"Strange. The Southerners should have been here 5 days ago. Why are they not here yet?"
"Better they don't come. I don't wanna fight such barbarians."
As they were chatting. A scout made it back to them.
"Cough cough!!! 500 miles from here. An army of about 140,000 is marching to here."
"140,000? I thought the first scouts said 400,000?"
"140,000. No doubt about it. But they're neither Southerners or westerners. They have large horses and rusted armor. But their weapons have different crests and they don't have flags."
"An angry mob? Or forest tribes?"
"No. They were organized. The leader is bold enough to ride in front. He has no armor. Just dark leather vests and vambraces. At least they can be distinguished by one prospect. All of them wear dark masks covering their faces."
"What?! You mean the same ones as those that destroyed the skirmisher encampment we had?! No one even survived there. Just a dying man gave us these information."
"Probably. They- cough!" As he coughed up blood. Those behind him were shocked. A large arrow. As long as a child's leg and with a tip like a fist. They looked behind them. And there were the army of Kuro all on horses and have the ballista's they got from the southern camp. Many of them had Spears and repeating crossbows.
"They're here?! So fast! Are those horses?! Fuck!!! They have wild magical beasts!!! Those horses can easily jump our wall!!! Prepare the slicer!!! Get ready for a siege!!!"
As Kuro in the front lines commenced the attack against the flanks. They waited. And sieged the main gate.
At the walls.
"Sir. We're under attack at the left and right flanks. It's slowly being breached. We're barely holding them back. Casualties by now exceeds 5000."
"Send 10000 men each from the gate watch. Don't let a single horse maniac past the walls. Once we're breached we're dead."
As the order was carried out.
"How now? Do we attack? We've breached the left flank now." The second in command asked.
" We will attack. Breach those gates and we kill them all. Minimize damage as I have said."
"Yes leader." The man then gave out signals. And horns were blasted.
"Commence route Attack!!!" The riders relayed this message.
As then. The men on horses full on attacked. And as well as the main force then charged towards the gate. Meanwhile at the gate.
"What?! They've moved?! So the flanks were just a distraction. How's the flanks?"
"Not good. They've attacked full on. Though we have the numbers. Their crossbows are strange. It can fire 20 times within 5 breaths."
"Impossible. We have no choice. Abandon the wall!!!! We will retreat!!!!"
As the order was carried out. They then took horses and wagons and began to flee. Kuro noticed this and he wasn't reluctant to letting them escape. As soon as he reached the gate. He ordered a chase. And in 10 minutes. They once again rode out. Yet, the enemy didn't retreat full on. Instead. They repositioned themselves by the hill, taking highground. With the sight of this. Kuro didn't hesitate to attack. They may not have the numbers. But they have horses. More than what the east ever saw. The Eastern army suffered more than 50,000 men. Meanwhile Kuro only suffered a few thousand.
As the Eastern captain took hold. He ordered a shields up move. And took a pincer position. As Kuro went on. As they neared the shields. When they were only 5 meters away. The shields grew Spears. Not so long. But still enough to not give space for retreat. And the Frontline horses were killed. The riders were thrown. Along with Kuro. But this did not disrupt the command. Upon seeing such a move. Those in the back immediately retreated and took space. Then surrounded the enemy. This move proved that Kuro gave out such a good order.
Back to the thrown riders. About 509 of them were fighting with sword and spear or axes. As Kuro saw the leader was behind them. He then charged through. But then. Ice crystals and wind magic has been shot out. The magic casters have arrived. As magic circles appeared in the center of enemy lines. Kuro all the more charged faster. And when he arrived. He cut down the legs of the back liners giving brute support. This caused the line to fall. And those on horses saw this. They then charged more violently. But then. It was also when the magic casters casted another spell. The sky was enveloped with darkness. And the sun raged more fiercely. But what they saw wasn't a sun. It was a large fireball made by the casters. When Kuro rushed out to interrupt the conjuring. The captain blocked his Path and got stabbed.
"You. You will die with us today. Hahaha" The captain laughed as he passed on.
And when Kuro got to the casters. It was already too late. The fire ball was launched. And countless men died. Friend or foe. It killed. That time. The battlefield was filled with screams and blood. Kuro, Picked up a dead body and used it as a shield.
When the fireball was used up. The casters had already retreated. Kuro won. But at what cost? Tens of thousands died. But, if you look at his eyes. He didn't even care.
"How many died?" He asked.
"About 60,000 leader. And about 75000 horses. We won but we lost a heavy amount of men."
"We did. But what else can we do? Bury them here. We claimed this land ours. Those who trespass shall die. From now on this is our land. As it was from the beginning. Make these lands our cemetery. Let this be the memento of those who died here." He valiantly carried out his speech.
As his men cheered. They then proceeded to bury their dead. The enemy however, were not sent back to their homes. As it should have been. But instead. Was pillaged and disrespected. The equipment that were still good to use were kept and used. The maids and servants in the krypt below the Garrison. Were let up and spared. They were to keep the Garrison clean and are to feed the army properly. If so they are rewarded. Failure meant punishment. And so the maids and servants obliged. But so as not to create discontent. Kuro still have out salaries. The main camp move to the Garrison. The lands there have been turned to farmlands and homes. That night. They celebrated the start of them reclaiming the land they once owned.
However. Instead of having fun. Kuro was at his room thinking of his next strategy.
"I know you're there. What is it?" He said.
Then. Sheena went in.
"Big brother. How are you? You are full of wounds once again. Let me treat them." She gently said.
"No need. These scars are what proves our history."
"Brother. I was worried. But you kept you're promise. Thank you." She wept while saying those words.
"I appreciate it. But I'm busy now."
"Brother. Won't you stop fighting now? We already have our land. If we continue to fight. Maybe they will ally with each other to eliminate us before we grow out of hand."
"This land? It's only a part of it. The land we owned is was vast and wide. It was prosperous. And it was barren. Our father was king. King of the whole of SanJin!!! And you say we got back this land? I won't stop until I take everything back."
Then Sheena slapped him.
"Bastard. Don't ever mention father again." She was crying. Hurt. And scarred.
"Whatever. Go back to your room." Kuro coldy ordered her.