The tension in Emberfall Town reached a fever pitch. The distant rumble of artillery fire grew louder, a constant reminder of the impending clash. Then, the order came.
A messenger arrived at 1st Class Rare Commander Corvin's position, a letter bearing the seal of 2nd Class Clash Commander Borin.. Corvin broke the seal, his eyes scanning the contents.
"The order is given," he announced, his voice sharp and clear. "We are to advance. Borin's Brigade will take the left flank. We move out in ten minutes."
As Corvin relayed the command, a figure approached Tatsuo. She was a Senior Major, her armor polished and her expression serious.
"Senior Major Tatsuo Ryujin," she said, her voice firm, "I'm Senior Major Anya, Adjutant of Commander Corvin, and he has instructed me to relay his orders to you directly. Your company is to advance with the main force. You will follow my lead."
Tatsuo nodded, his mind already calculating the situation. He turned to his captains.
"Rota, Ragnar," he said, his voice low but clear, "gather the company. We move out."
As his company formed up, Tatsuo pulled Ragnar and Rota aside, along with the original twenty Prince Guards who had journeyed with him since he left the Palace to join the Northern Army.
"Listen carefully," he said, his voice urgent. "When we enter the battlefield, I want you all to exercise restraint. Do not unleash the full extent of your strength."
He looked at them intently. "The power we possess, from the peak of Sky Gate Realm to the peak of Sovereign Realm, is not something that is normally seen in ordinary companies or among common soldiers. It's expected from nobles, not ordinary company. If you display your true power without proper authorization from me, it will draw unwanted attention, and I could seen as insubordination."
Rota and Ragnar nodded in understanding. They had seen Tatsuo's strategic mind at work before, and they trusted his judgment.
The order to advance was given, and Tatsuo's company moved forward, following the Senior Major's lead. The battlefield stretched before them, a chaotic scene of clashing armies, flashing steel, and the roar of battle. Banners of both armies waved in the wind, and the ground was a muddy mess, filled with the bodies of the fallen. The air was thick with smoke and the stench of blood.
As they advanced, Tatsuo's company maintained a tight formation, their movements disciplined and coordinated. They were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, but they would do so with caution, following Tatsuo's orders to conceal their true strength.
Anya led the way, her movements decisive as she guided Tatsuo's company into the heart of the battle. The clash of steel echoed around them, a deafening symphony of war. Tatsuo's soldiers moved with practiced precision, cutting down any Skylance soldier who stood in their path. The black armor of the Tatsuo Company moved like a shadow of death, leaving a trail of fallen foes in their wake. They pushed forward relentlessly, driving the Skylance forces back, meter by bloody meter.
However, the relentless fighting began to take its toll. Exhaustion set in, even among the elite soldiers of the Tatsuo Company. The sheer number of the Skylance forces seemed endless, and the battle showed no signs of abating.
Just as the company began to tire, a messenger rushed through the ranks, his face pale with shock. "Commander Corvin is dead!" he shouted, his voice barely audible above the din of battle. "He fell in combat near the center of the line!"
The news hit Tatsuo like a physical blow. Corvin, though gruff, had been a capable commander, and his death left a void in the Imperial ranks. Tatsuo knew that this loss could have a significant impact on the battle, potentially weakening the Imperial resolve and giving the Skylance forces an opportunity to break through. He knew that he must step up to fill the void.
....
The news of Corvin's death hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the brutal reality of war. Tatsuo knew that hesitation could be fatal. He surveyed the chaotic battlefield, his mind racing. An opportunity presented itself, a chance to not only turn the tide of battle but also to gain significant merit. He hesitated for only a moment, then made his decision.
"Tatsuo Company!" he roared, his voice cutting through the din of combat. "Unleash your full strength!"
The command reverberated through the ranks. A palpable shift occurred as the soldiers of the Tatsuo Company, including the original twenty Prince Guards, released the restraints they had been holding. The battlefield exploded with raw power.
Rota's sword, Salamander, erupted in a torrent of flames, incinerating swaths of Skylance soldiers. Ragnar, his axe Soul Breaker a whirlwind of destruction, carved a path through the enemy lines. The other captains, Reeldos, Nard, and Sokzal, each unleashed their unique skills, turning the tide of the battle with devastating efficiency.
Tatsuo himself unleashed the power of his Magisterial Court Realm, his presence radiating an aura of overwhelming force. The battlefield seemed to slow as he moved, each strike precise and deadly.
The Skylance forces, and even the Lion Flame soldiers fighting alongside them, were stunned into shocked silence. They had never witnessed such raw, overwhelming power. The enemy lines buckled and broke, the Skylance soldiers fleeing in terror.
Driven by Tatsuo's command, his company surged forward, pushing the Skylance forces back with relentless ferocity. They didn't stop until they reached the walls of Greywall Town.
Without pause, they stormed the town, breaching the defenses with ease. The Skylance soldiers, demoralized and outmatched, offered little resistance. Many were cut down, while others surrendered, throwing down their weapons in despair.
In the heart of the town, Tatsuo's forces captured the Skylance commander, a seasoned veteran named General Theron Vane. Vane, his face grim and resigned, offered no resistance. He knew he was defeated.
...
A clear, metallic chime echoed in Tatsuo's mind, a stark contrast to the cacophony of the battlefield.
[System Announcement: Line Quest Completed!]
Line Quest: Conquer a Town from Skylance Kingdom
Reward: ????
Tatsuo paused, momentarily shifting his focus. He knew the system rewards were often significant, and he was eager to see what he had earned. However, the immediate situation demanded his attention. He would deal with the system later.
First, he needed to assess the battlefield and consolidate his gains. He had captured Greywall Town, a significant victory, but the aftermath of battle was always chaotic. He needed to restore order and ensure his company was prepared for any counterattack.
"Nard!" he commanded. "We have secured Greywall Town, but our work is not yet finished. I want all soldiers to begin the cleanup immediately. Gather all loot, weapons, and supplies. Account for everything. Move all prisoners of war to the largest building in the center of town. Account for their numbers. And most importantly, account for the dead on our side. I want a full report on my desk within the day."
He then turned to Rota. "Rota, ensure the prisoners are secure and treated humanely. We are soldiers, not butchers. We will hold them until proper arrangements can be made."
As his soldiers began the cleanup, Tatsuo considered the merits of his actions. He had not only captured Greywall Town but had done so with a relatively small force, turning the tide of a losing battle. He had also captured a high-ranking Skylance commander. He calculated that this was no ordinary accomplishment, and his merits should be significant.
Within the day, the reports began to arrive.
Full Report:
Loot:
Weapons: 500 swords, 300 spears, 200 bows, 10 siege weapons.
Armor: 400 sets of light armor, 200 sets of heavy armor.
Supplies: Food rations for 1,000 soldiers for one week, medical supplies, 10 supply wagons filled with miscellaneous supplies.
1000 gold coins.
Prisoners of War: 350 Skylance soldiers, General Theron Vane.
Lion Flame Army Casualties: 150 soldiers killed, 200 soldiers wounded.
The death of 1st Class Rare Commander Corvin.
Tatsuo reviewed the reports, his mind processing the information. The losses were significant, but the victory was decisive. He knew that this victory would have far-reaching consequences, and he was eager to see what the future held.