Chapter 52: Chapter 52: I Really Can’t Think of a Reason to Lose "Kill!!!" The deafening shouts of slaughter and screams echoed above the city walls. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖 Countless siege ladders were propped against the city walls, and a large number of mercenaries and soldiers were climbing upwards densely. From a distance, the city wall seemed covered with countless ants. On the Starlight Continent, where knights roamed, the defensive role of towering city walls was not very apparent. Even a squire could climb the walls forcibly under a barrage of arrows and falling stones. Not to mention knights, to them, a mere tens of meters height was just a few leaps away. Thus, city walls often became the crucial point of intense battles. In less than half an hour after the outbreak of war, the city wall had already turned into a bloody battlefield, like a meat grinder. Blood flowed along the cracks of the stone bricks, quickly soaking the ground. At the rear of the battlefield. In the heavily guarded center of the army, four armored knights watched the bloody city walls coldly. Davin frowned and said, "The resistance of Black Stone City is unexpectedly strong." "It’s normal," the tall Zolf said in a muffled voice, "Expanding an army is all about money, and with Kei holding the treasure of the Black Stone Mine, it’s only natural for their military might to have improved. Otherwise, it would be too incompetent." Norwood chuckled and said, "No need to worry, our forces are several times that of Black Stone City; there’s no way we could lose." Then he turned to the man next to him with a flattering smile. "Besides, we have Lord Martel with us; with you leading the army, defeating Black Stone City is just a matter of course." The man called Martel was around forty, with a rugged appearance and a vigorous aura. He was one of the newly enfeoffed lords by Owen after occupying the Flashing Territory and was his confidant. Martel was also a Senior Grand Knight. This time, ordered by Owen to lead the army on an expedition, he was determined to achieve meritorious service and get more land. Hearing Norwood’s words, a trace of pride flashed across Martel’s face, and he smiled, "Lord Norwood is right, with such a disparity in troop numbers, I really can’t think of a reason for losing." Davin, older and more cautious, couldn’t help but remind as he noticed their dismissive attitude towards Black Stone City, "Don’t forget there’s a wizard in Black Stone City." "Are you referring to Sunan, Lord Davin?" Norwood sneered. "We’ve watched that kid grow up; he’s been timid and weak since childhood, too frail even to practice breathing techniques. How could such a waste be a wizard?" "Besides, it’s still uncertain if the rumors about the wizard are true or not." Martel also looked unconcerned. Even if it were a real wizard, he, a Senior Grand Knight, would not be afraid. Davin himself was doubtful about this rumor, so seeing the two dismiss it, he didn’t say more and continued to watch the distant battle. The first to attack the city were mercenaries and the troops brought by the three lords, whose combat strength was not outstanding. Therefore, their side’s army had not captured the city wall yet, and the fierce tug of war continued. Even the attack was showing signs of fatigue due to the prolonged assault. Seeing this, Martel could no longer hold back and led the elite troops brought from the Flashing Territory into the charge. As Martel’s army entered the battlefield, the pressure on the defending side suddenly increased. In just a moment, the city wall area occupied by the attacking army advanced significantly. Martel, with his courageous and unstoppable demeanor, carved a bloody path through the defenders, making their line waver. Seeing this scene through a brass telescope from afar, Davin and the others were all delighted. "As expected of Lord Martel, truly formidable!" "This is the power of a Senior Grand Knight!" However, just as the three were rejoicing, the situation on the city wall suddenly changed. A group of panther-like creatures suddenly rushed onto the city wall, fiercely attacking the besieging army. These beasts were unexpectedly formidable, able to fight on par with knights, causing the attack momentum of the besieging army to stagnate. At the same time. Kei, along with a Black Panther, also appeared on the city wall, stopping Martel. Although Kei was only a Junior Grand Knight, far less powerful than Martel, he had a fearless Grand Knight level Black Rock Leopard by his side. The man and beast cooperated seamlessly, even Martel couldn’t handle them for the time being. "What is that?" Norwood exclaimed in surprise. Davin and Zolf were also shocked. Coming to his senses, Davin hesitated and said, "That seems to be the mount of the Black Rock Cavalry Legion." "Mount?" Zolf and Norwood looked at each other in astonishment. They knew that Black Stone City had formed a cavalry legion, with mounts reportedly being some kind of exotic leopard beast. At that time, they had scoffed at this and didn’t take it seriously. Although many exotic beasts were stronger than warhorses, being strong didn’t necessarily mean they were suitable for the battlefield. For cavalry, the more important aspect of a mount is its tameness and obedience to its rider’s commands. Only then can they achieve a synergy greater than the sum of their parts. But exotic beasts that can be tamed on a large scale and adapted to the battlefield are extremely rare. At the time, Davin and the others thought Black Stone City was just seeking attention. But upon seeing it with their own eyes, they were shocked to find that those Black Panthers were disciplined, cooperative, and fearless, even more elite than the most elite soldiers! They were simply too well-suited for the battlefield! If all the mounts of the Black Rock Cavalry Legion were such creatures, the combat power of this army would be terrifying to contemplate! As two hundred Black Rock Leopards joined the battlefield, the area that the besieging side had originally seized was quickly reclaimed. The battle immediately fell into a stalemate once again. "Damn! Black Stone City still had such a trump card hidden!" Norwood said angrily. Zolf frowned and said, "This is trouble. With those exotic beasts, breaking through Black Stone City won’t be easy." Davin also furrowed his brows. With this unexpected factor, even if they could eventually capture Black Stone City, they would likely be severely weakened. "The cost of assaulting the city is too high; it’s better to lay siege." After thinking for a while, Davin looked at the other two. "Winter just ended, Black Stone City surely doesn’t have much food stored. We only need to lay siege for one or two months, and Black Stone City won’t hold out. By then, they will have to fight us outside the city." Zolf and Norwood’s eyes lit up, and they nodded. "Great idea." "As soon as Lord Martel returns, we will propose this!" For an out-of-city decisive battle, the main force would be Baron Owen’s elite cavalry legion. This way, their army casualties could be reduced somewhat. Just as the three were basking in their brilliant idea, a sudden, shrill scream reached their ears. They turned their heads towards the sound, only to find in shock that the right wing of the army, where the elite cavalry legion was positioned, was in chaos for some unknown reason. Hundreds of warhorses fled in all directions, their cries unending. Many cavalrymen were thrown off their saddles, only to be trampled into pulp by the onrushing horse hooves. More cavalrymen, in their efforts to calm their horses, were suddenly flung out as if hit by charging elephants, crashing down more than ten meters away, crying out in pain. Some unlucky ones had their bodies twist into unnatural angles while still in the air, hitting the ground without uttering a word before dying.