Morning came quietly. The sun climbed over the horizon, bathing the forest in a harsh golden light. Yet neither side was enjoying the morning. The army stood ready. Weapons had been checked. Armor had been tightened. Orders were being passed from one soldier to another. At the center of it all stood Gareth Draven. He stood before the assembled army with his sword resting against his shoulder, his expression calm. Behind him, Lucien watched silently. Lucien looked toward Eldoris. By noon, the attack would begin.
_____________
Inside Eldoris, Tanaka looked around. Sora was beside him. The little blue slime was unusually still. Tanaka looked at him for a moment. "You know what is coming, don’t you?" Sora’s body trembled slightly. "Yeah."
His voice was quieter than usual. "They’re soldiers. Trained soldiers." Sora looked toward the gates. "They are going to hurt everyone." Tanaka placed a hand against the little slime’s body. "I’ve made a family here." Sora remained quiet for a moment.
Then he bounced once. "Okay." Tanaka smiled faintly. Tanaka looked toward the settlement. "They’ve seen our walls. They’ve seen our homes. They’ve seen our people." He paused. "But they haven’t seen our strength." Tanaka turned. "Gather the heads of every race."
_______________
Within minutes, the leaders of Eldoris had gathered. Tanaka looked at them. "The humans believe this will be an easy battle."
Nobody spoke. "They’re expecting frightened monsters hiding behind their walls." Tanaka pointed toward the settlement. "They’re wrong." His voice became firm. "This is our home. We will protect it." He looked at each of them. "To the death if necessary." His expression softened. "But I hope none of you dies."
Raizen lowered his head. "We’ll make sure of it." Tanaka nodded. "Sora, you and the veteran slimes stay inside Eldoris." Sora blinked. "Inside?" Sora immediately looked more serious. "Protect the settlement?"
Tanaka pointed toward the inner districts.
"Move between the key areas. Stay hidden. If anyone breaks through our outer defenses, alert Raxolf immediately."
Sora bounced proudly. "Leave it to me!" He immediately disappeared toward the slime district. Tanaka watched him go. The slimes would not be part of the battlefield. They were part of Eldoris’ final line of defense.
"Raxolf." The Star Wolf Lord stepped forward. "My liege." "You remain inside the Dominion." Raxolf nodded. "How many warriors?" "Take enough to defend the inner districts." His eyes moved toward the walls. "If the enemy breaks through, you are responsible for stopping them." Raxolf’s expression became serious. "Understood."
He turned and began gathering his warriors.
Tanaka continued. "Raizen." The Star Wolf King stepped forward. "You’ll command the Star Wolf Warriors outside." Raizen’s eyes sharpened. "Understood." "Drakar." The Wyrmkin bowed. "Yes, Great One." "Prepare the traps." A faint smile appeared on Drakar’s face. "Already planned." Tanaka nodded. "Make them regret entering the forest." "Gladly." "Zephyr." The Mana Bird leader spread his wings. "We’ll watch from above." "Keep the mental network open." "Yes." "Torga."
The Ironcarapace Turtle leader stepped forward. "Your people will protect the retreat routes." Torga nodded slowly. "We’ll hold the line." "Sylva." The Moonhare leader raised her ears. "We’ll stay behind the main force." "Treat anyone who gets wounded."
Sylva nodded. "I’ll make sure they return alive." Tanaka looked toward Eldrin. "Equipment?" "Ready." Eldrin gestured toward the prepared weapons and equipment. "The goblins have done their part." Tanaka smiled. "Good." He looked toward the remaining forces. "Greater Goblins. Greater Kobolds. Greater Ogres."
His voice carried across the gathering. "You’ll form the main body." The Greater Ogres were especially suited for breaking enemy formations, while the goblins would provide ranged support and the kobolds would work with Drakar’s traps.
Finally, Tanaka looked toward the Kijin."You remain in Eldoris." Rogan crossed his arms. "We’ll defend the Dominion." Raveana smiled. "If that Gareth somehow reaches us, I’ll deal with him." Tanaka gave her a look. "Don’t chase him." Raveana’s smile widened. "I didn’t say I would." Tanaka sighed. "That expression says otherwise." For a moment, the tension eased. Then Tanaka looked toward the walls.
"Remember. We aren’t fighting to conquer the humans." He tightened his grip. "We’re fighting to protect our home."
________________
Noon
The Empire’s army stood ready. Gareth walked before them. His voice carried across the camp. "Listen." The soldiers became silent. "That settlement must fall."
Cheers erupted. Calian stood near the front, his expression filled with satisfaction. Gareth continued. "Today, we erase the monster nation." The cheering grew louder.
"And this forest will belong to humanity." Lucien’s expression darkened. Gareth pointed toward the forest. "No monster will dare build another nation after today." Lucien stepped forward. "Gareth." The warrior turned. A grin appeared. "What?" "Reconsider." Several soldiers looked at Lucien. Gareth laughed. "What? You’ve become friends with monsters?" Lucien shook his head. He pointed toward Eldoris.
"They haven’t attacked humans. Tanaka wants only one thing. To be left alone."
Gareth stared at him. Lucien continued.
"If we attack them, they’ll defend themselves." Gareth suddenly moved.
His hand struck the back of Lucien’s head. Lucien crashed into the ground. The soldiers froze. Gareth looked down at him.
"I don’t allow weaklings to interfere with my army. Tie him up." Several soldiers hesitated. Gareth’s eyes hardened. "Now."
They obeyed. Lucien was stripped of his weapons and tied to a nearby tree. Gareth turned toward the army. "Move." The soldiers began marching.
______________
Zephyr’s voice suddenly entered the mental network. "Great One." Tanaka looked upward. "They’ve moved." Tanaka’s expression changed. "Understood." He turned toward the gathered monsters. "It’s time." The army of Eldoris moved.
______________
The forest became silent. The Empire’s army was getting closer. Tanaka raised his hand.
The monsters disappeared. Hundreds of soldiers emerged between the trees. Tanaka watched them carefully. Then he raised his hand. "Now." The forest exploded. "Attack!"
Star Wolf Warriors burst from the trees. Raizen reached the front first. His claws struck a shield.
CRACK!
The soldier staggered. Raizen struck again.
The soldier fell. Another soldier rushed forward. Raizen avoided the sword and countered. The soldier dropped. However, the soldiers adapted quickly. Tanaka noticed. "Raizen." "Yes, Great One?" "Fall back." Raizen immediately obeyed. The Star Wolf Warriors vanished into the trees. Several soldiers shouted.
"They’re running!"
"After them!"
"Don’t pursue!"
The commanders tried to stop them. Some soldiers ignored the order. They chased. Tanaka smiled. "Drakar." "Yes, Great One." "First line." Drakar’s voice carried through the network. "Activate."
CRACK!
A soldier stepped onto a concealed rope. He looked down. His expression changed.
"Trap!"
BOOM!
The ground erupted. Another trap activated.
Then another. Heavy logs swung through the trees. Several soldiers fell into concealed pits. Others stumbled away from the sudden attacks.
"Find the attackers!"
"Keep formation!"
"Don’t panic!"
Arrows flew from the trees. The Greater Goblins fired and immediately relocated.
The soldiers couldn’t determine where the shots were coming from. The forest had become a maze. Tanaka watched from behind the lines. Everything was going according to plan. Then Zephyr spoke. "Great One. The humans are regrouping."
Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "How quickly?" "Very." Tanaka looked across the battlefield.
The soldiers who had chased the Star Wolf Warriors were being abandoned.
The commanders were pulling the remaining forces together. Their archers moved toward the center. Their shields formed tighter lines. Their flanks were protected. Tanaka’s expression became serious. "They’re sacrificing the isolated soldiers." Tanaka understood. The army had realized what the forest was doing. They were adapting. "Raizen. Attack their western flank." The Star Wolf Warriors struck again.
The soldiers turned. At the same moment, Drakar activated another series of traps.
BOOM!
Greater Ogres charged through the opening. Greater Goblins fired from the trees. The Star Wolf Warriors attacked from the side. The kobolds activated another trap. The forest became chaos. Yet the soldiers refused to collapse. Raizen’s voice came through the network. "Should we continue?" "No." Tanaka replied. He raised his hand. "Let everyone retreat." The monster army began pulling back. Retreating according to Tanaka’s orders. The soldiers followed. Tanaka wanted them away from Eldoris.
Then...
BOOM!
A deafening impact shook the forest. Several soldiers were thrown aside. Another impact followed. The soldiers froze. Heavy footsteps approached. The formation opened. A man walked through the battlefield.
Gareth.
His sword rested against his shoulder. He looked around. Then sighed. "Pathetic." Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. So this was the man who had replaced Lucien. Gareth’s eyes landed on Raizen. He smiled. "So you’re the strongest one? Raizen growled. Tanaka immediately spoke through the mental network. "Raizen." The Star Wolf King stopped. "Don’t engage him." Raizen hesitated. Then Gareth disappeared.
BOOM!
A tree exploded. Raizen barely avoided the attack. He landed several meters away. Gareth looked at him. "Fast." Raizen’s eyes narrowed. Then he charged. "Raizen!"
Too late.
The two collided.
BOOM!
The impact shook the surrounding trees. Raizen was pushed backward. Gareth barely moved. Raizen attacked again. Gareth stepped aside. His fist struck Raizen’s side.
The Star Wolf King was sent crashing through a tree. Silence followed. Then Raizen stood. A small amount of blood escaped his mouth. Sylva immediately rushed forward. "Raizen!" "I’m fine." "You’re bleeding." "I said I’m fine." Sylva ignored him. She placed her paw against his side.
"Life Touch."
A gentle light spread across Raizen. The injury disappeared. Raizen looked down. His eyes widened. Sylva smiled. "Now you’re fine." Raizen looked toward Gareth. His expression became fierce. Tanaka watched silently.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Gareth finally looked away from Raizen. His eyes traveled across the battlefield. Then they stopped on Tanaka. The two stared at each other. Tanaka stood in his human form, sword in hand. Gareth narrowed his eyes. "So you’re the one giving the orders."
Tanaka didn’t answer immediately. He looked at the soldiers around Gareth. Then back at him. "And you’re the one leading them." Gareth smiled. "The name’s Gareth."
Tanaka tightened his grip on Gorim’s sword.
"Tanaka." Gareth repeated the name. "Tanaka..."
His eyes moved across the monster army. Then toward the forest. Finally, back to Tanaka. "You’re not what I expected." Tanaka narrowed his eyes. "What were you expecting?" Gareth shrugged. "Something uglier." Several soldiers laughed. Tanaka didn’t. "Your people came here." His voice was calm. "They attacked my home." Gareth’s smile faded slightly. "Your home?"
Tanaka nodded. "Yes." Gareth stared at him.
Then laughed. "Interesting." He turned away. Tanaka watched him. Gareth walked back toward the soldiers. Then stopped. "I’ll remember your name." Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "Make sure you do." Gareth continued walking. Raizen returned to Tanaka’s side. "Great One." "Yes?" "That human..." Raizen looked toward Gareth. "He’s dangerous." Tanaka’s eyes remained fixed on the warrior.
"I know."
And the battle had only just begun.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter