Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Zurcath’s city defense forces were able to build simple fortifications in the middle of the city. It was their last line of defense against the invading troops and everything was looking bleak for them.

“Sir, how about we surrender? These simple fortifications wouldn’t be able to stop the Astanian warriors. The troops’ morale is also very low.”

“How dare you utter such nonsense?! You want us to surrender to those bastards?! Are you fucking insane?! Have you forgotten how many of our comrades died because of them?! Say that one more time and I will cut your head off!”

The commander of Zurcath’s city defense forces was one of the most loyal men of Harune. He knew that they stood no chance against the Astanian army led by a Venerable, but he refused to surrender.

Hearing the commander’s words, the warriors fell silent.

At this moment, they saw the signals from their scouts, informing them that the enemy troops were coming.

Seeing this, the commander immediately shouted.

“Warriors of Zurcath! We may die here today, but we will never yield to the enemy! Raise your weapons and put your all into battle!”

It was the final attempt to boost his troops’ morale and it surprisingly worked.

The warriors of Zurcath were invigorated. Knowing that death was inevitable, they all chose to abandon their fears to offer one last struggle. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel⚑fire.net

Soon, the Astanian troops came into view.

“Release the arrows! Shoot them down!”

Following their commander’s words, the archers quickly released their arrows.

Thwang! Thwang!

Thousands of arrows flew straight into the Astanian troops.

Suu! Suu! Suu!

“Raise your shields! Protect your vital organs!” Lucas roared when he saw the arrows flying overhead.

In the next moment, the arrows rained down from the sky, but the Astanian troops were already prepared. They raised their shields and protected their most vulnerable parts.

Only a few of them were killed, while the rest managed to defend themselves from the arrows.

The simple fortifications built by Zurcath’s warriors quickly collapsed. They couldn’t even slow down the Astanian troops.

A fierce melee battle followed.

The screams and roars of the soldiers echoed across the city, striking fear in the hearts of the residents hidden in their homes.

Zurcath’s warriors were like enraged beasts. They wildly fought, disregarding the injuries in their bodies.

However, despite their efforts, they couldn’t stop the more battle-ready Astanian warriors.

In a few hours, tens of thousands of Zurcath’s soldiers were killed. Even their fearless commander died at the hands of Lucas.

With the death of their commander, the remaining warriors of Zurcath chose to surrender.

“Tie them up and bring them to the city square!” Lucas commanded his troops.

There were still over twenty thousand enemy soldiers left, a size that would threaten his troops if left unchecked.

Although they had already surrendered, Lucas reminded his troops to be careful.

I should have made a move yesterday.

Lucas thought to himself as he watched his men tie up the enemy soldiers.

***

Two days later, in Midgard, Alaric had just received a letter from his father, informing him that they had already conquered Zurcath.

He wasn’t surprised by the victory. Zurcath’s army might be formidable for a city of its size, but there was no way for them to stop an army led by a Mythical Knight.

After reading the letter, he smiled faintly.

“All that is left is Nacalub.” He mumbled.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A series of knocks on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Hearing this, Alaric sent a look to Mathilda who was standing next to him.

Understanding his intentions, Mathilda went to open the door.

A grim-faced warrior entered the room. “Your Highness, we have received word from our scouts stationed at the mountains near Atarkan!”

While saying this, he took a letter from his inner pocket.

Alaric frowned and gestured for Mathilda to take the letter who then handed it to him.

Alaric removed the seal and quickly opened the letter.

Upon reading the contents, his expression abruptly changed.

What?! Harune still has that many troops?!

Written in the letter was a report about the discovery of a Harunian army heading towards Zurcath via the mountain paths near Atarkan.

The letter also mentioned that there were flags of the imperial family which means that Harune’s imperial forces have been mobilized.

I need to inform Dad at once!

Knowing that the situation was urgent, he quickly grabbed a piece of paper and a quill pen from his desk drawer.

Mathilda was surprised when she saw his reaction, but she didn’t disturb him.

She knew that it wasn’t the right time to ask questions.

A few minutes later, Alaric composed a simple letter. He folded it and sealed it with his stamp. He then handed it to the messenger and said. “Send this to our allies in Zurcath! Use our fastest messenger birds!”

Hearing the urgency in his voice, the messenger nodded. “I obey your commands.”

After the messenger left, Mathilda could no longer contain her curiosity. “What happened, Your Highness? I might be able to give you some advice…”

Alaric stared deeply at her and replied in a solemn voice. “Our scouts discovered a Harunian army with over five hundred thousand warriors heading to Zurcath. Our scouts also said that they saw the flags of Harune’s imperial family.”

Mathilda was stunned.

If the imperial family of Harune is involved, that army must have come from various parts of the country.

Considering the size of their army and the distance between Zurcath and Atarkan, it would take them two to three weeks to get there.

“Your Highness, an army of that size would take a long time to reach Zurcath. We still have time to warn Lord Lucas.”

Alaric took a deep breath and fell into silence.

Leighnard and Lord Dominic are still heading to Nacalub. If I request help from them, it would take some time before they can send troops to Zurcath.

What should I do?

ROAARR!!

A familiar beastly roar suddenly drifted into his ears.