Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest-Chapter 364 - 5: The White Knight Raids the Camp

Tashina said icily, "We need a victory, a grand victory!"

She stared out at the camps beyond the city walls with cold eyes.

"But we’ve already won many victories," Turner argued.

"It hasn’t changed anything, we need a victory beyond defense to buy us time..." Tashina turned and left the spot, feeling that defending the city was too passive.

"Your Highness, I don’t quite understand what you mean."

"A night raid! Storm their camp! Striking under the cover of darkness, we’ll catch them completely off guard!" Tashina declared.

Turner was shocked at her words; such tactics were unheard of.

Which defending force ever takes the initiative to leave the city?

But Tashina was determined, and as she walked, the guards stepped aside to create a path for her.

During this time, the princess from the court had earned everyone’s respect; she was strong and beautiful, carving ladders by herself and blocking hundreds of foes alone, like a Valkyrie straight out of the North Ice myths. Some referred to her as the ’White Steel Princess.’

Tashina approached a cloaked figure, whose wide, thick cloak concealed their entire body.

The hand that gripped the sword was gaunt and knobby, yet still exceptionally strong; the nearby guards had witnessed this cloaked Tomb Guardian slaughter opponents without mercy, whether they were Sword Masters or Conquest Knights.

Only a very few knew that nestled within the Southern Forest lay the tomb of Conqueror Ioannos, a site the world called the Ancestor King’s Tomb.

And guarding the Ancestor King’s Tomb were the Tomb Guardians.

Their numbers were just over ten, all hailing from the Ancestor King’s Tomb. It was as if they had been safeguarding it for many years; children living at Black Castle a hundred years ago might have seen them, and later their grandchildren might have seen them too. They were always there, unwavering, solitary, whether they were the same individuals or different people sharing the same identity.

"Teacher, tonight you will join me in the raid," Tashina said. She was trained by the Tomb Guardians, who taught her their martial skills, imparted their knowledge, and forged her into a piece of tenacious steel.

The cloaked Tomb Guardian spoke with a gruff voice, "Son of Conquest, my Princess, we will serve you to the death."

Then, he blew a whistle originating from the Barbarians of the forest—south of Black Castle, and further south of the mountains, lay a vast and primitive expanse of deep forest, home to cannibalistic Barbarians, a world unknown and terrifying, where the flesh-eaters communicate with various sounds. The sharp whistle traveled far, perceptible only to those with exceptionally keen ears or special animals.

Soon, the other Tomb Guardians began to converge.

"You’ll need to don armor," Tashina said.

All these Tomb Guardians were stronger than her, all High Order Knights, the weaker at Sixth Rank, the stronger at Seventh Rank, representing the deep-rooted power of the Royal Family.

"Your Highness, we have armor," the Tomb Guardian responded, "though we haven’t worn it in many years, and our steeds are quite old now."

Tashina had seen their armor, forged from mountain copper and Mithril, weighing five hundred pounds. They called it ’white steel,’ but it wasn’t steel. The armor required nine hundred pounds of mountain copper and a hundred pounds of Mithril, extravagantly expensive.

It was both light and heavy, gleaming silver-white, and the metal was known to the world as ’white steel.’ Knights clad in such armor were known as ’White Knights,’ and their mounts differed from those of other knights.

During the Conqueror Period over a hundred years ago, they, along with knights of other colors, followed behind Conqueror Ioannos, waging wars far and wide.

Tashina herself wore armor made of ’white steel,’ only lighter than that of the Tomb Guardians because it contained more Mithril.

"If it doesn’t fit properly, just add more padding," she reminded them.

The night was devoid of light.

The windlass of Black Castle turned.

The massive city gates creaked open.

The White Steel Princess led a thousand Conquest Knights out of the north gate.

She took the lead, clad in all-white plate armor, brandishing "White Dawn"—the sword of Ioannos, forged from Meteorite Iron and Mithril, its milky white blade was capable of releasing blinding and brilliant radiance, as dazzling as the pure white of first light. It was this sword that Conqueror Ioannos used to illuminate the Dark Age over a hundred years ago.

The White Steel Princess charged at the forefront.

Her battle horse boasted Divine Steed bloodline, nourished with Secret Medicine, infinitely stronger than an ordinary warhorse and ran as swiftly as lightning.

Some Nobles-born Inheritance Knights also ingested Secret Medicine, a concoction of herbs and Magic Stone powder that greatly enhanced the physical constitution of living beings, as well as extended their lifespan and peak condition.

Her armor was not of the covered-face type but a helmet akin to a crown, tucking her river-like red hair within, her bearing bold and impressive, a bright plume inserted on top of her helmet indicating her Royal lineage.

The White Steel Princess felt the wild wind on her face, the air parting fearfully to her sides, feeling only the surge of bloodlines, an unparalleled confidence and power coursing through her body. Her eyes were a jade-green, cold and clear as emeralds.

Inside the camp, the Holy War Army heard the thunderous galloping, and panic immediately set in.

They had a consensus to siege by day and to rest by night, their defense fortifications unprepared.

Even with prior awareness, they had no power to resist.

The White Steel Princess was the first to charge in, followed by the Conquest Knights who also galloped into the camp without encountering any resistance.

This band of Heavenly Soldiers entered as if into a deserted domain.

Tashina wielded "White Dawn," releasing a blinding white light; wherever the sword pointed, those witnessing it felt unable to open their eyes due to its dazzling brightness.

Even the most valiant Holy War Army Knights, in such a chaotic night, were like headless flies, unable to mount a counterattack.

Tashina had an extremely clear target.

She struck like lightning, directly hitting the Holy War Army’s central tent.

Boom!

The massive tent was shattered on the spot by the White Steel Knight!

Strong leather cut open as if by a sharp sword, the heavy fabric torn, and wooden frames exploded.

The horse of Divine Steed lineage carried its mistress leaping into the fray, as a pure white Heavenly Pegasus would, soaring to heights of two or three meters.

The White Steel Princess looked down from on high, and in that instant, within the brightly lit main tent, she saw a slew of top ranking Holy War Army commanders, some in a state of panic, others drawing swords in a charge, some wearing blank expressions, and among them were the burning torches, food-laden tables, maps hanging on the tent walls...

She took in everything in stride, her voice crisp and reprimanding, "I am the Son of Conquest, you dishonorable traitors shall face the King’s punishment, watch as I cleave you alive!"

She was the descendant of Kings, the Princess of Black Iron, she and her steed soaring in the sky, her white figure blossoming in the air, graceful as a steel knife, beautiful yet terrifying. Wielding her long sword of blazing flame, she swept it down and killed a multitude of unprotected commanders within the tent in a few strikes.

"The White Knights fight for the son of Ioannos!" A shout came from outside; then several Knights clad in White Armor charged into the fray, joining in the slaughter.

Neither the resistors nor the panic-stricken could escape this royal judgment.

Eventually, the large tent could not bear the strain and collapsed. The dome fell, the White Steel Princess riding her horse and a host of White Knights tore through the heavy tent’s top canvas, coming out to the exterior, severing the banner of the All Gods.

"War! War! I was born for war!" It was her first major victory; her blood seemed aflame, an immense excitement within her, she felt as if she were born for this moment.

That night, following the White Steel Princess and her sword, they roamed the camp, killing all life in sight, burning all the tents they could see, provisions and warhorses were also destroyed.

Until dawn was near, the raiders finally withdrew from the ravaged camp.