Chapter 993 The Outbreak of War (2)

"Thank you all for gathering here."

Aldric looked at the leaders of Kalbar's city forces standing before him and nodded in satisfaction.

"I've called you all here to discuss something important. It concerns an attack that will reach us shortly. The enemy is being led by Corvin, the military commander of Rellan. To prevent this attack, I will lead you against them. I hope you'll all help me."

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll do my best to help!"

The speaker was a tall, middle-aged man with a scar on the right side of his face, making him look rather intimidating.

His name was Hadrian, the military leader of Kalbar.

With Hadrian taking the lead, the others immediately voiced their agreement.

Aldric nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you, everyone. In that case, I'll station troops at key points throughout the city."

He then took out a map and unfolded it before them. It showed the layout of Kalbar.

"Commander Hadrian, I want you to take about two hundred men to this location."

He tapped the eastern side of Kalbar, which, according to Butler Arkal, was the city's weakest point.

"I understand. Leave it to me!" Hadrian replied firmly.

Aldric nodded in satisfaction before assigning roles to the other military leaders.

Once he had finished, he straightened up and said loudly, "We must not let the enemy breach Kalbar's borders, or your families will pay the price. Understood?"

His gaze narrowed coldly.

Rebellion never brought good results. It only brought death, starvation, and poverty.

What's more, the current rebellion isn't driven purely by the people's aspirations or dissatisfaction.

Rather, it's the result of foreign interference aimed at disrupting the order of the southern region and the entire empire.

"We understand, General Aldric! Leave it to us!" they all replied in unison.

Aldric gave a faint smile.

"Good! In that case, let's get started…"

…

Corvin and his troops halted two kilometers from the city of Kalbar.

"General, there's news from the front lines!"

A soldier ran toward him and handed him a letter.

Corvin took it, opened it, and read its contents.

His calm expression shifted slightly.

"Aldric Lorian has arrived?"

His eyes narrowed.

"This soon?"

He had already received word from his supporters behind the scenes that Duke Malvain would be launching an attack.

However, it seemed the duke's forces had arrived much sooner than expected.

"What should we do, General? Should we retreat?" the soldier asked hesitantly.

"Retreat?"

Corvin smiled mockingly.

He tore up the letter and tossed the pieces aside.

"Why? We're still going to attack Kalbar. If Aldric can hold us off, that's fine. Unfortunately, he won't have that chance."

He drew his sword and raised it high.

"Everyone!" he shouted. "There's a cockroach trying to challenge us, but I won't let it slide! Come on! Let's slaughter them with everything we've got!"

"Woooah! Slaughter them!"

The soldiers' cheers echoed in every direction.

Corvin glanced at the soldier who had asked the question earlier and smiled faintly.

"See? No one's afraid, even if the First Prince himself shows up. Get back in line. We'll conquer Kalbar tonight, no matter what."

The soldier could only remain silent and nod. After returning to his horse, Corvin spurred it forward.

Kieeek!

The horse neighed and reared up on its hind legs before landing and charging forward at incredible speed.

The thousands of soldiers behind him immediately followed suit. At that pace, the army would reach its main target, Kalbar, in just twenty minutes.

…

Kalbar was usually bustling at night, with families out for evening strolls.

But for the first time, the normally lively city seemed deserted, with not a single soul in sight.

This was all because of a warning issued by the Rowen family, ordering everyone to stay indoors.

"Is everyone ready?" Aldric asked.

"Yes, General," Drian replied respectfully. "Our troops are waiting outside, ready to follow your orders."

Aldric nodded slightly before putting on his war helmet.

He mounted his horse and ordered, "Let's go."

***

In front of Kalbar's city walls, seven thousand soldiers stood in neat formation. They consisted of the troops Aldric had brought with him and Kalbar's own forces.

When Aldric appeared with Drian, the soldiers hurriedly saluted.

Aldric nodded in response. He then stopped beside Hadrian and gazed into the distance, where a dark mass of soldiers was charging toward them.

"Hadrian, I want you and Drian to wait here for now. I'll negotiate with Corvin first."

Drian and Hadrian were taken aback by his words.

"G-General, are you sure? They're rebel forces. There's no way they'll listen to you!" Drian said seriously.

Aldric waved his hand.

"I know, but I have to try."

If possible, he wanted to avoid resorting to violence.

Resolving the rebellion through peaceful negotiations would improve his image among the public far more than waging war.

If he succeeded, he could gain greater support from both the people and the nobility, which would clearly work to his advantage.

Drian wanted to say something but held back.

"I understand."

He let out a long sigh.

"But be careful."

Aldric gave a slight nod before pulling on his horse's reins.

"They're coming."

The others immediately raised their weapons, ready to attack.

But Aldric quickly raised his hand to stop them.

"Wait for my signal," he said calmly.

The soldiers exchanged glances, wondering what he meant. However, they didn't dare object and obeyed his order.

Corvin's troops came to a halt two hundred meters from Aldric's forces.

Corvin smiled faintly as he watched Aldric ride forward alone.

"It seems Prince Aldric wants to negotiate with you, General," one of the soldiers said.

"I know that," Corvin replied indifferently. "I'll go over and see what he wants to discuss."

"Huh? Are you sure? Aren't you afraid he'll attack you?"

Corvin laughed derisively.

"You're overestimating Aldric. He's just a tiger that has never seen the world. How could he possibly threaten me?"

The soldier frowned but didn't argue.

"All right, I'm heading out."

He pulled on his horse's reins and urged it forward. Aldric did the same.

They stopped twenty meters apart.

"Hahaha! Good evening, Your Highness," Corvin greeted him playfully. "So…"

A faint smile spread across his face.

"What does Your Highness want from me?"

Aldric looked Corvin up and down. He had a fierce appearance, with a tall, muscular build typical of a soldier.

"Corvin, I want you to surrender."

Corvin fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha! What kind of joke is that? Do you think I'll stop just because you told me to?"

He covered his face with his right palm.

"Your Highness Aldric, you're truly naive!"

His expression turned grim as he shouted, "I am the representative of the oppressed! There's no way I'm giving up now!"

Hearing that, Aldric realized there was no room for negotiation. He didn't linger any longer and turned away.

"Since that's what you want, I'll grant it."

Corvin gave a faint smile.

"I'll accept it."

They both returned to their respective ranks and glared at each other with burning, murderous intent.

"Everyone!" they shouted in unison, thrusting their swords forward. "Attack!"