45 – Second Clash

From the fortress, one pilot used a scope that was much longer than usual. "They're coming, sir. The number is much greater than before."

Nathaniel, who stood beside him, turned around. "Sound the signal."

The pilot blows the trumpet as the captain descends the ladder. This time, the trumpet blasts were more slow, indicating that the enemy was still far away.

"So, now's the time, huh?" Sheila accompanied Nathaniel, who had reached the ground. "Do you think Zach Woulfe will come too?"

"It's no use thinking about him." With quick steps, the captain headed towards a field. "But if he is with those troops, I will finish him. So, please, lead our troops while I fight him."

"Sure thing, Cap."

The soldiers were already lined up on the field, and Nathaniel's armor was already in front of them. But before meeting them, Nathaniel went to Trish and Lance, who were not far away.

"That's…." The captain looked at the armor his sister was wearing from head to toe. It's white, although there are still red and gold accents to match Celestenia's colors.

"Why? Are you surprised by this?" Trish spun her body like a ballerina. "I have to protect my boss because he insisted on coming here. He's naughty."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm a bad guy." Lance sighed and patted Nathaniel's arm. "Good luck, Cap. I know you can do this."

The captain saluted the engineer and nodded. "I won't disappoint you, sir."

Once Trish and Lance left, Nathaniel requested a mage to amplify his voice and delivered a speech. "Afternoon, my comrades. I won't say much this time. First, I express gratitude to all of you. You are willing to be far from your families. That's a big sacrifice."

The captain surveyed the troops, some wearing powered armor and some not. "Remember! Don't be afraid of death! This is for our country, for our people, for our children and grandchildren! We will destroy the enemy who will invade our homeland! This is a noble task! Your death will not be in vain, O soldiers!"

The captain then clenched his fists upwards. "You will become part of the monumental history of this country! Come with me to meet glory! For Celestenia!!!"

"For Celestenia!!!" The soldiers burst into cheers.

Nathaniel jumped into his armor and led his troops sliding towards the gate, raising a cloud of dust from the ground.

The moment the fortress door opened, they sped up.

"Remember the formation we have practiced!" Lance gave the order. "We will make it difficult for them to shoot us."

The pilots kept their distance from each other and ran in zigzags, but maintained their positions so as not to hinder the shooters.

Arrows began to fly at Celestenia's troops, and Lance gave the signal. "Shoot!!!"

The long-range attackers started firing their rifles, causing some of Zashrend's troops to fall.

Those two armies exchanged shouts and clashed.

Because they used wheels on their wheels, the Celestenia troops rammed their opponents hard, forcing them to be pushed back.

But that doesn't mean the Zashrend troops lost. They still stand tall and strikes back.

Even so, Celestenia's troops could maneuver to escape even though they had limited space.

Just like the previous battle, their strengths were on par.

But one of them stands out. Lance destroys several opponents at once with just a few slashes.

The captain's eyes were alert to his surroundings. He didn't want Zach to attack him when he didn't know it.

And sure enough, Zach launched a surprise attack on the captain.

"Ugh!" Lance was pushed back when he blocked Zach's combination attack. It forced the captain to get as far away from his opponent as possible. "Sheila!!!"

"Sure thing, Cap!!!" the vice captain answered while thrusting his spear into an opponent's neck.

Lance moved to a location some distance from the battle so he could move more freely. Then, the captain took a stance by raising his sword, while his opponent just stood as usual.

"Sorry, this is for the sake of the people closest to me." Zach ran at his opponent.

Nathaniel had no other choice but to run away. He could feel the power of his opponent's claws just now. But that doesn't mean he gave up.

Zach made an attack and Nathaniel barely dodged. The captain saw the Zashrend soldier's claws pass a few inches from his face.

And the captain saw the opening. He stepped back and swung his sword. The weapon hit Zach hard, sending that man flying tens of meters.

But he can land on the ground.

"No way." Nathaniel widened his eyes.

There was only one scratch on Zach's armor. In fact, he could walk as usual, showing that Nathaniel's attack had little impact on him.

"You think you guys can beat us with some wheels attached and increase the output a bit?" The Zashrend's soldier continued to walk towards his opponent. "Sorry, but it seems like your engineer is not competent in this matter. He should do more than that."

Nathaniel gripped his sword tighter. With gritted teeth, he said. "I won't let you bad mouth Sir Lance Ashbourne."

The captain advanced, but this time with an irregular slide pattern. He tried to attack Zach from various directions, but the Zashrend's soldier could dodge.

Nathaniel realized that Zach's speed had also increased from their previous encounter.

They continued to exchange attacks. Zach could scratch Nathaniel's armor with his claws several times. But those things haven't yet reached the captain's skin.

Meanwhile, Lance's attacks only threw Zach into the air, without having any impact on him.

A few moments passed. One of Zach's claws penetrated Nathaniel's helmet, cutting his cheek. He felt heat and pain because the wound was deep. Yet, he still moved away and didn't groan in pain.

He still held an ultimate. He couldn't activate it as he wished. His determination must be strong enough, like when he defeated the king of the beetle monsters.

He felt his determination matched or exceeded that moment.

The sharp part of the captain's sword glowed. Nathaniel then used the wheels on his feet to kick his opponent.

Zach's body rolled quite far backwards.