The Duke's Passion

796  Happening in the east border n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Marching to the land of Spade Kingdom was a large troop raising the flags of the Karo Kingdom. Those who had a glimpse of this large troop spread awareness to the neighboring kingdom. Since the establishment of the said land, there was never a time they had seen the Karo Kingdom wage war with any kingdom. There were disputes and political tensions, but the people of Karo, especially the rulers in the said land were rational. They weren't fond of settling any disputes through bloodshed but always find a peaceful resolution and compromise. For the Karo Kingdom to resort to war, the Spade Kingdom had surely crossed the line no one should. Therefore, those lands close to the Spade Kingdom had either closed their borders or deployed soldiers in case the war would reach their lands. "Your Highness," A knight called Heliot, slowing down beside the prince's steed. "We received word from the scouting unit that there were armed knights sighted on the east border of the Spade Kingdom. It seemed they were expecting."

"That's expected." Heliot's eyes glinted sharply, keeping his eyes ahead. "The Spade Kingdom will not flourish with a tyrant as king if he wasn't clever enough."

"They had advanced weapons, Your Highness. The Spade Kingdom had used another kingdom to procure those advanced weapons from the Haimirich Empire. We had them as well. We're expecting a bloody war."

Blood war. Of course, they were expecting such an event. Heliot remained silent after listening to his knight telling him what he had already expected. Heliot was a person, who would rather compromise than take part in a war. Although war at this time wasn't new, he disliked the idea of sending his men to die. That wasn't the valor and honor he had in mind. For him, his knights were supposed to protect the people of Karo and make sure everything in Karo was in order. Although going to war was also a means of protecting the people of Karo, it was different. "Keep the formation." His tone was stern, keeping his eyes ahead as he sighted the huge borders of the Spade Kingdom. "And order to launch the cannons to break the walls and all those on the way."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Once we step into the vicinity of the Spade Kingdom, expect that they will start launching fire," he continued firmly as if he was an experienced warmonger; this was Heliot's first leading his people to war, though. "I'll stay in the front line."

"As you wished, Your Highness." The knight beckoned a neck bow, maneuvering his steed to turn around to send the word to those on the back. "Prepare the cannons and the formation!" yelled the knight at the top of his lungs, stopping on the side of the procession while shouting. "The Spade had advanced weapons — prepare for battle!" "Prepare for battle!" another knight yelled so the people in the back could hear, and then another knight yelled the same message until the word reached those in the back lines. The moment it reached the last knights on the back, the disciplined procession started spreading around the area. Huge cannons mounted on the carts were surrounded by a few knights, and then a person was riding along with them. The cart behind it was ammunition to support the person who would utilize it. Those were only meant to support the front line as they were expecting more people to do close combat. This was their first war, but it didn't mean they were discouraged by Heliot leading them to the front line. Before the front line crossed the threshold of the Spade Kingdom, the knights on the back and were ordered to cover for the front line stopped. The knights efficiently unloaded the cannon from the cart, setting it up as the distance was enough. Everyone expected the vast empty lot before the border would be the battlefield. That was Heliot's expectation and with the troop defending the borders of the Spade Kingdom, Heliot's prediction was correct. Thus, while others set up the cannons, others prepared tents a little further away as their base. No one expected a war that would only end in a day. They were against the Spade Kingdom and the king of the aforementioned land wouldn't fall so easily. Even though Heliot was certain Lilou and Samael's party was already having a blast inside the kingdom, it would still be hard for the outside forces to get in. PHEW…

Everyone on the front line caught the spark coming from the borders of the Spade Kingdom. The spark was followed by a thin and almost silent blast, making Heliot glance up. Despite the darkness of the night, Heliot saw the huge spherical projectile in the air, coming into them, directly to the people in the front line. His eyes glinted as his eyes shone in red. Still riding his steed, Heliot shouted his lungs out. "Advance!!!" Shouts and roars from those in the area assaulted the air, picking up their pace as they galloped ahead. While more knights galloped past Heliot's steed, the latter kept his eyes on the cannonball in the air. He slowly released the reins, and in one breath, Heliot jumped so high that he was in front of the cannonball. He spread his fingers midair, sand and wind created under his palm. Instead of using a sword to split the cannonball in half, Heliot calmly touched the side of the cannonball and tossed it away from them. The sand underneath his palm slowed down the speed of that dangerous explosive, lowering the chances of it exploding upon his touch. BOOM!

A huge blast assaulted the echoing screams of men charging to the borders while Heliot landed on his horse. He gripped the reins tightly, galloping with his men as multiple sparks were seeing before them. "Forward!" the knights yelled, showing no fear in the face of explosives, knowing at the same time, sparks on the back lines were also twinkling like stars in the night. This was war. A bloody war they all must conquer.