The Herb King

Chapter 22: Ambush

The old strategist of the Northern Viper Group felt that something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t pinpoint it. “Just what is going on?” He muttered to himself with an uneasy look. 𝐟re𝐞w𝐞𝒃𝓃𝒐𝐯𝚎𝒍.c૦𝚖

He was a merchant before he became a strategist of the Northern Viper Group. He used his experience and knowledge to get the recognition of the Northern Viper Group’s leader. Now, he was sent here to become the tactician of Solas’ army.

At first, he thought that this battle would be an easy one. General Gavin and his Flame Tiger Army might be a strong force, but they lacked a skilled strategist. The old man used this disadvantage to ensure the victory of Solas’ army. However, just as he thought that everything was going according to his plan, the ferocious Flame Tiger Army suddenly stopped their charge midway. Their behavior was weird and unbefitting the rumors about them.

“Could it be that there is a skilled tactician on their side?” The old man narrowed his eyes as he stared at the war map on the table.

Just then, he heard the charge of the detachment force of about five hundred soldiers sent by Solas to feel the Flame Tiger Army.

The old man glanced at them with a hint of worry. Those men were former bandits and murderers so they were quite skilled in armed combat. The geography of the area was also studied by them earlier, so they have the advantage. Furthermore, they had already placed more than a dozen traps in certain areas.

The old man could hear the resonating war cry of the Northern Viper Groups detachment force. Their voices resounded throughout the battlefield like a storm!

.....

Meanwhile, Solas could sense the unnatural look of the old man. He furrowed his eyebrows in displeasure when he saw this. He didn’t like this old man at all. If not for the leader’s stern command, he wouldn’t even bring this guy with him. The only thing good about him was his strategies, but other than that, the old man was timid, feeble, and weak-minded.

Suddenly, Solas heard the distraught cries of his soldiers. He immediately stepped out of the commander’s tent and stared at the watchman as he roared. “What happened?!”

The watchman stood atop the watchtower while overlooking the battlefield through a monocular. His face fell as he stuttered. “O-Our bro-brothers... They were ambushed! Some of our brothers are still fighting back, but most of them are already wiped out!”

“What did you say?!” Solas bellowed in rage upon hearing the watchman’s words. How could this happen? They prepared traps for several days, but his men were the ones dying?

The old tactician also stepped out of the commander’s tent with a stunned look on his face. “How could this be? How did they manage to ambush our soldiers? Gavin just came here, so how come he knows where to perfectly place his soldiers for an ambush?” He muttered in shock.

Slap!

Solas sent the old tactician flying with a brutal slap to his face!

“You old bastard sent my men to their deaths!” He shouted angrily as he pointed at the old man.

Several bandits held Solas back and prevented him from hurting the old man.

“Boss, don’t hurt him! He was sent here by the leader! You will be punished if you kill him!”

“Shut up you bunch of fools! Scram out of my sights!” Solas pushed them and sent his men flying. Although his soldiers were just a brigand of killers, he treated them as his brothers, so how could he not be angry when they were killed because of the old man’s commands?

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Hundreds upon hundreds of arrows suddenly blotted the skies and descended towards the shaken army of Solas.

Miserable shrieks resounded in the entire camp as the soldiers of the Northern Viper Group were caught unprepared by this surprise attack.

More than a hundred bandits fell from the onslaught of arrows, and a few hundred more were covered with heavy and light injuries!

Solas grabbed his battle axe and waved it in front of him, preventing the arrows from puncturing him. After the volley of arrows, he slowly moved his battle axe to the side and glared at the small force that attacked them.

They wore the armors of Gavin’s Flame Tiger Army. The man leading them looked quite young and he had a gentle smile on his face as he stared at Solas.

Looking at the young man’s hateful smile, Solas lifted his battle axe and charge toward him with a look of rage. “Brothers, avenge our fallen comrades!” His loud voice roused the shocked Northern Viper Group’s soldiers. They immediately lifted their weapons and followed the charge of their boss, leaving the old tactician who was still lying on the ground with a bloody face.

Seeing this, Leric’s smile deepened. “Commander Anton, you handle Solas. Miss Samira, take your sisters and kill that old man right there.” He commanded them calmly.

Anton Lassiter nodded his head upon hearing the command. He then shouted at his soldiers. “You heard him, follow me!”

Samira and her two maids stared at the collapsed figure that Leric was pointing to. They didn’t know who this unlucky guy was, but they still followed the command.

“Let’s go!” Samira dashed with her sword in her hand.

Soon, a bloody exchange took place.

This was Leric’s first time seeing such a brutal scene and he could not help but feel slightly nauseous. However, a strange force calmed his heart and removed the nauseating sensation he was feeling. His face regained calmness not long after and he stood there unmoving, looking at the battle with indifferent eyes.

You have learned the skill [Provoke]

You have learned the skill

You have learned...

Leric glanced at the Status Screen and saw a few new skills appearing. His strength was continuously increasing at a terrifying rate!