The Siege of Apa, Cannons Roar

The beginning of February brought clear skies, shallow streams, and gentle winds. Brilliant sunlight fell across the Apa Plain, bringing the hope of life to the fertile fields. Warm wind blew through the mountain forests, and tender new buds poked their heads out from the high treetops. In the southern rivers, tiny salmon had just hatched from their eggs, frolicking in the freshwater currents. And when they had grown large enough, they would swim back to the western ocean and begin another turn in the cycle of life.

The long wind swept east all the way to the foot of Apatzingan City, and there the scene brimming with life abruptly vanished, leaving only frozen slaughter and destruction. As far as the eye could see, the surrounding farmland had withered yellow, the villages had fallen into decay, the trees had been cut bare, and the wild beasts had fled. The sturdy military city of Apatzingan had already been trapped in despair for nearly three months.

During these three months, the Red-hair Tribe legion had moved like wind, raiding, ambushing, and then vanishing. The Spear Legion had stood firm as a mountain, setting up siege camps before splitting off half its force to the west. After that, Black Wolf's Royal Banner arrived, and the Imperial Guard Legion surged into position, bringing destructive thunder.

At this moment, Black Wolf's Royal Banner stood to the south of the military city, marking the king's location. More than ten thousand royal army warriors were filled with killing intent as they encircled the entire military city, leaving no room for life. The besieging kingdom camps stretched in rolling lines, sealing off the broken terrain to the north and east while occupying the flat ground to the west and south.

Apatzingan military city had been built against the