"They’re not allowed?!"

Upon hearing this news, Bright Mabora immediately pulled the reins, causing his black warhorse to rear up.

On this dirt road along the King’s Path, packed with nearly three thousand cavalrymen, the expansive plains of fields and forests spread out.

All of them were elite Border Knights, but compared to the earlier excitement during the chase, the atmosphere was now filled with shock.

Bright wiped the sweat-soaked hair from his forehead, hardly able to believe the news.

His elder brother, Kennard, had died in battle at Hot Wind Mountain, and he hadn’t even been able to see the body.

Now that he finally cornered Jeanne, the enemy who killed his brother, how could he just retreat in disgrace?

"Master Knight..." the messenger called softly once more.

Bright did not turn around, his gaze fixed intently on the fork in the road ahead.

It led to where Jeanne’s guerrilla squad had vanished, with traces of hoof prints still visible in the dirt.

"Did Puzilio really say that?"

"Word for word," the messenger replied in a lowered voice, somewhat timid but still truthful. "He said not to pursue, fearing an ambush."

Bright didn’t speak, just clenched his jaw tightly, making the muscles visibly harden.

He was already well aware of Joan’s identity, and just capturing her at this point...

Not to mention being made a Count, even a Duke wouldn’t be out of question!

There were plenty of open lands within Leia to generously appoint Dukes.

Yet, after a moment, considering Puzilio’s position as the son of the Regent and a noble patron, he squeezed out a single syllable through gritted teeth: "Fine."

The once flapping pennant drooped down, as slowly as their advance was now, in contrast to their earlier rush.

Hearing that Bright had obeyed the order, the messenger breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to report back.

Bright, however, remained at the back of the squad, silent.

His personal servant, Loms, eventually rode up and whispered, "Master, do you really intend to follow Puzilio’s orders?"

"What do you mean?"

"I’ve asked around. What is he even? A famed general he calls himself? He doesn’t have the slightest bearing of one. How could the Empire have undefeated generals?"

"What are you suggesting?"

Loms cleared his throat, intentionally raising his tone, "Even if Jeanne D’Arc is formidable, can she possibly use the same tactic twice consecutively?"

Bright’s eyelids blinked rapidly twice.

Loms’ words hit right at his thoughts.

This time, Jeanne only had three hundred men, and on a plain, even with an ambush, could they truly stand against his three thousand elite Border Knights?

"Besides," Loms, seeing Bright showing interest, quickly pressed the advantage, lowering his voice further, but enough for the surrounding knights to hear, "Puzilio has been defeated so many times; of course, he’s scared that you’ll steal the glory!

Think about it, if you really capture Jeanne, that would be a tremendous achievement, and what face would Puzilio have before the Regent?"

This statement was like adding oil to a boiling pot, causing the surrounding knights to start voicing their opinions.

Unlike the Border Knights from the eastern regions, they were pulled back from the Vampire Frontline.

If faced with an official Holy Alliance, they might indeed be more cautious, but would they really submit to this impostor Holy Alliance?

That would be too cowardly.

They were already disgruntled with Puzilio’s "turtling tactics," and now hearing Loms made them even more agreeable.

They’d come south to join Leia for military achievements and rewards; if they’re too timid to fight, what’s the talk of honor?

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Suddenly, an angry voice boomed from the crowd as a weather-beaten military sergeant rode out.

He trembled with his white beard, pointing at Loms in rebuke, "Lord Puzilio is a renowned general of Leia. How could he fear losing accolades? Do you, a mere servant, dare to speak ill of the leaders?"

This sergeant, named Old Bam, was a veteran who fought in the Thousand River Valley War and knew the Holy Alliance best.

Loms was scolded into a pale face, instinctively stepping back, yet he secretly watched for Bright’s reaction.

Indeed, Bright’s expression immediately darkened.

Though Old Bam’s words aimed to defend Puzilio, they inadvertently made Bright feel very uneasy.

Are you my subordinate, and already planning to switch to Puzilio’s side before even reaching Sk Wolf Castle?

Right in front of me?!

"Old Bam, truthfully I have my doubts about this issue, but arguing here is pointless. What’s important is the knights’ opinions."

"But these are orders..."

Before Old Bam could finish, Bright rode to the center of the marching formation. "Gentlemen, may I have your attention for just a moment."

Watching the hastily approaching Old Bam, Bright stood up in his stirrups. "In the current situation, capturing Joan ensures victory.

This is not just a victory in this war but a victory for all of Leia.

For this victory, we should give it our all."

"Wait..." Old Bam began to speak, but Bright’s booming voice drowned him out.

"Lord Puzilio sits in Sk Wolf Castle, unable to see the situation firsthand, hence judging the possibility of an ambush.

Whether there really is an ambush, I cannot say; all I can suggest is if there is.

I’ve heard that the Border Knight Order has a habit of making its own decisions, thus I entrust this crucial decision to all of you here!

You decide whether to pursue, whether to risk victory.

I grant this power to you, therefore, the honor of this victory will not be mine alone."

"This is too much, this defies military orders!" Old Bam’s words swiftly followed.

"Old Bam, you’re out of line!" a Border Knight scolded sharply, pressing his hand more firmly on his sword hilt, "It’s not your place as a sergeant to meddle with Sir Bright’s affairs?"

Bright took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding knights, his voice suddenly rising, "My brother Kennard’s revenge is not something we can forsake!

Jeanne is right ahead, with only three hundred men!

Today, we shall capture her, to let the Holy Alliance know that the honor of Leia Knights is not something they can trample upon!"

The knights, already itching for action, were incited by Bright’s words, and their blood boiled, raising their lances with triumphant shouts.

Old Bam tried to persuade once more, but his companion held him back, "Enough, enough..."

The fervor of the crowd was overwhelming, and any further objections might result in being treated as a "spy for the Holy Alliance."

Seeing the knights’ enthusiasm, Bright no longer hesitated, swiftly drawing his longsword and pointing it toward the fork in the road, "Those willing to pursue, follow me! Anyone who captures Jeanne will be rewarded with a hundred gold coins and promoted to Knight Commander!"

With that, he squeezed his legs around his horse, and the black warhorse let out a loud neigh, charging ahead.

Three thousand knights followed closely, their galloping hooves thundering like a storm, racing towards where Jeanne had disappeared.

"It’s doomed, doomed," restrained by his companion’s reins, Old Bam was growing increasingly anxious.

Looking around hurriedly, he called to the remaining cool-headed companions, "Quick, let’s report to Lord Puzilio and get him to dissuade Lord Bright quickly."

"Let’s go, let’s go!"

The few dozen remaining knights left once more.

They did not notice, however, the slight and almost imperceptible smile on Loms’ lips and the anticipation of pending vengeance behind it.