After their conversation, Marianne and Fiona wanted to observed the map to make a plan, until they heard a run voice approaching her tent.
"Commander Marianne! We have an urgent report!"
A voice cut through the air, snapping them both out of the moment.
Marianne turned sharply, her expression shifting back into its usual discipline.
A knight ran toward them, out of breath.
He saluted quickly.
"Scouts reported there's been an incident near the western border! We need immediate reinforcements as soon as possible!"
Marianne cursed under her breath.
"…Damn it. Again? What happened?"
"It's the rogue knights again—there was an ambush. Our knights was on the way to catch Aldric and his men, but all the remaining Rogue knight came and took the opportunity to encircle and ambushed them. Our knights there were still fighting, but outnunbered by the enemy. They could not hold on much longer, Commander!"
Marianne and Fiona looked each other and nodded.
"…I'm on my way. Gather all our knights and prepare for battle!",Said Marianne.
"Understood, Commander!"
The soldier nodded and ran ahead.
After in a moment of silence, Marianne turned back to Fiona.
"This time, I will face Aldric again one on one. I need you to lead the knights to break trough the encirclement, knocked the Rogue knights to avoid unnecessary lost in our ranks."
Fiona forced a smirk.
"Of course i do. I'll Look forward to your victory, since you got beaten by him badly last time."
Marianne rolled her eyes before turning to leave.
Fiona watched her go.
Later in the night,
The scent of smoke and steel filled the night air as Fiona and Marianne rode side by side toward the western border,together with around 300 knights.
The city walls had long since disappeared behind them, swallowed by the vast stretch of open plains. In the distance, torches flickered like dying stars—evidence of the ongoing skirmish ahead.
Fiona glanced at Marianne.
The knight's usual controlled expression was harder, sharper.
She was ready for battle.
Fiona, on the other hand, was not.
Not because she wasn't capable.
But because this wasn't supposed to be her fight.
'Why am I even act like a knight?',She was confused and asked herself.
Yet here she was.
They reached the battlefield within minutes.
The western border was a small outpost—more of a watchtower than an actual fort. The structure stood against the moonlight, half-destroyed, with flames licking at its wooden frame.
Bodies littered the ground—some in Vernetia's armor, others in the rogue knights' garb.
Fiona looked at those bodies, felt sympathy. This was war,where you could die at anytime.
Marianne wasted no time, dismounting and barking orders to the soldiers.
"Charge! Secure the wounded! Break through to rescue our comrades and reinforce the perimeter! Do not let them retreat into the forest!"
The soldiers obeyed immediately, their movements practiced despite the chaos.
Fiona, meanwhile, took in the scene.
The rogue knights shouldn't have been this coordinated.
Even if few of them were actual knights, most of the Rogue knights were ordinary people poorly trained and equipped.
Yet this time ,they fought with formation,discipline,and even knew to cut off supply route by encircle their enemy and ambushed them in the dark.
Fiona knew that someone dangerous, experienced combatant was leading them.
Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of clashing steel.
Marianne had already engaged the enemy, her blade cutting through the rogue knights like a storm.
Fiona clicked her tongue.
She had to make a choice.
Could she really afford to let her fight alone?
A rogue knight broke through the perimeter, rushing toward one of the wounded Vernetian knight.
Marianne was too far away in the front.
'Damn it! This is why i don't want to lead an army anymore!'
Fiona cursed.
Then, she moved.
In an instant, she was there.
The knight barely had time to register her presence before—
CRACK.
Fiona grabbed his arm, twisting it at an unnatural angle. The knight screamed, dropping his sword.
She ignored him.
Instead, with her strength, she kicked the Rogue knight's stomatch hardly, until He was knocked back for several feets.
Then, he collapsed, fell unconscious.
The knights around were full of surprised and disbelief.
Fiona exhaled.
That had been too much.
She then turned her head to the nearby knights and gave order.
"Bring back the wounded to the back ! It's very dangerous here."
"Understood,Captain!!"
The knights nodded and started to withdrawn carrying the wounded knight.
She turned quickly, checking the situation near her.
The battle was too chaotic. The soldiers were too busy fighting.
Marianne, after saw what happened was only staring at her.
Her blade was still stained with fresh blood, but her eyes—
Her eyes were locked onto her.
"Oh, that was an inhuman power for you."
Fiona forced a smirk.
"Okay, now what? Letting him kill those wounded?"
Marianne opened her mouth, then closed it.
Whatever she had seen, whatever she had felt—
She didn't press it anymore.
Instead, she sighed and turned back to the battle.
"Never mind...just don't act too unusual!"
For a moment, Fiona gave a Tiny smile.
----------------------------------------------------------
The battle lasted another hour.
The rogue knights fought like cornered beasts.
But in the end, after the reinforcements from Vernetian knight came over and over again,they were outnumbered.
One by one, they fell or retreat, until only one remained.
He stood in the center of the field, blood dripping from his blade. His armor was battered, his face bruised.
Yet, despite his wound, his presence gave the Rogue knights a hope.
"…I expected no less from you, Marianne."
Marianne's grip tightened on her sword.
"…Aldric."
Fiona stilled.
It was him again.
Aldric exhaled, running a hand through his blood-soaked hair.
"You really don't change, do you?" He tilted his head. "Still the same righteous fool. Still fighting for a kingdom that doesn't deserve our loyalty."
Marianne stepped forward.
"No," she said quietly.
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
Marianne's eyes were cold.
"I'm fighting for the people I care about."
Aldric' paused for a moment. Then, he sighed.
"…I see. So that's what it is."
And suddenly—he moved.
Marianne barely had time to react before he lunged, his blade aimed directly at her.
She managed to blocked, metal clashing against metal.
But Aldric,indeed was a strong elite senior knight.
For a split second—Marianne faltered.
Fiona's eyes narrowed.
''Damn it! This girl is hesitating again!"
She started to move.
In an instant—she was between them.
Aldric's blade struck—but it never hit its mark.
Instead, it stopped inches away from Fiona's chest.
Or rather—
It stopped because Fiona stopped it.
With nothing but her fingers.
Aldric's eyes widened.
Marianne's breath hitched.
"What are you doing, Marianne?! You are hesitate again!", Said her to Marianne who still stood there with many thoughts.
Aldric's shock quickly turned to amusement.
"Jeannie, I knew it was you again. This is my battle with Marianne. Don't interfere!"
Fiona smirked and mocked him
"Oh? And letting my friend die? In your dreams, Aldric!"
But before she began to attack, Marianne approached her from behind
"Jeannie.."
Fiona turned back and saw her face. She was serious
"Thank you, but this time, It was between me and him. Don't interfere!"
Looking at her resolve, Fiona started to sighed softly and withdrawn back.
Marianne and Aldric,once again went toe to toe.
Aldric gave a tiny smile at her
"Heh! Now that's Marianne that i know."
And their battle soon would started again