Lira, Daughter of Krulos

Lira, daughter of Krulos, runs through the dense forest. Her father has given her an important task: to gather information about the mysterious people who threatened their village a few days ago.

"Milanda," she called, glanced back at the white fox trailing behind her., "What do you think of these mysterious people?"

"Although I am a spirit of this forest," Milanda replied, her voice smooth and melodic, "I have never heard anything about these people. They seem to have appeared out of nowhere."

"Huh! I thought you might know something," Lira mused, furrowing her brow. "Hmm... I'm beginning to think these people might not be from this island. If they were, we would have heard of them. Could it be that they came from outside?"

"Outside" Milanda pondered.

"But that's impossible," she continued, her voice laced with concern. "The sea is filled with enormous monsters. Also, as long as that being dwells in the depths, no one can cross the waters and reach our shores."

"Ah! You're right," Lira replied, her brow furrowing. "It's unlikely that anyone could defeat that being and come here."

With determination, Lira climbed up one of the towering trees, her agile form moving effortlessly among the massive branches. The trees here were immense, their trunks thick and sturdy, providing a perfect playground for her to leap from one branch to another.

"We've arrived," she said, sitting on a thick branch.

Both of them gazed at the scene unfolding before them.

"It's impossible!" Lira exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "They've built an entire settlement here in just a few days!"

"Also, Their buildings are different from ours. It's incredibly well-organized."

Imperial troops have secured several areas here, establishing a substantial base of operations. They have constructed barracks, hospitals, garages, watchtowers, etc, all built with a combination of sturdy wood and steel.

"Hmm...They must have many powerful earth Sorcerers," Milanda mused. "Otherwise, it would be impossible to create so much in such a short period of time."

As a spirit, she possessed an innate sensitivity to magical elements. "But I can't detect any Sorcerer here," she added, her voice tinged with confusion.

"But how is that possible!?"

"Hmm. Maybe their Sorcerers aren't here. Maybe they've gone somewhere else."

"Hmm. It's very convenient for us."

"We have to act quickly. The fate of our village and other villages depends on us. We need to collect necessary information about these people."

"Hmmm, You are right"

"Huh"

Lira started chanting, "A-la-ra, sha-la-va, Sil-va-ra, ka-la-ra, T'ka-la-na, na-la-na, A-la-ra, sha-la-va." Her voice, a low, guttural hum, echoed through the silent courtyard. It was a chant, ancient and powerful. Her hands, inked with intricate patterns of silver and sapphire, began to glow, the markings pulsating with a soft, ethereal light. The air around her shimmered, becoming charged with a barely perceptible energy.

As Lira continued, the tattoos on her body seemed to writhe and expand, their silver hues intensifying, blending with the sapphire accents. The markings, once static, began to move like rivers of light, flowing across her arms, neck, and even her face. She slowly begins to be invisible.

Lira uses spells that make her temporarily invisible. So that no one can see her.

"Alright, let's go. Since they don't have any Sorcerers here, I don't think anyone will be able to detect us." Lira's voice was laced with a quiet confidence

"Hmm"

Milanda used no magic. Since she is a spirit, no one can see her with ordinary eyes.

The massive oak tree groaned as they leaped from its gnarled branches, landing lightly on the forest floor.

They continued towards the camp. They see many iron beasts that roared and many men dressed in green who are holding iron rods.

The sight was overwhelming: men in green uniforms scuttled about, their iron rods glinting in the sun, while monstrous machines belched smoke and noise.

"What are those things?" she asked, pointing towards a line of vehicles that rumbled and hissed as they moved. "They look like giant beetles!"

"Giant beetles that can walk on their own? How curious! Do you think they have feelings?"

"Perhaps,"

Lira gaze shifted to a group of soldiers gathered around a fire pit where something was sizzling. "They must be cooking. I've never seen men cook like that before."

"Mmm, smells good!" exclaimed Milanda, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Do you think we should get some food from there?"

"Huh! But there are risks involved. We can't do that," Lyra said, even as her stomach rumbled at the thought of food. "We need to focus on gathering information."

They crept around the edges of the camp, eyes darting from one group of soldiers to another, each more surreal than the last. one soldier was polishing his rifle, while another was engaged in a game of dice.

"Ha! I win!" a soldier shouted, tossing his hands in the air. "Now, who's buying the next round?"

"Do you think we have more money?"

"Ah! Men, I have finished half my salary. I want to quickly fight these tribe people and return to the capital."

"Bro, be patient. I know why you're in such a hurry to go to the capital," teased another soldier, a playful smirk on his face.

"Is it about the lady you met in the restaurant?" chimed in another soldier, his smile widening.

The laughter swelled again, a wave of camaraderie washing over them, filling the air with warmth and good humor.

"Do they not fear the war?" she whispered, glancing at Milanda. "Do they think they can just take everything?"

"Perhaps they do," Milanda said thoughtfully. "But maybe they should fear what they don't understand."

They continue their mission.

"Look over there!" Lyra pointed to a two-story wooden structure, with a large flag flying in the wind, with a sign she didn't recognize. "What do you think of it?"

"It seems like an important building?"

"Let's get closer,"

Two soldiers stood cautiously on either side of the gate. Lira and Milanda walked past them and entered.

They walked and stopped in front of a room.

"I think they're having a meeting!"

★★★———————

07—09—1560 WC

Colonel Hans leaned back in his chair, the acrid smoke from his cigarette curling lazily toward the ceiling of the dimly lit command tent. Around a large, wooden table, several officers sat, their faces etched with concern and determination.

The table was cluttered with maps detailing the rugged terrain of the region, dotted with markers indicating the movements of their troops and the locations of the tribesmen who had dared to challenge the might of the Empire. Piles of documents lay scattered about, some detailing recent patrol reports, others outlining strategies and logistics for the impending campaign.

"Sir," began Lieutenant Fischer, his voice low and strained as he leaned forward, pointing to a section of the map where the Green River snaked through the landscape. "These tribesmen are becoming increasingly bold. They ambushed our patrols near the river last week. They injured our three men in that skirmish."

Colonel Hans's eyes narrowed as he studied the map.

"They're smart," said Captain Muller, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "But we must show them the power of the Empire. If they refuse to accept our authority, we must make an example of them."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier.

Major Richter, a grizzled officer with a scar running down his cheek, spoke up. "We need to do something about this quickly. The Emperor has tasked us with taking over this region. We cannot afford to delay. If we hesitate, we risk emboldening them further."

Colonel Hans exhaled a cloud of smoke, his expression contemplative. "Hmm. Of course. Several of our men have been injured by these tribesmen. We cannot let this continue. It's time for us to take decisive action." His gaze shifted around the table, meeting the eyes of each officer, gauging their resolve.

The officers exchanged glances. They all looked to Colonel Hans, awaiting his command. He took a final drag from his cigarette before crushing it into the ashtray with a deliberate motion.

"Tch! It seems these monkeys think they can defeat us," he said, a cruel smile creeping across his lips. "It's time to teach them a lesson they won't soon forget."

"Colonel Hans," Lieutenant Fischer interjected, his voice a mix of urgency and caution. "We should attack them. They haven't given us their answer yet. I think they refuse to become our citizens."

"Hmmm... you're right," Colonel Hans replied, his tone shifting to one of cold calculation. "We will attack a tribal village tomorrow. This will serve as a warning to other villages, a demonstration of the Empire's strength. We cannot show weakness."

The room buzzed with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Captain Muller nodded vigorously. "Ah! That's a very good idea. I don't think the people of this tribe would be so foolish as to think of fighting us after witnessing our destructive power."

Colonel Hans leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a predatory intensity. "Kukuku. If they do act foolishly, we will eliminate them without hesitation. We will make an example of them, and the others will learn to fear the might of our Empire."

The officers nodded in agreement.

★★★——————

Unknown to these officers, two entities secretly listened to all their discussions.

Lira and Milanda get very worried after hearing these conversations.

"Let's go! We need to get this news to everyone quickly."

"Yes. We need to inform everyone quickly and prepare ourselves. I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they realize they underestimated us."