YEAR: 1724. NOVEMBER 7TH. LOCATION: 9TH CORPS’ COMMAND IN THE BLACK FOREST.

General Cedric grinned as he surveyed the Imperial soldiers positioned just beyond the large clearing of the forest. His soldiers and the enemy stood in tense silence, each side eyeing the other with caution.

“Tell me, Devon,” Cedric began, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “We’ve been idle for months, waiting for this battle. What’s your suggestion? My old age isn’t as patient as it used to be.”

Brigadier General Devon exhaled deeply, raising his binoculars for a closer look at the enemy lines.

“I suggest we hit their main force now. With so many trees, even if we split into four groups, main, left, right, and rear, it’s unlikely they’d react quickly enough to counter us.”

“Good thinking.” Cedric nodded. “Relay the order. Form an arrow-shaped formation and aim to break their center.”

“Yes, Lord Cedric!”

Cedric watched as the 9th Corps began advancing. His grin widened. “Devon, do you think there are still monsters lurking in this Black Forest?”

The Black Forest, once infamous for its monstrous inhabitants, had become peaceful in recent decades. A legend tells of a black dragon that once terrorized the area before being slain by the first hero of the Shiena Kingdom, the Black Slayer.

“I doubt it,” Devon replied cautiously. “But if the stories are true, there could still be eggs. Monsters are said to lay eggs that remain indefinitely, until destroyed or the right conditions are met for hatching.”

Cedric chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind finding a black dragon egg. Imagine hatching one of those!” His tone turned serious as he straightened. “Enough talk. Advance!”

[(0)]

LOCATION: MAIN COMMAND OF 1ST DIVISION

Major General Olivia observed the 9th Corps as they began their movements. Beside her stood Major General Claudius, his narrow eyes giving no sign of whether he was awake or asleep.

“Send word to fortify the center and form a crane formation to encircle the enemy,” Olivia commanded.

Claudius remained silent, watching as the first wave of soldiers began clashing below.

“Well?” Olivia asked sharply, her patience wearing thin.

“I was just wondering where the Silver Angel might be,” Claudius replied with a thin smile, the expression unsettlingly unnatural.

“It’s going to be a challenge working with you.” Olivia’s eyes narrowed as she adjusted her katana. “I’m heading to the front. I’ll issue orders from there. While I’m gone, you may command my troops, but if I find your tactics lacking, I’ll take that authority back myself.”

“Be safe,” Claudius replied with a faint smile, though the sincerity of his words was anyone’s guess.

Olivia only ignored as she went to the battlefield herself, her elite guard quickly following behind as she advanced.

[(0)]

LOCATION: SOMEWHERE IN THE BLACK FOREST.

I was placed in charge of 1,000 soldiers, along with 50 units of the MPA 63. Once again, we were designated as an independent force, tasked with supporting our allies or attacking the enemy as we saw fit. Apparently, since the MPA 63 was a brand-new invention, most officers didn’t have the slightest idea how to properly command us. As a result, it was decided that we would operate autonomously.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

That suited me just fine. I wasn’t fond of following orders anyway.

We rolled slowly through the dense forest, taking our time to adapt to the terrain. Since the rest of the 1,000 soldiers hadn’t caught up yet, there was no rush.

“The battlefield is expected to take place in a vast woodland known as the Black Forest,” Lura informed me as our unit descended a gentle hill. “It used to be home to countless monsters, but they’re all extinct now. While this isn’t an ideal location for a battlefield, none of the other routes are suitable for moving large armies either. It’s expected they’ll try to push through here.”

“Just like the Imperials up north,” I mused, my thoughts drifting to a certain adventurer. A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered one particular woman who had cut my body and was, unfortunately, still alive.

The forest was quiet as we moved, occasionally hearing the sound of battles here and there as we continued to advance.

Suddenly, Lura raised her hand, her long ears twitching sharply. Without hesitation, I trusted her instincts and signaled for the group to halt. Sure enough, as I scanned the area below, my eyes locked onto the shapes of Imperial soldiers moving beneath the cliff.

“Isn’t that… Alysia?” The name struck me like a bolt from the past. “Wait, what is she doing here?!”

Alysia, the aide to a certain commander I’d cut down long ago, was unmistakable even from this distance. She was leading a small force of about 5,000 soldiers. It was hard to discern their exact purpose, but from their formation, it looked like they were searching for something.

“Pardon me, Major Aria, but may I ask, who is Alysia?” Lura’s calm voice broke through my thoughts.

I exhaled, steadying my emotions. “A talented swordsman and an exceptional commander who caused me endless trouble during my time in the North. The last I heard, she was holed up in the final fort we failed to capture. If she’s here…” My mind raced as I connected the dots. “That must mean the North is empty.”

… Wait, seriously? That meant the 8th Corps might be free to reinforce the Eastern Line. 8th Corps, even though they were only made up of weak soldiers, they still numbered 40,000 and their presence was enough to worry the Imperials. Whatever the Imperials were thinking, it wasn’t my concern right now.

“We need to finish her off,” I declared. “Have the regular soldiers follow us. Once the 50 MPA 63 units create a distraction, the rest will attack.”

“Yes, Major Aria.” Lura immediately began relaying the orders.

I didn’t know what the Imperials were planning, but if Alysia was here, I couldn’t afford to hesitate. She was too dangerous to leave alive.

“Advance!” I commanded, pushing my MPA 63 to full speed. The trees blurred past as I led the charge, the rest of the units following close behind.

It didn’t take long for the Imperials to notice us. I reached the first soldier and drove my blade clean through his neck, his head separating with a spray of blood as I moved to the next.

The sheer number of enemies made it impossible to fully use the MPA 63’s speed advantage within their formation. Instead, I circled the edges, picking them off one by one. Other MPA 63 followed me as they also used the same move. At first, the Imperials panicked, but they quickly adapted, forming a defensive circle with their polearms to keep us at bay.

Then, the main force of our 1,000 soldiers arrived, crashing into the enemy lines like a tidal wave.

“Charge!”

The impact sent shockwaves through the Imperial ranks, breaking their cohesion. Their disarray gave me the opening I needed. I dove into the fray, weaving through the chaos, cutting down enemies left and right as I advanced.

If someone had been watching, they might have thought I was ice skating. But the blood-soaked ground and scattered remains painted a much darker picture.

“Stop her!”

A group of Imperials hastily formed a small shield wall to block my path. I didn’t slow down. Instead, I surged forward, using the shields as a stepping stone to leap into the air. Spinning mid-jump, I brought my blade down, cleaving through the soldier directly behind the wall.

“AHHHHHHH!”

His scream was brief as his body crumpled, brain matter spilling onto the ground. I didn’t stop. Dodging attacks by a hair’s breadth, I pressed forward, carving a path through the enemy ranks.

Then, I saw her.

Alysia.

She moved through the crowd while commanding her soldiers, her presence commanding. Her head turned, and her eyes locked onto me.

I glared back as I closed the distance between us.

Her expression twisted into a snarl, and with a flash of steel, she drew her sword. Without hesitation, she charged, her blade aimed straight for me, her bloodlust radiating like a palpable force.

I only grimaced as I met her charge, cashing my sword with her.

"Aria!" Alysia screamed as she tried to stab me.

"Alysia!" I screamed back, using MPA 63 to dodge her while trying to stab her back but she blocked.

I zoomed again as I finally put a stop to MPA 63, instead glaring at Alysia. Imperial soldiers around me tried to attack me, but Alysia stopped them.

"Your mine." She growled as she readied my sword.

"Same here." I responded.

Without another word, we charged.