The explosions were followed by a colossal blaze that engulfed the Barbarian army, shrouding Henry's entire field of vision. It created a hot and powerful wind that made his long black hair flutter wildly. The heat generated was so intense that the snow covering the city's walls and the surrounding area partially melted.
There was also a blinding light that covered the horizon, forcing Henry to raise his hands and shield his grey eyes. It was at the same destruction level that a guided missile was capable of in modern Earth. The intense light subsided a few moments later, giving way to a thick cloud of hot steam that obscured everyone's view, making it impossible to observe the barbarians' conditions.
"They must have lost a great number of warriors" – Luther, who still stood beside Henry stated, his eyes gleaming with a blue light as he peered into the steam – "It seems like their warriors in the Fifth Stage managed to survive while protecting half of their numbers."
Indeed, Luther's assessment proved accurate. As the steam dissipated, the Barbarians' figures came into view, and the word that could best described their condition was "deplorable". About half of the advancing force had vanished in the explosion, while the remaining half included hundreds of wounded warriors, huddling behind ten towering figures.
"Unfortunately, a lot of them survived" - Henry murmured, a sense of satisfaction in his voice -"But right now, we have a fighting chance. The plan worked as predicted."
From his reading of old Henry's memories, he had discovered that certain Torch Tree seeds could explode when saturated with Mana, effectively functioning like grenades. So, he had asked the miners to reopen the ancient tunnels beneath the capital's surroundings and place these seeds there.
The operation was high-risk, as the seeds could explode at any moment, even while in the miners' hands. It was a great and possible threat to the capital. Nevertheless, Henry and the Generals thought that it was preferable to being overrun by the Barbarians outside.
Fortunately, the mission was a success, with no accidental casualties. The seeds detonated precisely when a miner increased the underground Mana, causing them to overload. The ground beneath the Barbarians' feet had crumbled, rendering them defenseless against the approaching spears set on the ground and heavy rocks. Ultimately, they were all buried alive, their anguished screams silenced forever.
Unfortunately, Torch Tree seeds were rare and challenging to handle, thriving only in the North's cold environment. If not for these limitations, they could easily become one of the deadliest weapons in this world, especially effective against ill-prepared armies and bad strategists.
Returning to the present, Henry observed closely the ten Barbarians, who were guarding the rest of their army. These ten warriors seemed unfazed by the extreme cold of the North, sporting only a single fur mantle over their bare torsos and hard leather skirts. They walked barefoot, their unkempt hair suggesting they had never seen water. Each wore a distinctive black necklace adorned with sharp teeth. In the diverse Barbarian culture, the number of teeth on such necklaces signified a warrior's strength, the more teeth, the higher the rank.
Among the ten in front of the city walls, eight had necklaces with five teeth, while the other two had four teeth adorning theirs. This force alone would not have posed a significant threat before the previous king's death. But now, they represented a formidable danger, courtesy of the traitorous nobles.
These traitors hadn't merely fled with their families and the royal treasury's wealth; they had also taken the kingdom's main fighting force. Almost all second, third, and fourth-rank soldiers had followed these turncoats, lured by promises of prosperity in a distant land.
As a result, the capital was left with only Iosif, Olaro, Luther, and Henry, who possessed fourth-rank abilities or higher. The city had become an easy target, susceptible even to timid Barbarians under the guidance of a hidden puppeteer.
"They've brought their most formidable warriors." - Luther remarked, his voice tinged with determination - "I'll take on six of those fifth-rankers. Iosif and Olaro, you handle the remaining two, and my liege..."
Luther hesitated, unsure whether to request his king's participation in the battle. However, there was no other choice.
"I will confront the other two. This will be valuable battle experience," Henry declared, descending from the wall without waiting for a response.
He understood the gravity of their situation. If possible, he would have preferred to remain in the background, acting as a general overseeing the battle. But now, the benefits of leading from the front outweighed the risks.
Fighting on the front lines would boost morale among his troops and relieve some pressure on his Generals. Moreover, it offered him an opportunity to gain battlefield experience and increase his chances of survival in the future.
"Open the gates!" Henry commanded, after landing on the ground and positioning himself behind the fortifications. "LET'S CLAIM THEIR HEADS!!!!"
As the gates swung open, his battle cry echoed through the city.
(Edited)