Capítulo 23: The Princess of the Blueyard Kingdom

Leo looked down from the city walls, his eyes taking in the bodies below and the blood staining the walls.

He saw wounded soldiers being carried away on stretchers, and the air was filled with their agonized moans.

The tang of blood in the air also foretold danger.

"This should be their last attack for today, but…" a general beside him started to speak but hesitated.

"What is it?" Leo asked, turning to the general.

"Now, we only have seven thousand soldiers left in the city, including the wounded and support staff. If no reinforcements arrive, I fear... we won't last until the day after tomorrow," the general said in a low tone.

He was being optimistic by saying 'tomorrow'.

In reality, considering the current morale, they might not even hold out until then.

"Prince Leo, if we evacuate now, we might still be able to save some fighting force."

"That's right! Given the current situation, it's... we can't hold on!"

"With only seven thousand weary soldiers against an enemy in high spirits, we have no chance if we stay here!"

"..."

The remaining generals couldn't help but voice their opinions, each filled with a sense of despair.

The reality was clear before their eyes; they no longer believed in victory and only wished to save their own lives.

Of course, some were considering a fight to the death, determined to stand or fall with the city.

They kept their silence, choosing not to speak.

"Hah!" Leo suddenly laughed.

He lifted his head once more, gazing at the endless enemy forces before him, and said calmly, "So, you all believe we can't win?"

No one responded to Leo, but their silence was a response in itself, indicating their agreement.

In the quiet atmosphere, Leo raised his hand, pointing forward:

"What if I told you that not only will we win, but we will also launch a counterattack, securing a grand victory to demonstrate the might of Lionara?"

"The roar of the Golden Lion will resound across the continent once more!"

The generals looked at Leo as if he were mad.

Did he understand what he was saying?

They could find no other reason but madness.

Seven thousand against fifty thousand, the weary against the elite, and a prince who had never seen battle against a renowned general – they saw no possibility of victory.

"Prince Leo, you should be more realistic," one of the generals couldn't help saying.

"What? You don't believe me?" Leo turned, looking at the general who doubted him.

His face wore a smile, but his eyes were filled with an endless coldness and a stormy intensity, causing the general to shiver involuntarily.

He suddenly realized that this prince was not as simple as he had imagined.

"I dare not!" the general said, kneeling in a mix of fear and respect.

Leo surveyed the surroundings, ensuring no further objections before speaking softly,

"Survive this last night. Tomorrow, I will personally sound the trumpet for the counterattack."

"On this final night, I need you to provide all soldiers with ample food and water. Apart from necessary guards, let everyone rest well."

"Yes!"

"..."

The generals present nodded instinctively.

Leo didn't say anything more.

He slowly turned around and walked down from the city walls.

Lilith followed close behind, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

She, too, couldn't understand where Leo's confidence stemmed from.

"Tomorrow, you're responsible for protecting me, understood?" Leo glanced at Lilith.

Startled, Lilith then nodded, "Alright, I understand."

"For a knight, the quickest way to ascend in rank is through the skirmishes of the battlefield," Leo said.

Lilith's gaze was icy as she shook her head slightly, "I don't like war."

"Do you think I do?" Leo retorted, curling his lip.

"It seems you're quite excited about the upcoming battle," Lilith remarked coldly.

"When you gradually understand the true nature of this world, you'll realize that only the most unstoppable armies and the most ambitious of conquerors can truly halt a war, or at least, pause it temporarily," Leo explained.

"Hmph!" Lilith scoffed coldly, not agreeing with his statement.

Leo didn't elaborate further on his words.

He continued walking forward, a faint smile on his face.

...

The dawn in Jacques was shrouded in mist, a cold air enveloping everyone.

Leo donned his armor, strapped on his sword, and mounted his warhorse.

In the mist in front of the city gates stood the remaining two hundred knights, waiting for their commander to appear, along with four thousand soldiers capable of fighting, all maintaining silence.

Riding a black warhorse and accompanied by Lilith and several generals, Leo emerged from the mist, standing before everyone.

The city's residents, having heard of Leo's decision, also came out of their homes, looking towards the direction of the city gates.

Each person's heart was filled with a mix of tension and fear.

They all knew too well that if this proactive strike failed, Jacques would fall completely, subjecting them to invasion and plunder.

No one understood why Leo would make such a move, so their gazes were filled with incomprehension, even anger.

In their eyes, this uneducated prince wanted to drag them all to hell.

"Leo, you will not win! When this city falls, as its commander, you must perish with it!" Horn's figure appeared, sitting on horseback, his voice cold.

Leo looked towards Horn emerging from the mist. Behind him followed a carriage, and all his attendants and servants were in tow. Clearly, he wasn't there to help Leo, but to be ready to flee at any moment.

"My dear brother, if you're planning to flee, you should do it quickly, lest the Blueyard Kingdom's army catches up and kicks you in the rear!" Leo smirked, not hiding his mocking tone.

"You...!" Horn's face reddened.

He knew all too well how dishonorable his actions were, yet being mocked like this was still hard to swallow.

Grinding his teeth, Horn said coldly,

"If you die on the battlefield, I hope someone will be there to collect your body. Remember, as the commander, you'll bear full responsibility if Jacques falls!"

"Hah!" Leo couldn't help but laugh, the mockery in his eyes growing thicker. He hadn't expected his brother to still be so concerned about shirking responsibility at this time.

"My dear elder brother, since you have such little faith in me, best you leave at once! I fear that you might wet your pants when you see the Blueyard Kingdom's army, and that wouldn't be very dignified for a divine knight!" Leo said with a laugh.

"Hah!" Hearing Leo's words, a soldier couldn't suppress his laughter and burst out. At this, Horn's already flushed face turned beet red.

He looked around, seeing in everyone's eyes a mix of mockery and anger.

In that moment, he knew he had truly incited the public's wrath.

If he didn't leave now, it might not be the Blueyard Kingdom's army that prevented his escape.

Pulling on the reins, Horn shot one last venomous glance at Leo: "Enjoy your last chance to run your mouth! In two hours, I'll be hearing your death screams!"

"Brother, you won't hear it; by that time, you'll have run far enough with your tail between your legs," Leo replied with a plain truth.

After speaking, he slowly turned, losing interest in further verbal sparring with his brother.

Horn glared at Leo, his eyes filled with resentment.

A few seconds later, he bellowed, "Let's go!"

Horn, along with his attendants and servants, headed towards the back gate, and soon, their figures vanished into the mist.

By now, the surrounding fog was gradually dispersing, and they could even hear the enemy army's sounds outside the city gates.

Horn turned his head, looking at each soldier clad in blood-stained armor, seeing their mix of unease and fighting spirit, resolve and helplessness.

"I know you don't believe in me, and I don't need you to. All you need to remember is that as long as you follow me, victory will always be on our side!"

"I promise you, after our victory, each of you will receive a medal, ample rewards, and your parents, wives, and children will be proud of you!"

"You will be recorded in history as victors!"

Leo spurred his warhorse, raising his arm high, and shouted to every person there, rallying them before the battle.