Saladin put down his binoculars and said with emotion, "A dozen or so black-armored knights have actually managed to lead a group of new recruits and hold out until now... Throat Bone, what do you think?"

The black-robed man standing behind Saladin's warhorse respectfully said, "Your Majesty, as I told you, these knights belong to the Knights of Twilight. With their special abilities and dragon bones, they once defeated the allied forces of the Church of Heaven with fewer troops. Their fighting strength should not be underestimated."

Saladin asked, "How many knights possess supernatural abilities, dragon bones...?"

The man with the throat bone shook his head: "I don't know, but there probably won't be many."

Saladin raised his binoculars again and watched as a black-armored knight used parasitic limbs protruding from his armor to tear an Imperial soldier who couldn't escape in time to pieces. He couldn't help but gasp.

The sun sets in the west, its afterglow like blood.

Horn, standing amidst the rubble, looked at the corpse beneath the white sheet and sighed deeply.

A knight approached him and whispered, "Garnett was hit in the head by a stray bullet and did not survive."

Horn made the sign of the cross and said sadly, “The day before yesterday it was Newman, yesterday it was Melvin and Salai… Alas, my old brothers, may God grant you peace and tranquility, Amen.”

Randall removed his armor and, with Barbara's help, dug out a lead bullet embedded in his arm.

He tossed the still-bloodied bullet into the distance, watching his wound slowly heal, and muttered to himself, "The fifth day..."

After finishing the mourning for the dead with his knights, Horn walked to Randall's side and said in a deep voice, "The situation is not optimistic. If the enemy hadn't deliberately delayed, this place would probably be a dead zone by now."

“Yes.” Randall looked up at the hazy sky obscured by gunpowder smoke. “It’s a miracle that the soldiers of Lone Rock, who have never experienced war, have been able to hold out until now.”

He turned his head back to the city: "As for the people in the city, they have long been frightened by the gunfire and fighting and do not even leave their homes. Morale in the city is getting lower and lower."

Horn sat down next to Randall and touched his bulbous nose: "There's also bad news."

"What?"

"Judging by the time, it should be within the next two days. After the Imperial troops that landed in the north defeated the reinforcements, their next target will be this city. Therefore, tomorrow I must lead my men to the north gate of Lone Rock City to join the troops there and defend our rear."

Randall looked at Horn and smiled wryly: "You're going to take men to guard the north gate? What about here?"

Horn also looked troubled: "I have two suggestions. First, abandon the outer city gates and retreat directly into the inner city, where the terrain is more treacherous and the fortifications are more complete. Second, we need to find a way to restore the morale of the people in the city..."

Randall simply closed his eyes: "Things aren't that simple. Even Regent Jennings has given up hope and has been hiding in the military camp these past two days."

Horn stood up with a worried look on his face, seemingly at a loss for what to do.

Barbara, who had been listening to the two talking, suddenly spoke up: "I have a way to cheer up the people in the city!"