The Demon's Princess: Planning for war.

THE BREWING OF THE STORM BEGINS

DAY 53.

MONDAY.

GOLD: 131,188.

BLOODOATH GOLD: 105,988,653

Tyler woke the next day with Yui once again asleep on his chest in her small girl form and he smiled at this adorable blanket. Seria had Metalica asleep on her chest in her adult woman form with her moth wings her blanket and he found it kinda sexy as they were both naked and Metalica's face was shoved in Seria's large breasts. He snuck a photo of the sexy scene and Seria smirked as she opened a large sapphire eye.

"You know the deal."

"Love you too, Seria."

She smiled and poked Metalica's own large bust inquisitvely with a finger.

"wow. She's like REALLY soft. I like them."

Tyler chuckled at the yuri scene as he hugged Yui. She woke with a yawn and snuggled into him like a koala bear.

"I'm comfy."

"Morning Lil Bits."

"Morning.....OH yeah."

she remembered who's chest she slept on and he chuckled at her jump.

"Classic."

Metalica woke to see Seria inspecting her cleavage with a finger and chuckled.

"Adorable, Seria."

"You're HUGE....and really soft. I like it."

"Me too. And that guy has a photo somewhere."

Yui giggled as he hugged her and the group cleaned up. He got dressed and noted his coat was fraying around the seams and his pants had some serious wear in the threads.

"I'll need a fresh getup too."

Seria smiled.

"I can do that much for you, my husband."

He looked at her.

"You sure?"

"I AM your loving wife. And I've some skill with seamstress skills. It's actually my hobby."

"Wow."

He hugged her.

"I'll have some high tier material funneled your way then."

"I can do that too. I AM the princess."

"Ha. I'll reward you well."

She smiled.

"I love you. But I give gifts too ya know!"

"Oh fine. I love you too, Seria."

She smiled proudly as she kissed him.

"I love you too, Tyler."

He headed out and Metalica smiled on his shoulder.

"I got the drakolisk material already. So I'll be busy for a few days. Yui's learning too."

"Wow."

"Yeah she's an inquisitive little fairy."

"THAT is her new nickname."

"Absolutely."

"Hey!"

They laughed at her irritation as the trio walked into the somber dining room with the rest of the heroes. Tyler was instantly on edge as he saw them all looking at their mugs with grim expressions and he looked to where Asuna had the map open.

"If this is some kinda prank....I already know."

His eye had been focused on Saori, Miho's exuberant friend, when he said this and she too wore the same somber expression and a VERY nervous one as well. Tyler went to the table and Asuna tapped a border city a week's ride from the capital.

"Fangorn invaded. They sent a mass army of hired bandits reinforced with giant wallbreakers. They're inside the border."

Tyler sighed.

"I am AMAZED it took that long. That city is a week from us. Metalica, you have three days."

The sprite appeared.

"I will be done in TWO."

"THREE. YOU get word to Heila to put a rush on that order NOW. THREE DAYS. If she can't do it that is FINE. Metalica can."

Tyler looked at the heroes.

"You heard it here people. THREE DAYS. I want EVERYONE in this room at level 19 in three days. I DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, make it happen. Because in three days, we are PUSHING those bastards out of MY home. ARE we clear?"

Erwin looked at him.

"Can we do it?"

"we WILL. I'll go alone if I have to, dammit. This is MY home. MY family LIVES HERE! I WILL BE DAMNED BEFORE I LET SOME KNIFE EARED fucks with a few fancy tricks take my family from me!"

His sudden bellow of utter STEEL hit EVERYONE right in the shock gland. Tyler was on the leader's table with FIRE blazing in his eyes.

"Three days. YOU have THREE DAYS. AAND WE RIDE for the border. Fangorn WILL be pushed out of this country. They WILL die by the thousands. ANYTHING that DARES try to harm the ones I LOVE wil DIE SCREAMING!"

He then looked his army in the eye.

"You were called to be heroes to this world. Heroes to those that go to sleep at night afraid of that which goes BUMP in the night. You are here to lend your power to those that have none and grant PEACE to them poor bastards that LOST IT to this war. are you gonna look them in the eye....and say you FAILED?"

A few shivered at that question and Tyler gripped his swordhilt.

"Three days. And the Knights of the Bloodoath ride to war. we ride to stop the bleeding of our countrymen. OUr FRIENDS WE HAVEN'T MADE YET. THOSE that can't fight for themselves. Those that NEED THE STRENGTH OF A HERO! ARE YOU THOSE HEROES?!"

The warriors looked at him with fires now also blazing in their hearts and Tyler smirked.

"I asked you. ARE YOU THE HEROES THAT WILL GIVE THIS LAND A REASON TO HOPE?!"

They roared their pledge that they WERE.

"You have three days to GAIN THE POWER you need, to PROVE IT. Get to that arena and SHOW this land, WHY WE ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST AND THE ONES THAT WILL SAVE THEM FROM TEH NIGHTMARES THAT PROWL THIS WORLD.....AND ARE THE ONES THAT WILL STAND WHEN THEY FALL! WE ARE THEIR HEROES! WE WILL NOT FALL! WE WILL NOT FAIL! WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER TO THE THINGS IN THE DARK! NOW GET OUT THERE SHOW THEM WHY! KNIGHTS OF THE BLOODOATH.....MOVE OUT!"

Like a FLOOD every warrior in that room broke into a WILDHEARTED charge for the arena with the Veterans RIGHT beside them. Tyler chuckled as he iped his mouth on his sleeve.

"Asuna. Three days."

She nodded with a FIRE in her amber eyes.

"we will make it in two."

"Get going."

She was off like a thunderbolt and Tyler started coughing rather violently.

"Okay. THAT one was intense."

He went to the throne room where Mylissia was discussing the situation with her generals. Though she smirked as he approached.

"What the hell did you do? The heroes just came by screaming liek banshees."

"I lit a fire under their ass. We ride in three days. we WILL push those fuckers out of this country, Mylissia. I PROMISE you that."

She blinked at THIS vow.

"Tyler. They sent half a million men."

"And they just invaded MY home. I don't care how many there are. We kill em all to the last man. We WILl drive them the fuck out. They have three days to reach level 19. They'll do in two. During this time, I need every scrap of information we have on the enemy army. AND who is leading it."

The queen sighed.

"Okay. we summoned you here for THIS very reason. Tyler the Berserker, Leader of the Knights of the Bloodoath. I hereby charge YOU with the vanqishing of this army. Drive them OUT of our home. Fail. And NEVER return. And Seria will be FOREVER lost to you. Do we understand each other?"

Tyler nodded as his eyes started turning red with his legendary rage.

"Perfectly."

She passed him a stack of papers.

"This is everything we know. and they are led by their OWN hero. A MONSTER in a man's skin. He wields a giant cleaver-"

"Seriously?"

She blinked at his sudden disappointment.

"Ummmm. Do you know this man?"

"we got a picture?"

"Ummm."

A magical image of a broad shouldered man in a ragged cloak was seen and Tyler rubbed his eyes.

"UGH. I love being right all the time, but COME ON. Surprise me one time. Just one? Not much to ask. Anyway."

He tapped the image.

"His name's PoH. Prince Of Hell. He's from Kirito's world and was the leader of a murder guild. That cleaver is called the matechopper. More of his friends he kills, the bigger it gets. More powerful too. Problem is, his strength has to increase with it or it becomes unwieldy. Any other heroes sighted?"

Mylissia just smiled.

"You had a plan the entire time. Two more wwre sighted. Here."

She slid an image of a slender boy in a ragged cloak slaughtering soldiers by teh dozen with a green energy beam-

"Looks like Issei put some balls on. Ha. Not mcuh though."

The next image was again of a slender yet tall boy in a ragged cloak slashing at people with a katana and Tyler tilted his head as he looked at him.

"Okay...who the fuck are you?"

He looked closely at the image seeking a glimpse at his hair and the queen passed him another image. This one a clean one of his face and Tyler chuckled.

"Ah. I know him too. His name is Eragor deathscythe. wendy's world. Uses wind. eh."

He pocketed the intel and headed to the arena to see the results of his fiery speech. The warrior smiled at what he found. He sat beside Seria's throne as wave after wave of monsters and bandits were poured into the meatgrinder that was the fired up heroes' assault. The rookies were in the center of the formation getting EXTREME experience points while the veteran forces were dealing with higher level opponents and guiding their charges to better results and teamwork. Kouki was seen on the ground still writhing in his hellscape illusion and was constantly attacked by man and monster alike. The Berserker smiled as he looked at the report on the attack.

"Ooookay...a mountain city? Hm."

The image taken of the city showed a square shaped block sitting on a cliff looking out over an IMMENSE valley.

"Greeeat. More mountainneering. UGH."

The cliff surrounded the city on three sides with only ONE road the size of Manhatten leading to it. The next image showed the city SWARMING in monsters and bandits literally CLIMBING the cliffs to get to the seemingly untouchable city. That unorthodox scheme made Tyler chuckled.

"Okay. They have an outside the box thinker. Which MEANS there is another hero in play. One SKILLED at remaining unseen."

He looked at the damage report and noted the entire population of civilians had been put to death or fed to the monsters. That detail made Tyler frown.

"Then what the hell was point of TAKING the city? Just to KILL everyone inside? hm."

He looked at the city's location on the map and noted it was in another range of mountains called the Roof Mountains. And as he looked at rhe map he noted a road leading to the top of a peak several miles above the city. He smiled widely as he had an idea.

"Aerial assault from gliders. we go in silently, assassinate the leaders and beasts inside the city....BREAK out through the gates, and DEMO the road. Set off another avalanche, and take out every fucker in the valley."

He wrote the idea in his book before looking to the intel. The next tidbit was the three known heroes were led by PoH. As reports show the other two obeying orders and movements from the man with the giant cleaver. Tyler chuckled as he saw the man.

"You think you know what evil is? I got a backup plan for YOU pal."

The vault door rattled as Tyler poked it and Metalica poked her head out in a panic.

"What the hell?"

"Makin sure it's still alive in there."

"Ummmm."

"NEVER. A. WORD."

She blinked. The smiled wickedly as she saw yet ANOTHER thread being laid.

"I promise on my wings."

And she was gone. Tyler chuckled as he looked at the map.

"Anything good?"

Asuna appeared beside him and he nodded.

"I have one plan in stone and the second in the works. How are THEY looking?"

"They just cleared level 15."

"Ha. I thought so. Miho?"

"SHE is SCARY when pissed. her friends are REEEALLY good at working together."

"Ha. Kouki?"

"Is on the verge of BREAKING entirely."

"He's still a level ONE right?"

"Yup."

"Leave em. NOPE. I'll give him to Mylissia's breakers."

She nodded and then looked at the picutres...

"Yes PoH is leading that army."

Asuna sighed.

"Great. And I see they revived Laughing Coffin."

"Kinda like the cloak."

"Loot one and be a grim reaper."

"Ha. I know their leaders. Issei is one of em. Eragor is the other."

"Issei is a nonthreat. eragor?"

"wendy can drop him."

"Good. Yet,"

"Yeah. There's a FOURTH hero pulling the strings behind the curtain. They CLIMBED that cliff, Asuna. THE ENTIRE ARMY, CLIMBED A CLIFF nearly three miles high. THAT takes time."

She frowned.

"A LOTTA time. especially with the resources and SUPPLIES. HOW the hell did they get that far?"

"LAughing Coffin were assassins FIRST."

"Oh yeah that's right. And they know we're gonna be coming."

"Yup. Their spies in the city will be watching us MOST carefully."

Asuna smirked.

"YOU already marked them."

"Kinda."

A grapple fired from his wrist and impacted into a shadow.

"ONE has been tailing me for two days."

A screamin Draken was torn from the shadow and Mylissia appeared from her teleport THAT instant.

"HOW?"

"Magical cloaking. if the city as an antimagic barrier, Mylissia, I'd activate it and start a purge."

She nodded and clasped hands.

"AZUR DOME!"

The city was then encased in a glowing blue dome of bright blue and Tyler noted EVERY spell in the CITY just stopped working. A series of shadows around the arena shattered....and a mass of Draken spies were revealed. Tyler chuckled as the crowds looked at them in angry surprise.

"Hey guys? Mind grabbing them for me? I gots some questions for em!"

The heroes moved en mass and within seconds the spies were rounded up. Mylissia chuckled as seria appeared from her own teleport.

"wow. A dark elf appeared right beside me. I got em!"

Tyler kissed her and looked at the stack of tied up Draken....and smiled.

"Okay. Let's have soem fun."

He cracked his knuckles and Mylissia chuckled as she sat in her throne with Seria beside her.

"I want answers my champion."

"Sure. Hey buddy, you DO know you been feeding LIES to the mai army right?"

The draken he was talking to spit.

"YOU WILL KNOW THE PROPER PLACE HUMAN!"

Tyler chuckled at that. Then he looked the elf in the eye.

"So. YOUR wife's name....is Saeria."

He blinked and started shaking as Tyler pricked his finger.

"I'll call for a favor. Hey Rias,"

The devilgirl glided to him on her devil wings and smiled as he got to work drawing a symbol on the ground.

"Oh. You're gonna use THAT in em? Ha. I'll help."

She pricked her own finger and dripped her Gremory blood on the circle.

"There. It's a consecrated Gremory Summoning circle."

Tyler looked at the trembling Dark elf with a smile.

"I can get ALL of the ones you love mosts' names from you easily enough. All up to you who I give em to. Maybe I give your daughter's name to a demon of domination? Oh! Howabout a demon of depravity? I'm SURE they would breeders down there in hell. So. What's it gonna be?"

The group of Draken were shaking VIOLENTLY at the HORROR threatened their loved ones...and finally one broke.

"I'll talk. Just...PLEASE. Spare my sister."

Tyler chuckled as he dragged the sobbing in despair Draken from the pile.

"Speak the truth....and they are safe...from DEMONS."

The Dark elf nodded with a hanging head and A wraith took him away. Then the Berserker looked at rhe rest.

"Well? ya got five seconds....FIVE."

They agreed en mass and were taken away....EXCEPT.

"Do your WORST Berserker. NO demon would WILLINGLY obey YOUR contract."

A single Dark Elf refused the terms and his fellow Draken looked at him curiously....as if the point made sense. well.

"Okay."

Tyler looked at he circle.

"Maleria Shadowmane. Haneria. Shadowmane. Lieria. Shadowmane. Hear my offering, DEMON OF DEPRAVITY, and take these WILLING TOYS AS YOUR eternal mates."

A DARK chuckle was heard.

"The offering is accepted. SPEAK your payment."

Tyler smirked.

"I want my own set of DEMON WINGS like AKENO'S."

The chuckle had approval in it's voice now.

"A man of culture I see. GRANTED. Your blood."

Tyler dripped his blood into the glowing circle and a pair of mismatched wings explode out of his back. ONE was JET BLACK and skeletal like Rias' devil wing. While his OTHER was neon blue like Seria's hair and covered in sleek bird feathers. Tyler smiled as he flapped the 15 foot wide things experiementally.

"wow. I can FEEL everything. Cool. Thanks Lust."

"I will collect my new toys.....and let them KNOW exactly WHO condemned them."

The sound of three girls' screaming of pain and forced pleasure was heard and the obstinate dark elf had a new look of horror as they screamed.

"daddy help us!"

"Maeria help me! PLEASE IT HURTS OH MY EARS IT HURTS!"

"I'M SORRY DADDY! I'LL BE GOOD JUST PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!"

The piercing screams broke the elf and he dove at the circle in a desperate attempt to rescue his family....only for the circle to vanish entirely and Tyler chuckled.

"Too bad. They were really pretty. Ah well."

The broken Draken was dragged away by Wraiths.

The ENTIRE arena was DEAD silent from the horror they JUST witnessed. Tyler chuckled and looked at Rias.

"I owe Luka a HUUUUGE favor for that. They good?"

The redhead chuckled.

"Oh they're loving hell down there. Though that despair demon was a decent trick."

Seria poked him then.

"Tyler? Love? WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"I asked a favor of Rias' kid brother. whoooo is still in hell."

Mylissia blinked.

"wait. Did you HOODWINK him?"

"Kinda. His family WERE dragged to hell, that part is absolutely true. BUT, as VASSALS of HER kid brother. Think a redheaded Gasper."

Gasper chuckled as he cracked his arm.

"Luka's gay, Tyler."

"I KNEW it!"

The ones in the know chuckled and Tyler looked at Seria.

"They're safe. I promise."

"And the WINGS?"

"I gave em an idea through my blood and Rias is kinda like his hero. Plus she's the next head a his house so he KINDA has to do what she says."

"wow. I wanna meet him."

"Luka? Sure. Problem is he's as strong as a high archbalor so he can't just pop in."

"Oh. Rias?"

"Sure. You;d have to make a sacrifice an all, but sure. He'd love you."

Tyler chuckled and looked at his army.

"what? You got work to do."

Asuna sighed.

"He just hoodwinked him into thinking his family is being raped by demons for the rest of time....and it was his fault. Okay. MOVING on."

The intense massecres picked RIGHT back up. Tyler sat beside Seria and Rias returned to her own grinding as the Berserker returned to looking the information over. Mylissia smiled.

"VERY well played."

"Ha. If I hadn't asked Rias, they WOULD have been dragged to the hell I envisioned."

"I figured."

He looked back at the information as the antimagic barrier dropped and the spells took effect again. Tyler smiled as he set the information down after a few more hours.

"So they're using the city as a base of operations ti secure the rest of the range."

The heroes in the arena had LITERALLY dropped from exhaustion and Asuna came up panting and on wobbly legs for a report.

"EVERYONE, jusrt cleared level 19, Tyler. The ELITES, are at 20. ALL of them."

Tyler smiled and stood.

"Good."

He took his spot on the edge of the box to look at the tired yet proud heroes.

"Well done. But I said three days. I wonder? what will we do with two full extra days?"

Kirito smirked as he looked up from the dirt.

"We'll be READY."

Tyler looked at him.

"Ready for WHAT?"

The Black Swordsman forced himself off the sand to stand tall on shaking legs.

"we will be ready....to STAND."

His iron will inspired more such fiery hearts to rise from their own spot on the dirt and stand tall before their leader. Tyler smiled with approval.

"THERE you are. There's the heroes of the worlds. TOMORROW. a mass gear upgrade. To drakolisk. Spells, abilities, SUPPLIES. We have the gold. We know the people to go to. MAKE it happen. And OUTTA the pit. it's MY turn."

They groaned and Tyler chuckled.

"You didn't REALLY I'd just LET you catch up.....right?"

They chuckled and took sore positions on the stands as Tyler hopped into the arena's blood soaked floor.

"Alright. I want to be level 24 at the end a this. HIT me with something big."

An earthshaking bellow was heard before a fully grown hull giant was set loose in the arena. Tyler met it head on and sliced it's leg off like he had before and it landed on the same iced wall nail as before. Tyler smiled as he stood tall and looked at his level.

"22. ehhh good enough. 100 points to place."

Kirito smirked.

"Next time."

"ALWAYS next time, Kirito."

Tyler looked at the heroes.

"Leaders to the Hall. we got a LOT to go over."

They nodded.

"Rest a you.....go take a dip in the healing temples' muscle baths. The CRASH. Tomorrow is gonna be a shitshow and I want you semi-conscious."

They chuckled at that and headed out. Tyler went with his leaders to the dining hall where he set the information out.

"It's all bad. Their army has another outside the box thinker like me."

Sora took the information over as Mina noted the photo of the men scaling the cliff.

"They learned from Dunkrick. That's not good."

"No it is not. But, I think we can use that against them."

The Berserker tapped a mountain.

"This road goes RIGHT to the top of this peak here. It's a week trip from the capital to the AO. If we get to the top of this peak and HANG GLIDE over the city....we can preform a halo insertion. Assault the city from the inside, and BREAK out teh front gate once the city is secure. We do this right, that army will so fucking confused they will LITERALLY run off a cliff. And then we demo the entire road liek we did Dunkrick."

They looked at him in shock and he tapped the valley.

"Their overwhelming numbers are inside that valley. If that section of rock falls, they'll all be splattered."

Rias nodded as she saw the plan.

"Another avalanche."

"we have TWO options for such a plan. The city like I said, or. HERE."

He tapped the twin peaks overlooking the city.

"These peaks SOAR over the city and the one road leading in. If ONE goes they both go. The avalanche would hit the city and the force would set off another landslide lower down due to how the land flows. The stress on natural erosion would push the entire region over the edge for a collassal collapse."

Strand smiled.

"I can confirm this. That area is FAMOUS for landslides. The Ranger Station is responding and they ARE Rangers. I confirmed that myself."

"How many?"

"50."

"Hmm."

Tyler sat back.

"It's too easy."

They blinked and Sora nodded.

"I was thinking the same thing. They KNOW how we'll approach this."

"Looking to see how we can use the land to our advantage. Liek we have in EVERY OTHER battle we've been in. Which is WHY they a MOUNTAIN city to begin with. EVERY form of attacking via the land is predicatable and VERY easy to prevent. Some high level scouts up in the caves would have thrown a wrench in our plan at Dunkrick. And they know that now. Hmm."

Tyler looked at the map and images.

"They have half a million men and from intial reports, ALL bandits. Then they're reinforced by monsters. which means Draken are in teh ranks. Then the four dingdongs. THREE of which are UTTERLY known elements. The ONE question mark over this entire campaign is the ONE PULLING THE STRINGS. They NEVER took the field. NEVER allowed themselves to be seen. Sora, your ability?"

The redheaded boy smirked.

"what do you NEED exactly?"

Tyler smirked.

"MY death at the hands of the enemy leader."

They ALL blinked....and Asuna smirked.

"LIke with Kirito and Heathcliff?"

"Kinda sorta."

Sora nodded and closed hus eyes.

"Visualize."

Tyler slid his status plate over.

"I have 100 points to place. I had 600 Strength, 638 Defense, 650 Stamina, 700 Vitality, 500 MAgic, 500 Agility, 500 Dexterity, 500 MAna, 500 MAgical defense, 650 Intelligence. I'll slap 50 into Agility and Dexterity. 600 Strength, 638 Defense, 650 Stamina, 700 Vitality, 500 MAgic, 550 Agility, 550 Dexterity, 500 Mana, 500 MAgical defense, 650 Intelligence."

Sora came out of his trance and looked at him.

"I got nothing."

"Huh?"

"LIke....I searched more then a million timelines....annnd got no hits."

"Are you saying...I DON'T die to the enemy leader?"

"Pretty much. every future I glimpsed it was a one sided asskicking."

"Can you sketch him?"

"Sure."

Sora pulled some paper over and drew an image of a slender man with black hair and glasses. Tyler blinked as he saw him.

"Ha. No fuckin way. His name is BRAD."

Rias looked at him.

"Who is he?"

"The FIRST one to torment me."

They blinked and Belfast was by his side that instant. Tyler chuckled as he patted her.

"It's fine. I killed him once already. NOW I get to kill him again. Sora, WHERE did we fight?"

"THAT was always hazy. It WASN'T in that region though. He IS the enemy leader for the region....but I got the feeling he escaped."

"Yeah that sounds about right. Brad's a coward deep down. Okay. DAMMIT. It;s STILL too damn easy."

Tyler sighed as he leaned over the table and the leaders frowned. Mina looked at him.

"Maybe it IS that easy?"

"Didn't one of your commanders say that about the Warlock?"

"Okay fair enough. But more operations succeeded then FAILED, Tyler."

"Okay. I am not willing to flip that coin. if we get it wrong, less then 500 warriors have to fight half a million with NO advantage. And NO cover."

Akeno crossed her arms.

"Tyler, I think you're missing something."

He looked at her and she smiled.

"You';re trying to get i their head....are they in yours?"

Sora and Shiro blinked and Tyler smirked.

"So they're trying to MANIPULATE me into choosing was seems to be a surefire means of victory...which is the two mountains. So if we were to say,"

He looked at the road.

"Mount a frontal assault on the CITY ITSELF along the road.....they wouldn't see it coming. As MOST of their army would be guarding the mountains....which would in turn open us UP for THEM to use OUR STRATEGY against us. Their army, is in the mountains. and a TOKEN FORCE secured the CITY. The Rangers are fakes to BAIT us into the road. Huh."

Sora nodded as he looked at the map.

"That's MY trick."

"Ha. So. HOW do we COUNTER it?"

Tyler closed the enchanted map and reopened it. Since the landscape refreshed every time it was opened, it could theoratically be used to track ANY development in the forest. Tyler smiled a long, slow smile.

"Got em."

Strand came over and he pointed to a large section of clearcut on one of the mountains.

"That clearcut is NEW."

Strand smiled.

"It is. Their main camp?"

"Most likely. Anyone can find them on a map like this. So this just adds an extra dare."

Asuna looked at the options.

"We don't have a lot of options, Tyler."

"We HAVE to win this fight with as LITTLE damage done to US as POSSIBLE. We COULD....go for something a little DIFERENT."

Rias smirked.

"Sorry. I can't help you hire an archdemon."

"NO. BUT. We COULD piss off a high dragon...and AIM it at the enemy army."

They blinked at this idea. Strand looked at him like he was insane.

"A HIGH DRAGON? Are you out of you mind?"

"Yes."

"Okay. HOW do you intend to deceive a GOD of the SKY?"

Tyler smirked.

"Dragon pride."

The elf blinked and Sora smirked.

"Dragon pride is LEGENDARY for it's potency and size. And given YOUR ability to ROYALLY get under people's skin? YIKES."

Tyler looked at the mountain.

"We need to find a high dragon and MAKE IT THINK I am from their army. Laughing Coffin's attire is VERY easy to mimic. And since the dragon won't know better, it'll think I AM a member of their army."

Rias smiled.

"They'd NEVER see a high dragon coming to ATTACK them like that. And since ISSEI got neutered here, even HE'D be useless."

TYler nodded.

"Plus with the way a dragon ATTACKS? The entire mountain would go. The ONLY glitch in the plan...is I have no idea where to FIND a high dragon. Tio could probably track one down, but we don't have that kinda time."

Shiro perked up.

"Dragons are supposed to be common here. Yet we haven't seen a single one. That drakolisk was the closest we've seen."

Tyler nodded.

"I wonder. Hey, Strand. You think that nature spirit can help us out?":

Strand blinked.

"LAdy Nightshade? Possibly. But she is all the way in the Black Mountains."

"USe the royal scry and ask Ingot to bring it to the gem. Nightshade DOES owe us a FAVOR."

Strand placed a ball on the table and the red bearded Ingot appeared with a chuckle.

"Little Strand! Good to see ya...Lord Berserker? Oh this can't be good."

Tyler chuckled.

"Gald you remember Ingot. You in the station?"

"Aye?"

"Yeah can you bring the ball to Nighshade? She owes a favor and we kinda need it"

The dwarf nodded.

"I will do so, Tyler. This HAS to be serious."

Tyler watched as the orb was borne to the Ranger Altar.

"Never a WORD of what you see,"

The leaders nodded and the ball was placed by the giant gem that was Nightshade's home. Instantly the thing flared to life as the two toned chuckle was heard.

"So, Lord BERSERKER, we meet again."

"How's it hanging Nightshade?"

"Ha. To the north today. Now. YOU think I owe YOU a favor?"

"For rescuing your rangers and killing that forest giant."

The Nature Spirit chuckled.

"So you ARE serious about pulling this tab. How intriguing. What do you require?"

Tyler smirked.

"Then den of a high dragon within a week's ride of us."

The spirit was silent for a moment as the request processed.

"WHY do you seek such a powerful foe?"

"So I can piss it off in the disguise of an enemy leader. And sit back watch the fire and brimstone."

Nightshade was silent again for a few nerveracking minutes....before she busted up laughing at the described scene. Like she was laughing so hsyertically, Tyler was half afraid she'd hurt herself. Te minutes passed and the spirit regained the power of speech.

"Oh my FOREST you are TRULY FASCINATING Tyler of the Berserker rage! WHO in their RIGHT MIND would think of pissing off a high dragon with the intent of having it SLAUGHTER YOUR ENEMIES FOR YOU?! This idea is....UTTERLY impossible I just HAVE to see it happen!"

A scroll appeared from the scry orb and Tyler smiled.

"Thanks Nightshade. I appreciate it."

"If you SUCCEED, PLEASE feel free to contact me again. for you will be a GOD!"

Tyler chuckled and Ingot's ashen face appeared in the orb.

"Laddee you see the world differently. And you be MISSING a few pieces. But you are FUCKING brillant."

Tyer smiled.

"Thanks Ingot."

"Kid if this works, we be raising a mug to the FIRST able to manipulate a high dragon into doing their duirty work FOR EM!"

The orb went out and Tyler unrolled the map. Then a long, slow smile spread across his face.

"Why am I NOT surprised?"

The den of the High Dragon was the next peak over from the occupied mountain.

Tyler nodded.

"Okay. The plan is simple. We HAVE to reach that den. we'd be so freakin close we can cause a charge into it's chamber...and it'll do te rest. So long as WE do NOT go into it's den...we'll be FINE."

He looked at Asuna.

"We need illusion spells."

Akeno smiled.

"Melody makes them and sells them."

"Offer her a blank check."

"Oh absolutely."

Tyler then sent for Mylissia and Seria. The queen arrived in mere minutes and the princess seconds. Tyler smiled wryly.

"We got a plan."

The queen deflated from relief before she blinked.

"What is it?"

He tapped the mountain.

"There is a high dragon living in those mountains. The plan, piss it off, and aim it at the enemy. Once it's bored, we sweep in for the remains."

The blue queen looked at him in a mixture of awe and despair. Seria just looked at him as if questioning just WHO he was. Finally Mylissia smiled.

"That is such a YOU tactic it's SCARY. Mountain Dragons are FEROCIOUS defenders of their dens. If you succeed in awakening the beast, and it does as you pray? Then rejoice as NO ONE would dare attempt it. Fail, and EVERYONE you know dies in it's breath."

Tyler nodded as he looked at the maps.

"we'll succeed."

Seria looked at him with worry on her face.

"How are you so certain?"

He smiled.

"Because the den was in IT'S NEIGHBORING PEAK. "

She smiled at that and Tyler looked at Mylissia.

"Kouki is your breakers new toy."

She nodded.

"Understood. YOU ran out of time."

"And on his own he is a liability."

She sighed.

"I agree. The people already despise him as a coward."

He kissed Seria and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Be careful."

"I will. Odds are this'll go sideways....and I'll have to kill it after it's done."

They chuckled at that classic trope. Then Tyler looked at his leaders.

"Are we agreed?"

The heads nodded one by one. He smiled.

"Let's inform the warriors."

The group set a projector for the various maps and photos of Very Important Persons, or VIPs as the rest of the army filtered in. Tyler walked up with a long stick and sighed.

"Alright people. we're in for a doozy."

The first image was of the cliffside city and a fair few groaned at it's location.

"agreed. This is the Cliff City of Ardun. Population....50,000. it's a tourist trap in it's entirety."

He moved to the next image and the scaling men and monsters were seen.

"At about midnight last night, Fangorn forces successfully captured the city. They now have a secure foothold on Macedonian soil. As you can see, there's a lotta the bastards. And they're lead an outside-the-box-thinker like me. THAT cliff. is THREE MILES high. They scaled a THREE MILE CLIFF to attack the city from it's strength. As far we know, there are no survivors of the native population. The enemy army is estimated to be 500,000 strong. Anf that's men alone. Monsters add an extra 250,000."

The numbers alone had more then a few shaking in their seats and Tyler slapped the board with force.

"Oi. NO flipping the fuck out. You;re HEROES. ACT like it."

They steeled their nerves and Tyler regained his train of thought.

"we're looking at a combined force 750,000. The men are made of EVERY bandit company in the entire country and the next two. If the army disappears, we'll be able to go places without worrying about uninvited idiots."

A few smirked and Tyler pulled the next image of the terrain down and more groans at the sight of the mountains were seen. Tyler smiled.

"Actually it's not that bad. My Veterans are rather experienced in the mountains. Now. From the maps we have, the enemy encampment is here."

HE tapped the section of fresh clearcut forest.

"They;re digging in to make sure we can't drop the mountain on them like we did Dunkrick. AND to set themselves up to do the same to US if we retake the city. Anyway I looked at it, EVERY BLINDSPOT was covered."

The heroes had intense expression son their faces as Tyler sighed.

"every blindspot....except one."

He put the map of the dragon den up.

"THIS map marks the den of a high dragon. One of the most powerful creatures in this world. As it is, i can't even scratch it's scales. Think that drakolisk but FAR bigger, next to GODLIKE in terms of raw power, and it don't like you. The plan, is to find it;s den, piss it off while disgused as enemy leaders, and run. We do this right, IT will attack their army FOR US. Once it leaves the field, we mop ip any survivors."

THIS caused quite a stir at the sheer GAMBLE the entire campaign was. Erwin had his head on his hands considering the options open to them and another man stood now. He was a shorter guy half Tyler's height with short cut black hair and coldly blazing black eyes. His frame was slender and he had a pair of longswords on his hips as he spoke in a hard bark to the Berserker.

"Name's Levi. THIS is the best you could do? A textbook suicide mission?"

Tyler nodded.

"Yes. This is the best we have from a distance, Levi. THAt area is a WEEK'S RIDE FROM US. A LOT can happen in a week. If a better option presents itself, we will discuss it, and see which is more viable. as it is, this plan as the HIGHEST OUTPUT for destruction on the enemy lines, with the LEAST AMOUNT of damage done to us."

Levi snorted.

"You REALLY think you spare our lives in a WAR?"

"No. Absolutely not. I'll be blunt. You are ALL going to die. All of us are. Sooner or later we'll run into a battle we can't win. But. If I can push that day off by even an extra HOUR, then that is a victory in and of itself."

Erwin looked at him now.

"Were there any other options, Tyler?"

The Berserker nodded.

"A few. ONE was a halo insertion with hang gliders from this peak here."

He tapped the main peak and traced a line to the city.

"We'd go in, assault the city under cover of darkness and then FLEE out the front gate. Done right, the army so freakin confused it'd be just another rout. Problem, is it's ANTICIPATED a we;ve USED hang gliders before. Same with another avalanche. Their ENTIRE position.....wait a minute."

Tyler frowned now as somethign clicked and he looked at the blown up map.

"That doesn't make any sense. Yo Sora check this out."

The lanky boy walked over and Tyler tapped the clearcut.

"THAT should be a lot bigger for half million men."

The guy blinked.

"HOLY shit you're right. That clearcut should EASILY be four times bigger."

"Yo Strand they do any logging up there?"

The Ranger frowned.

"They do. The spieces of tree that grows there burns like lavender when burned and the wood has a VERY sweet scent when carved."

"Cool and I want some. Okay that is a LOGGING cut."

Tyler stepped back and looked at the forest as a whole now.

"what the hell? There is NO SIGN a half a million man army is in the region. Not with the logsitics involved. Sora you got man enough for a vision?"

"I have enough for one more today."

"Okay. I need a play by play of their invasion as it happened."

"On it."

Levi smirked.

"Did your 'legendary' tactical mind miss something?"

Tyler didn;t look at him as he scanned the map while Sora meditated on the image.

"Most likely. I never did claim to be the smartest man in the room Levi. NOR the best at this. Watch. We'll get out on the trail an I will literally go over this shit for HOURS everyday seeking every concievable hole I can. But for soem fuckin that clearcut is bothering me."

Mina came over with a frown.

"A false front?"

Tyler sighed.

"If that's the play? We're looking for a needle in a haystack. There are valleys in those mountains that can hide HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. And we'd need to send in airships to scout them."

Sora's eyes snapped open.

"It's a false report."

Tyler looked at him as he took the pointer.

"They sacked the city from the cliff and left. THAT entire area is empty. That dragon is their TARGET."

The Berserker blinked.

"They're trying to get a DRAGON under their control. Ooooh shit. we'd never make it in time. even WITH an airship."

Erwin looked at him as Tyler looked to the map.

"Are you saying they are seeking the same dragon?"

"Yes. They're trying to brainwash a high dragon.....DAMMIT. Sora that STILL doesn't add up. WHY attack the city at all? If you're going after the dragon, WHY make such a fucking MESS?"

Sora smirked as he tapped the city.

"Because the city is the real target. It sits on a coal mine, a gold mine, a SILVER mine, and has access to the high value trees. PLUS the dragon in the area? Its' a lucrative area. That force is NOT 500,000. It's just BARELY over 250,000. WITH the monsters."

Tyler pulled the image of the climbing forces up again.

"Huh. Okay. The pieces fit I'll give you that. So the dragon is a secondary target, the city is the primary. The numbers are false, the clearcut makes sense....I wonder."

He closed the map, and reopened it. The clearcut was 2% bigger and there was a large area of scorch around a section of the mountain. He smirked now as he saw this.

"They're after it's trove. Okay. We have their targets. NOW we need to counter them."

Mina smiled as she tapped the road.

"If the goal is resources, they will have brought a MASSIVE number of tranports, Tyler. What is YOUR biggest concern with the wagons in our Knights?"

"They're slow, unwieldy, and make big fuckin targets. Since it IS a resource raid, the wagons will be EMPTY. a 250,000 men force WOULD be perfect for controlling an area like that while they milk it...and hold off enemy counterattacks until reinforcements arrive."

Asuna came forward now.

"And didn't Victoria say the Macedona army has been on a SERIOUS losing streak?"

Tyler blinked.

"ISsei and MAx defected, and given their egos, would have made themselves out to be FAR more powerful then they are. AND downplayed OUR STRENGTH. Since they ARE hateful defectors, they'll have been listened to more then you'd think. Given the nature of our wins? Aside from Dunkrick? They were SHEER luck. DUNKRICK could VERY easily be blame on the mountain sprite and NOT US. We've killed every raiding party we've come across to the last man. So NO reports could out. One reason why i stress never spare your enemy. Sooo, all they really have are spy reports, ISSEI AND MAX'S REPORTS, and the results of our campaigns. Ha. They've been COMPLETELY misinformed of our entire strength! And since I pulled that stunt with the spy network? THEY'RE BLIND!"

Tyler looked at Mina.

"We have time to prep properly. Once they realize their spies are silent, they'll move to stage two. And that's scorched earth. If they can't have it no one can. we're looking at two weeks. Now. we'd need to counter three full operations in the mountains."

She nodded and looked at the map.

"Retake the city, defend the dragon, halt the mining. The forest?"

"Falls under the dragon."

"Hmmm. If you had to place a MOST important target?"

"The dragon. If that dragon's trove is a good one they can literally bankroll another thousand years of fighting. They;re THAT kinda target."

"The we need to focus ALL our efforts to secure that dragon."

She pointed to the mountain road.

"We'll take the road and push up way up. 250,000 men an monsters to defend a VERY long supplyline."

sora smiled as he saw her plan.

"Attack them from the rear and PUSH THEM DOWN THE mountain towards the city,"

Asuna smiled.

"Then swing immediately into a assault on the city while they're still reeling."

Strand smirked.

"And INTO THE MINES. Those mines are like a labyrinth. Go in without a guide and you will NEVER find your way back out."

Tyler nodded as he looked at the predicted battle.

"LIke a inverse Thermaplyae. I like it. we'd need to HIT them like a THUNDERBOLT, but for now it works. We need to start prepping for the trip anyway. If we find a better idea we'll work it."

Tyler looked at the force and Levi rubbed his eyes.

"You just plans up on a whim and expect us to follow it?"

"Do you have a better idea?"

Levi just sighed.

"NO. I don't."

Tyler chuckled.

"Alright then. If you have an idea let us know. But for now? The VIPS here."

Levi sat down as a set of three photos were hung on the board. A series of groans went up as they saw them and Tyler tapped the first.

"Alright. These are the enemy heroes suspected of traveling with the force. This is Issei Hyuta. A former hero of Macedona and the one that tried to rob us. His power is moderate at best. All you have to do to stop him in his tracks? Have a busty girl flash him. I'm serious. He is a HOPELESS pervert and sex addict to the point of inhuman addiction. That said, he is stupid, dense, and VERY slow on the draw. His weapon is called the Boosted Gear. It doubles power to infinity in his world. HERE? He gets FOUR. Ten seconds between each boost."

Levi smirked.

"I'd cut him into pieces in 2 seconds."

"ISsei is a bitch. Period."

There was a few chuckles from the veterans as the next picture was pointed to.

"THis is Eragor Deathscythe. wind mage. Expert Assassin and highly experienced wizard. Uses his power over wind for VERY powerful defensive magics. Is cruel, arrogant, and likes to give speeches. I'd put his power at low to medium."

Then the next image of a hood man was put up and Tyler tapped it.

"THIS is the most dangerous in their army in MY eyes. His name is PoH. Or, Prince, Of, Hell. American Black Ops trained solider with DECADES of experienced. HIGHLY trained assassin, HIGHLY skilled hand to hand fighter, POWERFUL melee warrior that LIVES to see his victims scream. He is the leader of a Murder Guild called Laughing Coffin. You can ID members of the guild, by THESE emblems."

An image of a coffin with eyes and a tongue with daggers.

"If you see this emblem, ANYWHERE, speak up. Their members are better at stealth then wraiths and they are absolutely lethal. RIGHT NOW, as it is? I am the only one that can drop him. Or, YOU Levi."

The shorter man looked at the picture.

"He's that good huh?"

"Pretty much. He's a more extreme version of Kenny. MINUS the code."

That made the man frown.

"I see. Now that IS the stuff of nightmares."

Tyler nodded.

"It is. He CAN be beaten. Kirito has done it already."

The black swordsman nodded as all eyes turned to him.

"PoH is ABSOLUTELY ruthless. I turned him into a tree...and here he is again."

Tyler nodded.

"That cleaver he wields? It's called the Matechopper. The more of his allies he kills, the bigger and stronger it becomes. If he kills an enemy with it, it shrinks and loses power. THAT is the type of man he is."

The army shivered and Tyler smirked as he tapped the last photo.

"Now this guy is Brad. he's MINE. Haughty, cruel, think he's god gift to the planet. He is one of MY bullies. And is the one that got me first in that back alley."

A mass of gasps went up and Tyler smirked.

"I've already killed him once. There is NO. WAY. What I did to him did not leave scars. if you encounter him, ask him how his sister's ass is doing after meeting the golfclub. OR. What it felt it like to be a MONSTER'S BITCH?"

EVERYONE SHUDDERED. Tyler chuckled and he tapped the four photos.

"These are the suspected heroes of Fangorn. They have more. MANY more. Our goal is simple. KILL them all. Any questions thus far?"

Miho perked up.

"Miho.

She gulped.

"HOW are we getting there?"

He smiled.

"Tomorrow is you're horse training, Miho. You'll be taught by us how to ride a horse like we do. Sad to say....it HURTS after a while. You get used to it though."

Hana smiled a sshe patted her nervous friend.

"I've ridden horses, Miho. I'll help."

"Thanks Hana!"

Tyler chuckled before he moved to the next bit.

"Tomorrow is FULL trip prep. The veterans will teach you how WE prepare for a trip. It's a week ride to the mountain. We are NOT rushing. We are NOT on a pleasure trip. Belfast."

The silver haired Quartermaster smiled.

"I have secured Miho and her friends as assistants for the supplies. we will need secure four more wagons for a safe trip."

"Make it five."

"Of course."

She took her clipboard out and Tyler looked at Asuna.

"Are they ready?"

She nodded.

"Absolutely. We need them."

"Alright. We have 476. 1 leader, 1 second in command. 1 Quartermaster, two enforcers, 4 captains. That leaves 468. That by four is 117."

He looked at Asuna.

"we'll need more."

She smiled.

"Erwin has EXTREME experience."

"That he does. Plus checks off every box that matters."

Tyler looked at the blonde man.

"Erwin. YOU are joining the ranks as a captain."

The man nodded and joined the group by the map.

"You can count on me."

Tyler smiled and looked around.

"Okay. Mina, Strand, Rias, Erwin, Akeno. 9. So four more."

Akeno perked up.

"Satuski checks all the boxes we need."

"She does and is a VERY talented leader. The MAIN DRAWBACK is her ATTITUDE. She only has one setting and it's 11. I actually think she'd work better as an Enforcer given her own rigid code."

Mina chuckled.

"I think her merits outweigh her flaws, Tyler. And we haven't had a single incident since you made ir clear."

He smiled.

"Alright, Satuski. YOU are promoted to captain."

The black haired girl strode over with her usual imperious strength.

"Is there a badge of office?"

"No. We don't really HAVE uniforms."

"I see. I will get results."

"Alright."

Asuna chuckled.

"She is intense."

"YEEESSH."

"what?"

Tyler looked at Kirito and the guy gulped.

"Yeah."

"Bro if ASUNA si calling HER intense? JESUS."

"MY fear EXACTLY."

"What the hell are you trying to say?"

Asuna's growing irritation made a few chuckle as Tyler looked at the rest.

"3 more."

Erza smiled as she stood.

"Master Makorov?"

Tyler smiled.

"A good idea and he IS a skilled leader. But I feel like he makes a better second for a captain. And since his spells are as powerful as they are we CAN'T really move from heavy artillery. Hmm. Same time, Asuna?"

The redhead chuckled.

"No you hit it on the head. He's GOOD, but BETTER as backup."

Makorov chuckled as the decision was made.

"A sound decision, and one I find I agree with. Still, do not hesitate."

"Thanks MAkorov."

Belfast smiled.

"Her Majesty?"

"Hmmm. Elizabeth is a ruler.....is Wales here?"

An elegant blonde in a red jacket rose from a table.

"Here Sah."

Tyler smiled.

"I'd take YOU over Elizabeth. JUST because you have more frontline experience."

The blonde Elizabeth smiled.

"I completely understand where you are coming from."

"Wales, you're promoted to captain."

She bowed slightly.

"I will serve with honor Sah."

She was an elegant lady with a slender fame and modest bust in her thick British jacket. On her hip was a long rapier and her armor was a scale mail vest. Her voice was a soft, yet aristrocratic breath as her blue eyes shown. She took her spot with the captains and Tyler did a head count

"Rias, Strand, Erwin, Akeno, Wales, Satuski, Mina. 2 more. Okay."

He looked out at the other heroes.

"IS a Shizu Yaegashi here?"

A girl with a katana on her hip jumped at being singled out and she rose in a fluster.

"Um, yes sir! That';s me!"

She got jabbed by her friend and it helped her get over her shock and Asuna looked at him curiously.

"why her, Tyler?"

He smirked.

"Because she had to carry her entire old party's leadership....ALONE. She was in KOUKI'S party and was that idiot's brain. She's fierce, strong, is HIGHLY skilled with that katana, and most importantly? Can remain calm in the most DIRE of circumstances. HER mental fortitude is KINDA scary."

Asuna whistled.

"Wow. alright. NOW I wanna se what she's got."

Shizu was a LITTLE shellshocked Tyler had spoken so highly of her and her friend had to stab her again. Tyler chuckled.

"Shizu, you're promoted to captain."

She gulped.

"I'll do my best!"

She was a very good looking girl with long black hair tied in a clean ponytail. Her frame was buxom with a large bust in her tight fitting tunic and pants while her eyes were clear blues. She spoke in a soft yet firm breath as she walked over to join the captains and Tyler patted her on the shoulder.

"Pull yourself together, Samuari. We got LEGENDS to forge."

she smiled and nodded resolutely.

"I will NOT let you down!"

TYler chuckled at that before looking at the remainder.

"We need one more. Hmm."

Erwin looked at him.

"Levi is a skilled squad leader and was MY second."

"Oh he is NOT going anywhere but in MY vanguard. He's with ME, Kirito, and Bell. We're the four best fighters in the entire unit."

Levi smirked.

"And where does YOUR vanguard go, Tyler?"

"We handle the high tier stuff. The glider mission in Dunkrick for one, leading the charge from the center, for another. When THE FOUR OF US, ride out, we BREAK whatever is in front of us. We are the best of the best in this army and are not afraid to prove it. WE are the tip of the spear. So. Think you can keep up, rookie?"

Levi smirked at that one.

"Easily."

Bell snorted.

"Oh okay mister Top."

Kirito chuckled.

"Ya think he gets dizzy doing that spin thing?"

Tyler busted up laughing himself!

"Ya know I've always wondered that myself, Levi."

The man sighed.

"Idiots."

Tyler chuckled as he refocused.

"Hilarious. Okay. We need one more captain."

He looked at the masses of faces in the room weighing options and experiences when he looked at Miho. who squeaked.

"Um. Hi?"

He chuckled.

"relax Miho. Not yet."

"Phew. HUH?!"

"Ha."

He chuckled at her cuteness when he had a thought.

"I wonder."

Then he lifted his voice.

"IS there a Tanya Degorachoff in here?"

On REFLEX a small girl with bright blonde hair and BURNING blue eyes leapt off her bench to stand to rigid attention. Her voice an ice clad chirp.

"MAjor Tanya Dechorgoff. REPORTING SIR!"

"HA. YOU got a promotion."

She blinked and Asuna looked at him.

"Umm, she's a little girl."

Tyler chuckled.

"FORGET what that girl looks like, Asuna. She is a MONSTER that just LOOKS like a runt. SHE is the DEVIL OF THE RHINE and a TERRFYING superior officer. She gives an order you better fuckin follow it....or she WILL make you bleed. She's a reincarnated middle manage that's been working their way up the ladder for YEARS. A HIGHLY experienced soldier used to battlefields that VERY CLOSELY resemble my own, a skill infiltrator, mage, scout mage, assassin, squad leader, battallion leader and a DECORATED military leader. Tanya. Step forward."

The girl had a dark light in her eyes now as she saluted the towering warrior in black. Her attire a German Uniform from World War 1 and her weapon was an enchanted rifle.

"REPORTING SIR."

"You're a captain. We'll set your squad, and go from there."

"Yes sir. You WILL have results."

"I would expect nothing less."

The girl took her place beside the other captains and Tyler nodded.

"Alright. Rias, Akeno, Strand, Mina, Tanya, Erwin, Satuski, Shizu, and Wales. These are the nine captains, each will 52 warriors. We'll divvy them later. Now we need more party enforcers. Erza, Barkhorn. Make your selections and drop em at the Table. Belfast, same with you. Asia. GAther the healers and figue out where they'll go."

"Kay!"

Tanya looked at the blonde curiously and Tyler noted it.

"Question?"

"Permission to Speak freely?"

"Granted/"

"WHY is that ditzy airhead the leader of the healers, sir? All due respect?"

Tyler chuckled as Asia bawled.

"Asia is the VERY BEST healer I have EVER heard of Tanya. She's a devil from hell. And simple answer? She has more experience WIELDING her immense power then most anybody in the room."

"I see. experience IS important."

She shrugged with a dejected sigh and Tyler smirked.

"Ha. She grows on ya."

"No disrespect sir? I HIGHLY doubt it."

Asia was FUMING at this dismissal and Tyler whistled

"careful Asia. You'll start leaking steam."

She NEARLY exploded and Yoshkia patted her sympathetically.

"You'll get used to it, Asia. Captain Tanya is like Barkhorn. Mean to your face, has your back when you need it the most."

Tyler chuckled knowingly as Tanya smirked knowingly. Then the Berserker refocused.

"Okay. Anyone have any questions?"

Tanya perked up again.

"Chain of command Sir?"

"WE will discuss that once they're set loose to their tasks."

"Yes sir."

Makorov looked at Tyler.

"The rest of today?"

"Rest the arms. You all out in one hell of a grind today. Rest today, and we will start prepping for the trip in the morning."

He nodded and no more questions we seen.

"Alright. Dismiss."

The warriors headed out and Tyler took his revamped captains to the Table.

"Alright. We'll talk pecking order."

They nodded and Tyler gestured to Asuna.

"I am the Bloodoath leader, and have final say on bottomlines. Asuna is my second and the one you will usually deal with for any issues. Mina, Rias, Strand and Akeno are Senior Officers....actually I'll just call em MAjors. This points we kinda HAVE to distinguish the ranks inhouse. Anyway. They've been with me since day one and are more experienced. The rest of you are all on the same level. That answer your question Tanya?"

she nodded.

"It does, Sir. Now, I need to know, how does discipline work in the Bloodoath?"

Tyler smirked.

"well. Bloodoath rules are VERY simple. No WORK, NO FOOD. You WILL pull your weight or just get nothing. If you see slackers, smack him."

She smiled.

"I can do that, Sir."

"Ha. Next. Open your mouth, deal with the consquences. You start trashtalkin people ya BETTER expect to get hit. and if ANYONE starts throwing their weight around bullying people in the Bloodoath, causing unneeded problems, theft, and petty shit like that? By all means beat the crap outta them. AFTER CHECKING IN with the Second and ME. We're not that hard to find."

Erwin chuckled.

"I can imagine."

Tyler smiled the continued.

"Anything SERIOUS, like say someone stabs someone ooooor, I dunno, someone jumps someone for no apparant reason, you are to bring them to either ME or ASUNA. I think I've told you about the Queen's rule for judgements, Tanya."

The blonde girl nodded.

"You did."

"As I am NOT a ruler, I have no right to judge people in such a manner. So, in this situations, we differ to HER ruling. We have means to contact her as needed so that is never an issue."

Satuski looked at the plan now.

"This plan is extremely flawed, Tyler. and hinges on very concerning amounts of uncertainty."

He sighed.

"I know. Sadly, it's the best we can do at this distance. We'll use this as our set plan. If a better option presented itself, we'll take it. If NOT, we do our best to make this one succeed."

Shizu then tilted her head.

"excuse me, Sir Tyler? IS that a mountain trail?"

Strand loked at where she was pointing and smiled.

"It is actually. And is one of the Ranger's secret routes. It's a shortcut only Ranger Masters know of OR can spot on a map like that."

Tyler chuckled as Shizu was a LITTLE surprised.

"See? I have her here for a reason. where does that trail go, Strand?"

"It leads from here,"

She pointed from the base of the mountain,

"To here."

She tapped the peak.

"It bypasses a large number of dangers on the road and is nearly invisible from the road as well. If you did not know it was there, you'd never find it."

"Is it wide enough for a force to use?"

"Absolutely."

Tyler smiled crookedly.

"We have our better option. THAT trail goes RIGHT to the dragon den. we'd avoid ANY scouts they have in the area. And then we launch a surprise assault from their rear. And PUSH them into the dragon's den. It might be grateful for such a free meal."

They chuckled and Tyler smiled.

"we'll go over the details again closer to arriving. For the time being everyone's on rest. Sleep well. Tomorrow's gonna be a bit of a mess. Dismiss."

They nodded and went to do just that. Tyler went up to his chamber and smiled as he found Seria waiting fr him with Yui in her small girl form snuggling on the bed. Seria smiled as he walked in.

"I've been waiting for you my love."

Tyler smiled as he kissed her before cleaning up in the tub.

"I love you, seria."

She smiled as he joined her in the bed.

"I love you too, Tyler. Two more days."

"I have our spell."

"I know. But it's not the same."

He sighed at that and hugged her.

"I'll be home soon."

She smiled.

"I know. I'm just greedy,"

"I love you too."

"Good night, my Husband."

"Good night, my Wife."