26 Rolger Forests 1 (1/2)
As Edward marched out with 300 of Aureus's troops with the mages at the head of the convoy, Aureus was on the castle wall looking as they departed. Aureus's breath misted as he gazed in the direction of the departed troops. Brandon stood in silent vigil beside Aureus.
As the last of the convoy vanished out of sight, Aureus queried Brandon on the progress of the various initiatives. Brandon reported that it was coming along and while there were issues, there was nothing he could not handle.
Aureus gave a half smile, ”I will be counting on you, Brandon.”
Brandon was implacable as he replied, ”Rest assured.”
—
As the sun hung in the sky, the convoy broke for lunch. Edward, Caine and Tiffany were in animated discussions over the validity of the intelligence Caine got from the mercenary guild.
”An upper B ranked mercenary group reported clashes between the spirit beast tribes and demon beasts in the Rolger Forests as they completed a mercenary request in the area. Said mercenaries have a good reputation. I gauge this intelligence reliable.” Caine said as he stripped off a chicken leg.
”It would be best if we could catch the demon beasts after they have spent their resources against the spirit beasts,” Tiffany said as she drained a water skin ”It is unlikely that matters will be so convenient though.”
Edward broke up a loaf of bread and shared it out to the two mages while asking what types of spirit beasts were sighted.
Caine grasped a chicken leg in one hand and a hunk of bread in the other while scrunching his brows before replying that lion type spirit beasts were reported in the conflict being supported by sparrow types.
Tiffany speculated that an alliance of more spirit beast tribes has formed as it was unlikely that two spirit beast tribes would be able to maintain a territory in the Rolger forests-unless they were large tribes.
”Our first target will be the salamander demon beasts in the fringe of the forests,” Edward said as he finished his bread.
Tiffany had a feral grin on her face as she nodded while Caine's right fist glowed.
—
The air crackled with heat as dozens of fireballs were hurled towards Edward's convoy as the demon salamanders sighted troops streaming into the clearing.
Aureus's army flowed into duos and trios as they each tackled a demon salamander without a single break in rank.
Soon, an encirclement formed. The salamanders had no chance, and the mages had no work.
Judging the situation to be well in hand, Caine summoned nine of his golems and went for the salamander leader. While Caine's golems distracted the salamander leader and his guard from the front, Caine's hands glowed purple as he brought both together and unleashed a bolt of dense lightning towards the salamander's leader back.
The whole affair was over in the matter of several minutes. Caine's hands blurred as he butchered the salamander leader with a hunting knife as he attempted to reach for its core when Edward and Tiffany walked up.
”Grade 4, Salamander Core. No luck, Tif,” Caine tilted his head as he examined the core in his hand.
However, Edward requested for the core saying it would help him in the bartering of a grade 5, Salamander core.
Caine and Tiffany exchanged weird looks between them as Edward expressed his idea but Caine shrugged his shoulder and tossed the core to Edward, who caught it in mid-air.
—
In the deeper parts of the Rolger Forests, roars and echoes shook the air as beasts clashed together in the clearings of the forest. Human shaped figures could be seen amongst clusters of beasts on one side while the other side only had beasts.
A female in emerald and black armor with an ethereal aura was in the fore-front. Four appendages ending in spikes protruded from her back and joined two of her arms. With a sudden burst, she appeared in front of two demonic bears and impaled both through the heart with a single movement. Her appendages shook once and both the dead bears flew and crashed into a row of demon wolves.
A green glow flashed and a wicked looking black lance formed in her hands. A demon rock like creature with twice the height of a man bellowed and charged straight at the lance wielding lady.