On a massive warship surrounded by other vessels in the fleet out on the distant sea, a young man dressed in luxurious finery looked at the long, thick column of smoke and said to the person beside him, "This is bad. Are the enemy trying to burn the city?"
"Quickly order the vanguard fleet to accelerate and stop their destruction. If they damage the port, it will certainly slow our landing speed and affect our subsequent operations!"
The dark-skinned, bald man beside him patted his shoulder. "Prince Yonicha, please do not get worked up. Rest assured, the sea wind is currently blowing southeast. If they want to burn the port and the city, they will burn themselves first.
"Besides, judging by the height of that smoke column, the fire is not very large. It will be difficult for them to inflict much damage on the port.
"Our vanguard fleet is about to reach the shore. They will not be able to stir up much trouble!"
The young man was Prince Yonicha of the Xister Kingdom. Last autumn, it had been his rash advance that caused the Xister Kingdom's reinforcements to suffer a crushing defeat beneath Stone Mountain City.
Because of that defeat, he had faced much questioning from both the nobles and the royal family after returning to the Xister Kingdom. Yet this time, it seemed he was once again leading the expedition.
After hearing the bald man's words, Yonicha also breathed a sigh of relief. "That is good. During last year's Battle of Stone Mountain City, my negligence caused the kingdom to suffer such heavy losses.
"My father is willing to give me another chance this time. I must seize it.
"Marquis Kayo, I will have to trouble you. I entrust you with full command of this battle, and