The wind howled, and dust swirled around them as Katherine and Irene rode almost side by side, their two swift steeds galloping across the vast plains at an astonishing speed. The sound of hooves striking the ground echoed like thunder across the empty fields, sending grass and dirt flying. Their movements were flawless, with every leap and turn showcasing their exceptional horsemanship and extreme control over their bodies.
"Accelerate!" Katherine ordered in a low voice. As soon as she spoke, she tightened the reins and quickly pulled ahead, increasing the distance between herself and Irene. Her figure sliced through the grass like the wind, and the speed of her horse seemed to defy the limits of human capability.
Irene did not fall behind. Her horse followed like a whirlwind, her eyes gleaming with a near-excited light as though sensing the imminent threat ahead. Their movements were almost synchronized as they rapidly closed in on the communications unit.
The communications unit ahead had not yet sensed the danger approaching. Five soldiers hurried along, clearly anxious and nervous about the task at hand. However, they had no idea that the two riders speeding toward them were already nearly upon them.
Katherine and Irene showed no hesitation. As they neared the enemy, with impeccable timing and unparalleled coordination, their horses surged forward at the last moment, blocking the communications unit's path.
"Stop!" Katherine's voice rang out, calm yet commanding, carrying a sense of pressure. Her gaze was sharp, locking onto the soldiers who had not yet reacted.
Katherine sneered, showing no mercy. With a crack of the whip, she urged her horse forward, leaping from the saddle as swiftly as a falcon, pouncing on one soldier. The soldier, panicked, swung his spear, but Katherine dodged with graceful ease, her movements swift as the wind. She swiftly side-stepped and her blade cut through the air with pinpoint precision, piercing the soldier's shoulder. The enemy was torn apart by the strike, his chest plate shattered, and he fell from his horse, lifeless.
Irene followed closely, her horse sweeping through the air like lightning. The two horses collided, sending dust and grass flying. Without hesitation, Irene extended her blade, cutting through the air with lethal force, the sword striking the enemy's side. The soldier screamed in agony as he lost his balance on his horse and crashed to the ground.
The remaining three soldiers felt the immense pressure and immediately scattered, attempting to defend and retaliate with their spears. But they stood no chance against the furious onslaught of the two female knights.
Katherine's horse turned like lightning, deftly avoiding the enemy's spear thrusts. She struck the horse of one soldier with a whip, knocking the animal down. As the soldier tried to rise, Katherine was upon him, her sword flashing quickly, smashing his weapon and overpowering him.
Irene then met the second soldier, her sword striking with the speed of thunder. With a swift motion, she stabbed him in the neck, decapitating him in an instant. Blood sprayed, and the soldier never had a chance to scream.
At that moment, an older-looking messenger, seeing the dire situation, immediately realized he could no longer face the two female warriors head-on. With all his might, he pulled out his whip, urged his horse to turn sharply, and dashed down a narrow, dark path. Though slower than the others, he knew the terrain well enough to find a slight opening.
"Damn it! He's getting away!" Katherine gritted her teeth, a flash of disappointment in her eyes. However, she did not halt her pursuit. Her horse galloped steadily, but the gap between them widened. She glanced back at Irene.
Irene's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. "He won't escape."
Yet, just as the sisters thought they had the situation under control, the messenger used the narrow path to his advantage, quickly outdistancing them. Thanks to years of battlefield experience and his knowledge of the terrain, he skillfully maneuvered his horse into a tree-covered trail, disappearing from their sight.
The two sisters paused for a moment. Although disappointed, they were not defeated. They exchanged a knowing look and immediately accelerated back toward their original goal—searching the enemy's bodies.
Katherine crouched to search the soldiers, quickly finding sealed letters on each of them. She opened one and read its contents carefully. The letter bore no signature, only the seal of Duke Horace, clearly a critical document related to military operations.
Her expression shifted from confusion to shock as her eyes widened, as if realizing the far-reaching implications of the letter.
"This... this is not just a letter from Horace." Irene's voice was low, a slight tremor in her words. "The arrangement within it... it seems far beyond our understanding."
The sisters exchanged a glance, both fully aware of the gravity of the situation. Katherine slowly stood, her gaze determined. "We need to get to the Airtulan border quickly and make contact with their tribes. This may be the only way to uncover the true forces behind this war."
Irene nodded, her eyes gleaming with cold resolve. "Though we don't know the people of Airtulan, this letter should help us gain their trust."
The two sisters rode off, disappearing into the fading glow of the sunset. Their movements were swift and decisive, hinting at an even greater plan. And the direction of this war would quietly shift with their decisions.