Gazing upon the scene, the generals and soldiers of the Fire Cloud Empire atop Kitt City wore expressions of grief and indignation, yet were utterly helpless. Just then, the ranks of the Black Guard Heavy Cavalry had completely surged into the Fire Cloud Empire's infantry formation. At that very moment, Wells, who had been standing high on the city wall, spoke with a grave tone: "Relay the order—execute contingency plan number two."

Instantly, a resounding horn blast echoed from above Kitt City's walls. Down below, within the Fire Cloud infantry formation, Commander Nuck heard the sound and abruptly shouted, "Brothers of the Infantry Regiment, now is the time to dedicate yourselves to the Empire! Long live the Fire Cloud Empire!"

Hearing Nuck's words, the Fire Cloud Empire soldiers beside him roared in unison, "Long live the Empire!"

This cry then swept through the entire infantry regiment, thousands of voices instantly shaking the entire battlefield, inspiring a sudden surge of fervor.

Next, Nuck suddenly drew a magic scroll from his chest and hurled it violently to the ground. As the scroll struck the earth, a surge of flame erupted from within it. The ground was already slick with highly flammable pitch, and meeting an open flame, the conflagration immediately became uncontrollable.

A tower of fire suddenly shot upward, and the blaze spread with terrifying speed.

In the blink of an eye, the flames engulfed the entire battlefield. Instantly, the thousands of Fire Cloud Empire soldiers on site were caught in the inferno, and the Black Guard Heavy Cavalry of the Proud Moon Empire fared little better.

As the heavy cavalry charged, the pitch they had kicked up splashed onto their mounts. When touched by the flames, the warhorses immediately burst into fierce combustion. These flaming steeds shrieked in agony, their legs gave way, and they violently collapsed onto the ground.

The Black Guard Heavy Cavalrymen on their backs, though skilled fighters, were taken completely by surprise. Unable to react in time, their bodies were thrown uncontrollably, tumbling to the earth.

Upon landing, the fallen Black Guard Heavy Cavalrymen found their armor immediately coated with the residual pitch on the ground. Meeting the surrounding flames, they too were instantly enveloped in raging fire. Their heavy armor, which severely restricted movement, also conducted heat with extreme rapidity, causing them to cry out in agony and writhe upon the ground.

In just a few moments, nearly all thousand Black Guard Heavy Cavalrymen met the same grim fate. Only a select few who had charged furthest ahead, in the final desperate moments,

managed to break through the sea of fire and escape the immediate disaster. Yet, they were instantly stunned by the screams of their comrades and enemies behind them.

The entire battlefield seemed transformed into a veritable hell. Figures surrounded by flames darted about wildly, emitting spine-chilling screams. Soon after, the screams ceased, as the fierce fire had clearly claimed their lives.

Observing this spectacle.

The remaining dozen or so Black Guard Heavy Cavalrymen were clearly shell-shocked by the scene, freezing in place, seemingly having forgotten how to flee.

They stood motionless, their eyes wide with terror.

It wasn't just them; every soldier and general of the Proud Moon Empire stationed further back was similarly stunned. Though these soldiers had experienced countless battles, they had never witnessed such a gruesome display. Watching the wretches rolling on the ground emitting final, piercing shrieks, the soldiers suddenly felt their very souls sharply pierced by the terrifying sight, and everyone froze.

Gamaiki, standing atop the command platform for the Proud Moon Empire forces, was also momentarily paralyzed by the horrific scene. After a long pause, his teeth audibly clenched as he finally spoke, "Well done, Fire Cloud Empire. To think they would devise such a treacherous plot, one that harms both sides equally..."

After uttering these words, Gamaiki could not utter another sound.

Meanwhile, Wells and the Fire Cloud generals on Kitt City's walls watched with somber expressions as the battlefield was consumed by the roaring flames, their eyes filled with grief and anger. After a long wait, they saw the intensity of the fire begin to recede, and from within the burnt area, no more sounds could be heard.

In a mere blink, several thousand men from one infantry regiment had been swallowed by the blaze. Although this regiment was not the main fighting strength of the Fire Cloud Empire, the weight of their loss settled heavily upon Wells' heart.

Even though he had steeled himself mentally beforehand, experiencing the reality and knowing that this entire catastrophe resulted from his own command, Wells realized that despite eliminating a thousand terrifying Black Guard Heavy Cavalrymen, he felt no joy of victory—only profound sorrow.

But the war must continue. The several thousand infantrymen had given their lives to destroy the thousand Black Guard Heavy Cavalrymen who instilled such fear in every Fire Cloud soldier. He absolutely could not betray their sacrifice.

With this thought, Wells abruptly turned toward the generals and soldiers beside him and roared, "Soldiers of the Fire Cloud Empire, did you see that? Our brothers of the Infantry Regiment used their lives to annihilate our greatest enemy, the 'Black Guard Heavy Cavalry'! We cannot let their sacrifice be in vain. What comes next depends on you! We will never allow these mongrels of the Proud Moon Empire to easily leave the soil of our Fire Cloud Empire. They must pay a terrible price, and they must forever remember this day, so they dare not lightly set foot on our territory again. Long live the Fire Cloud Empire!"

Hearing Wells' highly inflammatory words, the faces of the Fire Cloud soldiers and generals flushed, and they excitedly shouted in return, "Long live the Fire Cloud Empire!..."

Seeing that their morale had reached its peak, Wells hurriedly called out to the orderly beside him, "Relay my command: the entire army sallies forth to meet them! All generals, follow the pre-arranged plan and lead your respective units in the final assault on the Proud Moon Empire's main camp. We will not let these Proud Moon curs leave our Fire Cloud soil until they are expelled. No surrender!"

Hearing Wells' decree, the excited Fire Cloud generals promptly acknowledged their orders and rushed off to organize their already prepared formations.

Moments later, piercing horn calls echoed across the skies above Kitt City. Squadrons of Fire Cloud Empire soldiers surged rapidly out of the city, forming neat ranks and slowly advancing toward the opposing Proud Moon Empire camp.

Observing this sight, Gamaiki, standing far back in the Proud Moon Empire's rear lines, spoke with a grave expression, "It seems the Fire Cloud Empire is preparing for a final, decisive offensive. Victory or defeat hinges on this moment. Relay my order: the entire army is to prepare for immediate battle."

Hearing Gamaiki's command, the orderly behind him immediately began waving his banner. Danka, who had been standing behind Gamaiki, stepped forward hastily and spoke to him, "My Lord, our forces are clearly outnumbered, and their morale is soaring, far surpassing ours. A direct confrontation might..."

Hearing Danka's concerns, Gamaiki offered a bitter smile. "How could I not know this? But we have reached a point of no return. There isn't enough time to retreat, and retreating now would only cause our morale to plummet further, leading inevitably to a total rout. At that point, there would truly be no hope left. It is better to stay and fight with all our might; there is still a chance for victory."

Hearing Gamaiki's words, Danka replied with unwavering loyalty, "If that is the case, my Lord, please retreat now. Let General Bor and the others command here."

Gamaiki sighed upon hearing this. "Danka, I know you are loyal, but in this situation, I can least afford to leave. If I leave, I fear we will lose even faster. Furthermore, having lost a thousand of the Empire's elite Black Guard Iron Cavalry here, I could never face the Fourth Prince who trusted me, even if I returned. Given His Majesty's temperament, if he learns that his most beloved Black Guard Iron Cavalry suffered such heavy losses under my watch, my own life would be forfeit. It is better to remain here; even if I die in battle, at least it will be counted as dying for the country."

Hearing Gamaiki's confession, Danka voiced his reluctance, "But the Black Guard Heavy Cavalry were not sacrificed under your direct command? Surely that cannot be laid entirely at your feet?" Gamaiki merely waved his hand in a wry gesture, signaling his answer. Danka appeared ready to say more, but ultimately refrained, quietly standing by Gamaiki's side as they stared at the battlefield ahead. At that very moment, the sound of the assembly horn echoed throughout the Proud Moon Empire's encampment, and the entire camp began to buzz into frantic operation.