บท 11: The Plan is to be right and decisive Part 2

Artirian looked at the grave while his hands were clasped from behind.

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Artirian POV

``It was sad to see a fellow member of the group that I built to die in front of me. Like I always imagine life is not as fair as always. This world has never been given mercy to what time takes. To think about the possibility to change what I want... and that is to give my new life an opportunity.``

I walked towards the grave and placed a flower as a sign of respect. ``It is an honour working with you Lenier.`` As I glanced at the forest I sensed peace and tranquillity between.

``I want to succeed in this world and there are countless possibilities that I can do to make it happen. There is only one catch. Either I lose my life or I lose my companion's life.``

I walked inside the hideout as I was greeted by the guards. Then I head towards the catacombs and to the slumber hall where all new recruits are assigned to their sleeping quarters. As I went deeper into the hideout I was amazed on how Rommel decided to tunnel out some of this place to make a practice area and some food storage when I was gone.

I slowly walked towards my slumber room and I noticed there is a note on top of my bed. I grabbed the note and read it, it is only a report notice from Rommel, and he thinks that we are able to have the second operation be done. Hopefully, we can move to it. But from my foresight, it is not near possible to proceed with it.

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Rommel POV

I guess Artirian was planning that we can move now for the second operation. I saw his movements earlier in the ceremony of our fellow brother. It was a loss for the group to lose a brother like that. Soon we will reach the top and I can be at Artirians side as always.

After a few minutes, I head towards the village and expect a market that is crowded and noisy but from what I saw it was only a few people and few peddlers and merchants and a small number of new traders, this was unexpected. As I continued to walk at the traders and peddlers stands.

I was shocked as I saw a ton of mercenaries with their swords and weapons.

I need to report this to Artirian he needs to know. Then I quickly turn around and run outside, but suddenly I bump on a muscular 6-foot man with chainmail and leather armour. His weapon is a huge axe with a sharp blade.

I then fell on the floor at the mercenary while grinning at me. Then I slowly get up and head towards the entrance and get out from the inn and run towards the hideout direction then quickly head towards the office where Artirian is so that I can report to Artirian.

Once I reached the hideout I was welcomed by the guards and headed in, I walked to the leader's chamber but Artirian was not there. Then I headed into the meeting hall where some senior Rats were gathered. Then I see Artirian standing and I think he is waiting for me.

"Leader I must report you-"He cut me before I spoke and said "I already know that the village looks like an end town and mercenaries are in the inn" I was then headed inside.

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The report that Artirian received was that the village town that they are currently in will be a huge battleground from two forces. The Coalition kingdoms that will come from the south and the Empire forces that will be coming from the north. That is why there is an increase of regular soldiers in the coming days and today.

Then the meeting concluded with the forming of a new group. The 4th group mainly consisted of teenage dwellers around the nearby small villages. As the policing soldiers increase Artirain thinks that they also need to increase in numbers. The meeting ended by Arthur going to lead the recruitment and the training for the new 4th group.

The day ended with Arthur recruiting more teenage boys that needed shelter and will be a valuable asset for the group. The next following day village town is getting busier and busier trumpets are being blown to form up platoons then flags are being raised to signify which platoon or army is coming. At the outskirts of the Village town that Artirian is in, an estimation of 100,000 thousand knights and around 200,000 conscripts were stationed at the outskirts to fight with the invading army. And from the reports, there is still a lot that will come.

The next decisive battle that will be happening for the Empire will be named as the Lone coalition skirmish that will be happening near the village town of Karlington. It was in the late afternoon when Artirian wanted to take a few views of the huge plain that soon to be a battlefield of two colliding forces. Artirian then tried to make a semi treehouse near one of the open trees at the side of the plain field.

The village town was pretty much able to defend itself from an attack but not form a siege. It has a few walls that can protect the citizens inside but not for too long. Meanwhile, at the group status, some were doing their training while the others joined Artirian for a stroll around the scout main encampment of the Empire. But as soon as they reached the encampment they were halted by 2 patrol guards. Then one Patrol guard said "No kids are allowed here you may turn around kids" but the other patrol guard said in an aggressive tone of voice "Why are ya kids doing here huh! Are you supposed to have left already?" then continued talking while looking at Artirian "You don't look tough are ya so don't waste your life here kids go along!" Artirian and the others turn around and walk a few meters before hiding near the bushes to sneak into the encampment.

Then they will see a tone of blades and armour that were prepared from long pikes to shields to round to irregular shapes. Many crests are also present, Knights from low nobility normally have their family crest on their shields. And then all of them noticed a teenage kid that is wearing a nobility-like wardrobe but it also looked like an officer's uniform.

But nonetheless, there are few new weapons that they have seen; some were really sturdy as the group stroll and sneak deeper into the encampment. Artirian then noticed a weapon that was used by his father but it's a smaller version of it. Some knights still disregard that kind of weapon because they felt that it was not honouring once family to use that kind of weapon. So that is why only conscripts are meant to use that kind of weapon.

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Artirian POV

As I see through it this battle looks going to be a bloody one. And I am sure many would die but for the sake of the Empire and its might, it sure needed to be revered as to be who will win in this battle.

After looking at the soldiers, I and my few senior rats head back to the hideout. Then I assigned Rommel and the others that they must go first to MoonScar City so that it will not be that hard when the whole group regrouped. With that move, we can both increase our numbers and also a great stepping stone for the group.

After 2 days had passed the last refugee caravan that was going to the city was groups 2. Many were disappointed with my decision but still, I need to stay. I must watch what kind of battle this can unfold.

After that afternoon I was all alone eating. I never saw Sherwood again. Maybe he tends to have more people to work for me when my time has come.

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[The day has come Taurus 23rd 1430]

The main cavalry and forces of the Empire would begin to march at the plain field. Artirian is at the treehouse he has built to overwatch the battle to unfold from his eyes. He was getting his notebook and the pencil that he has, he also prepared his food and water so that he can continue to watch this battle.

When it started, the bugle soldier sounded the march, then followed by the beating of the drums and the flag horses would run across the open field ordering the platoons of men to move forward. Brigades of men standing marching side by side with their banners for each of their regiments were waved in the open air.

The first few seconds were at peace two opposing forces marching to reach each other. And as they marched they were being fired upon but suddenly a volley of arrows reached the Empires marching soldiers. The volley of arrows was a successful attack for the Coalition kingdoms as it eliminated half of the marching regular soldiers of the Empire.

But the soldier from the back would move forward as it is like replacing the dead one with a fresh one. The empire's conscript looks like they don't fear death and rather face it head-on.

Once it reached a certain range the Sergeant of the line halted. Then yelling "MAKE READY!" the conscripts would put the kind of weapon near their faces. Next, the Sergeant of the line ordered again "Take aim!" then a quick shout with a loud voice "FIRE!".

The blazing of fire and smoke with a sound so amazing the volley was perfect the opposing coalition forces were decimated in that volley no shields or wooden walls were able to withstand that kind of firepower. Soon the sergeant would shout " RELOAD!"

The gun has a slow rate of reloading. Then the sergeant of the line shouted "FIX BAYONETS!" then a silver-like object that is to be put on the top and of the weapon to be used as a spear-like weapon when the enemy forces are trying to move into hand to hand combat.

Meanwhile the coalition forces were pinned down on the opposing side's left flank. Then the Coalition forces General ordered a daring charge of cavalry. That earlier was hidden near a thick forest The horses trotted as their riders aimed their lances onto the conscripts and that they were trying to target and kill. The Platoons were not notified by the enemy cavalry movements and they were trampled and killed, some routed and some fled and dropped their weapon on the ground and ran but they too will be killed mercilessly

That incident was a bloodbath and a blunder on the Empire General; Artirian continued to watch the carnage unfolds in his two eyes. It was a bloody battle and as soon as that happened, another cavalry force came from the other side hidden inside the forest. Now it's trotting towards the General staff, but soon a platoon of men started firing at the trotting cavalry. The horses and cavalrymen were killed at the consecutive volleys of the guns that were blaze with fire. Their bodies dropped on the ground and their horses neigh in pain.

Some of them survive and break the lines of the platoon but are still stabbed by a blade at the end of the conscript's weapon. It was still as bloody as it gets, then a sudden change happened when someone from the Coalition forces cavalry had used the Gallant power. It was so immense that all of the conscripts and some of the knights dropped their weapon and fled. Artirian thought of the battle as a battle of a fleeing army of the Empire.