CH 27

Ahn Yoojung suffered so much distress when she first had fallen into this to this miserable world, and had wanted to die rather than live. The painful training that she had endured through for the first time in her life had pushed her towards despair. But that pain combined with despair was only for a brief moment.

'Congratulations Advanced Elementalist. Maybe the next time we meet, you'll be my superior.'

Immediately, she was awarded an Advanced ranking, and had received the full support of the Royal Family.

'Oho. Elementalist, and you're a contractor of the Wind Elemental!' 'You are a blessing of the Royal Family and Kingdom!'

People treated her more respectfully once they found out she dealt with the Elements, and with her being ranked higher than most Strangers that had come from the other world, there were also those who tried to become as close to her as possible. As such, she began to gather those with ability and kept them near her. Many Strangers sought to stand by her, and her group had soon become a faction. She did so in a way that did not provoke the Royal Family, who was sensitive to the sovereignty of power, and all of this was due to her innate talent allowing her to inherent political as well as human resources skills. She had created a satisfying life, and she did not envy her original life which she had left behind, but after arriving at Mengsk Fortress, nothing was moving her way.

All of this was due to that man in front of her.

Before she knew it, the struggle for leadership had changed over to this man, and everything became wrong from the very first meeting onwards. So, she tried to avoid approaching any closer. She didn't want to admit it, but he was a natural enemy for her. However, a mission was a mission, and as such she was forced to travel out together with him.

The Elemental suffered through immense stress which she had never suffered from before, all because of that insufferable man. The Elemental was so frightened from his very existence, and, at some point, began to tremble and start freaking out. Therefore, in order to calm her down, it had caused the riding cavalry constant delays increasing to as countless many times.

It was fine until there, since this excursion was not urgent and they were not being pursued, so these mistakes were not as great of a problem during this operation. She was confident that she was able to make up for any slight mistakes. Nevertheless, the fact that she was involved in these accidents was because of the overwhelming existence of such a man.

"Why is my Elemental afraid of you?"

No. The Elemental did not just fear him. She was terrified of him entirely. She knew this because her spirit was connected with the Elemental, so she could not act freely due to the influence of their bond.

If it was just that, then she would have pretended to not know Sunhyuk while ignoring him. Since, after this operation, it would be difficult to meet him again. But it wasn't like that at all.

I want to follow. I want to bow before him. I want to follow his command.

The feelings of such enticing temptation caused her to feel appalled at herself, especially for someone who had always stood on top of other people.

"Anyhow, in this operation, we're not trying to look for the enemy. Our goal is to have our enemies search for us. Since there is not much problem with being this delayed, just do well starting from tomorrow. So just rest well today."

Rather than adhering to her question and continuing to pressure him, she felt a strange comfort, almost wanting to thank him and lower her head in gratitude.

However, she protected her prideful and upright personality that she had accumulated during her life.

"Go and rest. I'll see you tomorrow… You will suffer a bit less than today."

Sensing the apology contained within his words, she barely nodded.

"Whew."

After he had disappeared, she was able to barely grab onto her breath. The amount of pressure and dominance over her mind was diluted, but the fear remained intact.

She could not understand how a lowly Basic could exude such pressure down to an Advanced, and as such, doubts mixed with unspoken questions about her opponent's true ability subtly rooted deep within her heart.

*****

"What did you talk about? Was there anything to report from such a burdensome person?"

Once he had turned and walked away, the other cavalrymen coldly asked him this question.

"Well, I did not talk much. I was a bit sorry for her, on a personal level."

"What do you have to be sorry about. I heard that they had requested the leadership role from the Commander. Thankfully, our stubborn Commander had declined." "Even if they had taken command, we wouldn't have followed anyways."

The proud and unyielding bold temperament of the Riders would never have followed their orders anyways. Then, Jonathan jumped in and remarked in an ominous tone.

"They may try to follow us, but the previous Commander died comfortably as well. Isn't that what the battlefield is like? Lacerations don't necessarily happen at the front of the battle."

If it was necessary, the implication that he would intentionally get rid of the Commander had caused him to choke on his words. He couldn't help but feel how savage these guys had lived, and what kind of world this place really was.

"But, does that woman like you?" "Can't possibly be." "No. Just look at it. She's still looking towards your direction."

After they had made such an ominous remark, they began to joke as Sunhyuk shook his head.

"It's definitely not, so stop talking nonsense and go rest."

The fact that his dominance as a Dragon Rider could overcome Ahn Yoojung's Elemental, and even influence her. He was able to recognize this the moment he talked with her. Her interest was more than any signs of a love interest, and it rather leaned towards caution and confirmation of his existence. There were no indication in the fostering of a love interest for her.

"You go rest as well. Starting tomorrow, we need to be on our toes."

After talking among themselves for a few more remarks, they returned to their resting places.

Yoojung, unable to overcome a combination of sleepiness and exhaustion while monitoring the Elemental, began to fall asleep. Sunhyuk relayed some of his attribute's strength over, as he felt apologetic in causing excessive stress for her body.

To call it a reward was a bit…

She rumbled around in her bed before falling into a deeper sleep, which Sunhyuk saw before falling asleep as well.

*****

Two cavalry companies began to ride off at a normal pace. If they wanted, they could have cantered a bit faster to reach the place, but they did not do so.

As the fishermen that would rather be exposing themselves, and could cause the fish to become suspicious. Funny enough, despite knowing that this was all a trap, they were still willing to face it head on. What they wanted was an outright victory and revenge, and all of this was due to the Heavy Cavalry of the 24th Regiment. (PR: The first sentence in this is an analogy where the fishermen are the 24th Regiment and the fish are the Sastanes.)

On the third day of riding, they began to feel the ambitions of the enemy.

"I can feel the tension in the air."

While Sunhyuk was attempting to approach the Elemental the whole day yesterday, he did not neglect monitoring the enemy at all times.

"It doesn't seem like they are moving to initiate the fight right away, but they're monitoring us from a distance."

From his report, the atmosphere of the unit had changed, as the somewhat loose cavalry heightened their nerves sharply in preparation against an assault at all times.

"Be on standby, and do not be too nervous. If you are too stressed out now, you will become exhausted once the actual battle starts."

From the Captain's command, the Riders began to settle down a bit.

"Mmm…"

As such, the troop's tensions gradually calmed down, but Ahn Yoojung and her companions were still looking around intensely. As expected, the so called fighting they experienced was much less in comparison to the veteran cavalry had gone through.

"Tch. To think they'll fill their share with them being like that." "Well, we'll have to put them into action and see what happens. If they want to live, I'm sure they'll regather themselves once the actual battle starts. Even if they were fearful and die, it wouldn't really matter."

The cavalrymen did not trust the blades that were assigned to them by the Commander, so it was no wonder that they would leave the Spearhead to them. Though Johnstein lodged a complaint, the Captain did not listen, and the riders pride and cohesion of the cavalry consolidated with that decision.

"We'll open the road up, and Sir Pilgram and the rest will charge at them head-on."

With even Ahn Yoojung being suppressed and silenced by the overwhelming presence of Kim Sunhyuk, the others had no choice but to follow his orders.

As such, once they organized themselves, the enemies who were approaching, soon started appearing on the far distant horizon.

"Sastane's are openly broadcasting their intention to attack directly." "It's not strange at all. With how much of their pride now in tatters, they wouldn't even try and restore their honor with a sneak attack. It is a foolish way, but they are consistent in their own ways."

The horsemen watched the enemy slowly stalk them, as they began to prepare for battle. They intuitively realized that they would soon launch an offensive assault.

As if their instincts were right, the main force of the enemies soon appeared.

"What the hell. Are they trying to attain victory with an all-out frontal assault?"

The Sastane Cavalry soon appeared quickly riding into formation, readying themselves like sharks about to launch an attack.

"Those crazy bastards. They must be poisoned or something. Basically, they're trying to die with us in the process."

The clash between heavy cavalrymen was lethal and a dangerous course of action. Even if all of the cavalry were Knight Apprentices, this was an extremely risky tactic.

"No matter how many casualties they suffer, it seems they are willing to end it with a single charge."

Though the clash between cavalries would be catastrophic in casualties, not a single one showed any signs of fear. This was how confident they were. But it wasn't only the enemy cavalry who did not hesitate for a confrontation.

"Sunhyuk, again, I request of you."

On this side, they had a cheat key called Kim Sunhyuk. With his powerful wide-area attack Wind Piercing which could penetrate and demolish whole enemy lines, the Sastanes will have to fight without their front line basically.

"I will take the offensive in the start. Even if I'm not in the front, I can deflect the arrows coming our way."

Ahn Yoojung, who had frozen stiff from being in the center of an intense battlefield - completely different from when she was arresting thieves, was approached by Sunhyuk.

"Thank you. Don't overdo it. The battle between the cavalry riders will be several times more intense and fierce than you could possibly imagine. If practical, do not stray out of line, and try to move along with the cooperation of Sir Pilgram and the rest of the Knights."

While conveying such advice, the Sastane Cavalry began to slowly canter forward. The noise, that started off small, soon roared along the trembling ground, as the enemy charged.

"All cavalrymen, raise your spears!"

From Frederik's command, all of the Heavy Cavalry riders raised their spears, which were several metres long, high into the air.

"Charge!"

Instantly, the Heavy Cavalry charged, as the Light Cavalry quickly swerved off to the left and raised their nocked bows.

The intensity and atmosphere of the battle was incomparable to the previous one, as there was no one from either side pursuing the other. Both were only staring at each other with thoughts of bloodily crushing and tearing the other apart.

Fire!

The Sastane Cavalry, having reached their target distance, began to exchange arrows with the Mengsk Light Cavalry. Though the Mengsk Light Cavalry were brave, it was clearly revealed how they were on the losing end of the fight.

"My brave and free companions! Reveal yourselves and bring death to our enemies!"

At this time, Ahn Yoojung galloped forth. She quickly summoned, not one, but five Elementals, as she formulated Wind Wall above the heads of the Light Cavalry. She then followed up with a breath of aura towards arrows which were fired by their allies, since they were lacking in power in comparison to their enemies.

The momentum of the battlefield had been restored to its balance. However, it wasn't like that one moment had given them an advantage, as hundreds of arrows rained down on them, striking them down.

"There's a Magician within the enemy lines!"

Though they were able to deflect most of the arrows aside with the aid of the Elementals' strength, the enemies were also borrowing the power of magic. Despite having hundreds of arrows pouring down into them, not a single one was harmed.

"Preserve the strength of the Elemental and block that Magician!" "I understand!"

They had prepared as much as they had, so this variable was also expected by the Commander. The Sastane, who had suffered their first defeat in history, would have analyzed and studied this in detail, so they may have realized that their enemies had borrowed the strength of a superhuman. Maybe they had someone with the ability to effectively study and research traces from the previous battle.

So the Heavy Cavalry did not falter, instead they glared at their enemies through their visors while continuing the relentless charge.

"Let the fortune of war be upon us!"

After releasing a few rounds of arrows, the Mengsk Cavalry began to retreat, as they would be easily overwhelmed with only their light armor.

"Whew. Whew."

In the midst of that chaos, Sunhyuk breathed out. The nightmare of that previous battle emerged in his mind, but he overcame it as he continued to infuse strength towards his allies.

Bang!

Meanwhile, a large ball of fire hurled down upon them from above. The fireball fell on the heads of the cavalrymen, but the Elementals pushed it away, causing a huge explosion on the side.

Ahn Yoojung was doing better than he had expected. Now all that was left for them was to attain victory against the enemy cavalry.

Sunhyuk began to quietly mutter in his hot, tight helmet.

"Wind Piercing."

In that instant, a vicious, howling beast emerged, as a deadly gust of wind rushed towards the enemy lines. But then the Spearhead of the Sastane cavalry burst out ahead of the formation. What he could see was a Rider holding his sword high into the battlefield, as he rushed at them.

"Haya!"

With a short cry, a huge aura emanated from his spear, as it battled ferociously against the howling wind.

"Shit! There's an Advanced Knight in the enemy lines! Sunhyuk, retreat!"

The reason why he was treated as a Basic soldier despite his overwhelming charging power, was because there was a true superhuman who had revealed its true power.

With Frederik lying in wait for his promotion to become an Advanced Knight at hand, he was about to head out to the front lines, but seeing that their greatest attack was inadequate in breaking through Sastane front lines, he realized that their vanguard would be completely demolished before he could make it in time.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

In other words, the enemy was already anticipating this timing, as Clarke shouted once more from behind.

"Sunhyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk!"

In a short span of time, the wind soon was scattered by the aura of the sword. At this point, he had to confront the monster known as a Knight head on, and in the worst case scenario, the whole vanguard would be demolished as they will be slaughtered one-sidedly.

"If I retreat now, everyone will dieeeeeeee!"

On the verge of impact, countless thoughts ran through his head as he realized he was near death.

Damn.

However, if he were to retreat from this, as the spearhead of this charge, everyone will end up dying. So, instead of falling back, he began to gather his strength once more.

Even if he lacked the strength, he thought that he needed to use Wind Piercing once more and crush their front line. As if the enemy was thinking the same, he could see the aura forming on the tip of his sword once more.

"Wind Piercing!"

Before the aura of the sword could fully emerge, he quickly rushed in casting his skill quickly. But, an Elemental that was busily flying in the air, suddenly interjected in front of him.

'Use me.'

Just like how he had heard the voice of the Dragon, a mysterious voice spoke to him.

TL Afterword: 

Calvis:  Dang, that's intense. Don't tell me that the Knights around Ahn Yoojung are all useless. Well, they are inexperienced and had not trained enough yet, but still. Whew, I wonder if Sunhyuk will take control of the Elementals now.

TL Notice: N/A

PR Afterword:

Sai101: Hooo - this battle did not go as planned.. Until next time! Vote for us in NU!

BM: Gotcha!  Wind Elemental was caught!  Would you like to give the Wind Elemental a nickname? (Pokemon References)

PR Notice: Hope you all had a good Valentines Day!  I know I was happy getting a bunch of cheap chocolate to munch on ALONE. T.T  - BM

Blood Dagger Clan Discord: 

Translator: Calvis Proofreader: Sai101, BorderlineMasochist