Battle of Aster Conclusion Pt.5

Ansen Rivider, Month 11, Day 21, Year A.F 652. City of Aster, Kingdom of Rosalia.

"Of course, it should be the least I could do for your help." She spoke with a smile.

I knew that this was going to happen. After all, a power like Bruncia won't just sit still when so much opportunity was bound and really, I'm sure father never once thought of having Bruncian princess under his thumb.

The fact of the matter is, there was just no way that Arasel would sit still, not when the only kingdom that could stop them from conquering the continent was at a civil war and was happily inviting their armed forces.

So perhaps father saw it fit to invite another player into the mix, one that would happily act as a deterrent against Arasel, one which would happily take over if they ever decide to attack.

A sword rang, one that took me out of my thoughts. She smiled before she swung her sword up. A line appears on the wall, one that is impressive but lacking.

But before I could reply, a sudden gust of wind blasts around me, the wall collapses as dust and rocks fly high to the sky from the sheer force of her strike.

I look up in amazement, the ridiculous sight was made all the more amazing by her nonchalance, as if something so powerful was barely an exercise.

"How?" I spoke in amazement as I looked up to the insurmountable damage a single strike had done. I knew that Brieslin was behind in terms of magic, behind in training for it and behind in their capabilities.

But this much difference? What kind of training did one undergo to receive this type of power. Was the difference in our continents this wide?

"Its quite weak," She spoke as she held the destroyed wall.

"Excuse me?"

She smirks at me, "The wall is quite weak, though it could be the lack of runes, so the walls were quite weak compared to our own back in Eriva."

My mouth remains open in shock, something I'm ashamed of, yet one cant really help but express.

I chastise myself as my expression returns to genial. Of course, there are walls capable of taking such a strike. Walls would've been meaningless other wise.

Though her sudden action takes me off my thoughts. She jumps inside of the wall as soldiers flock to its defense. She raises it up before slashing down with enough force to blast every man away.

I meekly follow behind her to see her grab what looks like an officer.

"Bring me the leader of your city." She shouts as the man cowers in her hands, nodding quickly.

Well, this was certainly a fresh experience. Perhaps it was wise of father to take her into account for what he plans to do, though I'm sure he would've already finished on his side.

The only thing left now was to consolidate our forces and create a defensive line to what was turning into a more chaotic north.

Andrew Allister

I bite my finger in frustration. The battle never turned in our favor, yet the battle outside the city seems to have been turning out better than expected.

"Sir! The armies outside are retreating!" A messenger barges in with a shout, his expression filled with joy.

I nod at his words. This is good. All that's left for me to do is remain here and wait for my brother to relieve this siege, then help rebuild the city.

Unfortunately, another messenger barges in, his expression frantic and weary. "Sir! The ships have landed on the inner city ports."

Dammit, I chastise myself, I should have known they'd arrive earlier than expected. It doesn't matter. I'm sure that it would take a while before they could be ready for combat.

I should take that time to prepare our defenses. I look up from my thoughts before shouting to the men, "Stop all excursions, build up defenses and man every wall, a few more moments and this siege should be over."

The men salute and was about to run before an explosion rings out. I look to them in question. Their reports told me that no demon knights were present, then perhaps their reinforcements?

With such thought in mind, I went out my tent. Only to see a terrifying sight. A smoke filled the sky as a gust of air ripped the walls into chunks. I look at my men, mirroring my expression of fear and horror.

Though before any of us could react, the smoke fills the castle. I look to my men and shout, "Halt all of our advances, we still dont know what that thing is."

A cacophony of shouts and screams rings through the walls as I ordered my men to see what caused such damage on our walls.

Is it a highly specialized battalion? Wait, where did their reinforcements come from? I look to my men and shout them a question, "What did those ships come from."

They looked around before replying, "Southeast, Sir."

The reply makes me stop as palm my face in frustration. "Why was I only informed just now, informed by such an important fact?"

They look quizzically to one another and my temper flares. These idiots don't seem to understand the simple fact that there is no way such reinforcements came from Duke Rivider.

He would never waste so much money on a fleet only for it to be used once for a surprise attack. Instead, the only place such a fleet could come was the Continent of Eriva.

A place filled with demons, demons based on my research, held so much power that the continent of Brieslin would have been conquered in a month if a country was willing to do so.

I sigh as I sat back down to my chair, aware that this battle has been lost. I look at my men and shout, "Have everyone stand down! We can't afford to have our soldiers and citizens die needlessly."

The men bow their head, aware that this seems to be our imminent defeat. Anothe gust of wind seems to rip through the castle as I could do is watch.

What is happening there?

A messenger then enters the tent. His face bruised as he spoke, "Sir, a battalion met with the enemy forces, but they were quickly dismantled."

I sigh once more as another messenger arrives, his face bruised and bloody as he spoke, his expression filled with shame as he opened the tent.

"Hello there," A woman spoke as she walked in.

Her purple hair and pale skin with flecks of purple was a sign of her heritage. She confidently walked in as a blue demon followed behind her, he locks eyes with me and all I could feel was irritation.

"Surrender your city to me." The woman crosses her arms as she spoke.

I choke on her words before looking to my soldiers behind her, hoping for any sign of who this woman was. They saw me look at them as they immediately ran to my side and whispered, "She was the one who did all of that, Sir."

The words fill me with dread and the woman only gives me a pleased smile, amused by my expression.

I then give her my hand as a sign of courtesy, hoping to at least open a dialogue, "My name is Andrew Allister, acting lord of Aster."

She raises her arm and shook mine. "Princess Emma Prie, Princess of the Bruncian Kingdom."

Her introduction struck me, the Bruncian Kingdom, one of the great powers of that continent was in front of me asking for my surrender.

Was there any chance of winning in the first place. The only thing left now is to buy time.

"Princess Emma, it is unfortunate but, I cannot surrender this city to you." I spoke to her with a bow of my head.

She crosses her arms, clearly agitated by my reply, "Can you tell me why?"

I fiddle with my finger underneath as I reply with a genial smile, "Well, the Lord is already within the city reach, wouldn't it be best if we wait for his surrender, to make yours legitimate."

"HA!" A laughter followed my words as the blue demon mockingly smiled, "Really? You're using such a flimsy excuse to hold these proceedings?"

"Who are you? Sir? I don't believe this conversation involved you," I glare at him and his smile only widens.

He gestures to himself, "Ansen Rivider, commander of the armed forces outside your gates."

"As I've said then, I don't believe this involves you."

"Well-" He looks ready to utter hsi rebuttal before shout erupts

"Enough of this nonsense!" Emma stood up and pointed at my face, her face impatient as she spoke, "You either give me this city or I shall take it by force."

I look around. The officers have their head lowered in defeat and I stood up with hesitation before bowing to her as I spoke.

"This city is yours."