Chapter 592: LionHeart
The two commanding generals crossed swords.
Seeing this spectacle, the morale of the soldiers on both sides reached a climax.
Leo, who was able to freely dance in the sky, created distance from Ansem, rushed in close, and released a single blow.
Ansem anticipated it and released a return strike the moment they passed by each other.
Leo narrowly avoided the strike, but a small cut appeared on his cheek, from which blood flowed.
"Having the higher ground gives one an advantage. Is that all you can do while riding the eagle lion, Leonardo?"
"The real fight starts now, Prince Ansem."
Leo launched another charge.
Ansem aimed at Leo and thrust his sword.
But the thrust didn't hit Leo.
Because Leo had jumped off the back of the eagle lion.
Ansem's eyes widened at this movement that gave up the advantage, but in that moment, Leo went around to Ansem's back, grabbed Ansem's arm, and pulled him off his horse.
Pulled down to the ground, Ansem immediately corrected his stance and faced Leo on the ground.
"I won't let you say you lost because you were taken by surprise from the sky. Now we have no excuses."
Ansem closed the distance with Leo in one breath.
Leo received it, and in return, swung his sword down from above.
Ansem received it head-on.
Leo pushed in, and Ansem resisted.
In the midst of this, Ansem laughed.
"What happened to your famous Imperial Guard? They seem to be sparse around you."
"I wonder where they went. I'd like to know too."
"Hmph, don't play dumb. Did you let them go around to the back? I thought so."
The Second Imperial Guard, known for their superior defense.
Normally, it would be most effective to keep them close to Leo.
However, Leo had moved the Second Imperial Guard away from his side.
From the moment he decided to go on the offensive, Leo had been taking an offensive stance in everything. It was something uncharacteristic of him.
To do something unfamiliar in this critical battle required courage.
Of course, he had his doubts. If he wanted stability, he should have done as always. If he did what he was used to, he could fight a decent battle.
If he was to fight a decent battle, he wouldn't have gone on the offensive.
He didn't come forward just to fight a good fight.
He was done with being told he fought a good battle. He was tired of being encouraged for trying hard.
What he desired was victory.
So, he discarded his fears and took up the challenge.
However, Ansem had accurately predicted this.
"I don't know what you're thinking... Did you think you could get behind me by using a trick? Don't underestimate me!!"
Ansem pushed back Leo's sword, seized the brief opening, and kicked Leo away.
After receiving a powerful kick, Leo winced and prepared for a counterattack.
But Ansem didn't pursue, instead giving orders to his subordinates around him.
"The Imperial Guards are not in the center! Fire arrows intermittently at the eagle lion knights in the sky and don't let them get close! We're going to break through!!" ʀäN𝐨ꞖËS
Even in this situation, Ansem was keeping track of the overall battle.
No matter what, Ansem was a commander.
Few could match Leo one-on-one. Despite having such power, for Ansem, restraining the enemy commander was merely a strategy.
"What's wrong? Won't you come at me? You should be hoping for a sword fight. Don't disappoint me, Leonardo. I've judged you as an opponent worth giving my all!"
Saying this, Ansem swung his sword towards Leo.
The Imperial Army's right wing.
A small cavalry unit easily broke through the front lines in the forest.
This was due to the concentration of the main forces in the center, and the outstanding training of this small cavalry unit.
This cavalry unit was led by Theodore, the leader of the Second Imperial Guard Cavalry.
Their number was only ten.
The remaining Imperial Guard had pried open a path for Theodore and his men to break through.
"Hurry! Pierce the enemy's headquarters!!"
Yet, they were the elite of the elites.
Given that Theodore was there, their combat power was something that could not be overlooked.
If they could get close to the headquarters , they could deliver a fatal blow to the kingdom's army.
However, in order to obstruct Theodore and his men's advance, the eagle lion knights attacked from the sky.
There were twenty knights.
The reason why there were fewer eagle lion knights in the center was because they had been diverted to this location.
"We've been anticipating it!"
Theodore drew his sword and prepared for the counterattack.
An eagle lion knight in red armor attacked Theodore.
He used a special long spear, much longer than a regular spear, to launch a strike from the air.
Theodore received the attack, but he understood immediately.
"――I am Theodore, captain of the Second Imperial Guard Cavalry of the Imperial Knight Order. And you are?"
"――I am Lizette, captain of the Lion's Heart, the direct assault unit under the third prince." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel⦿fire.net
"The Lion's Heart... I thought they had disbanded a long time ago..."
An elite unit of eagle lion knights that once served directly under the Third Prince.
When the Third Prince decided the match, it was always said that they assaulted their enemies from the sky. Due to their extremely brave fighting style, the unit was given the name "Lion's Heart" directly by the king.
The leader fell, and the name was not heard again.
However, all the eagle lion knights that blocked their path were elite warriors.
"So you were still active... A worthy opponent indeed."
"Same for you. Theodore of the Protective Sword. I didn't think I would be blessed with the opportunity to break your defense."
"You'd better cherish that opportunity. It's probably a one-time thing."
The two poised their weapons at each other.
And thus, a battle of a different dimension began.