Varyndel’s Response
The Kingdom of Zorath had done the impossible—taken an entire city without war. Ironvale, once Varyndel's most valuable trade hub, now flew the Zorathian banner. The people embraced the change, grateful for the restoration of order after weeks of economic collapse.
But Varyndel would not let this go unanswered.
The TCS chimed, alerting Alex to the inevitable response.
[ Varyndel Mobilization Detected ]
Enemy Troop Movement ConfirmedEstimated Army Size: 12,000 SoldiersSiege Weapons: 30+ Catapults, 15 Siege Towers, Heavy Cavalry DivisionETA to Ironvale: 2 WeeksThreat Level: EXTREME
Alex read the report, his expression unreadable. "They're bringing everything."
Darius let out a low whistle. "Twelve thousand? That's twice what they sent to Fort Ironwood."
Finn paled. "We're not ready for another siege this big."
Elara, perched on the windowsill, studied the map. "They're not just coming to retake Ironvale… they're coming to end us."
Aldric, the former Ravencairn knight, nodded grimly. "Varyndel sees Zorath as a threat to their entire empire now. They won't just attack Ironvale. They'll try to wipe us out."
Alex exhaled. "Then we make sure they fail."
---
With only two weeks before Varyndel's army arrived, Zorath rushed to fortify Ironvale.
The TCS displayed immediate upgrade options.
[ Ironvale Defense Upgrades Available ]
Titan-Class Energy Barriers (800 RP) – Prevents direct siege damage.Automated Void Turrets (600 RP) – Adds long-range anti-infantry firepower.Elite Training Grounds (500 RP) – Rapidly enhances soldiers' combat skills.
Alex activated all three.
[ Total RP Spent: 1,900 ]
The city transformed overnight. Walls reinforced with Void-infused alloy, advanced defensive turrets installed, and newly trained warriors emerged from the barracks.
Darius grinned. "This is looking more like a fortress than a city."
Elara watched the city's soldiers train. "They'll still outnumber us three to one."
Alex smirked. "Then we just have to make sure numbers don't matter."
---
Rather than waiting for the full force to arrive, Alex devised a counter-strategy.
The TCS outlined a plan.
[ Suggested Tactics: ]
Sabotage Varyndel's Supply Lines – Force their army to slow down.Ambush Smaller Units – Weaken their morale before they reach Ironvale.Psychological Warfare – Spread fear of Zorath's unknown technology.
Elara and her scouts infiltrated Varyndel's ranks, spreading whispers of "The Unseen Empire"—a force that didn't fight wars traditionally, but won them anyway.
At night, Zorathian strike teams raided Varyndel's supply caravans, destroying food stockpiles and weapon shipments.
[ Varyndel Army Status: ]
Morale: DroppingSupplies: 30% DepletedMarch Speed: Slowed
Darius laughed. "They haven't even reached Ironvale yet, and they're already losing."
Alex nodded. "Let's make sure they never get here."
---
With only five days left before the main Varyndel force reached Ironvale, Alex ordered a final strike.
The TCS located the enemy's forward scouting division—1,500 soldiers marching ahead of the main army.
[ Enemy Scouting Division Detected ]
Forces: 1,500 troops (light cavalry, archers, foot soldiers).Vulnerability: Poor defenses, isolated from main army.Suggested Action: Ambush.
Alex and 400 Zorathian elite soldiers moved at night, positioning themselves in the rocky terrain outside the city.
Elara and her archers took position, Finn prepared barriers and counter-magic, and Darius readied the vanguard.
Alex raised his axe. "No survivors."
---
The night was still, the only sound the distant rustling of trees in the wind. The Varyndel scouting force—1,500 soldiers strong— marched in loose formation, unaware that they were already being watched.
Alex crouched behind a ridge of jagged rock, his forces hidden in the surrounding terrain. The TCS overlaid tactical data on his vision, marking enemy positions, movement speeds, and weak points in their formation.
[ Varyndel Scouting Division Detected ]
Forces: 1,500 troops (light cavalry, archers, foot soldiers)Vulnerability: Isolated from main army, terrain disadvantagesSuggested Action: Rapid Ambush – Eliminate before reinforcements arrive
Elara, stationed on a higher cliffside, whispered into her comm link. "They have no idea we're here. Their defenses are weak."
Darius tightened his grip on his hammer. "Good. The faster we wipe them out, the better."
Finn, hands glowing faintly with pre-cast defensive magic, nodded. "I'll block any attempts to send distress signals. They won't be calling for backup."
Alex raised his Void-Infused Battle Axe, eyes locked on the enemy formation. "No survivors."
---
Alex signaled the first strike.
The sky lit up with fire and arrows as Elara's archers launched a precision volley, cutting down the first row of enemy soldiers before they could react.
Darius led the charge, his hammer crashing into enemy shields and shattering armor with every swing.
Finn cast a suppression field, silencing enemy mages before they could counterattack.
The TCS updated in real-time.
[ Enemy Forces Decreasing Rapidly ]
Initial Casualties: 500+ soldiers within first minuteVaryndel Response Time: DelayedMorale: Breaking
The enemy formation collapsed. Panic spread as Zorath's forces tore through their ranks, cutting them down before they could even form a proper defense.
A Varyndel captain tried to rally his troops, shouting orders, but Alex moved like a shadow, cutting him down with a single, brutal strike.
[ Enemy Commander Eliminated ]
Elara fired an arrow directly into the throat of an enemy officer, silencing his orders mid-sentence.
Darius's hammer sent shockwaves through the ground, knocking entire squads off their feet, crushing bones beneath its weight.
The TCS pinged a final warning.
[ Remaining Enemy Forces: 20%. Attempting to Flee. ]
Alex raised his axe high. "No one escapes."
---
The remaining enemy soldiers turned to flee. But Elara's archers cut them down one by one, arrows finding their marks in backs, legs, and necks.
Darius led the frontline fighters, hunting down the last few stragglers.
Finn, his magic reserves nearly depleted, sent a final disruption spell, cutting off any lingering magical transmissions.
Minutes later, the battlefield fell silent. The Varyndel scouting force was gone.
The TCS confirmed.
[ Ambush Successful. Enemy Forces Eliminated. ]
Total Enemy Casualties: 1,500Zorathian Casualties: 8 Dead, 20 WoundedLoot Secured: Supplies, Weaponry, ArmorVaryndel Army Status: Now Blind to Ironvale's Defenses
Alex stood amidst the bodies, his expression cold. "One step closer."
Elara wiped blood off her blade. "They'll know something's wrong when their scouts don't return."
Aldric, his armor splattered with blood, nodded. "By the time they figure it out, it'll be too late."
Darius cracked his knuckles. "Now let's finish this war."
Alex turned toward the horizon, where Varyndel's full army was still marching, unaware of what awaited them.
"This time," Alex murmured, "we take the fight to them."
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