Junius/The final assault begins

One week later, the Leaders of the combined Legions were discussing their final assault plan on the city of Prola. Four days prior, they had finished clearing the woods, and now their scouts were positioned there, hidden in the trees, to warn of a potential attack. Additionally, three days ago, after the southern gatehouse came crashing down, the siege weapons positions were moved from the city's south side to the west and the east, battering the gatehouses on these sides.

Within the bustling siege camp, the fully armored Marshal-General and the three Legates were in the command camp around the map of the city, having the final strategy discussion for the battle that lay before them. 

"Marshal-General, I believe we should split up with Legate Rascius in charge of the west side and Legate Adromium in charge of the east side of the offensive while myself and you, Marshal-General, lead the main assault from the southern side," suggested Legate Droniu after thinking of the strategy carefully.

"I agree with Legates Droniu's plan, but we must split up our legionaries in three parts as evenly as possible to ensure that we can mount an effective three-pronged assault." Suggested Legate Adromium.

Thinking for a moment with his hand on his chin, Marshal-General Helvius was about to speak when a panting centurion came bursting into the camp with a joyful expression.

"Marshal-General, Legates, excuse my insolence, but His Majesty has just awoken."

"What!" Quickly, all the leaders stood up and gave each other a brief look with a smile on their faces before rushing through the bustling camp toward the medical tent.

Upon reaching the tent and hurrying through the opening flap, they were met by a surprising sight. His Majesty was lying on the bed, covered up to his waist with a white sheet. They could see his bare chest still carrying scars from the previous battles while the most recent acquisitions were still healing. The King's once handsome face was, worst of all, getting hit by the explosion with the left side still covered in bandages, giving him a disfigured look. 

Arriving by the bedside, the Marshal-General and Legates all immediately kneeled and apologized for not being able to protect him and letting assailants break through the camp's perimeter.

"It's okay, my friends. I am still alive after all; what have I missed? Any major developments? The healers told me I was out for a week." Replied King Junius to his trusted friends.

"Your Majesty, it's complicated. The barbarians have outside allies who we believe to be the Commander and his forces it seems we have a conspiracy brewing in the Kingdom. Currently, we have destroyed the enemies camping in the forest, cutting off their chance of an attack from that direction, with our scouts now constantly patrolling.

Additionally, we are currently preparing for the final assault on the city. In just a few more days, the west and east gatehouses of the city will join the southern one in ruins. Then, the three-pronged assault will commence," replied Marshal-General Helvius, giving the King a quick rundown of events that he had missed. 

Attempting to sit up while in immense pain, the King gave up and fell back onto the bed while saying. "Damn, I wish I could join you. Unfortunately, I can't swing a sword in this condition. When the final offensive commences, I shall watch from the camp walls, for now, spread the word among the soldiers that I am okay and recovering.

Marshal-General Helvius, I grant you full permission to order the Royal Guardians and Mages in the coming battle. I shall keep 1000 Royal Guardians back in the camp so you will control 4000 Royal Guardians and 300 mages use these elite troops wisely."

"Yes, your Majesty," Marshal-General Helvius answered before the leader all saluted and left the tent, allowing the King to rest. Immediately after leaving the tent, the leaders dispatched messengers to spread the word to all legionaries that the King was alive and well and would watch the final assault. This fired up the legionaries even more, knowing their beloved King was alive. Upon receiving this news, chants broke out with "Roma Invicta and Long Live the King" being chanted across the siege camp, reaching all the way to the Onagers, now placed on the west and east sides. 

Three days later, at dusk, the west and east gatehouses fell within twenty minutes of each other, coming crashing down, sounding like thunder. Watching this from the walls of the siege camp, Marshal-General Helvius announced to the Legates and Centurions around him that early in the morning, under the cover of darkness, they would move into position. Commencing the three-pronged attack at dawn, they moved through the enemy gatehouses while simultaneously using ladders to capture their walls. 

Under the cover of darkness, over 50,000 legionaries took positions on the west, south, and east sides of Prola, ready for the final assault in one hour's time. Meanwhile, the King had just been carried to the walls on a cushioned wooden throne to watch his legionaries assault the city. His leaders, covered in full armor, surrounded him, going over the plan one final time before leaving to join their sides of the battle. 

One hour later, as the sun started rising, two armies were staring at each other, one from up high on the walls of Prola and the other looking up at them with fierce eyes, ready to spill their blood. Suddenly, cornu's were blown, indicating the start of the assault by the Kingdom of Romanium. 

Simultaneously, all three sides began marching forward with swordsmen carrying ladders on the flanks, ready to assault the walls, while the spearmen prepared to assault the destroyed gatehouses, aiming to use their superior reach weapons to deal damage to the enemies. Meanwhile, behind the main infantry force stood the mages and archers split into groups with different objectives, with some aiming for the barbarians on the walls. While some aimed for the grouped-up barbarians defending the destroyed gatehouse. 

The southern assault led by Marshal-General Helvius and Legate Droniu was the most intimidating attack of all, as it included the Royal troops. Including some of the most powerful Mages in the kingdom, who immediately used their long-range spells to smash the grouped-up barbarians awaiting them where the gatehouse once was.

Screaming pierced through the air as these barbarians were smashed to pieces. Taking advantage of their momentary distraction, the legionaries broke into a run, attempting to reach the walls and get the ladders set up for the assault while the spearmen and half the Royal Guardians aimed for the destroyed gatehouse. 

Quickly, the distracted barbarians refocused, and the archers and black-cloaked mages on the walls started aiming for the now-running barbarians.