The battlefield was shifting.
Tanaka muttered to himself, as he observed the shifting battle from the trees. The human soldiers no longer pursued their trails, the Star Wolf Warriors had attacked twice, the Greater Kobolds laid traps and the goblins sniped from the trees. But the humans were now adapting and fighting like truly experienced warriors, they were no longer acting reckless. They were pushing forward in tight formations, their shields locked, spearmen at the rear, archers at the center.
The human commanders were not engaging the monsters, but tightening their formation, and advancing. Tanaka watched them from the trees. "They are learning." Raizen muttered at Tanaka’s side. Tanaka noded. "They are humans and not only that, they are soldiers. They have been trained to survive and adapt to everything. And with the appearance of that man, everything regarding this battle has changed." Gareth had already learned that chasing the enemies through the forest was a mistake. The man wasn’t only a berserker and strong. He was really intelligent, although his intelligence bordered on hit things, be was still capable of commanding the entire army and letting them do what he commanded. Strength did dictate things. Tanaka turned his gaze to the army. Something was off. They were not pushing forward into the forest. They were pushing laterally.
As if they were trying to get somewhere but not allow anyone know where they were going.
"Zephyr."
The Mana Bird circled overhead. "Yes, Great One?" Tanaka turned his attention to the bird. "Where are the humans going?" Zephyr paused for a moment before responding. "They are splitting." Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "How many? Most of the army is here." Tanaka turned his gaze to the east.
It couldn’t be, right.
Eldoris.
His eyes narrowed. "Eldoris." Raizen’s ears perked up. "They are planning on attacking the settlement?" Tanaka didn’t respond. He was already calculating. The humans were not really attacking the forest, they were attacking the distraction. Gareth didn’t need to beat Tanaka’s forces, only keep Tanaka engaged. Tanaka turned his gaze to Gareth.
The berserker was not pushing forward, merely observing. Tanaka understood. "He’s testing us." Raizen growled. "Then let us destroy the force attacking Eldoris." Tanaka shook his head. "Not yet." Raizen shot him a questioning look. "Why?" "Because Raxolf is there." Tanaka knew the Star Wolf Lord had taken a portion of the Star Wolf Warriors to reinforce the settlement. Tanaka had placed his trust in the wolf to hold the village.
The Kijin and other races were also there. Unless any unforseen occured. They could stop the soldiers.
Tanaka closed his eyes for a moment. He could retreat, he could pull his forces away, he could even leave the forest to personally defend Eldoris. But if he did that, Gareth would follow, and the entire human force would attack Eldoris. Tanaka opened his eyes. "Zephyr." "Yes, Great One?" "Keep an eye on the eastern force." "Understood." "Drakar." The Wyrmkin turned to Tanaka.
"Yes, Great One?" "How many traps are left between us and Eldoris?" "Enough to make their bones ache." Tanaka nodded. "Good." He turned to Raizen. "Keep the main force here." Raizen blinked in surprise. "You’re not returning?" "No." Tanaka turned to the human force. "I’m trusting Raxolf and the others."
The monster lord looked at the battle. Whatever plan Gareth had made, he would find it and destroy it.
______________
Eldoris
The force attacking from the east reached the outskirts of the settlement shortly after. The humans kept their formation as they cautiously approached the village, ready to engage any enemy that presented itself.
But as they drew closer, they found the village eerily devoid of any enemies. No goblins, no Greater Kobolds, no Moonhares. Not even a single enemy was waiting for them. The human commander frowned. Although unexpected, weren’t there supposed to be scouts. There were goblin archers when the army first came and now none were on the walls. "Where is everyone?" One of his men pointed to the battlements. "Look." A figure stood there, watching the human force approach.
Raxolf.
The Star Wolf Lord watched as the humans drew closer. Behind him stood a contingent of Star Wolf Warriors, all silent, but watchful. The human commander turned to his men. "Prepare to advance." Raxolf chuckled. "You came all this way just to knock on the door?" The humans tensed as the commander pointed to the Star Wolf Lord. "Move aside." Raxolf laughed. "Strange humans, why would I move aside from my home. Is it because you asked?." He stepped down from the battlements, revealing more Star Wolf Warriors behind him. Then came the heavy thudding. Torga and a number of Moss Turtles took position at the front lines, behind them the Greater Ogres waited, and further back...
The Kijin watched silently. Raveana leaned her weapon on her shoulder as she watched the humans approach, alongside Rogan. Neither seemed concerned in the least. The human force advanced on the settlement, their formation growing tighter and tighter as they realized the entire village wasn’t left undefended. The entire place wasn’t empty, but it was waiting. Raxolf turned to the advancing humans. "You thought the Great One would leave his home undefended?" The commander said nothing. Raxolf’s golden eyes narrowed. "Then you have made your first mistake." One of the human soldiers suddenly realized something was wrong.
He turned around, but saw nothing. Then another turned to the side and saw nothing as well. The commander frowned. It was getting quite annoying.
Inside Eldoris...
Boing.
The commander suddenly halted. A small blue slime bounced in the distance. He stared at it, but it quickly darted behind a building. "Was that..." Sora bounced out from behind the next building, disappearing behind another. The commander gulped.
Raxolf smiled. "Your second mistake. Everyone here is willing and ready to fight for their homes. Even the slimes whom the world considers weak."
___________
The Forest
Tanaka heard Zephyr’s voice through the network. "Great One." "What happened?"
"The eastern force has reached Eldoris." Tanaka turned to Gareth. "And?" "Raxolf has intercepted them." Tanaka’s shoulders relaxed slightly. "Good." Gareth noticed this and smirked. "You trust them?" Tanaka turned to the berserker. "Yes." "Interesting."
Gareth lowered his sword from his shoulder.
"I thought you would have returned." Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "You wanted me to." Gareth smiled. "Maybe." Tanaka realized the truth. The entire fight had been a test to gauge his reaction and force him to make a choice.
Gareth was not interested in destroying Eldoris, but rather in learning about Tanaka.
His army, his tactics, his command structure, his weaknesses. Tanaka’s grip tightened around Gorim’s sword. "You’re not as stupid as you look." Gareth chuckled.
"Neither are you." They stared each other down, as the forces of both commanders prepared for battle. Tanaka turned his gaze to the human soldiers, then the trees. He had the advantage of the terrain and most of his people knew these woods, but Gareth had already found the weakness in his defense. Tanaka turned to the east. Then spoke through the network. "Raxolf." A moment later a reply came. "Yes, Great One." "Status?" "The humans have reached the gates." Tanaka’s expression remained calm. "Can you hold them?"
Raxolf chuckled.
"They haven’t even entered yet." Tanaka allowed a small smile. "Good. Then continue." Raxolf’s voice turned serious.
"Understood." The connection was severed.
Gareth tilted his head at Tanaka. "You’re really leaving them there?" "They’re capable." "And if they aren’t?" Tanaka’s eyes darkened. "Then I’ll deal with the consequences." Gareth smiled. "That’s the answer I wanted to hear." Tanaka frowned.
"What?" Gareth raised his sword as he continued to stare at Tanaka. "Now I know."
"Know what?" Gareth pointed at him. "You trust your people." Tanaka said nothing. "And that is your greatest strength."
Gareth’s smile widened. "Which means..."
He turned his gaze to Eldoris. "...it’s also the easiest way to hurt you." Tanaka’s expression changed. The air between the two commanders grew tense. Gareth charged, and Tanaka immediately raised his sword to meet the attack.
CLANG!
Tanaka was sent flying backward several feet. His eyes widened in surprise. Gareth attacked again, but Tanaka blocked the attack and the force sent him tumbling to the dirt. He rolled to the side to avoid another strike. Gareth laughed. "You’re stronger than I expected!" Tanaka steadied himself. "And you’re more annoying than I expected." Gareth grinned. Tanaka understood that this battle was not simply between their forces, but their commanders as well. It was no longer a battle of attrition, but of wit.
And behind the walls of Eldoris, Raxolf was preparing to do the same. Tanaka turned to look at the settlement once more. They trusted him, and it was time to prove that trust was not misplaced. "Everyone!" His voice echoed through the network. "Hold your positions." Raizen was the first to respond. "Understood." Drakar was next.
"Yes, Great One." Zephyr from above. "Watching." And finally, Raxolf from inside Eldoris. "We’ll hold." Tanaka smiled. "Now... Let’s see which side breaks first."
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