Ashes and Kingdoms

While the face of the Tenryu Squad was repairing their handheld weapons in the Imperial Capital or tailoring new protective gear and cold clothing, the front was twisting eastwards at Nornicom.

After her defeat at Deulm, Elesia was not close to the distance reached by the arrows and was practically powerless. The arrow wounds received healed as quickly as Genshas did, but the spirit left more serious wounds than sufficient to recall the danger of death.

Trying to keep a safe distance doesn't give horses and people enough intimidation to disrupt their behavior. Even with the power to manipulate the flames, I couldn't use them well against people like bean grains, and when enemy allies bumped into each other, I could no longer get my hands on them.

Glaus' side is joined by reinforcements from Quanos, full of supplies and personnel. There were sudden flames rising from his feet during the march, but only to such an extent that they could be quickly extinguished by sand and water. Of course, I suffer burns, but for those soldiers who see that blow with Glaus as a firepillar, that degree of flame, whatever it is to be cautious about, is not the object of fear.

Nornicom troops also fought well, but were forced to retreat second to retreat, and by the end of a month they were finally pushed back to their home base, Lofria. By then, with the dead and the deserters, the number of soldiers had also been halved.

"I've finally come this far. No power, no face."

Marius tells me that he is tired. Elesia glanced at the West with her rugged eyes and bit her lips. I was pushed back so far, not because of Marius' poor extraction. Rather, thanks to him, the damage done by his own army is enough to be contained. The cause is separate.

relying on the power of the dragon. Not much, as soon as it became useless, the weakness of the self-armies that collapsed into total collapse. The Fourth Legion, though as expected, has no sign of betrayal while still bestowing it on the Emperor. And one more thing...

"It's not just a responsibility. It was a mistake to guess Dorfaye's seniors."

North of Nornicom, in a meadow where the Dolphins make their nomadic living, there are tribes living close to Nornicom. The length is Senion. Elesia had sent him a secret book and tied her hands. Senion attacked the fortifications of the First Regiment in the north, in concert with the army of Elesia crossing the Tiol River. Thanks to this, the Elesians were able to advance to Deulm without fear of hindsight. But.

"I understand very well that it is difficult to keep the nomadic people in one place for a long time."

Marius also agreed carelessly.

The seniors pulled away early when they only took the loot. It hurt me to such an extent that the First Regiment did not join Glaus, but as I know the plight of Elesia, I won't even come and ask if I can give you a hand.

Rather, it was the ill-given Glause who reached out. If you are not willing to reconsider, Arisama, who sends a repeated messenger, would like to suspect that you are willing to propose even if you do not understand that it is because you want to end the battle quickly by being wary of the transgressions of the Dragon Hou Senato.

Standing in the building where the dragon's eye had once been placed, Elecia looked over at Lofria. Outside the walls that surround the city, a sequestration line that continues as thin as an ant queue. Somewhere out there, there's Glaus.

Roflía is a city built on high ground, and the western side, or the part facing the empire, is a cliff. Defense is easy if you defend the east side, but now you're just stuck without the art of doing it. Glaus does not aggressively attack the castle, turning down supplies and waiting to surrender.

Elecia, if you are on your own, you can jump over the blockade with Genchas, but there may be supplies that you can carry alone, and either way, there will be Glaus soldiers waiting for you in nearby villages and towns. Most of the material force has already been supplied to this march, even to ask for rescue in the distance. There is no soldier left anywhere in Nornicom that can break through the blockade of Glaus and turn the war situation upside down.

(If you try to muster it up, you will have better control of your country)

Elecia bit her lip. Killed in the former Solemn Qing were the men of the famous family that led to the Lophrus Dragon Hou Yimen and those who were extremely important in serving it. It was a serious loss, but not direct damage to the general public.

(Good now. They all raise their hands and endorse my vengeance and the banner of independence from my country. Reclaim Nornicom's pride, and if you scream, he will answer you with cheer. though)

That's just support from the safety zone. If you bleed yourself out, do it.

"You've been thinking about it lately."

The roof of the building rattled and a dragon appeared on top. I haven't been on the battlefield for a while, and I think I'm bored. Wow, and I show this to you because it's lacking in sight.

"I didn't show up enough to bond, and I couldn't even burn like my father and father, and I dulled it for a long time, wondering if I could finally make a move."

"It's up to me, Chas. Even though he was brave enough to become a true dragon marquis, he doesn't go as far as he thinks."

To Elesia, who said so harshly, Genchas sent a sign to flatter her shoulders.

"My flaming dragon has the same tooth itch that I can't burn. But as long as I have a way of doing it, I am not wearing the moves of my father, who fought with man in the former war, and I cannot fight in the same way, whoops. Not in a way that rocks the world. And the humans!

With a mixed sigh of admiration and pioneering, Genchas shook his head.

"I'm no match for that speed of transformation. I thought I was frightened earlier, and in the blink of an eye, he shoots the rain of an arrow and drives me away. It's so glaring. We both have to admit that we're more unfamiliar with fighting than those humans."

"... yeah, sure"

"If we just think about it, my flames will also be in the air. I want to be released before it's a big job to do it again."

"Hate, but not so much blood on your head that you can't tell what to think about."

Elecia responded without hesitation and paid to irritate the reddish copper hair on her face. Seeing its harsh side, Marius looks at it without darkness. Now, there's not much to think about.

How to surrender. Or how to scatter...

Perhaps it is time for me to consolidate my heart. When Marius thought so and nagged, Elecia turned and smiled as she could see.

"I'm not giving away a glorious hero's death, Marius."

"But..."

"That's certainly a competent commander. But it's also true that I don't have as much experience as the commander of the national army who once sat on this land. It is also true that there are few Nornicom people who can be useful as soldiers. It is also true that I lack the knowledge of war."

Lightly lined with reasons for defeat, Marius bites his lips without being able to say anything. Elecia took one breath slowly and said quietly.

"Marius. You said so earlier. And if thou mayest think that I will be harmed, do not hesitate."

"- That's the answer I gave you back then."

"Please don't hurry. You can't just throw yourself out of here."

Elecia laughed lightly and sneered a faint Marius. When he was puzzled by the shoulder watermark, Elecia continued with a straight face.

"Let's admit this failure is clean. We were too unprepared. Now we have to buy time. I pretended to bend my knees and secretly had time to grind my fangs. It is for all Nornicoms to engrave this defeat in their hearts as a disgrace. Don't make me give up that it was stupid."

"Dear Elesia..."

"For that I will flee"

Marius accidentally circled her eyes to the lady husband, who clearly ran out of words. Elecia raises her eyebrows and flaunts her shoulders.

"I don't mind calling myself hiding, but it doesn't change my behavior. Good thing, Marius. I fly from here with Genshas. I will break the blockade of the enemy, and let the people escape in its crevices as much as I can. Prioritize women and children. Then I flee north, pretending to be wounded. When you see it, open the castle gate and surrender to Glaus. You no longer need to focus on revenge than I have fallen."

"Even if Master Elesia doesn't take such a risk... shouldn't we be able to cross the blockade in the shade of the night"

"No, you can't. Then it shall come to pass that I, alone, have forsaken my people and fled. Of course, some of you won't believe it, although you can spread rumors that you'll be back any minute just pretending to be. Besides, we can't leave the people in danger of being killed."

"... Yes"

Marius understood Elecia's intentions and agreed in a dark voice. Whether Glaus himself slaughters his citizens in anger, he will obey if the emperor deems it strategically necessary and lays down a harsh life. It can also be thought of as killing a man and enslaving a woman to pull out Nornicom's fangs.

In that case, there is one path to follow for those who remain in the castle.

"Marius."

Elesia called, sadly, with mercy. On his forehead kneeling with nature, Elecia gently lips and applies protection.

"Please live. Until that day, when I will return with my strength and the people of Nornicom shall rise again."