On the eve of the eighth day, the soldiers all had prepared themselves for the upcoming fight. Despite them winning all of the battle, the desperation had kicked in as the enemy force seemed to not be weakened despite all the soldiers they had killed.
Even then, they keep fighting, as they knew if they lose it will be all over for them. As they began to stand guard, watching the battlefield, they spotted several flying figures.
At first, it was just one, before turning into two, and then four, and kept coming until there were more than a hundred. Not knowing what those were, the soldiers all assumed that they were Genesis Lake experts as the enemies had fielded them plenty of time against them.
Yet, when they came, the blood drained from the officers, as they soon realized the level of the flying cultivators.
"G-genesis S-sea experts,"
-x-
"What, are you hearing this correctly?!" the Marshal asked, his voice rising by a few octaves, not that any members of the High Command could stop him.
In fact, if not for the better control of their emotion, they would have acted the same as he did.
"Y-yes, sir, I am sure of what I see and hear from the officers. They all agreed the enemy now has more than a hundred Genesis Sea experts," the observer stated, the Marshal slumping back in his share after confirming the horrid news.
"Y-you can go now. I would like sometimes to digest the news," the man said, the observer bowing before leaving the room.
"What would we do now, I do not think we can hold the capital for too long, especially with the enemy this powerful," the High Captain stated, giving his honest thought regarding the subject.
"Is there anything else we can do? Even if we surrender, they will not spare us, likely executing us after we surrender," Ryker replied, the others nodding in agreement.
"Then we will fight. It's just, will the regular soldiers hold themselves from running when Genesis Sea experts attack?" the Marshal asked, the others went quiet from the question.
It is Ryker who broke the silence, "I believe they will hold. Even if they die quickly, they all want to defend their home, with the exception of the forces from the baronies, who will want to take revenge on the one who attacked and destroyed their home.
But, we need to help them gain the resolve first. Order the officers to tell them what I said. This will be the best way for us to help the common soldiers to stop demoralizing in this instance.
-x-
"Listen up soldiers, this is the Duke. I know you might be wondering who are the flying figures. I regret to inform you they are the Mizalas Duchy Genesis Sea experts.
Yes, we had killed a lot of them but they seem to keep coming back. So, we going to fight until the last of our breath. Some of you might have regretted not deserting. Some of you want to play with your children and have fun with your wife.
I do not blame you for having such thoughts. But remember, if we lose, or do not inflict heavy enough casualties in the end, they will come for the other nations, maybe even targeting the one the civilians went and took refuge at.
So, stand your ground and remember, you do not fight just for the Duchy and your home, you are fighting this for your family. Remember that,"
-x-
"The Duke is right, if we lose, they will go after our family! I am not going to stand around and do nothing!" one of the men roared. It seems to be the final straw that breaks the camel's back, all of the soldiers screaming and roaring in agreement.
"Yeah! Let's teach those damned Mizalas a lesson they never forget!"
"Best them up into a pulp and break them to pieces!"
"Let them know we are not weaklings they can bully with just a thought!"
The roaring soldiers seemed to infect the officers, who also began to join in the cheer. As for the High Command, the others seemed to be in awe of how the soldiers gained their determination.
"Looks like the Duke is right to put you in charge," the Marshal said, looking at the young man who still have a grave expression on his face.
"We should get ready, the enemy will attack soon. I do hope there will be enough soldiers to hold the line," the Grand Advisor said, looking at the marching enemy forces.
The members of the High Command began making their way to the outer walls. His speech not only invigorates the fighting spirits of the soldiers and the officers, but it also ignites the flame inside the Genesis Sea experts as well, who seem to like to have ill-intent ideas about the enemy.
-x-
When the new Genesis Sea experts attacked, they expected the enemies to wait for them to fly to the walls but to their surprise, the Genesis Sea experts all had come towards them.
However, they did not mind it but have to be mindful of what tricks they all have. However, they did not expect the Genesis Sea experts to find themselves being boosted by the formation, turning them into pseudo-peak Genesis Sea experts.
With the sudden increase in strength, the battle becomes more balanced, and the Mizalas are unable to gain any advantage even with the number of Genesis Sea experts they have.
Seeing how the advantage he had was slowly being nullified, he was about to enter the field when someone appeared near the camp, staring at him with uncaring eyes.
"This brat!" the Mizalas Duke seeth. He would not be able to help his men with the Duke of Kilrun present.
"Looks like I have to enter the fray!" he jumped into the battlefield, a spear colliding with Ryker's fist. While the two top experts of the two Duchy brawled with each other, their forces collided.
Only when it was dusk did the two forces retreat to their bases, preparing for another battle tomorrow.
-x-
"How long can we use the formation to increase our strength?" the High Captain asked Ryker who seemed to be counting something.
"Maybe around 3 days, maybe shorter if we have to use it often," he concluded, causing the members of the High Command to slump, a tired sigh escaping their mouths.
"I am not sure we could hold on for that long. Even if we could, the soldiers are a different story," the Marshal said, a wry smile on his face.
"We do not have any other option," Ryker said, reminding them of their current position. They all sigh before trying to rest. They have a hard day ahead of them.