“But if the Beast Kingdom’s motivation for attacking is territorial expansion, this strike should suffice. They wouldn’t be foolish enough to continue their assault while their city is engulfed in flames.”I turned to Princess Ladia, my gaze unwavering. "The Beast King has grown restless, sensing the absence of the Emperor. He has underestimated you, Your Highness. I would suggest using this opportunity to make him reconsider his choices."My words carried a weight beyond their surface meaning. I had yearned for years of peace, a chance to grow strong enough to walk this world without fear or hesitation. Yet, the path before us was fraught with peril, the consequences of our actions far-reaching."I am not a heartless man," I continued, my voice steady. "Though they are our enemies, I do not wish for such bloodshed. This attack will destroy an entire city, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent lives – men, women, children – none will be spared from the devastation."I paused, allo
In that tense moment, everyone in Northfall City held their breath, anticipating one crucial message from their leaders that could change everything.The stakes were higher than they could have imagined. A single misstep, a moment of recklessness, could lead to catastrophic consequences. The lives of the hostages hung in the balance, but more than that, the very fate of North Fall City itself was at risk.Even if they could withstand a siege, the soldiers knew they could not evacuate the citizens quickly enough to ensure their safety. The beastmen's trap was a cunning one – if they opened the gates to launch a counterattack, the hostages might not survive, and their city could fall into enemy hands.Should they surrender, sacrificing their pride and their principles to save the lives of their comrades? Or should they stand firm, risking everything in a desperate gamble to defeat the beastmen and protect their city?The soldiers' eyes darted from the hostages to the city gates, their m
“Spread out!”Drakan’s voice, amplified by the mana stone he wielded, cut through the chaos like a blade. His fury was palpable, igniting a sense of urgency among his troops.“Now!”At last, his command reached the ears of his soldiers, and they sprang into action. The vast expanse of the plains provided enough room for the large army to maneuver, and they scattered in all directions, desperately seeking to avoid becoming easy targets for the flying machines above.The soldiers scattered across the battlefield, creating considerable distance between them. The explosions, while powerful, were not as large as they seemed; it was the sheer force of the blasts that had caused such devastation.“Shoot them down!” Drakan commanded his archers, frustration simmering beneath the surface. He longed to cast a barrier spell to shield his troops, but he hadn’t yet mastered that particular magic.With a coordinated effort, numerous enhanced arrows were launched into the air, aimed at the peculiar
Lance surveyed the retreating soldiers of the Beastmen Kingdom, his mind racing as he issued commands with clarity and purpose.“Blow three horns!”At his command, a soldier raised the horn to his lips and blew three sharp blasts. The sound echoed across the battlefield, and the human soldiers pursuing the beastmen began to slow their advance.The three horn blasts signified the transition to the next phase of their operation. Although the temptation to chase down the arrogant beastmen and slaughter them was strong, the humans understood that their priority was to bring this war to a decisive conclusion.As the dust settled, the flying objects, which had been a source of confusion and concern, moved toward the northwest, heading toward Bakshi City. This city was the closest settlement to the Northern Dragon Mountain, a territory that belonged to the Beast Kingdom.The flying machines travelled astonishingly, outpacing even the swiftest warhorses. It took them less than three days to r
"Move!" A voice rang out, jolting Julien from his reverie. With a final push, he found himself propelled into action, his feet carrying him swiftly towards the noble district.As he fled, he couldn't resist the urge to glance back, and what he saw chilled him to the bone. The monsters had already begun their descent from the city walls, their long, human-like limbs carrying them with unnatural speed.It was then that Julien truly saw the horror of their appearance. Their elongated necks, smooth hairless skin, and claws that stretched nearly a foot in length were the stuff of nightmares. These creatures were the embodiment of pure terror, a manifestation of the darkest corners of the human psyche.Monstrous strength aside, their sheer numbers posed an equally daunting challenge. Julien counted at least a hundred of them, a veritable army of death and destruction.Upon reaching the ground, the monsters immediately pounced on the soldiers, their claws rending flesh and shattering bone wi
Despite the relentless tide of monsters, Henry remained untouched, a pillar of calm amidst the chaos. The power of the wood element was overwhelming, a force that these creatures simply could not contend with. It was clear why he had earned the titles of Jade Fortress and Protector of Light; his prowess in battle was nothing short of extraordinary.In just a few short months, Henry had transformed from a teenager into a formidable warrior capable of standing toe-to-toe with the top prodigies from powerful families. His reputation had grown, and now he was a beacon of hope for those around him.“The reinforcements are here!”A wave of cheers erupted from those who had been hiding, their voices rising in a chorus of hope. The soldiers who arrived were from the Marquis, and although he did not come, his troops were renowned for their skill and discipline.With General Henry at the helm, there was no need for the Marquis to dirty his hands in this conflict. The monsters had been relentles
News traveled at a snail’s pace in this empire, and I had yet to hear about the Beast Kingdom's declaration of war. If I had known that the mana shells, which were supposed to instill fear, had instead caused chaos, I might have not been so relaxed at the moment. Our carriage came to a halt in a forest that was just a day away from Vermillion City. “Master! I have done it!” Lily shrieked with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, raising her fist triumphantly in the air. I turned to look at the magic circle she had meticulously drawn on the ground. It was flawless—every line and symbol perfectly executed. She danced around the campfire, celebrating her achievement with uncontainable joy. Emmanuel and Theo watched their sister with a mix of admiration and envy, their expressions downcast as they clenched their fists in frustration. It had been several days of trying, yet they still struggled to complete their own magic circles, and the disappointment weighed heavily on them. “I will
As my words tumbled forth, my gaze lingered on Roland. Something was different about him. His usual lean physique seemed to have blossomed, his muscles rippling beneath his tunic like sculpted marble. A wave of curiosity washed over me."Roland," I began, my voice laced with intrigue, "have you been... augmenting your physique?"He met my gaze with a steady nod, a hint of a smile on his lips."Indeed, my lord," he confirmed, his voice a low rumble. "I've been incorporating some... additional training into my regimen.""You caught a turkey and those rabbits wearing those?" I exclaimed, gesturing towards his impressive frame. "Remarkable! I wouldn't have thought it possible."Roland chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. "I had to remove the weights from my feet for the hunt, my lord," he admitted, his honesty as unwavering as ever.Knowing Roland as I did, a man whose dedication to discipline was as unwavering as the north star, I knew he hadn't relied on any shortcuts or mystical enhance