Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight

Although the soldiers of the Aindora territory were far enough away that they were not affected by the meteorite impact, the hellish scene still caused Rune considerable pain.

He suppressed the surge of emotion and then composed himself.

"Pass down the order," his voice was a little dry, "The entire army retreats."

This time, no one had a different opinion.

The order was relayed to the entire cavalry unit at top speed, and the cavalrymen of Aindora's territory turned their horses around and quickly retreated.

Chapter 139 Honest Guy Gerdoff

After the meteorite fell, the central area of ​​the battlefield was completely reduced to scorched earth, like a scar left by some huge creature that had been burned.

The air was filled with the smell of burning, adding to the atmosphere of despair in this wasteland.

Tens of thousands of Kingdom soldiers at the epicenter of the explosion died instantly.

Those soldiers who had just been dreaming of using the gold coins they earned to buy things for their children back home—their lives, along with their last thoughts before they died, were wiped out in that scorching light that descended from the sky.

The remaining kingdom soldiers watched this unbelievable scene, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapons.

“It’s impossible to win…” a young soldier muttered in disbelief, “That monster… how could we possibly win…”

Then, he threw down his weapon and ran away.

This action, like a lit fuse, quickly spread throughout the remaining ranks.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

"Run!"

Weapons were scattered all over the ground, the formation completely collapsed, and the soldiers surged backward like the receding tide, pushing and shoving each other. Some fell and were trampled by those behind them, letting out short screams, but they were quickly drowned out by the louder noise.

The kingdom's entire army suffered a crushing defeat.

At Lambusa III's stronghold, the family banners of countless nobles fluttered.

Those nobles who were just boasting and vying for the central position have almost all run away, leaving only a few standing beside the king.

The king was not angry that the court nobles had fled.

“You can also abandon me and run away.”

"Your Majesty, what are you saying! Please flee immediately! Once that demon catches up, you will surely die!"

The vice-commander of the warrior regiment led by Gerdev advised the king.

"How can I, as a king, flee the battlefield?"

"Your Majesty is powerless to do anything if you stay here. Why not return to the capital and launch a counterattack?"

King Rambusha III gave a wry smile; honest advice is hard to swallow.

"You're right, there's nothing I can do if I stay here."

The army had collapsed, with desertions occurring without any discipline, making it impossible to reorganize it.

Not only Lambusa III, but even renowned generals from ancient and modern times would not be able to handle such an overly difficult and unreasonable demand.

"Your Majesty! There's no time! You lot! Even if you have to tie him up with ropes, you must take His Majesty away!"

Gerdoff's men quickly prepared to take action.

Queen Rambushe III judged that if they continued to waste time, not only her own life would be in danger, but also the lives of these people.

"……let's go."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began preparing to evacuate.

But Gerdoff ran in the exact opposite direction.

He knew he was no match for the Demon Emperor, but he at least had to buy the king enough time.

This step forward, despite knowing he was no match, was his final duty as the kingdom's warrior captain.

His figure moved against the tide of the dispersing crowd, his silver armor covered in dust, and his sword sheath swaying gently at his waist with each step.

Several soldiers recognized him in the chaos and tried to follow him, but he waved them off.

Just as Gazef galloped toward Demiurge, another figure stopped on horseback at the edge of the battlefield.

Rune watched Gazef's lone figure charging into the enemy ranks, then turned to Gehrman beside him and instructed, "You take the cavalry and go first."

Gehrman responded, then seemed to realize something and turned back: "Sir, aren't you going to retreat together? This isn't what we agreed on."

“I have more important things to do,” Rune said firmly.

Gehrman frowned, but ultimately said nothing. He turned his horse around and led his cavalry to retreat quickly.

Rune's gaze pierced through the crumbling battlefield and landed on the figure clad in silver armor.

G. G. Storonov.

That is precisely why he did not choose to leave.

The kingdom's warrior captain was rushing towards the center of the battlefield, his sword already drawn, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

His only target was that figure in a dark suit wearing a mask.

Gazef rushed in front of Demiurge and unleashed his signature move, the Six Light Slashes.

This was a strike imbued with all his power; the blade tore through the air, drawing six silver-white arcs that hurtled towards Demiurge.

Demiurge simply swung his hand back and sent Gazef flying.

Gerdoff's body slid backward, his boots carving two shallow furrows in the ground, but he did not fall.

He steadied himself, raised his sword again, and kept his eyes fixed on Demiurge.

Rune noticed this scene: Gazef had taken a hit from Demiurge but had not died, and did not even seem to be seriously injured. Rune was completely certain of his guess.

Without further hesitation, he immediately rode over to support Gerdov.

Feifei was one step ahead of Rune.

A figure clad in full black armor entered the battlefield from the side, his two greatswords crossed and placed in front of Gazef, blocking Demiurge's subsequent pursuit.

“Commander,” Fei Fei’s voice came from under his helmet, “Leave the Demon Emperor to me, and I’ll leave the Demon King Sagara over there to you.”

Gerdov paused slightly, then followed Fei Fei's directions and turned to the other side.

The Greedy Demon General stood there, a mocking smile on his handsome face.

“…Understood.” Gazef took a deep breath, gripped the hilt of his sword, and turned to charge toward the direction of the Greedy Demon General.

Feifei and Demiurge began their battle. The two figures clashed, and the booming sound of swords colliding with magic echoed across the battlefield.

When Rune arrived, Gazef had already fought several rounds with the Greedy Demon General.

The warrior captain's sword strikes were fierce, each strike carrying the determination of all his might, but the greedy demon general was clearly faster. He dodged the fatal blows time and time again, occasionally counterattacking, but never with heavy force.

The greedy demon launched another, albeit not a heavy, attack on Gazef.

Knowing there was no danger, Rune used his martial skill, Unyielding Fortress, to meet the enemy.

His sword, imbued with a powerful aura, precisely blocked the attack of the Greedy Demon General, deflecting the blow that should have landed on Gazef's shoulder. The sound of metal clashing exploded between the two, sending sparks flying.

The greedy demon general once again held back, taking a slight step back, his face displaying an expression of utter astonishment worthy of an Oscar-worthy performance.

The sergeant also turned his head to look over, his eyes showing obvious surprise.

"Lord Aindora," Gazef's voice was a little hoarse, "why didn't you leave?"

Rune's lips curled into a smile, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about something trivial.

"I still owe you a favor, how can I abandon you and leave?"

Gazef paused for a moment, then realized that Rune was referring to the ring.

He remained silent for a moment, as if he had imagined something, and the emotion in his eyes deepened.

"Lady Aindora... I will entrust that ring to you without hesitation because I believe that the item will play a far greater role in your hands than I will in mine."

He paused, as if giving his final words.

"Therefore, Lady Aindora, please evacuate first. The kingdom has already lost this war. Only if you survive can you do more for the kingdom. I will help you delay the Demon King Sagara."

Upon hearing this, Rune was somewhat moved.

He dared to come and help Gerd because he knew he would be alright, and he came to establish a persona. But Gerd's genuine selflessness and honesty are still very touching.

He shook his head in refusal, then pointed his sword at the greedy demon general, striking a heroic pose as he said, "Since you, Captain Warrior, wish to dedicate yourself to the kingdom, then go back alive and fulfill your wish yourself. It's just a mere demon king, Sagara. The outcome is still uncertain even if the two of us fight together."

Looking into Rune's light green eyes, Gazef finally raised his sword and gave Rune a knowing smile, like any warrior.

"……it is good."

The two moved almost simultaneously.

[Accelerated water flow]

[Incompetent]

[Superb Abilities]

Several martial arts techniques shone on them almost simultaneously.

Rune slashed in from the left, his blade hurtling toward the Greedy Demon General's ribs, while Gazef pressed down from the right, his sword aimed directly at the Demon General's neck.

Two people who had little interaction were now working together in an unexpectedly harmonious way, as if they had been fighting side by side on the battlefield for many years.

The Greedy Demon General sidestepped Rune's slash and simultaneously parried Gazef's sword with his claws.

"You've got some skills." The Greedy Demon General's voice held a mocking tone, like a cat toying with a mouse. "But that's all it takes."

His speed suddenly increased.

Rune only felt a blur before his eyes, and the figure of the Greedy Demon General had vanished from its original spot, appearing in the next instant beside Gazef.

The claws lashed out, heading straight for the warrior captain.

Gerdov raised his sword to parry, but was forced back several steps by the force of the blow.

Just as Rune was about to step forward to help, the Greedy Demon General turned around and swept his claws across the room with a whooshing sound.

He was forced to raise his sword to defend himself, and the tremendous force of the metal clashing came from the blade, making his hand go numb.