Chapter 22: Attacking the Tribe

The Red Horn Wilderness was a barren land located over two hundred kilometers north of Blackrock City. Vegetation was sparse, water sources scarce, and the landscape was dominated by jagged rocks resembling red horns, hence the name.

Due to the harsh environment, the only intelligent creatures inhabiting the Red Horn Wilderness were the Blackscale Lizards.

The scarcity of food forced them to invade Blackrock City's territory every winter, plundering resources and reducing their own population through conflict.

The people of Blackrock City deeply hated this predatory tribe that brought them so much suffering.

Therefore, when Kyi ordered the surprise attack on the Blackscale Lizard tribe, the knights responded with fervent enthusiasm.

"I've had enough of those lizard bastards! Today, we'll wipe them out!" Jorton roared, his face flushed with excitement as he rode his Blackrock Panther.

The other knights were equally eager for battle.

Recognizing the importance of this operation, Kyi not only deployed the newly formed cavalry regiment but also mobilized five hundred soldiers.

With ample funding, Blackrock City's army had expanded to a thousand men, not including the militia.

Their military strength had increased several times over compared to the previous year.

The cavalry regiment led the way, followed by the infantry. The long procession of over five hundred men marched across the wilderness.

Kyi and Sunan were positioned in the middle of the formation, each riding a Blackrock Panther.

However, their panthers were larger and more robust than those of the cavalry regiment, their bodies gleaming with a deeper luster.

[Blackrock Panther (Puppet/High-ranking Knight-level): A puppet creature made of Blackrock Iron, with a body tougher than Blackrock Iron itself. Possesses the ability to move through Blackrock Iron veins. Can replenish energy and recover from injuries by consuming Blackrock Iron.]

These were elite Blackrock Panthers, synthesized by Sunan from seven ordinary ones.

Each possessed the combat power of a high-ranking knight, and their bodies were even tougher. Even weapons made of Blackrock Iron could only leave faint scratches on them.

Kyi was clearly pleased with his mount.

As they ventured deeper into the Red Horn Wilderness, the surroundings became increasingly desolate.

After another half hour of travel, the scouts returned. "My lord, the Blackscale Lizard tribe is about two kilometers ahead."

"Excellent." Kyi's spirits lifted, and he issued his orders in a deep voice. "Everyone, increase your speed and prepare for battle!"

The procession accelerated.

Soon, the Blackscale Lizard tribe came into view.

Calling it a tribe was generous. It was a collection of crude huts made of straw and wood, surrounded by a flimsy wooden fence, radiating primitiveness.

With over five hundred soldiers approaching, the Blackscale Lizards, who weren't blind, naturally noticed them.

By the time the army arrived, hundreds of lizards had gathered in front of the tribe, weapons in hand, their eyes filled with hostility.

The Blackscale Lizards were a tribe of warriors. Even their women and children possessed combat strength comparable to that of adult human males.

Adult Blackscale Lizards were as strong as knight squires.

A few elites could reach the level of apprentice knights.

And those who experienced atavism, awakening a trace of their Dragon Lizard bloodline, could even rival formal knights.

Currently, there were more than a dozen knight-level Blackscale Lizards standing at the forefront, their scales marked with crimson lines, a clear sign of their awakened bloodline.

The leader, nearly two and a half meters tall and radiating a ferocious aura, gave Sunan a feeling similar to Kyi.

Kyi had been promoted to a peak knight just last month.

This meant that the Blackscale Lizard, presumably the tribe's chieftain, likely possessed peak knight-level strength.

In addition, there were clearly over two hundred Blackscale Lizard warriors wielding weapons.

Although they were outnumbered, their individual strength was equal or even superior.

Winning this battle wouldn't be easy.

However, neither Kyi nor his knights showed any fear. Their morale was high.

They had a wizard on their side!

As they charged, the cavalry regiment unanimously took out potions, uncorked them with their thumbs, and downed the contents.

Brute Force Potion!

A zero-order potion that greatly enhanced strength!

In preparation for this battle, Sunan had created over sixty potions, enough for each member of the cavalry regiment.

With the Brute Force Potion, even apprentice knights could exert strength comparable to that of formal knights!

"Charge!" Kyi roared, drawing his sword.

Leading the charge, the cavalry regiment slammed into the Blackscale Lizard's defenses like an arrow!

Blood splattered, and limbs flew!

The battle erupted in an instant, quickly escalating into a fierce melee.

The open space in front of the tribe became a bloodbath!

This was the first true battle for the Blackrock Panther cavalry since its formation.

And their combat strength didn't disappoint.

Even if the Blackscale Lizards could block the cavalry's weapons, they were quickly torn apart by the Blackrock Panthers' claws.

They were facing not just individual cavalrymen, but coordinated attacks from both rider and mount.

This was completely different from the cavalry they had faced before.

The element of surprise resulted in heavy losses for the Blackscale Lizards.

Sunan observed the battle from the rear, nodding in satisfaction.

There seemed to be no precedent for taming beasts as mounts in this world.

At least not in the Astral Duchy.

Therefore, the Blackrock Panther cavalry, an unprecedented type of military unit, easily caught their opponents off guard.

And on the ever-changing battlefield, a wrong response often meant death.

The Blackrock Panther cavalry was still small in number. Once it expanded into a true regiment, it would surely bring a nasty surprise to Blackrock City's enemies.

Sunan looked at Bradd, who was guarding him, and sighed inwardly.

He needed to become a level 2 wizard apprentice as soon as possible. Otherwise, he would always be a fragile mage who needed protection on the battlefield.

Shaking his head, Sunan focused, chanting a strange incantation. A basketball-sized ball of acid materialized before him. With a flick of his finger, it shot towards a knight-level Blackscale Lizard.

Mage Hand's range was too short for this battlefield, so he opted for Acid Splash.

Sizzle!

The Blackscale Lizard, completely unprepared for a ranged attack, was struck in the face by the acid.

In an instant, a large hole was corroded into its face, its features dissolving, leaving only a gaping wound. Even the bone underneath was partially corroded.

The lizard convulsed and fell to the ground, clearly beyond saving.

The terrifying power of Acid Splash sent chills down the spines of the other Blackscale Lizards.

They looked at Sunan with fear.

They weren't afraid of human blades or fists, but this strange and terrifyi

ng attack was beyond their comprehension.

What kind of power was this?