Koresoan army camp (in central border town)

- Commander Dorajus Verilian; Dominus of the Empyrean legion -

The situation is untenable.

We all knew from the start that it would be no simple matter to achieve a decisive victory against the Tarsonians.

Their almost limitless well of wealth not only makes them a good target, but it also allows them to raise and equip army upon army.

While some of the men joke that those snobs are too coddled by their luxury to actually fight back, the country still invests in a number of very expensive elite forces.

Especially, their cavalry is devastating, supplied with the best horses from the south and fully clad in heavy Ceranian armor.

Not to forget their famous longbow archers.

These two components made it too risky to force a confrontation.

An open battlefield would be just in their favor.

For this reason, whittling them down with skirmishes was the best option.

The downside of heavy cavalry is that it can't be easily deployed.

They're chargers, not distance runners, and require a certain degree of care.

The supply of slaves wasn't going to run out, so it seemed like the best option at that time, as destroying their land would also diminish their wealth and thus their war assets.

Yet now things changed.

We lost one whole cohort, sent to establish a position in the south, not to forget the raiding troops.

Of course, back then we didn't know what we were up against.

Now we do.

Somehow Tarsona was able to add insectoid monsters to their ranks.

Their strongest concentration was found to be in the south, which made all further incursions into that region seem unwise.

So I could only fortify our defenses there and set up outposts near the river to notify me of any new movements.

The main front in the north isn't faring much better.

Now I'm receiving more and more reports about those monsters reinforcing the Tarsonian troops.

This caused a huge blow to the general morale.

Not only for the soldiers but also for the slaves, to whom it may have had an even more devastating impact as they were never invested in our victory.

What keeps them fighting is the threat of death and the promise of freedom, but if the alternative is getting ripped apart by insects, the threat of execution won't keep them invested.

Aggravatingly, those creatures are quite well-suited for combat in skirmishes.

Given the reports, I'm rather confident they could be felled much easier by a disciplined formation, if the men were to stand their ground that is, but that's exactly what we were trying to avoid until now.

Since this new factor brings an abundance of risks, I couldn't allow our forces to advance any further.

Instead, I ordered to reinforce our position, send more slaves to probe the enemy forces, and gather insight about the general situation.

Until now, the insect assistance was rather limited, so this tactic might allow us to judge their strength.

But I won't make any excuses.

Things are not under control, as I'd prefer them to be.

For this reason, the command tent is usually like this these days:

"No, no! Our current strategy works. We don't have enough information! Let the slaves deal with it!"

"Works?! These... freakish creatures are massacring our good men! Whole troops annihilated! Especially this 'Temia of the cold steel'! Her attacks are devastating!"

"Small skirmishes in the enemy territory mean nothing!"

"They mean enough to destroy our soldiers' morale. Whole camps just gone! The soldiers are afraid that any moment these creatures might burst out of the earth!"

"Not to forget there are rumors that there could be many more of them hiding."

Goddamn, will they ever shut up?

This is how it has gone for weeks already!

Ever since those insect monsters showed up in Tarsona and started to support the Tarsonian army, our administration turned into a frenzy.

Especially, their ability to move through the ground is a huge problem.

Since then we've been stuck in our army camp at the northern Garanas, waiting for an attack that might come at any time.

If things continue like this I might be forced to request assistance from the Aeterian legion.

Though, while they should know how to deal with monsters, they are needed at their position in the south.

Can't have the Evergrove overgrow our line of defense.

Also, coordinated creatures such as these might even pose for them an issue.

On the other hand, mobilizing the Praesidian legion would take too long, as they are as usual too caught up in the infrastructural projects they survey.

This leaves the Aquilean legion.

After all, it's their job to dispatch units to critical destinations.

But damnit, I don't even want to imagine that asshole's smirking face when I come begging him for assistance, as he will certainly brand it to be.

Suddenly a messenger breaks into our discussion, visibly exhausted, but still remembering to drop to his knees and hold both hands before him.

The pose that he's waiting for the order to speak.

"What do you have to report?" (Dorajus)

"Dominus! The cities of Trevia and Bravi are lost!"

Two cities!?

So suddenly?

I made sure those positions were fully garrisoned, and since we occupied them, I let them expand the fortifications as much as possible.

To think that they were swiped without any prior notice is... improbable.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"What happened?" (D)

"The, the enemy was suddenly within the city proper. From one moment to the other in the depth of the night, they came over them. The ranks were in disarray, and without a chain of command, they could only flee to reassemble. Yet once a semblance of order was reestablished, we discovered that the enemy already manned our very own fortifications. It was judged then that it would be wiser to retreat to a safer location instead of pressing for a battle. Then came the news that Trevia was lost as well. Under these circumstances, our commander ordered a full retreat. Uh, we weren't in the best condition back then. When I was ordered to deliver this message here the rest were as well heading back to this position."

"How many survived?" (D)

"Around sixty to seventy percent of our forces if there wasn't another attack, Dominus."

So they chose to flee despite the relatively minor losses.

Probably the only thing their commander could do.

Soldiers without the will to fight won't be able to do much, and we can't afford to throw our forces away.

Not when we need every man.

"You are dismissed. Stay ready in case you are required to answer further questions." (D)

I quickly give orders to prepare to receive the retreating troops, before attempting to address the big issue at hand.

Yet it's already pure chaos.

"We need to attack them right now!"

"No, no! We should fortify our positions!"

"Be quiet! Everyone!" (D)

"D-Dominus?"

"Fortifications won't help us against these monsters. We need to mobilize and prepare our troops for surprise attacks. Have the slaves scour the lands so the regular troops can react to deal with any incursions. Also, call the Aquilean legion for assistance." (D)

"The Aquilean legion?"

"Is this really necessary?"

I can understand their hesitance.

Calling another legion to help would mean losing face.

It would tarnish the name of our glorious Empyrean legion, as it implies that we cannot handle the situation by ourselves.

But the sad truth is, we can't.

The situation is totally out of our control, and we can’t even fathom the full extent of the threat those insect forces pose to be.

This was completely unpredictable.

Where did the Tarsonians even pull them out from?!

Our spies didn't mention the development of this kind of weapon.

However, we haven't heard anything from them recently.

The last we received was that there was a certain form of unrest in the royal palace as if something big was going on, but then they all went silent.

Since then nothing.

For several months.

Could it have been a purge?

However, speculating won't help.

Now we only can analyze what happens next and draw our conclusions from this.

The next day our troops arrive.

I sent them support to cover their retreat, which was apparently more than necessary.

According to the reports, the enemy apparently got bolder than ever before and launched a large-scale offensive.

Not only the cities, which got apparently undertunneled by those wretched creatures, no, but they're also attacking with all they got in never before known fervor.

Not a single of our forward camps will survive under those circumstances.

Normally, this wouldn't be the worst, as it means that we finally got them out of their reserve.

Those who don't hold anything back have nothing they can fall back on.

It means cities, villages, and roads are left unprotected.

Of course, I would've preferred if the camps could persevere, but their demise would not pose to be a critical blow, as most of the personnel were rookies and slaves with their handlers.

In this sense, their demise was no real loss.

Rather, the more appropriate term might be "lure".

My initial plan was to continue sending more slaves to harass and bind their troops and use this chance to start an invasion from the south.

As I said before, an army isn't easily deployed and the Drega Mountains are in their way.

Thus we might even reach Osari, their greatest asset in the south.

From there, all of Tarsona would be open.

However, I feel like something is off.

They must've considered this possibility, hence why they didn't attack yet.

But something changed.

Something that makes them not fear our response.

Is it desperation or... something else?

Has it to do with those insects?

I know, I won't find the answer to this mystery anywhere here.

For now, my old plan might still be the best course of action.

However, the south was right were one of our expedition forces just vanished.

I need to be cautious and assume that the enemy forces could be greater than assumed.

Once again, I address the commanders inside the command tent.

"I came to a decision. Listen carefully and fulfill my orders." (D)

"Dominus?"

"Jaran. I want you to fortify the eastern side of the Garanas. You can also layer the west, but I want a suitable defense to be prepared in case our base here can't be held. You can fall back to the other side of the bridge if things turn dire. A retreat will be preferable to complete annihilation, but I’d prefer those bugs never reach Neria." (D)

"Yes, Dominus!" (J)

In this war, we can always return.

It would only be a loss if we'd let them set foot on the territory of our glorious republic.

I don't know if these creatures can tunnel even there, but the river should pose as an obstruction, and if anything, the Tarsonian forces won't be able to break through our lines as easily.

If they would, the grand city of Neria, our nearest industrial center and supplier, would be open for any attack and right behind it, the imperial heartland.

Before it comes that far I will call for assistance from the Praesidians to build impromptu bridges to set over again.

As long as we control the battlefield it will be to our advantage.

Yet right now this can't be my focus.

"All the others, I want you to prepare your troops. We'll assemble for a quick march to the south. Let's see if we can get those snobs on the wrong foot." (D)

The legion is almost ready when once again a messenger arrives from the south.

I can already see at first glance he won't be a bearer of good news.

"Dominus!" (messenger)

Tsk.

He even drops the formalities.

"What is it now?" (D)

"I, I'm coming from the southern posts. I need to report!" (messenger)

Does he think I'm unable to read his insignia?

I sent their cohort there myself!

"I'm aware. What news do you bring from the south?" (D)

"The-there is an army assembling." (messenger)

An army?

How can this be?

We confirmed that Tarsona's main forces are here in the north.

"Are you certain they aren’t militia? The enemy shouldn't have such reserves." (D)

"It's not the enemy." (messenger)

"Speak clearly if you address my person!" (D)

"Yes, Dominus! I said, it, it's not a Tarsonian army, sir." (messenger)

Not the enemy?

"Then who... (D)

"Insects, sir. Giant insects." (messenger)

Of course.

I knew there were more of them.

But why would they have waited until now to reveal themselves?

Anyway, this threat has to be assessed.

"How big is their army? What are the numbers?" (D)

"I, I don't know?" (messenger)

"You don't know? A messenger was sent before even assessing the enemy force?" (D)

I look at him with some scrutiny.

Wasn't it the job of their outpost to gather intel about exactly that kind of thing?

"We, we couldn't count them." (messenger)

"For what reason?" (D)

"Be-because there were far too many to do so!" (messenger)