Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 1028: Chapter 148: Main Force Showdown · Might of the Dragon Knight

As all the steel torrents coalesced beneath Rapids Castle, an unprecedented, massive legion nearing seven thousand strong took form!

The moment this vast legion appeared on the plains, it cast an unparalleled feeling of immense shock and significant fantasy upon everyone.

Su Li, riding Aeliria, soared through the air; the wings of the Giant Dragon skimmed past the enormous army below, casting a gaze down upon the colossal legion with a feeling of overwhelming might and a heart as fierce as a tiger!

Within this legion, the Knight Order from the Hesse Territory, led by the Half-Lion Griffin Knights, formed the core and the cutting edge. Their steeds were clad in fine horse armor, while the knights themselves were fully enclosed in polished gilded plate armor, revealing only their stern eyes. Their lances pointed skyward like a forest, and the heavy kite shields bore the family emblem of crossing sword and hammer with the Bauhinia Flower. As they trotted their warhorses, the heavy hooves gathered into a continuous rumble of thunder, while the metallic clatter of overlapping armor plates produced a chilling ”clash—clash—” echo, reminiscent of a moving, breathing steel fortress.

At the center of the human phalanx marched the fearsome Ogre Mercenaries. These enormous beings were clad in custom-made, roughly-hewn heavy armor forged from thick steel plates, resembling mobile siege towers. They wielded immense iron-bound wooden clubs, horrifying double-bladed war axes, or heavy bone-crushing hammers, with their coarse breaths resonating like bellows under their helmets. Every heavy footfall caused the ground to tremble slightly. The rough skin peeking through their armor and their occasional deep roars infused the steel torrent with a primitive and wild power.

The main force of the infantry phalanxes, without a doubt, consisted of the Dwarf Warriors. They formed tight formations, with armor thicker than that of humans, and joints exquisitely forged, glistening with the profound sheen unique to fine steel. Unlike humans who preferred gilded battle armor, theirs was more substantial and reserved, combined with gigantic tower shields that covered their entire bodies, linking shield faces to form an impenetrable metal barrier. Long-handled war axes or heavy warhammers thrust out between the gaps, shining with a sharp gleam. Their footsteps were steady and unified, with only the heavy ”thud! thud! thud!” of their feet and the low hum of metal friction resonating, silent and steadfast, symbolizing unparalleled defense and crushing assault power.

Finally, the entire legion’s war machinery unit consisted of Half-Elves pushing dozens of heavy harvesters and ploughs, which they referred to as ”Wheat Field Death God” and ”Iron Thorns”. These agricultural tools of the Half-Elves, once modified for war, became steel giant beasts on the battlefield. They possessed sturdy metal chassis, pulled by numerous combat rams, emitting a ”clatter” of turning gears. Mounted at the front of the vehicles were several rows of rapidly spinning, dauntingly gleaming large scythe discs, instantly shredding any infantry or lightly-armored units attempting to block their path. The Half-Elf technicians operating them, wearing goggles, navigated these fearsome machines with tense yet excited precision for destructive harvesting.

As this massive legion, merging human discipline, ogre power, dwarf resilience, and half-elf ingenuity, began its full advance along the main road towards Blue Mirror Lake, the scene could be described as earth-moving and mountain-shaking.

Thousands of iron-clad feet (including the large feet of the Ogres) stepped down simultaneously, and the earth groaned, while the dull footfalls gathered into a constant, low rumble, resonating from beneath into the core. The knights and warhorses’ armored clanking sounded like countless blacksmiths hammering anvils at once, forming a majestic metallic storm.

Dust, stirred by countless footsteps, hoofbeats, and wheels, rose to form a giant smoke dragon that obscured the sky as it rolled forward with the legion. Sunlight, reflecting off this moving steel forest, emitted a continuous gleam of cold, dazzling light. Armor, weapons, siege equipment’s metal components, the harvester’s scythe discs...everything glistened, announcing the cold will and destructive power of the Hesse Territory’s war machine. Its immense might was enough to make distant foes tremble, and the earth beneath quake.

The speed of the army’s advance far exceeded Blue Mirror Territory’s expectations. Marshal Orstein, with his usual decisive approach, forsook unnecessary probing and harassment, charging directly towards the core of Blue Mirror Lake with clarity of purpose.

When the vanguard cavalry of the Hesse Territory appeared at the end of the plains on the western shore of Blue Mirror Lake, a shrill alarm horn sounded from the walls of Blue Mirror Castle. The once peaceful and beautiful Blue Mirror Lake was now completely shrouded in the clouds of war.

The mighty army arrayed on the northern shore of Blue Mirror Lake, and Marshal Orstein chose a wide, solid slope to set camp. This location backed against low hills, with sparse wooded areas shielding the flanks, and offered an unobstructed view across Blue Mirror Lake and the Blue Mirror Castle standing on the northern bank.

Nearly seven thousand elite infantry and cavalry swiftly spread out, constructing a solid fortress. At the center were three enormous heavy infantry phalanxes resembling a steel forest, with shields like walls and spears like a forest, forming an immovable pillar. The plate armor of the dwarves on them reflected a chilling gleam in the midsummer sun.

The wings consisted of cavalry groups. The left wing, mainly composed of Impact Knights, resembled a poised heavy hammer; while the right wing, consisting of more agile light cavalry, was responsible for flank protection and pursuit.