Edmund nodded. He knew Alex was right.
The duke of Vela made no attempt to avoid getting involved in the Raine Kingdom's royal affairs. That was the exact opposite of the kingdom's own nobles, who treated the royal family's secrets as taboo.
Edmund could only reflect on how much he still had to learn. At least for now, he could not think the way Alex did. Years of habit would be hard to change overnight.
Still, Edmund told himself, I'm a Vela noble now, too. I should stand with the Vela Nobles and hold firm to my position.
The two walked farther away, their voices fading until the area fell quiet again.
They had plenty left to do. The Vela Nobles had taken on an exceptionally difficult assault, and there was a great deal to prepare.
Earl Stanley had not given them much time. They had to finish their preparations quickly and lead their troops to the front to carry out the battle plan.
Three days later, fighting broke out across the entire Stone Mountain City defensive line.
From east to west, the whole line was engulfed in battle.
The Raine–Vela Allied Army gave the East Sea Alliance no time to wait. As soon as each legion reached its assigned position, it launched a fierce attack.
The East Sea Alliance had built a comprehensive defensive line, but its sheer length meant some stretches were bound to be weak.
The allied troops wasted no time. They attacked those weak points at once, as planned, to put pressure on the East Sea Alliance.
The ferocity of the assault sent that pressure soaring, especially where the defenses lacked sturdy fortifications.
East Sea Alliance troops had no choice but to form ranks and fight the allied forces at close quarters.
But they lagged behind