A full moon quietly rose, hanging in the sky, casting its vast silver light onto the calm surface of Lake Lienia, while the giant golden tree that reached the sky dulled slightly, competing with the moonlight with its dimmed golden glow, together forming the unique night scene of the Borderlands.
Splash, splash...
A small boat floated on the lake, without raising a torch or using any magic for illumination, they solely depended on the mystic nightlight to guide them forward.
Looking to the right, a series of military camps stretched out, the light from the braziers negating the moonlight, making the area as bright as day. Outside the wooden walls were high watchtowers, with Cuckoo soldiers dressed in deep blue cloaks scanning the lake.
Luckily, the boat was moving close to the cliff by the lakeside, conveniently hidden from their sight.
Turning his gaze to the left, apart from the big and small islands in the lake, Daon could see a massive 'city'. The grand structures were built on an island in the middle of Lake Lienia, rising with the hill, with the bell tower at the top likely hundreds of meters high.
This was the Leyarlu Carya Magic Academy, also known as the Carya Royal Magic Academy. Ever since it was conquered by the 'Full-moon Queen' Rena Lani, it had belonged to the Carya royal family.
However, now the queen had been imprisoned, and the two factions had gone their separate ways. They were even in the midst of a war that had spread across the whole of Lienia.
Being forced up from below, Daon was quite familiar with the situation. He simply watched the waves created by the boat, lost in thought.
"It's different from my memories. I remember being able to cross the Lake Lienia on horseback, without the need for a boat."
The Borderlands didn't have the habit of chronicling, which made it difficult to tell how long it had been since the Age of Darkening had begun. All they could do was estimate the time based on the state of the natural environment, which suggested it had been a considerable while.
Due to the temporal discrepancy, many things and events could not be judged based on past experiences, only what they could see with their own eyes.
Therefore, Daon decided not to dwell on it. While everyone else on the boat held their breath in concentration, he began to calculate his options.
"The physical prowess of this body is decent. As expected from a high-magic world that has gods. Even a mage has considerable strength."
His hand, which was on the hilt of the sword, opened and closed as if activating every muscle, simulating the refined lethal techniques etched in his mind.
As long as the physical capability was within a certain range, technique could cover slight deficiencies. The thrust from this sword could still be lethal when it pierced the flesh.
Of course, apart from swordsmanship, this body of an apprentice mage also came equipped with a few skills.
'He learned the school series of magic, Glowstone Magic Clay, and then Carya Swift Sword from the royal family? Well, for a nobody, this person's aptitude is quite good, at least above nine in intelligence.'
After a brief analysis, Daon Lite was indeed a talented magic apprentice, inconsequential cannon fodder in a war. However, the other Daon was a different story.
"I won't hesitate to chop people down."
The former right-hand man of the Sword Saint Reed once laughed, revealing a grim set of white teeth. He felt everything was still within control and was even a bit eager to test how sharp his sword was.
"Be careful, we've broken through the line."
A muffled voice came from the head of the boat, and Blaize slightly lifted his body, his fur coat fluttering in the night breeze.
The soldiers aboard breathed a sigh of relief. Apart from Daon, a few others were also armed, with two individuals bearing sword and shield, one with a long spear, and one holding a short bow. They looked quite robust.
"Sir Blaize, what are we out to scout this time?" a sword-shield soldier asked.
"We're going around to the back to intercept the Cuckoo's supply team," the wolf-man answered dully, then glanced at them sideways. "What, are you afraid?"
Daon clearly heard someone swallow nervously. Looking at the map, it would be quite evident, the land around Lake Lienia wasn't very vast.
About ten miles away there was a towering cliff with a bell tower on top that commanded a vantage view of the surrounding. It held the high ground along the western shore.
It's highly probable the moment they make a move, the Cuckoo cavalry would come in for reinforcements. The risk was quite significant.
"Not at all, with Sir Blaize here, unless we're sieged by Cuckoo's knights, there's nowhere in Lienia we can't go!"
"Yes, as long as we take out the supply team, those damned Cuckoos might pull back."
For a moment, their spirits were high, they were ready for a fight. Blaize nodded in satisfaction. If it weren't for the difficulty in breaking the blockade, he would've suggested a raid to the princess much earlier. The disparity in numbers was too large; they could only resort to surprising the enemy.
Even if Strategist Iji was to obstruct, he had to give it a try.
With this in mind, he glanced at the magic apprentice at the tail of the boat. Seeing the latter staring silent at the lake, he snorted and turned his head away.
This Daon Lite was always sly and cunning. If he didn't get rid of any Cuckoos in this round, suspicions of him being a spy would inevitably arise.
No one spoke and in the soft sound of paddles stirring the water, the small boat followed the shoreline south. Around midnight, a shallow beach finally appeared ahead. Blaize was the first to step onto the land, directing everyone to hide the boat in the grass. Then he lay down by the shore and pulled out a telescope to observe.
Far away, the braziers on the four bell towers were blazing bright. They were Cuckoos' watchtowers, and any fighting wouldn't be missed by them. And just below the cliffs where the bell towers were situated, a supply team was slowly moving forward.
At the very front were two mountain giants bound by chains. Standing nearly ten meters tall, they pulled the heavy cargo carts. Behind the carts were soldiers carrying torches. The size of the squad seemed to be around twenty individuals, with a Cuckoo Knight, spear in hand, riding a horse and patrolling back and forth.
"The defense force is as expected, but we need swift action," Blaize instantly laid out the tone for the subsequent fight. Turning his head, he continued, "I'll handle the knight. Vila, Duke, you two prepare fire pots and oil pots."
"Yes."
"Karin, suppress them with arrows, don't let them form a battle array; Laila, once the fire starts, cut off the giants' chains. These descendants of giants have lost most of their intelligence and will hinder them for a while, we'll retreat in the chaos."
"Understood!"
They were indeed the vanguards of the Moon Princess. One glance and you could tell they were battle-hardened. And the Carya soldiers were also quite elite, promptly beginning preparation once roles were delegated.
The round fire pots were set down, the arrow quiver was open and a red-feathered arrow was strung. Amid the oppressive silence, a voice came out.
"Sir Blaize, what should I do?" Daon raised his hand and asked.
"You?" The wolf-man glanced at him, he was brought to test his stance, so he just waved his hand dismissively, "As long as you aren't a hindrance, do as you please."
"Alright." Daon didn't continue with unnecessary words. With the Glowstone staff in his left hand and his fingers on the hilt of the sword, he prostrated on the ground, suppressing his breath.
Seeing that this apprentice was not only not panicked but instead quite professional, Blaize was momentarily taken aback. But the sound of wheeling carts drew nearer, so he didn't think much of it, turning his attention back to the road instead.
The 'creaking' noise of wheels turning got closer, and the chattering of the Cuckoos became increasingly audible. They were discussing which village they had looted today. Accompanied by vulgar laughter, they reached the turning point where suddenly, a breaking sound echoed through the quiet night, followed by a shattering noise.
Boom, boom!
With two loud noises, the mountain giants pulling the cart slipped on the oil pots and fell, their buttocks smashing two shallow pits on the ground. Amid the 'clattering' sound of taut chains, the cart carrying tons of cargo tipped over, spilling a pile of white grain.
"Now's the time, kill!!"
Blaize leaped and dashed forward, each step stretching over several meters. His eyes fixated on the knight who was turning his horse, he pulled out the giant sword on his back.
Clang—
A grim, chilly aura twined around the blade. He jumped, landing right in front of the warhorse, and the royal giant sword was jabbed into the ground.
Wolf Assault!
The ground exploded, the frothing icy mist upturning the knight and his horse, even the heavy armor was encased in a thin layer of ice.
"The 'Half-Wolf' Blaize?" The knight exclaimed, raising his large shield over his head and instinctively thrusting his long spear forward.
Whoosh—
Blaize sidestepped, ignoring the long spear brushing past his cheek. As the 'Shadow' of Lani, even expert knights couldn't last three moves against him. Yet with a twist of his wrist, the descending giant sword made a hard turn in the air.
Boom!
A Cuckoo's glowstone was shattered instantly, the sharp frosty airstream sliced open the approaching cloak, revealing the exquisite plate armor beneath.
"Two cuckoo knights?" The wolf-man kept a blank expression, solely focusing on gripping his giant sword.
"Do you think it's hard to guess using such despicable tricks when Carya is besieged and isolated?" The knight snarled, pulling off the cloak and raising his giant sword for a slash.
"We all know your capability, why don't you try killing hundreds of us!?"
The moment Blaize charged out, the small unit of five also rose and acted. Arrows were shot accurately and viciously into the crowd, landing right on the forehead of two soldiers. Meanwhile, the soldier carrying fire pots charged rapidly forward, setting the spilled grain afire.
The plan was going smoothly, it was time to flee. However, something felt off to Daon. The enemies didn't scatter in panic; instead, they began counterattacking. Looking at the area shrouded in frost fog, he discerned the situation.
'Have we been seen through?'
Three cuckoo knights were besieging the wolfman. The latter was indeed ferocious and was holding the upper hand. However, it was of no avail as from the four bell towers, the horn had sounded
No betrayal from any traitor and the Cuckoos had not anticipated this day, but they were prepared every day and soon reinforcements would arrive.
"That's why I hate smart enemies." Daon raised his eyebrow, analyzing the situation in split seconds.
These people were trying to kill Blaize and were desperately keeping him engaged. So, should he run?
If as a magic apprentice, there's no need to contemplate. Similarly, as a ghost of the sword, he wouldn't need to either -
Break out and fight back!
"Cover me."
Daon dropped a line, darted forward with the staff in his hand, leaving the archer behind with a puzzled face. The latter had received a secret order, if the magic apprentice tries to run, just kill him on the spot. Yet Daon did not run, should a magician stay far and chant spells, after all?
The night wind was howling past Daon's ears. He had no time to get familiar with a mage's way of fighting, and the old method seemed more useful.
.................................
With soft and fast steps on the mud, Daon saw the countercharging soldiers. Most of them were besieging the two sword and shield combatants. A few were diverted by the one who went to cut off the chains. Two men on the outskirts turned around at the sound of footsteps only to be struck dumb.
A man attired in a mage's robe was charging towards them, holding a small staff. No matter how they looked at it, it was like seeking death. They were ready to stab with their spears, but the mage suddenly went downwards.
Daon slid forward, feeling the chill as the long spear grazed his hair. Dust was flying up, and he went past the two people. The staff he held stabbed into the ground, halting his movement, and his right hand was gripping the sword handle.
Clank—
Accompanied by the sound of metal friction, the straight sword was drawn. As the soldier on the right turned around, he felt a pain in his lower leg, making him lose his balance and tumble over. Before he could even figure out what happened, he saw a staff pointing at his face, its top glowstone emitting a blue light.
Luminary Magic Stone!
As the insignia lighted up the surroundings, a fist-sized light orb directly smashed on his face, causing his head to explode like a watermelon. The mixture of red and white splashed on the face of the nearby soldier, who blinked unconsciously.
Who casts spells in someone's face?
However, he didn't have to ponder about it either. Daon who was lying on the ground leapt up, his straight sword jabbed up from the lower chin, lifting the iron helmet from the soldier's head, then twisting his wrist, he split that baffled face in two. The body shook a bit, and heavily fell to the ground.
What's this?
After ending the life of the two men, Daon paused for a moment, feeling some sort of power seeping into his body. It might be an illusion, but he seemed to feel a bit stronger.
However, he had no time to ponder on a battlefield. He swished his straight sword, shaking off a line of blood. Those pale blue eyes full of curiosity looked at the soldiers beside him.
After a fleeting encounter, two bodies lie motionless. In his first slaughter at the border, Daon had an epiphany:
Sword plus magic is still swordsmanship; Inee stream remains invincible!