Chapter 78: Trail of Fire

The Rangers numbered around 500 daring people, preparing to confront their considerable adversaries. Even with likely reinforcements, the united forces couldn't surpass 1,000. Only numbers were not in favor of themselves.

However, it was the nature of these fighters that set them apart. Clad in heavy armor and wielding sturdy lances, their majestic horses defensively covered for the battle to come, the Rangers exuded an aura of confidence. Their appearance was a stark contrast to the city's defenders, clad in shabby armor and trembling out of fear.

Though a few were swayed by the river's strong current, the majority of the soldiers successfully completed the dangerous stream crossing.

A man, presumably their officer, observed the surroundings near the riverbank.

"What are these massive cadavers?"

Our eyes briefly met under the tree's canopy, but he quickly averted his gaze. Instead, he drew his sword and pointed it towards the northern section of the city, where the battle raged on.

"Form up and charge! Let's clear away the enemy all at once!"

The horses snorted, and seeing many cavalry lined up in the rain was truly impressive.

Jenna couldn't help but whistle in admiration.

"Wow, that's impressive. It looks like our part in this mission is finished. Can we just rest and watch now?"

"I wish that were the case."

The main issue was resolved, but it wouldn't be surprising if the difficulty level rose beyond three stars. I glanced at the horses milling near the riverside, their owners swept away by the current during the river crossing.

"Can either of you ride a horse?"

"A horse? Sure," said Aaron.

"And both of you?"

Aaron shook his head quietly, and Eolka, struggling to answer, swallowed down a mana potion.

"Do you have any idea how, Oppa?" Eolka asked.

"I don't."

"It doesn't seem very useful if only one of us can ride."

"Just bring one over for now."

The Rangers were preparing to charge.

Jenna mounted a horse without an owner and took hold of the reins. The horse was startled at first but soon calmed down as Jenna gently stroked its neck. After a moment, the horse Jenna rode trotted over towards us.

"Is this enough?"

I looked up at the sky.

"Anything could have been watching everything unfold."

In short, the pro couldn't directly interfere in the battle, but their influence could be felt. I recalled the anti-fear elixir I had applied during the tutorial.

"Anyway, are you going to help or what?"

**Ability Book Request: Middle Mounted Wizardry.**

[Han () is requesting the Skill Book (Mounted Wizardry). Upon purchase, the hero will acquire the skill. The cost is 500 pearls. Would you like to proceed with the purchase?]

[Yes (Select)/No]

A glow of blue light materialized, and suddenly, an old book descended.

I grabbed it and unfurled the pages, and a surge of knowledge and experiences about mounted wizardry flooded my mind.

**[Ding!]**

**[Skill Awakening!]**

**[Han () has acquired Mounted Magic!]**

"W-What was that just now?"

"An enchanted book."

"Mounted Wizardry."

"One of the skill books available at the Flash of energy battle shop."

While direct acquisition of combat-related skills wasn't possible, supplementary techniques could be acquired through these skill books.

I mounted the ownerless horse, holding the reins. From mounting and holding the reins to directing in a different direction, moving forward, stopping, and accelerating—tips and techniques about mounted magic came easily to me.

The horse I rode joined Jenna's side.

"You said you couldn't ride."

"Now I know."

I laughed, claiming my new skill.

"We'll take cues from them and disrupt their plans."

"Disrupt their plans, you mean?"

"Do you think it'll end here? Aaron, get on behind Jenna. Eolka, you're with me. Without a saddle, it might be uncomfortable, so hold on close to my back."

With Jenna's help, Aaron settled in behind her on the horse.

Meanwhile, Eolka approached, looking pale. Though she had replenished her mana with a potion, mental fatigue seemed inevitable. I helped Eolka onto the horse's back. Up ahead, the cavalry was finalizing their charge preparations.

"Prepare for the charge! Ready!"

"Charge! Charge! Charge! Charge!"

Responding to the officer's orders, the soldiers raised their weapons and shouted as one. On the northern fields, the trolls, made aware of the situation, positioned their lances against the charging Rangers.

We watched the scene a few meters from the front line.

"Don't join the charge. You could end up in trouble. Slip towards the forest and assess what is going on."

"Aaron, hold on tight so you won't fall."

"Got it."

The cavalry leader swung his steel sword over his head, signaling to the trolls.

"Charge together! Show those miscreants the fiery might of the Iron Rangers!"

The commander's white horse galloped across the fields.

The horsemen with their standards led the way, followed by a roaring charge of hundreds of soldiers and horses. The echoing cheers of the soldiers and the rhythmic pounding of hooves in the rain filled the air.

"Let's go."

With a firm grip on the reins, I urged the horse forward.

The horse exhaled and picked up speed. Faster. Each prod resulted in more vigorous steps.

Surprisingly, by just reading a book, I gained the ability to handle a horse.

It seemed unbelievable, but there was no compelling reason to be surprised or excited.

I warned Jenna, who was lagging behind, "Shift aside! Get out of the arrows' range!"

Ping! Saddle, saddle, saddle, ping!

Dozens, even hundreds of arrows flew from the troll side.

Most arrows either missed their targets or embedded in the ground. However, a few found their mark.

"Aaargh!"

A hapless soldier was struck and fell from his horse.

The soldiers behind trampled him into the ground.

I lowered my head slightly.

A stray arrow barely brushed past my head, causing Eolka, clutching my waist, to let out a small cry.

"Move away!"

As I pulled the reins to the right, the horse turned.

The cavalry's main target was the troll force stationed at the north gate. We veered to the right and headed towards the forest, with Jenna not far behind.

Soon, the cavalry's vanguard clashed with the trolls.

Many trolls, impaled on lances and crushed under hooves, were turned into lifeless heaps.

They were smaller creatures than humans, unable to withstand the crushing force of several hundred kilograms of a horse. The cavalry spread out like a wide brush, sweeping through the troll forces effortlessly.

As the wind gradually lessened the impact of raindrops on our faces, I kept an eye on the surroundings while riding through the forest. Faint growls echoed between the trees.

**[Troll Rider Lv.??? X 211]**

As I thought.

They had been lurking in the forest, intending to ambush the cavalry.

The moment the cavalry's momentum waned, they would strike from the sides. Wolves lacking in basic combat skills to handle rangers directly, and measures were put in place to suppress the cavalry's momentum.

**[Beast Lv.??? X 23]**

"Kraaaah

!"

Beasts burst forth from the dense forest.

Having broken through the first line of defense, they charged at the Rangers, who were regrouping after the initial clash. In the distance, the cavalry leader raised his sword again, and the second clash ensued with a cacophony of clashing metal and echoing shouts.

I turned to Eolka, who was riding behind me, and asked, "Eolka, do you have enough mana?"

"I'll manage somehow," she replied.

"You saw it too. It'll be troublesome if those troll riders join the fray."

As the rain ceased, a renewed urgency to move seized the area.

I raised my right index finger to determine the wind direction.

"A northerly wind. From now on, we'll ride through the forest. You ignite the fires."

Eolka nodded, "I can do that, but the potency might be weak."

"Just make sure they can't regroup. Better yet, disrupt their plan."

If the troll riders managed to strike the cavalry's flank simultaneously, the consequences would be dire.

We didn't need to eliminate all of them; the primary objective was to prevent them from coordinating effectively. Eolka embraced the plan.

"Jenna, you and Aaron get off the horse. When the fires spread, take out one or two of them at a time."

The two dismounted, each gripping their bow and lance.

Although magical combat skills would be advantageous, we had to work with what we had. Their determination was evident.

"Let's do this."

Eolka closed her eyes and began chanting a spell.

My gaze shifted towards the north gate.

The cavalry and beasts clashed ferociously. Most of the initial troll forces lay dead or incapacitated. A few desperate trolls attempted to scale ladders and breach the outer walls but retreated in frustration.

"No need to chase them all the way to the inner walls," I muttered to myself.

With a swift tap of my heel on the horse's flank, we surged forward.

The horse picked up speed, and I aimed at the troll furthest to the left of the forest. His hands touched the fur of a wolf mount, and his eyes gleamed with defiance.

Eolka raised her right hand.

**[Ignite!]**

Fwoosh!

A torrent of flames erupted from behind the horse, quickly catching on branches and leaves, spreading like a raging inferno. The rain had subsided, and the wind carried the fire towards the surrounding trees.

The horse's path scattered ashes, spreading the flames in all directions.

The fire rapidly engulfed the area.

"Kiaaah!"

Finally, the troll riders burst out of the forest, met with a wall of fire and chaos.

Most of the human cavalry were focused on dispatching beasts, while a few of the troll riders pursued us.

Directly engaging in a conflict with the beasts wasn't profitable, so I swiftly turned my horse and increased our speed, setting the forest ablaze as we raced through it.

The flames were not areas of strength for trolls; casualties were minimal, but that wasn't our main aim.

We needed to scatter the troll riders and instill fear of the fire they employed.

When the troll riders formed a united front, they became a formidable force, but when scattered, they were like dispersed needles.

The Iron Rangers showed no sign of losing their momentum in their battle against the beasts, while the troll riders faltered and struggled. In the forest, Jenna and Aaron took up positions, engaging with a few of the troll riders, their weapons ablaze.

Finally, we completed our circuit around the forest.

Dismounting quickly, I thrust my sword backward, impaling the wolf rushing at me, and skewering both its brain and the heart of the troll rider atop it. They were the ones who had pursued me relentlessly.

I withdrew my sword.

The wolf and troll fell silent and dead.

"Heeheeheehee!"

The horse neighed and shook its back.

Eolka, who was atop it, trembled uncontrollably, barely managing to maintain her balance.

The horse that had been relieved of Eolka didn't even spare a glance and ran off in the other direction.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"You did well."

"It was a terrifying sight."

Eolka's tone had turned paler than pale. If she used more magic here, she risked an magical overload.

Excessive use of magic posed a dangerous gamble for mages.

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