"Young master, a one hundred thousand strong army is approaching us. They have more than five thousand veterans and twenty rank 1 extraordinary," Ayame informed Drake, her tone urgent but calm.
"That's the largest force they've sent so far," Drake mused. "We need to be prepared."
This wasn't the first time they had been targeted by a significant force. Multiple ambush attempts had been foiled thanks to the twins' scouting. But the army approaching them that time was the biggest of all.
Whenever an army attacked them they always knew their rough location. They always killed all the enemies in the outposts so that the Draconis kingdom could not easily trace them.
However, some cockroaches were not fazed by death. Those cockroaches were the players who participated in the war. After dying those players were unable to play for two days but they could still inform their friends from the real world about who attacked them.
That was the reason that despite not leaving any survivors they were still followed and attacked by the enemy fighters. Their group had created very high notoriety among the Draconis soldiers because of their continuous destruction of the Draconis outposts.
"Isolde, do you believe me?" Drake asked after a moment of contemplation.
"My lord, you don't even need to ask. Just give the order, and we will execute it," Isolde replied with unwavering confidence, showing no fear despite the approaching large army.
Drake smiled upon hearing her words. The last five days of fighting together had turned them all into his staunch supporters. They were deeply impressed by his leadership and martial skills, particularly his willingness to lead from the front despite his noble background.
He checked their loyalty levels, noting they were all above eighty points. His efforts to win over this group of battle-hardened soldiers were paying off. It required such dedication to conquer their trust and loyalty.
"With your trust in me, I am confident we can overcome this challenge," Drake said gratefully. "We will continue as before. My subordinates will not interfere in the fight unless it's necessary. However, there is one change: Aria will join us."
He noticed a flicker of confusion on Isolde's face. "She will not fight but will participate as our military advisor," he clarified.
Isolde and her soldiers were visibly shocked when they heard Drake mention Aria as their military advisor. Their respect for Drake's subordinates had already been high due to their extraordinary strength, but this new revelation elevated their admiration for Aria.
They knew Drake wasn't the type to joke about such matters or give undue praise. If he said Aria would be their military advisor, it meant she possessed significant skills.
There was a military advisor in their kingdom but he was below average even then he was treated as a royal guest and had the same status as the grand marshal of the kingdom. He was also part of the war and provided strategies for the army.
Their respect for Drake also increased even more. Such a figure respected by even the royal family was Drake's subordinate. That only proved that Drake was a lord worth following for such a talent.
Aria perked up at the mention of her name. She was thrilled to have another opportunity to showcase her talents after the goblin raid. During the event, her mother had handled most of the strategies, and the rabid nature of the monster attacks required little tactical finesse.
But now, she could demonstrate the strategies she had discussed with her mother and the knowledge she had gleaned from numerous military tactic books she bought from the shop.
"I will not let you down, young master," Aria said with determination.
"Good, then all of us will follow your orders," Drake replied confidently.
"How long will it take for them to reach us?" Aria asked Ayame.
"Their convoy will arrive in half an hour," Ayame answered.
Aria nodded, quickly formulating a plan. "If I remember correctly, there is a dense forest about two kilometers from here. It will be difficult for their vehicles to navigate through it, forcing them to proceed on foot," she mused, thinking about the nearby geography.
"Everyone, pack up your things. We will leave in twenty minutes," Aria ordered with a firm voice. "We'll head to the forest and let them see us going in. They should follow us, but we need to maintain enough distance while still being visible to them."
The soldiers quickly packed their belongings, moving with practiced efficiency. After twenty minutes, they set off toward the forest at a measured pace. The tension was palpable as they approached the dense tree line, the sounds of the approaching convoy growing louder.
By the time they reached the forest, the enemy convoy was in sight. The urgency in the air heightened. They rapidly entered the forest, traveling as far as possible on their vehicles before abandoning them and dispersing into the thick foliage.
The forest was dense, with towering trees and thick underbrush providing ample cover. The soldiers moved swiftly and silently, finding strategic positions among the trees. The anticipation was electric as they waited for the enemy to follow.
…
"Lieutenant Jared, we've spotted the Aleria soldiers. They drove into the forest. It seems they've noticed us and are trying to hide," a captain reported, his tone smug.
"Ha, those cowards," Jared scoffed. "They can only manage sneak attacks on unsuspecting outposts, but when it comes to a real fight, they run away with their tails between their legs."
"Follow them. The forest will be their grave," Jared ordered, his voice dripping with disdain.
"As ordered, Lieutenant Jared," the captain replied, quickly relaying the orders to the troops.
The soldiers entered the forest, their vehicles navigating the dense underbrush with difficulty. As they advanced, the path grew narrower, and progress slowed. Finally, they were forced to stop.
"Lieutenant Jared, the forest is too dense to continue with the vehicles. We've found the abandoned vehicles of the Aleria soldiers. They must have continued on foot," the captain informed with a hint of frustration in his voice.
Jared's eyes narrowed. "Order everyone to disembark. No matter where they run, today will be their last day," he commanded, his voice cold and unwavering.
The soldiers quickly obeyed, dismounting and readying their weapons. The dense canopy of trees loomed overhead, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. The sounds of the forest surrounded them, adding to the tension.
Unbeknownst to them, Drake's forces lay in wait, ready to turn the forest into a battleground. The stage was set for a confrontation that would test their mettle and resolve.
…
"Lady Aria, they've left their vehicles and are now walking deeper into the forest," a soldier reported. "They've found the fake trails we left and have divided into two groups."
"Freya, take fifty soldiers and loot the enemy vehicles," Aria commanded.
"Yes, Lady Aria," Freya acknowledged and swiftly departed with her team.
"Isolde, take the rest of the soldiers and harass the group on the left. Remember, your main mission is to harass, not to kill," Aria instructed. "Young master, please provide Isolde with long-range support for now."
"Yes, Lady Aria," Isolde responded, leading her troops into the forest.
"Sure, no problem, Aria," Drake said with a smile, following Isolde and her soldiers.
The dense forest canopy cast long shadows, creating an eerie atmosphere as Freya and her team bypassed the Draconis fighters. The rustling leaves and snapping twigs heightened their senses as they moved stealthily.
Arriving at the convoy, Freya signaled her soldiers to begin looting. They worked quickly, using the storage rings Drake had provided to store everything efficiently. The supplies were vast: military rations, water, ammunition, explosives, weapon repair kits, medical supplies, fuel, spare communication equipment, offensive and defensive equipment, camping gear, and various other essentials like torches, maps, and compasses.
The soldiers' faces lit up with evil and excited smiles as they emptied the fuel tanks and packed everything away. The sheer amount of supplies they collected would cripple the enemy's ability to sustain their forces.
Meanwhile, Isolde and her team arrived near one of the groups of the Draconis army. Approximately fifty thousand soldiers were scattered, searching for them. The dense forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and snapping twigs, making every movement a potential threat.
Isolde signaled her soldiers to target a small group of enemy soldiers. They hid in the dense foliage atop trees, watching as the Draconis soldiers moved cautiously through the thick vines and undergrowth.
On Isolde's signal, they dropped down silently, their swords plunging into their targets with deadly precision. The enemy soldiers fell silently, their expressions frozen in surprise.
Before the nearby soldiers could register what had happened, Isolde and her team were already climbing back into the trees, blending into the dense canopy.
"Enemy attack!" a nearby soldier shouted, his voice tinged with panic.
Another soldier quickly took out a walkie-talkie to inform his superiors, but a gunshot rang out.
BANG
A bullet hit the walkie-talkie, shattering it and puncturing the soldier's hand. He screamed in pain, clutching his injured hand.
The rest of the soldiers ran towards the direction Isolde had retreated, but she and her team used the trees' cover to escape swiftly. Some soldiers decided to chase the source of the gunshot, but Drake had already moved to a different position after taking the shot.
They moved to a different location a few kilometers away, blending into the dense forest. Each soldier selected a target, executing lethal takedowns from above with precision.
An archer nearby saw one of the Aleria soldiers and quickly cocked his bow. Just as he was about to release the arrow, a bullet struck his head, killing him instantly. Drake had his sights set on a few more soldiers, picking them off one by one. The enemy soldiers, startled by the sudden gunfire, sought cover behind trees and rocks. Despite their efforts, two more soldiers fell to Drake's bullets, buying Isolde and her team enough time to withdraw.
Drake observed the scene briefly, ensuring his allies were safe before moving to a new position. The harassment continued. They struck swiftly and silently, never staying in one place for long. Each attack was executed from a different location, far from the last.
After Freya finished looting the convoy, she informed Aria, who then ordered her to support Isolde. With the added support, Isolde's team increased their harassment, attacking from the shadows and disappearing into the foliage.
For an hour, they continued this strategy, disrupting and disorienting the enemy soldiers. The Draconis troops, now fully on guard, were constantly looking over their shoulders, expecting an attack from the trees at any moment. The forest had turned into a haunting ground for the enemy, where shadows and whispers became their worst fears.
Satisfied with their efforts, Isolde and her team regrouped and prepared for the next phase of their operation, leaving the Draconis soldiers in a state of heightened alert and confusion.