaxen trousers in earth tones rubbed against each other, countless pairs of sturdy legs moving alternately.

Every time the robust feet landed, mud splattered onto gaiters and boots, soon leaving a pair of decent cloth shoes at risk of being soaked through.

Those who cherished their shoes would tie them together with a string, hang them around their necks, and follow the march wearing their handmade straw sandals.

The ground felt like a waterlogged sponge; every step into the slushy mud submerged the feet, and heavily armored supply carts and Horn's chariots sank down to their wheel hubs.

Mosquitoes swarmed around the horses and people, dragonflies flitting over the heads of the War Monks.

"Why does it have to rain at this time." Jeska couldn't help but complain, watching the infantry phalanx advancing at an extraordinary speed.

Beside him, riding on the warhorse Grape, Horn frowned as he looked at the continuously moving army, frowning similarly.

There had been thunderstorms for two days a few days ago, although mostly heavy rains at night and light rains during the day, it still significantly slowed the Salvation Army's march.

The issue wasn't the rain hindering the march but the rain damaging the roads.

After several downpours, the rainwater soaked the entire road, severely slowing down the Salvation Army's marching speed.

The Salvation Army had accelerated their pace, but still could only maintain a barely steady speed of 25 kilometers per day.

"This so-called King's Path might as well be called the King's Gut." Kolman, passing by, pulled his sweaty foot from the mud and joined in the complaint.

From Langsande County to Kasha County, the King's Path was dilapidated, unlike Mande's King's Path, it was essentially just a compacted dirt road; a heavier rain turned it into mud.

Yet, if it didn't rain, it was a burst of dust.

But for Horn, he'd rather eat more dust than be delayed on the road like this.

They had set out on the morning of July 12, and today it was already noon on July 17.

Despite being half a day late, they still had not reached Xiaochi City, at least about ten miles away.

Horn was confident that with Jeanne's ability and the Witch's power, defending the small Xiaochi City wouldn't be a problem.

But the real issue was that while the Noble Alliance Army only numbered three thousand, they indeed had the presence of the Extraordinary.

With this half-day delay, should the Noble Alliance Army delay further, it might cost another whole day or more; a continuing hold-up could mean Rapids City being breached.

"Everyone, stay vigilant." Horn shouted to the Child Soldiers passing orders, "Tell them to step it up. Xiaochi City is currently surrounded by the Noble Alliance Army layer by layer and is in the most dangerous time. We are their hope."

"Oh!" With the order given, cries of various sizes erupted from the ranks, and the entire formation visibly quickened.

"Have the North Knights scout around, we'll camp about five miles from Xiaochi City, try to gather intel before nightfall, and establish contact with Xiaochi City."

Orders given, the black armoured North Knights scattered in all directions.

When Jeanne left, she took all the cavalry with her, but she only took the Salvation Army's cavalry.

For instance, the North Mountain Boar Knights led by Mira remained in Black Mountain Castle.

After all, Jinhe Town was newly subdued, if anything happened, they could suppress it.

Before Horn returned to Joan of Arc Castle, the agreement signed with the Ibe Noble Group dictated the provision of at least two hundred knights to assist in battle.

Among them, at least thirty Square Banner Knights, no more than half Squire Knights.

Leading these troops would be two of Horn's old acquaintances—former rivals number one, Perini, and number two, Domenico.

The Alco Clan was indeed a merit contributor to the Salvation Army Government, each of the family's three Counts participated in every battle in Langsande.

In any battle they were in, the Salvation Army emerged victorious.

When the intelligence about Xiaochi City and Rapids City spread, the old grandmother did not defect but kept her promise.

She timely dispatched thirty-five Square Banner Knights, seventy-two Squire Knights, and ninety-nine Attendant Knights, totaling 206 "Kush Knights," all sent to Black Mountain Castle.

The reason they were called "Kush Knights" was primarily due to the nobility's lineage, which might be considered lower than the Duke Dane in their mouths.

Not to mention one-sixteenth, not even one-sixtieth lineage might be present.

Among these over two hundred knights, one-third were mixed-bloods of foreign nobles and local Kush nobility.

Most donned Kush's traditional half-sleeve robes, claiming themselves as Kush people.

For those who didn't want to change, they shouldn't fault the grandmother for being ruthless.

You seldom find a three-legged toad, but aspiring knights are everywhere.

Those stewards, Attendant Knights, and even hired riders and Wandering Knights, who wouldn't want an estate as their fief?

Horn's hand, stroking his chin, paused involuntarily.

Perhaps the grandmother's promise wasn't genuine after all; her real intention might be consolidating Jinhe Town's internal knightly strength?

"Who's there?" Suddenly, a stir erupted at the front of the formation.

"You in the bushes, stand up."

"Raise your hands above your head, don't move!"

"Captain, don't fire the gun, it's me!"

"Hü!" With a soft command, his steed Grape, let out an annoyed snort, galloping towards the front of the formation.

Mud splattered as it braked sharply in front of a shrub.

Ignoring the mud spots on his clothes, Horn dismounted from the saddle.

Beside Victor, on the flank of the Black Hat First Corps, a merchant and several attendants lay face-down with bruised faces, utterly disheveled.

A merchant in silk robes was caught in the middle, Victor kneeling on his neck, pressing the entire face into the muddy water.

Evidently, such methods used by guards for suppressing rioters were ubiquitously applied in the present Empire.

After all, this method restrained breathing, allowing suppression of possibly existing Extraordinary individuals.

"I... I'm out of air..." the merchant cried hoarsely.

"Who are you?" Horn gestured for Victor to release him momentarily, "Why were you spying on our march?"

"Cough, cough, I'm Hassurian, a councilor of Xiaochi City." Spitting out sand-laden saliva, the councilor barely squeezed out a smile.

Jeska immediately stepped forward, grabbing his collar: "Why are you here? Has Xiaochi City fallen?"

"No, no." Hassurian wore a grief-stricken face but still forced a smile, "Her Highness the Saintess broke through seven camps overnight, the siege of Xiaochi City is lifted."

"What?"

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