The Herb King

"Greetings, Sir Aethelwolf. Some people came here and they told me that they are employees of your clinic. They are now waiting for you in the guest hall." Rendell said respectfully.

"Oh, they're here? Alright. I'll look for them." Leric nodded his head and entered the mansion. He then turned his head to the ladies and said. "You guys have the ingredients with you so prepare them outside. We will have our feast there. Just take anything you need from the kitchen. You can see the kitchen right there."

"Yes, Sir Aethelwolf." The ladies nodded their heads. Skylar and Kathlyn then led them in the direction of the kitchen.

Leric and Samira headed to the guest hall and they saw the newly hired employees and their families sitting nervously on the sofas.

When they saw him entering the hall, they immediately stood up and greeted him respectfully. "Greetings, Sir Aethelwolf!"

Meanwhile, Janrose was looking at Aethelwolf with a stunned expression. 'What the hell?! This is him?! I thought Level 4 Espers are old codgers...' She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Leric smiled at them and asked. "Have you guys chosen your rooms?"

"We just arrived here, Sir Aethelwolf. We haven't chosen our rooms yet."

"Alright. You can do that later. For now, just leave your baggage here. We will be having a feast outside the mansion. Oh, by the way, this young lady right here is Samira. She will be working in the clinic with you guys so just ask her if you have any questions related to your jobs." Leric said as he introduced Samira to everyone.

***

In a dense jungle outside of Lion City, dozens of soldiers were sneakily looking at a stronghold. This place is one of the Northern Viper Group's hideouts.

"Your Highness, our soldiers are prepared to attack. We are just waiting for your commands." Harold said to the second prince.

Prince Calvin nodded his head solemnly. "Let's wait for a perfect opportunity. I don't want unnecessary casualties on our side."

This stronghold is protected by a high-ranking member of the bandit group, a Level 4 Esper. He has a thousand Espers under his command and more than ten thousand normal bandits! It is a sizable force with strength that is comparable to a noble household!

A shadow suddenly appeared behind the second prince. "Your Highness, do you want me to make a move?"

It was Dimitri, the strongest fighter of the Imperial Family!

Prince Calvin shook his head. "The attack will be successful even if you don't join the fight, Sir Dimitri. This is also a great opportunity to train our soldiers. I believe Lord Harold is thinking the same thing as me."

Harold was surprised by Dimitri's silent movement, but he still nodded his head at the second prince's words. "Your Highness is right. We want to control our casualties, but this is also a great opportunity for our soldiers to gain battle experience. I can handle their leader on my own." He was confident in his own abilities. Besides, the leader of this stronghold is only an initial stage Level 4 Esper.

Dimitri nodded his head calmly and vanished into the darkness.

"Archers, kill the guards in the watchtowers and have four teams enter the stronghold to open the gates. The rest will wait. Go!" Prince Calvin gave his commands and the archers immediately fired their arrows at the bandits in the watchtowers.

Four teams also started climbing the stronghold silently, while the other soldiers waited for their chance.

Soon, the gates of the stronghold were opened, and only then did the bandits realize that they were under attack.

"Attack!" Prince Calvin shouted as he raised his sword. He then jumped onto his Equus and charged together with the soldiers.

With the second prince joining the charge, the soldiers were stimulated and they fiercely sprinted to the stronghold.

"Stay calm! They are just insects sent by the Leone Empire! With me here! There is nothing to worry about!" A loud booming voice echoed throughout the stronghold. Even Prince Calvin and his soldiers heard this.

"Lord Harold, I'll leave that guy to you." Prince Calvin said.

Harold nodded his head. "Yes, Your Highness." He answered calmly.

Thousands of bandits came to block their path, preventing them from entering the stronghold. Only a few of these bandits were Espers so the soldiers of the Imperial Family and the Reynolds Household killed them effortlessly.

The goal of the bandits was only to buy some time for their main force to assemble. Once they are ready, their leader will lead their army for a counterattack!

"These bandits are quite smart, but they underestimated our soldiers. Everyone, kill them! Prince Calvin urged his Equus to jump toward a group of bandits. He then waved his sword, killing four men in just one move!

The bandits felt fearful as they looked at the valiantly dressed Prince Calvin. He looked like a fierce young general!

"That is Prince Calvin, the second prince of the Leone Empire! Kill him! Bring his head to the leader and you will get ample rewards!" Someone from the bandits' side shouted and his words immediately roused the greed of the bandits. They all stared at Prince Calvin.

When he sensed their desire to kill, the second prince felt goosebumps all over his body. It would be bad if he was surrounded by a large group of reckless bandits. "Stick with me!" He shouted. The soldiers quickly assembled into a formation with the prince at the center. They didn't want anything to happen to him.

Harold smiled in admiration. The second prince is quite brave and he even dared to join the frontlines. He has the makings of a great general!

"So it is you, Prince Calvin Leone! To think that someone who has the Imperial Bloodline would actually send himself to my doorstep! Now, die!" A malicious aura suddenly locked onto the second prince, making him shiver.

The soldiers in front of him were also sent flying by a strong force.

Seeing this, Harold moved in front of the prince and blocked the incoming person.

It was a middle-aged man who has a dragon tattoo on his neck. He was grinning at Harold as he pushed his saber.