The twelve blacksmiths worked tirelessly, producing three hundred iron caltrops within an hour.

At that moment, Lancelot sent word to Simon that the reaver cavalry seemed to be preparing to leave.

"Have Captain Lancelot lead our cavalry to engage them, drawing them in with a feigned attack before retreating south. I will scatter iron caltrops at the central east gate and set up an ambush to encircle the barbarian cavalry." Simon ordered the soldiers.

The soldier acknowledged with a swift ’Yes’ and rode north toward the city gate.

The Armory and the King’s residence were close to each other and nearest to the east gate.

Leading the soldiers carrying the iron caltrops, Simon headed straight to the east gate, which was guarded by Brambleford’s Bold Captain, Percival.

In Simon’s memory, Percival had an unremarkable face, a bulbous nose, and a large mouth. He lacked real ability, was slippery in character, but at least obedient.

That was why Simon preferred to assign him tasks rather than dealing with Lancelot.

"My Lord, the reaver cavalry is just outside the city. This is far too dangerous. For your safety, please return to the royal estate and rest." Percival said with his usual fawning smile as he stepped forward to greet Simon.

"My Lord, Captain Percival has a point. The iron caltrops are ready; let him set them up and position the soldiers for the ambush." Roland added anxiously.

As soon as these words were spoken, Percival’s expression turned even more dramatic than Lancelot’s. While Lancelot merely had a change of face, Percival went pale, his legs trembling, and he was practically about to wet himself.

"My Lord... This..." Percival stammered.

Simon sighed. This was exactly why, despite Lancelot’s rebellious streak, he still kept him around.

Percival was useful for bullying commoners, but when it came to real battle, he was utterly useless.

However, it wasn’t entirely their fault; the reaver cavalry had a fearsome reputation deeply ingrained in the people of the Eldorian Empire.

At the end of the fifth Dynasty, more than twenty states were embroiled in constant warfare. The Central Plains were too preoccupied with internal conflicts to deal with the northern steppe.

During this period, the reavers grew stronger than ever. Those who migrated to the Mountains settled down, adopting a semi-nomadic, semi-agricultural lifestyle, leading to a stable population increase.

One particular tribe, the Kunia, led by Chief Moose Kunia, rose to power, gradually conquering other tribes and establishing their own kingdom, spanning the vast northern grasslands to the Ruttle Mountains.

Once strengthened, the reavers launched continuous invasions into the Eldorian Empire, waging over a hundred battles in the past century.

The Eldorian Empire lost far more battles than it won. The regions of Westham, Cobbleton and Cornerstone were completely lost.

The very mention of these reavers struck fear into the hearts of the people of the Eldorian Empire.

Three years ago, Dunmere fell, not because the walls weren’t strong enough, but because the city’s commander was so terrified by a mere thousand reaver cavalrymen that he abandoned the city without a fight.

Had Lancelot not led the remaining 3,000 soldiers from five cities in a desperate counterattack, retaking Dunmere before enemy reinforcements arrived, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

If he had failed, Alaric the Emperor wouldn’t have just whipped him. He would have had him executed. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Simon never expected Percival to handle things alone. He had only promoted him to Bold Captain to annoy Lancelot.

The east gate was manned by a hundred soldiers, all equipped with swords and shields. Unlike the elite troops at the north gate, they lacked a variety of weapons.

Simon ordered ten soldiers to hide on the city walls. Once Lancelot’s cavalry passed through, they were to scatter iron caltrops below, sealing off the reavers’ escape routes.

He then directed the remaining sword-and-shield troops to hide behind the city gate. Once the signal was given, they would charge out and overwhelm the reavers.

Watching Simon issue orders so methodically, Roland slapped himself, grimacing in pain. "This isn’t a dream!"

Percival was equally stunned. After a moment’s hesitation, he jogged after Simon and started his usual flattery.

"Heh heh! My Lord is truly wise and mighty! A reincarnation of the God of War! My admiration is boundless!"

From the north gate to the east gate was a short ten-mile distance. Just as Percival was pouring on the flattery, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from the distance.

The soldiers hiding on the city wall sharpened their gazes.

Three years ago, they had witnessed the reaver massacres across the Six Provinces. The hatred still burned in their hearts, but their impoverished domain had left them too weak to seek revenge.

Outside the city, Lancelot led the charge. He shot arrows behind him while hurling curses at the reaver cavalry, thoroughly insulting their entire lineage.

Following his lead, Brambleford’s last thirty elite cavalrymen joined in, hurling insults as they rode.

The reaver riders, infuriated by the taunts, pursued them relentlessly, firing arrows as they rode.

As Lancelot approached the east gate, he glanced up at the city walls. Not a single figure could be seen.

Suspicion crept into his mind. "That damn King has always resented me. Could this be a trap? Did he lure me out just to get me killed? If that’s the case, once I shake off these barbarians, I swear I’ll come back and cut him down before turning bandit!"

Just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw a soldier rise from the city gate, then, in a sudden flurry, iron caltrops rained down like snowflakes.

The caltrops landed perfectly behind him.

The reaver cavalry, unaware of the trap, kept up their pursuit. But before they could reach the gate, the lead horse suddenly shrieked and collapsed.

Before the riders in the rear could react, nine more soldiers emerged from the walls, dumping baskets of caltrops onto the road, sealing off their retreat.

The reavers lost control of their mounts. One after another, horses and riders crashed to the ground.

As the fallen soldiers stumbled, they stepped onto the caltrops. Their thin leather boots were no match for the sharp iron spikes. Agonized screams filled the air.

"Capture them!"

From behind the battlements, Simon shouted the command.

The east gate swung open, and the sword-and-shield troops charged out, roaring as they surged toward the incapacitated reavers.

"My Lord, watch from the walls! I will personally capture every last one of these reavers!"

Seeing the once-feared cavalry crippled, Percival saw an opportunity for glory.

With a heroic yell, he raised his sword and charged forward.

Just as he did, Lancelot, who had completed his feint, turned his horse around. Spotting Percival recklessly rushing ahead, he rode past and kicked him aside.

At that moment, an arrow whizzed past, grazing Percival’s shoulder.

"You idiot! Are you trying to die?!" Lancelot bellowed.

The sword-and-shield troops instantly tightened their formation, raising their shields as they advanced on the struggling reaver cavalry.

Lancelot had fought these reavers in blood-soaked battle three years ago. He knew all too well how ferocious they could be.