As Ren and his victorious troops retreated, captured supplies in tow, the night sky bore witness to their determined march. The moon illuminated the path ahead, casting a pale glow over the rugged landscape.
Back at the camp, Gareth awaited Ren's return. News of the successful ambush had already reached the camp, and the atmosphere was charged with a mixture of celebration and anticipation.
"Heh, now Emberwood City will have a hard day." Gareth sneered that the Church of Light had failed to supply the city, and that within a few days the citizens would riot because there was no food left.
"We just have to wait a week to attack the city again." Ren nods.
Gareth grinned, "They won't know what hit them. With their supplies cut off, their defenses will crumble. The citizens will grow restless, and our next assault will catch them off guard."
Ren surveyed the camp, now bustling with activity as his men unloaded the captured supplies. "Make sure to distribute the food and essentials to our people. We need their strength for the upcoming battles."
"Right away, my lord." Kael saluted and went to oversee the distribution, making sure the spoils of their victory went to the troops.
"Hey Ren, what your plan after we plunder Emberwood city?" Gareth asks.
Ren, his gaze fixed on the flickering campfires, considered Gareth's question. The night air carried a sense of triumph, but Ren knew that their journey was far from over.
"We need to raid few cities, we will wait for a year or so, just to wait we had an army able to defend whole province, we probably need 20,000 people to become a soldier." Ren answer.
Gareth nodded, understanding the need for patience and strategic planning. "Building our forces and consolidating power makes sense. We can't rush into things, especially if we aim to liberate the entire province. Training and preparing a formidable army will be crucial for long-term success."
"So, after we achieve all this, are we going to force the kingdom to recognize us as an independent state, or are we going to usurp the kingdom?" Gareth asks again.
"Usurping the entire kingdom is too overwhelming for me, my goal is within two or three years we will be able to conquer the southern realm of the Verdant Glades Kingdom." Ren answer.
Gareth nodded, acknowledging the strategic approach Ren envisioned. "Conquering the southern realm first is a prudent move. It allows us to establish a foothold and demonstrate our capability. Once we have a secure base and the people's support, we will easily be able to conquer another land."
___________
Emberwood city.
"Milady!" The urgent call echoed through the city hall of Emberwood.
"What is it? Speak." Countess Maresha demanded, her eyes filled with concern.
"A Church of Light convoy was ambushed by an Oscana Barony," reported a messenger, his voice strained. "The supplies meant for our city have been seized, and the citizens are growing restless. There's a fear that riots may break out."
Countess Maresha's expression darkened. she looks at her steward. "Check at the warehouse to see how much supplies we have left. We may need to ration them carefully until we can secure new shipments."
The steward nodded and hurried off to assess the city's remaining resources.
"Prepare a message to the Church of Light," Countess Maresha instructed another council member. "The supplies are now in the hands of the Oscana Barony."
"If they stopped sending supplies to Emberwood City, it would probably fall within a week."
The council member quickly drafted a message, detailing the ambush and the loss of crucial supplies. Countess Maresha knew that the situation was dire, and the fate of Emberwood County was bleak.
"Grand Master Albert if the church cannot aid us within a week, please bring my citizen under the protection of the Church of Light. they cannot withstand a siege without the necessary supplies," Countess Maresha pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.
Grand Master Albert nodded solemnly. "Lady Maresha, we will do our best to protect the citizens of Emberwood. Our temples and sanctuaries will be open to those seeking refuge."
"There is a secret tunnel under the city hall that leads to the Glowing Grove, it was built centuries ago as an emergency escape route, it could be a way for the citizens to get out of the city safely if the city is under siege again." Father Matthias suggested, joining the conversation.
"Father Matthias, can you perform that divine spell again?" Countess Maresha inquired, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope.
Father Matthias nodded solemnly, "Yes, Lady Maresha, I can do it again, but after I use it, I will be in a weak state for the whole day."
"Sunburst can counter their amazing abilities like mass healing and resurrection, but it can only last for an hour or so. It is a powerful but draining spell," Father Matthias explained.
"Is there any spell to counter mass healing and resurrection? like Sunburst." Countess Maresha asks.
"How about acid Rain? the mage probably can use that spell." Give Grand Master Albert an option on how to deal with the Barony of Oscana.
"Acid Rain could be a viable option to disrupt mass healing and resurrection spells. The corrosive nature of acid may hinder the spellcasters' ability to maintain concentration and execute their magical abilities effectively. It won't directly counter the spells, but it can create an environment that makes it challenging for them to perform complex magical rituals."
"Additionally, Acid Rain can have a broader impact on the battlefield, affecting not only the spellcasters but also the enemy troops. It could cause confusion, weaken their defenses, and provide an advantage for our forces during the ensuing conflict."
"However, it's crucial to consider the potential collateral damage and its impact on the citizens and infrastructure. If we choose to employ Acid Rain, we must do so strategically, minimizing harm to the citizen while maximizing its disruptive effects on the enemy forces."
After listening to Grand Master Albert talk about the strategy for using Acid Rain, Father Matthias feels that something is missing. "I feel like we are missing something, have any of you seen their spellcasters, how they are able to resurrect someone or cast a mass healing spell?"