Chapter 644: Forward March
Chapter 644: 644: Forward March
Meanwhile, Ethan stood near Crown Prince Haster while quietly observing everything unfolding around him.
Accompanying them were Duke Regalina, several high-ranking commanders, and numerous elite knights assigned to protect the command group.
Standing not far from Haster was his personal bodyguard.
The Transcendent Knight personally sent by the Emperor himself.
The moment Ethan’s gaze landed upon the man, he instinctively felt a slight chill crawl across his back.
Transcendent.
It was the highest realm that ordinary cultivators could hope to reach through cultivation alone.
Beyond that lay Ascension.
However, crossing that final barrier required one to comprehend the laws of the world and completely master them.
That step was unimaginably difficult.
Otherwise, there would have been countless Ascension experts instead of only a handful scattered across the entire continent.
There were many Transcendent Knights.
But true Ascension experts in human realm could almost be counted on fingers.Ethan silently shifted his gaze and observed the five Saint Knights gathered nearby.
Each one stood calmly while waiting for the command to move.
At the same time, they also quietly looked back at Ethan.
Their expressions remained composed.
No one underestimated him anymore after hearing what had happened during the previous battles.
Ethan only pretended to casually observe them before slowly turning his attention toward Crown Prince Haster.
From the aura Haster displayed publicly, he appeared to be at the Divine Realm.
However...
Ethan did not believe that for even a second.
The Crown Prince was around one hundred and fifty years old.
He was regarded as one of the greatest geniuses ever produced by the imperial family.
Without overwhelming strength and ability, he would never have secured his current position so firmly among countless competitors.
Ethan was almost certain that Haster was deliberately hiding part of his true cultivation.
The Crown Prince quietly looked across the assembled commanders.
Then he slowly stepped forward.
Every conversation immediately stopped.
Everyone focused their attention on him.
Haster looked across the countless figures standing before him before speaking in a calm but powerful voice.
"Everyone."
"We have already come this far."
"The enemy believes they have cornered us."
"They believe this gorge has become our grave."
His eyes slowly swept across the gathered nobles.
"But tonight we will prove them wrong."
His voice grew firmer."Each of you has your own role."
"Fulfill it."
"Trust your comrades."
"Trust the plan."
"And trust the Empire standing behind you."
A determined look appeared on many faces.Several nobles straightened their posture.
The surrounding knights tightened their grips on their weapons.
Then Haster slowly turned his head.
His eyes landed directly on Ethan.Unlike before, his expression carried genuine sincerity.
"Marquise Ethan."
"I hope you don’t fight to the death."
"If you encounter a troublesome situation, you may retreat at any time."
"There is no need to throw your life away."
"The Empire can’t afford to lose someone precious like you."
For a brief moment, Ethan remained silent.Then he firmly slammed his fist against the armor covering his chest.
The metallic sound echoed clearly.
"I will remember it, Your Grace."
Haster gave a faint nod.
"Good."
Then he slowly raised one hand.The surrounding commanders immediately became alert.
After a brief pause, the Crown Prince lowered his arm."Now begin."
The order echoed across the command group.
War horns sounded throughout the gorge.
Drums began beating once more.
The endless army started moving again while thousands upon thousands of soldiers advanced toward the darkness ahead, ready to stake everything on the battle that was about to begin.
The moment Haster’s order fell, the entire army sprang into motion without the slightest hesitation while officers quickly relayed commands down the chain and thousands upon thousands of soldiers silently advanced toward the mouth of the gorge in perfect formation.
No one shouted.
No one spoke unnecessarily.
Only the steady sound of marching boots echoed through the narrow passage while armor lightly clinked against armor and horses quietly snorted as they followed their riders.
The atmosphere was so tense that even breathing seemed louder than usual.
Ethan slowly walked alongside the other Saint-level group while his eyes constantly swept across the surroundings.
His senses had already been pushed to their limit. After everything that had happened so far, he no longer trusted the enemy to fight fairly. If they could spread rumors, prepare ambushes, and even leak confidential routes, then they could certainly prepare something even worse. At the same time, he was certain that Haster was already thinking of ways to deal with the traitor hiding among them.
Randall rode closer until his horse came beside Ethan’s.
"My Lord."
Ethan glanced sideways.
"What is it?"
Randall lowered his voice.
"I have a bad feeling."
"So do I."
Ethan answered honestly without hiding anything.
"The quieter things become... the more dangerous they usually are."
Noel, who was riding just behind them, also frowned while tightening his grip on the reins.
"I don’t like this silence."
"It feels wrong."
None of them continued speaking after that.
They simply continued marching forward while maintaining full vigilance.
Meanwhile, farther ahead, Crown Prince Haster calmly rode at the front while several elite knights surrounded him from every direction like an impenetrable wall.
The Transcendent Knight assigned by the Emperor remained only a few steps behind him. His face could not be seen beneath the heavy helmet, yet the pressure radiating from his body alone was enough to make ordinary soldiers instinctively avoid looking directly at him.
The entire formation slowly approached the opening of the gorge.
The rocky walls on both sides gradually became lower.
The path ahead also widened.
Soon...
The faint moonlight from outside finally reached them.
A cool night breeze drifted into the gorge.
For many soldiers, it should have been a comforting feeling.
Instead, it only made everyone even more alert.
An officer quietly returned after scouting ahead.
He immediately dismounted, knelt before Haster, and lowered his head.
"Your Highness."
"The enemy campfires are visible."
"They are waiting outside."
Haster remained calm.
"How far?"
"Less than five kilometers."
The Crown Prince nodded slightly.
"They are patient."
Then he slowly looked toward the gathered nobles.
"So are we."