The Ruins

The afternoon sun was scorching hot. The breeze felt more like a heatwave.

The scorching heat made the stench of blood all around seem even thicker. It was as if a slaughter was being carried out.

The 40 goblins, which had long, pointy nose and green skin, held their beast-like heads high and screeched in despair. They swung their spiked clubs at the 15 incoming knights.

The Kingdom of Cailux knights charged as ferociously with their lances thrust forward.

It was a head-on, no-frills clash between the forces on both sides.

The goblin Tribes of the Solana Greenlands had always been sworn enemies of the Kingdom of Cailux.

Both sides allowed their hatred and enmity to go to their heads, removing all forms of logic and reasoning.

However, as blood was being spilled everywhere, one goblin after another was sent flying by the charging warhorses as they screeched. Their chests caved in as blood burst from their fang-filled mouths.

The screeches of insanity quickly turned into whelps of struggle.

"The great Ares, the God of War, is watching us!"

Carlos, the captain of the knights, pierced through a goblin and nailed the being onto the ground, yet he did not stop there. He drew his longsword and began to shout in fierce encouragement, "For the Kingdom of Cailux, charge!"

"Charge!"

The other knights responded to his call and shouted along with him.

The Kingdom of Cailux worshipped Ares, the God of War, and that was the most common prayer of the Warrior Faith.

However, that single line drove the knights into a frenzy as they charged into the goblins, bringing down their longswords left and right at the bestial beings. The stench of blood permeated the place they trod.

The battle was intense but short.

Dead bodies soon littered the place.

Blood spilled from their wounds. Staining the green grasses of the land.

The Kingdom of Cailux knights, which clearly emerged as victors, did not stop slaughtering. They went on to split up and chase down all of the scattered goblins trying to escape. They wanted to kill them all and prevent further troubles.

Only four or five goblins became panicked enough to run into the middle of the Barbarians, intending to make a breakthrough.

They were quickly struck down by the long swords wielded by the barbarians, preventing them from even getting close to escaping.

In the game, the Clash of Clans had been always about war and conquering. Troops of other village were everywhere, making the barbarians used to such things as fighting and war.

Furthermore, the long sword-wielders were gathered in a tight formation, making even knights reluctant to barge into them head-on.

The battle was over.

The sound of the System Prompt appeared in Leon's mind at the same time.

[Ding... All enemies are downed after the slaughter.]

[Achievement: Ambush your enemies is completed.]

[Reward Acquired: Bat Swarm Skill book]

[Comment: This was a furious and exhilarating battle. Although the battle was fought by your allies, it was your victory, nonetheless.]

Leon smirked exasperatedly and ignored the system's comment.

Bat swarm skill book?

A dialog box automatically appeared on Leon's retina providing information and images of bats on it.

[Summon an army of enraged Bats anywhere on the battlefield!

Deploy aerial reinforcements wherever you need them most. This skill was made by the Night witch, unlike her sister, she doesn't like summoning Skeletons from the ground and rather summon bats and use it to fight. The skill only use a little mana to summon a swarm of bats.]

"Interesting" Leon said as his eyes lit up. This skill is good for him who only have a little bit of mana in his body.

While he was still savoring their ultimate victory, Carlos returned with his knights.

"Your Lordship, they are all taken care of."

"Good" Leon nodded, showing that he understood. "Let's head back to camp." Leon then simply continued to give orders.

The sun was scorching as they stood on the clearing. All of them felt rather dizzy and short of breath after that intense battle. If they delayed resting any further, they would all soon be battling heatstroke.

Even the warhorses began to have foam in their noses and mouths as they restlessly sighed.

"Pack up and give the horses some water," Carlos said to his subordinate knights.

To the knights, their warhorses were their companions.

Everyone headed to the makeshift camp beside the lake. They urgently needed a good rest after the battle.

The knight at the very rear, who was still holding onto his warhorse, pointed to the north and shouted in surprise, "Lord Ares the God of War, look, isn't that the Ruins of the Solace Kingdom?"

"What?"

Everyone looked up with a surprised expression. All their gazes were on the shouting knight, who seemed to have turned into a statue.

Leon gulped. He was one of the first to regain his composure.

He quickly walked near the knight and traced where the knight pointed. At the end of the horizon, broken polished stone walls can be seen.

It was a clear sign.

If there was a man-made building in the Solana Greenlands, It is where the Ruins of the Solace Kingdom stands here.

"We're here."

Leon was unable to help but mutter to himself. He clenched his teeth and uttered, "The Ruins of The Solace Kingdom."

Everyone cane near him and gazed at the broken walls far away.

All of them were stunned, yet it was excitement like no other seen in their eyes.

They had toiled for nine days on their journey and finally reached their destination. The southern side of the Solana Greenlands was the fief and estate belonging to Baron Leon.

"Hurray!"

The knights excitedly cheered.

The discovery meant that they would finally be able to go home.

They no longer needed to slow down to wait for the carriages and Barbarians. They could ride home as quickly as possible.

It would only take them four and a half days to get to the territory of the Kingdom of Cailux and the comfortable lives they had once taken for granted.

"Alright, alright."

Leon's voice pulled all those people back from their excitement.

He rested his sword on his shoulders and looked at the kingdom knights. He said, "We should probably settle down in the tents and have a good lunch at such a moment."

"You're right, Your Lordship." Carlos smiled and nodded.

The other knights agreed and took their horses back to the camp.

The Ruins was not far away, so everyone was in a good mood.

The only exception was Leon.