Ashen Dragon

"No, it shouldn't be like this."

"It shouldn't..."

"I was chosen by His Grace the Duke as a knight..."

Joseph, riding his horse, stopped not far from the battlefield, staring intently at the rapid defeat of the "Legion of Honor."

His "soldiers" were crying and howling, fleeing in all directions, chased by those short but exceptionally ferocious monsters.

In countless fantasies, Joseph had envisioned himself leading charges, defeating enemies, and eventually receiving special commendation from the Duke, being granted land, and becoming a true noble.

At the very least, he would bravely kill enemies in the presence of witnesses, fight to exhaustion, die heroically, and become a tragic hero celebrated by bards.

But now, he was leading a bunch of "Gray Beasts" towards defeat, about to die meaninglessly and unobserved on this desolate plain.

"It shouldn't be like this!"

Joseph's face suddenly turned ruthless as he made up his mind.

As people fled in swarms, he spurred his horse and leaped high, charging against the flow, trampling several people and even decapitating the foremost deserter with his sword.

Joseph held up the deserter's head, his face covered in blood, and roared ferociously:

"Do you see this? This is the fate of deserters!"

"You cowards! Scum!"

"Fight! Battle to the death!"

At this moment, to the soldiers, he looked no different from the monsters chasing them.

Joseph's fierce rallying cry actually had some effect, slowing the retreat slightly. Faced with the choice of dying in battle or being killed by their commander, many soldiers mustered a shred of courage for a final stand.
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But soon, they were overwhelmed by the tide of monsters and fell into a more complete rout.

Surrounded by goblins and kobolds, people could only instinctively retreat.

"Die, you monsters!"

Joseph, still on his horse, sliced off a kobold's head with one swing.

But soon, goblins swarmed him from all directions, jumping onto him, holding his arms, clawing at his eyes, and biting his face.

"Bang!"

He fell hard from his horse.

Joseph crashed to the ground, tearing off the goblin clinging to his arm and stabbing it to death, his face twisted in pain.

"Damn you scum! Die!"

His voice was hoarse, spitting with rage, as he summoned his last strength to stand, shaking off the goblins from his body.

But before he could swing his sword again, more goblins pounced on him, their weight causing the already exhausted Joseph to stumble and fall.

He struggled repeatedly, but this only attracted more goblins and kobolds, with dozens of monsters piling onto him like a small mountain, pinning him down, unable to move.

"Die, die..."

"Die..."

His voice grew weaker, eventually drowned in the cacophony of monsters' cries.

"For the Ashen Nest!"

"For the great Red Dragon Master!"

Kobolds and goblins continued their pursuit and slaughter.

When the piled-up monsters finally scattered, the ground was left with just a puddle of blood, scattered bones, and shredded clothing. The emblem of a hawk and sword on the chest of the clothing stained with blood, unnoticed by anyone.

It had once been a symbol of nobility that Joseph was fanatically enamored with.

But on this bloody battlefield, it was nothing, not even worth picking up by the kobolds.

...

Aiden, the commander of the First Regiment of the Northwind Eagle Guards, descended on his giant eagle and strode into the tent, reporting solemnly.

"Lord Earl, the Legion of Honor is in full retreat."

"About six thousand routed soldiers are approaching our position."

Robert nodded slightly and said calmly, "Only lasted less than an hour, just as I expected. These rabble's only use was to scout the way for our troops, reducing unnecessary losses."

He rhythmically tapped the table, "What about the enemy's situation?"

"Mainly goblins and kobolds, around twenty thousand of them. Some of them are evil dragon minions, but they can only handle the so-called 'Legion of Honor' and pose no real threat to us."

"Good, it's time to show these foolish and ignorant monsters—"

"What real warfare looks like."

Robert slowly stood up and walked out of the tent.

Aiden and Schneider followed closely behind.

Dressed in gray robes and armed with spears and shields, the "Claw of the Male Eagle" formed tight phalanxes with their shields intricately carved with hawk feathers. The five-meter-long spear tips gleamed ominously, resembling a forest of steel.

War horses neighed as the plate-armored cavalry prepared to charge at any moment.

In the sky, hundreds of Eagle Guards flew in orderly circles, constantly vigilant of their surroundings.

Behind the tent on the open ground, soldiers worked together to push heavy ballistae forward slowly.

"My soldiers—"

Robert's voice was not loud, but thanks to a spell, everyone present could hear him clearly.

"Real warfare is upon us. This time, we face unprecedented enemies: the brutal monsters: goblins, kobolds, ogres, and even giant dragons."

"They may be strong, or incredibly powerful, or capable of spewing terrifying flames, but remember, behind you lies the Rackman Duchy, where your parents, wives, children, and friends reside. The Red Dragon's expansion is relentless, and our only choice is to fight back as best we can, showing these monsters our might!"

"The Duchy has shielded us with peace for years. You have grown up under the Duke's protection. Now, any man who knows gratitude and has blood in his veins should know to repay this kindness, fighting to the death for His Grace and the Rackman Duchy!"

"For the Duke, for the Rackman Duchy!"

Robert raised his Silver Sword, shouting.

These elite soldiers of the Rackman Family, mostly from cities, often descendants of urban petty bourgeoisie or minor nobles, had received top-notch military education since childhood. This talk of "protecting those around you, repaying the nation" resonated deeply with them.

Thus, the soldiers also raised their weapons, the rhythmic sound of spear shafts hitting the ground echoing, producing wave after wave of cheers.

"For the Duke—

"For the Rackman Duchy—"

The rousing cheers reverberated through the camp.

Yet, a shadow crossed Robert's face.

He turned aside and asked in a low voice, "Aiden, why hasn't the Sixth Regiment returned yet?"

Aiden's heart sank, and he quickly replied, "I'm not sure, but they might have... encountered that dragon."