Chapter 00 – Prologue (1/2)

Fire again! Aim for the eyes!”

A volley of projectiles made from a variety of materials flew through the air, impacting the monstrous creature ahead of us, forcing it to close it's eyes in fear of losing them.

Unfortunately for us, we were hoping to blind it, not make it merely flinch. The large, 30 meter scaled creature, a magma drake, roared in frustration. Our team had succeeded in drawing it from it's lair, but have been unable to do any serious damage to it.

This was the perfect time to deal with it, when it was weakened after it's hibernation, but before it could do damage to our lands.

But our company wasn't making much headway. Either we were lacking in firepower, or our composition wasn't right, or maybe my strategy wasn't good enough.

”Damn, it's not enough. First and second parties! Concentrate on it's right flank!”

Sixteen figures rushed up the left flank, spread out into individual formations and coordinated their assault on the oversized lizard. Most of them enduring the heat given off of the sizzling scales while trying to cut through them with sword and spear while their attached mages rained support fire on the enemy or enchanted friendlies as needed.

The party leaders and their assistants coordinated their troops together, but their labour was far from being rewarded.

The magma drake hardly noticed their valiant efforts, and treated them as little more then flies. Rather than deal with the troops embedded in it's flank that was difficult for it's bulbous body to reach, it instead prioritized it's efforts on the command group and the accompanying support units.

In other words, where I was standing.

The magma drake drew in a breath, tipping off it's next action.

”Mage units! Put up a barrier front and centre!”

I yelled at the defensive mages attached to my command unit. Without any hesitation, a trio wearing flowing robes tightened their formation in front of the command unit and erected a magical barrier large enough to encompass themselves and the command and attached support units.

Right as the translucent barrier was deployed, the magma drake spat out fire from it's mouth, engulfing us all in light and heat.

However, that was simply it. To us, protected by our prided mages, felt it to be nothing more simply bright and a bit warm.

A dozen or so seconds later, the flames dissipated, leaving behind a path of scorched earth surrounding a perfectly circular oasis.

As it was no longer needed, the barrier went down and the mages that built and maintained it took a deep breath. Despite that, they didn't relax. They were well disciplined and were ready to follow any order I gave for the glory of our nation, for the glory of our leader.

Seeing that it's ace didn't do anything, the magma drake roared at us and instead charged.

”Fall back! I'll stop it!”

The mages' barrier was optimized for stopping ranged attacks, and was a poor match for a large foe trying to crash right through it.

Stepping in front of my command unit, I hold my prided shield between my comrades and the steaming lizard. Without any hesitation I brace my trusty wall with my entire body.

Understanding my intent, the others give me space. I feel magic flowing over and through my body as the mages cast support enhancements without me needing to tell them.

The very thought warmed my heart. I was thankful for being given such excellent subordinates. I was only my disappointment I was unable to utilize them properly.

I dug my feet into the dirt as I readied to stop the oversized fried newt's charge when I heard it.

”Glasgow, seven steps left”