"Based on the speed they were moving at, I'd say we've got maybe about half an hour to forty-five minutes before they reach the Capital. And looking at their sheer number, it'd be overkill to send all of them to the Capital, so I'm guessing the Undead King has likely planned to spread out his forces across the entire nation. And if that's the case, many of the cities, towns and villages are probably already under attack," Surmised Aster with a grimace, as he adjusted the straps on his leather armor.
About twenty minutes had passed since The Irregulars caught sight of the undead army flying above them, and they were currently in the middle of preparing to set out to the Capital.
"If so, then should we really be going to the Capital? Shouldn't we stop by those other locations first and deal with the undead forces sent there?" Suggested Celia with a look of concern.
"Yeah, I agree. I mean, shouldn't we lend our support to those places since it'll be the Commoners who will be most affected by this attack? I'd much rather help save them than members of the Nobility," Frowned Ravella in agreement.
"I understand how you feel, I feel the same way myself, but the most practical option is to go to the Capital. We can't afford to stretch ourselves to thin and wear ourselves out, and we can't let our emotions dictate our decisions here...we may well have to end up fighting the Undead King, and if we aren't at a hundred percent, or at least close to it, he'll absolutely massacre us. Given how powerful and dangerous he is, we simply don't have the luxury of trying to save everyone...this battle won't end until he's defeated, we could cut down half his forces and it wouldn't make much of a difference so long as he's still kicking, he can keep replenishing his forces using the causalities of battle. As much as I'd like to go save the civilians in the other locations, the more prudent option is to head to the Capital and take down the Undead King," Replied Aster with a conflicted look on his face.
"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but I can't deny that you have a point. We could save dozens of the Commoner civilians, but it won't matter if the Undead King ultimately wins the battle, everyone will die if that happens," Responded Raven with a grimace.
"We'll just gave to hope that the Knights in those places can handle things in their respective locations long enough, until the Undead King is brought down," Added Tacitus with a slight sigh.
"Tch, I hate that we're going to help the Knights and Nobles while effectively abandoning the Commoners...just so you know, if a see a Noble about to be killed by undead creatures, I'm not gonna waste any energy saving them, you can be certain of that," Spoke up Lexia with a huff.
"Even if it's a little kid? You'd really watch an innocent child get brutally killed right in front of you? Damn, that's pretty heartless," Responded Colt with a raised eyebrow.
"N-no, in that case, I would-...tch, shut up, don't try to make me look like a jerk, you asshole!" She shot back indignantly.
"Wow, you two are really close, huh?" Remarked Ravella in bemusement.
"Heh, I know, right? We're super close, as close as can be," Replied Colt with a beaming grin, as he patted Lexia's head.
"Wh-wha...!? We absolutely are not!" She snapped as she smacked his hand away.
"Ahem...that's enough messing around, guys," Sighed Aster with a stern look.
"Wha-...I didn't even do anything, he's the one who-...!" Began Lexia with a heated look on her face.
"Okay, okay, just calm down, this is no time to get all heated and riled up. Compose yourself and get ready...it's time to head out," Declared Aster, a look of determination appearing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Capital...
"Amethyst City has just been attacked! The enemy is already halfway through to the Capital and closing in fast, it won't be much longer before they arrive here!"
"The evacuations have been completed! However, we've suffered a large number of civilian casualties, several of the Knights in those locations have been killed as well!"
"Viscount Sapphire is refusing to allow the Commoners to take refuge in his mansion, Captain Rione is requesting permission to use force!"
"Vice-Captain Jacks is requesting urgent backup!"
"The members of the Third Squad are being massacred, they've submitted multiple requests for backup as well!"
"Damn it, this is total chaos," Jules muttered to herself, before quickly giving out commands and instructions, doing her best to keep a cool head and assess the situation objectively.
Half an hour had passed since she received the first report of the undead army entering the nation, she was currently in the communications center of the Knights' headquarters, to try and keep track of the situation and adapt to any urgent developments as quickly as possible.
There was a near-constant stream of calls coming in from the Knight outposts all over the nation, the Knights in the headquarters were barely able to keep up with it.
"Damn it, this is much worse than I thought...even with splitting up his forces all throughout the nation, he has enough numbers to overwhelm every location. If The Irregulars hadn't wiped out so many of his forces already, who knows how bad things would be right now?
The situation is dire, we just don't have enough forces on our side...I wish I could give a positive response to the requests for backup, but the Knights are already spread too thin, we can't afford to spare any manpower," Jules thought to herself as she began tapping her foot on the floor anxiously.
Even the cities in which the First and Second Squad Captains were located in were struggling to keep the undead forces in check, overwhelmed by their sheer number.
Meanwhile, the members of the Third Squad were being slaughtered. They were already significantly weakened thanks to The Irregulars having killed all their highest-ranked Knights, and what was left of the squad were effectively a liability.
Jules had relayed instructions to the Knights in each location to immediately go back up one of the other areas under attack as soon as they dealt with the enemies in their location...but with the way things were going, it was increasingly starting to seem like that wouldn't be happening, at least not anytime soon.
She'd further instructed them to only come to the Capital if and when the undead forces in all the other locations were defeated...despite knowing that defeating the Undead King was the main priority in this battle, she just couldn't bring herself to command the Knights to abandon the civilians in the other locations under attack.
"Is this really the best move, Commander? Shouldn't we prioritize and concentrate our forces here in the Capital, since the Undead King will almost certainly come straight here?" Inquired Tilda with a frown.
"Maybe so, but we can't just abandon the people outside of the Capital...the fact is, our squad is primarily tasked with safeguarding the Capital, while the other squads are responsible for the protecting the rest of the nation. Our squad hasn't done anything for the people outside of the Capital, despite the hardships they endure at the hands of the Nobility...with that in mind, it wouldn't be fair for us to take away what little protection they have and effectively sentence them to death, I can't do that.
As I understand it, the main task of the Knight Order as a whole is to protect the people, not specifically the Royals and Nobles, but the Commoners as well. Of course, depending on how dire the situation gets, we may well end up having no choice but to request backup from the other squads...we cannot win this battle without defeating the Undead King, after all. This might be the wrong decision...but it's not a decision I regret," Stated Jules without hesitation.
"Well, if you're sure."
"I am, it's-...," She began, before trailing off as the door swung open, another Knight rushing into the room.
"They're here, Commander! Our scouts on the south wall of the city just spotted a horde of flying undead creatures fast approaching the Capital, they'll reach the city any second now!"
"And the Undead King? Is there any sight of him?" Responded Jules with a grimace.
"Unsure, Commander, the creatures weren't close enough yet to get a proper look at them when I received word from the scouts."
"Hm, I see...the odds of him being among the approaching horde of undead are high, so we'll assume that he is. Now, then, it's time to fight...put your lives on the line and protect our city with everything you've got! Failure is not an option. Do I make myself clear?"