Chapter 14: Attack on Elmridge

In the dimly lit war room of Elmridge, Duke Edmund and his son Cassian sat surrounded by his trusted advisors and military commanders. The atmosphere was tense, filled with the clinking sound of armor and the scratching of quills on parchment as strategies were hastily drafted.

"We cannot underestimate Wynthall," Cassian said, his voice edged with frustration. "Leoric is bold, cunning, and resourceful. We need to bolster our defenses."

One of the advisors chimed in, "We must increase the production of swords, shields, and arrows immediately. Our blacksmiths must work day and night to prepare for what's coming."

Cassian nodded, slamming his fist on the table. "Do it. Divert all resources to weapon production. We will be ready for him."

As the discussions carried on, the heavy wooden doors of the meeting room swung open, revealing Cassian's personal assistant. His face was pale, and he was visibly trembling.

"My lord... there's... there's a problem," he stammered.

"What is it?" Cassian demanded, his voice sharp.

"The mines," the assistant said, his words barely audible. "All the iron... it's gone. Every last piece of metal has disappeared. There's not a single ingot left."

The room fell into stunned silence. Cassian shot to his feet, his face red with rage. "What do you mean, gone? That's impossible! How could all the iron vanish overnight?"

"We don't know, my lord," the assistant replied, his voice shaking. "The miners found the tunnels empty this morning. It's as if the earth itself has swallowed the iron."

Cassian clenched his fists, his mind racing. Without iron, their plans to reinforce the army would crumble. "Damn that Leoric," he muttered under his breath. "This has his hand all over it."

Wynthall's Secret Trove

Far from the chaos in Elmridge, Leoric stood in front of the massive iron gates of his underground storage facility. Nyx, his loyal dragon, perched nearby, its glowing eyes reflecting the flickering torchlight. Beside him, Terra Pup wagged its tail, its earthy fur dusted with remnants of its latest excavation.

Leoric pushed the gates open, revealing a cavern filled with towering stacks of iron ingots. The sheer volume was staggering, enough to supply a small kingdom for years. Thanks to Terra Pup's ability to manipulate the earth, Leoric had extracted every last piece of iron from Elmridge's mines without leaving a trace.

"This," Leoric said, addressing his advisors who stood in awe beside him, "is the key to our victory."

The advisors nodded, their faces lit with admiration and newfound confidence. With this resource, they had not only crippled Elmridge's ability to fight but also secured the means to dominate the battlefield.

The March to War

As the first light of dawn broke over Wynthall, the Steel Fangs assembled in the castle courtyard. The elite battalion, now armed with shotguns, stood in disciplined rows, their weapons gleaming in the morning sun. Fifteen cannons were mounted on sturdy wagons, accompanied by barrels of explosive powder.

Leoric addressed his soldiers from atop Nyx, his voice carrying authority and resolve. "Today, we march to Elmridge. They have threatened our people, our land, and our sovereignty. We will show them the strength of Wynthall. Remember, you are the Steel Fangs, the vanguard of a new era. Fight with honor, precision, and unity. Victory will be ours!"

The soldiers cheered, their voices echoing through the courtyard. With that, the army began its march, the sound of boots and wagon wheels reverberating through the cobblestone streets.

The Siege of Elmridge

The Steel Fangs reached the outskirts of Elmridge under the cover of darkness. The enemy fortress loomed ahead, its high walls and watchtowers illuminated by torches. Scouts reported that the enemy was heavily fortified, but Leoric knew their true weakness: they were unprepared for what was coming.

"Position the cannons," Leoric ordered, his voice calm but commanding.

The cannons were carefully aimed at the fortress walls, their barrels loaded with explosive shells. The Steel Fangs took their positions, their shotguns at the ready.

"Fire!"

The first cannon roared, its shell smashing into the wall with a deafening explosion. Stone and debris rained down as the wall crumbled, creating a massive breach. The enemy soldiers on the ramparts froze in shock, unable to comprehend the destruction they had just witnessed.

In less than eight minutes, the once-imposing walls of Elmridge were reduced to rubble.

"Charge!" Leoric commanded, leading the Steel Fangs through the breach.

The enemy army, numbering over 2,000, scrambled to form a defense. But they were no match for the Steel Fangs. The shotguns tore through their ranks, each blast sending soldiers crumpling to the ground.

The enemy's swords and arrows were useless against the Steel Fangs' disciplined formations and superior firepower. Cannons fired into the dense ranks of enemy troops, creating chaos and breaking their morale.

"It's magic!" one of the enemy soldiers shouted, his voice filled with terror.

"No, it's death!" another cried as he fell.

In just a few hours, the battlefield was littered with the bodies of over 2,000 enemy soldiers. The Steel Fangs, despite their smaller numbers, emerged nearly unscathed.

The Fall of Elmridge

With the enemy army defeated, Leoric turned his attention to the fortress itself. The remaining defenders surrendered without a fight, their spirits broken.

Leoric and his forces stormed the royal palace, where they found the ministers cowering in fear. Duke and Cassian had fled, abandoning their people to save themselves.

Leoric declared victory, raising the Wynthall banner over the palace. The people of Elmridge, who had suffered under Cassian's rule, cheered as word spread of Leoric's conquest.

A New Era for Elmridge

Leoric wasted no time in establishing order. He arrested the ministers who had failed to escape, ensuring they would face justice for their corruption and incompetence.

He then addressed the people of Elmridge from the palace balcony. "I am Leoric Wynthall," he announced. "Your new duke. I promise to bring prosperity, justice, and peace to this land. Together, we will rebuild and thrive."

The crowd erupted in cheers. They had heard of Leoric's reputation as a just and capable leader, and they welcomed him with open arms.

The Aftermath

News of Leoric's stunning victory spread like wildfire across the kingdom. Nobles and commoners alike marveled at how he had conquered an entire dukedom with just 150 soldiers.

Messages of congratulations poured in from other dukedoms, each eager to stay on Leoric's good side. Even the royal court took notice, with whispers of Leoric's rising power reaching the king's ears.

A Grand Celebration

A week after the victory, Leoric convened a council meeting in Elmridge. Evelyn, always the voice of wisdom, suggested, "We should host a grand celebration and invite all the dukes, barons, and even the king himself. It will strengthen our alliances and showcase Wynthall's power."

The council members agreed, and Leoric nodded. "Very well. We'll host the celebration in two weeks. The Steel Fangs will march in the parade, and we'll display our cannons and firearms. Let the world see the strength of Wynthall."

Reflections

That night, as Leoric lay in bed, he thought back to his previous life as a civil engineer. The memories felt like a distant dream. "Who would have thought," he mused, "that I'd end up as a duke, leading armies and shaping the future of a kingdom?"

With a contented sigh, Leoric closed his eyes, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.