*Boom!*
"Sir, we can't handle any more of this. We lost too many when the theocracy used one of their grand magics." A soldier came running up. His forehead full of sweat.
"There is not much else I can do. Do you think I like the fact that our people are dying one after the other? But if we do not at least try to stop them here, we will end up letting all those innocent lives being captured as slaves. We have no choice but to fight!" The general held the entire country on his shoulders. He had split off what was left of his men in order to evacuate as many towns and villages as possible. He knew he was only sacrificing the men on the front lines to let the citizens escape, but he had no other choice. This was why he was still on the front lines himself. He would not run when his men were here dying to protect the lives of every beastkin in the Rural Kingdom.
"I understand, sir! I was wrong!" The soldier felt new vigor and quickly ran out of the command tent. He knew their General was not going to run away. He was here to give them support and die with them if such a thing came to be.
---
Beastionia capital, Rural Kingdom...
"Your Majesty, General Tolan is holding the line the best he can, but after that attack, it seems were are on the losing end." An old man with white wings on his back and grey hair announced as he walked into the room.
Claine let out a sigh and tapped the armrest of his throne. "You are my military advisor. What do you think I should do, Briggs?"
"I am at a loss myself, your highness. Until we get reinforcements from Stone Hammer, we will not be able to formulate any plans except for what we have now. Our lack of manpower is our biggest issue at this time. We would be holding out fine if half our forces were not wiped out. If they decided to launch another attack of that scale, the war will be lost." Briggs let out a sigh. He had been trying to formulate plan after plan, but nothing he came up with was worth mentioning. He really could not come up with any way of getting out of this mess.
At that moment, the doors to the throne room opened, and a young girl walked in. She was not of the beastkin race but of the human race. This was the adopted daughter that Claine had taken in recently, Princess Tilia. "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. If I may be so bold."
Claine smiled and nodded his head. "Little Tilia, I have told you many times to just call me Father. Anyway, that is not important right now. What is your suggestion?"
"I wish to go to the front lines. Although my ability to fight is lacking, I can at least help heal the injured. I can not stand by while people are dying. I have only been in the Rural Kingdom for a short while, but everyone has already been so kind to me. I do not wish to be sitting idly if it means letting more people die." Tilia clenched her fist and gazed at Claine with a strong determination. She had mustered up every last ounce of her courage to make this decision. She did not want to lose out to her own fear now.
"Father, Fifth Sister is right! I will also go to the front lines. My abilities with magic can be useful there." Another person came into the room. It was a young man who resembled Claine a lot. He stood next to Tilia and placed his big hand on her head, and smiled. "I will also protect Fifth Sister."
This young man was Claine's son, the Second Prince Lukas. At first, he was one of the ones who glared at Tilia when she was announced to be his new sister. He despised her due to her race. But because of how kind and cute Tilia was, his heart quickly melted, turning him into a doting older brother. He was not the only one either, all the princesses and princes now doted on her. She had become someone important to the entire royal family. When he heard she was willing to rush to the front lines, he could not sit still and wanted to go with her to keep her out of danger.
"Father!" Another four people walked in, all wearing armor and wielding swords. They were all the princes and princesses of the Rural Kingdom.
A young Elegant tiger girl walked forward and knelt down. "Father, we have all come to a decision. My sisters and brothers will also go to the battlefield. We will do our best to keep our people safe!"
Claine began to tear up. He knew this was mostly due to Tilia, but he still felt his kids were all good. "I will allow it. Remember one thing. The battlefield is not a place you can play around in. Your life or death can be decided at any second. I pray that you will all be safe."
"Yes, Father!" All the princes and princesses, including Tilia, all bowed their heads before turning around and leaving the throne room.
"Your Majesty, are you sure you want to let them go?" Briggs asked.
"You saw their determination. They would go even if I told them not to. But this is also good. I would rather them fight on the front lines and die there than be taken as slaves. Our current situation is dire. We can only hold off for a few more days. After that, the humans will push further and further into our homelands. Many will suffer..." Claine leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "Briggs, don't let that girl find out Little Tilia is going to the front lines. In fact, send someone to escort her to Stone Hammer. If anything, the future hope for all beastkin lies with her."
"Right away, Your Majesty."