The Cavalry of Honor

’So they now have a cavalry, let’s see if their cavalry can match up with mine.’ The Elder Necromancer Alibaba watched the battlefield with hollow amusement. The cold blue flames dancing inside his eye sockets flickered as though he had just discovered a new toy. To him, the countless lives being lost below were nothing more than pieces on a board.

Without another word, he slowly raised one bony hand.

An invisible wave of corrupt mana spread across the battlefield.

It was an order.

At once, the silent cavalry waiting behind the skeletal army began to move.

The Dullahans lowered their black lances in perfect unison.

The earth rumbled beneath the pounding hooves of undead warhorses.

One after another, they emerged through the gaps in the skeletal ranks like a tide of darkness. Their horses wore cracked black armor stained by centuries of dried blood. Pale blue flames burned within empty eye sockets while cemetery-cold mana seeped from every hoofprint, freezing the grass wherever they passed.

Each Dullahan held a severed head beneath one arm.

Their headless necks emitted wisps of ghostly blue fire.

The heads themselves remained expressionless, their dead eyes staring forward without blinking.

Not a single voice echoed from their ranks.

Only the relentless thunder of hooves.

The Regalcrags charging through the undead army were greeted by an opposing force, a cavalry of Dullahans which appeared before them. The Dullahans were twice their number, yet this didn’t intimidate the Redcliffe family. Instead, it made them extremely happy. The more powerful the enemy they faced, the greater glory and honor they would receive upon victory. Even if death took them away, the glory they earned today would live on forever.

Ramona Redcliffe narrowed her eyes beneath her helmet.

"So... this is your answer."

She smiled.

Not with arrogance.

Not with madness.

But with the excitement only a true warrior could understand.

She raised her spear high.

"Steady!"

The Redcliffe cavalry immediately adjusted their formation.

The first rank lowered their heavy lances.

The second rank prepared throwing spears.

The third drew swords, ready to follow once the first impact shattered the enemy lines.

Every rider trusted the warrior beside them.

Every horse continued forward without hesitation.

The distance between the two cavalry forces rapidly disappeared.

Two hundred meters.

One hundred.

Fifty.

The battlefield seemed to hold its breath.

Then—

"CHARGE!"

Ramona’s voice rang across the battlefield.

The Redcliffe warriors roared as one.

"For Redcliffe!"

The Dullahans answered only with silence.

The collision shook the earth.

Boom!

Lances exploded into splinters.

Several undead riders were pierced clean through, their skeletal bodies thrown from their saddles before shattering against the ground.

Yet the Dullahans did not stop.

Those who lost their mounts simply stood back up, drawing long black swords before attacking on foot.

One Redcliffe knight drove his lance through a Dullahan’s chest.

The undead grabbed the weapon with unnatural strength, refusing to release it.

Before the knight could pull away, another Dullahan swung a massive blade toward his neck.

Clang!

The knight barely blocked with his shield.

His horse stumbled sideways.

Another Redcliffe rider immediately intercepted the attack, splitting the undead from shoulder to waist with a single powerful strike.

"Keep moving!"

"Don’t let them surround us!"

The cavalry split into smaller wedges, driving deep into the enemy formation before regrouping again.

It was the signature tactic of the Redcliffe family.

Strike.

Break through.

Regroup.

Charge again.

Ramona rode at the very front.

Her spear danced like a silver dragon.

One thrust pierced a Dullahan’s chest.

A quick twist shattered its spine.

Before the corpse even fell, she swept the spear sideways, knocking another rider from his horse.

She never stopped moving.

Every motion flowed into the next.

Behind her, the Redcliffe warriors matched her pace.

Although they were outnumbered two to one, not a single warrior showed fear.

An older knight laughed loudly as he cleaved through an undead horse.

"So this is the enemy we’ve waited for!"

Another replied while driving his sword into a Dullahan’s skull.

"If we’re going to die, let it be on a battlefield worthy of our ancestors!"

The fighting became increasingly brutal.

Undead horses slammed into living ones.

Broken lances littered the ground.

Warhorses screamed in pain.

Steel clashed endlessly.

Several Redcliffe riders were dragged from their saddles.

The moment they touched the ground, three Dullahans surrounded them.

One knight lost his shield.

Another lost his horse.

Neither retreated.

Back to back, they continued fighting until one of their comrades charged through and rescued them.

Ramona noticed the pressure mounting.

"They’re trying to encircle us!"

She immediately raised her spear.

"Right flank! Break outward!"

Half the cavalry changed direction instantly.

Instead of allowing themselves to be trapped, they smashed into the enemy’s weaker side.

The sudden maneuver broke the undead formation.

Several Dullahans crashed into one another as their horses struggled to turn.

The Redcliffe warriors seized the opportunity.

"Forward!"

The cavalry burst through the opening.

Swords flashed.

Spears struck.

Undead bodies collapsed beneath charging horses.

For a brief moment, the Redcliffe family completely dominated the battlefield.

Even the defenders watching from Fantom City’s walls couldn’t help staring.

"They’re incredible..."

"They’re actually pushing back the Dullahan cavalry."

Max watched silently from the walls.

A faint smile appeared beneath his beard.

"They truly are descendants of warriors," he murmured.

"But don’t lose yourselves..."

"This battle has only begun."

Far behind the fighting, Alibaba quietly observed everything.

The blue flames inside his eyes flickered once.

"Interesting..."

Instead of frustration...

He smiled.

His game had become even more entertaining.

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scorpio_saturn777

Creator of Journey to Become the Zenith

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