Chapter 540: Ambush (III)
Zalasar paid no heed to the numerous Vorometallicae warriors surging around him. His gaze was locked onto a single target: the towering champion wielding a massive halberd at the rear of the monstrous horde.
Each meter that Zalasar’s warhorse galloped forward only increased his momentum and determination. He poured his energy into the blade he gripped, intending to unleash all of it in one decisive strike.
At the same time, the Voroe Sage focused his own lethal intent on Zalasar, ignoring everything else on the battlefield. With a burst of raw power, the colossal creature charged, his colossal stride shattering the ground beneath his feet. Lesser Voroe scrambled out of his way, but many weren’t quick enough and were crushed underfoot.
At last, the two warriors met with a thunderous clash. The halberd and sword collided in a burst of kinetic force that blasted nearby Voroe and human soldiers alike off their feet.
The sheer pressure of their locked weapons pulverized the earth, sending shockwaves rippling for kilometers in every direction. For a moment, the Voroe Sage and Zalasar remained deadlocked, neither able to overpower the other. Then, almost in unison, they broke away—only to hurl themselves at each other again a split-second later.
The warhorse raised its front hooves in a powerful stomp aimed directly at the Voroe Sage. Though the Voroe’s metallic flesh far exceeded standard Sage-tier armor in durability, the impact of those hooves could still shatter bone if it connected cleanly.
Recognizing the threat, the Voroe Sage sprang aside, narrowly avoiding the blow. The horse’s hooves slammed into the ground, carving out a deep crater and spewing chunks of rock into the air. In one fluid motion, the massive steed jumped back, dodging a retaliatory swing of the halberd by mere centimeters.
The Voroe Sage let out a frustrated snarl. He had not anticipated a warhorse with such agility, and he had even less expected the seamless coordination between rider and mount. Meanwhile, Zalasar exploited every feint and evasion, slashing his sword toward the Voroe Sage’s neck.
The gargantuan enemy twisted aside, then lunged forward with another thrust of his halberd. Yet the warhorse reacted instantly, carrying Zalasar out of range. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, showcasing a level of skill that only came from years of rigorous training and battlefield experience.
Still, the Voroe Sage displayed no intention of retreat. If anything, his attacks grew fiercer and more powerful with each exchange. Sparks of molten energy danced along the edges of his halberd, and the ground around him glowed with the heat radiating from his body.
While their duel stood at the center of attention, the broader battle played out in an equally dire fashion. Human riders clashed with Voroe warriors, steel meeting steel, and arcs of magical power illuminating the sky. Explosions of kinetic force and elemental blasts lit up the battlefield. Although the Voroe horde was ferocious, its ranks were riddled with casualties: their initial cannon fodder had been obliterated by Zalasar’s preemptive strike, and those who survived had suffered wounds.
In contrast, the human ranks maintained a tight formation, safeguarding the massive wagons behind them. Despite the explosion clash, none had yet taken direct damage—an impressive testament to the discipline and coordination of Zalasar’s troops.