"Let’s wait here for Duke Francois’ army to arrive!" Kaled walked over and greeted Laine. The Expedition Knight was exhausted after several days of fierce battle: "Everyone inside the castle is very tired, many are injured, and all need a rest."

Laine and others nodded in agreement. Laine and fifty Pegasus Knights had flown here non-stop for a day. Although they could still persevere, their mounts couldn’t.

Duke Fulcard of Montfort looked back at his castle. Montfel Castle had held, the homeland could be rebuilt if destroyed, livestock could be raised again, possessing such a stronghold meant the undead would no longer shake his honor.

But when he turned his gaze to his soldiers, a pain pierced the Duke’s heart like needles.

Previously, he ordered all male refugees aged fifteen to forty-five to fight, forcibly amassing over ten thousand troops.

Now, the soldiers were futilely cleaning the field under the knights’ command, many infantry limping as they walked, injured in the battle. The war against the undead was extraordinarily brutal. This wasn’t a human civil war or a regular skirmish with goblins; it was a dire struggle against the undead. Many infantry couldn’t understand why their companions turned into dreadful zombies and skeletons in the next moment, yet they still raised their weapons against former comrades.

Over endless years, the Montfort people had already learned to be strong.

But mere human strength couldn’t accomplish much. If not for Laine and his forced march assistance, these soldiers would face terrible losses and eventually become part of the undead, leaving many wives without husbands, many children without fathers, and many elders without sons, losing the hope of their families.

Thinking this, Fulcard stopped the departing Laine, who seemed to feel unwelcomed by Fulcard and was leaving under the Steward’s guide: "Lord Laine, please wait."

"What’s the matter, my Duke?" Laine turned, curiously asking. His Warhammer still stained with dark blood, the blood of Tomb Evil Ghosts, two of which perished under his hammer.

"You are impressive." Fulcard whispered in Laine’s ear, his thoughts shifting, the Duke looked at his territory and his people rejoicing survival, glancing at Laine’s arrival, his heart slightly moved. Duke Fulcard patted Laine’s shoulder, saying beside Laine’s ear: "You know, my relationship with Richard is good."

"So?" Laine’s heart stirred.

"But who knows what will happen in the future?" Fulcard ended abruptly, leaving without turning back: "Rest well, Lord Laine."

Laine smiled meaningfully.

His extensive efforts to advocate for air support with his father-in-law Francois certainly weren’t in vain.

......

Montfort Duchy’s northern hills, upstream of the Grismore River, ten kilometers from Montfort Castle.

Undead Grand Mage Kemler retreated his army to the plains near Sodden Town, yet before contacting Mathew Bade, he found Duke of Musillon leading two Undead Knight Legions and a squad of Blood Knights waiting for him, accompanied by two Vampire Lords and three Black Chalice Knights.

Seeing Mathew Bade, Kemler became furious, his aged face wrinkling mockingly: "Quite fast, Duke of Musillon? Did your Godfather teach you how to flee during battle? Do you pride yourself on being faster than Wallace?"

Alboim Wallace, Blood Dragon Ancestor, ancestor of all Blood Knights, Blood Red Duke himself is Wallace’s Bloodline (unbeknownst to him), and Mathew Bade learned Alboim Wallace’s combat skills.

Historically, Brittania Kingdom’s Guardian Knight, secret Guardian, a Demigod Green Knight, once battled with Blood Dragon Ancestor Alboim Wallace, resulting in a draw.

Alboim Wallace never retreated in battle, Kemler’s taunt to Mathew Bade.

"I’m here leading the army to meet you." Mathew Bade remained calm, calmly facing Kemler: "If you choose retreat, here is our pre-battle command center; if you choose to fight Brittania to the death, I won’t stop you."

"You are my assistant, and you should obey my orders!" Kemler pressed his Noisy Skull Staff against Mathew Bade’s head, threatening viciously: "If your cowardly retreats, perhaps I’ll use my Magic to shatter you then make you a dried-up zombie?"

"I am merely your ally, Kemler. I am not your servant. Is it merely enemies and servants left in your life?" Mathew Bade showed no fear towards Kemler’s threats, instead mocking: "We are allies, not your servant, never; you can’t command me."

Mathew Bade withdrew the cursed Knight’s Sword, Black Blade, wrapped with golden snake sculpture. He knocked away Kemler’s Magic Staff, raising the blade: "Come, Lord Kemler, draw your sword and duel me, losing your last ally on this land, or pretend nothing happened, and plan our next steps."