Loran Hill looked at the snowflakes falling from the sky, reached out to catch a few, and looked at them carefully before they melted.

It's a new year again, she sighed in her heart.

Ever since leaving Emenas, it seems like time has been accelerating. Some of my former classmates are probably in their fifth year and are about to graduate.

In an era of rapid change, time passes even faster.

Just as the girl was standing in the courtyard daydreaming, a maid in a black and white dress came walking on the snow.

"Your Highness Loranhill, the team is ready." Palinsa looked at the young sage in front of her.

"Okay, I'll be there right away." The silver-haired girl turned around. Today she was wearing a snow-white winter dress with only some silver patterns on the corners, which contrasted with the soft silver hair behind her.

Looking at the girl who was about to walk out of the courtyard, Palinsa hesitated for a moment, then asked.

"Your Majesty, are you really going to come to the front line in person? The situation is not stable right now..."

Loran Hill pulled up the white hood behind him and answered softly.

"I know, but it's really hard for me to feel at ease waiting like this. Also, regarding the issue of safety, with Lord Feihelang accompanying us, it shouldn't be a big problem." As Loran Hill spoke, he touched the pocket watch inside his clothes, feeling the warmth from it, and his heart suddenly calmed down.

Although the Frost Alliance had more than one Sequence 9, the war had progressed to this point, and it was impossible to advance without any guarantees. Every undertaking or great cause had its risks and setbacks. For future victory, now was the time to fight for one's own victory.

"If you don't set an example, how can you convince others?"

"Parinsa, you've also read the legend of Roland founding the Kingdom of the West Wind. Wherever that flag points, thousands follow, their hearts united."

"Now I am just fulfilling my duty."

"But you are different... If anything happens to you, then everything..."

"But isn't it the same for us? How many children and pillars of families are shedding their blood on the front lines, and as long as there's no victory, this situation will continue."

"Okay, why are you so sentimental today? Aren't you very capable on weekdays?" Loran Hill turned his head and looked at the maid standing in the snow.

"Don't worry, I will be back." Her voice was calm and clear.

Palinsa looked at the silver-haired girl and bit her lower lip, knowing she couldn't stop this determined sage. She lifted her skirt, bowed, and spoke in a deep voice.

"I wish you a triumphant return."

"Thanks."

Loran Hill walked out of the palace. Outside the gate, teams of knights in silver-white armor had been waiting for a long time. They held bright cross spears in their hands, and there were sun emblems on the white cloaks behind them.

These are none other than the Knights of the Iron Sun from the Tisilan Mountains. They will serve as the Sage's personal guards and head to the southwest of Crancia, facing the all-out attack from the Falcon Kingdom together with an army of 200,000.

"Set off!"

The leader of the Knights, Kanda, shouted loudly, and following his order, the team of hundreds of people stepped on the snow accumulated on the road and moved towards the city gate.

The strength of the accompanying knights is basically above Sequence 4, which is War Sequence 4·White Flame Knight. When they advance again, they will be War Sequence 5·Scorching Sun Knight, and then War Sequence 6·Scorching Sun Knight.

As the team set off, transparent flames ignited on their horses' hooves, melting the snow beneath their feet and allowing them to gallop even faster across the land. From the sky, their formation resembled sharp arrows, advancing southward.

——

Three days later, at the border camp of Chuimu County.

Due to the barren land, there are no prominent large cities near the border of Falcon, and the population is not large. Now the border troops have set up corresponding fences and beacon towers in the main camps and important roads to monitor the possible attack directions of the enemy.

Inside the big tent.

Loran Hill was discussing with several generals.

"How's the situation now?" She had just arrived last night.

"The Falcon army has already occupied Hedi County in the Mufeng Province. We are now resisting them in Tonghai County and Chuimu County."

"How many enemies are there?" Loran Hill continued to ask.

"About 200,000 cavalry, 100,000 infantry, and 50,000 Winged Tribe. According to intelligence estimates, the enemy's army is still increasing, and the total strength will probably reach 500,000 before it reaches its peak."

"It looks like it will be another tough battle." Loran Hill sighed.

As expected of a country jointly ruled by knights and the Winged Tribe, such a small country was able to gather 200,000 cavalry and occupy an entire county of Clansia at such a fast pace. This was also the border line that had lost the most territory in the months since the war began.

The Falcon Country is not rich. A large area of ​​the country is desert, with only a few oases where residents gather. Many relics were discovered in the early years, attracting countless adventurers to explore and shop, making it lively.

As the ruins were gradually excavated, they became a lawless area, plagued by bandits. Many large-scale bandits who plundered West Wind and Verga set up bases here, and after robbing property and goods, they would drag them into the desert, making it difficult to recover them.

This situation continued until hundreds of years ago, when a heroic knight set foot on this land. With his superior strength, he hunted down and defeated the bandits in the territory, and gradually recruited his men.

Finally, the knight went to the cliffs and mountains by the sea to negotiate with the Winged Tribe there. After more than ten years of mutual acquaintance, the leader of the Winged Tribe was impressed by him, and the two sides began to trade.

The desert riders in the desert brought goods from afar, and the Winged Clan also took out various exquisite creations of their own in exchange for these. Finally, as this alliance gradually deepened, the two sides finally jointly established the Falcon Kingdom.

For a considerable period of time, the culture of knights and rangers was prevalent in Falcon, and the people valued loyalty. Consequently, many of the knights and riders in the land were hired by others, some serving as retainers for West Wind nobles, others as guards for caravans, thus exporting their unique cultural customs.

The people of this desert, driven by their thirst for trade and water, often raise a breed of short-legged horse with excellent endurance. These horses are adept at carrying heavy loads and traveling long distances. They can carry cargo across long-dry lands and climb rugged mountain paths to the cliffs and mountains where the Winged Tribe live. To protect themselves from the sun and the heat, the residents of the Falcon Kingdom often wear white robes.

————

A week later, the two armies faced each other on the barren and dry plains.

On one side of the field, knights wearing scale armor, white scarves and veils stood in the distance, with round shields and long swords at their waists. Many horses also had dark gray iron plates hanging on their saddles, and slender spears were placed on the saddles, ready to be picked up at will.

Facing the army blocking the way of Clancy, these knights from the Falcon Kingdom said nothing. Under the whimpering of the horn, they whipped their horses, gradually accelerating from slow to fast, and then rushed straight into the enemy camp with scimitars and spears raised high.

Human figures float, dust rolls, and the knife is like scales and waves, vast and mighty.