CHAPTER 304 - Heaven and Earth Shattering!

"Map."

Jarvan IV took the map from a soldier and spread it out on the ground, pointing to a specific location.

"We are here, about ten kilometers from the Argent Mountains... Even if we break through, we'll have to abandon our armor to outrun the Noxians."

His face showed hesitation, and his tone was grave. "But doing so is gambling with our lives. If the Noxians catch up, we won't stand a chance."

"And we don't know what backup they're waiting for."

The captain of the guard stared at the map for a moment before looking up at Jarvan IV. "I will lead some of the men to hold them off, giving you time."

"What…" Jarvan IV's eyes widened, immediately refusing, "No! Absolutely not!"

"Your Highness!"

The captain grasped the prince's hand firmly, his expression earnest.

"You are the only hope of the Lightshield Royal Family, the future of Demacia. Your safety is paramount!"

Jarvan IV was about to argue when the captain raised a hand to stop him, not giving him a chance to speak. "As your guard, my duty, our duty, is to protect you at all costs."

"Don't say it's your fault we're surrounded. I share the blame because I didn't insist on stopping you!"

"Ted..."

"Your Highness, please don't hesitate any longer. Everything is for Demacia!"

Jarvan IV was stunned by Captain Ted's angry shout.

His eyes welled up, his vision blurred, and his breathing grew rapid and uneven.

From a young age, Jarvan IV had been surrounded by many people.

Among them, only two mentors had the most profound influence on him: one was Xin Zhao, who taught him spiritual theories, various war arts, and the long-lost spear techniques of the Lightshield family. The other, who further instructed him in military theory and served as his adjutant during his military training, was Captain Ted.

Jarvan IV took a deep breath, lifting his face slightly to keep the tears from falling.

Once he calmed down, he gripped his spear tightly, his demeanor changing sharply. His expression turned grim, the sorrow in his eyes replaced by fierce determination.

"Demacia forever! Let us fight side by side!"

Seeing Jarvan IV's change in attitude, Ted showed a gratified expression. "That's the spirit of a prince!"

He then turned to the flag bearer, "Raise the battle flag, we're breaking out to the south!"

In just two minutes, Ted assigned the sharpest and most capable 20 soldiers to Jarvan IV.

He would lead the remaining 47 soldiers, escorting them to break out and then staying behind to hold off the Noxians.

Jarvan IV, tears in his eyes, shook hands with each soldier who was essentially on a death mission, asking about their families and keeping their names close to his heart.

Conservatively, the enemy numbered at least a few hundred.

Even the most elite Dauntless Vanguard with 48 soldiers would lose at least two-thirds, if not the entire unit, to completely stop them.

Not to mention their soldiers were not as strong as the Dauntless Vanguard, and death was a certainty.

With preparations complete, Jarvan IV and Ted stood on the southern side of the shield wall, all the soldiers ready for battle.

"Are you ready?" Ted held his gun in his left hand, gripping his sword with his right, making a final check.

"Success or failure hinges on this."

Jarvan IV paused, then looked at the soldier holding the flag.

"By the way, give me the battle flag."

The flag bearer looked confused, "…Your Highness?"

Ted seemed to understand and nodded at the soldier, "Give the flag to His Highness. He can use it to its fullest."

Though puzzled, the flag bearer didn't hesitate. He handed the blue and white Demacian battle flag to the prince.

Jarvan IV then slung the heavy spear over his shoulder, gripped the flag in his left hand, and shouted, "Brothers and sisters, let us fight together!"

The next moment, he led the charge out of the shield wall, his muscles bulging under his golden armor. With all his strength, he hurled the battle flag forward.

The Demacian flag flew like a javelin, tracing an arc in the air before landing about a hundred meters away, just ten meters from the first Noxian encirclement.

"For Demacia!"

"For the Lightshield family!"

"For Prince Jarvan!"

"Demacia, invincible!"

"Break their formation!"

"Charge!"

...

As the Noxian forces hesitated, the 20 soldiers assigned to protect Jarvan IV followed him closely, alongside dozens more, roaring their war cries and charging south with all their might.

At that moment, Jarvan IV, leading the charge at the front, gripped the spear with both hands, unleashing a flurry of thrusts accompanied by piercing, slicing sounds.

The Noxian army responded swiftly. Countless arrows rained down from behind, falling like a torrential downpour.

"Shield wall!"

Ted roared, and the shield bearers around him immediately closed their iron barrier.

The twenty soldiers accompanying Jarvan IV also stopped and formed a tight shield wall to fend off the storm of arrows.

Only Jarvan IV, charging ahead and nearing the Noxian front lines, remained exposed to the endless hail of arrows.

Yet, he showed no sign of panic. "Trivial skills! Ancestors, grant me your protection!"

Jarvan IV held the spear horizontally before him. The blinding golden light from his armor flared up, enveloping him completely and deflecting the rain of arrows.

He maintained his momentum, continuing to sprint forward. When the distance was right, he thrust the spear forward with his right hand.

To the shock of the Noxians, the spear, resembling a dragon's spine in design, seemed to come alive. Each segment of the razor-sharp blade rotated and extended, growing over five meters in length, just enough to hook the battle flag Jarvan IV had thrown.

In the next moment, the spear retracted at high speed, propelling Jarvan IV's robust body forward like a diving dragon, closing in on the Noxian front line to within ten meters.

"Kill Jarvan IV!"

"Titles and rewards await, I'm coming!"

"Long live Noxus!"

"Charge!"

Despite the sea of enemy troops surging toward him, Jarvan IV remained unshaken, a cold smile curving his lips.

He then threw the flag from his left hand again, piercing through the armor of three enemy soldiers. The spear, like its master, extended and retracted with his will, swiftly dispatching the first wave of advancing enemies.

As the Noxian forces encircled him, preparing to deal a decisive blow to the enemy prince, Jarvan IV took a deep breath, gathering all his strength. He leaped high into the air, gripping the spear tightly, and struck the ground with a tremendous force.

"Demacia!"

In that instant, the earth shook and split apart. Stone walls, several meters high, rose from the ground, bathed in crimson flames.

The heavens collapsed and the earth shattered!

(End of Chapter)

---