Beginning of War

 The Baron and his subordinates had expected the war to begin in a week time. Still, they make some early preparations in case the reports are wrong or that there are other things they did not knew off.

 Still, while they have made some early preparations, nothing could prepare them when the Esel Barony forces make their moves.

-x-

 "How long do we have to keep guard here?" a guard of an outpost at the border exclaimed, bored out of his mind.

 "Until the higher-ups give another command. They expected an attack from Esel Barony and we need to be ready for it," the captain told his subordinates before looking at the far distance. The first guard just sighed, but still obeyed his captain command.

 As he look at the distance, he spot several figures running through the forest. He would have thought it mere hallucination but the higher-ups clearly believed an attack will come, so he could not just dismissed what he just saw.

 "Captain! I just saw something at the distance," he told the man, who turned so fast he almost get a whiplash.

 "Where?!" the captain asked urgently.

 "There," he pointed at the spot he saw the figure, "but it's already gone before I even call you, captain," he added.

 "Good enough. Sound the alarm, I ready this be a false one than us paying the price in the future," soon, the horn was sounded along with the bell, signaling that an invasion force is coming through their section. 

 No sooner than they did so the black figures the first guard spotted leap towards the wall, engaging with the guards. Despite the outpost having a formation that strengthen the soldiers located inside it, they were quickly overwhelmed, their cultivation at the peak of Genesis Gathering no match for the elites in front of them.

 As they slowly cut down, the first guard though morbidly as sword soon fell on his head.

 "At least it's not boring anymore," before his vision turned dark.

-x-

 "I see," the Baron said with a stern gaze.

 "We already lost three outpost and one border city in just a single day," he remarked to his subordinates, all paying utmost attention to the man.

 "Should we attack them while they still doing reconnaissance, My Lord?" Elder Hal asked. Some of the higher-ups also agreed with the decision.

 However, the Baron shook his head. "They should have a secret weapon of sort for the, to be brave enough to launch an assault to the Barony. Until we uncover the reason, we will play It safe,"

 He then turned to Elder Miri, "Elder Miri, send your elites to monitor the enemies. Gather as much intel as you can," the Elder nodded before leaving the meeting room, ready to do as he was commanded.

 The rest, keep to the plan. We are going to lure them into a trap. Make sure everything goes as plan," the rest nodded before leaving the room.

 The only one left is Ryker, who was given the order to stay.

 "Ryker," the Baron said, "I will send you to gather Intel as well as commanding a strong elite group to hit the enemies position. However, your force will only go to war when the enemies is deep enough inside the Barony's territory. So, your main job is to learn as much as you can,"

 Ryker nodded before taking his leave. Several plans already formed inside his head, the only thing waiting is the implementation. 

 As Ryker left, the Grand Advisor walked to the Baron. "You put a lot of trust in the young man," he said accusingly.

 The Baron merely laughed as he turned towards his oldest follower, "Of course, the talent he had shown is far greater than what I've ever seen before. If he did not die young, he will rie to the top of the kingdom, no doubt about it," the Grand Advisor find himself gaping at the high praise the man had given the young man.

 After all, he knew the Baron the longest, and knew he rarely give praise, not to mention such high one as well. He could not help but turned towards the direction of the young man, wondering what his leader could see that he could not.

-x-

 For two weeks, Ryker and Mashia were called to the war meeting, allowing them to learn the situation of the battlefield. From what they heard, it is not good for the Mariz Barony as they seem to be loosing ground despite staunch resistance.

 Aside from several minor settlements and town, they also lose a major city, delivering a huge blow to the Mariz Barony's morale. Ryker wondered how long they will keep the disadvantage and start pushing the enemies. 

 After all, with their current strength, there is no doubt they can do such thing. However, the Baron continue to play It safe, stating until they learned of the true strength of the Esel Barony, they will continue the minor skirmishes, and not push back as of yet.

 "How long before we begin to push the enemies?" Mashia asked, which is a sound question. 

 "Not soon. The Baron want the enemies to not be able to retreat as quickly as possible so he needed to get as deep as they could while not causing the enemies to be suspicious. Not to mention, pthe secret weapon they possessed," his reply caused the dragon girl to turn towards him with a slight frown. 

 "You believe him?" she asked in disbelief.

 "If the Esel decided to attack, they must think they have the means to do so, or else, they will not attack," he replied back.

 Mashia had to reluctantly agreed with him, as his reasoning is sound.

 "So, when we will move to our target?" the war meeting today had given them their task, which is to monitor a border city, more specifically, the border city that felled during the first week.

 "In two days. We need to make some preparations, not to mention pick up some new team members," he added, causing the dragon girl to be confused.

 "But I thought we already have enough elites," Ryker chuckled at her before answering, "Let just say, you knew them and that they will be tremendous help for us,"

 Mashia was still suspicious but she decided to believe him.