The room fell into silence.

Gunshots came from outside.

The rebels launched another attack on Rose Manor. Their archers entered the courtyard through various breaches and fired arrows from a distance.

The Werewolf Warriors immediately returned fire with their guns, forcing the mercenary archers to retreat in disarray after a few bodies dropped.

At that moment, Chocobos carrying Werewolves leaped out from behind the shields. They strode forward on their long legs at high speed, letting out powerful cries.

The Werewolf Raiders drew their double-barreled cavalry guns and shot at the fleeing mercenaries, bullets kicking up sprays of blood from their backs.

The mercenaries who were hit collapsed, writhing in agony.

After firing two bullets, the Werewolf Raiders drew their sabers and continued their charge.

They cut down all the slower-moving mercenaries.

After driving all invading mercenaries out, the Werewolf Raiders promptly retreated according to the warnings from the scouting drones.

On their way back, they also brought the bodies of the dead mercenaries. They beheaded them and hung the heads from their mounts' shoulders.

The entire battle was exceedingly brief and swift, showcasing the Werewolves' ferocity to the fullest.

It also made Karol clearly realize the power of the muskets.

The Thunderous Swamp could bring unprecedented power and prosperity to the duchy, or it could become a grave internal threat. Whether for the immediate gain of seizing the Wildwind Highlands, or for the long-term goal of suppressing the Thunderous Swamp's development and making it serve the duchy, an alliance with the Elves is essential. Prince Elrado cannot afford any mishaps in Nuta City. Relying solely on the power of Rose Court to rescue the prince will be very difficult.

"Is Terence really trustworthy?"

Karol's repeated questions made Li Jiya seriously consider the matter.

She hadn't known Terence for long. Could he truly be trusted?

Finally, Li Jiya replied to Karol with conviction, "My intuition tells me he's trustworthy!"

"Intuition?" Lady Karol gave a short laugh and said, "Send my regards to Mr. Terence, and inform him I am willing to cover the entire cost of his employment this time. Go change your clothes."

Li Jiya received a new mission at Rose Court.

The battle at the Lord's Mansion was reaching its climax.

The mercenaries they faced possessed high combat discipline and morale; they were gradually adapting to fighting against muskets and cannons.

The attacking rebels became more dispersed.

They advanced, using houses for cover and making the most of any shelter to protect themselves.

Sometimes they would even deliberately demolish houses to create a path through.

All of this was to close the distance with the defending mercenaries and engage in close-quarters combat.

At such close range, the effectiveness of muskets and cannons would be minimized.

Facing the enemy's fierce assault, the mercenaries' short training time became a clear disadvantage.

The defensive line was breached again and again.

If Olaf hadn't led the Werewolf Warriors to quickly reinforce the line, the mercenaries would have surely suffered heavy losses.

Taking advantage of the Werewolf Warriors holding back the rebel advance, Eddie organized the retreating mercenaries to re-establish their defensive line.

Supportive artillery fire from the Envoy's Legation prevented rebel reinforcements from advancing.

Alchemical robots pushed cannons loaded with grapeshot to the front, furiously bombarding the advancing rebels.

The cannons, now with bayonets fixed, delivered devastating close-range blasts of grapeshot. No one could withstand their fire.

This terrifying destructive power instantly crushed the rebels' offensive momentum.

The rebels, who had just been charging and fighting fiercely, now stared at the dark cannon muzzles and fled as if they'd gone mad.

However, the cannons positioned too close to the front lines immediately drew magical fire.

After the cannons were pulled back, a total of twelve were damaged.

The fight continued.

Corpses piled up along the entire front line of engagement.

The drones in the sky faithfully recorded the horrific brutality of the war, and Yan Xing watched with a grim expression.

"Didn't you just say you wanted to see me fight in heavy armor, using magic?" Count Theodore, who had been closely watching the battlefield, said to Yan Xing at that moment. "You are about to see it."

Yan Xing's thoughts were pulled back by the old Earl. He asked, "Master, are you going into battle?"

The old Earl took the magic wand from his butler's hand and said to Yan Xing, "The rebels have committed too many troops to the square. If our opponents still had forces of similar strength held in reserve to counter us, they would have launched an all-out assault on my Lord's Mansion by now. My army has many positions to defend, while the rebels have many targets to attack. The enemy forces here will not exceed my estimations of their strength. Now is the best time to counterattack them. Come with me."

After speaking, the old Earl leaped down from the gun platform.

The old butler led the Earl's personal guard as they jumped down one by one.

Yan Xing glanced down; they had all landed safely on the ground more than ten meters below.

Guards brought them their Battle Griffins.

The Knights and soldiers assembled quickly behind the tightly shut gates.

Yan Xing smiled. The old fox was about to tap into his reserves.

Yan Xing jumped down from the gun platform.

This height posed no danger to his current physical condition.

Since Shadowfly wasn't present, an attendant also brought Yan Xing a Battle Griffin.

Yan Xing mounted the Battle Griffin and positioned himself beside the old Earl.

Mages atop the towers began to cast enchantments on the army preparing for battle.

Magic Beams of different colors shot down from above. They then erupted, forming shimmering fountains that showered every warrior with pillar-like magical effects.

Magic Shields appeared at their sides.

Halos unfolded beneath their feet.

Their bodies glowed with various magical lusters.

Count Theodore also raised his magic wand.

Prayer.

A golden beam of light shone down from the sky, and the projection of an Angel cast its blessing upon the army below.

The warriors raised their weapons and roared in unison, "Victory! Victory!"

The gates of the Lord's Mansion slowly opened.

Count Theodore spurred his Battle Griffin and was the first to charge out through the gates.

Yan Xing, also invigorated by the soaring battle spirit, rode his Battle Griffin closely behind the old Earl.

Other Knights, mounted on Battle Griffins and warhorses, surged out.

As they gained speed, the Battle Griffins flapped their wings, emitting powerful cries. Carrying their Knights, they galloped forward, their four hooves gradually leaving the ground.

The charge of the Heavy Knights made the earth tremble.

From within the Lord's Mansion, a Griffon Troop burst forth, merging with the Knights on their Battle Griffins.

The old Earl still led at the forefront.

Like an unstoppable general, a match for ten thousand foes, he returned to the battlefield he once dominated.

He waved his magic wand, conjuring a volley of Ice Crystal Spears that he then unleashed upon the rebels below.

Facing the incoming rebel Griffon Troop, his charge did not slow in the slightest.

Concentrated magical attacks hammered the Magic Shield protecting him, erupting in dazzling, firework-like displays of light.

He continued to charge.

Windproof goggles protected his eyes, his white hair and beard streaming behind him in the wind.

Closer, closer...

When he was close enough, a ring of freezing ice rapidly expanded outwards from him.

Icy Magic Ring!

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