Chapter 54 - Counterattack

While they were doing this, the man described by the soldiers of Nineveh that summoned forth a huge wave to defend the people of Japheth stood at the mountains north of the chaotic lands that was situated beyond a sea. Behind him was a huge tome that was the size of his body, looking so ancient that it looked like it came even before the demons.

The man looked at the other side of the sea and sighed, "So this is the punishment, knowing what would happen yet having absolutely no power to stop it from happening." It was Elric Garenson, the man cursed by the Almighty Goddess.

"I would live just like this? Forever?" Elric gripped his chest, still pitying himself due to his situation. Suddenly, he thought to himself, "Right. She seemed to have vaguely said that I am on an alternate Earth, and that would mean I have no ability to ascertain what would truly happen in the future. If that's the case…" Suddenly, his lips rose, with an idea soaring in his mind.

While he was thinking about his next plan, a loud bang suddenly interrupted his thoughts. From behind him, a huge arm made of stone rose as it gripped on the side of the mountain. A loud growl shook the mountain as a gigantic golem climbed up the mountain and glared at him, or rather, the tome on his back. "Power, Mine!" Elric vaguely heard what the golem said despite of its throaty and gravelly voice.

"Oh, Spirit King, how stupid you are to order the unintelligent and savage Golem King to try and get my tome." After saying this, Elric lifted his hand, and from it, a strong, driving wind pushed the poor Golem King down the high mountain. It was safe to say that the golem didn't make it.

After finishing off the enemy, Elric once more gazed upon the other side, "Still, I didn't expect Shinar of House Nineveh's descendant to be the one to cause the ruckus. I really wish I studied that book more often before." He clicked his tongue and shook his head before turning around, descending the mountain for his long-term plan.

Going back to the main field of war, as Nineveh prepared their forces while their heads were over the clouds, Jerusalem was already turning their cogs of war. First, in a quick manner, they infiltrated the occupied city of Tiren, shushed the soldiers within, and raised the city and its outskirt's defenses. Although it had been a very long time since the last brutal war had happened, common tactics had still been retained quite a bit.

Jerusalem began pouring huge amounts of manpower into the city, empowering all their men that held the garrison. When Nineveh sent their forces to the City of Tiren to group their forces, they were first confused as to why its barriers were closed. When they did get close to the city, multiple men jumped above the wooden barriers. They first thought that it was their allies coming to greet them, but they were shocked to see men with swords and staffs, the typical weapons of the people of Jerusalem.

When they realized what was happening, they were too late as the men within the city charged at them with an overwhelming force. Multiple magic attacks fired from Jerusalem's side, and in an instant, several people had already died in the Ninevite ranks. Swords and spears clashed as the men were caught in a bitter battle. Behind the barrier, rows of choir sung praises to God and discrediting the men of Nineveh, further affecting their mental state

When the battle ended, a total of about 10,000 casualties were burned, their ashes returning to the heavens. After that, Jerusalem's men recuperated before continuing to march towards the gates of Shinar.

This time, Nineveh was alerted of their defeat in Tiren. Furious, Nimrod gathered all the men he could muster, even the artisans that was building the tower in the city.

At dusk, the men of Jerusalem arrived just a mile away from the city. A 19-year old teen clad in white armor looked at the city and its tower that was already three floors high with sadness, knowing full well the greed of Nimrod and the lengths he would go to achieve what he desires. He was assigned by his uncle Asshur, the current ruler of Jerusalem, to lead the fight against the Ninevites, knowing that he was capable enough to defeat his uncle's old friend. He turned to the man behind him and issued his command, "Let the men rest for the night. Tomorrow would surely be a long and bloody fight."

"I'll relay the order, Prince Cainan." The man nodded before turning back, leaving him to gaze at the tower within. It was supposed to be a tower of magnificence, bringing humanity closer to their creator. Why did its creators turn against the teachings of The Almighty?

Cainan, in a serious and grieving manner, clasped his hands together and prayed, "May the Lord, our God, forgive us for what we are about to do."

The next morning, as the sun rises, casting its warm and comfortable glow at the camp of Jerusalem, Cainan sent his orders to begin the assault.

Several balls of flame flew from the hills outside Shinar, blasting the walls of the unaware Nineveh. Screams ensued as the sight of at least several tens of thousands of men charging at the gates were seen by the guards of the city.

When the news reached the King of Nineveh, Nimrod slapped the nearest man to him, blasting his head into a mess of blood and brain mush. "Make sure that they don't get near the city gates alive!"

With that order, the soldiers of Nineveh began to move. The gates of Shinar opened as thousands of men began to assume formations. On the top of the walls, the Ninevite Magi began to chant as fireballs began to form at the tip of their staffs. An exchange of magic attacks began as Magi from opposing sides bombarded the men that were similarly bombarding them. Similar to the Tiren scenario, men from behind Jerusalem's ranks began to chant like choir, discouraging the enemy lines from even fighting back, in fear of God's retaliation and losing His favor.