Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 43 (Part 2)
The three instructors from the special forces training camp were with their familiar knights, on the opposite side from Hedler and Lant.
“Anything I need to do?”
“When I signal, cover me. Your big frame is perfect for the job.”
“Albrecht is bigger than me.”
“He’s shorter but thicker.”
“Got it. Signal me, and I’ll cover you.”
The group took a break, chewing on jerky. The horses grazed and drank water, enjoying the rare rest.
The break was nearly over. Count Preiss, gauging the time by the sky, stood up.
Seeing Count Preiss’s movement, Hedler also got up.
Hedler didn’t say, “I’ll take care of Albrecht.” That would only give an excuse for questioning later.
Instead, he naturally moved and placed Albrecht, who was next to Tory, on his horse. He then casually stroked the horse’s mane.
“Mount up!”
“Mount up!”
A third of the group were wounded. For every two uninjured people, one had to take care of an injured person.
But Lant didn’t ride with the injured. Lant himself was so heavy that riding with someone else would overburden the horse.
“Sorry about this.”
“Why?”
“For not knowing healing magic.”
“How’s that your fault? It’s the instructors who didn’t teach it.”
Daren hadn’t learned healing magic. It wasn’t included in the curriculum taught by the magic instructors.
There were healing mages to treat the wounded, but they weren’t instructors. They were hired mages who could perform basic healing magic, usually of the 2nd or 1st circle.
Even Boyle, the military mage, couldn’t use healing magic. He had learned it but never succeeded.
Some people were particularly incompatible with certain types of magic, and Boyle was one of them with healing magic.
As a result, the injuries of the wounded were worsening.
Drok’s thigh wound was slowly festering, and Tory’s arm burn showed no sign of healing.
“Lighten the load. Discard food and water.”
“Understood.”
Mages could create water for people, but creating enough for the horses was too much. Therefore, water was the heaviest item the knights carried.
They poured the heavy water onto the ground, making the horses feel lighter.
“Once we enter the Kenas Forest, head south. If you have comrades nearby, stick together, but if you don’t see anyone, run south.”
“Understood.”
“Boyle, the pursuit force?”
“They’ve closed to within thirty minutes.”
The enemies were thirty minutes ahead and the pursuers thirty minutes behind. If the battle with the front blockers lasted more than thirty minutes, they would have to face the pursuit force as well.
“You heard the situation? We break through the blockers in thirty minutes. Move out. Hyah!”
“Hyah!”
The briefly rested horses pounded the ground. The frozen winter earth dented under their weight, leaving traces.
The distance closed. Close enough to see, the knights of the Ingram Empire charged out.
Boom!
The first strike was magic. A 4th circle spell landed in the center of the Imperial knights before Boyle could cast his.
Neigh!
“Charge!”
“Hya!”
Boom!
This time, it was the Empire’s magic. A 5th circle Hell Beam toward the Royal Guard’s front.
“Not so fast. Impact Barrier!”
Boyle blocked the enemy’s attack with a prepared defense spell.
The compressed heat of Hell Beam clashed with the powerful defense spell Impact Barrier, both 5th circle magics, causing a fierce turbulence in the surrounding air.
“Penetrate! Charge!”
“Hya!”
The Royal Guard spurred their horses, aiming to break through. Conversely, the Empire knights stood their ground, trying to block them.
Hedler also confronted an Imperial knight. Due to Albrecht’s weight, he couldn’t shake him off.
“Hya!”
Deflecting the attack with his shield, Hedler struck the knight’s waist. The enemy dodged, aiming for Hedler’s horse.
“Hmph.”
He anticipated their aim for the horse. Raising his sword, he parried the attack and pushed his blade upward.
Slice!
Hedler’s sword grazed the knight’s chest, blood seeping through the cracked plate mail.
‘Too shallow. Tsk.’
Hedler clicked his tongue in frustration but quickly resumed his attack.
The brief, balanced fight soon tipped in Hedler’s favor as he pressed the advantage.
“Hya!”
Clang!
“Ugh!”
“Hah!”
Hedler’s forceful swings destabilized the enemy, then he kicked the enemy’s horse.
‘Not easy.’
The Imperial knight was a 3rd Tier. Underestimating Hedler by appearance, they targeted him, unaware that Hedler was a higher-ranked 4th Tier swordsman.
However, the enemy had more experience, using graceful moves to compensate for weaker aura and power.
Though wounded, they avoided fatal injuries.
“Hedler! What are you doing?”
“Ah!”
At Lant’s shout, Hedler quickly assessed the situation.
There was no time to hesitate here.
This wasn’t a fight to win; breaking through was the goal.
“Quickly!”
“Hyah! Hah!”
Spurring his horse, Hedler charged the enemy.
The enemy readied their sword, but Hedler slashed the horse’s neck and passed by.
“Hyah!”
One wasn’t enough. Another knight blocked with shield and sword.
“Lant, cover me.”
“Got it.”
Because of Albrecht’s weight, Hedler couldn’t maintain speed. He signaled Lant and planned to discard Albrecht.
Lant charged the knight, using his immense strength to surprise the enemy.
Hedler joined Lant, covering each other.
Albrecht was heavy, but Hedler managed to toss him off, feeling relieved.
Without the weight, his horse responded quicker.
“Charge!”
“Charge!”
Knights charged from all directions, allies and enemies.
Lant created an opening, enduring several hits but not stopping.
Thanks to Lant’s strength, a gap formed. Hedler grabbed Lant’s reins and leapt through.
“Let’s go!”
“Yeah.”