Chapter 611: Empires Invasion [29] (1/2)
South of town, after a deflation of the naturally formed flatlands, a singular path moved through the scattered trees, boulders, reeds, and much more. A flora worth paying to watch, air worth the scent of angel's breath, and the melodic hums of the wildlife. Beyond it, after Calpter's Climb, a frigid walk into the spiraling stairs of Glenda's mountainous guardian laid a conveniently placed scape of unused space. Here, the breeze blew harder, Calpter's High acted as a barricade from the mighty wind.
In there, an army of five-thousand strong marched. Trucks and military vehicles led at a slower pace; shining white and golden armor stood on at the front. Arms crossed and focus on the target. A rather tedious obstacle for an invasion.
'Didn't account for the terrain. These men are from my estate. Damn this girl,' he side-glanced to silvery flowing hair, '-she failed in her schemes and somewhat managed to have the King accept her ideas. Our forces are tired, using my personal army for such a worthless endeavor, what a joke. A hero mustn't go around flaunting his strength. Makes me look like Old man Cray, what will the princess think… I wish I could give her a word of gratitude.'
”Kion,” said the silver-haired lass, ”-don't lose focus, we've entered that man's dominion.”
”And?” he briskly waved her worries, ”-I will not falter in the task assigned,” smugly glaring at her seat, ”-unlike some people I know.”
”Aww,” a mocking pout jabbed his nerves, ”-is the hero feeling a little angry?” said she in baby-talk.
”Whatever,” he crossed his arms, ”-I don't much care for the childish taunts. Tell me, Lady Eira, what scheme have thee concocted today?”
”A very simple one really,” she stared the coming meadow lined in dense forest, ”-I didn't expect my defeat to happened so easily. Therefore, I had our mages ready portals for immediate teleportation. Of course, since our version of the spell is a knock-off, we needed a whole lot more mana. Tis where a little bird whispered about the cult of Vane. Their practice of worship is a heaven of lust, anger, and clueless obedience. My prior steward, Undre, was quite the clever individual. He figured the plot and was killed in some dark alley. I had him switch place with an illusion-arts mage. After said incident, the hero's team offered to join my conquest. Tis was quite easy to sneak a few people inside the town – the Guild Master and Steward especially. Key jobs occupied by us. I had 'em invite adventurers from Hidros, weak ones, hostages to be precise. Baron Igna's a graduate from the Academy, a few friends gave the ideal situation. Once all was readied and settled, we only had to step back and watch. Let the town grown and spread our virus.”
”Impressive,” said he in a frown, ”-such level of scheming and thee still lost, how did that happen?”
”Luck I suppose, or perhaps, a greater foe. Regardless, we have the town held hostage. Some of our strongest men are already present, any spark of rebellion must have been extinguished.”
”What if that man shows up to defend?”
”He won't,” her beautiful lips contoured into a vile smirk, ”-our guild master was generous to offer quests to the 'hostages'. I've cursed the abandoned fortress and sent out fighters. One's walking into a trap, whilst the other has brought forth the necessary items from another village. Their ultimate downfall was the supposed help by the academy.”
”I appreciate the monologue.”
”The hero isn't one for underhanded games,” she retorted, ”-no matter, I doubt a muscle-brained otherworlder will ever understand the importance of a good plan.”
”Please,” he chuckled, ”-what a waste of a pretty face. I'd have never guessed a princess to be so shrewd and merciless.”
”Pretty face you say,” she winked, ”-roses have thorns,” they approached a slight clearing, ”-there's the route over Calpter's High.”
”It's a shame we can't have direct communication with the others. Five thousand men are overkill for such a feeble town.”
The dirt streets and stone-brick walls splattered across with the organs of the deceased. Glenda grew in the literal sense of the title, '-ghost town.' Souls of the fallen devoured by demons, Gophy and Intherna stood with a stained attire and blemished expression. Onlookers of the guild watched through the cracked walls; mutilated bodies dyed the walkways red, though now it marred into the more obscure dark. They were saved to what extent, was the massacre necessary, the ways they died, the screams, the plea for mercy, defiance of he who had lost his wife crumbled before his sight. They deserved every single bit of the punishment… still, why did the mind cry out, '-this is brutal.'
Droplets of crimson escaped down the forehead and round Gophy's face, a gentle motion stained it further, ”-Intherna,” she exhaled, ”-they're weak…”
”I know,” yawned she sat with elbows to her cross-legs, ”-too weak. Whatever happened to this being the Empire's forces. Going by the numbers, I've killed around five hundred, well, half of it is ash.”
”Same here,” returned Gophy, ”-how are Miira and Lilith doing?” Then and there, a massive tree sprung from town-square, shadows loomed, the foliage sprawled to cover the whole area. Countless bodies suspended by their feet hung listlessly, some alive, some dead. Their lifeforce swallowed into a single flower amid the carnage, a blossoming pink-petal floret.
The passing atmosphere felt colder, heavy steps landed atop the wooden porch of the guild building, ”-Lady Gophy and Lady Intherna,” a picture-perfect description of power dazzled the leering eyes, ”-so many lay dead in thy wake…”
”Éclair,” said Intherna impatiently, ”-how goes the fight with Miira and Lilith?”
”The latter speaks for itself,” he referenced to the enormous tree, ”-lady Lilith used her World-Tree spell.”
”Ancient demonic arts,” refuted Gophy, ”-she used it here… is she crazy, do the word hold back not mean anything?”
”She said tis the weakest spell she can conjure,” returned the butler.
”A piece of work,” added Intherna, ”-what about Miira, did she fight?”
”No,” he replied casually. Behind him knelt the frightened. Lady Haru's ears and tails spiked in fear, a similar reaction spread amongst the Ardanians, ”-Lady Miira decided to spar with Draconis. The boy wanted to fight… well, he did fight,” the eyes narrowed, the index nervously scratched his cheeks, ”-and sort of destroyed a building in the process.” No other words be said, a portal summoned, the remainder were evacuated to Ota.
'Such a lovely flower,' knelt over the bud, '-grow and mature into the fruit of life.' Two thousand men were slain effortlessly, the events of said day would forever be etched in history.
'My turn to act,' a man carrying a child hovered towards the invading army. '-My element's rested and accustomed to the first level of Nevermore. Whoever sprung that tree better not have destroyed the town.'
”Pops… are we there yet, I'm feeling tired, can I sleep?”
”Vanesa,” they approached, ”-the fight ahead will be tough. I sense the presence of gods.”
”Why worry,” she yawned once again, ”-I'm here pops, gods or whatever can't defeat me.”