The Herb King

The Shield Duke, Baron, observed the training progress of the soldiers. At first, they had a hard time functioning as a group because of their differences, but after a few days, they managed to move in harmony.

Duke Baron was amazed by one person in particular. It was Ramiel who he temporarily assigned as a Legion Commander. The guy was the first one who managed to control his group. He wasn't even that strong among the experts in the army since he was only a newly ascended Level 4 Esper. However, Ramiel had a commanding air and an authoritative image that made everyone in his group comply with him.

"An in-born talent to become a general..." Duke Baron muttered to himself while looking at Ramiel. He wanted to get ahold of this guy, but he didn't dare do so since this man was Aethelwolf's subordinate. He still believed that Aethelwolf was the Level 5 Esper he spotted flying back then.

Baron walked towards Ramiel and the latter immediately noticed him.

"Chief!" Ramiel saluted him respectfully according to the etiquette.

"At ease." Duke Baron waved his hand. "How is your group's training?" He asked.

Hearing this, Ramiel looked at his troops and replied in a calm voice. "The soldiers under my command came from our allies so they are obedient. They are following the drills without complaints." What he didn't know was that his soldiers were intimidated by his terrifyingly strict image so they didn't dare cause trouble. Even Harold, Aurus, and the other Level 4 Espers listened to him.

"Oh? That's good." Duke Baron nodded his head. Suddenly, he thought about something and said while pointing at a group. "How about you take those people too? Apparently, none of the other Legion Commanders took them in because of their identity. There are ten thousand of them and it would be a waste if a group of that size isn't used properly. What do you think?"

The entire army of the Ward Household was forced to join the war as part of the punishment. The women and the elderly are also helping with the logistics. Only the children with ages below eleven were spared from the punishment, but even those kids were under close observation.

Ramiel followed where he was pointing and saw the Ward Household's soldiers practicing all by themselves. Seeing them, he frowned and didn't say anything.

"Why? Are you reluctant to accept them as well?" Duke Baron looked at him.

Ramiel's gaze was cold as he replied. "No one wants to accept dangerous individuals who might betray them halfway through the battle. Besides, the Ward Household will be sent to the frontlines so making them join my group would mean that we will be fighting at the forefront. I don't think the soldiers under me would agree to that."

Duke Baron could only sigh when he heard this. He understood Ramiel's worries so he didn't make things difficult for him. "Alright. Just tell me if you need anything."

Just as he was about to leave, he remembered something. "By the way, I received a report saying that His Highness Prince Renz and his army would be joining us soon. They will arrive in..." He checked the time on his watch and continued. "They will arrive in one to two hours."

"Why would the imperial family send him here?" Ramiel asked in confusion. To his knowledge, the first prince was known as a drunkard and a lazy prince. No one wants to be associated with him.

Duke Baron shrugged his shoulders. He also had no idea why the first prince would be joining them. "I have no idea. Perhaps His Majesty wants His Highness to change so he sent him here." He answered uncertainly.

From what he knew, the first prince was an Esper, but he wasn't sure what level the guy was. He rarely comes out in public and he was even sent to Vale City.

"Why tell me this?" Ramiel asked as he looked at the Duke.

Duke Baron smiled at him as he answered. "You refused to let the Ward Household join you, but you can't reject me this time. I plan to let His Highness join you."

"Fine." Ramiel could only nod his head reluctantly.

With a grin on his face, Duke Baron patted his shoulders. "Keep up the good work." He then left after saying those words.

Harold walked up to him and asked curiously. "What did you guys talk about?"

Ramiel stared at him and said. "His Highness Prince Renz will arrive within two hours. The chief wants His Highness to join our group."

"Eh? His Highness Renz is coming here?" Harold was surprised by this.

Ramiel shook his head and sighed. "Don't ask me. I don't have any clue as well."

***

Meanwhile, on the balcony of the Lassiter Household's mansion, Aethelwolf was seated on a plush chair while smoking his cigar. He was also holding a glass of wine in his right hand.

Swoosh!

A graceful figure appeared behind him.

"You're here. What's happening out there?" Aethelwolf asked before taking a small sip of his wine.

Aenwyn grabbed the wine glass in his hand and drank the remaining contents before answering. "Ramiel was appointed as a Legion Commander and he now has more than twenty thousand soldiers under his command. The Reynolds Household and your other allies joined his group."

Aethelwolf revealed an intrigued look upon hearing this. "Oh? I didn't know that Ramiel is charismatic. He even managed to become a Legion Commander. Anything else?"

Aenwyn grabbed a chair and took a seat. "On my way back here, I noticed a small army moving in the direction of their camp. From what I've observed, they are the soldiers of the first prince. I think he will be joining the main army." She said in a calm voice.

"Prince Renz is joining the main army?" Aethelwolf found this odd. Why would the emperor send his drunkard of a son to the battlefield? This doesn't make any sense.