Chapter 34: First Blood—The Battle Begins

Dawn Over the Battlefield

As dawn broke across the northern plains, a cold fog clung stubbornly to the ground, drifting through the tall grass like ghostly banners of war. David Haipoli stood silently upon the high ridge overlooking the vast expanse below. Spread across the field before him were thousands of soldiers, their armor gleaming faintly in the early light, their breath visible as they stood in disciplined formation, awaiting his command. Opposite, the banners of the Kingdom of Light fluttered ominously in the distance, Lucius's forces gathering strength in an organized yet cautious manner.

David's gaze swept the battlefield with a tactical calmness, assessing troop placements and the enemy's strength with practiced precision. At his side stood General Peter, stern-faced yet composed, silently sharing the heavy responsibility that lay ahead.

"They gather cautiously," Peter observed grimly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the distant enemy ranks. "Lucius fears us. He knows clearly the outcome if his troops lose this first engagement."

David nodded slowly. "His fear makes him cautious, yet dangerous. Expect deception. Lucius's weakness has always been his reliance on manipulation—he will use trickery rather than direct confrontation."

Peter clenched his fists, determination flaring in his voice. "Then let him try. Our soldiers stand ready, unified in loyalty. Deception will not save him today."

David nodded silently. Raising his sword high, he turned toward his assembled forces. A hush fell instantly across the ranks, thousands of eyes fixed upon their Regent.

"Soldiers of Noah!" David's voice boomed powerfully, carrying clearly through the crisp air. "Before us stands the army of a false king, one who claims righteousness but practices treachery. Lucius seeks to undo our peace and shatter our unity. But we will not yield to false kings or empty threats. Today, we fight for the strength of our empire, for justice, and for the generations yet to come!"

Cheers erupted thunderously from Noah's ranks, filling the air with the fierce courage of thousands ready to defend their empire. Morale soared visibly, their purpose clear and unwavering.

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Clash at Eloria

With a single swift gesture, David ordered the advance. Noah's disciplined soldiers moved in perfect formation, infantry lines advancing methodically, shields raised, weapons at the ready. The ground trembled beneath their feet as cavalry led by Peter surged ahead, spearheading the assault.

Lucius's army responded swiftly, archers releasing a volley of arrows that filled the sky, darkening it briefly before raining down toward Noah's troops. Shields lifted instantly in practiced response, arrows glancing harmlessly off the disciplined defensive formation. Immediately afterward, Peter's cavalry charged forward, crashing powerfully into Lucius's frontline infantry, the impact violent and immediate.

Chaos quickly engulfed the battlefield, swords clashing, spears thrusting, shouts and cries mingling into a deafening symphony of violence. Peter fought ferociously at the front, his sword cutting through enemies with unmatched precision. The enemy lines buckled under the fierce initial attack, Lucius's soldiers momentarily reeling.

Yet David remained cautious. His gaze narrowed, sensing danger—Lucius's main force was suspiciously restrained, holding back from engaging fully.

The Hidden Threat

David's instincts proved correct. Suddenly, horns blasted sharply from Noah's rear lines. Turning swiftly, David saw smoke rising in thick, black pillars behind their forces—behind their lines.

"Ambush!" Athena shouted urgently, pointing eastward. "Lucius's forces infiltrated our rear!"

David spun around sharply, observing enemy soldiers appearing as if from nowhere, emerging from concealed tunnels and passages beneath the battlefield itself. This was Lucius's trap—he had carefully prepared hidden pathways beneath the plains, allowing his forces to emerge behind Noah's army, cutting off retreat and resupply.

David immediately commanded messengers, their voices urgent yet disciplined as they relayed orders. "Redirect the reserve forces—form new defensive lines to halt their advance!"

Athena grasped David's arm firmly. "Lucius anticipated our strength and struck directly at our weak point."

David's voice was steady yet grim. "Then we must adapt quickly. Command infantry to form defensive positions around our archers. Protect our supply lines at all costs."

The Turning Tide

Amid the chaos, Peter saw the danger clearly, swiftly ordering his cavalry to wheel around and charge back to Noah's rear, hitting Lucius's ambushers head-on. Yet the sudden turn of cavalry exposed them to devastating archer fire from Lucius's carefully positioned bowmen.

Peter gritted his teeth, pushing through enemy ranks with desperation. Cavalrymen fell around him, but he pushed relentlessly, leading his riders in a daring counterattack that briefly halted the ambush. Noah's infantry quickly regrouped, shields locking tightly into disciplined defensive formations, creating barriers against Lucius's attacks.

Still, casualties mounted swiftly. Lucius's strategy had cost Noah dearly, sowing confusion and temporarily disrupting morale.

David recognized the need for decisive action. Drawing his sword resolutely, he led a counter-charge personally, rallying his soldiers with his very presence. His voice rang loudly, clearly, commanding: "Stand your ground! Lucius thinks us weak—show him clearly our strength!"

His soldiers, inspired by David's fearless example, surged forward with renewed vigor, fighting fiercely, determinedly. Their resolve hardened visibly under David's leadership, gradually turning the tide against Lucius's ambush.

Behind Enemy Lines

Meanwhile, Lily and Jiang, leading specialized units, had infiltrated enemy lines quietly, using the chaos as cover. Disguised as soldiers from the Kingdom of Light, they carefully sabotaged enemy positions—destroying supply carts, disabling artillery pieces, and sowing discord among Lucius's officers.

Lily moved silently through enemy ranks, slipping poison discreetly into water supplies and igniting fire among enemy supplies. Jiang swiftly neutralized guards silently, systematically eliminating key commanders, further eroding Lucius's ability to control his army effectively.

Their covert actions spread panic within Lucius's rear ranks. Confusion erupted swiftly as officers attempted to restore order unsuccessfully, unaware their own men had turned against them.

The Breaking Point

As the sun began setting, David sensed clearly the battlefield shifting. Lucius's ambush had initially caused devastating damage, yet Noah's disciplined response gradually neutralized the threat. Lucius's forces, exhausted and demoralized by fierce counterattacks, began wavering openly.

David raised his sword high, voice resonating powerfully above the din of battle. "Now! Press forward decisively! Their line breaks!"

With a unified roar, Noah's soldiers surged forward again, their energy renewed by David's inspiring presence and resolute leadership. Lucius's army, demoralized, weakened by internal sabotage, collapsed rapidly, breaking ranks and fleeing chaotically from the battlefield.

Victory belonged clearly to the Noah Empire.

Aftermath and Reflection

As evening descended upon the battlefield, David moved slowly among wounded soldiers and medics tending injuries, the full cost of victory painfully evident. Peter approached silently, exhaustion evident yet relieved.

"Our losses were heavy, David," Peter spoke quietly. "Lucius's ambush cost hundreds of lives."

David nodded solemnly, eyes distant with regret. "Lucius's cunning has taught us again the cost of underestimating our enemy. Yet our soldiers' courage today proved we can withstand anything—even deceit."

Athena stepped beside them, voice gentle yet strong. "But Lucius still remains at large, and the Dark Dominion threatens our western borders. We must remain vigilant."

David nodded resolutely, strength returning to his eyes. "Today, we tasted Lucius's wrath. Tomorrow, we strike decisively. Let him learn clearly—no treachery can defeat our resolve. Noah Empire will never falter again."

They stood silently, gazing across the battlefield—strewn with the fallen, marked by struggle, yet ultimately signaling strength, unity, and resilience. The Noah Empire had weathered its first great storm, but David knew clearly that the war for the future of Noah had only just begun.