Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

Chapter 103 103 Annihilation on the Battlefield

103 Annihilation on the Battlefield

All eyes turned to him as he raised a hand, his expression calm and unreadable.

"There's no need for that."

Bernhardt frowned. "What? But if no one stays behind, we'll—"

Cedric ignored him and pointed beyond the river.

"Look over there."

The assembled lords turned their heads.

And their breath caught in their throats.

William's eyes widened slightly, recognizing the crimson banners fluttering in the distance.

They belonged to an elite force, one that stood above all others in the Empire.

"The Red Wing Knights."

The Emperor's personal guard.

The strongest order of knights in the Empire.

And they were charging toward the battlefield.

"Why the hell are they here!?"

The shock was not exclusive to the allied forces.

King Erich of Krefeld stared in disbelief at the approaching Red Wing Knights, his voice cracking with anger.

"Why has the Imperial Guard ventured all the way to the border!? No, more importantly—how did they get here so quickly!?"

"Your Majesty, this is no time for questions! We must withdraw immediately, before they reach us!"

Erich's eyes flashed dangerously at the title.

"Your Majesty?"

It had been months since he declared independence, yet they still called him that?

The noble who had spoken paled as he realized his mistake, hastily correcting himself.

"F-Forgive me, Your Highness—I misspoke—"

"No, let it be," Erich muttered, his voice laced with bitter amusement. "For centuries, we've been reduced to vassals—trampled underfoot. I suppose old habits die hard."

"That wasn't what I meant—"

"I am not running."

"Your Highness!"

He might have understood if this had been infantry crushed beneath superior horsemen. That would have been humiliating, but comprehensible.

But these were cavalry, and yet they were being butchered like foot soldiers.

"Your Majesty, we must retreat! We have to get you out of here—!"

"No... No, this can't be happening... My elite forces, reduced to nothing...!"

"Forgive my disrespect, Your Majesty—but we must go! Now!"

His closest retainers grabbed him, dragging him from the battlefield as the last remnants of Krefeld's formation collapsed entirely.

But the Red Wing Knights did not pursue.

As their crimson glow faded, the rippling aura around them vanished into the air.

William narrowed his eyes. So, it doesn't last long...

It made sense. If such overwhelming magic could be maintained indefinitely, no army in the world could stand against them.

As the Red Wing Knights reformed, they turned toward the allied army.

Their leader, still clad in full armor, stopped in front of the First Prince—but did not dismount. Instead, he simply removed his helm.

"I'm relieved to see you all safe."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the nobles paled, their faces draining of all color.

Bernhardt was the first to react, immediately dropping to his knees.

"Before the Emperor of the Empire, and the rightful heir of the Great Dragon's bloodline, we humbly offer our greetings!"

"What? The Emperor?"

A ripple of shock ran through the younger nobles and the heirs acting as proxies for their houses.

William was among them.

In all his past lives, he had never once seen the Emperor's face.

"W-We greet Your Majesty!"

One after another, the imperial nobles fell to their knees.

William followed suit, bowing swiftly.

Only after a long moment did the Emperor dismount, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight.

"We are still at war. Why do you kneel for pleasantries instead of keeping watch? Protocol can wait until we've crossed the border. Rise."

The quiet command carried more force than a hundred shouted orders.

One by one, the nobles rose.