~ A Little Earlier ~
The Ridgeline City, the largest city in the Iron Cent Empire. If anyone were to disagree... they must have a screw loose. The City spans about 40 Kilometers of the border between the Empire and the Monster Wild-Lands.
Ridgeline City, bordering the Monster Wild-Lands, is unsurprisingly a fortress city. The entire city is surrounded by a wall 15 meters thick and 30 meters high. At every kilometer there is a tower that stands an additional 10 meters high.
These towers are not built for look outs. Rather they are built purely for defense purposes. The reason being, whatever is coming from the Monster Wild-Lands, doesn't need a lookout tower to see it. They only need to prepare to fight and then do so, at all costs.
However, there is still the need to learn of the happenings in the Monster Wild-Lands. So, to this end, there are numerous forward posts. Some are only a 10 minute ride by horse away from the nearest city gate. However, the city had been tasked with testing a new weapon.
Upon receiving the request several months prior, the city mobilized a mighty force to surge a small temporary post an additional 10 minutes or so away from the city. And it was here, in a rickety looking tower, that two men spied on one singular location. The nest of the Legendary Phoenix Monster.
"How is it looking? Vice-Captain. Are the soldiers performing well?" A tall, muscular man asked. He looked muscular, but also defeated, like the ravages of time had caught up to him.
The other man, the Vice-Captain, was in a similarly sorry state. However, it was even worse for him, he had an eye patch for his right eye, and a stub for his left arm. Though with the help of the center beam supporting him, he was able to stand and remain using the far seeing lens.
"I can see everything clearly, And it looks like the delivery is going well. But... Is this really alright? Why did we choose the Phoenix of all monsters?" The Vice-Captain sighed, lowering the lens to hand over to the Captain.
"You're guess is as good as mine." The Captain said, taking the lens and holding it up for himself. "But, I'm sure I don't have to remind you not to say things like that when we make the report." The Captain added with a light chuckle.
"Don't worry, I'm old, not dumb. I wouldn't dare say that in front of the Lord of Ridgeline City." The Vice-Captain chuckled, lightly. "I guess I just wanted to use it on the Nagath Monsters. Those damn snakes took my arm and a leg. Fortunately the leg is easy to use. But the arm..." He added, looking at his arm with a sorrowful and vengeful look.
"I can understand that. Once we finish this job, let's get some drinks. On me, of course. You did save my life after all. If not for you, my child wouldn't have grown up with a father. She knows this deep down, and is why still tries to find excuses to help you. Yet all I can think of is drinking." The Captain mused.
"No worries, It's quite cute how she does that. And stop bringing it up like it's your fault. You and I both know good and well that monster was a freak. If not for the aid of that freakish boy, I doubt we would have made it out alive." The Vice-Captain grumbled, taking a swig from a small jar.
"Don't tell me you're drinking on the job again?" The Captain sighed.
"What? I'm shocked you aren't!? Those men aren't coming back and you know this as if it was as easy as breathing, for all the gods sake. Don't you remember what the young man back then said? Well, the young boy said..." The Vice-Captain retorted.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, that boy should be around 20 now right? What was his name again..." The Captain said, in a half joking manner.
"Hey! Aren't you a piece of work! The name that boy gave was Aven! A.V.E.N AVEN! Don't you dare forget it, you old bastard." The Vice-Captain shouted, smacking the Captain's shoulder hard.
"Hey Ah! I was kidding. But anyways, Aven or now, Sir High Magus Aven. What was it he said at the time? Something about how legendary Monsters should not be trifled with... I forget the reason. But he seemed overly serious about it. And if a boy who could take down a Nagath that all but wiped out an entire company... There must be a reason." The Captain said with a shutter down his spine.
"Ah, now you feel it don't you? That shiver has been going up and down my spine for the last several hours. Ever since the City Lord ordered our deployment." The Vice-Captain spoke with nervous tension.
"So you weren't just being overly cautious... Do you have any suggestions? I'm all ears." The Captain said with a nervous giggle.
"Yeah, once we return, gather your family and high tail it out of the city. If any of those birds survive... I can promise the city will be destroyed. Call it... A gut feeling. Or maybe an old man's intuition." The Vice-Captain chuckled nervously.
"That's not something I'd like to hear. But oh well..." The Captain sighed. "Alright, use your skill to verify the results. Along with the far seeing lens. I'll use it quickly after." He said handing the lens back.
"Oh that thing? I don't need it, I can already see what's happening in enough detail. Not too difficult with only one eye to focus on it. Though I won't be seeing much else during this time." The Vice-Captain chuckled.
"Oh, I'll hold you to that. But at least take the lens. I have another one anyway." The Captain said, forcing it on his partner.
"You just don't want to be the only one responsible for the fall out don't you? Eh, fine, I threw my lot in with yours long ago. I can't go backing out now... not that I want to." The Vice-Captain smirked.
"Good, let us watch the effects of the Anti-Magic Bomb together." The Captain smirked nervously.