Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Tsk!

“With the ammunition we have, we can only eliminate about a hundred thousand of them at most.” Giovanni furrowed his eyebrows.

Most of their artillery ammunition had already been used up so they could only rely on the arrows they had hastily made in the past few days.

Can we defeat them?

Although Remondin’s army was like a headless fly now that their leader was gone, they were still a force to be reckoned with. They had several Transcendent Knights who were on the same level if not stronger than Marlon.

House Silversword’s troops are still taking care of the uprising. I need to hold out until they deal with the situation on their side.

Thinking about this, he sent a look to the cavalrymen and infantrymen waiting behind the main gate.

“Prepare to move out at my signal!” He shouted.

Luckily for him, there was still Christon Evander to lead these men. His presence alone would stabilize the morale of the troops.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Giovanni turned his gaze back to Remondin’s troops.

The disorganized troops finally realized their mistake.

They knew that charging head-on would only get themselves killed so the military officers commanded their subordinates to form a defensive line beyond the range of the Astanian artillery and archers.

They sobered up real quick.

This isn’t good.

If they use proper methods to besiege the city, our troops wouldn’t be able to defend them for long, especially now that our Venerable is critically injured and is not in the condition to fight.

Giovanni frowned when he noticed the changes in the enemy’s formation.

Seeing this, he raised his fist and shouted. “Artillery units and archers, don’t fire unless they are within our range!”

Hearing his commands, the artillery units and archers quickly halted their attacks.

Suddenly, someone approached him and whispered.

“Your Highness, we cannot let the enemies take a breather. With their numbers, we wouldn’t be able to stop them if they move in proper formation.” The one who spoke was Derrek.

The guy still hadn’t recovered from the last battle against Rudner’s troops, but he insisted on joining.

Looking at Derrek who had a cast on his right arm and shoulder, Giovanni swallowed back the words he was about to say.

He took a deep breath and responded with a grave look. “I know, but we don’t have much ammunition left.”

“Your Highness, we can send our cavalry and infantry to attack them while they are still organizing their troops.”

Giovanni frowned as he contemplated deeply.

Can our soldiers really handle that many enemies?

Sensing his hesitation, Derrek urged him. “Your Highness, please trust our warriors. They aren’t that weak to fear an army double their size. Besides…”

“…Lord Christon…”

Hearing him mention this name, Giovanni raised an eyebrow. “What about him?”

Derrek revealed a look of fear as he replied. “I have never seen Lord Christon this furious before. Can you not sense it? The aura he is exuding is even making his men uncomfortable…”

Hearing this, Giovanni turned around and looked at Christon who was in the front-most position of the melee units.

The old man’s face looked terrifyingly cold and he exuded a kind of aura that deterred anyone from approaching him.

Lord Christon… he must be furious because of what happened to Marco.

He failed to defeat Loras which ended up in Marco having to fight the guy himself.

Although Marco won the fight, he ended up in a comatose state. Until now, he still hadn’t woken up.

The old man must be blaming himself for what happened to Marco.

Giovanni thought to himself.

Will he be able to command our troops effectively when he is in this state?

While he was hesitating, Derrek’s voice drifted into his ears.

“Your Highness, this might be a chance for Lord Christon. He is already at the peak of the Transcendent realm. With the right stimulus, he might even advance and become the next Venerable in our nation.”

Giovanni rubbed his chin.

Derrek’s words sounded convincing, but advancing to the realm of the Venerables was easier said than done.

After almost an entire minute, he let out a deep breath and said. “Alright… let’s do it.”

“I will also join them in battle,” Giovanni added.

Derrek was stunned by his words. “Your Highness, it’s too dangerous for you to step into battle! There is no need for-”

Giovanni raised his hand, gesturing at him to stop talking. “I have given it much thought.”

“Relying on Lord Christon wouldn’t be enough. I need to be there to raise our troops’ morale. This is the only way for us to fight against an army that is more than double our size.”

Derrek wanted to dissuade him, but Giovanni didn’t look like he would listen.

“In that case, I will follow you into battle!” He exclaimed.

Giovanni sent him a stern look. “How can you fight in that state?!”

Derrek grinned. “Your Highness, I only need one hand to wield a sword. As for controlling my horse, I can just tie the reins on my injured hand.”

Giovanni was exasperated at his stubbornness. “You are getting bolder and bolder these days, Derrek. You even dare to oppose my decisions now.”

“I learned from the best.” Derrek chuckled.

“What did you say?”

Derrek quickly ran away and shouted. “I will prepare your horse, Your Highness. I will wait for you down there!”

Looking at him running away, Giovanni could only helplessly shake his head. “Since when did I become this soft?”

“I’m becoming more like Alaric. His behavior must have rubbed off on me…” He complained.

A moment later, Derrek came back to inform him that his mount was ready.

“Your Highness, everything has been prepared. We are only waiting for your command.”

Giovanni stared deeply at him and nodded. “Let’s go. It’s about time to crush those bastards.”

After saying this, he went down the wall and jumped onto the horse that was prepared for him.

He then grabbed the reins and took a deep breath before he shouted to the gate operator. “Lift the gate!”