The three armies moved in unison, the Holy Roman legions swarming towards Casa City.
Kowida's forces, already bewildered by his disappearance, heard the shouts from the enemy ranks and truly believed Kowida had fled. Their formation immediately fell into disarray, and they were routed by the Holy Roman legions.
Those on the city walls were also stunned by the sudden turn of events. They hadn't even had time to fully process Kowida's disappearance before the defeat of their frontline soldiers left them reeling.
Furthermore, Kowida hadn't anticipated such a swift defeat when he left the city and hadn't arranged for anyone to defend it. For a time, no one on the walls issued any commands.
By the time Kowida's generals realized what was happening and ordered the city gates and drawbridge to be raised, Autris had already charged to the city gate, his sword severing the drawbridge ropes. The Holy Roman legions poured into Casa City.
Xiao Xun, guided by a messenger, headed towards the central battle zone. Before reaching the front, he saw from afar a contingent of Holy Roman soldiers surrounding a black bear three to four times taller than a man. The bear was hunched over, one paw on the ground, the other swatting wildly. With each blow, the Holy Roman soldiers scattered, none daring to meet its onslaught. Those who were slow were flattened by its paws.
However, the black bear also seemed to be at the end of its strength. Its body was covered in blood, its fur matted together by the blood, revealing numerous wounds of varying sizes. Several of these wounds were particularly gruesome. Its left eye, in particular, was a gushing fountain of blood. A long spear was lodged in its hindquarters, with only half the shaft exposed, the other half firmly embedded.
As the black bear turned, Xiao Xun clearly saw that a large section of skin had been torn from its shoulder blade, exposing the bone to the air.
While astonished by the bear's wounds, he was also impressed by its ferocity. Despite suffering such severe injuries, it continued to fight back from all directions. Hundreds of Holy Roman lances had been broken against it.
Yet, no matter how brave it was, it couldn't escape. While its paws were powerful, the Holy Roman soldiers were relentless. The scattered legions quickly regrouped, and others took advantage of the bear's attacks to strike at it.
Its ferocity made Jereite extremely tense. He watched the battle with unwavering focus. Only when reminded by someone nearby did he notice Xiao Xun's arrival. He quickly dismounted, his steps slightly slow, and hurried to Xiao Xun, bowing and saying, "Lord Swain, I don't know where this monster came from. It's incredibly fierce. I am ashamed that I couldn't subdue it."
Noticing Xiao Xun's gaze fixed on the black bear, with no intention of looking at him, the adjutant hurried to say, "Lord Swain, this black bear is exceptionally fierce. It would be best to keep your distance to avoid injury."
Xiao Xun looked ahead and smiled calmly, "It's alright, I have a way to deal with it. However, I'll need your men to hold on a little longer. Pass down the order: tell your men that this bear demon has the power to fly and burrow. Intensify your attacks, give it no chance to rest, and absolutely do not let it use its demonic abilities."
Jereite knew the situation was critical and quickly acknowledged the order, then relayed it.
Gleir pursued Kowida's tracks. Seeing Kowida's massive form disappear into a forest, Gleir followed.
He saw Kowida revert to his human form and kneel beside a man in black, looking at him fearfully. The man held a staff, his face filled with compassion, and his demeanor was exceptionally distinguished.
Although Gleir was somewhat wary of the mage, he had pursued Kowida this far, and felt he had the right to it. Moreover, he could tell the mage was no ordinary person, and thus felt no fear.
He walked up to Kowida, grabbed him, and said fiercely, "You good-for-nothing beast! So you ran to hide here!"
Kowida clearly hadn't expected Gleir to be so bold as to disregard the eminent monk beside him and directly lift him up. He cried out, "Save me, Great Archmage! Save me, Great Archmage!"
Gleir was inwardly shocked. He hadn't expected this mage to be an Archmage-level expert.
As he contemplated this, he heard the mage say, "So, you're from the Radiant Flame family. I, Uzuk, pay my respects!"
Upon hearing that this mage was the renowned Archmage Uzuk, Gleir was even more surprised, "You, the Great Archmage Uzuk?"
Uzuk extended his left hand and bowed again, "Indeed, it is I!"
Gleir's eyes darted around, his hand slowly lowering. His tone softened slightly but remained filled with hostility. Without returning the bow, he asked, "May I ask what business Great Archmage Uzuk has here?"
Uzuk, unfazed, smiled freely, "I came looking for a distinguished person, and unexpectedly had the fortune to meet someone from the Radiant Flame family. It seems we are destined to meet."
Gleir's brow furrowed, "A distinguished person? The distinguished person you speak of..."
His gaze fell on Kowida on the ground, "Could it be him?"
Uzuk nodded and smiled, "You are wise! The distinguished person I speak of is indeed this one!"
Gleir felt a surge of anger. In normal circumstances, he wouldn't dare to offend a high-level expert like Archmage Uzuk. But he was very fond of this giant elephant, and seeing the prize slip through his fingers, how could he be willing?
Moreover, he now possessed the Heart of Blazing Flames, one of the Ten Great Treasures of the Holy Dynasty, which gave him more confidence. With a grim resolve, he said, "That won't do! At your level, you shouldn't be unreasonable! I discovered this monster first. Great Archmage, are you trying to bully the young and fight with me, a junior, over a monster?"
Uzuk laughed heartily, "You jest, sir! You had a connection with him, but unfortunately, you didn't seize the opportunity. As for me, my connection with him is just right; it is indeed heaven's will."
These words made Gleir's face turn red, and he was speechless for a moment.
Gleir suppressed the anger churning within him, controlling the fury in his chest, and tried to remain calm. "Great Archmage, I don't know if it's heaven's will, but what Gleir cannot have, no one else shall obtain!"
Upon hearing this, Uzuk's brows furrowed slightly. He hadn't expected this impulsive young man, Gleir, to have a completely different personality from others in the Radiant Flame family.
People from the Radiant Flame family often weighed the pros and cons before making decisions. Unless pushed to desperation, they would never easily offend others. Yet, Gleir acted like a desperate fighter.
All for the sake of military achievements for the Holy Roman Empire, he was willing to offend him. But Uzuk also didn't want to be known as someone who bullied the young, nor did he wish to make an enemy of an emperor for this reason. He smiled, "Why must you be so impetuous? To be honest, this wretch is very important to me, and I cannot part with him. If you are willing, I am willing to offer you a favor, how about that?"
Gleir was agitated and said angrily, "If that's the case, perhaps I can offer Great Archmage a favor in exchange for him?"
Uzuk took a deep breath. What was his status? To offer a mere junior from the Radiant Flame family a favor – what kind of match was that?
Even with Uzuk's excellent composure, he was now moved to anger. This blockhead was simply unyielding, truly a headache.
Uzuk let out a cold laugh, "If that is the case, then let us rely on our own abilities?"
Gleir, upon hearing this, showed no fear. He rolled up his sleeves, his eyes wide, "What? Am I afraid of you?"
With that, he chanted his family's incantation. Instantly, a golden light flashed, and a suit of golden armor appeared on his body. He stood ready, radiating killing intent, facing Uzuk.
The soldiers of the Holy Roman legions, upon receiving the adjutant's orders, launched a frenzied attack on the black bear. This forced the bear to swat back and forth, fast and fierce. Although facing countless Holy Roman soldiers, it had not yet been defeated, but its movements were slowing, clearly indicating it was nearing its limit.
Xiao Xun watched this scene on the battlefield with a smile, his demeanor calm and relaxed, possessing the air of a carefree hero observing the world.
"How did this spear get lodged in the beast's hindquarters?"
Jereite, covering his chest with his hand, bowed and said, "Reporting to Lord Swain, this subordinate saw that the bear was fierce and difficult to attack directly, so I charged to the front and thrust this spear into him. I didn't expect this ferocious beast to be so tenacious. After taking my spear, it could still fight back. I was struck by a palm and suffered several broken ribs."
Xiao Xun listened to his adjutant and then looked at him.
He saw that Jereite's face was pale, and he appeared to be seriously injured, yet he was still in full armor, supervising the front lines. Xiao Xun's expression turned solemn, "General, to remain on the front lines despite severe injuries is truly a model for our army!"
The other accompanying generals nodded in agreement.