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Rows and columns of troops shifted through the forest as many knights fought against monsters of the forest, the wild and untamed nature becoming more of a hassle than originally expected. At the back of the million men who forded through the wild nature that was the forest of Jura was two rotund men and a single skinny one sitting within a carriage. Both had formal attire on but of different styles. One looked regal and wise, his every piece of clothing dripping in golden opulence and fox fur. Priest clothes adorned the other figure, the robes monochromatically white with the barest of details etched in gold into the exterior of the holy robes. On his head sat a symbol of the Western Church, a sun shining brightly onto a plain below it that was beautifully crafted to look as realistic as possible.
"Reyheim-dono, how do you think those monsters will deal with our formidable force?" The question was a trick, the real intention behind the King's question being to reinforce his own confidence in the man that was the Archbishop of his nation. Naturally this intention wasn't missed by the skilled diplomat and manipulator Reyheim as he smiled almost like a Bhuda.
"They will of course crumple my king! Beneath the boots of a million men they shall fall and water the field with their blood so that we may prosper." Edmaris smiled deeply at this as his own savagery began to unveil, the old mage Razen sitting in front of Edmaris with an expression of deep thought.
"Razen-dono, what seems to be the matter, you have been in thought since we began our march." The mage slowly drifted his gaze upwards from contemplation and put on a respectful expression, his tone not completely subservient nor challenging.
"I am just contemplating the force that we may expect from the enemy my King. With the Summons being sent away as they did, it informs me of their capabilities with magic somewhat. If I am to counter said mage I have to take into account all of my magics." His words were already draining out of the king's ears as his brain was overfilled with complete victory and subordination of the wild monsters. Razen immediately ceased his words and went back to contemplating, his emotions in turmoil as he understood how truly powerful the monster mage was. Even with his Nuclear magic he was not confident in eradicating someone of his calibre in an instant. And that is exactly what he considered her, a being of his calibre, of his power.
BOOOOM!
A massive explosive cracking noise proliferated outside the carriage of the king and his entourage. Screams and blood curdling gargles soon droned outwards into the surroundings as following that were a flurry of sharp slicing sounds, many men shouting and screaming. Seconds passed before a massive yellow flash passed through the carriage and the environment, a calming aura suffocating the area before vanishing just as quickly as it appeared.
"Undead be cleansed and purged!" A holy chant sung outwards as another flash boomed outwards, once again covering the area. Spells of varying colours then followed the holy messenger's cleansing fury as within moments, whatever it had been, was annihilated from existence. Coughing spurts began as many of the injured were choking on their own spittle and life-liquid.
"Those fowl monsters!" Stepping up to the side of the carriage the general cursed before knocking on the carriage door. The King opened the wooden window, the ragged face of the general revealing itself to those inside as he looked slightly dirtied.
"My king! I am sorry to disturb your intense thought... However, we were just attacked by the Monster's forces. It seems they are using Undead to wear us down and tire out our pace. I suggest we pick up our pace, otherwise we will miss the chance to strike with speed and precision, especially considering the likelihood of a night time ambush or assault."
The King looked at Razen and Reyheim before nodding with a large smile.
"I like your spirit! Yes! We shall carve a path forwards, over the carcasses of our enemies, bathing the ground in their blood so that we may prosper." Reyheim said nothing as the King casually stole his words, the General saluting before taking off into the military formation to begin a line of flag signals that would indicate an increase in pace.
"Sire, are you sure that such an increase in pace will not tire out our forces?" Razen tried to reason with the king but the man seemingly ignored his question, his eyes staring out through the still opened window, triumph marring his expression. The sheer naivety of the King and his ambitions made Razen almost recoil in mild disgust as the Arch Bishop remained utterly silent, preferring to watch his opponents argue amongst themselves and frustrate each other. Why stick your neck out when you could simply watch them fight one another and then claim spoils once the two carcasses were left behind?
...
At the same time, at the front of the line, a woman of spiky black hair and iron will slashed another undead in half. Golden aura leaked from her sword and body as the very power of her hero-status opposed these entities, melting them even as she swung her sword down at beyond lightning speeds.
Similar to her actions there were two other massive auras of holiness, the paladins of the Western Church taking the incursion of the monster nation seriously as events ramped up across the continent.
"Hinata-dono, what if these monsters are not the ones causing the massive influx of negative energy in the world?"
"Even if they are not, they contribute to the chaos of the world... We must take this venture slowly. Do not get pulled into the pace of this army. I would prefer to speak with them as of yet."
The man to her side frowned somewhat as his right hand automatically sliced out the legs of an undead, his head not even turning away from Hinata. Puss-filled blood leaked onto his armour before burning into ash and disintegrating. Soon after this another voice, a feminine one called out.
"If they are using undead that makes them inherently evil, no...?"
Hinata thought of the founder of the Western Church and resisted the chuckle that coagulated at the depths of her soul. It was ridiculous to believe that something was inherently evil just because it refused to move on. Japanese culture was an example of the reasons why spirits could linger, souls as well for that matter.
"Not necessarily. Don't jump to conclusions... My master has 'befriended' one of the leaders of this nation and considers them great friends, i would not be quick to judge the judgement of the Crimson Hero herself." The other Paladins winced a little before slaying more undead, the waves being inconsequential to the holy knights. The only concerning thing was the increased pace of the military around them, many blocks of infantry and cavalry moving at double the pace.
"They'll exhaust themselves if they continue to move like that..."
"Indeed. Fortunately we are not part of their forces. We shall continue at our own pace."
The two other paladins grinned before cutting down some of the last undead that were left near them, the moving army taking the brunt from here on out.
"Arnaud, take 10,000 Knights and patrol the forest around us. I have a feeling that someone is attempting to influence us to hostile action..." With a confused and tired expression he shoo-waved Hinata's words before moving back to the forces that followed them.
"You think this is all a manipulation? Seriously?"
"It is best to be sure, I do not feel like becoming a puppet at this stage."
The other female paladin grimaced as she grasped the head of a straggling undead, crushing its skull with her mailed fist as holy light blasted the infected blood from her armour.
"Very well."
Like this the Paladins moved ahead with caution and different motives in comparison to the Falmuth Army, who were quickly approaching the nation of Tempest, their number at a strong 1,500,000 despite the undead attacks.
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