Soldiers on the battlefield, while being crushed from all sides by monsters, looked at the sky in awe.
"Damn, look at that, he's flying!"
"Holy mother of Innos, am I dreaming?"
"Are you?"
"Ow! Why did you punch me?"
"Did it hurt?"
"Yes, of course, it hurt! Why'd you do that?"
"Oh, that's good, it means you are not dreaming."
"…"
***
With the disruption that Gerald created, the battle became messy. There was no organized strategy that could be quickly implemented due to all the fire and thorns dividing the land.
Both armies simply clashed wherever they could, drawing blood and invoking screams of pain, but for the human side, it was still an improvement.
At least they had a fighting chance now.
General Ulrich Aust took his elite riders on horseback and quickly created a group around him for a counterattack.
They rode on massive warhorses with thick legs and bony armor across their chests and neck. They were a special breed of animal designed for war.
The cavalry rushed at the Orcs with lances in hand and a determination to kill like no other. They were the elite part of Ulrich's army and not to be messed around with.
As the two forces clashed you could hear the distinct sound of bones shaping as the beasts were run over by the heavy warhorses. The powerful legs and sharp hooves were like maces and clubs against heavy armor, producing horrifying impacts that could shake you to the core.
Even Orc Warriors were desperately moving out of the way, especially after finding out they couldn't simply behead the lancers' mounts. The bony armor plates growing out of their bodies were similar to those of a Minecrawler and extremely hard to break.
That is not to say they were invulnerable, far from it. They could still be brought down by a well-aimed blow to the head or legs, it was just that at the speeds the horses were moving presented quite a challenge.
BOOOOO!
Right at the peak of battle, when the corpses started lining the ground, another sound of a horn came from the city.
A full-plated army in silver armor came marching over the wall. They carried shields with a mark of fire on them and marched in unison at the sound of a war drum.
Immediately all eyes were on them.
More than a thousand Paladins of Innos formed a line outside the city walls and lifted their right hands at once.
"Well, would you look at that…"
Gerald watched as the Paladins blasted a wave of flames out of their hands. Those small Runes they were holding, despite weak individual damage, when they were all used at once the flames they created were no joke.
It was like watching a squad of flamethrower carriers from WW2. Skin charred and flesh melted from the bone as the Paladins advanced. They burned everything in their path.
The cavalry and infantry attacked from one side while the defenders on the walls were shooting down arrows and spells, creating a path in the sea of monsters.
Despite horrific losses on the beast's part, they didn't diminish their aggression. In fact, more and more Orcs were rushing to fight, and even a few Ogres joined them, shaking the ground as they ran.
Ulrich's army quickly retreated towards the city walls after their short-lasting advantage started to crumble. Around a hundred thousand soldiers managed to safely cross to the other side before the barrier was reactivated.
The entire battle lasted less than an hour and yet the losses already numbered in the thousands. The Guild's infirmary was quickly overrun by the wounded and dying, and the need for potions quickly skyrocketed.
Alchemists all over the city were already having their hands full for days and the sudden increase in demand did not help.
Even apprentices that started the craft joined in the effort to make more potions even if their skills weren't quite ready yet for a propper concoction. Many Healing Potions were as such of much lower quality, but desperate soldiers didn't care.
Gerald was glad he didn't need to buy any ingredients or a finished product now since their price skyrocketed while the quality plummeted at the same time.
Qiona was buys making everything they needed, and even if she ran out of herbs, Gerald could just go out and gather more.
***
The gap in defense was closed and the defenders got back to their positions along the wall. General Ulrich's army consisted of equal amounts of mounted lancers and spearmen on foot, with the remaining 10% being archers.
The latter joined the rest on the defensive line while the remaining army went to request an audience with the king.
But before that, general Ulrich Aust gathered some intel on the mysterious person that delayed the Orcs until the Paladins arrived and gave them a fighting chance.
"Mister Gerald?"
"What…?" Gerald turned around to see a middle-aged man dismount from his warhorse and take off his helmet.
He had a short beard, maybe a week or two old, and a rough-looking face. However, his eyes were kind and amicable, something rarely seen in a seasoned warrior.
"Are you Gerald of Black Onyx?" general Ulrich asked.
"I am indeed. And you are…?" Gerald asked in return, although he could already guess who the man was.
"Ah, of course, let me introduce myself," the man said and made a soldier's salute with the helmet under his arm. "I'm general Ulrich Aust, Guardian of the North. I came personally to thank you for your assistance. Without the distraction giving us some precious time and space, this expedition was certain to fail."
"You are welcome…" Gerald answered.
"I must say… That was some impressive magic display. Especially that flight, just wow."
"Thanks, I have created it myself."
General Ulrich was shocked when he heard that. "You- You have created it yourself? Then, you are not working for Robart?"
"Who?" Gerald tilted his head sideways, but then he remembered where he heard the name, "Oh, you mean The King?"
Ulrich nodded.
"No, I'm not working for him. As far as my ties go, I'm part of the Warriors' Guild, but that's about it."
"Then you helped us because…?" Ulrich asked, trying to find out the true motive.
"Because it benefits me, of course!" Gerald smiled as he gave his answer. "I like this place, but I can't keep it by myself. It's better to lend a hand and get a few more people to do the dirty work, right?"
Ulrich was shocked even more when he heard that. "That's brutally honest," he chuckled. "Aren't you afraid someone might overhear you? What will people say?"
Gerald shrugged, "I don't care… People can think whatever they want, it's not going to affect me."
"Hehe, such big words can only be said by those with great power. But I guess I should still thank you for helping us, even if it was out of self interest," general Ulrich laughed and extended a hand. "For the city, may it never fall!"
Gerald smirked and extended his own hand, shaking it. "Sure, whatever you say, old man."
The two stood there, amicably shaking hands and smiling.
"You are quite strong… For a youngster," Ulrich said. On the surface, they were acting like old friends, but a contest of strength was underway.
'This guy's strength is incredible! I can't overpower him at all!' Ulrich Aust thought, barely keeping his expression from showing his surprise.
"You aren't too bad either, old man!" Gerald answered in return.
'Shit, this old fart's hand is like a metal vise! If I didn't have magic to empower myself he could easily crush my hand!' Gerald thought in shock. 'What's whit all the strong people suddenly coming out of the woodwork?!'