CHAPTER 8: WAR PREPRATION

AT. THE FORTRESS OF VERDIA

In the fortress, amidst the echoes of cannon fire and turmoil, a man with brown hair and glasses solemnly reported, "Commander, our fifty thousand soldiers have fallen, leaving us with only thirty thousand able to fight. The rest are injured." His voice resonated with sorrow and the weight of the grim news.

The commander surveyed the battlefield, witnessing the toll of war on his soldiers. Some with missing eyes, others without limbs – a haunting testament to the sacrifices made in the relentless struggle.

With determination, the brown-haired officer, openly acknowledging his identity, addressed the commander, "Commander, we now face the grim task of fighting our own fallen brothers. Your leadership is what keeps us from becoming the undead ourselves. Without you, we would have lost not only the battle but our very will to endure."

The commander, gazing at his troops with steely resolve, spoke amidst the fluttering of his orange hair and piercing eyes, "If we lose this war, we lose our home, our family. Prepare yourselves, for we shall fight until the end. Arm yourselves, face your destiny, and know this – we will emerge victorious in this war."

"We're not just fighting for the kingdom; we're fighting for our home, our land, and our family. Remember that with every strike, for it's the essence of what fuels our resilience," declared the commander with unwavering conviction.

A chorus of agreement echoed among the soldiers, "Yes! If they want our land, they'll have to face us first!" Their voices resonated in unison, a collective declaration of defiance and unity.

The commander, amidst the gravity of the situation, flashed a rare and beautiful smile, instilling a sense of hope and determination in the hearts of his soldiers.

The commander ordered Lon to thoroughly survey the entire fortress, seeking out its weak points. "We must trap the undead; despite our efforts, they persist. Identify their weakness, and we'll break the cycle of their relentless pursuit," the commander directed, emphasizing the importance of securing the fortress against the relentless undead.

Following the commander's orders, Lon embarked on surveying and repairing the fortress. Meanwhile, a group of soldiers was tasked to dig a substantial hole to analyze and discover the weak points that would allow them to effectively trap the persistent undead, understanding that mere elimination wouldn't halt their relentless pursuit.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, the commander contemplated, "Dealing with the undead is one front, but we must also prepare for the holy knights and the hero. Ensure our defenses are resilient on all fronts."

The commander, resolute and focused, started to walk towards the room, preparing for the strategic decisions that lay ahead.

As the commander entered, their gaze met a woman with beautiful purple eyes and long red hair. Her presence exuded an aura, captivating attention and evoking a sense of strength.

Lady Olivia, with a thoughtful expression, responded, "We must fortify our traps strategically. Consider enchanted barriers and divine symbols; they might be our best defense against the relentless undead. Ensure the traps are not just physical but imbued with magical elements to halt their advance."

A melodic and beautiful voice resonated as Olivia explained, "Barriers and divine symbols can temporarily stop the undead. We'll capitalize on that brief respite, but understand, we have only one chance to win. Every move must be precise and executed flawlessly."

Lady Olivia outlined the mission objectives, stating, "Our primary goals are twofold: destroy the artifact responsible for resurrecting the undead, and be prepared to confront the holy knights. The hero's abilities remain unknown, so exercise caution. This is a mission of utmost importance, and success hinges on precision and vigilance."

The commander nodded in agreement, "I will handle the artifact. The rest of you, stand your ground against the undead and holy knights. We must work together to secure our victory."

With determination, Olivia asserted, "I will handle the artifact. The rest of you, hold your ground against the undead and holy knights. Our success depends on each one of us fulfilling our roles."

The commander, expressing concern, cautioned, "Lady Olivia, there will be significant danger. I will take on this task."

Olivia, resolute, responded firmly, "No, soldiers need you here. I'll handle the artifact. Trust in our unity for victory."

With a nod of understanding, the commander accepted Lady Olivia's decision, acknowledging the importance of unity in the impending challenges ahead.

Acknowledging the urgency, the commander swiftly moved to prepare the troops, mindful of the imminent threat that could materialize at any moment.