Chapter 83: Melee

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Melee

「Two days later, at night.」

The front lines of the Northwest Defense Line.

Wooden fences and barbed wire intertwined, forming a long border defense line.

Behind the border, Guards stood watch and patrolled back and forth, ever vigilant for enemies from the Wata Duchy who could appear at any moment.

At this moment, Sandoor was in his tent at the front-line encampment, reviewing the frontline records just as Vili had done.

Vili had left a portion of their men at the rear camp under Dane’s command, while the personnel at the front lines were Sandoor’s responsibility.

Sandoor was not in a good mood. Just two days after arriving at the Northwest Defense Line, he had been publicly humiliated by Tanliwei. His captain Vili’s reaction also left him feeling stifled. ’As members of Bamos’s new faction, we should be challenging the powerful and aggressively forging ahead, but Vili just keeps holding back.’

However, as a proper subordinate, Sandoor still chose to follow Vili’s will.

Even when Tanliwei came to the front line yesterday and subtly pressured Diamond Team Six in all sorts of ways, Sandoor had managed to restrain his temper and not give the guy a brutal beating.

Of course, even if he had wanted to, Sandoor was no match for Tanliwei. Tanliwei possessed the strength of a Middle Level Knight’s Squire, while Sandoor was only a Junior Knight’s Squire. Although Sandoor believed he would surpass Tanliwei sooner or later, for now, he couldn’t beat him.

"Still busy, Captain Sandoor?"

Without any announcement, Tanliwei lifted the tent flap and walked right in.

Sandoor instinctively frowned. The mere sight of Tanliwei’s effeminate face was enough to set him on edge.

"Captain Tanliwei, is there something I can help you with? If it’s not important, please don’t interrupt my work."

Sandoor’s tone was cold, devoid of any courtesy.

Tanliwei didn’t seem to care in the slightest. He laughed. "Of course, there is. Why else would I come and bother you? It’s about the patrols. I’d like to change the rotation schedule."

Sandoor stared at Tanliwei without saying a word.

Ignoring Sandoor’s impatience, Tanliwei continued, "You know as well as I do, the veterans of Diamond Team One have been on the front lines for far too long. After the large-scale brawls a few days ago, everyone’s exhausted. Diamond Team Six, on the other hand, is full of fresh recruits. So, I’d like to cancel Diamond Team One’s night patrols and have Diamond Team Six take full responsibility for them."

"This way, Diamond Team One gets a chance to rest, and Diamond Team Six gets a chance to train. What do you think?"

Although Tanliwei’s tone was suggestive of a discussion, it was laced with a hint of mockery.

"An unreasonable demand."

Sandoor’s response was direct. "I won’t agree to it."

’Sandoor was no fool. If I compromise on this, I’ll lose all my authority within Diamond Team Six.’

Seeing Sandoor refuse, Tanliwei didn’t get angry. He just continued, "Don’t be so petty. We have to consider the bigger picture. Diamond Team One has far more combat experience than Diamond Team Six. As long as we’re well-rested, the pressure on the Northwest Defense Line will be greatly reduced. That’s a good thing for your Diamond Team Six, too."

"Get out!"

Sandoor stared directly at Tanliwei, his eyes filled with pent-up rage.

At this, Tanliwei laughed inwardly. He knew Sandoor would never agree to such a request; he was doing this mostly just to screw with him.

"Fine..."

Tanliwei shook his head. Just as he was about to leave the tent, he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"Enemies from the Wata Duchy are launching another sneak attack!"

A sentry outside was already shouting at the top of his lungs.

Sandoor’s expression changed. He shot up, gave Tanliwei a cold glare, and then strode out.

Tanliwei seemed completely unfazed, not looking the least bit anxious.

"Diamond Team Six, prepare for battle!"

Sandoor walked to the perimeter and looked into the distance. There were about sixty enemy soldiers—a considerable number.

He vaulted onto his horse and shouted to the Guards of Diamond Team Six.

"Leave ten Guards behind! The rest of you, charge with me!"

Sandoor had undergone all kinds of specialized training since childhood and was very familiar with combat and real-world fighting, so he remained completely calm in this situation.

"Tanliwei, aren’t you going to order Diamond Team One to move out?"

Sandoor demanded, looking at Tanliwei who had just emerged from the tent.

Tanliwei didn’t dally. "You charge first. I’ll have Diamond Team One follow right behind."

Sandoor hesitated for a moment but ultimately took Tanliwei at his word. He believed that Tanliwei wouldn’t be careless about something like this.

"Let’s go!"

Sandoor immediately led the men of Diamond Team Six out past the defense line.

Watching Sandoor’s back, a look of contempt appeared in Tanliwei’s eyes.

"Hurl stones!"

Sandoor issued a combat order.

THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!

At Sandoor’s command, the Guards of Diamond Team Six began picking up stones from the ground and hurling them.

These were special times. Although they were at the point of clashing, a full-blown war had not yet begun, so they had to show some restraint. Furthermore, to conserve war resources, ranged weapons like Bows and Arrows and Crossbows had not yet been deployed on the battlefield.

Even in the two previous hundred-man brawls, the fighting had been limited to close-quarters combat; both sides had consciously refrained from using lethal ranged weapons.

Under their commander’s orders, the soldiers of the Wata Duchy retaliated in kind.

Sandoor was protected by the shields of two riders, preventing him from being struck by stones.

’Why aren’t they here yet?’

Sandoor glanced back, only to find that Tanliwei still showed no intention of dispatching his troops.

A bad feeling crept into his heart, but with the two sides already engaged, he couldn’t leave his position.

"They’re charging!"

A Guard’s cry of alarm pulled Sandoor back from his thoughts.

The fifty or sixty enemy soldiers were now charging toward Diamond Team Six, shields raised.

"Prepare to engage!"

Sandoor led the charge, gripping his Knight’s Lance tightly as he rushed toward the enemy leader.

In an instant, the two sides were locked in a fierce battle.

The enemy leader, like Sandoor, also had the strength of a Junior Knight’s Squire. Compared to Sandoor, however, he was slightly weaker and was being thoroughly suppressed by Sandoor in their exchange.

Although it was only a probing attack, both sides had already sustained casualties.

"Tanliwei!"

Seeing this, Sandoor’s chest filled with rage.

’If Diamond Team One were to arrive, these enemies would linger for a moment at most before being driven back.’

But now, seeing that no reinforcements were coming, the enemy was emboldened to prolong the fight.

Just as Sandoor’s concentration wavered, the enemy leader seized the opportunity, his Long Spear stabbing straight into Sandoor’s right arm.