The Stone Statue Ghost slid on the soft riverbank for more than ten meters after landing before stopping. This level of impact was nothing more than a scratch for these stone-skinned monsters, but it left Brand and his Wizard Followers utterly disoriented.
As soon as they landed, the noble private soldiers around them immediately became excited, charging their horses towards the riverbank like a swarm. Although these fellows were a rabble, the momentum of a cavalry charge was still astonishing. Char, who got up from the mud and shook his head, was startled by the scene and quickly asked, "Lord, what should we do?"
Brand pulled his leg out of the mud, drew his sword, and shouted, "Nonsense, make a wall!"
This was the most ancient and classic tactic used by Erune’s wizards to counter cavalry. It was so effective against untrained cavalry that players’ tactics later grew from this basic strategy.
The young wizard understood and pointed forward with his ruby: "Block, backlash, wall construction—" Countless lines extended radially from the gemstone, forming a wall shape, and then all the lines disappeared, leaving behind a solid air wall.
The noble private soldiers charging wildly on their horses had no idea what this was. Only a few mercenaries with experience in fighting wizards tried to circumvent it, and although Makalu shouted at his subordinates to turn, no one could hear him over the thunderous hoofbeats—
The riders in the first row crashed into the air wall, their horses kneeling in unison while they were thrown forward and hit the wall. The second row collided with the first row, and the enormous inertia squeezed them together. The third row followed closely behind, and this time the air wall couldn’t withstand the impact and shattered with a bang, sending a pile of horse and human bodies sliding forward all the way to Brand and Char’s feet.
All of this happened in an instant, and the astounding momentum even made Brand and Char involuntarily take a step back.
Makalu cursed from behind. As an experienced veteran, he instantly knew that none of the seven in the first row could survive, and several in the second row were likely severely injured. The third row was so disoriented that they couldn’t rejoin the battle for the moment, and their horses were also injured to varying degrees.
This wasted twenty or thirty men in one blow; no wonder he felt heartbroken.
The mercenary leader couldn’t help but spit, hurriedly bandaged his bleeding palm, and cursed loudly as he drew his horseman’s saber and rushed forward. There were still seven or eight riders left on the field, all seasoned veterans—he had to lead them to suppress the enemy until the infantry arrived.
Especially that wizard; every mercenary knew what it meant if a wizard were to freely cast spells.
Makalu swung his horseman’s saber twice, making his intentions clear to his men to split up and encircle from all directions. However, he was somewhat annoyed; these mercenaries, all battle-hardened and of at least the Black Iron Lower Rank, were holding back at this crucial moment, seeming intent on preserving their strength.
"Follow me! All together!" Though annoyed, Makalu knew he had to rouse them.
But little did he know, the young man opposite had been watching him for some time. Brand, seeing the Anlek horse galloping back and forth on the periphery, looked at the knight shouting loudly on its back and guessed it must be the leader—he couldn’t help but think he’s fought mercenaries before, no need to be stealthy about tactics.
Brand spat contemptuously, turned back and grabbed Char’s shoulder, pointing at the enemy leader ahead. "See that guy? In a bit, use magic arrows to assist my attack on him."
Char hurriedly shook his head, "He’s on a horse; I’m not that accurate."
"Don’t worry about the magic. If one shot misses, just shoot more."
Brand turned back to focus on the seven or eight knights not far away, placing his hand on his Elf Sword to calm himself. He watched as the mercenary leader circled the riders and then, sure enough, raised his horseman’s saber to lead the charge—Brand understood he wanted to incite the others to charge together.
This was just the opportunity Brand was waiting for. Suddenly, his sword flashed with light as a wave of wind pressure swept out. Makalu, seeing the transparent ripple spreading towards the ground from horseback, saw stone chips flying everywhere it passed—though unfamiliar with court swordsmanship, he sensed the imminent danger and decisively leaped high from his warhorse.