?The force that Archibald brought was smaller than the legion guarding Horatio. Less than 5,000 vampires were in that force. When Archibald left Sangrod, he could only bring those who were truly loyal to him. Not many were willing to go with him, thus their small number.
"Should we call for reinforcement?" Darius asked.
Horatio pondered for a bit before he answered, "No. If it was before those dragons showed up, then it was fine. Under this situation, our allies need all the manpower they can get. Our force here is enough to deal with those rebels."
"But they have Archibald…," Darius said with worry. "We might outnumber them but we don't have anyone here who can deal with him. I'm afraid no one would be able to stop him from getting to you, my lord. Maybe it's better if I call Ezekiel or my mother back."
"I agree with Sir Darius," Saint Jonathan said.
"No need. I will face him," Horatio said.
"Are… Are you sure, my lord…?" Darius asked.
Darius knew that Horatio was a capable combatant despite choosing to stay out of direct combat most of the time, but he was only a level 76 rare elite. Archibald, on the other hand, was a level 90 mythical grade. The gap between their level was too large.
"There is no need to worry. Get everyone into formation," Horatio ordered.
Since Horatio had commanded so, Darius could only obey. He used the war table to rearrange the legion into a formation that could better handle the enemies coming from behind them.
Darius obeyed Horatio's command not to call Vanessa or Ezekiel to return, but he secretly input the command to call a regiment of death dealers to return. Death dealers possessed the fastest moving speed. Riding their shadow wargs, these special units should come to their aid in a short time. This might reduce the battle power of those who were fighting the dragons inside the capital, but ensuring the safety of their emperor took priority.
Jonathan also called some of his guild members to come.
While Darius operated the war table, Horatio took position among his legion. Jonathan followed Horatio. The vampire soldiers who saw their emperor among them had their morale increased. They braced themselves and swore to not let these rebels touch their emperor.
Horatio used the Book of the Damned to turn the day into night earlier. But by now, the sun had set and real night had begun. Both sides were vampires so neither had any advantage.
Both sides didn't waste time in declarations. They just crashed into each other when they got into range. Horatio's force outnumbered the rebels two to one. It was apparent which side was on the back foot just from the first clash.
But even though Horatio's force seemed to push against the rebels, the middle section had a different outcome. In that section, it was the Sangrod's force who were getting demolished. This section was where Archibald was.
Archibald had a golden orb protecting his body as he charged forward. This was Heroic Charge. All the enemies in his way were smacked to the side. No one could stop his charge. His followers followed behind him. They took advantage and struck those who were still disoriented by Archibald's charge.
Archibald's target was none other than Horatio. As long as he could slay Horatio, it would be his side who won. His heroic charge brought him close to his prey.
"Traitoorrrr…!!! It is time for your retribution…!" Archibald shouted after his Heroic Charge ended. Horatio was still a distance away. Many vampire soldiers barred his way.
"Traitor? Did my ears hear wrong? How absurd that you, a rebel, called me, a legitimate emperor, as a traitor?" Horatio asked.
"Legitimate emperor? Pah! You killed your father and usurped the throne. You have no right to call yourself legitimate!"
"Then who should be the emperor? You? Someone who colluded with an enemy nation and is now attacking your countrymen? If anyone is a traitor, you and those who follow you are the most suitable to bear the title!"
Archibald's face turned ugly. He had indeed cooperated with Liguritudum. It was Master's guild members who informed him about Horatio's plan to take him out while he was secretly planning a rebellion. Knowing that his intention had been exposed, he stood no chance of winning. He accepted Master's invitation to come to Liguritudum for refuge.
But even though he had come to Liguritudum, he refused to stay inside Dritzuut and help Master defend the capital. He had no interest in defending another country's settlement. His beef was with Horatio. So, he and his people stayed in hiding near the woods around Dritzuut. They just watched from a distance as the siege took place.
When the wall fell and the Allied army started entering the capital, Archibald had his people silently approaching Horatio's position, but he didn't take action yet. It was easy for Horatio to call his army back if he attacked. He wanted to wait until the Allied army was deep inside the capital and storming the palace before he took action.
But then Azzarilth's brood arrived. Archibald knew then this was his chance. The armies would be too busy dealing with the dragons. He commanded his troops to charge then.
"I'm done speaking to you. You will die!!" Archibald exclaimed.
Many soldiers were trying to stop him, but a swirling energy exploded from his body, pushing those soldiers away. Archibald was carrying a huge two-handed golden hammer. He made a wide swing using that hammer. Another swirling energy was discharged. This one created a giant hurricane that threw everyone in his vicinity in different directions.
"Stay behind me, my lord," Saint Jonathan uttered. He was also wielding a hammer but a one-handed one. The hammer was of unique grade and it had a weapon orb that shone with light elements. On his other hand was a kite shield, also a unique grade.
Jonathan lunged at Archibald when the soldiers blocking the ex-relic marshall were blown away. Their two hammers slammed into one another. The winner was immediately obvious. Jonathan bounced back from the impact.
"Move aside, you weakling!" Archibald exclaimed while making a wide swing. His hammer shone a bright yellow. Trails of rocks and dust followed his swing. This was a power strike modified with the earth element, Earth Strike.
Jonathan put his shield before him and activated Heaven's Shield. The giant shield image was shattered with one hit. Archibald's swing continued and struck Jonathan's real shield. Jonathan was sent far away from the impact.
With that last obstacle gone, Archibald was finally face to face with Horatio.
