Chapter 281: How to Protect What Is Precious (5)
One hundred people were riding through the Tuka Plains, Sefira’s territory. This was Sefira’s assault unit, composed of seventy Holy Knights and thirty Galaxy Knights. Their movements were swift. This was unusual, given that archers were typically poor at running fast due to the bows and arrows they must always carry.
Yet these knights were wearing nothing but wolf-hide garments, making them look almost like a pack of wolves.
Leading the ninety-nine knights at the very front, Pekda of the Seven Stars of the North suddenly sensed something. He raised his hand, and the assault unit instantly cut their running speed in half.
“I hear hoofbeats. Judging from the vibration in the ground, around three hundred. They intend to use a cavalry unit to block our advance.”
No one replied. Just before departure, Pekda had given a single order.
“Whatever I say, you are only to listen. Do not speak.”
Following that command, the knights ran in silence while Pekda began speaking to himself.
“The enemy infantry is moving to our rear to cut off our retreat. But we won’t be retreating. We’ll break through the cavalry in front.”
Again, Pekda lifted his hand, half-folded. Their speed dropped further, now no faster than a man sprinting at full strength.
His next commands followed in quick succession. He extended his thumb and forefinger, which was a signal for them to draw their bows. All knights reached for the rods fixed at their waists, and in the blink of an eye, the rods unfolded into bows.
This was Volkanus’ ambitious creation—the portable bow—making its first appearance in battle. Next came the signal to draw arrows. The knights retrieved compact arrows from special quivers attached to their belts. Each arrow was no larger than a finger, but at the press of a button, the shaft extended outward into a full-sized arrow.
“Holy Knights, ready your Taurus Archery. Galaxy Knights, prepare Yaksha Archery. The next signal I give will be for the Holy Knights. The one after that will be for the Galaxy Knights.”