Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

Chapter 96 96 Lightning, Betrayal, and the Turning Tide

96 Lightning, Betrayal, and the Turning Tide

"I believe they left it partially intact on purpose," he murmured. "As if they wanted to keep us in place."

The First Prince scoffed. "And for what? What could they possibly do with us here?"

He gestured broadly to the landscape.

There was a small forest some distance away, but it was far enough that any enemy movement would be noticed long before they could launch an ambush.

Setting a fire would be equally ineffective—the area was too open, and they were by the water's edge. Any flames would be easy to evade.

Blasker hesitated, acknowledging the logic in the prince's words.

And yet, the unease in his gut only grew stronger.

Yes, this terrain isn't suited for military action. But what if...

What if the enemy had a warlock? Or a long-range spellcaster? Something they didn't need to be close for—something they only needed...

His thoughts clicked into place.

Magic.

Water.

Blasker's breath caught.

There was a particular type of magic—one that thrived when a large number of soldiers were gathered near water.

His mind raced. If the enemy had a mage capable of using it, then—

A shadow fell over the camp.

A distant rumble rolled through the sky.

Thunder.

The soldiers stirred uneasily.

"Strange," one muttered. "The sky was clear just a moment ago."

"Is it going to rain?" another murmured.

Blasker's heart sank.

He snapped his head up toward the sky—

Thick, ominous clouds now loomed above them, unnatural in their formation.

His blood ran cold.

No.

"No, no, no—!"

Lightning tore through the air.

A blinding flash. A deafening roar.

And then—Chaos.

Colin exhaled sharply, his body humming with exhaustion.

It had been a long time since he'd cast a spell of this scale. The near-total depletion of his mana left an unpleasant sensation in his chest, but it was nothing compared to the satisfaction that followed.

Especially when he saw the expressions of the Krefeld commanders.

The same ones who had mocked magic mere hours ago were now staring at him in stunned disbelief.

Colin smirked.

"My part is done. The rest is up to you."

The Krefeld officer, still visibly shaken, coughed and quickly nodded.

"Y-Yes. Indeed. With power like this, you would be well-suited for—"

"I already told you," Colin interrupted, irritation lacing his voice. "Just pay me in coin. Keep your empty titles to yourself and focus on the battle."

The officer frowned but wisely chose not to argue.

He turned to his men, raising his voice.

A warning.

Colin's smirk vanished.

His stomach sank.

"No way..."

BOOM.

The sky erupted with fireworks of shimmering blue and red.

William smiled.

"Finally," he murmured.

The flare had gone up from precisely the location he had anticipated.

Blasker had sent the signal.

Which could only mean one thing—

The First Prince was in danger.

And that meant his time had come.

"Lord William!"

He turned at the sound of a familiar voice.

Cedric approached, his expression sharp with urgency.

"This is it," the Second Prince said. "Our agreement—does it still stand?"

William's smile widened.

"Of course," he said. "Lead the charge and rescue His Highness. I will command the army."

"Under your banner?" Cedric asked knowingly.

William nodded.

"Under House Hern's banner."

Cedric hesitated—then let out a short laugh and dipped his head in acknowledgment.

"A fair deal."

Their arrangement was simple.

William would lead the charge, but Cedric would be the one to personally save the First Prince.

They would split the recognition.

Cedric would gain favor with the Emperor, while William cemented his influence over the army.

A mutually beneficial arrangement.

William chuckled.

"Consider it my gift to you," he said lightly. "Of course, I expect full repayment in due time."

Cedric smirked.

"A terrifying man, as always."

Even so, he extended his hand.

William grasped it firmly.

Then, without another word, he turned.

Before him stood one thousand elite soldiers of House Hern—his men, waiting only for his command.

He exhaled slowly, This was it.

"The time has come," William declared.

"Advance."

At his word, the army surged forward.

The future had already begun to shift. And this time, history would not repeat itself.