Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Keuk!

The recoil from clashing with the greatsword sent agonizing pain tearing through Lonnians grip.

Yet without a moment to tend to his throbbing hand, he rolled forward to dodge the next attack.

Whoosh.

The owner of the greatsword, who had just missed slashing the space where Lonnian had been standing, growled impatiently.

You dodge quite well for a little brat!

The knight who wielded a greatswordhalf the size of an ordinary person yet resembling a longsword in his massive handsglared with narrowed eyes, readying his weapon once more.

Grill! No time for complacency! The tide of battle is strange!

At that moment, Teslon Knight, who had been driving back a Maclaine knight through coordinated attacks with an ally, shouted a warning.

What? You think Im playing around? This kids no joke!

Im not kidding! Look behind you!

What are you talking about?

Whiff. Whiff.

Whats that noise?

Though Lonnian could not fully comprehend the enemys words, he took the brief pause in combat to catch his ragged breath.

The sheer realization that he had been ducking and fleeing from the gigantic knight, remembering that hes not a prodigy knight but a mere fledgling whod only recently awakened, sunk in deeply.

I still cant lose! I mustnt falter here!

You must also take up the role meant for your brother.

The voice of Lonnians father, heard just before war broke out, resurfaced in his mind.

Even without that reminder, facing the already disadvantageous battlefield, he knew he must perform the role of at least one knight to hold onto any semblance of hope.

Forcibly ignoring the stinging pain in his hand, Lonnian kept a close watch on Grill.

What?

An enemy turned, exposing his back, and swung his greatsword unexpectedly behind him.

This lapse revealed the biggest vulnerability since their battle began.

Had Lonnian not been pushed on the defensive this entire time, he might have suspected a trap, but seizing the rare opportunity that had come his way, he moved instinctively.

Swoosh!

Without giving Grill a chance to scream his last, his neck was severed cleanly.

As the swordsman who had swung stood dumbfounded, something flew swiftly and embedded itself into the neckless body of Grill, now rolling on the ground with an indignant expression.

Thwack, thwack, thwack.

Arrows?

Just as Lonnian noticed the unusually short arrows and turned his head, similar projectiles began pelting the knights around him.

Argh!

What is this?!

Everyone, watch your back!

But they targeted only Teslons knights.

Although none achieved as dramatic a turnabout as Lonnian, the Maclaine knights relieved sighs as the tide shifted.

The maudlin atmosphere of the Maclaine ranks was unexpectedly overturned.

Lonnian could quickly discern that this sudden shift was thanks to a cavalry unit, dimly visible in the distance.

And leading that unit was the unmistakable figure of someone familiar.

Bro, Brother?!

His gaze lingered in stunned joy and bewilderment before an urgent cry brought Lonnian back to reality.

Young master! Snap out of it! Lets join forces!

Behind him, clashes with the enemy continued without respite.

The ring of sharp metal and fierce shouts reminded him he was at the very heart of the battlefield.

Yes, Sir!

Gripping his sword anew, Lonnian felt a fresh pang from the wounds on his hand.

Strangely, it no longer seemed so painful.

* * *

Sigh. Seems this is my limit after all.

Logan exhaled, tinged with disappointment as he examined his crossbow.

His Force had evolved to become even more potent with a 2-star core, amplifying the weapons elasticity beyond its previous capabilities.

Hoping it might even be effective against knights, his expectations were soon tempered by reality.

Initially dismayed, enemy knights quickly knocked aside bolts with ease, reaffirming the notion that without overwhelming numbers, ranged projectile weapons couldnt trouble them.

At least I could aid Lonnian.

Logan sighed in relief, watching knights protectively encircle Lonnian.

Yet satisfaction eluded him;

protecting Lonnian alone wasnt the sole concern.

I have to go myself.

With a flash in his eye, Logan peered towards the heart of the battlefield and shouted over his shoulder.

Kai! Take command!

What?!

The battle still raged when Kai questioned, but Logan was already sprinting towards the front lines without waiting for an answer.

Charge!

Lord Logan!

Kai exclaimed in alarm at Logans impetuous act.

A one-sided assault from a distance was the mercenaries tactic.

Yet their leader was contrarily plunging headfirst towards the enemy.

In Kais eyes, it seemed their captain was contemplating suicide at the very brink of victory.

Damn! Why?!

Kai was aware his employer had Force abilities, but it seemed unlikely an individual of Logans age could match a powerful knight in combat.

Yet what was done was done, and the aftermath fell upon him.

Cover for Lord Logan!

The advantage is ours.

The mercenaries had executed flawlessly, achieving all their objectives.

However, a vital issue persisted that could not be resolved by their deeds alone.

My father!

He must rescue his father, who, in a past life, had fallen victim to misfortune.

After all, what was the point of his return if not to save his family, his house?

Victory in war meant nothing if his family perished.

Just a bit faster!

With fierce determination, Logans Force-enhanced steed raced across the battlefield like the wind.

As he rapidly closed in on enemy lines, Logan noticed the befuddled enemy soldiers unprepared for his sudden charge.

The mercenaries skilled crossbow volleys had already sown chaos, but there remained those hell-bent on standing their ground.

That mans their leader!

If we take him down!

The enemy, previously at the mercy of the mercenaries bolts, now had one charging into range spurred by desperation.

Hah!

As Logan swung his sword, a fuzzy shimmer of Force erupted around him.

Utilizing the Force, he conjured a thin, albeit serviceable, shield.

Inferior to the magical shields of 2nd Circle Mages he had witnessed in a past life, it was still sufficient to deflect ordinary archers arrows.

Fending off the few that pierced through, Logan continued his unrelenting advance.

Instantly reaching the enemys front, he swung his sword with might.

Swoosh!

Agh!

In place of the four soldiers who lost their heads, their comrades screamed in terror.

Ill kill them all!

Responding to Logans call, a fearful chorus resonated swiftly through the center of the battlefield.