In the depths of the forest where multiple camps were laid out, multiple lizardmen were running around trying to tend to their wounded and carry out orders on what they could do to help, otherwise, they would be at a stake tonight by being impaled by their general.
Their faces were tainted with fear and anxiety as they make haste in their movements trying to find anything to distract their mind and make themselves calm down from what just happened this day. It was a resounding defeat that made them realize that something changed and that they needed something to actually break through the human defenses.
'BOOM'
A loud slam can be heard inside the tent as multiple lizardmen and giant spiders present were seen. The one who slammed their hands on the table was much larger than your usual lizardmen, he had a scar on both of his eyes that has a sharp gaze that struck through everyone present in the room.
The general of the lizards, Pantilion, was assigned to this campaign. He exudes the aura of a savage beast that would tear everything if something was to get in his way. Sharp claws and teeth were conspicuously seen as his hands pierced the surface of the table from the slam of his large hands.
"Amazing, Wonderful, So brilliant, RARARARA. Ashfall, this is the opportunity. By the name of the Beast King, I am grateful, I feel my blood boiling, I am itching for a fight. I can't wait"
"Oh my, savage lizard calm down, although I would say that it is just wonderful that they have arrived. Let us not let our temper get the head of us, after all, it is what we were waiting for. Fufufufu"
"Shut it, Spider. Indulge me for a while, all our efforts and patience have finally paid off! It is the time moment we have been waiting for. Tell me are the tunnels ready?"
"Most certainly they are, all that needs is to wait for the proper opportunity to see things through, we must be vigilant though, we don't want them to know what is going on or they might be able to provide a countermeasure"
"I at least get that much spider, so when can we do it? Tomorrow? Now? I don't want to waste this opportunity of them feeling satisfaction and relief from their victory, their guards would be lowered, and the faces of them when I just crush their skull to pieces would be exciting."
"I know Lizard, but for now we shall set the operation to be held a day from now. Do please hold your temper fufufu"
The captains that were inside their tent were too stunned and scared to speak anything to their generals. They thought that the defeat of today was something that would be punishable by their generals, but apparently, it was the opposite, it was ruthless, cold, and unforgiving that they were happy with the deaths and injuries of their comrades who were stuck on the battlefield between a hard place,
All speak of nothing as they thought that if they did ask for details they would be the next one who would follow their soldiers, and so they just stayed silent.
Every captain in their tent was not brave enough to ask anything as the title of general holds more than their life and questioning them would be seen as treason or the act of disobeying orders from their superior. They weren't brave enough except for one.
"Sir Pantilion, Miss Ashfall, It might be presumptuous that I who is just a captain is not capable enough to understand anything that the generals just said. May it be possible that I may ask for the details regarding the plan that both the generals are joyful about?"
"You idiot, Caesar but thank you for your sacrifice" Is what was on the minds of everyone in the tent were thinking off, they were impressed by his bravery but thought about his stupidity as he would question the generals.
Ashfall and Pantilion looked at Caesar with an intimidating stares. Ashfall was a brood mother that laid thousands of eggs and would train her children to be killers, whether it was monsters, humans, or their kind.
She had a humanoid appearance deceiving people that would look at her as if she wasn't a monster, she has a nice figure that she maintains that for her would be a show for her status and dignity.
She wore a risque outfit that outlined her curves that emphasizes her well-endowed body, below her was wearing tights that were colored black. She was a beautiful person that was hard to distinguish from a normal human being, she has long black hair that radiated the night's aura. She looked at Caesar and made an alluring condescending smile.
"Ara, no need for such sophistry to understand this. We were just happy that some 'calculations' were met and so, we can now proceed with our plan to wipe out Alcemia and a big chunk of warriors from Moonglade, hehe" She replied in a tone like she was talking to a child. "Should we tell them?" She looked at Pantiliion while asking him a question.
Pantilion who was taller than the average lizard man wearing iron armor with his menacing eyes focused on Caesar.
He glared at him before showing a smile full of sharp teeth and a disturbing smile, it was said that it mauled humans and animals before. The infamous mouth is able to easily break rocks and destroy structures.
"No need to be so afraid everyone, Caesar, you are a wonderful soldier, but I hope to keep our matters between ourselves, the chance of the plan leaking would minimize to zero. So just do what you are told from this day on" Pantilion replied in a convincing but threatening manner.
Caesar wasn't that dense and stupid to understand that they were trying to not say anything about their plans and just said that "he will take it to heart and would do his best to provide for the kingdom."
A couple of minutes after the nerve-wracking conversation they ended the planning for today and everyone went off to their respective tents saying their prayers about how everything went well for today and that no one was dead, almost close to death.
Ashfall was alone in the forest as she continued to walk in an unknown direction. Blank and emotionless, as she walked farther and farther it grew to a sinister smile.
"With this, we are now one step closer to our goal" She muttered under the light of the moon.
**************
"So Miss Alicia, what do you think about tonight's dinner? I found it quite charming and most certainly adorable, just like you the pride and joy of the Blache family." Frederick mused with Alicia as they both went back to the garrison side by side.
'This is so stupid, I can feel all my hair standing up, and the stares of everyone around me' Alicia thought as she cringed with her 'date'. Ever since she was taken to a fancy dinner, she felt nothing but embarrassment and doubt thinking about them having a wonderful night while others are suffering in the infirmary.
"Oh, Uhh… Yes, Frederick, it was really delicious, and the staff was wonderful as well. I just hope that this battle would end and we would get our peaceful but short years once again"
'And please let me leave already, he is obnoxious' Alicia already had the idea that Frederick has a subtle liking for her, and although she didn't hate that, she also didn't like that either. She accepted only because she didn't want to ruin the good mood that they had after winning the first battle of the day.
"You are really amazing Alicia, your white hair radiates the glow of the moon tonight, and you shine like the star that illuminates my world." Frederick openly expresses his emotions as he looked at her with tender eyes.
Alicia felt every hair and bone on her body stand out from every word that he said, "Th—Thank you. You were er… fantastic as well. It was an astounding strategy to minimize our damages while maximizing theirs" She felt her words were becoming more stiff and awkward just from speaking to him.
The two walked across town where gazes landed on them, she can hear people saying that they look good together, whether was there something between them, and many more rumors that would start tomorrow. She felt embarrassed and also thought of the possibility of her uncle setting her up with him thinking that he would be a partner for her. Sadly no, she thought.
"There are a lot of gazes on us, huh, it's kinda annoying and weird right?" She said so with a wry smile.
"Let them look, and I don't think they are looking at me, they are looking at you. A pretty girl that glows even in the night" Frederick replied to her thinking that it would get some points, but all it did was make Alicia cringe at its stupidity.
'Please Lord Moon, let me out of this situation. Aaaaaaa' She screamed internally as she was cringing so hard from the lines that were spoken during their night alone in the streets.
Although the night was young and the dinner was wonderful, everything was spectacular except for the person she was with. It was at this moment that she knew that not everything fancy can fix everything.