As the mist began to disperse at the Bandit Camp, from a far distance, confusion and disbelief spread among the elven army. Their eyes widened with shock and horror as they saw the lifeless bodies of their fallen comrades scattered across the Bandit Camp.
"Commander Altrove! Look... Look at this!" one soldier stammered, his voice trembling with fear.
"What happened here?" one of the division's captains asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Altrove, the battalion's commander, frowned as he scanned the area, trying to piece together the puzzle. "This was supposed to be our meeting point with Aldora," he said, his tone tinged with frustration. "But it seems we're late."
He felt a knot of unease tightening in his chest. This was not what he had expected. "Find Aldora immediately!"
Another captain stepped forward, his face etched with concern. "It looks like they were ambushed," he suggested, pointing to the positions of the fallen elves. "And the enemy also seem quite skilled. Look, there were also several Bandit corpses."
"Did the bandits set up traps?" another soldier suggested, trying to find a rational explanation for the devastating scene before them.
"No, this is not the work of bandits," Altrove replied, his voice grim. "This is the work of someone else, the bandits here don't have the guts to touch our soldiers."
Ever since they entered into a transaction with the bandits, they had also carried out an investigation regarding the number and strength of bandits in this region, and the bandits here were nowhere near as powerful as their army.
The elven soldiers exchanged worried glances, their morale starting to waver.
"Look for survivors! We need to regroup and find out what happened," Altrove declared, his voice firm despite the uncertainty in his heart. "We cannot let this setback deter us. Our mission remains the same - secure the Icemoor Dungeon Stone at all costs."
"Commander, there's a human coming towards us!" another soldier reported.
...
[Prompt: Group Persuasion has been activated]
As Arthur stepped forward alone in front of the bewildered Second Battalion of the Moon Frost City. He activated his Talent and focused his gaze on the elven soldiers before him.
His eyes glowed as the aura from his body surged forth. The energy enveloped the entire elven soldiers before him. One by one, their expressions began to change, subtle changes in their faces showed as Arthur's [Persuasion] began to affect them.
Meanwhile, the elven soldiers exchanged hesitant glances as the human make an appearance, their minds conflicted by some kind of persuasive force. The seed of persuasion had been planted, and it began to take root in their hearts.
In an instant, the soldiers began to falter, their resolve weakening.
[Prompt: Group Persuasion has successfully taken effect]
[Target: 1000-man Snow Elf Race]
~ding
[80% of the 1000-man Snow Elf Race have become your subjects]
`W-What?`
Arthur couldn't help but be surprised at his luck of successfully instigating 800 people. Originally, he had been prepared that if he only managed to instigate 30%, he would still have the confidence to force them to retreat. however, it was like he was taking over the Entire Battalion!
With this opportunity, he could not let any of them retreat!
As the effects of his [Persuasion] spread, Arthur seized the opportunity to take command of the situation. He spoke with a commanding voice that carried across the battlefield, "Kill!"
~Swoosssh
"CHARGE!!"
The majority of the elven soldiers responded to his command, their eyes filled with newfound determination and rage. With a collective roar, they turned on their own, attacking their comrades who were still loyal to the Moon Frost City.
~Boom
Chaos erupted within the ranks of the Second Battalion. Brother fought against brother, their once-united front shattered by the discord sown by Arthur's [Persuasion]. The elven army descended into a bloodbath as soldiers turned against one another.
In the midst of the turmoil, Altrove, the battalion's commander, stood in disbelief. He could not comprehend how the situation had turned so dire. His attempts to rally the remaining soldiers of the battalion to their cause were met with hesitation and doubt.
"What's happening?" he demanded, his voice trembling with anger and confusion. "Why are you all fighting each other?"
~Clank, Clank
But the elven soldiers were beyond reasoning. Their minds were clouded by the persuasive influence of Arthur's talent, and they saw no other option but to follow his command. The once organized Second Battalion had devolved into a chaotic mess.
Amid the chaos, the remaining soldiers of the Second Battalion were also left in shock and disbelief. They could not comprehend how the tide had turned so suddenly, and they dissolved into confusion and panic.
...
From a distance, Aldora, who was still guarded by Mor'kith and the bandits, watched in horror as the elven army tore itself apart. She could hardly believe what she was witnessing. The unity and camaraderie that had once defined the Second Battalion had crumbled in the face of Arthur's power.
"What have you done?" she gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief and fear.
Mor'kith looked at Aldora with a mix of sympathy and resolve. "You brought this upon yourselves," he said solemnly. "You underestimated us, and now you're paying the price."
The battlefield was a scene of chaos and devastation, with the elven army torn apart by the effects of Arthur's [Persuasion] talent.
"Retreat!" Altrove commanded the remaining soldiers who were still alive.
The remaining soldiers now reduced to less than 50 soldiers, they began to retreat under Altrove's command.
With the majority of the elven army now under Arthur's command, the battle quickly turned in favor of Dawn Light Village. The remaining elves were overwhelmed by the chaos and the betrayal from their own soldiers.
~Srrkkk, Srrkkk
However, just as they were about to retreat, Altrove's eyes widened in shock and fury as he saw that human, Arthur dragging Aldora. His mind was clouded with rage and concern.
"Aldora!" Altrove roared, his voice trembling with anger. "Let her go!"
Altrove rushed at Arthur with incredible speed, but he was then intercepted by the elven soldiers under Arthur.
~Boom
In a fit of desperation, Altrove attempted to break free from the encirclement of elven soldiers. With a burst of strength from his Yellow-Low Tier strength, he managed to break through the elven soldiers, charging towards Arthur with fury in his eyes.
But Arthur showed no signs of backing down. He held Aldora tightly, his gaze fixed on Altrove with a cruel smile. "Come any closer, and I'll end her life right here," he threatened.
Mor'kith moved swiftly, positioning himself between Altrove and Arthur. He glared at the elven commander, his stance firm and unwavering. "Don't even think about it," Mor'kith warned. "Stay back!"
Altrove's heart pounded in his chest as he saw the vicious glint in Arthur's eyes. He had the feeling that the human before him was capable of carrying out his threat without hesitation. On top of that, he could feel a strange power on the other human, Mor'kith that was probably comparable to his Yellow-Low Tier strength or even higher.
Aldora, who was still in Arthur's grasp, looked at Altrove with pleading eyes. "Don't do it, Altrove," she whispered. "You need to leave now and leave me here while you can, it's okay."
As the tension hung in the air, Arthur's smile grew wider. He knew that he had the upper hand in this situation, and he relished in the fear and desperation he saw in Altrove's eyes.
Altrove's chest heaved with rage and worry. "Release her," he growled, his voice laced with anger and desperation. "Don't you dare to put any harm on her."
Arthur's laughter filled the air, echoing with an eerie coldness. "Oh, you're in no position to make demands," he sneered as he looked at Aldora. "You see, I have the advantage here."
As the tension hung in the air, Arthur's smile grew wider. He knew that he had the upper hand in this situation, and he relished in the fear and desperation he saw in Altrove's eyes.
"You have a choice," Arthur said, his voice dripping with malice. "Either surrender and submit to the rule of my Dawn Light Village, or watch this woman meet her end right here and now. Ah, I also see that she seems quite precious to you..."
The elven commander, Altrove clenched his fists, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He knew that whatever decision he made, the consequences would be dire. He had come to reclaim the Icemoor Dungeon Stone for the Moon Frost City, but now everything seemed to have spiraled out of control.
The remaining elven soldiers looked to Altrove, waiting for his orders, but he was paralyzed by the impossible choice before him.
As the tension mounted, Arthur's grip on Aldora tightened, and he leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and menacing. "Now, what's it going to be? Are you willing to sacrifice everything for her?"