Over Confidence
Since the victory on the hill, the Allied Army had won a series of battles from late spring to early summer.
Now the coastline was dotted with the small rocky fortress. The latest fort sat on the eastern bank of the Farncroft River.
Just East of the fort was Icer Bay, which now served as a strategic supply node.
Icer Bay was once home to Francroft City. At least, before the demons arrived and turned the entire city to rubble. Now the only buildings were a dock, inn, barracks, a large warehouse, and an array.
The King of Icer and his remnant army could barely contain their rage at the sight. Never has their kingdom suffered destruction. The worst typhoon in their ancient history did cause as much damage.
The Francroft Fort marked the frontline. Geographically, the fort was smack dab in the middle of the kingdom's coastline.
If the Allied Army could defeat the demons on the western riverbank, it the unimpeded access to the Dukedom of Kro.
Look who decided to join us," King Roland exclaimed when he saw Will approach. Several of the lords preferred to ride together, and the natural gathering place for them in a moving army was with their kings at the rear.
Long had it been a source of conflict in the army. The peasants risk their lives, and the nobles fight safely in the rear.
The nobles slept in luxurious tents with goose-feather blankets, or quickly build in, while the soldiers slept on the ground inside small poor flimsy tents.
That was why knights who fought in the front, like Will, were held in such high esteem by the soldiers.
The nobles rode grouped in their respective fractions. Seeing Will ride up, nobles from different fractions came to greet him dogs begging for scraps.
But, the first to greet Will was King Roland and Emperor Jacques-Louis, followed by the other kings, the Prince of Suyeut, and lastly the Duke of Kro.
Although they had been on the road for a month, decorum and etiquette remained rigorously upheld.
"Greetings Marquis vont Ballard," said King Roland stressing the nobility particle 'vont.'
"How fares the sovereigns and nobility," Will greeted everyone with a bow.
"It's good to see in the such fair spirit. I take it morale remains high in the front?" Emperor Jacques-Louis said greeting his benefactor.
"They are, but the next offensive shall determine if morale remains high," Will replied.
"Have you enjoyed my picturesque kingdom Marquis vont Ballard? Had you visited before the demons, you would have been treated to a better view," said the King of Icer.
"I am quite taken with your fair kingdom, especially this Francroft City," Will replied piquing the crowd's interest.
"I am happy to receive such praise," the gracious king replied.
"Yes, this is a beautiful land."
"It has great potential."
"We should consider changing Francroft City to Ballard Port City,"
The Icer nobles lobbied, doing their best to woo Will to invest.
"Earl von Mueller, tell me what is your honest opinion?" Will asked.
"Francroft River is quite large. Large enough, for a small sloop to sell upriver into the Qhosnir Empire," Earl von Mueller thought.
"Yes, it's quite a large," the Icer King expanded.
"Does the Francroft River connect to the Yangtze River?" Will asked curiously.
"No. The Yangtze River begins in the Principality of Seyuet, and flows down the Theocracy of Ionic's southern border before cutting across the Qhosnir Empire and out to sea," said the Prince of Seyuet happy to join the conversation.
"How are apart are they Yangtze and Francroft Rivers?" Will asked curiously.
"No one has ever asked, but I'd estimate 160 kilometers, give or take 10 kilometers," said the Prince of Seyuet.
"There's also a large river that connects the Kingdom of Zhekid to the Dukedom of Kro," said the King of Zhekid not wanting to be left out of the conversation.
"Yes, how interesting indeed," Will lied.
The ride from the inn to the fort was leisurely and filled with mirth and laughter. Nobles were more likely to be killed by indulgence that a wayward spell or a sword thrust to the gut.
For most nobles the idea of advancing in rank was folly. They would not risk their lives to increase their magic power.
"Welcome," Crown Prince Lukas said greeting the noble.
"Is today's battle to be another easy romp? Maybe I should fight on the front lines," said an imperial noble.
"If the commoners can beat the demons, imagine what us nobles could do?" agreed a Fermion noble.
"Too many victories have made the soft," Commander Vogel said under his breath.
But Will was daily able to understand his words.
Indeed, the army had been fortunate to advance so far. The further west they traveled, the closer to the Rhaziesian Empire they came, and the enemies grew in strength and number.
Will watched the Crown Prince Lukas' tent as the orders were given to take the eastern riverbank.
On the eastern river bank was a 20,000-strong army of orcs, trolls, and goblins commanded by two demons. The best the spies could guess the demon generals were siblings.
"Crown Prince Lukas' strategy was similar to their conquest at Yangtze Valley.
The Allied Army employed the same strategy every time. The rifle battalion and cannon ships would fire simultaneously engaging the demon army.
Once the marine rifle battalion and ships created a gap in their open-era defense, the army would march in to finish the battle.
They used the battle strategy so often that the Allied Army had about perfected it.
"Attack," ordered Prince Lukas once his men were in formation.
Will and the nobles watched as a terramancer created a rock bridge over the river. The marines fire their muskets killing hundreds of goblins. It took almost 20 bullets to kill an orc and a hundred bullets to kill a troll.
From the safety of Luka's tent, the soldiers looked pieces on a chess board.
"Your highness, everything looks like it is going how we predicted." Allied Infantry Commander von Vogel saluted.
"Looks like?" Lukas knew that General von Vogel was very precise in his speech.
If he said it like that, then it meant that he at least suspected that something was amiss even if he had no evidence of it.
"Yes. We outnumber the demon army, even though their troops may be stronger. When fighting a larger army, usually an army Will build defensive structures or take other precautions.
The demons have put up exactly zero precautions against us. It's like they are purposely drawing us in, like how a hunter baits its traps.
That's why I have signaled the army to advance as we normally do. I believe keeping our distance our distance is best at least until we find out the trap," Allied Commander von Vogel replied trying to explain the enemy's odd behavior.
"Allied Intelligence Commander von Pierce, do you have any ideas what he is up to?" Lukas asked. He refused to believe that the demon general was that careless. No one was given the position of general carelessly.
"Our scouts have not confirmed anything out of place, but I agree with General von Vogel the demons are definitely up to something. It feels like they are setting up some kind of trick, "agreed Marshall 'Hawkeye' von Pierce
"Can we not be certain, they have supreme confidence for another reason? Crown Prince Lukas asked while summoning the Allied Mage Guild.
"Can you explain your highness?" the commanders asked.
"Why only two demons? In the past, we fought armies of them. But now there are only two demon generals. Is Thanatos confident those two can stop us?" the prince asked curiously.
"You raise a good point, Sage Einstein said walking into the command tent.
"They are very strong, indeed, even I cannot ascertain their power grand disciple," Elder Thaddeus said in amazement.
"When faced with a trap, it's best to first draw it out. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," advised Sage Abulafia. "Fine. Since we have numbers on our side send out the army! Regardless of how strong the generals are we can overwhelm them," Prince Lukas agreed with Sage Abulafia.
If the two demons placed their confidence in defeating the expeditionary forces then they were in for a surprise.
"Yes," I disagree with Sage Abulafia's analysis.
"I disagree. Until we know the generals' rank how can we dismiss them so easily?" advised Sage Ming.
Prince Lukas, his commanders, and nobles watched as the army traveled across the rock bridges and engaged with the enemies.
"The numbers we have. This should be our victory," Allied Commander von Vogel gave his early analysis.
"You are wrong we've lost this battle. The generals haven't joined the fray. We need to enter this battle now to save our troops," Sage Ming warned.
"You are mistaken. Our best options are to continue to press our advantage," Sage Einstein explained.
"You and Sage Abulafia are more learned than, but I am a better fighter than you both combined. Neither of you has my battle experience. Doom is about to befall our army. Grand disciples call the retreat. Will, let's go," Elder Thaddeus commanded.
Everyone knew Sage Ming was not a fan of the wait-and-see doctrine. He'd much rather experience the kind of battle they were fighting up close.
Before Lukas could sound the retreat the demon woman general, Aite, raised her hands and cast a sage-tier spell [Pestilence].
At once, tens of thousands of Allied Army soldiers skill turned black, grew emaciated, and died.
"Our army is gone!" said Allied Commander von Vogel in disbelief.
"Quick sound the retreat. Everyone inside the fort!" shouted the Supreme Allied Commander, Crown Prince Lukas.
The first to flee were the sovereigns and nobles.
As Will ran to secure the army's retreat, he noticed something the others did not. When the demon woman cast her spell, his eyes glowed gold but for a brief second.
'There demigods!' Will thought to himself. Before the female demigod could cast her next spell, Elder Thaddeus cast [Dragon Breath]. He and Archimedes fought the demons with a ferocity rarely witnessed.
"Greetings William," the male demigod bowed when Will approached sword already drawn.
"I'm afraid, I cannot return the courtesy," he replied.
"So disappointing to lose one's etiquette at a time like this. I am Limos and I hope for an intriguing match. Had you stepped out earlier you could have saved your worthless army," Limos smiled wickedly.
"Then let us get to the action!" Will said as he and Nisha attacked Limos.
While Elder Thaddeus and Will fought, survivors ran across the river to the fort.
"Stop! Don't let them in! She cast [Pestilence], these plague victims. See the necrosis on their arms, faces, and body. If they gain entry, they can spread it to us " Sage Einstein declared.
"They are our solider. What spell can heal necrosis? Where are the healers and priest?" Crown Prince Lukas asked.
"There dead, sire! I am ready to accept my punishment," Allied Commander von Vogel said kneeling before the king.
"They're dead? We don't have a single healer left?" Crown Prince Lukas said in horror.
"That's correct," the prostrating general replied.
"Sage Abulafia, I suggest you go out and help my martial master and grandmaster. Who is the oriole and who is the mantis?" Crown Prince Lukas asked angrily.
"But I have cast a spell in over 100 years," the sage said anxiously.
Meanwhile, Will and Nisha were fighting Limos. The demigod was insanely strong and during the battle, Will got the feeling he was fighting his antithesis. He had never fought someone so opposed to him.
On the other hand, Aite was stronger than Elder Thaddeus. Not since his childhood had Thaddeus Ming fought defensively.
Crown Prince Lukas looked at the battlefield. He saw the emaciated bodies of soldiers. The vultures were already ripping the falling skin of the bones.
Then the imperial prince looked down at the fort's gate, he saw the dying diseased soldiers withering in pain. Some soldiers were asking to die.
Finally, the prince looked behind him and saw the nobles racing for Francroft City.