Fifty thousand soldiers waited for them on the border after being teleported by the arrays in Ilios. Despite being a land of warriors detached from technological advancent, Ilios still had runic and fuel carriages to transport its soldiers.
These fifty thousand soldiers were not everything that Ascent could gather. Ilios still had a hundred and fifty thousand soldiers stationed around its borders and major cities, ensuring this war would not be a chance for their enemies. Thus, Arthur has gathered the crumbs and leftovers from the nine commanders and none from the Imperial Army of Ilios.
However, the army could supply their carriages, flying vessels, wind ships, and other modes of transport that would allow the military to move as one. Thus, the most challenging step was to teleport such a large number, and it was done.
The armies had four divisions, each led by a different commander. These four commanders were Alan, Zonas, Aurora, and Barbora. Although the witch of heart lacked the experience, she also had Rae, Ivory, and Layla aiding her.
The previous Imperial Princess was not too eager to participate in the war, but she tasted the sanctions of Runera firsthand when she was in a position of power. Thus, for a better future for its nation, she knew she must aid them.
Aurora has not led an army before, but she might prove the best help among those present. Her insight into hearts made her a trump card that could shift the battle according to the situation. Thus, Arthur placed her with an ease of heart.
These four commanders each led ten thousand soldiers. As for the remaining ten thousand, their commander had yet to be nad or revealed, making them quite confused. No one stood in their vanguard, while the other platoons had a commander before them.
The grasslands were filled with soldiers right outside the walls of Ilios, all waiting for a single man. Most soldiers did not know how to address him, so a particular title floated around as they whispered.
"Is the warlord not here yet?"
"I heard he is scouting the area ahead of us; thus, he is late."
"Having him around would be a great relief. The battle against Osian shook the world, but it still could not shake him."
These whispers were common among the soldiers, as most ca here as admirers of Arthur Silvera, the man rumored to be the youngest conqueror. So of these soldiers did not belong to Ascent or Ilios but were warriors from the empire who ca to serve under Arthur.
Aurora stared at the soldiers, listening to their thoughts. Most ca for glory and power, so for gratitude, and a few for greed. What these soldiers ca for did not matter because they would all fight for the sa person.
"Commander, so of the soldiers are talking," Rae said while wearing white armor. She stressed the title commander since she felt bitter and worthy of being one. Aurora could see into her heart, but she found it cute. "I should beat them up for their lack of discipline."
"These are not our soldiers, and so of them have never fought in an army before," said Aurora with a head shake. "However, most of them would be even better than veterans in an open field. Warriors are more adept at handling change than soldiers and their formation."
Rae was silent before she turned her head, unconvinced. Aurora could hear how Rae looked down on her but did not get offended. These types of people were the least cunning, and even if Aurora were not the witch of hearts, she would still see through the young woman.
Aurora suddenly felt as if she was alone inside these fields, and she turned toward the source of that feeling. Ivory stared at the platoons with her bob-hair fluttering in the wind. Her eyes held so lancholy as if she had lost her ho.
"Princess, this empire is still your ho," said Aurora as she walked toward Ivory, but the latter did not respond. She did not even turn to her commander and stared at the armies. "Is there sothing else that bothers you?"
"My father ruled with fear and cunning plans, but now that I look at these armies worshiping Arthur Silvera, I wonder why didn't he try to win people instead of making them fear him?"
"A cynic would think everyone is the sa," said Aurora the cold-harsh truth that Ivory needed to hear. "The Light Emperor tried to rule through lies, not realizing how fragile they are. The mont one of them crumbled, it brought down his whole throne."
"You can see into our hearts, right?" said Ivory as she turned toward her with a smile. "Am I different from my father, or is this just a lie I convinced myself?"
"You are Ivory Voldor, the princess who tried to protect her people from the unjust emperor and her father. You don't need to know if you like him."
Ivory was silent before she smiled at her and bowed slightly. Then, she returned to stand among the troops, leaving Aurora in the vanguard. The witch watched her go as the whispers among the crowd grew louder. She then realized that he had arrived.
A golden teor tore through the clouds above the borders of Ilios. It stopped above the armies, hovering in the air, as the light faded around Arthur Silvera. As soon as the soldiers saw his faces, they all roared in excitent.
Aurora looked at his tall figure and sharp features. He was not handso, but sothing about his face made others want to believe in him. Her heart was overwheld with the feelings of worship that the soldiers felt toward him.
Arthur allowed them to cheer for him, and soon, the soldiers stomped on the ground. The ground shook beneath them like an earthquake had struck Ilios, but Arthur did not interrupt them.
His re presence was the fuel that lit the fire inside their hearts. It was a breathtaking sight that proved that Arthur Silvera was full of charisma. He was destined to be worshiped, even if he did not desire it.
Aurora knew that he did not enjoy this. She could see he wanted this excitent to fuel the soldiers through the upcoming hardships. After a few minutes, he raised his hand for them to stop, and no soldier dared to let out another sound.
"I am honored by your support and boiling blood," said Arthur as he turned his raised hand into a fist. Then, he pounded his chest with it. "I will carve your belief in and my cause deep in my heart. No man who fights for will be forgotten. I will morize your nas and make sure that the world rembers them. For those who lose their lives, for , I will reward their families with a luxurious life. Those who fight for are my blood, brothers and sisters, the family I will cherish until the end of my days."
The soldiers were touched by his words. Aurora knew how sincere he was and how grateful he felt for these n and won. His sincerity reached the soldiers, and those who had doubts no longer felt them.
"Before I ca to Ilios, I considered it the enemy. However, the mont I t my rebellion brothers, I realized that the real enemy was not the people but the rulers. These rulers are the sa ones who destined Ilios to starve now. Are you fine with that, my soldiers?"
"We are not!" the army chanted, vibrating the air.
"I am not, too, and as long as there is a breath in , I will fight for what is mine and yours! No man, woman, or child in Ilios will suffer injustice again. We are the proud warriors that the world fears. We are not the ones it sanctions! Are we, my soldiers?"
"We! Are! Not!"
"Then, fight with today. Take back what is mine and yours, and let us show the world that Ilios will never fall. Its proud warriors will again rise and beco the shield against its enemies! Rise, proud warriors of Ilios! Rise and show the world why this is your land!"
Soldiers unsheathed their weapons and raised them high as they roared in unison. The elents gathered around the armies, intensifying as they followed the zeal of its soldiers.
"Rise, warriors of Ilios, and advance!" roared Arthur as he raised his fist, and every soldier stomped on the ground to advance. The world shook with that single step, and their march toward Runera began. Fifty thousand soldiers walked as one, following the commands of a single man, who was the link that united the army.
Aurora stared at the scene with awe and then at Arthur Silvera, who lowered his hand and turned into a golden teor again. Then, he flew into the distance ahead of his army, being the vanguard of the army that would shake the world.
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