General Oscar led an army of 50,000 soldiers and ample supplies on a grueling march. Along the way, he established several border outposts to ensure Strongson's defenses remained stable during the upcoming battle. To secure the rear, he stationed 10,000 troops in the eastern regions, ensuring that even if the battle at the front turned intense, chaos would not erupt at the rear. After days of arduous travel, Oscar finally arrived at the frontline, where he met with King Leon.
Upon their meeting, Oscar succinctly relayed Duke Horace's intricate arrangements—how funds, supplies, and troops were mobilized to ensure the frontline would no longer suffer from logistical constraints. King Leon listened intently, his expression solemn, yet the gratitude in his eyes was unmistakable. After days of challenges and reflection, Leon felt he had truly stepped into his role as a capable ruler.
"When this war is over, everyone will be rewarded accordingly—especially you and Duke Horace," Leon said, rising and placing a firm hand on Oscar's shoulder, his gaze unwavering. "Our victory is not just for the kingdom's stability but for every person who stands beside me. Once this war concludes, we will greatly reward the soldiers who have achieved such remarkable feats."
Oscar nodded stoically, though inwardly he felt a slight sense of relief. Over the years, he had never fully trusted Leon. But now, for the first time, he glimpsed the king's determination—the resolve that could lead an army to victory. He knew this battle would not only determine the fate of Strongson but the future of everyone involved.
With Oscar's arrival, Leon's forces quickly assembled, their morale soaring to unprecedented heights. This battle would not merely be a retaliation against the coalition forces but also a decisive moment to cement Leon's claim to the throne. Once reorganized, Leon's total force swelled to over 200,000 soldiers, vastly outnumbering the coalition. With supplies in abundance, the soldiers brimmed with confidence, ready for the impending clash.
Meanwhile, Darius Walter and his elite detachment had been lurking behind the coalition forces for days. As a seasoned commander, Darius led a force of 20,000 in a high-stakes mission: to exploit vulnerabilities in the enemy's rear. His troops had covertly set up ambushes along the coalition's supply lines, poised to strike at the first signal of battle.
"The moment the frontline engages, we will launch a decisive assault on the coalition's supply lines, targeting Matul," Darius declared coldly. "Matul has already deployed nearly all its troops to Eldenia. This attack will inflict unprecedented damage on the enemy. Without adequate supplies, their forces will crumble, even if they manage to hold the frontline."
His sharp eyes gleamed with the confidence of a tactician who knew precisely where to strike. If Darius could sever the coalition's supply lines and destabilize Matul, the ripple effects would be devastating. Chaos at the rear would throw the coalition into disarray, giving Strongson a significant advantage.
With Leon's reinforcements in place, Zack's Silver Wolf tribe discreetly roamed the battlefield's periphery, swiftly relaying enemy movements to Arthur. These keen scouts allowed Arthur to discern the full scope of Leon's preparations, leaving him acutely aware of the high stakes of the impending clash.
On the second day after Leon's forces regrouped, the first rays of dawn illuminated a battlefield shrouded in tension. The horns of war echoed across the plains as the siege engines roared to life. The thunderous cannon fire reverberated through the air, striking the coalition's fortifications with relentless force. The walls of Whitehold trembled under the barrage, and the defenders' morale began to waver. Leon's soldiers advanced like a relentless tide, their determination to claim victory palpable.
Though the coalition's defenses held firm initially, they began to falter under the overwhelming assault. Every bombardment tested their resolve, and doubt seeped into the minds of the soldiers. Some began questioning the purpose of the fight, their will to resist shaken. Yet their leader, King Edmond, remained resolute, directing the defense with unwavering focus. He understood that retreat was tantamount to surrender, but even his confidence began to wane as the situation deteriorated.
Behind the coalition lines, Darius Walter's forces struck with precision, targeting Matul's supply convoys bound for Eldenia. In a single day, Matul's supply lines crumbled under the relentless assault. The ambushes, orchestrated with deadly efficiency, disrupted the coalition's logistics, placing immense pressure on their forces. Darius's actions created a cascading effect of disorder and panic, forcing Matul's troops to divert resources and manpower to defend their rear.
King Edmond felt the noose tightening around the coalition. The combined blows from the frontline assault and the disruption of their supplies left him with few options. He turned to Arthur, his trusted warrior and strategist, with desperation in his voice.
"Arthur, what should we do now? If Whitehold falls, should we retreat to Horace's position?" Edmond asked, his anxiety palpable.
Arthur, seated calmly at the war table, scrutinized the map before him. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke with measured clarity.
"Your Majesty, retreat is not the best course of action. If we withdraw now, we lose not only this battle but also the coalition's morale. The entire war could shift against us. We must hold Whitehold to the last. If it falls, Horace's position may not guarantee our safety either. War is unpredictable, and hesitation can be fatal."
Arthur's steady tone and piercing gaze conveyed both his resolve and the gravity of the situation. His words carried a weight that silenced Edmond's doubts, instilling a renewed sense of determination.
"Very well," Edmond said, nodding firmly. "We fight to the end. If the situation becomes truly untenable, only then will we consider retreat."
As the coalition forces braced for a grueling defense, Horace's final reinforcement arrived with much-needed supplies and troops, bolstering the coalition's strength. Upon reaching Whitehold, Arthur directed Zack and Horace's reinforcements to rush to Matul's aid, aiming to counter Darius Walter's offensive and stabilize the rear.
The fate of the battlefield—and the future of the war—now hinged on a delicate balance. Every decision, every movement, carried profound consequences. The clash at Whitehold would determine not only the victor of this campaign but also the destiny of Strongson and its neighboring realms.