Chapter 50: Chapter 41: Fateful Choice? Reinhardt’s Strength

The three organized Knight Orders from the Dragon Hunter Battle Group had numbers and configurations that surpassed even those of the Steel Knight Order. Their commanders and vice-commanders were all Earth Knights. Every squad leader was a ten-year veteran and a Four-star Military Rank Official Knight.

On the Iron Blood Battle Group’s side, only Battle Group Commander Fei Ning was a Two-star Earth Knight.

Among the Battle Group Knights sent to intercept, the strongest was Dietlinde, and she was only a Five-star Military Rank Official Knight. If a direct conflict broke out, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

The lead Earth Knight was silent for a moment before speaking, breaking the stalemate.

"Imperial law states that Mercenary Corps have no right to question our military objectives. Stand aside!"

Dietlinde tightened her reins. Her warhorse, which had a coat as dark red as blood, shifted its hooves restlessly, its breath turning into puffs of white mist in the cold wind.

She had enlisted at eleven and spent half her life at war, purging thousands of rebels for the Empire. But today, she knew her bones would be buried on this endless Northern Grassland.

The glory of the Empire and its Knights should not be trampled by betrayal.

Even though she was only a Knight in a Mercenary Corps, the oath she had once sworn before the Radiant Holy Image had never wavered.

Dietlinde turned to glance at Reinhardt. Her valiant face was cold and unforgiving, but her azure eyes held a deep fondness for this world, filled with... regret. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

’She had once believed she would dedicate her life to the path of a Knight—a life of campaigning and battle, of spilling blood and slaying foes.’

’But Reinhardt’s appearance was like a beam of light that shone into her short life filled with death and blood. She finally understood that love was never a symbol of weakness.’

’That pure fervor and passion, coming from the depths of her heart, seemed to transport her back to the glorious moment in her youth when she first awakened her Knight Power.’

’Her talent and strength could have earned her a better future in an Imperial Legion, but the Iron Blood Corps had helped her escape a life of suffering.’

’The Corps gave her a new life, and she would give her life for its glory!’

As she steeled herself for death, her gaze met Reinhardt’s. The brief moment seemed to span a century.

’If the Battle Group’s orders had arrived just one day later, perhaps... her life would have been free of regret.’

A longsword sang as it left its sheath. The aura of her Power flared like a blazing fire, crimson and scorching. It enveloped her body, spreading outward in ripples of intense heat that distorted the air.

Destruction Force Field: Anger Fire Calamity.

Dietlinde raised her longsword high, her presence every bit as imposing as the three Knight Orders of the Dragon Hunter Battle Group. She roared, "Iron Blood Battle Group! For the Empire! For the glory of the Corps! Kill these traitors!"

War never shows mercy to the weak or those who retreat. From the moment they garrisoned Baihe Town, they were destined to be sacrificed in this war to suppress the rebellion.

In the next moment, the Knights of the Iron Blood Corps drew their weapons, ignited their Mighty Power, and roared in response to Dietlinde’s call!

Reinhardt let out a heavy breath and slung the Giant Axe from his back. The dark purple, living substance of the Morphic Armor seeped from his skin, coalescing and enveloping him.

The high-pressure air sacs on his back squirmed and breathed.

As Dietlinde fearlessly charged, the first to rush the three Knight Orders of the Dragon Hunter Battle Group, the lead Earth Knight’s expression changed drastically. "Treason...?! Wait—!"

But once the machine of death starts turning, anyone who tries to stop it will be dragged into it.

Reinhardt had slain plenty of Abyssal Demons and had once fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Steel Knight Order, but this was the first time he had ever faced an Imperial Knight Order as an enemy.

Although he had fought Death Butcher Dortmund before, any Knight was a terrifying being wielding Extraordinary Power, far beyond what those brutish Convicted Demons could compare to.

In the next moment, what looked like a classic cavalry charge between the two battle groups on the vast Northern Grassland changed completely. The main Knight Orders of the Dragon Hunter Battle Group’s third echelon displayed their immense combat experience.

One Earth Knight took the lead, guiding two squads to meet the Iron Blood Battle Group’s charge head-on. The other two Earth Knights swiftly changed direction to circle around the flank, preparing to cut off the Battle Group’s retreat and intercept any potential reinforcements from Baihe Town.

Some of the other Knight squads remained in place to prevent the Iron Blood Battle Group from escaping from the rear. Another six squads drove into the Battle Group’s formation from the flanks, attempting to split them up and pick them off one by one.

In a single clash, the disparity in tactical discipline and coordination between a Mercenary Corps and an Imperial Knight Order was starkly evident.

A will to fight to the death is commendable, but the gap in actual strength cannot be bridged by willpower or noble spirit alone.

Reinhardt had once knelt and sworn an oath before the Radiant Holy Image, but his loyalty to the Empire was highly questionable.

’If it were Abyssal Demons invading the Human World or foreign races appearing here, he would have fought to his last drop of blood!’

But the crossroads of destiny was mercilessly laid out before him.

’Should he choose self-preservation and revenge, or fight alongside Dietlinde?’

The memory of the Steel Knight Order had not yet faded. Knight An Jie’s voice still echoed in his ears. A relentless hatred flowed like searing magma through his veins, tormenting his nerves.

’He had once sworn an oath at Frostfire Fortress—that he would make the bastard pulling all the strings pay!’

Choosing self-preservation and revenge meant preserving his strength, leaving the battlefield as the sole survivor in order to one day fulfill his vengeance.