The mines were dark and only illuminated by magical glowing crystals inside of lamps that the empire used instead of a flammable light source.
Soldiers were running around and I was helping out in the healing area with my healing squad.
But specifically I was focusing on keeping Kyle alive I stitched his wound closed after checking nothing internal was cut then I had an empire healer heal him.
Now it is mostly up to him and keeping things clean, but I still paid him intensive care I'm a just his friend now not a nurse or prince.
I also helped take care of a few of the more badly injured empire soldiers when I had a free moment but their healers are pretty good so I just do what I can.
Pretty soon I noticed the increase of people entering the healing area and I knew it was about to become a shit show.
I had Kyle taken back to Serothor's area then walked back to the area along with the rest of my healers.
Even though our part of the mine was seperate from the imperial army it was still loud and chaotic as everything started happening around us.
The girl I basically exorcised was still sleeping and probably would be for a while and I made sure to talk to the residents.
Most of them were distraught or angry and I had a few choice words thrown at me but It was fine we were technically part of an invading force even if we were nicer than the alternatives...
Even the imperial army has a 'kill on sight' policy to avoid situations like Kyle but even worse was what the iron empire does let alone the the priestdom of Joryac.
I shiver even realising these things are happening to actual people this world have has absolutely zero chill or mercy.
I got to work securing our fate, first I went back to the entrance and saw the approaching army.
The great empire's forces were holding the line but a horde of collared and chained people were approaching infact most were civilians from the city.
That was why the iron empire captures large cities because they are easily overwhelmed and it's easy to make more slaves.
Each and every one of their soldiers can enforce a slave seal and add to that they now have all the king's knights as they are contracted to the King of the city.
So when he signed the contract each and every knight under his command became a slave, of course they still have many soldiers to coordinate like the people I killed with Edward.
From the entrance I ran my hand along the left wall for a few minutes until the texture change from cold stone to wet dirt.
The mines were used for over a century to supply ores to the city of fire hence how it could fit a literal army but obviously after a century people get a bit creative.
I made a note of how sunken the floor was and the small mushrooms that grew there.
I stood at the entrance to fulfill my duties as an ally this would probably be the hardest part of this whole thing...
Outside it was dark as it is around midnight the horde was close enough to see their faces and Machiavelli actually stood up and started leading.
"VANGUARD ROLL OUT AND SEND BACK THE MAGES"
This exact moment was when Edward was originally going to make it to the entrance of the cave and make his return covered in the blood of his enemies.
As soon as the last mage returned Machiavelli spoke again.
"VANGUARD DONT WORRY WE ARE SENDING REINFORCEMENTS JUST HOLD OUT UNTIL WE PREPARE"
Then he spoke in a less loud voice to the mages.
"When I drop my hand I was all the fire mages to cast flames just outside the entrance towards the army then run back in, I want the stone mages to then erect a wall-"
He was cut off by a mage who had his hand raised.
"What about the vanguard?"
Machiavelli looked at him and replied.
"What about them?"
Silence over took the area as he continued to give his orders his plan was simple, first attack, then stone wall, then anti-mages and light mages create barriers on the inside and outside.
When one mage gets to tired he wants the others to replace them in 4 hour shifts 4 magic potions each shift.
He aimed to exploit the iron empires lack of elemental magic and anti-mages even a strong elemental earth mage would struggle to create a new entrance.
That's when I spoke up.
"Machiavelli have you ever played chess?"
He looked bewildered and replied.
"Yes why?"
I looked at him smirked and spoke.
"Then we follow your plan but instead of your hand drop how about we go on my signal you know that I at least value my own life plus..."
I stepped towards him and whispered in his ear.
"I do have foresight and yet you haven't utilised it so I want to show you how useful I am"
He looked conflicted but smirked nodded and spoke.
"Sure but I have one condition, I want you to stand just outside the entrance that way if you don't give the signal on time we can seal you outside"
I looked up into his condescending eyes I could feel the excitement in him wanting to embarrass me by having me refuse and be seen a having an ulterior motive or as a coward.
I gave a genuine smile and spoke.
"I agree, of course I wouldn't have it any other way, you would have done the same wouldn't you? Be willing to sacrifice yourself?"
No one misheard the venom in my voices and Machiavelli replied.
"Of course, NOW EVERYONE GET READY"
I was already ready from the moment we arrived so I walked outside and activated my bloodline generating as much thread ready to be released as I could.
The vanguard was roughly a thousand people and I needed to save at least half even if that means getting hurt in the process, I could already feel my chest bursting and my head pounding.
Fuck me fucking sideways.
Then I heard Oz.
"Only if you beg"