Indeed, thank Luxus! I replied
"Where is the rest of your force? There is more than this correct"
"No, this is it for now I explain let's head inside and talk more,"
I tell my few earth mages to fortify the walls and prepare trenches for the pike men in case they charge via horseback. I also informed them to stay tight-lipped about our main army in case there are spies. As we enter a war room, the situation comes into view and is dire. Their main force is at least two days east of here. And at least 10,000 strong it is a branch of their main army. I'm corrected. Their main force is about 20,000 to 30,000 strong. I informed the city lord to make room for the trebuchets and that I had taken an ample amount of food from their camp. As well as the ammo for said trebuchets. he looks ecstatic and immediately we set up.
He in return thanks me and tells me he has a little over 1,500 soldiers another 500 are militia. Another 500 are volunteers so in total 2,600 troops, huh? And that includes what I brought. so we are outnumbered. but not outgunned. A day passes, and all but my 100 are looking gloomy I order my water mages to make a swamp around the city.
They will be here by the time they're done I then get the trebuchets in place and ready to fire. As the shimmer of mage light spreads in the distance they approach their camp. or what was there camp. I can see that they aren't happy about what they found as they speak I read their lips.
"Sir, all dead! All the ammo and food were taken too! no sign of the trebuchets another chime in. We have enough food for a three-day siege my lord."
"So he's the lord" I wait an hour till they set up camp and for safety's sake one more before I give the order.
Rain hell upon them fire! Fate wills it and time commands it!
As the three trebuchets rain down upon them. countless die well not countless about half or 5,000 of them and that was after nine shots, or 3 volleys! but it would have been worse if it wasn't that we ran out of ammo. I guess they are expensive. with that, the enemy retreats and we get a good night's rest The enemy returns the next day and begins to attempt to cross the swamp but a small number succeed the ones who do. are killed by the pikemen in the trenches.
another thousand have been killed, my lord!
"Four thousand left, huh?" I replied to the report Adam gave me.
A random scout came up to me
"Sir, I was told to deliver this by Gretta"
"Good work knight!" I exclaim
as I read I smile so the final nail has been set. As the letter goes up in smoke The night comes
Not that it matters to us cause we have me. But the enemy doesn't know that and is attempting a night raid
After they cross the swamp. We strike I tell my magic swordsmen hold! using telepathy hold! As the last of them cross with ladders I launch the signal a blue fireball.
"Now attack!" I shout as the spells and arrows rain down upon the enemy the enemy panics as their leader shouts and I make my move I blink at him and bring him to the top of the wall where I swiftly take his head
"Surrender and keep your life or fight and die" As if on cue I hear the battle cry in the distance.
"TIME WILLS IT! FATE WILLS IT" As the rumbling of their running comes to a halt in front of the large force that has surrendered they look upon me. Jackson approaches the edge of the swamp
"What is your will my lord!"
I respond after I think it over "Take them prisoner and any who resist or try to escape kill without hesitation they are though, to be treated well if they cooperate.
"You heard the lord take them in!"
The next day I'm meeting with my field marshal Jackson and the town lord.
"We will march back to Grimnir with the prisoners and word of this victory," I state
"And what if there are more who come?" the town lord states
"Well be back before more come but to be safe we will evacuate the civilians They will come with us and half of the food"
"That makes sense" agrees the towns lord
"We leave tomorrow at noon!"
I help with the evacuation efforts personally. same with the order I've instructed them to assist the civilians same with the half of the main army not watching the prisoners. the public seems to favor the evacuation and is thankful we are coming along for the ride. As the time to depart approaches, I order a half march. and have my army in a defensive formation around our caravan of people and prisoners. and so a week passed I spent it mostly talking with the civilians and a little bit with the prisoners. who were even more defeated than initially when they learned how young I was. At the end of the fifth day, the walls came into sight, and I ordered white flags raised and my crest raised as well. I then ran out to meet their lone rider.
as I'm meeting with a very familiar face. my father "Viscount Gatsby" I presume I say jokingly "Viscount lightless" I presume we both laugh. he breaks the solid minute of laughter with an unexpected hug
"Good work son! I'm proud."
But all good things must come to an end at the next second. he slaps me with a tear in his eye
"You had us all worried You should have reported here first!" Remember you are not alone son."
I smugly reply after I come out of the shock "But I wasn't alone Dad I had my army at my back.
yes, you did I guess that was the father in me sorry about that.
you've grown into a fine man? boy? don't know what to call you,
"son will do father. son will do."
As the touching reunion ends we head to the castle. The prisoners are handed over to the military police and I order my men to set camp outside the walls I only bring two people with me, Adam and Gretta. As they silently follow behind a familiar face catches my attention as she ducts behind a tree I blink much to my escort's dismay.
"What you doing there princess" As she once again jumps four feet her ears turn red
Zeus! how did you see me?
"I can see behind objects remember? Huh, I think you're taller than me now!"
"Hehe!" as she sticks her tongue out at me "payback for scaring me all the time including the past few weeks."
I scratch the back of my head.
"Yeah, I'm sorry but look I'm okay Emily I'm okay as I hold her hands in mine." As my father clears his throat we both jump two feet.
"Well, wanna come with me to see your father," I ask.
I guess Emily replies as we walk and talk side by side catching up on the way to maybe my last day alive. I think over the past to my surprise.
"No regrets." I accidentally let slip Emily catches on surprisingly fast and says
"My father wouldn't dare! but be careful."
"Thanks for the confidence, " I say sarcastically.
as we approach the Elven Kings, Counsel Hall I try to pump myself up with a Let's do this! As the doors open all eyes are on me and the princess as we walk side by side the king surprisingly looks unaffected by this and addresses me.
"Zeus thank you from the bottom of my heart my people are indebted to you in more ways than one. I see while the emperor thinks so highly of you. and the same for my daughter. you are strong not just physically but tactically. From here on out it's the counter-offensive."
and you will be center stage. My young viscount.