The brigadier general said, “That… it’s not a matter of troop strength. The dark races have come prepared, and there are powerful experts defending from behind natural barriers. Thus…”

“What kind of experts are there?”

“Our first scouting team confirmed that there’s a mighty marquis on the first line of defense. Calculating from that, I’m guessing that the commander should be a duke.”

“Duke, I understand.”

The brigadier general said hurriedly, “Your Highness! That’s just my guess, you must not act without further confirmation!”

Haimi said nothing more, so the brigadier general didn’t dare continue. He only remained kneeling in front of the princess.

At this point, the Empire’s vanguard was already deployed, and the two sides were exchanging fierce fire. The dark races had occupied the two sides of the valley up front and secured the high-ground advantage. The Imperial vanguard was repelled several times by the fierce defensive fire, losing hundreds of warriors without making any progress.

An Imperial warship tried to approach from the air and provide suppressive fire, however, a streak of meteoric flames shot out from the Evernight...