The Herb King

In the Zion Empire, Emperor Reagan received an urgent report from General Gilbert.

"Your Majesty, this is an updated version of the Heavenly Might Rankings. Please check the names of the top five experts." General Gilbert handed the emperor a copy of the Heavenly Might Rankings. It wasn't similar to the detailed list that Aethelwolf got from Nocturna. It only contained the names of the experts in the rankings and some basic information about them.

Emperor Reagan furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the document in his hand. When his eyes moved to the fifth rank, he saw an unfamiliar name.

5th - Aethelwolf Lassiter (Origin: Leone Empire)

"Someone from the Leone Empire is actually on the list?!" How is this possible?!" Emperor Reagan exclaimed in surprise.

The strength of the experts in the top ten was so ferocious that no one dared to provoke them. Most of them were seasoned veterans who had experienced countless battles and bloodshed!

Emperor Reagan was also in the Heavenly Might Rankings, but he was only ranked 88th on the list. As for General Gilbert, he was stronger than him, but he was only ranked 39th on the list.

"I received this updated list recently from a close friend of mine. The Heavenly Might Ranking is an accurate list that determines the power and strength of an individual. It was said that the person who tested this Aethelwolf guy was Holy General Eliazar himself. According to the rumors, Holy General Eliazar admitted that he was inferior to Aethelwolf..."

General Gilbert revealed a trace of fear as he added in a solemn tone. "Your Majesty, I think that we should just forget about the Two Lion Sword. It is not worth it to provoke an expert at the top five of the rankings for that weapon. If such a person is angered, our Zion Empire might be in danger."

Hearing this, Emperor Reagan furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head. "Such a pity! Who would have thought that an expert at that level was actually hiding in the Leone Empire? Luckily, we haven't sent an envoy yet or it would have been more troublesome." He inwardly heaved a sigh of relief. They had almost provoked a terrifying individual for the sake of a Divine-Rated weapon.

"What about the people from the Ford Empire?" General Gilbert asked in a low voice.

Hearing this, Emperor Reagan's face turned cold as he muttered. "Throw them out! Kill them if they resist! Also, send an envoy to the Leone Empire and try your best to establish an alliance with them. No! It's better if you go there yourself."

General Gilbert nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, Your Majesty!" He also felt that it would be rude to send a low-ranking officer. After all, the Leone Empire has a powerful figure protecting them. He had to go there in person to express their sincerity.

Soon, Lexter and the other members of the Ford Empire were taken away by the imperial guards.

"What are you guys planning to do?! We are important guests of the Zion Empire!" Lexter shouted angrily when he saw his men being treated roughly.

The imperial guards sneered at his words. "Important guests? You think too highly of yourselves. Throw them out and don't let them step foot in our empire again!"

Lexter was confused by the sudden change in the attitudes of the imperial guards. They were still chatting amicably before so what was going on?

Suddenly, he saw General Gilbert walking with a few military officials. "General Gilbert! General Gilbert!" Lexter called out anxiously.

General Gilbert frowned and stopped in his tracks. He turned his gaze at Lexter who was tied up by the imperial guards and raised his eyebrows. "Why are these people still here?! Quickly throw them out of our territory!" The old general spat out coldly.

Hearing this, Lexter became even more confused. "General Gilbert, what's going on? Didn't we plan to head to the Leone Empire together? Why are you doing this?!"

"Beat them up and lock them inside the cages! We'll bring them with us to the Leone Empire!" General Gilbert commanded in an icy tone. They were already merciful enough to let them leave, but since these people are making things difficult for them, he didn't have to show them mercy anymore.

"Wait! You can't do this! General Gilbert! We've already had an agreement!" Lexter struggled to escape from the grasp of the imperial guards as he frantically shouted at the old general.

Suddenly, General Gilbert's eyes flashed with killing intent. He grabbed the hilt of his sword and pulled it out of its sheathed in one swift motion. He then slashed his sword with a calm look.

Puchi!

Lexter's decapitated head flew into the air and rapidly fell to the ground.

Thud! Thud!

The bloody head rolled a few times on the ground before it stopped moving.

As for Lexter's headless corpse, it was taken away by the imperial guards.

When they witnessed the death of their General, the members of the Ford Empire no longer dared to put up a resistance.

Lexter Ford, a peak expert of the Ford Empire fell in just one slash of General Gilbert's sword...

***

A few months later, the Barden Territory was now fortified with tall stone walls and there were even advanced magical cannons and ballistas attached to the top of the walls. This project was collectively funded by the Lassiter Household and a few of its allies. Even the Leone Imperial Family donated a large sum of money to help them build these walls.

Meanwhile, in the fortress of the Lassiter Household, thousands of soldiers were undergoing strict training. These people had just recently returned after eradicating large groups of criminals and bandits.

At this moment, Ramiel was standing in front of the troops with a stern look on his face. He was satisfied by the growth of his men. They were no longer the pitiful civilians they once were. All of them have been baptized with the blood of their enemies. The constant battles turned them into fearsome warriors who are unafraid of death!

Ramiel turned his head at the man who was seated on a chair. This person was holding a sleeping little girl in his arms. "King Aethelwolf, what do you think of these guys?"

Aethelwolf adjusted his sitting posture and smiled as he replied. "Not bad. After their training is done, incorporate them into our army. There will be a major reshuffle in our force soon. You'll be responsible for promoting and demoting the soldiers. Just give me a report and I'll give you my approval."

Ramiel nodded his head at his words. "Yes, King Aethelwolf!"

"Why is it so noisy?" Olivia slowly opened her eyes as she looked at her surroundings. Her eyebrows wrinkled as she stared at the noisy soldiers.

"You're awake? Let's go back to the mansion and take our lunch." Aethelwolf combed her hair with his hands as he smiled at the little girl.

Hearing this, Olivia nodded her head with sleepy eyes. "Okay."

Aethelwolf stood up and said. "Ramiel, we'll go back first. I'll leave this place to you. Let the soldiers rest for today. Their training will resume after they are incorporated into our army."

"Alright, King Aethelwolf." Ramiel nodded his head and saluted.

Aethelwolf carried Olivia and flew into the sky.

They arrived at the Lassiter Household's estate in less than thirty minutes.

As soon as they descended at the mansion, Aethelwolf saw Samira who was chatting with his mother.

"Samira." He called out softly. The two of them were so close back then, but because of the sudden change in his status, they had become more distant from each other. Although Aethelwolf still treated her as his friend, he could feel that Samida was purposely distancing herself from him.

"Greetings, King Aethelwolf." Samira politely bowed at him. This made Aethelwolf sigh in his heart.

"Let's talk after lunch." Aethelwolf muttered softly and entered the mansion while holding Olivia's hand.

"Alright." Samira nodded her head and followed behind them.

Melissa stared at Aethelwolf and then at Samira, her eyes flashed with a thoughtful look. She could sense that there was a complex connection between the two of them, but she didn't want to intervene in their affairs.

After eating lunch, Aethelwolf brought Samira to his study.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" Aethelwolf asked while looking at Samira. This girl rarely visited him after he had become the King of Barden Territory. She wouldn't visit him without a reason.

Samira stared at his handsome face with a complicated look. She knew at this moment that she had fallen for this guy, but the difference in their status was too great that she didn't have the courage to confess her feelings.

She calmed her heart and forced out a smile as she said. "I came here to tell you that I'm already engaged to someone."

Aethelwolf who was signing a document unconsciously used too much force and broke the pen he was holding. He raised his head and stared at her in disbelief. "What did you say?!"