Tatsuo, his mind ablaze with strategic calculations, gathered his Rare Commanders and Majors for a final briefing. The atmosphere in the war room was tense, the air thick with anticipation for the upcoming battle.
"Gentlemen," Tatsuo began, his voice firm and resolute, "we have analyzed Oakhaven Town's defenses. They are formidable, but not impenetrable. We will strike with a combined assault, utilizing all our strengths."
He then revealed his plan for the initial breach. "I will personally lead the assault on the main gate. I will use my abilities to destroy the gate and create an opening for our forces."
Rota Uno, his loyal knight and 2nd Class Rare Commander, immediately stepped forward, his expression unwavering. "Your Highness, with all due respect, I cannot allow that. My duty is to protect you. I cannot permit you to place yourself in such danger."
Tatsuo understood Rota's concern. He knew that Rota, as his knight, had sworn an oath to protect him, a promise made to their master, High Marshal Cheng Hui. He also knew that Rota was a valuable asset in the upcoming battle.
"I understand, Rota," Tatsuo said, his voice softening slightly. "I appreciate your loyalty. Very well, you will accompany me. Your skills will be invaluable."
He then turned to 1st Class Major Reeldos. "Reeldos, I have a special task for you."
Tatsuo retrieved the Eclipse Blade, its obsidian surface shimmering in the light. He handed the weapon to Reeldos. "This blade has unique properties. It can conceal its wielder, making them difficult to detect."
He instructed Reeldos, "Your mission is to infiltrate the town, locate Baron Thorne Blackwood and his heir, Damian, and eliminate them. Their deaths will sow chaos and weaken the town's defenses. Use the Eclipse Blade to your advantage."
Reeldos nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "It will be done, Your Highness."
Tatsuo then issued his final instructions to the assembled officers. "Once the gate is breached, our forces will storm the town. Attack with all your might. Show no mercy. Capture Oakhaven Town and secure our position."
The officers acknowledged their orders, their expressions resolute. Tatsuo, with Rota by his side and Reeldos armed with the Eclipse Blade, felt a surge of confidence. He was ready to lead the charge, to break through the defenses of Oakhaven Town, and to claim another victory for the Tatsuo Brigade.
Tatsuo, his heart pounding with anticipation, surveyed his forces. The soldiers, their faces grim and determined, stood ready, awaiting his command. He raised his hand, signaling them to prepare, to stand by, to wait for the order to attack.
He then turned to Rota, his loyal knight, who sat astride his own warhorse. Reeldos, meanwhile, had already begun his mission. Using his agility and mastery of shadow manipulation, he blended into the darkness, disappearing from sight, ready to strike.
Tatsuo and Rota, their warhorses pawing the ground impatiently, moved forward. They rode towards the imposing gates of Oakhaven Town. The defenders, perched atop the walls, watched them approach, their expressions a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
"Just two men?" one of them muttered, his voice barely audible. "Are they mad?"
But still, they prepared to defend. Archers took aim, their arrows nocked and ready.
Tatsuo and Rota continued their advance. As they drew closer, the defenders unleashed a volley of arrows. The projectiles flew towards them, a deadly hail of wood and steel.
Tatsuo, his eyes blazing with power, activated his special skill: Frontier. A large, invisible shield materialized around him and Rota, deflecting the arrows, protecting them from harm. The defenders watched in astonishment as their arrows bounced harmlessly off the unseen barrier.
Tatsuo and Rota pressed on, their warhorses thundering towards the gate. Tatsuo drew his sword, Warbreaker, the weapon gifted to him by his father, the Emperor. He channeled his cultivation energy, focusing it on the blade. Blue flames erupted from the sword, growing brighter and hotter with each passing moment.
As they reached the gate, Tatsuo raised Warbreaker high above his head, the blue flames swirling around it like a vortex. He roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield.
"Blackwood!" he shouted, his voice filled with power and fury. "The dragon has come!"
With a mighty swing, he brought Warbreaker down upon the gate, unleashing the Blue Flame Strike. The blue flames erupted, engulfing the gate in a searing inferno. The wood splintered, the metal buckled, and the gate shattered, creating a gaping hole in the town's defenses.
The moment the gate fell, Tatsuo signaled his forces. The Tatsuo Brigade, their morale soaring, charged forward, their battle cries filling the air.
The Tatsuo Brigade surged into Oakhaven Town, their momentum unstoppable. The defenders, still reeling from the sudden destruction of the gate and the ferocity of the attack, struggled to mount an effective defense.
As the battle raged, Tatsuo, fighting alongside Rota, cut down any resistance in his path. His sword moved with lightning speed, his blue flames burning through armor and flesh. He was a whirlwind of destruction, a force of nature unleashed upon the town.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, his movements swift and silent. It was Reeldos. He approached Tatsuo, his expression calm and collected, despite the chaos around them.
"Your Highness," Reeldos said, his voice low, "the mission is complete. Baron Blackwood and his heir, Damian, are dead."
Tatsuo nodded, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. Reeldos's success was crucial to his plan. With the leaders of Oakhaven Town eliminated, the defenders would lose their coordination and morale.
Indeed, chaos began to spread among the defenders. The loss of their lord and his heir had a devastating effect. Their lines broke, their resistance crumbled, and they began to flee or surrender.
Within a short time, the Tatsuo Brigade had secured Oakhaven Town. The battle was over. Tatsuo, his armor stained with blood, stood amidst the chaos, his gaze sweeping over the town.
Then, a figure approached Tatsuo. He was a captain of the scouts, a man named Gregory. He saluted Tatsuo.
"Commander," Gregory began, his voice respectful, "I have a detailed report on the situation in Oakhaven Town."
He presented Tatsuo with the report, outlining the casualties, the captured resources, and the status of the town.
"Casualties were moderate," Gregory reported. "We lost some good men, but the enemy losses were significantly higher. We have secured the town, and order is being restored. We have also captured a significant amount of supplies and weaponry."
Tatsuo listened intently, absorbing the information. The capture of Oakhaven Town was a significant victory, but it had come at a cost. He would need to consolidate his forces, strengthen the town's defenses, and prepare for the inevitable counterattack.
"Continue, Gregory," Tatsuo commanded, his voice firm, "give me the specifics."
Gregory, the scout captain, adjusted his posture and continued his report. "Commander, regarding the detailed report, here's the breakdown:"
Casualties:
"Our forces suffered approximately 150 casualties, mostly from the initial assault on the gate and the subsequent street fighting. Of those, 30 were fatal, and 120 sustained injuries of varying degrees."
"The enemy's losses were considerably higher. We estimate around 400 defenders were killed, including most of the garrison and a significant portion of the militia. Civilian casualties were minimal, approximately 20, mostly due to being caught in the crossfire."
Prisoners of War:
"We have captured approximately 200 prisoners, mostly militia members who surrendered. They are currently being detained and interrogated. We have also captured a few higher ranking members of the garrison, who could prove to be valuable sources of information."
Loot and Resources:
"The town's armory yielded a significant amount of weaponry and armor. We have secured approximately 300 swords, 200 spears, 150 bows with arrows, and 100 sets of armor. This will bolster our supplies and equip new recruits."
"The town's granaries and storehouses contained a substantial amount of food supplies, enough to sustain our forces for several weeks. This includes grains, dried meats, and preserved vegetables."
"Baron Blackwood's estate contained a significant amount of wealth. We have recovered approximately 5,000 gold pieces, as well as various valuable artifacts and jewelry. We also found detailed maps of the region, which could prove useful for future operations."
"The stables contained a number of warhorses, which will be added to our cavalry. We also secured a number of wagons and carts, which will be used for transporting supplies."
"The town itself has a well established smithy that we can use to make repairs and create new weapons."
Town Status:
"The town is now under our control. We have established a garrison to maintain order and prevent any uprisings. The remaining townspeople are being cooperative, and we are working to restore essential services."
"We have secured the town's defenses, and we are reinforcing them to prepare for any potential counterattacks."
"The town's strategic location makes it a valuable asset for our campaign. It provides us with a foothold closer to Blackrose City and a base for future operations."
"Excellent," Tatsuo said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "This is a significant victory. We have secured a valuable asset and dealt a major blow to the Blackthorn Duchy." He then said, "Secure the prisoners, treat the wounded, and begin to fortify the town. We will hold Oakhaven."