Thornwall Fortress, Azure Sun Empire
"What do you think? Was it really him?" asked a middle-aged man with short dark brown hair, clad in shiny golden armor. He was Brandon Thornwall, the Duke of House Thornwall.
"That reflection of a kid in the sky? He is a fake," the other middle-aged man beside him retorted. He was wearing steel armor with a blue cape. He had short brown hair, and a few grey strands mixed into his beard, revealing his experience and age. He was Erik Ironvale, the older brother of Astrid Ironvale, Duke of House Ironvale. "You have seen Taranis’s corpse with your own eyes. That reflection was just an illusion."
"The Emperor would not have sent you here as reinforcent if he also believed that reflection was fake," Brandon replied, a grim expression on his face.
"Tch, do not overestimate that brat. He was only a True Sage at best," Erik muttered. "Even I, at the seventh level of True Sage, can easily handle him."
"You were not there, Lord Erik," Brandon replied, his lips trembling as he recalled the mory. "Th-the man we witnessed that day on Sentinel Line was neither a human nor a god. H-he was a demon. He even suppressed the Emperor, who was at level eight Eternal Sage, with nothing but brute force. That was eighteen years ago. Think how strong he would have beco by now."
The duo stood atop the high central tower of the fortress, their eyes fixed on the open ground ahead. On the ramparts of the thick stone walls connected to either side of the fortress, thousands of soldiers were stationed. Beyond the walls, on the vast open ground itself, an army of one million soldiers stood in straight military formation, both infantry and cavalry.
Even with such a massive army present, the only sound that could be heard was the whistling of the wind.
A few minutes passed.
Another sound began to erge alongside the wind. The sound of an army marching.
The ground vibrated from the rumbling, announcing their inevitable arrival.
From the far distance across the open plains, lines of soldiers began erging one after another. Unlike the empire’s soldiers, who wore armor over tunics and trousers, these warriors were clad in flowing silken robes with wide sleeves.
Once the entire army ca into view, their march stopped and they began setting up their camps ninety kilotres away from the fortress.
"They have really co," Brandon muttered with a sigh.
"How many are they?" Erik asked, his voice serious.
"From what I can sense, there are about eighty thousand of them. I can also sense a few strong individuals among them. Very strong."
"According to the information we obtained from the knights who were sent to the Hundred Sky Mountains, they possess an army of one hundred thousand cultivators," Erik murmured while rubbing his chin. "It seems they brought most of their fighters here, keeping only the necessary soldiers behind for security."
A smirk appeared on Erik’s face as he continued.
"What were these idiots even thinking, invading the empire with such pitiful numbers?"
While the duo were speaking, a man from the army of the Hundred Sky Mountains marched forward on a massive muscular horse as tall as a one-story building. In his hand, he carried a flag bearing the pattern of towering mountains.
The archers on the wall drew their bows, aiming at the approaching man.
"Don’t shoot," Brandon ordered, stepping forward into the air from the fortress.
His stiff expression softened and the corner of his lips lifted as he recognized the man.
"Lord Titan, did you co to support House Thornwall in the war?" Brandon asked with a slight bow in a respectful tone.
Once Titan reached the front of the army of one million, ignoring Brandon’s question, he announced,
"Our Prince does not wish to shed unnecessary blood.
If House Thornwall surrenders, the Hundred Sky Mountains will not touch a single hair of your people."
The empire’s army burst into laughter upon hearing the arrogant declaration. How could he dare say such words with an army that was not even ten percent of Thornwall’s forces?
However, Brandon remained silent. His smile vanished, and confusion appeared on his face.
"Your words confuse , Lord Titan," Brandon replied. "Is this a facade to fool the Hundre—"
"Lord Brandon, he has betrayed us," Erik said, joining in. "Or should I say he never truly joined us."
"Hmm, you have soone wise in your army," Titan said calmly. "Now do one more wise thing and advise him to surrender."
"The audacity!" Erik shouted, his voice rippling through the air. "The Hundred Sky Mountains will et their end here today!"
"Do not bla us for the destruction caused by your decision," Titan declared while turning his horse around.
As he began moving back, Erik stepped toward the wall and snatched a bow from one of the archers, aiming an arrow at Titan’s unguarded back.
"Go on, shoot it," Titan said without even looking back. "Isn’t this what you empire dogs are trained to do? Stab others from behind with treachery."
Veins bulged on Erik’s forehead and the arrow shot from the string, but instead of striking Titan, it pierced the ground beside the horse.
Titan returned to his army.
Upon reaching the camp, Titan declared in a loud roar,
"House Thornwall has rejected the grace our Prince has offered."
From his space ring, Titan drew out a massive sledgehamr and shouted while pointing it toward the fortress,
"Bring them down!"
With thunderous roars, the army of the Hundred Sky Mountains surged forward.
From the other side, Brandon commanded as he saw the enemy rapidly closing the distance,
"Archers, draw your arrows!"
In a synchronized motion, thousands of bows were drawn, their arrows pointed toward the sky.
Once the enemy army reached within range, Brandon declared,
"Shoot!"
In an instant, shadows appeared on the faces of Banes’ army as the sky filled with thousands of arrows.
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