Chapter 523: The Final Storm

The morning sky was still somewhat dim, and a light drizzle continued to fall on the battlefield where the two armies faced off.

The Targaryen army's horn sounded, echoing throughout the land.

Commander Mys Toyne, confident in his soldiers, immediately gave the order for a full-scale assault.

The vast Targaryen army, which had been stationary, began moving at his command. Their previous formation was as immovable as stone — firm, solemn. But now, with the commander's order, they surged forward like a tidal wave, rushing towards the Stormland army positioned on the southern slope of the Coppergate city.

"Spear-men to the flanks!"

"Prepare the shield wall!"

In the Stormland army, Stannis Baratheon, also atop a hill and surrounded by his guards, overlooked the battlefield.

Seeing the Targaryen army's offensive, his blue eyes remained calm. His posture was straight, conveying his commands with an unwavering demeanor.

"Ready the trebuchets."

"Alert the scorpion ballistae. Watch for Viserys' dragon."

"Yes, my Lord!"

The messenger, upon hearing Stannis' orders, spurred his horse towards the trebuchet positions.

The Stormlanders had invested heavily in war machines. Many were scorpions, capable of threatening dragons. Others were trebuchets, a significant threat to walls and soldiers alike. The descending boulders, covering the sky, were an unmatched intimidation.

"Trebuchets, ready!"

Soldiers pushed massive stones onto the trebuchets, secured them, poured oil, and then set them aflame.

The winding of the trebuchets echoed as they launched the flaming boulders.

Boom!

Rocks rained down like meteors, trailing black smoke. Targaryen soldiers screamed, their formations disrupted by the falling boulders.

"Charge!"

Yet more Targaryen soldiers, clad in golden armor, surged forward without hesitation.

"Archers, ready!"

In the Stormland army, orders were shouted. Knights rode around, rallying their family's soldiers. Archers stepped forward, drawing their bows.

"Fire!"

Arrows blanketed the sky, falling alongside the rain.

Piercing cries echoed as arrows found their marks. Targaryen soldiers raised their shields, deflecting the arrow rain, their arms numbing from the impact. Still, they pressed on.

Merely relying on trebuchets and arrows couldn't halt the Targaryens.

"It's your turn, Balerion."

Viserys, on a hill, looked calmly at the battlefield. Then, with a slight turn of his head, he spoke.

A massive dragon, with blood-red eyes, appeared, responding with a growl.

Balerion stepped forward, the ground quaking. Viserys' steed, accustomed to dragons, remained calm.

"They have many scorpions. Be careful."

Balerion roared in acknowledgment, then soared into the sky.

...

Elsewhere, the Targaryen and Stormland armies clashed.

"Kill!"

A deafening battle cry erupted. Soldiers fought fiercely, steel clashing, cries of pain and death filling the air.

"Kill them all! Reclaim our homeland!"

Commander Mys Toyne of the Golden Company, atop his steed and clad in shining armor, shouted, rallying his men.

"Home!"

"Home!"

Their battle cries intensified.

"Stand firm!"

"Stand your ground!"

The Stormland nobles, seeing their lines faltering, became restless. Stannis himself entered the fray, restoring order. The Stormlanders held their ground, their numbers still superior.

But as Stannis caught his breath, the ground trembled. From afar, a rumbling sound approached. Stannis looked up to see behemoths clad in golden armor, each carrying soldiers and flanked by countless cavalry, charging at both flanks of his army.