Chapter 331: Eradicate the Invading Demons!

"Roar! You damned two-legged sheep!" The third-rank demon sheep, in charge of command, flew into a rage and spurred his mount—a grotesque gray demon wolf—forward to crush the cavalry unit.

But at that moment, Lei Meng and the others, who had been waiting, charged forward immediately.

"Demons, your opponents are us!"

Eleven titled knights blocked the path of the third-rank demon sheep and his subordinates.

"Two-legged sheep, you seek death!" The third-rank demon sheep roared, swinging his long blade, "Charge! Tear those two-legged sheep to pieces!"

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

"Comrades, for honor—kill all these demons!"

"For honor! Kill!"

In the next instant, Lei Meng and the knights also shouted as they charged forward, locking combat with the demons.

Yet in this battle, the knights had fully aligned with Gervas.

Though the demons included three third-rank and three second-rank creatures, Gervas's forces included two Silver Knights and nine Bronze Knights.

Their numbers were double those of the supernatural demons, and as the battle began, they quickly overwhelmed the leading demons.

Without their leaders to guide them, the ordinary demons could not withstand the charge of two hundred elite light cavalry.

Soon, they were scattered and broken.

"Spearmen—advance!"

"Kill!"

"Swordsmen—advance!"

"Kill!"

Seeing the demons broken, Captain Laurence seized the opportunity and ordered the Storm Guard to launch a counterattack.

To Mil and the others, this scene was both shocking and unbelievable.

In the past, when they faced demons, they had barely held their ground, relying on numerical superiority and sacrificing countless cannon fodder to wear down the demons' strength.

Only then could they win.

That kind of tactic was no different from crawling like a turtle.

Yet Gervas's men had torn apart and scattered the demons in mere minutes—and even launched a counteroffensive.

Compared to them, Mil's group felt utterly ashamed.

Of course, everyone understood that Gervas's guards were indeed elite.

But the decisive factor today had been those two hundred cavalrymen!

"These cavalrymen are simply too elite! Gervas, when did you train these cavalrymen?"

Ian meant to ask where Gervas had borrowed these cavalrymen from.

But he realized such a question sounded like an insult to Gervas.

So he quickly changed it to asking when they had been trained.

It was no wonder Ian thought this—such a large, well-trained cavalry force could not possibly be formed in just a few months.

Mil and the others also turned curious eyes toward Gervas.

Gervas did not pretend, "Gentlemen, I certainly could not have trained such elite cavalry in such a short time!"

"So, I bought this cavalry unit!"

"Bought… bought them? Cavalry can be bought?" This only made the others even more astonished.

"Of course, gentlemen—you all know the Violet Count. I acquired them with the Violet Count's help!"

Hearing this, their astonishment lessened slightly.

The Violet Count had ties to the Hernade Ducal Family; securing two hundred cavalrymen was entirely plausible.

Realizing this, the others looked at Gervas with envy.

Among border nobles, only Gervas could possibly have asked the Hernade Family for help through the Violet Count.

As for them? They couldn't even dream of it.

Gervas sensed their gazes but offered no explanation.

Because when he chose to attribute this to Catherine, he intended for them to believe it was through the Hernade Family's influence.

"By the way, Gervas, how many gold coins did two hundred such elite cavalry cost?" Mil suddenly asked, curious.

"About two thousand gold coins," Gervas replied, deliberately halving the true cost to avoid shocking them.

Yet even this lower figure made Mil and the others widen their eyes.

"T… Two thousand gold coins?!"

"Of course, I didn't have that much myself—most was advanced by Lady Catherine, and I still owe her back."

Hearing this, Mil and the others nodded, finding it more reasonable.

They did not doubt Gervas's words—only envied him.

A thousand gold coins—Lady Catherine lent them without hesitation. The implication was obvious.

"Aaah!"

At that moment, a distant cry of agony drew everyone's attention again.

One of the third-rank demons had been slain under the knights' combined assault.

With the death of that third-rank demon, the fate of the remaining demons was sealed.

Indeed, once freed from their previous engagements, three Bronze Knights joined Lei Meng in attacking the third-rank demon sheep.

Though powerful, the demon sheep could not fight four opponents at once; within moments, Lei Meng pierced its chest with a sword, severely wounding it.

Lei Meng pressed his advantage, striking again—this time slashing the demon sheep's neck, killing it outright.

"The demon sheep leader is dead! Run, everyone!"

"Roar! Flee!"

In panicked shouts, the surviving demons began to scatter.

But they would not escape.

Mick and the others immediately spurred their horses toward a distant grove.

Inside the grove, five griffins had been waiting.

Mounting the griffins and swapping their swords for iron hammers, Mick and his four companions became griffin knights, pursuing the fleeing demons unseen by Mil and the others.

…

"Lord Gervas, we are deeply grateful!"

"No need for thanks, gentlemen. Come visit Stormhold whenever you have time!"

"We will! We will! Lord Gervas, we take our leave!"

Several hours later, Mil and the others departed.

With the demons in retreat and griffins hunting them, their fate was already decided.

Leaving the cleanup to his subordinates, Gervas first returned to Storm Castle with Mil and the others.

He hosted them a feast, after which they prepared to depart.

Gervas made no effort to detain them, giving each two colored-wing swan eggs and dozens of pounds of dried fish before seeing them off.

Soon after Mil and the others left, Lei Meng and his men returned from clearing the battlefield.

This battle, thanks to the two hundred elite light cavalry, was another great victory.

Especially since it was the cavalry's first battle after joining Stormhold—every rider had wanted to prove their worth.

And now, they had done it.

Gervas also issued rewards to them, precisely to let them feel his fairness in reward and punishment.

Of course, though the battle was a great victory, casualties were inevitable.

Eighteen guards were severely wounded; nine were killed.

Such losses would be considered negligible by other nobles.

But to Gervas, they felt heavy.

Moreover, according to Isabella the witch, one or two of the severely wounded might yet die from their injuries.

Gervas grieved, yet could do nothing.

Though he still had one vial of Life Potion, he could not use it—this single vial was reserved only for saving his own life.

Besides, with so many wounded, saving just one would be unjust no matter whom he chose.

…

【Ding! Daily intelligence has refreshed!】

【Intelligence One: The Spring of Life is universally recognized as the most miraculous and precious spring in the world.】

And in everyone's understanding, the Spring of Life is believed to be possessed only by the Elven race.】

In fact, this belief is wrong.】

The Spring of Life, like other springs, can form under specific conditions.】

The most critical condition is the presence of Life Element.】

The origin of Life Element is lost to history—some say it forms naturally, like other elemental magics.】

Others claim it arises from places once blessed by the Goddess of Life.】

But regardless, it is an essential requirement for forming a Spring of Life.】

When a spring's location coincides with Life Element, the two combine to form a Spring of Life.】

At the foot of the highest peak in the Maple Hills, ten li south of Wheat Fragrance Town in Stormhold, such a spring exists.】

In the past, it was ordinary, but since the earthquake six months ago, which cracked open a life-element vein, life elements have begun to leak out.

If a pond were built here to retain this spring water infused with trace life elements.

Then, after long-term cultivation, the spring water here would gradually become extraordinary.

It could even one day become a true Life Spring!