After the convoy has left the village, they have arrived at the southwestern border base that signifies the edge of Ladenras' territory. To the south, one could already see the Great Emerald Forest. To the west, the Argent Mountain Range spans over the horizon.

"After we pass this base, we will be in Lord Culverin's territory." Ritna finally broke her silence.

Just when they were about to enter the base,

"Wait." Cavaron spoke. "Something's wrong."

Ritna, noticing the change in his atmosphere, told Rowena to halt.

"General Rowena, stop the march."

"Company, halt!"

Cavaron suddenly jumped out the carriage and summoned his blood and mana swords.

"Damn, we're surrounded."

The knights and magi escorting them became tense at Cavaron's words.

">."

Cavaron then spread out a blast of mana all over the surrounding area.

'500? That's a lot.'

Cavaron used > to determine the number of enemies surrounding them. The downside is, he can't determine their locations. > is a spell he developed that can reach a range of one kilometer.

Without warning, Fire and Ice spells flew over an arc in their direction.

"Magi!! Barriers, now!!!"

Thankfully, the magi escorting them were elites and were able to erect the barriers in a split second.

After the spells were nullified,

"Attack!!! Kill all of the traitors!!!"

Four hundred soldiers and a hundred magi emerged to attack the convoy.

"Battle formation! Protect the queen at all costs!" Rowena commanded as she pulled out a halberd.

'Damn, I can't call Culverin, my mana's not enough.'

The ambushers were well coordinated. The hundred magi split into groups of ten and bombarded the convoy with concentrated fire. Half of a squad got decimated as a result.

"Magi! Pull back and erect a concentrated barrier around the carriage! Armor! Protect the magi from melee attackers!" Rowena commanded. "Cavalry! With me, time for a hit and run!"

"I'm jumping in as well." Cavaron said as his swords were screaming for blood and power. ">!"

Cavaron coated his swords with violently vibrating energy, increasing his damage potential. This time, he didn't see the need to stab himself, and just jumped into battle.

He first targeted the magi at the far back. They were still bombarding the barrier protecting the carriage. The cavalry escorts and Rowena were running around the battlefield eliminating the enemy. The heavy armor escorts stood their ground as they got pelted by arrows, and hit with swords and spears.

Two by two, the enemy magi fell before Cavaron's blades as he ran through their ranks. The chaos he delivered made the enemy panic as the split their forces to protect their magi.

After taking out around sixty enemy magi, he was able to lift the burden off of the escorts. However, he got surrounded by enemy Armored Knights, Cavalry, and Rangers. He could deal with the knights and cavalry on his own. The rangers, however, require him to parry or dodge the arrows and bolts cutting his offensive potential. Even worse, 20 of the remaining enemy magi started firing spells at him.

Although his blades get stronger with each kill, his body may not necessarily be able to keep up.

'Urgh, I should not have recklessly ripped space and used mana blades too much. Gods, I hope I get sleep after this... if it succeeds.'

After killing fifty or so knights and cavalry, he decided to take a gamble.

'Grr... I need to get rid of them fast!'

Mana started to fluctuate around him. Instead of space getting torn, his eyes became crimson red, and his body became enveloped in darkness.

"GRRAAAAAAHHH!!!" As he shouted, a dark shockwave erupted and blew all those around him away.

All those who got hit also became enveloped in darkness.

"AHHH!!!"

"WHAT IS THIS!?"

"GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF ME! HELP!!!"

Whoever got hit were immediately devoured. He effectively wiped out 300 soldiers and the remaining magi in one blast of pitch black darkness.

All those beyond his reach forgot the battle as they stared at the darkness that is Cavaron.

After a few minutes, the darkness dissipated, and he collapsed.

"Cavaron!" Ritna screamed.

Over the distance, to the south, they saw flying humanoids.

Avians.

"Brothers! Eliminate the ones attacking the carriage!" The avian leading them commanded.

Swiftly, like hawks, they preyed upon the remaining enemies.

The leading Avian landed near the carriage.

"Queen Ritna." the Avian greeted. "Forgive our lateness. We were sent by Lord Culverin to escort you."

"I don't mind it, but first, please help Cavaron!" Ritna pointed towards Cavaron's fallen body

"Master Cavaron?" the Avian looked, saw, and flew over while avoiding the enemy.

"Great Lords, what happened here?" the Avian was shocked as he noticed the dead earth.

Thankfully, the darkness has already disappeared and allowed the Avian to pick Cavaron up and fly back to the carriage.

"Queen Ritna, I don't know what happened but he lives." the Avian said to Ritna who was on the verge of tears.

"Good, good. Here, let him rest." said Ritna as she freed the carriage.

After finishing off the enemy, the Avians were added to the escorts and headed off to the Verdant Cliff.

-----------------

I have a feeling I missed an important detail but I can't remember what it was... tell me if you notice a gap.

Thanks for noticing that bit about his mana.