Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Iron Sand Fort lost more than half of their soldiers on the second day of the battle. Most of their casualties were cavalrymen, followed by the foot soldiers.

Now, they were only left with a little less than four thousand warriors. With their current numbers, stopping the advance of Harune’s army was impossible. Their only hope was for more reinforcements to arrive. However, they might have to wait for two more days before help would arrive. Given their current situation, it was impossible to hold on for another day.

Marco wanted to get some sleep that night after the second battle, but negative thoughts kept him awake. He hadn’t slept for a few days now so his body wasn’t recovering well.

I only recovered a fifth of my mana. By tomorrow, I might not be able to recover half.

His face darkened as he thought of this. His strength was needed for tomorrow’s battle, but he wasn’t in his best condition.

Unable to sleep, he stepped out of his tent and decided to get some air. The pungent scent of blood still lingered in the air, but he had already gotten used to it.

A few meters away, he saw his troops resting in turns. Those who were on night duty had dark circles under their eyes, clearly exhausted and deprived of sleep. He felt pity for them, but they couldn’t leave the fortress unguarded.

While he was inspecting his soldiers’ condition, he suddenly sensed something unusual.

Hm?

He hurriedly jumped on top of the broken wall and stared in a certain direction with narrowed eyes.

With his keen perception, he noticed a weird energy blocking his senses.

They are planning a night raid!

Realizing the enemy’s intentions, his face fell.

He then took a deep breath and shouted to awaken his troops. “Enemy attack! Assemble immediately!”

Upon hearing his words, everyone was forced to wake up. They quickly assembled beneath the walls and waited for his instructions.

Looking at the weary soldiers beneath the wall, Marco didn’t know if they could survive the night raid. Despite his doubt, he didn’t show any emotion outwardly.

“Warriors of Iron Sand Fort, tonight might be our last battle! We have been tasked to defend this fortress regardless of the costs! Do not be afraid! Your families have already been sent to a safe place! However, our mission isn’t over… We will defend this place and stop the enemy from advancing! We will never retreat!” He shouted, his voice filled with determination.

“We will never retreat!”

“We will follow you into battle, my lord!”

“We will defend this place!”

The warriors’ cries echoed in all directions.

Hearing this, Marco took a deep breath and shouted. “To your positions! Move out!”

As soon as he gave the command, everyone rushed to their respective positions. The archers jumped on top of the walls and readied their equipment. Meanwhile, the cavalrymen and infantrymen assembled before the gate, waiting for further instructions.

At this moment, Giovanni had already mounted his horse, his face looking grim. In the battle earlier, he had received some injuries and his mana was also nearly depleted. He hadn’t even fully recovered, but another battle was about to begin.

He could have chosen to retreat, but he felt a sense of duty to defend his land. He didn’t know how he got this sudden sense of responsibility, but it happened. Even until now, he still couldn’t believe that he chose to stay.

I am foolish. I should have retreated, but it is already too late for that.

He thought to himself when he saw an exhausted Marco mounting his horse at the very forefront of the formation.

Seeing this, he turned his head to Derrek and called out to him. “Hey!”

“Yes, Your Highness?” Derrek stared at him with an eyebrow raised upwards.

“When the battle starts, keep an eye on Marco.” The second prince instructed indifferently.

Derrek was surprised by his command, but after a moment of confusion, he nodded. “Your subordinate understands.”

Giovanni no longer said anything. He unsheathed his sword and waited for Marco’s signal.

Meanwhile, Derrek was currently looking at the second prince with a baffled gaze. This arrogant heir to the throne had never shown respect or care towards anyone, but something was different this time.

He could feel that the second prince was evolving, not physically, but emotionally.

Suddenly, an earth-shaking roar drifted into his ears.

“Warriors of Astania, prepare to charge with me as soon as the gate is lifted!”

Derrek watched the marquis’ broad back with a faint smile.

Look at you acting so tough.

He knew that the marquis was the most exhausted out of everyone in the fortress, but he never heard the man complain even once.

It was because of his presence that these tired soldiers were able to get up and lift their weapons. Without him, Iron Sand Fort would have long since fallen.

A loud click echoed, a sign that the gate had been fully lifted.

In the next moment, Marco’s voice resounded across the fortress. “Follow me into battle! Kill as many enemies as you can! Crush them!”

Everyone roared at the top of their lungs, answering his call.

The enemies who were trying to sneak around were stunned when they heard their earthshaking battle cries.

“We have been discovered!”

“It doesn’t matter! They are already exhausted! Kill them all and occupy the fortress!”

Knowing that a surprise attack was already impossible, the soldiers of Harune decided to confront them head-on.

They believed that they could easily defeat their tired enemies, but upon the collision of their armies, they realized that the warriors of Iron Sand Fort seemed to be in frenzied state!

They fought violently!

Their high aggression caught Harune’s troops by surprise.

With the initial clash, Harune’s troops were temporarily pushed back. They felt as if they were fighting a group of crazy hyenas! They were relentless, brutal, and unafraid of death!

Fear spread among the soldiers of Harune and some even thought of retreating.

However, their commander revealed himself, his presence dissipating everyone’s worries.

“Don’t falter! The enemies are in bad shape! Push through them and this battle will be ours to win!”