In Alcemia, where multiple battles are happening simultaneously, they were in a desperate situation.
The smell of death permeated the ground as bodies scattered along the dirt path that was once hailed as the road of commerce that would bring in goods from Soltice and other merchants that would come to visit the city, stained in red, organs, and bodies.
The walls are full of cracks that look like they were on the verge of destruction that was barely holding on with the rough determination and hopes of the citizens of Alcemia.
"Hold the line, with the help of Frederick we can hold the line. Stay with me my soldiers, the light of the moon shall shine with us tonight where we feast with victory on the table. HOLD"
The sounds of metal and blood gushing through the battlefield echoed in the cold morning, men whose eyes were brimming with fear and anticipation. Waiting for when their time would come, lined up in front of the portcullis where they readied themselves to fight the lizards that were approaching slowly.
Outside of the ranks that were situated off the portcullis stands Frederick, the general in line with the capability of being one of the youngest captains in the history of Moonglade, he was wearing golden armor that speaks of status and golden hair that complimented the look that he wore.
Beside him was a beautiful girl who has white long hair, radiant like the sun's eyes. Wearing armor with a badge of a Lioncrest on the shoulder, it was the crest of her family that was highly respected in the kingdom.
One of the pillars of support for the kingdom of Moonglade.
Francis Eresvolt, the captain was the only functioning person with authority and was supposed to be with Frederick, but he insisted that Alicia should be better off with him to gain experience, knowing that he trust the capabilities Frederick as well as the fact that they were near to ages.
Francis was inside the city tending to their comrades and is trying to reestablish a chain of command and trying to calm the panic that was spreading among the soldiers.
The appearance of Frederick gave them hope with at least three-thousand soldiers with the highest quality of equipment and training that was well received in the capital of Moonglade, Lunaria.
The capital soldier endeavored to make time for the soldiers that were fighting in Alcemia to take a rest and prepare for anything that would happen.
"Sir Frederick, Thank you for coming to our aid, with the blessing of the moon with might be able to survive through this, but how would we end this war again?"
"Okay, let me reiterate everything that was said inside the war hall. This fight would be a battle of attrition in which we would be at a disadvantageous state because of all our exhausted soldiers. We don't have a lot of choices however it's best if make defensive positions with whatever arcane and summoning magic we have and avoid decisive battles and instead engage in prolonged, small-scale conflicts. This approach can gradually erode the enemy's manpower and resources over time, as they continually have to commit forces to fight, also please just call me Frederick"
Before the Lizards would show up in the morning to continue their harassment they were devising a plan to see how they would be able to defend the city as well as survive the battle, the initial plan was to build defensive positions, fight under our conditions, disrupt their supply chain and provide guerilla tactics that would get the enemies surprised.
It was also psychological warfare that one would need to maintain to not mess anything up for their defensive unit.
Although the strength of numbers that was brought on by Lizards and spiders played out effectively, they still weren't able to properly break through the city defenses due to one thing they do not have in common with humans.
They couldn't conceptualize mana.
One thing that makes beast folk superior to humans was their super strength and agility which would outclass humans on the basis that their regular citizens could probably match up to the soldiers of the kingdom.
But in terms of magical capabilities, they lack the necessary constitution that would allow them to utilize mana. Instead, they were using a force called the aura, though it was no less weak than magic, it was up to the user's ability to harness them that it would be dangerous and deadly.
"No sir, we are still on duty and it would be disrespectful if I do not address my seniors in a proper tone, I apologize, but thank you"
"Alright then but after the war do you want to eat somewhere? It's my treat, anything you want"
"...I'll see what I can do, but for now I wanna see if I can live through this battle."
"Don't worry I'll make sure that you do. Oh, here they come"
They finished their conversation just in time as the Lizards decided to do a charge through the plains as they make their way towards the portcullis which was heavily defended with lines of knights from the capital.
"Soldiers, Raise the coat of arms, hold steady as we receive the blessing of the Moon. We shall prevail in the name of the provider of the night, the sole being that wanders in the darkness to save us all. Scream my soldiers, May the light of the night shine bright for us all! Hold your ground"
Frederick encouraged them to hold their ground as they see the lizards continuing to charge, they were inching closer to their position but none of them moved.
For Alicia it was exhilarating and fear that she felt, both of which she fears that she would not do well with the responsibility that was given to him. On the other hand, she felt that it was her time to shine.
"Hold! Hold! Hold! Now! Activate them!"
With the call of Frederick, the mages and summoners that were situated on the wall began to gather mana into their being as they chanted what seem to be their strongest spell and strongest summon. With some pointing their hands forward and mana imbued in their palms. Not moments later explosions followed as they started a barrage of magical artillery, cover fire, and arrows.
They rained all over the battlefield where the lizards have advanced, they were flabbergasted by the new engagement pattern that they saw from their opponent.
According to their intel, they couldn't properly engage in massive infantry artillery, due to their killing of the Mage Captain, Summoner, and Tamer what they didn't know was the fact that reinforcements have arrived to help Alcemia.
Many were struck down by the barrage of magical abilities, but they quickly regained their footing and made their valiant effort in dodging the skills while slowly approaching the portcullis.
Now long after they saw the portcullis just in front of their faces, they rushed with renewed speed and determination. There were a sizable amount of lizardmen that came through, but they soon exploded.
Massive explosions happened underneath them as they were caught by another surprise attack that was set up by Frederick.
Some mines were embedded in the ground, after seeing their comrades explode, they hesitated as they were stuck between getting shot down or being blown up of their own volition.
It didn't take long for the first volley of Lizardmen to dye the battleground red.
Hours passed as the barrage stopped and explosions halted, the first battle of the day ended just like that.
Mages and summoners prepared their magic as they continued to stay vigilant under these circumstances.
Smoke covered the entire battlefield, they waited on their walls and felt their hearts tremble from fear and anticipation.
The smoke began to slowly dissipate, it was so slow that it was building up tension and pressure from everyone on the city walls and grounds.
They waited for a while and the smoke dissipated, what came out was holes, craters, and large deformation of the ground as organs, bodies, and other dismembered figures were scattered across the battlefield, stained in red as limbs desperately trying to crawl their way out of the battlefield.
The soldiers and knights cheered in unison, their calls and praises echoed in the depths of the city as they celebrate their first overwhelming victory.
Alicia was impressed that they were able to hold their ground with zero casualties, compared to how they were before, it was certainly an astounding achievement. It was once again that she realized that she lacks experience and capabilities and hoped to gain knowledge.
"So about that dinner? What would you say about tonight? Sounds good right"
"I'll…Take you up on that offer"
It was estimated that two-thousand lizardmen were slain in the battle on the first day that Frederick came into the city. However, because of his appearance, it would only make things worse, much worse for everyone.