Chapter 350: A Hit

As the unfamiliar rhythm of the horn echoed across the battlefield, Lancet felt as if he were dreaming.

The reaver soldiers, locked in brutal combat just moments before, suddenly began to break formation and retreat. The collapse started near Cobblestone and rapidly spread toward the center of the battlefield.

"That’s the reaver retreat signal," Lancet muttered in disbelief, mixed with a hint of joy. The battlefield clearly still favored them; why would the reavers retreat now?

But it was real. The reaver cavalry were abandoning their slave soldiers and pulling back in a frenzy.

Even the soldiers on the battlefield looked confused. The once-fierce reaver warriors were now fleeing.

Out of caution, Lancet didn’t immediately order a full pursuit. The reavers still had superior numbers; this might have been a trap.

But when he saw the reavers dismantling their silver tent, he was certain they were retreating for real. He leaned over and shouted. "Beat the war drums! Send in the cavalry!"

Boom! Boom! The drums roared again. Imperial Guard cavalry and the Brambleford armored riders galloped forth, chasing the retreating enemy.

Some reaver slave soldiers simply threw down their weapons and surrendered.

---

West Gate

Benjamin, too, was caught off guard. The horn signaling retreat came out of nowhere, and the reaver cavalry in front of them withdrew after just one charge.

"Commander, what’s going on?" Lancelot scratched his head, puzzled.

He had expected this war to drag on for months. For the reavers to retreat now was beyond baffling.

"Hold steady. Let’s see what they’re up to." Benjamin said, ever the cautious type, just like Lancelot

After watching for a while, Benjamin frowned. The reaver retreat was completely disorganized. Something big must have happened on their side.

He finally said. "Lancelot, I think they’re really retreating. Pursue them and secure the victory!"

Lancelot nodded and led his cavalry out from the wagon line, charging after the fleeing reavers.

---

Outside Preston City

Tevez also noticed the unusual movement. The reaver cavalry and slave soldiers outside the city were retreating.

The once-tight siege was crumbling.

An hour later, all reaver forces had pulled northward. That’s when a banner bearing the Eldorian Empire’s emblem came into view.

"Brambleford!"

Tevez trembled with excitement.

"They’ve retreated... Prince Simon and the Imperial Guards have won!" The thought rose in his mind, impossible to suppress.

After the Brambleford banner appeared, the flag of the Imperial Guards followed soon after. That left no doubt; Tevez immediately rushed to Prince Augustus’s Castle.

Outside Preston, Benjamin, Lancet, and Aiden met up.

They confirmed that the reavers were truly in full retreat, and quickly headed toward the city, where the siege had already been broken.

"What happened?" Benjamin asked. "Lancet, you had the high ground; did you see anything?"

Lancet shook his head. "The battlefield was chaos; I couldn’t see everything clearly. But this might be thanks to your side."

"Forget credit for now. We need to figure out what happened." Benjamin replied, frowning.

Just then, Lancelot returned, accompanied by two cavalrymen, one of whom had a wounded reaver slave soldier slumped over his horse.

"Commander! We figured it out; Fern was hit by one of our cannonballs. He’s either dead or gravely injured. That’s why the reavers broke ranks." Lancelot reported.

"Our cannonball?" Liam, standing behind Benjamin, gasped.

"Yes, yours!" Lancelot replied, surprisingly without teasing this time. "Your gunners really earned their glory today."

Lancelot turned to Liam with a broad smile, though his face remained serious. "That explains it. Fern was the Prince. If he’s dead or wounded, the reavers are leaderless; they can’t continue the fight."

Benjamin nodded. He turned to Lancelot. "Go meet His Highness and bring him to Preston. With Fern wounded, now’s the perfect time to press our advantage. We might even retake the Snake Pass."

"Snake Pass..." Lancet’s body trembled.

That fortress had once been the northern gate of the Eldorian Empire.

If they reclaimed it, the northern frontier would finally be safe from reaver invasions.

Benjamin saw the look on Lancet’s face and laughed heartily.

"It’s been five years since we last met, but you haven’t changed." He said warmly. "His Highness was already planning a northern campaign this fall. Fern just struck first by attacking Preston. Now that we’ve won, this is our chance to push back. I have no doubt Prince Simon will order the Brambleford army to move north. The only question is, will the Imperial Guards join us in retaking Snake Pass?"

Lancet’s excitement dimmed with a sigh.

"I’m afraid not. His Majesty gave strict orders; our mission was to lift the siege on Preston. Now that the reavers are defeated, we must return to the capital and report."

Benjamin narrowed his eyes. "Is it really the Emperor’s orders, or is he suspicious of you again?"

He remembered when Emperor Alaric’s paranoia had led to his own exile in the mines. He could see the same pain on Lancet’s face now.

"Serving a king is like walking on thin ice. We ministers can only tread carefully. With most of the Imperial Guards lost in this battle, I imagine His Majesty and the court are finally satisfied." Lancet said bitterly.

"Bah! That pisses me off!" Benjamin cursed. "I should’ve joined Prince Simon long ago. As long as those traitorous officials stay in power, loyal men like us will never see justice."

"Watch what you say," Lancet warned. "You represent Prince Simon now. If word of this gets back to Eldora, it could hurt him."

Benjamin’s face paled. He looked around; fortunately, they were surrounded by trusted men. Still, he didn’t dare speak further.

With a sigh, he changed the topic. "Let’s talk spoils of war. I don’t want Prince Gerad and Prince Augustus swooping in to claim the rewards."

At that, Lancet’s eyes lit up. "You’re right. The loot should be split between our two armies. Those two useless lords aren’t getting a single horse!"

Everyone around them, Brambleford army and Imperial Guards alike, burst into laughter.

The retreating reavers had left behind thousands of warhorses in Cobblestone and Preston.

It was real, tangible wealth.