The sun was setting on the horizon but the camp at the base of the mountain was in full swing.
Knights were constructing trenches and some defensive barriers for any unexpected situations. Commander Sablethorn was overseeing everything eagerly waiting for any news.
After aligning himself with Silver, he knew he was going all in on the issue. He demanded favourable result as part of their deal.
Silver send his small battalion, a total of hundred men equipped with strange weapons that roared to inflict damage on the enemy.
Early morning, with the help of knights he cleared a discreet path to the top of the mountain. It wasn't a easy job. With whole area being crawling with different monsters many of his people were hurt some even lost their limbs.
Still, he was able to witness the true strength of his 'ally'. They were able to clean up the surroundings area without a single injury which bolster his belief that they were up for the task.
Regardless, Silver didn't allow his men to act on frontline. He only needed to churn at village's defences slowly so that other survivors would surrender voluntarily.
Sablethorn agreed with this approach. He didn't want to cause a massacre, he just needed to let Mera know what was at stake and what was the price of her stubborness.
He knew he wouldn't be able to stay outside the castle for long. Him coming here was just an excuse to go on a large patrol before his engagement to one of the nobles in town.
If he was able to bring sucess by swallowing the unique village at the top of the mountain, he would get both his family and merchant guild's support.
Unlike arrogant nobles, he knew the war was inevitable. They were inching closer to north and before anyone could react, their town would be ingulfed in death and misery.
Seracins were famous for being cold and ruthless. They had already razed several kingdom and empires in neighbouring island.
Those that were willing to surrender would face leniency but in their eyes mercy was not extinguishing their bloodline. The ruling party would become wither slaves or plaything for the army while small branch members were left to deal with the aftermath becoming a vassal state for thejr country.
Constant war required constant supply of manpower and goods. Their model was pillaging from others not caring about what happens when they loose. Such a thinking was greatly discouraged.
Lulon royal family still had few surviving members like the eldest princess but no one was optimistic about her. Even of Seracin's advance was slow after raiding the capital, sooner or later they would march to her place to capture her.
Young Sablethorn knew that he need to innovate if him and family wanted to survive. Pleasing Merchant guild was an excellent choice as they were among few faction who remained 'neutral'. It was a big misconception because they always chased profit still if he was able to give them enough value, they might help him smooth things over.
Sablethorn family were a big fish in a small pond, he was confident in front of real royal family, Seracin wouldn't mind to extend his family a olive branch.
But still he would always panic whenever he recieved news about prominent nobles falling one after another. He knew the king had been too lieninet over the years, if he really cared about his people he would have strengthened the country army or invite some famous sorcerers to act as kingdom's guardians.
But the top was already rotten before he was even born. Day in and day out, normal people would see their life crumble before their eyes, suffering under nobles but the foolish king did nothing hoping that his subordinates would be able to handle the situation.
In the end what happened? He lost his life because one of his men betrayed him leading to the kingdom falling from within. Seracin only had to incite and bribe few officials to further accelerate the divide.
In the end they didn't even notice that their whole capital was surrounded. Within days, the invading army was inside the castle. It should have taken them months if not years without utilising sorcerers, just to breach the tall walls but barbarians were let in by his own people.
Rest was history, without a care Seracin enjoyed the massacre even getting rid of detractor. They might be devils of the battlefield but they still had good heads on their shoulders.
If these people were willing to betray their own kingdom, who was to say they would do it in the future? Thus, in few days the bustling large city turned into a graveyard.
Sablethorn had heard recounts of these events, it struck fear in everyone including hardened knights!
Hence, he was willing to go as far as to mingle with theives just to survive. In his mind, he was doing Mera a hige favour taking her under his wings. He knew that Seracins wouldn't be so forgiving.
He was confident to save lives with his plan as she had remaining villagers could start over on another island far away from Seracin's influence.
Right as he was thinking about these events, he heard someone call out to him. He turned to see one of his squires panting heavily trying to say something to him, only what came out was just gibberish.
Still, his pale face didn't go unnoticed. The commander knew that something was wrong. Without listening to him, he headed toward their camp's entrance where he saw the advance team return.
They looked happy and laughed together but soon their mood turned sour when they saw there was no one from the second team that went toward the cave area.
No matter how lazy they were, it was impossible for them to stay the night inside the forest. It wa suicidal because of there were many stealthy monsters capable of decimating entire battalion within an hour.
They soon got their answers when a single wounded soldier limped toward the base from the opposite direction. Everyone's heart dropped seeing the state of the man!