n

n

nA lot of things happened at once.

nFrom the depths of Layn's formation, someone blew a horn. Given how small their numbers were, using this kind of loud instrument didn't make any real sense...

nOr so could a random officer from either of their opposing armies think.

nBecause the moment the sound of the horn struck everyone on the battlefield... Slavians' right wing started to give ground.

nThey didn't run away just like that, but all the fighting between them at the flank commanded by Al... Suddenly died off. Which was peculiar, given how just a few meters further, where Layn's forces ended and the cultivators army began, the fight went on just like before.

nIn this moment of respite, Al moved with his men sweeping at the center of the Slavian's formation. With the help of the strongest troops, the balance of the fight broke apart, forcing the center of the Slavians into an unorganized retreat.

n'Just like planned,' Layn thought, observing how the events unfolded.

nThis was his gamble, the one thing that he deeply cared for, the one thing that was crucial to the outcome of this battle.

nAnd it was whether the faction friendly towards them within the Slavian ranks would actually go through with the plan that one of Layn's men smuggled to them.

nBut it was only the first step in the tactic that Layn developed just for this moment.

n

"Push the center!

" he shouted, setting apart the few men that he taught during their journey towards the ridge, leaving them to support the front against Celestial of the left-wing.

nWith all of Layn's commanders stepping back and reinforcing the push against Slavian center, what was a local retreat quickly turned into a complete rout.

n'It's almost baffling,' Layn thought, kicking away at his nearest opponents only to crush a firelance he conjured at the face of another of Slavian soldiers.

nBy rushing to attack him, they proved that they had nothing to do with the other faction but followed general Kazan's orders instead. Even though they were still Slavians, there was no room for quarter and mercy on the battlefield.

nYet, as soon as the center of the Slavian ranks broke apart and the men started to escape...

nThe horn sounded once again.

nSlavian left-wing that continued to give ground for a while already suddenly stopped in place. Then, as if suddenly regaining their morale, they pushed ahead.

nAl took most of the men from the Slavian front of his formation and formed a breakthrough unit. He then turned them all around and rushed at an angle at the formation of Celestials, opening the path for the allies to push into.

nIn a second, the three-way battle turned into two on one gank.

nBut that was the end of the fancy maneuvers. Ignoring the rout of both their other wing and their center, the Slavians on the left-wing only reinforced their attack, actually pushing the celestials on their side down the ridge. At the same time, their attacks on Layn's position intensified, quickly ramping up the casualty rate.

n'I'm sorry, everyone,' Layn thought, giving his people one last look. For now, the formation held its ground. But its second line was already formed with those who sustained the slightest injuries.

n

"Hold them off!

" Layn shouted out loud, fighting off the feeling of guilt that clenched his heart. He wanted to stay with them, to help them ward off the enemy...

nBut his time was running out.

nThe powerhouses that appeared in the depths of the ranks of the celestials already reached the foot of the ridge. It was time for Layn and his friends and allies to start the third phase of the battle, one that would truly decide its outcome.

n

"We will hold!

" one of the injured shouted, raising his weapon high in a cheer before pushing his way forward and replacing one of the tired colleagues. Before Layn could react in any way, the brave man was already slashing at the Slavians, decorating the ground below his feet with corpses.

n

"We will hold!

" the rest of the men joined the cheer. Even some of the more gravely injured joined in the call, raising up from their beddings and grabbing whatever weapon they could find on the ground.

nJust like Layn's fight would dictate the outcome of the battle, it was their perseverance that would decide how costly the potential victory would turn out to be.

n

"Layn, we are ready!

" Markus shouted over, rushing to his friend's side.

n

"Who do you want to go against?

" Layn asked, turning his eyes towards the approaching powerhouses.

n

"I can recognize that fancy bastard,

" Markus said, gripping his ax and pointing at the youngest of the approaching enemies.

"I already fought with his clone and won, so with Yelna's help, I should be able to take care of him again,

" he said, not showing even the slightest hint of hesitation on his face.

n

"Fight well, then,

" Layn said before nodding his head.

nIt wasn't the first time for those two brothers to rush into a fight together. But for the first time, the stakes of the said fight were so massive.

n

"Be safe,

" Irea cried out, panting as she arrived at Layn's position.

"It's a pity we won't get to fight together, though,

" she added with a gentle smile before turning her face to Al beside her.

"I will be in your care,

" she said, firing off magic all over her body.

n

"Likewise,

" Al nodded his head, already locking his eyes with one of the three approaching men.

"And I think I already found our target,

" he added before taking a look at the archmage's face.

n

"And so did I,

" Layn muttered, locking eyes with the oldest of the trio, cautiously advancing up the hill.

n

"On my mark,

" Layn said softly, raising his hand. Their enemies moved even closer, quickly approaching the edge of the ridge.

nAnd just as they were about to enter the flat ground at its top, Layn waved his hand.

n

"KILL THEM ALL!

" he shouted, only for his words to be accompanied by the second call of the horn.

nThe third and last phase of the battle was about to begin!

n