The forces that will clash had arrived at their location.
On this immense grassland was a two-feet deep river splitting the playing field. There was a thin forest surrounding the grassland.
20,000 skeleton warriors, 8,000 dullahans, and 2,000 great witches were commanded by SG Mace on the east.
60,000 men from Runis State, 10,000 men from Gevia Country, and 20,000 from Kelm Dukedom on the west.
Flags of each party were fluttering in the wind, showing their allegiance.
It was daytime and everyone was in formation or preparing to march for battle. For now, they were just observing each other for movements and setting up their own camps.
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[Allied Forces]
Prince Kohen of Gevia Country used his heighten vision to see across the field.
"Nothing but undead and women. I thought we're fighting demons. No horns, colored skin, or even flesh. Only thing that's alive are the women in cloak, pointy hats, and ... holding brooms? Are they servants? Dressing up? Or are they the mastermind? Just a gathering of necromancers who are Death Goddess zealots. Strange."
"It's strange indeed your highness. But we have a duty as the frontlines," said Jol. He's the royal captain of the guards and Kohen's personal tutor in art of the sword. Also, Kohen's acting bodyguard.
The prince gritted his teeth. "Damn them! They clearly want to use us as cannon fodders! My people are not pawns.
Teacher. Would it be wrong to escape from battle?" Kohen said his last sentence in a whisper from eavesdroppers.
"Your highness, you are the commander of these fine men and women. You tell them to go left, they go left. Tell them to fight to the death, they fight to the death. I see no shame in running to protect your people."
Jol's words were what he needed to hear. He thought Jol would frown him for leaving their 'allies' to die. But really, there were only 30,000 enemies and the Ruins State can't take care of themselves with their 60,000 men? Screw them!
Kohen: What a waste of time! But how can we escape this situation? Don't fight, Runis State and Kelm Dukedom will kill us here for being traitors. Fight Deco Parade and suffer heavy losses or even be wipe out as well.
The plan was for Gevia forces to clash with Deco Parade at the river. While Kelm splitted their forces and flanked them at both their sides. Then surrounded them and finished them off. How long can Gevia held on against Deco Parade's 30,000 with their 10,000, before Kelm finished maneuvering?
And that's even if Deco Parade decided to move all their manpower or if Kelm wanted to execute the battle strategy! What's worse was that Runis State will hanging in the back doing nothing while the battle was happening!
Kohen: Damn it father! Did you send me to die!
A lose, lose situation! The prince didn't had a voice in that meeting! Using an excuse that they didn't even contributed enough men! Whose fault was to invade in the first place!
The prince was fuming and each passing second he felt more dreadful.
He hopes Deco Parade wouldn't send a lot men at first contact.
...
...
The Kelm army were spiltted into two. Both laying close to the thin forest of the opposite side of each other, leaving a wide, empty space in the middle between all parties.
General Tol was sent by Kelm Dukedom to lead 20,000 men. Half their numbers were cheap mercenaries and reward driven adventurers. No one can escaped from the allure of money and war was one of the easiest means, but riskier. Killing demons seems to the most easy thing to do, easy money right?
But the reality was undead and strange women. A lot of men were already drooling from the prospects of capturing them and getting their own sex slave. There're so many. Why were they're so many? Are they gonna swept the dust away on this entire grassland?
A lieutenant rushed to Tol's side and spoke. "General, the magic cannons are all set and hidden."
"Good! Good! Ha ha ha!" Tol laughed with delight and a sinister smile appeared on his face.
The magic cannons were a loan from the Runis State. They were recently developed by the collaboration between the drawves and researchers from a magic college in the Vita Empire.
What better way to test it than live targets in an actual battle.
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[Deco Parade]
A big tent was set up and the only people inside was SG Mace and a Witch Elder calling herself Johanna.
Johanna has a mature woman's face and silky smooth skin. Despite her title of Witch Elder, she's far from the looks of a senior citizen. There were a few thin grey streaks on her violet hair.
"A report from one of my girls said our enemies have a little surprise." Johanna said while tilting her round glasses on her face.
"It doesn't matter. No change of the plan".
"Hoh hoh hoh. Confident ain't we but I'm also thrilled. My very first operation for Deco Parade. I hope my participation brings great results."
"Your insights are invaluable. I don't think any army in this world would rival us."
"There's a thin line between confidence and arrogance general." She puffed a smoke from her glossy, black pipe with a golden tip.
"Hmph. I know. Let's begin and finish this in one fell swoop. The other plans are underway as well."
SG Mace ordered 10,000 skeleton warriors and dullahans on undead horses to march.
Johanna sent messages to a handful of witches to take to the skies.
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"They're moving!" A soldier of Gevia shouted and pointing at the undead.
"Damn. Calvary get on your horses and ride!" Kohen got on his horse, drawn his sword, and pointed towards the river.
Kohen: Those numbers are fine by me!
Before Kohen goes joining with,his men, Jol stopped him.
"What are doing! I have to join them!" Kohen pulled the reins of horse trying not to trample Jol.
"Your highness, you're the commander here. As commander, you have to stay behind and give instructions." Jol spread out his arms, not letting him pass.
"But!"
"I know you love your fellow contrymen but if you fall, who will bring us back home?" Jol said in a solemn voice. Jol will not let anything happened to the prince.
Kohen steeled his nerves and tighten his reins. He looked out towards the river when 3,000 calvary are riding towards.
...
The river was a half mile wide and before the two armies met, the undead stopped dead at the edge of the river!
Gevia forces had entered the water. The height of the water had barely any effect on the horses, so they keep riding.
The adrenaline was pumping in their blood! They don't question why the undead stop, they're right in front of them! Just a several feet away from battle!
Kohen was focusing his eyes and then he caught something in the sky. With a shock on his face he screamed, "Those women are flying!"
Everyone turned their head towards the sky! The witches were flying on their broom! How was that possible!
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Before the calvary can clashed their swords and spears with the enemy, the water turned to solid ice by the witches with their witchery! The sudden stop of the horses made many soldiers falling forward off their horses!
"KILLLL!!" The undead yelled in unison. They charged and slaughtering the fallen soldiers and those who are still on their horses! The majority of the calvary were stuck! Those who hadn't gotten into the water yet got off their horses to avoid slipping. They ran across to fight the undead and get the friends out of the frozen river!
"Nooooooo! Retreat!!" Kohen screamed in fear. Kohen rode around Jol and tried to save them!
BOOOM BOOOM BOOOM
Explosive noises were heard from the far side when the Kelm's men are located!
"Ahhh!" "Gahhhh!"
Metal balls crashed onto the people on river! Whether they be enemies or allies, they're getting crushed!
Repeated shots after shots from cannons are being heard.
Kohen look both sides and his face ashen. "Keellllmmm!"
The screams and cries are being heard from his people. Between the cannons and the undead, there was no escape!
Kohen bit down on his teeth. Between Deco Parade or this farce of an alliance, which were his true enemies!
"Go north! Everyone get out of here!"
"Your highness, how about those weapons!" Jol yelling not too far.
"Forget them! I'm sure Deco Parade will deal with them! Now! We're not staying!"
The calvery can't be rescued! He needed to bring who were alive back! He will not stay here any longer with traitors!
...
The witches in the sky took the offensive and shot red beams of energy from magic circles formed in front of each witches' palms and some from their wands in the air!
BVVVNNNNNN BVVVNNNNN BVVNNNNN BVVNNN
Cannons nor arrows can't reach them. Thin pillars of energy zipping through the ground - cutting through armors, bodies, and even the magic cannons like butter!
The cannon were easy to reload and fire but were just as easily destroyed!
Tol looked at this scene of carnage, seeing these beams decimating his men.
"AAahhh!" "My arm! My arm!" "Ruuunnn!!"
Everyone was running from these beams and scattering like ants!
...
The 60,000 men from Runis State were just watching. They were far from the battle, right at the rear at the edge of the forest. They only needed to turned around and escaped this place.
Can 60,000 men fight against these witches? Even the mages on the ground doesn't feel confident!
Before their leader were to give a retreat order, the ground was shaking!
Cracks upon cracks were appearing and spreading like webs across the field underneath the Runis State's base and camps! The ground collapses and groups after groups of people were falling into a huge hole!
Something bursted out of the bottom and sides of the hole! They're huge and white giant worms!
The wiggling, white worms screeched!
The worms began attacking and devouring the soldiers of Runis State!
...
Kohen, Jol, and several personnels were riding horses, while about 7,000 others are runing with their equipment. It was chaos, the witches had air superioirty and all the undead came rushing to take whoever was alive.
The Gevia force were able to enter the forest, the other nations were busy. There were stragglers from Kelm and Runis State but something happened in this thin forest. A tree branch stabbed a soldier!
Several trees started moving! Is there a big wind? No. Earthquake? No. The trees were alive!
Random trees started attacking the stragglers and them!
A large branch swept through Kohen's men in the back. Some trees started pulling themselves out of the ground!
Kohen looked back but a branch was about to hit Kohen in the front. Jol managed to rushed past Kohen and cut the branch with his sword.
"My prince, watch what's in front of you!" Jol yelled.
"But the others!" Kohen turned to look back again, most of his men were trapped fighting! Tears were forming in his eyes.
Jol was grateful to had a kind prince but he was too soft. Kohen should prioritized his own well being as the heir to the throne. So, Jol decided to protect his highness from doing something foolish. He turned his horse around and rushed to battle.
"Go on ahead! We will meet up! You men better take him home!" Jol rode with a shining sword in hand and attacked the trees.
Kohen continued riding with his heart heavy as a boulder. Even though his eyes were hot, he knew Jol was great fighter. Cutting trees will not be difficult for him, Kohen belived in him.
...
Jol continued helping out his comrades, many ran passed Jol and several veterans while they became the defensive line. Jol's endeavors were baring fruit, then suddenly the trees stopped attacking.
Jol was stunned but didn't let his guard down.
"Aha~ There seems to be competent fighter among their ranks general." A womanly voice came from above! Before Jol can even looked up, a blur came down and smashed into the ground!
CRASH
Once the dust settled, it was a skeleton in a fine uniform with a large mace in one of his bony hands.
The woman also slowly descended and lightly stepped on the ground. She was not flying on a bloom like the other flying witches but it's a long, twisted wooden staff with glowing orb inside a serpent's mouth at the top end.
The undead fighters were coming towards Jol and the veterans, trees were surrounding them, and witches hovered over them, blocking out the sun.
There was no escape. This was the end of the line for Jol and the others. At least they saved as much as they can.
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[Capital of Runis State]
The king was in his study room, waiting for the news of victory.
"Ahhhhh!" "Runnnn!"
Screams can be heard from the outside. He jumped from his chair and ran towards the window.
Dragons, wyverns, and all sorts of large birds are attacking the capital!
BOOOM
Smoke was rising from the gates! Before the king can run towards the door - CRASH!
A sapphire dragon busted into his wall!
"There you are king." A hollow, deep voice came out from the dragon!
"It... It can talk!" The king was surprised! He never heard or met a dragon that can talk!
Before the king can react, the dragon opened it jaws and stretched it neck to reach the king.
The dragon clamped it jaws onto the shaken king and shakes it prey. The king was dead and the capital had fallen.
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[Cathedral - Vita Empire]
The pope was listening to the reports of recent events and he was trembling.
"What the meaning of this!" The pope's voice was like thunder and a gust of wind.
In front of him were high priests and priestesses, bishops, arch bishops, and heads of various sectors like discipline, military, and finances.
The reports didn't not just include the fall of the Runis State, but also the attacked of the capital of Kelm Dukedom and invasion of Gevia Country! While the the Alliance focused on the battle on the supposed small Deco Parade of 30,000, their main force attacked various key locations. Apparently their numbers were massive!
Multiple segments of Deco Parade that numbers hundreds of thousands! Some speculated that it was even more! Dragons, flying mages, moving trees, giant worms, hordes of giant spiders, undead, ghosts, tentacle monsters, golems - it was too much to handle. The officials of the Life Church and the Vita Empire are skepital of these reports and sightings!
The whole chamber filled with loyal believers in front of pope were startled and muttered to one another. Is this the end for them? The Deco Parade was right at the borders of Vita Empire!
The pope gazed over the chamber and then stared at the Life Goddess mural on the dome ceiling.
It been 20 years since he heard her voice and in their time of need now, there was nothing.
The pope clenched his fists and yelled with authority, "Enough!" Everyone stopped and stared at their leader.
"Since this have gone too far with have to wake them up. Send the Holy Knights. Get as many mana stones as possible and make it quick." The pope was tired and exhausted.
The pope was thinking why was this happening? The Deco Parade was obviously fighting in the name of the Death Goddess, but there was no reports of demons taking charged of this. This mass of monsters doesn't just appeared out of thin air. Summoners can't conjured most of those things. There got to be someone behind this.
Hopefully after the destruction of the Deco Parade, the Holy Knights will go out and kill the one who started this!
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[Border of Jules Domain]
SG Bow and Talwar with their officers and 200,000 minions are waiting outside of the borders of Jules Domain. The tan elves that were with Elen came flying on a dragon's back to meet with the Deco Parade.
Elen sent them back home and to deliver a letter to their sovereign, her aunt. Elen knew the destruction the Deco Parade will spread, so she asked Kei to not attack Jules Domain. He complies, if Jules Domain can accept an alliance. Kei heard from the generals, that they do not want to submit to the Life Church's demands. That's an 'A' in his book.
Soon, the envoys of Jules Domain came and brought all important, involved individuals to their temple.
...
The alliance between the Deco Parade and Jules Domain was completed, a temporary alliance.
"This sovereign is most pleased! My little niece is alive and well. Good, good. The two of you will be rewarded well. Now, go rest." The two elves left the throne room, leaving the two skeletons.
As fast as two skeletons came in, they came out of the jungle in record time. It was very briefed through the whole exchange. The letter might got something to do with it. The temporary alliance was merely a non-aggression agreement for a certain period of time. If they truly wanted to form relationships, the leader of the Deco Parade must at least show his face.
Jules Domain had benefited from this war, getting rid of human neighbors without lifting a finger.
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[Capital of Gevia Country - Castle]
Prince Kohen and less than half of the orginal troops had came back, but they sadly lost Jol.
Kohen was currently bedridden with his mother and siblings by his side.
The nightmare was still alive. Deco Parade was ravaging their land and at the gates of their capital.
...
Inside the throne room was King Howle and in front of him was SG Spear.
"You want us to become a vessel state?" Howle squeezed his armrests. This was ridiculous, all the killing and burning down towns and villages. Deco Parade wanted to make them a vessel state.
If they don't agree, they will start attacking them. As a king with pride, he will not submit.
"I will not become accept this proposal."
"Wait! My king, you must reconsider. We do not have the manpower to fight them!" An advisor spoke up. The advisor turned to Spear and said, "General Spear, will our king will still have the right to rule as he pleases?"
Spear nodded his skull. "Of course there will be laws and restrictions be given out by our Lord but he will let you rule as before." The advisor sighed a relief. In his mind, surviving was top priority.
Howle slammed his fists on his chair, destroying the armrests. "Then how about the damages! The lives that are lost, the crops, my soldiers! IF we become a vessal state, will your lord pay up for what he done! Any benefits given to us!?!"
Spear's neck suddenly make a click sound by tilting his head. "Paying for damages?" A sudden chill came to those who were in the throne room. A ghastly voice suddenly took over the room by Spear, "You fought against us at the battle in Runis State. What right do you have when you lose? NONE!
The benefits for being a vessal is serving our Lord!
This is your final chance. Do you wish to be a vessal state?"
"No."
"Then so be it." Spear turned around and left. Kei wanted to keep towns and cities intact as much as possible but if their was no compromise, then it's too bad. Just don't destroy the place too much.
Gevia Country had fallen. Survivors of all fallen towns and nations are herded in several camps and treated as slaves until further notice. They do the aftermath clean up, farming, and caring for domestic animals. It's no different from their daily lives, except being orphaned, losing family members and friends, and having a collar around their neck.