Chapter 158: Gate

Letting out a deep breath, George swung his greatsword back onto his shoulder.

’’Fuck,’’ he muttered, staring at Aldric in the distance. ’’I used nearly half of my aura just now.’’

Henry’s expression turned solemn.

’’A third,’’ he replied, swallowing hard.

Even Roderic couldn’t help but grow serious.

’’Same here,’’ he said. ’’That wave attack really forced my hand.’’

For a moment, he fell completely silent.

Then, his eyes narrowed.

’’But we have to hold him off. No matter what.’’

If Aldric somehow got past them and joined the battle against Arthur and Captain Harris, the war was as good as lost.

That’d also mean his death was guaranteed.

And there was no way in hell Roderic would ever let that happen!

’We have to stall here,’ he thought. ’And if there’s a chance to kill him, we take it.’

They’d be relying on outside help.

But that was the best option they had.

’My retainers will clear up their respective battlefields soon enough,’ he thought. ’Or at least, if everything goes to plan.’

Tightening his grip on his blades, Roderic let out a slow breath.

’’Ready?’’ he asked, glancing to the side.

George puffed up his chest with a smile.

’’Of course,’’ he replied. ’’If I die today, it’ll be with a sword in my chest and a smile on my face!’’

Henry raised his longsword and let out a soft chuckle.

’’Don’t talk about dying now. We’re still due for beers tonight.’’

Hearing the two of them, Roderic couldn’t help but grin.

’’Let’s go!’’

BOOM!

The three immediately shot forward.

...

Meanwhile, below the walls, the situation was growing increasingly chaotic.

BOOOM!

Another deafening impact shook the city gates.

Dust fell from the stone archway as the battering rams continued pounding against the reinforced wooden doors.

Peter glanced at Frederic uneasily.

’’The situation isn’t looking good,’’ he said hesitantly. ’’All the Deres knights have gathered at the gates...’’

John and Paul nodded once, both of their expressions dead serious.

For a moment, silence fell among them.

’’It doesn’t matter,’’ Frederic suddenly replied.

Peter looked up in surprise.

’’But if they manage to break through—’’

’’They won’t,’’ Frederic interrupted him firmly.

He glanced at the three knights standing before him.

’’We’re the young lord’s trump card,’’ he continued. ’’He entrusted us with this task because he believes we can turn the tide of this battle. And I’ll be damned if we disappoint him.’’

Peter swallowed hard.

For a moment, he looked toward the gates, where another deafening impact shook the surrounding stone.

Then, he nodded with determination.

’’You’re right,’’ he said. ’’We will do this!’’

As silence fell once more, John’s gaze flickered toward a large, cloth-covered wagon standing behind them.

’’Trump card,’’ he repeated quietly, clenching his fists.

Just then, a voice rang out from the side.

’’There you are!’’

The four turned around simultaneously.

Roland and Benjamin were approaching them, their weapons already drawn.

’’Get ready,’’ Benjamin said, his expression solemn. ’’The gate is going to open any time now.’’

He paused for a moment.

’’We’ll need the two strongest among you to come with us and deal with their two-seal knights.’’

Roland nodded, his expression no better.

’’The other two can remain here and fight... but we need the reinforcements.’’

Without even a second of hesitation, Frederic interjected.

’’We’ll do it a little differently,’’ he said. ’’I’ll go with you, and Peter will accompany us.’’

Benjamin raised an eyebrow, genuine curiosity on his face.

Frederic glanced briefly at Paul.

’’He’s at his best when he’s surrounded by enemies, not when he’s fighting a single opponent.’’

Then, he pointed at John.

’’And John has another task entrusted to him by the young master.’’

Roland and Benjamin exchanged a glance.

Neither seemed particularly bothered by the arrangement.

In fact, as far as they were concerned, Frederic hadn’t even needed to explain himself.

They trusted Roderic’s judgment.

And if these were the orders he had given his knights, they had no reason to question them.

’’Very well,’’ Roland replied.

CRACK!

A loud noise echoed out from the gate after the battering ram slammed into it.

Roland glanced back at Roderic’s retainers, a weak smile on his face.

’’We’ll see you once the fighting starts,’’ he said. ’’We... need to speak with our sons.’’

For a moment, nobody said anything.

Benjamin lowered his gaze slightly.

Without another word, the two men turned around and disappeared among the gathered knights.

Peter watched them leave, his expression complicated.

Even Frederic felt a twinge in his heart.

’Mother, sister,’ he thought, clenching his fists. ’I will come back from this.’

BOOM!

Another impact shook the gates.

The massive wooden beam blocking them began creaking even more.

Large wooden splinters began flying through the air as a clear crack became visible.

’’Shit,’’ Paul cursed. ’’That thing isn’t going to last much longer.’’

Frederic immediately turned around.

’’Everyone!’’ he shouted. ’’Get into position!’’

The gathered knights hurriedly raised their shields and weapons.

Frederic then glanced at John.

’’You remember what the young lord told you?’’ he asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

John nodded firmly.

’’Every word,’’ he replied.

For a moment, silence fell between them.

Frederic nodded once, nervousness written across his face.

Then, he turned around and ran toward Roland and Benjamin, with Peter following closely behind.

BOOOOM!

Another tremendous impact echoed out from the front.

CRACK! CRACK!

Several smaller wooden beams splintered.

John took a spear, one of the five weapons he carried with him, off his back and raised it into the air.

’’HOLD YOUR POSITIONS!’’ he roared.

His heart pounded fiercely, but his eyes remained fixed straight ahead.

At his command, knights and soldiers alike raised their weapons, bracing themselves for the inevitable clash.

Just then, the battering rams outside were released one final time.

BOOOOM!!!

The reinforced gates exploded inward, sending massive chunks of wood flying everywhere.

Through the settling dust, dozens of knights alongside hundreds of soldiers came charging forward.

John tightened his grip on his spear.

’’KILL THEM ALL!’’ he roared. ’’CHARGE!’’