The Herb King



The faces of the various leaders turned grim. They didn't expect that the Underworlders would actually launch a full-scale offensive and from the looks of it, their army had already marched beyond the Northern Region. 

"I will take my leave as well. Our empire is still facing the Underworlders. You guys should hurry up!" Another leader disconnected the call.

"May we meet again, everyone." 

Not long later, a few more Level 5 Espers disconnected the call. They were the ones nearer to the Jasper Empire so they would be the first ones to clash with the Underworlders. 

The remaining leaders also disconnected the call and encouraged their armies to march faster. 

Aethelwolf stared at the darkening sky and made a decision. He summoned all the Level 5 Espers in the army.

"Everyone, we will be moving ahead with the army. Our allies are currently fighting with the Underworlders and their situation isn't good. We have to support them as soon as possible. Ramiel, you stay here and lead the army. We will wait for you guys on the battlefield. Let's go!" Aethelwolf urged his mount to fly. The others also commanded their mounts to follow Aethelwolf's Golden Horned Gryphon. 

Ramiel stared at their disappearing figures with a serious look on his face. "Stay alive, everyone." He muttered silently.

***

With the speed of their mounts, Aethelwolf and the others arrived at the battlefield in a few hours. They saw the army of Underworlders chasing the scattered soldiers of the allied army. 

"Kill them!" Aethelwolf issued a command. His Golden Horned Gryphon dived down and tore the Underworlders with its sharp claws. Meanwhile, Aethelwolf sent multiple sword beams towards the fleeing Underworlders.

"Are you guys alright?" He asked the survivors in front of him. There were only six of them and they were all injured. He quickly tossed some healing pills for them. 

A soldier with a broken shoulder nodded his head. "Thank you for your help."

"You guys should retreat. Leave the rest to us." Aethelwolf muttered before his mount flew away. He managed to save a few more soldiers from the allied army. He also killed thousands of Underworlders along the way. 

With Aethelwolf and the others joining the battle, the Underworlders were quickly eliminated. The remaining soldiers of the allied army who could still fight formed a defensive formation. 

After more than three hours of battle, Aethelwolf headed straight to where the Underworlders retreated. He was confident that he could beat a Transcendent expert in a frontal clash so he wasn't afraid of anything. 

"King Aethelwolf!" Aenwyn and the others were stunned when they saw him charging straight to the enemy's location. 

"Hurry up and call the leaders! Tell them that King Aethelwolf is on his way to the enemy's camp!" Aenwyn shouted towards the rest. 

Zachary took out his Communication Rune and informed the leaders about their situation. When the leaders heard that Aethelwolf was attacking the enemy camp alone, they were startled. 

"What is he doing?! He might be strong, but he shouldn't be so reckless! I'll lead a few of my men to your location." Empress Shiphra became worried when she heard the news. 

"That guy must be out of his damn mind! Idiot! Wait for me! I'll be there soon!" Lark Whitmond disconnected the call after cursing a few more times.

Meanwhile, Aethelwolf had already located the camp of the Underworlders. He saw them resting in the ruins of the Jasper Empire. 

Looking at the debris and dead civilians around him, Aethelwolf's aura fluctuated intensely which alerted the experts of the Underworlders.

"It's you!" Aethelwolf heard a voice filled with rage. He turned his head and saw Gozgel staring at him with boundless killing intent. 

"Is that the Level 5 Esper you mentioned? He doesn't look strong." A lazy voice echoed soon after. 

Aethelwolf narrowed his eyes when he saw the dragon-headed Underworlder behind Gozgel. The guy's aura was even stronger than that of Gozgel's! He also noticed that there was a third person standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them. It was a rat-headed Underworlder. When Aethelwolf used his perception skills on the two Underworlders, he was shocked to discover that they were actually mid stage Transcendent experts! 

"No wonder you dared to launch a full-scale attack. So it's because you found some reinforcements." Aethelwolf muttered as he slowly took out his sword case. He opened it and grabbed one of the swords inside. 

"Don't be arrogant, kid!" Gozgel grabbed his weapon and charged out of anger. 

Aethelwolf and Gozgel clashed in midair, bringing about a huge explosion. 

Semias and Zorzoch stared at the battle with calm gazes, but their expressions turned solemn the moment Aethelwolf summoned his Sword Momentum. 

"It seems like Gozgel was speaking the truth. That kid has truly comprehended his Sword Momentum! We need to kill him!" Zorzoch muttered as he took out a giant halberd from out of nowhere. The blade edge of the halberd was burning furiously. 

Semias didn't say anything and just nodded his head. They had to eliminate Aethelwolf, but he felt that there was no need for him to make a move. With two Transcendent experts fighting him, Aethelwolf was bound to be killed! 

When Zorzoch joined the fray, Aethelwolf felt pressured. The fighting style of this guy was too unpredictable so he had to be cautious the whole time. Aethelwolf was also keeping an eye on the rat-headed Underworlder in case he would make a move. 

"Aethelwolf!!" A loud shout interrupted their battle. 

A woman with a powerful aura arrived at the scene. She casted a series of buffs to Aethelwolf which increased his physical and magical abilities. 

"You're finally here." Aethelwolf smiled when he saw Xymera. The pressure on his shoulders decreased with her arrival. 

"You idiot! You should have waited for me before attacking!" Xymera muttered in exasperation. When she heard that Aethelwolf charged to the enemy camp alone, she decisively left the Mystic Island's army and headed straight to this location. 

"You can scold me later. I want you to keep an eye on that old rat right there. I'll take care of these two." Aethelwolf pointed at Semias while saying these words. 

Xymera had already seen Aethelwolf's combat prowess so she nodded her head. "Alright, but you should be careful."