With Strongson's rear secured, King Leon finally brought his army of over one hundred thousand to the outskirts of Eldenia's capital, Whitehold. The shadow of war hung over the city, and although the coalition forces had suffered heavy losses in the early stages, the fifty thousand remaining soldiers were still formidable, prepared for a final desperate effort to determine the city's fate.
Standing on a high ground, Leon gazed down at the walls of Whitehold, a cold smile on his face. He saw that outside the city, the coalition forces had set up obstacles at major roads and entrances to prevent Strongson's cavalry from flanking. These obstacles, dubbed the "Iron Wall," consisted of rows of sharp iron stakes and sturdy wooden posts deeply embedded in the ground, with dense traps that seemed nearly impossible to breach.
"These traps are nothing but a delay tactic," Leon said coldly, turning to his commanders. "We will break through them with overwhelming firepower!"
He then ordered the mobilization of siege units, quickly setting up catapults, massive crossbows, and cannons. Under the army's command, the artillery units swiftly repositioned and readied for a fierce assault.
"Prepare!" Leon's voice boomed. At his command, the siege units launched a barrage against the city walls. Deafening explosions rang out as massive stones, like meteors, flew toward the walls, shaking the earth. Shortly after, the giant crossbows joined the attack, their powerful bolts slicing through the air and crashing into the walls, making the city's defenses tremble.
Inside the city, Arthur and the coalition generals were also fully prepared. Even though they knew Strongson's assault was unstoppable, they did not back down and mobilized every resource they had. Cannons and giant crossbows on the city walls fired back, their intense firepower countering Leon's siege forces, attempting to slow the enemy's advance.
"We cannot let them break through easily!" Arthur commanded calmly, his eyes scanning the battlefield through the smoke and fire, focusing on the enemy's assault positions.
Meanwhile, Arthur's plan was not solely reliant on the city wall's fire defense. He had also ordered the tribe's warriors, led by Zack, to launch a flank attack from outside the city, intending to delay the enemy's infantry assault. Zack, an experienced warrior, knew that although the enemy's offensive was fierce, if they could distract the enemy at the right moment, it would buy more time for the city's defenses.
Zack stood before his tribal warriors, a cold smile on his face. He raised his longsword, pointing toward the enemy in the distance, his voice deep and commanding: "Silver Wolf Tribe, today we are the wolves lurking in the dark! Follow me, let's strike!"
The warriors of the Silver Wolf Tribe, armed with sharp spears and crossbows, readied themselves. The most prominent among them were the "Pack Wolves"—battle wolves bred by the Silver Wolf Tribe, known for their ferocity and training, representing the tribe's strongest fighting force.
These wolves, known as the "Blood Wolf Legion," had become legendary across the tribes. Comprised of hundreds of fierce wolves, they moved like shadows, swiftly penetrating the enemy's defenses and silently hunting those who were unprepared.
Zack led the wolf army, silently emerging from the woods outside the city, moving through the shadows of the night, heading straight for Strongson's army's rear. Despite the enemy's precautions, the Silver Wolf Tribe's "Blood Wolf Legion" always managed to infiltrate unnoticed with their silent steps and unparalleled patience.
At this point, Leon's siege was reaching its peak. Facing the continuous counterattacks from the city walls, he ordered his forces to continue the assault, but he remained vigilant. Arthur's responses were quicker than he anticipated, and the disruptions caused by the Silver Wolf Tribe were beginning to cause slight shifts in their formation.
"Keep advancing! Destroy these defenses at all costs!" Leon commanded.
As the battle wore on, Leon realized that this siege was much more difficult than he had initially expected. The powerful cannons, crossbows, and the coalition's strong defenses, supported by Horace and Matur, had made Eldenia's defenses increasingly formidable. The supply lines were stable, providing the defenders with continuous reinforcements.
However, the greatest difficulty Leon faced was not the strength of the enemy, but the stretched eastern front, which had caused severe delays in the supply lines. The time it took for supplies to reach the army was increasing, weakening Strongson's fighting power. More importantly, the domestic nobles were beginning to waver. Despite outwardly expressing support for Leon's campaign, many nobles were beginning to focus on protecting their own interests, with some even adopting a passive stance. This internal and external pressure placed Leon in an unprecedented dilemma.
Leon had been able to swiftly conquer the western part of Eldenia through fast attacks and overwhelming numerical superiority, but Whitehold was a different story. The city's strong defenses, along with the coalition's tenacious resistance, had stalled Strongson's forces. After three days and nights of siege, despite continuous bombardment, Whitehold's walls remained unshaken. The soldiers of both sides were exhausted, their supply lines attacked, and morale began to shift.
At this critical moment, Leon's subordinate, General Darius Volter, a courageous and decisive commander, proposed a surprising plan. Darius, known for his adventurous spirit and tactical brilliance, was well-versed in the terrain of the battlefield and had a sharp sense of the enemy's movements. Knowing that the coalition's supply lines were crucial, he suggested leading an elite force to bypass Whitehold and cut off the coalition's logistical support. This would not only weaken the enemy's fighting strength but also force them to divide their forces to respond, thereby easing the pressure on Whitehold.
Darius made his proposal calmly and firmly: "Since the tribe's wolves are able to frequently disrupt our rear, why can't we adopt the same strategy? We can bypass the enemy's defenses, cut off their supplies, and break their resolve, forcing them to make a choice."
However, Leon was cautious. He knew that if the operation failed, the force could be trapped by the enemy, potentially leading to the annihilation of the entire unit. Moreover, he had already committed most of his elite forces to the front, so such a risky maneuver meant there would be insufficient support in case of a counterattack. Leon frowned and thought deeply: "This is a good suggestion, but it is too risky. If it fails, the consequences will be catastrophic. Are you prepared to take responsibility for it?"
Darius did not hesitate in the slightest and replied, "I understand the risks, but if we continue to drag this out, morale will only decline further. My troops are ready to shoulder this responsibility. Your Majesty, we need a breakthrough."
After much deliberation, Leon found himself in a dilemma. With enemies in front and troubles from within, every decision seemed fraught with uncertainty. After careful consideration, he decided to give Darius a chance but ordered part of the forces to remain on standby to provide support if necessary.
As Darius and his troops quietly set off, Leon pinned all his hopes on this raid. Meanwhile, the situation in Whitehold remained deadlocked. Zack's wolf army continued to disrupt Strongson's rear, while the coalition's supplies were steadily flowing into the city, ensuring they had enough troops and ammunition. Strongson's forces, under Leon's command, continued their bombardment, trying to breach the city. The battle had entered a critical phase, and any mistake from either side could dramatically alter the course of the war.