The Herb King

In the valley outside Vale City, the battle between the Ford Empire and Ramiel's fifty-thousand soldiers has already begun.

As the commander of the frontline unit, Gustavo first sent the normal soldiers to test out the waters. He also did this to exhaust the enemies, but his soldiers were already so tired after the repeated attacks of the Leone Empire's soldiers so most of them collapsed after getting struck by arrows.

The casualties on the side of the Ford Empire steadily increased as the battle continued, while only a few unlucky soldiers of the Leone Empire died since they were protected by the stone walls.

This lopsided battle went on for several hours and more soldiers died on the battlefield. The corpses of the fallen soldier littered the ground, creating a terrifying image when seen from an aerial view.

"This can't go on. Our soldiers would lose their morale if I don't do anything! Dammit!" Gustavo cursed anxiously as he looked at the battlefield.

Seeing their predicament, Gustavo stood up and shouted a series of commands. "Send the Espers to support our troops and tell them to breach that stone wall as soon as possible! They must open the gates so that the rest of our soldiers can enter!"

Their only hope to turn the tides was for someone to open the gates of the stone fortress so that their soldiers could advance.

Soon the Espers started moving and they joined the battlefield. Upon their arrival, the soldiers of the Leone Empire were being pushed back!

The Espers were like lions who entered a farm filled with lambs. They were slaughtering their enemies with quick movements.

Suddenly, the Leone Empire's soldiers started retreating and Ford Empire's soldiers used this opportunity to scale through the stone walls using long ladders.

However, soldiers abruptly appeared on top of the stone walls and threw large stones and molten iron at the climbing soldiers.

"Ahhh!"

"Help! I'm burning! Ahhh!

"It's so hot! Ahhh!! Help me!!!"

Screams of pain echoed amidst the fierce fighting, but neither side stopped.

Meanwhile, Aethelwolf and Aenwyn were looking at this scene above the mountains. They both had indifferent expressions on their faces as they watched the bloody war.

Aethelwolf already experienced his first battle in Barden City, but the scale in today's war was many times bigger compared to what he experienced back then.

"I used to look down on you humans for always fighting amongst yourselves, but I can't say that now." Aenwyn muttered ironically. She found out that even the elves would fight amongst themselves for benefits. This was proven after her brother staged a rebellion against their mother, the Queen.

Aethelwolf glanced at her and didn't say anything. He just turned his gaze back to the battlefield.

The battle was still at a stalemate, but the Ford Empire's side was losing more soldiers. Because of the Leone Empire's territorial advantage, they managed to fight back ferociously against the Ford Empire. Even the Espers sent by Gustavo were helpless against their fearsome ranged weapons.

Behind the stone walls, a soldier bowed to Ramiel and reported with a grim voice. "Commander, our arrows are running low and the special giant arrows used to load the ballistas are almost used up. The catapults are still usable, but the number of large stones we prepared will be consumed in one hour if the rate of usage continues."

Hearing this, Ramiel and the other commanders furrowed their eyebrows. Some of them showed anxious expressions and only a few of them could remain calm. After all, they could only maintain their slight advantage because they were prepared, but if their arrows were used up, they would be forced to fight the enemies in melee combat.

A middle-aged general stepped forward and solemnly said. "Sir Ramiel, just give me the command and I'll lead my Flame Tiger Army to the frontlines!" If Aethelwolf was here, he would have recognized this man for he is General Gavin. Last time, when he followed his father to the battlefield in Barden City, he helped the Flame Tiger Army fight against one of the top leaders of the Northern Viper Group.

"I'll also join the frontline unit." An aged voice echoed and everyone saw an old man wearing an eyepatch. This person is General Robert and he is the oldest general of the Leone Empire. He is well-respected in the empire because of his accomplishments and even the imperial family was respectful to him.

After seeing that General Robert and General Gavin were both willing to face the most danger, the other commanders felt ashamed of themselves.

Ramiel raised his hand and the crowd immediately quieted down. "Our scouts noticed the light infantry of the Ford Empire and their approximate number is around seventy thousand. Most of them are composed of normal soldiers so their fighting prowess isn't that strong. Our frontline unit will be confronting them soon. The forces of General Gavin and General Robert aren't enough to fight against them so I will go to the battlefield myself!"

Hearing this, the commanders were stunned.

"Commander Ramiel, we need you here in the camp! You can't go out personally!"

"Commander, no one else would be left to command the soldiers if you're not here!"

Voices of disagreement drifted into Ramiel's ears, but he ignored them. "This is a command from your Legion Commander!" He shouted harshly which immediately silence everyone.

Ramiel wasn't acting rashly by doing this. In fact, he had thought things through.

Among the Level 4 Espers present, he was one of the weakest. They needed to preserve their strongest force for the climax of the battle.

"While I'm away, Sir Harold will take command. Make sure that you guys will listen to him!" He gave them a hard look as he said this. He then turned his head to General Gavin and General Robert as he said. "You two, follow me! It's time for us to make a move!"

"Yes, Commander!" General Gavin and General Robert answered in unison.

Harold and the others could only stare at the three receding figures with heavy looks on their faces.