Chapter 525: Escape

The black dragon roared, its massive form weaving through the rain. In a swift descent, it unleashed its dragonfire.

Boom—

The flames from above destroyed many of the large crossbows on the ground. Soldiers of the Stormlands screamed in horror as they were consumed by the inferno.

In retaliation, the dragon was pierced by two bolts from the crossbows. Yet Balerion seemed unbothered. This pain only fueled its bloodlust, its fire continuing to scorch the earth.

Crash—

Catapults were engulfed in the fiery onslaught, their large frames collapsing.

Barrels of oil intended for the catapult's boulders exploded, creating an immense blast. The flames soared high, even forming a small mushroom cloud.

Ah—

Many more Stormlands soldiers were devoured by the flames, their moisture evaporated instantly. Their agonizing screams echoed before their lives were extinguished.

"Counter-attack!"

"Counter-attack!"

Yet, many of the large crossbows the Stormlands army had prepared remained. Not all had been destroyed in Balerion's initial attack.

Some were stationed on flat hillsides; others were hidden within forests, spread out to avoid total annihilation by the dragon's fire.

"Quick! Get up!"

Facing such a mythical creature, the ambitious Stormlands soldiers were initially stunned.

However, once the dragon passed overhead and they were still alive, they regained their senses.

"Kill it!"

"Slay this beast!"

Knights of the Stormlands, riding their horses and looking up at the dragon in the sky, drew their swords in anger.

Thud thud thud—

More bolts from the crossbows were fired, piercing the sky with their shrieking trajectory, yet missing their distant target.

The dragon, when high above, is a smaller target. The larger the crossbow sight, the less likely a hit. Their best chance was to strike when Balerion swooped down.

Yet, with the dragon's swift low flight and the need for multiple soldiers to operate a single crossbow, hitting the beast was not only about skill but also luck.

Roar—

Balerion's roar echoed across the skies.

It cleansed the bolts pierced into its body with its flames, turning them to ash, then dove down again.

The battle intensified. The immense pressure from Balerion in the skies, contrasted with the increasing resistance of the Stormlands army on the ground, made their line shaky and vulnerable.

Stannis Baratheon, the Lord of Storm's End and ruler of the Stormlands, couldn't just stand by.

"Deploy the cavalry."

"Yes, my Lord!"

He finally played another card, sending the Stormlands cavalry to engage the Targaryen cavalry, ensuring their main line wouldn't face a flank attack.

Thunderous hooves—

The Stormlands' cavalry began their charge.

Adorned in various familial armors with vibrant sigils and decorations, the rumble of their horses filled the air. Mud splashed beneath their hooves.

"Charge!"

"Drive out these invaders!"

"Protect our homeland!"

The knights of the Stormlands, eager for battle, finally got their chance.

These knights were the true strength of the Stormlands army. Comprising nobles and their retainers, they were well-trained, far superior to any mere conscripts.

With a thundering cavalry charge, the battlefield dynamics shifted once more.

"Charge!"

Clash—

Sword met sword, armor scraped against armor. Occasionally, a knight would fall from his horse, struck down by a spear.

Crash—

Some horses collided, their riders dismounted, scrambling in the mud, knives drawn. The scene was brutal; blades entered and exited flesh.

One of the Golden Company's war elephants, armored in gold, fell, pierced by numerous spears. Its massive body lay among countless Stormlands soldiers, having carved a path of blood and death.

"Devil..."

Many soldiers, having watched the elephant crush their comrades, were emotionally shattered. They dropped their weapons and fled in terror.

However, this massive elephant finally succumbed. With a mournful cry, its massive legs gave out, and it crashed to the ground.

"The devil!"

"The beast is dead!"

"The beast is dead!"

Seeing the fallen war elephant, the Stormlands soldiers cheered in relief.

Yet, the fall of one elephant wasn't enough to change the course of the war. The fierce battle raged from dawn to dusk.

As the sun set, the land was drenched in the blood of soldiers from both sides. The constant sounds of war drums and horns filled the air. Stannis, a seasoned commander, found himself at a loss, unable to change the outcome of this battle.

The Stormlands army couldn't withstand the Targaryen onslaught. With dragons in the sky and roaring war elephants on the ground, their line began to break, eventually collapsing entirely.

"Flee!"

"Run!"

The Stormlands army was routed. Even as Stannis personally tried to rally the troops, executing deserters, the retreat was inevitable.

Some of the enforcers were even killed by the fleeing soldiers, leading to further chaos.

"Lord Stannis!"

"The war is lost, retreat to Storm's End!"

Sir Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, urged Stannis.

"I won't abandon my men!"

Blood stained Stannis's face. He had just executed several deserters, but the situation was dire.

"You're the commander, not some foot soldier!"

In his urgency, Davos even cursed. He signaled to Stannis's guards.

Understanding his intent, the guards grabbed Stannis and placed him on a horse. Stannis resisted momentarily, shouting in protest, but eventually relented.

He looked back one last time at his soldiers being massacred, his face showing deep regret, then spurred his horse.

"Go!"

Surrounded by his guards, Stannis fled the battlefield.