The general’s forehead was slick with sweat. “This, I’m afraid, is not just a matter of troop numbers. The dark races have come prepared, with quite a few strong individuals among them. They are also holding a strategic position, so…”
“What kind of strong individuals?”
“From the initial probe, we can confirm that at least one Marquis-level powerhouse is stationed on the front line. According to precedent, the commander of this defensive line should be a Duke.”
“A Duke, good, I understand.”
The general was startled and hurriedly said, “Your Highness! That’s just my personal speculation, it may not be accurate! Please, Your Highness, do not act rashly!”
Haimi did not respond, and the general dared not say more, only kneeling on the ground.
At this moment, the empire’s vanguard had already engaged in intense combat. The battlefield was a valley, with both hilltops occupied by the dark races, giving them the advantage of height. The frontline defenses were exceptionally fierce, and the empire’s vanguard had been repelled several times, suffering the loss of hundreds of soldiers with no gain.
An imperial airship attempted to approach from the sky, using its aerial cannons to suppress the enemy. However, while still several hundred meters away, a fire meteor rose from the Evernight positions, directly striking the airship. Despite desperate evasive maneuvers, the airship was hit, and parts of its hull were blown off, with a large hole appearing on the side, spewing flames.
The airship immediately turned and descended obliquely to the ground. Fortunately, it landed within the imperial army’s control area, and though it was on fire, it did not explode, allowing the crew to escape.
This fire meteor signified that the dark races had at least one high-ranking powerhouse personally controlling anti-air crossbows, which could destroy ordinary escort ships in a single hit. Thus, the imperial airships could not approach the Evernight positions at low altitudes.
The battle quickly became a stalemate. Another fierce assault by the empire ended in heavy casualties.
On the flagship, all the generals’ eyes were scanning the battlefield. The front lines were too solid; breaking through would require the entire army and significant firepower, which would take more than a day or two. But on both sides of the valley, there were continuous mountain ranges, making it impossible for trucks to pass. Could they expect the soldiers to march to White City on foot?
“Probably here,” Haimi suddenly said.
The generals were still pondering her meaning when Haimi extended her hand. Two attendants immediately presented an enormous bow taller than she was. She took the bow and flew up into the sky. The generals followed, not daring to be slow.
Haimi turned back and said, “Why are you all following? You few, come with me.”
She selected a few and flew to the edge of the Evernight positions. “Go and provoke them, and get their leader to come out.”
The generals were stunned. “Your Highness, what are you planning?”
“A one-on-one duel.”
The generals were even more shocked and collectively tried to dissuade her, but Haimi coldly replied, “If not me, then who among you will go?”
In the eastern army, a few veteran commanders from the Imperial Guard had seen Haimi’s abilities when she was young. But many years had passed since then, and Haimi rarely showed herself, let alone fought. No one knew her true strength now.
Orders were absolute. Haimi repeated her command, and the generals had no choice but to obey. One general stepped forward, took a deep breath, and shouted, “Listen up! Who is your commander? Announce yourself and come out to face death!”
The Evernight forces remained silent, with no response.
The general continued to speak at length, quoting classics and taunting the enemy. While he was in full flow, he suddenly noticed Haimi beside him.
Haimi grabbed the general and threw him back to the main force. Her clear, cold voice rang out, “Dark-blooded bastards, are all the males in your tribe dead? If men dare not come out, then send a male dog or bull!”
Her provocation was stunningly beautiful yet utterly insulting. The generals, who had never seen the princess’s youthful prowess, were left speechless, while the older ones felt deeply ashamed, believing this behavior dishonored the royal family.
The Evernight forces were no longer indifferent. A demonic man slowly ascended, facing Haimi, and calmly said, “I am Sen of the Demonkin Green Rose Clan.”
“Never heard of you.” Haimi’s words nearly made Sen fall out of the sky. She continued, “Have you offended the Everburning Flame or some other old entity? Knowing I’m here, you still came to die!”
Sen’s eyebrows stood straight, almost vertical, and his lips twitched. As a strong individual from a small family, he valued his reputation. Being humiliated in front of tens of thousands of troops, he knew the consequences of not responding.
However, this conflicted with their strategy, which was to hold their ground and delay as long as possible. Though Sen, as a Duke, had the authority to make decisions based on the battlefield situation, he hesitated, not wanting to engage.
Haimi saw through his thoughts and sneered, “Your reputation is ruined. What’s the point of winning this battle? They will remember you as a coward, not for your achievements.”
Sen finally made up his mind and slowly drew his sword. “If that’s the case, I’ll see the legendary skills of Princess Haimi.”
Haimi said, “Just don’t run. I’ll teach you how to be a good Demonkin.”
Sen was puzzled. “What makes a good Demonkin?” He wanted to hear her opinion.
“A dead Demonkin is a good Demonkin!”
Before she finished speaking, Haimi nocked an arrow. A beam of dazzling green light shot towards Sen, arriving in an instant!
Sen was shocked by the speed of Haimi’s arrow. In a split second, the arrow tip was at his forehead!
In a critical moment, he roared, and his body turned somewhat ethereal. The arrow pierced through his head, which exploded into a cloud of pale green magic energy.
Sen’s form reappeared, curled up. Haimi’s arrow had grazed his back, hitting a magic clone.
Sen unfolded, his face ashen. Suddenly, his body exploded with several more clouds of pale green energy, revealing the shape of limbs and torso. The pale green energy dissipated, and Sen’s aura weakened.
Haimi’s arrow had clearly removed one of his life-saving measures.
Even as a Duke, Sen’s hand trembled as he held his sword. He had reached this position through great difficulty, being from a small family and relatively young.
Before he could recover, Haimi’s second arrow was ready, this time crackling with lightning. The arrow shot silently, like a flash of lightning, appearing before Sen in an instant!
This time, Sen was fully alert and slashed the lightning arrow aside. However, the lightning clung to his body, entangling with the pale green energy. The lightning seemed to be overwhelming the pale green energy, but the latter was continuously replenished.
No one could see Haimi’s expression behind her mask, but she was steady and composed, nocking another arrow. This time, the arrow glowed with a faint yellow light, seeming heavy, even straining Haimi slightly.
This arrow was slower but carried immense weight, like a mountain descending from the sky.
Still grappling with the electricity, Sen could not evade. Forced to take the offensive, he raised his sword, channeled his energy, and roared, slashing the arrow.
The impact was deafening, and Sen was thrown back, spewing green blood and weakening further.
Terrified, he realized Haimi’s archery surpassed legend. Three arrows had inflicted serious injuries. Seeing Haimi draw a fourth arrow, Sen fled.
A figure suddenly appeared, blocking his path.
“Not finished yet, why run?” After stopping Sen, the figure turned to Haimi and smiled, “Princess Haimi, your Divine Arrows are famous. What will you use against me now?”
Sen recognized the figure, a senior member of the Council, and was surprised. The Council had dispatched Duke Geosit to this strategic point, but why was he here?
Haimi lowered her fourth arrow, her voice still icy. “Geosit, has your last injury healed?”
Geosit’s face reddened. Years ago, he had been severely injured by Zhao Ruoxi, one of the Ten Great Guns. Defeated by a girl, it was not a glorious defeat. His recovery took years in the ancient blood pool.
Haimi examined him. “The Council must be desperate to pull you out of the blood pool. Isn’t your civil war over? Where are all the others?”
Geosit, even-tempered, was furious. “Princess, you will soon see if my injuries have healed. But I wonder, why are you so confident? Did someone in the Council give you information?”
Haimi replied, “Anyone with a brain knows sending Sen alone was suicide. He must be foolish to think he could handle this alone.”
Sen, embarrassed and angry, realized the Council’s arrangement. His pride and confidence led him to think he could manage without waiting for another Duke. But three arrows had nearly killed him. The fourth arrow, likely a tracking and life-sapping arrow, would have sealed his fate if not for Geosit.
Only those who faced Haimi understood her terrifying power.
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