Chapter 658: Chapter 540: Cavalry – Charge!

Closer, ever closer.

At the forefront of the player faction, Moonlight Jasmine watched as the Half-Beast Army drew nearer and nearer, her heart pounding more and more fiercely.

It wasn’t tension, but excitement.

As a Silver Warrior, Moonlight Jasmine was naturally chosen as the heavy armored knight in the vanguard charge.

In this battle, she would lead a small group of heavy cavalry as the vanguard, charging directly at the Half-Beast formation along with other heavy cavalry vanguards like Dema.

Yes, the first frontal charge.

This was different from the heavy cavalry of ancient times on Earth.

The heavy cavalry of Earth were too cumbersome; because of their heavy armor and high-speed movement, they couldn’t wield weapons effectively. Thus, their combat power was limited, primarily serving as a shock unit and requiring a long run-up to gain speed before charging.

This characteristic meant that Earth’s heavy cavalry charges were often most effective only in the first round. They had to ensure they could make an effective impact on the enemy; otherwise, they could become bogged down in a quagmire if encircled.

Hence, Earth’s heavy cavalry seldom launched a direct frontal charge right at the onset of battle, because doing so would often lead to opposition from the enemy’s infantry spearmen formation, and encountering a spear wall would spell disaster.

On Earth, heavy cavalry usually charged only when the enemy’s frontlines were in chaos or when defensive lines had significant breaches, to crush them entirely and provide opportunities for the infantry that followed.

However, Segis World was a world of magic, and elves were magical beings.

With enhancement magic, even heavily armored cavalry players could possess agility and mobility far superior to their Earth counterparts.

By contrast, the Half-Beast lacked Spellcasters and therefore lacked countermeasures specifically designed against such tactics.

Thus, players could fully transform the heavy cavalry into humanoid “tanks” capable of a frontal charge!

Glancing at the system time, Moonlight Jasmine took a few deep breaths.

She had eagerly anticipated such a grand battle for a long time.

The Half-Beasts she had encountered in recent days were too weak, leaving her battles unsatisfying.

It was only the Half-Beast old priest she met days ago who provided a truly exhilarating fight.

*When the quality is lacking, make up with quantity.*

As the vanguard of the Player Army, facing the Half-Beast forces directly, she could finally have a satisfying battle today.

Adjusting her ill-fitting silver-gray helmet, Moonlight Jasmine gripped her three-meter-long knight spear tightly.

The knight spears were crafted by players using wood from the Elf Forest, with spearheads either forged by Dwarves or modified from captured equipment. Additionally, the spear shafts were reinforced with temporary solidification magic by mage players to enhance their strength.

Her armor was the most cost-effective blue rare warrior equipment from the Black Iron Upper rank, known for its durability against attacks. According to the system, its design was based on ancient elf gear, similar in appearance to those ancient relics unearthed in Rivendell and Feilengcui by players.

This entire set of equipment was temporary, meant to be used without distress upon wear and tear, plentiful and readily available.

The reason for this setup was not only because of the inability to retrieve bound equipment upon death in the Death Desert; players knew, from Earthly experience, that such a configuration was key to unleashing the dreadful power of the cavalry.

Additionally, Moonlight Jasmine’s magic beast was no longer the Blue Dragon she had acquired.

She had left the Blue Dragon at the camp, as this battlefield was far too dangerous for it. In routine combat and raids it was fine, but in such a large-scale battle, a small dragon would easily become a focal target for both Half-Beasts and Bimong Giant Beasts, risking death.

In “Elf Kingdom,” magic pets and dragon companions did not resurrect upon death.

Like the other heavy cavalry players, Moonlight Jasmine also switched her mount to an Earth Cave Spider, humanoid in size, and Black Iron Rank.

This was also the most cost-effective magic beast mount.

All ten thousand heavy armored cavalry were equipped in the same manner.

This was a model refined and improved by players after the cavalry charges experienced during underground wars.

Exhaling slightly to calm herself, Moonlight Jasmine turned to the other players behind her:

“Once the charge begins, stay close behind me and don’t fall behind.”

During the charge phase, it wasn’t the time for individual showboating; coordination was key.

*Even someone like Moonlight Jasmine, who typically enjoyed one-on-one duels, understood the importance of cooperation at this moment.*

Of course, once the melee began, everyone could perform freely.

“Don’t worry, Jasmine! The fear of heavy cavalry comes from a coordinated charge, and discipline is crucial; we understand!”

Other players in the squad laughed.

Moonlight Jasmine nodded slightly and then turned her gaze back forward.

Shortly after she looked away, the top command in the battle channel was issued:

“Heavy cavalry ready! Mage players apply speed magic and wind element shields. I’ll count to three, then charge!”

Upon hearing the command, Moonlight Jasmine became solemn, positioning her lance.

Then, the mages within the formation began chanting spells, casting various enhancement magic on them.

As a series of auras fell upon her, Moonlight Jasmine felt her strength grow stronger.

The battle channel’s BGM started growing deep and seemed to be brewing the next climax.

Soon after, the commanding roar echoed in the players’ ears:

“Heavy cavalry attention, ready—”

“One… two… THREE—”

“CHARGE—!”

Coinciding precisely with the music’s beat, the BGM paused slightly, then transitioned.

Listening to the BGM’s shift, Moonlight Jasmine felt a surge in her heart.

She, along with the other heavy cavalry players, shouted as one:

“CHARGE!”

Then began the run-up.

Moonlight Jasmine, wielding her lance, charged at the forefront with the other Silver Warrior players.

Ten thousand heavy cavalry players sprang into action!

The charge of ten thousand cavalry, the metallic spider legs of the Earth Cave Spiders digging into the sandy ground with rhythmic precision, sounded like thunder.

*Even though she was at the very front and couldn’t see the spectacular scene behind her, Moonlight Jasmine could imagine what it looked like.*

The landscape on both sides blurred past, faster and faster.

Speed determined the heavy cavalry’s impact force.

Enhanced by the speed magic and with a pre-run-up, Moonlight Jasmine could clearly sense her speed becoming terrifying.

At the same time, the BGM’s tempo quickened, mirroring the players’ charge in synchrony.

The rapidly receding landscape, the wind howling in her face, the adrenaline surge from the charge—it all fueled every heavy cavalry player.

This included Moonlight Jasmine.

A resonant horn sounded in the distance as the Half-Beast army finally entered her line of sight.

She could see the front-line Half-orc Warriors’ shining armor, their somewhat frightened expressions, and the standard longswords in their hands sourced from the Sorren Commerce.

They ceased their march at the sound of the horn, began contracting their formation, and prepared defenses against the charge.

It was the correct tactical move.

Unfortunately, they lacked spears…

“We’ve won.”

*The thought crossed Moonlight Jasmine’s mind.*

Another deep horn blast was heard as countless arrows flew from the Half-Beast formation.

This torrent of arrows formed a dense rain, showering the charging cavalry players.

However, Moonlight Jasmine remained unfazed.

The arrows descended but ultimately failed to strike her, instead clashing with the translucent wind element shield in mid-air, disrupting their trajectory and sapping their momentum.

Ultimately, the arrows could only glide off to either side and fall harmlessly.

Moonlight Jasmine, almost completely unharmed.

However, after withstanding the first barrage of arrows, the wind element shield dimmed, having expended a significant amount of energy.

It could scarcely endure two to three more barrages before shattering.

But it was sufficient.

Because Moonlight Jasmine and the other players had already reached the Half-Beast frontlines!

She tightened her grip on her lance, shouted the name of the [Pierce] skill, and then like a sharp blade, plunged into the Half-Beast army!

In an instant, Moonlight Jasmine felt massive resistance, accompanied by the sounds of impact, screams, and cracking bones, echoing from the front and all around her.

But then, this resistance seemed to turn to paper, torn asunder.

The Half-Beasts were thrown off their feet, knocked to the ground, while Moonlight Jasmine, leading the players behind her, charged through the crowd like a tank, blasting through them.