97 The Army Arrives at Hadrow

As the moon slowly moves across the sky and fades, the armies of the Kalthros Empire, Republic of Hinthro, and Republic of Lithro move onwards toward the Town of Hadrow. Sitting in an armoured HUMVEE at the back of the army is the three leaders of the armies.

Viceroy Stanislav Levitsky of the Kalthros Empire, a fit man who at first glance, one wouldn't be able to tell he was in his late 60s. Stanislav wears a standard brown military uniform of Kalthros with several medals pinned on it. As the one who was originally responsible for the conquest of the north area of Aiolos from the Kingdom of Virpal 40 years ago, he was granted the position of Viceroy of Aiolos and has been at the head of all the Empires operations surrounding the continent of Aiolos.

Raúl Campoy of the Republic of Hinthro. The youngest of the three, in his late 20s. Having been serving in the military for just over five years, his position comes from his social connections and nepotism, having done little actual work with the military to rise through the ranks normally. Although he has an athletic build, his physical condition isn't particularly notable, barely capable of keeping up with the worst of soldiers. His outfit is the one that stands out the most, a bright blue military uniform with golden feathers on the shoulders.

General Garvin Armstrong of the Republic of Lithro. A bald muscular middle-aged man with a thick moustache who lives up to his name. A veteran of Lithro who's led the soldiers of Lithro into battle for nearly his entire life, having been born and raised in military barracks. Be it against the Empire, the Warband, a beast tide, or even just a couple of transcendents causing too much trouble, Garvin has fought in all kinds of battles and is the most seasoned of the three. Compared to the other two, his uniform is the simplest, a camouflage outfit with flak armour. Unlike Raúl and Stanislav who are regular humans, Garvin is a transcendent, a Pyromancer Esper, he can generate flames from nothing and can control the fire he creates while also having high resistance to fire and heat.

"The reports from our scouts have come in, they say that Hadrow has been rebuilt, contrary to our expectations of a broken town," Stanislav says. "Although the fog prevented them from getting a good look, it seems all the fortifications have been constructed of wood."

"I heard that the ones positioned to guard that town are those overgrown monsters. They probably don't even know how to produce concrete or how to work with metal. Our tanks and artillery will make quick work of them," Raúl says.

"Don't take our opponents lightly. According to Virpal's reports, the town originally fell to the monsters in less than an hour and the town's fortifications were completely shattered. To be able to repair them so quickly, even if just out of wood, is an impressive feat," Garvin says.

"Regardless of it being an impressive feat or not, we merely need to shell the town from range with our mana cannons while our tanks, soldiers, and mages shoot down the monsters as they show. In the end, they're still monsters, even if they can understand our words, they probably aren't smart enough to deploy any advanced tactics. We can stick to standard doctrine and this will be over in no time," Stanislav says.

"You all act high and mighty, but I know the reason you two chose to come to Hadrow is that you don't want to fight the Warden. So you come here to pick on the one you think will be easier. Naturally, I'm of the same opinion," Raúl says.

"I won't refute your claim. But unlike you who has at his command, the elites of Hinthro, I have fresh recruits in need of experience. I can't send them straight into a battle the Warden is involved in, that would be sending them to their deaths. And we both know that Kalthros isn't really interested in the war itself and has plenty of ulterior motives, they're only looking to keep their losses to a minimum," Garvin says.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. We are good citizens of Vopal and followers of the faith, we are merely following our moral obligation to assist the Church," Stanislav says.

Raúl rolls his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, sure you are. Keep telling yourself that."

…

With the rising sun to their backs, the outline Hadrow comes into view through the fog over the horizon for the crusading army. The large force once just over 500,000 strong, begins to split into three different groups as they move to surround Hadrow.

But just as they get all their troops into position, the ground trembles as wooden spikes surge forth from beneath their feet, impaling many the military vehicles and some unlucky soldiers.

"And that bloke said they couldn't use advanced tactics! This is clearly a trap! All troops retreat! Abandon anything that can't move and retreat to a safer position!" Garvin yells out, his heavy voice being carried through the air.

"General, I think I see giant birds in the sky! They're dropping something on us!" a Lithro soldier shouts.

"Keep moving! I'll deal with it!

As Garvin gives the order to keep retreating, he sends out a wave of flames towards the droppings of the birds. He has already heard about how the birds dropped bombs and Hadrow when they fought to take the town and knows he can't let these bombs go off on top of his subordinates.

Garvin's flame wave manages to hit a large portion of the bombs while they're still high in the sky. The falling shrapnel will still be an issue but that's an issue for the other armies, not his.

The ground trembles once more, but this time it isn't so subtle, but instead a hard consistent shake. The outline of two giant beasts become more and more clear to the three armies. Behind the larger outlines are a couple thousand other, smaller, outlines.

"Sure, enough. Although a trap was laid, the monsters don't understand how a siege works, blindly rushing into a far superior force. Get any operational tank firing! Shoot those monsters! What are you all waiting for shoot those guns and fire those spells!" Viceroy Stanislav orders.

But all the shelling is shoved off by the giants while a protective psychic barrier deflects the various bullets and magic spells. The tank shots seem to have an effect on the barrier, but it's quickly repaired before the next round is shot.

Unable to take them down from afar, the Oulvgar have forced the crusading army into melee combat.