The once-peaceful city of Rondel, renowned for its Magic Academy and esteemed sorcerers, was now a scene of utter devastation. The streets, once lined with bustling markets and vibrant shops, were now filled with the sounds of screams, clashing steel, and the acrid smell of smoke. The city's inhabitants, a mix of mages, research sages, alchemists, and ordinary citizens, were fighting for their lives against a horde of insane soldiers and local robbers.
The soldiers, who had escaped from the Romalia mountains, had been driven mad by some unknown force, and now they attacked the city with reckless abandon. The mages and alchemists, who had once worked together in harmony, were now fighting side by side to repel the invaders. Despite their valiant efforts, the sheer number of attackers was beginning to take its toll.
Lady Mimoza, a respected mage and leader of the city's defense, stood tall amidst the chaos. Her eyes blazed with determination as she rallied her fellow mages and alchemists. "Don't break! We have to keep them here! Others can escape!" she shouted above the din of battle.
But despite her bravery, the situation was growing increasingly dire. The invaders seemed to be everywhere, their numbers endless. The city's defenders were beginning to tire, their magic and strength waning.
Meanwhile, a force led by Altair was marching towards Rondel. Altair, a seasoned warrior and leader, had been tasked with gathering information from the city. But as she approached the city, she realized that the situation was far more complex than she had anticipated.
"Mam, we were just told to gather information. What are we going to do with so many troops?" asked a Beastman, who was driving Altair's car.
Altair's expression was grim. "We were tasked to gather information. But what guarantee is there that the people of that city will not attack us? Also, I brought only three thousand soldiers. If the people of the city refuse to give us information, we will forcefully collect the information."
The Beastman nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
As they approached the city, a screen appeared in front of Altair, displaying a Demon in a military uniform. "Madam, the city has been attacked by the imperial troops. Many places in the city are on fire. What is your order?"
Altair's expression darkened. "What? ... that barbaric empire ..... we need to gather information from the city. It's good. ... tell the soldiers to rush to the city. Kill all the invading forces in the city. We have to save the city."
The Demon nodded, and the screen disappeared. Altair turned to her soldiers. "Let's move out! We have a city to save!"
The battle was intense, with both sides trading blows and neither gaining the upper hand. Mimoza, Arpeggio, and the surviving mages were surrounded by the invaders, their magic and strength waning.
Arpeggio a mage "I can't die like this here. I haven't lost my sister yet," Arpeggio said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Mimoza's expression was grim. "Are you still thinking about her?"
Arpeggio nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "But I don't think I'll ever see her again."
Just then, a soldier attacked Arpeggio, striking her in the back with a sword. She fell to the ground, her body weak and battered.
Mimoza rushed to her side, but was stabbed in the chest by another robber. She fell to the ground, her body motionless.
The invaders closed in, their swords raised high. But just as all seemed lost, a group of soldiers led by Altair burst onto the scene, cutting down the invaders with ruthless efficiency.
The battle was fierce, with both sides trading blows and neither gaining the upper hand. But slowly, the tide began to turn in favor of Altair's forces. The invaders were pushed back, their numbers dwindling.
As the dust settled, Arpeggio slowly opened her eyes, her body weak and battered. She saw the invading soldiers lying dead, their bodies strewn about the street. She saw Mimoza, her body motionless on the ground.
And then she saw Altair, her expression grim and determined. "We're here to help," Altair said, her voice firm and authoritative. "We'll protect this city and its people."
Arpeggio's eyes widened in surprise, and then she lost consciousness, her body exhausted.
...
Bozes, a seasoned warrior and leader, looked grimly at her companions as she pointed to the fortress city on the map.
"Three days! It will take three days for the Order to reach Italica!"
"By then it could be too late!" Panache objected.
Bozes nodded, her expression grim. "Yes. Even forcing the march, it will still take two days and the foot will be worn out. What we will do is this: Vifita, you will take command of the main force. Move them along as fast as you can, ready to fight. Panache, you and I will take our best riders and horses and hurry on to Italica!"
Vifita acknowledged her instructions unhappily, although she understood their sense. She still would have preferred to be part of the advanced party but someone had to remain in command here. She looked at her two friends. "I'll see you at Italica then."
"At Italica," Bozes promised.