Book 10: Chapter 35


    The soldiers raised the guns in their hands up high, looked to the valley in front and roared. I sat atop my horse as and looked at the fury on their face. I shouted, Do you still remember the humiliation we suffered a few days ago? We suffered our first night raid. I cannot ept that sort of random defeat. It was our fault for being conceited that time, but that wont happen this time. Show the barbarians of the North our true strength this time!


    For the alliance!!


    Attack!


    For the alliance!!


    The soldiers began to march, causing the entire valley to quake. The horses neighed as the men forced them to advance. They dragged cannons across the ice and snow to enter the valley.


    I looked at the tall mountains on both sides of the valley. The two mountains were the mostmon snowy mountains in the North. At the top was a thickyer of snow. Below the loweryer of the snowy mountains were dead nts. The two mountains created a narrow space between them, so my army had no means of spreading out, thereby hampering my ability to use my numbers advantage.


    The mountains on both sides were extremely steep. I didnt rule out the possibility of a route allowing one toe down from above, but I couldnt have my main force use it even if such a route did exist, since it was pointless to send a small team.


    However, there was a benefit that we could derive from it. The panthers couldnt attack us from the rear given those conditions. Of course, I didnt believe that they would try and use a sneak attack on us with their small numbers. I wouldnt wait anymore or alter my n if they didunch a sneak attack. If they attacked us from the rear, I would just concentrate on capturing the wall.


    The city doors Ling Yue spoke of finally appeared in front of us. The wall stunned me a bit. The wall waspletely wrapped up with vines that resembled Japanese ivy.


    I wasnt sure if that was deliberate or if it was the work of nature. If it was just a simple door made of stone, I was certain that I could blow a hole in it with my cannons on the spot. However, I couldnt be so certain when they had got nts and mud mixed together and reinforced with ice.


    I saw an imposing panther standing behind the parapet of the city wall. He looked at us, and I waved my hand. My army behind me halted, and the horses stopped neighing. The footsteps echoing throughout the valley stopped, sending it into silence once again. The panther looked at me, and I looked back at him.


    Ling Yue wasnt next to me this time. She chose to leave, as we got closer and closer to Marvel, who was going to have a standoff with us. I didnt know why she chose to leave, but I had no reason to refuse, since that was her decision.


    I couldnt actually see Marvels face clearly. I could only see that his physique was very burly. I didnt think itd be an exaggeration if I he ended up squashing Ling Yue to bits if he rubbed her. I couldnt quite wrap my head around why she liked the guy, but for some reason, I really wanted to put a bullet in his furry head with a gun.


    Your Majesty.


    Philes handed me a long gun from behind. I grabbed it and aimed it at the panther at the top. The panther coldly looked at me without shouting anything or ducking its head. I fired at it without a word prior.


    I had no intention of being chivalrous here.


    <em>If youre not scared of me, fine, Ill kill you with one shot. Ill shoot you dead in one shot even if you want to fight fair and square.</em>


    s, due to the excessively long distance from him, the bullet only hit the parapet and broke off a section of condensed mud.


    Scoundrel! Scoundrel!!


    Angry roars came from above the city walls. The panther looked at me coldly. His gaze was more condescending and ridiculingpared to before. I pursed my lips with annoyance.


    <em>This has nothing to do with honour or chivalry, does it? Were enemies to begin with. Its normal for me to shoot at you, isnt it?</em>


    I tossed the gun back to Philes; then I turned around and waved my hand as Imanded, Artillerymen, prepare to fire!!


    The horns of the artillery squad from behind sounded out. The horses scattered. The personnel around the cannons ran back and forth, loading up the weapon created by humanity.


    Commander of the human army below!


    I heard someone fluent in the elvennguage call out from the city wall just as I turned around to leave. I looked back at the panther atop the wall. Marvel looked at me. Tone imposing, he shouted, If you have any integrity and honour left in you, then dont make my soldiers and yours suffer. Lets do this, you and I will fight a duel down below. Whoever wins will get their way, what do you th-.


    <strong>*Bang!!*</strong>


    My second shot hit his metal helmet, leading to everyone present eximing with surprise. He didnt get injured, because I was truly too far away. Despite hitting its target, the bullet didnt have enough power to pierce his helmet, instead, leaving just a small dent. I tossed the gun I took off Philes again back to him. I then looked back at Marvel and belted, There is no need for any agreement between humans and anthropoids. I can get what I want once youre dead anyway. You killed so many of our people in the South, and yet you expect me y chivalry games with you?


    We didnt kill them!


    You anthropoids in the North raised your des at us, so you must all die.


    I grabbed the gun Philes reloaded and handed me. I aimed at Marvel a third time, but he hesitated for a moment, and then swiftly ducked his head behind the wall. My soldiers broke out inughter. They mocked the enemymander who was afraid. I tossed the gun back to Philes, and then returned to the middle of the formation.


    The cannons were ready, and the artillerymen were waiting for my order. I looked at thedders we had finished preparing, in addition to the soldiers around the simply constructed ram. I raised my hand up high, pointed to the city wall in front and roared, Soldiers, see that? See those murderers? I dont need to say anymore, right?! You are the soldiers Her Majesty is proud of, and my most trusted warriors. Our enemy is right before us. Do I need to say anymore? Now charge over there and attack! Attack!! For the alliance! For the alliance!!


    For the alliance!! For revenge!!


    The soldiers roared in unison, and the cannons went off. The cannonballs exploded when they upon impact on the city walls. I looked at the mountains on both sides with a bit of concern, but our charge and the sound of the explosions didnt affect the mountains.


    It didnt look like wed cause an avnche. The mountains seemed to be wrapped up with nts, after all, so they should be firm in ce. The big pile of snow wasnt meaningless, though.


    Despite the cannons blowing off chunks of mud and shaking the walls, they remained rooted firmly in the ground. It sounded as though the cannons took out some enemies behind the walls, as well. It was be best if it killed several of them while at it.


    I didnt charge right away. Instead, I waited for my artillerymen to reload as many cannons as possible. I wasnt sure if the Panthers would be scared of the situation, but I was certain that humans who were smothered with cannon fire for the first time were definitely so scared that they would scream their lungs out.


    The cannons stopped. A good portion of the mud and nts on the walls had been blown off, revealing the simple blue colour beneath.


    I drew my long sword and charged toward the city walls while roaring, Charge!!!


    For the alliance!!