In the outpost camp, an army camp nestled in a dense forest, providing a natural barrier to the prying eyes of the enemy.
The soldiers were temporarily stationed to heal and rest after a grueling battle against the noble alliance army.
In the camp canteen, two knights sat together near a crackling fire, their armor glinting with a soft glow.
Cedric, a warrior with a scarred face, took a sip of beer and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness we have Lord Maximus by our side; otherwise, we would be dead meat against such a large enemy force.”
The battle had happened just two days ago, but even now, he still shivered when he recalled such a battle. He was not scared of the enemy, as they could escape as long as things got out of hand, but it was the magic spell of their lord that frightened him. Such a large-scale spell and the enemy didn’t even have a chance to react before freezing into a sculpture of their nightmare.
“Indeed, fortunately, Lord Maximus is on our side; otherwise…” Galen, a younger knight with a mop of unruly hair, nodded in agreement.
He still recalled how the enemy soldier woke up from their short coma after being unfrozen, they were delirious with shock and shivering, as if they were naked in the middle of a snowstorm.
As Cedric and Galen continued their conversation, the loud voice of Lieutenant Gabriel echoed through the canteen, calling for their attention.
“Attention, everyone!” Lieutenant Gabriel’s voice boomed, drawing the soldiers’ focus toward him. “Our rest time is over. We’ve received new orders from higher command, and our next target is Maple Leaf City.”
Cedric and Galen exchanged glances, anticipation evident in their eyes. It’s boring to stay in the camp all day, and battles is their most exciting activity.
As they made their way out of the canteen, Cedric and Galen joined their designated team members. The sound of clanging armor and orders filled the air.
…
Maple Leaf City stood in stark contrast to the outpost camp of Moonshadow City. The once bustling streets appeared lonely and weary, mirroring the mood of its people.
The war between the noble alliance and the dukes had left an irreversible mark on the people of the Faerie Kingdom.
In a dimly lit tavern, where the wine had been replaced by water, a group of people sat around a worn wooden table, their faces thin and etched with malnutrition and hunger.
“I heard from someone in another city that was annexed by them that after attacking the city, they would provide fresh food,” an elderly man said with a saddened voice.
He couldn’t care less if they annexed the city, as it had nothing left for them, and he heard that the soldiers were merciful and willing to provide food.
“So what?” a young, thin man interjected with frustration. “We’re not even sure if it’s true, and even if it is, how can it be our turn?”
The group nodded in agreement. The Faerie Kingdom had 93 cities and countless towns and villages. There were approximately 30 cities in close proximity to Moonshadow City that could be annexed, and Maple Leaf City was just one of them, barely on the list. The probability of them being struck is only about three percent.
They didn’t know if they would be even alive by then. The reason was that the noble who managed them, the one providing them with food, had escaped after hearing reports that their leader was killed, or so they had heard.
Even the soldiers guarding the city had been evacuated, leaving behind the elderly and disabled. Even those burdened with heavy responsibilities or large families couldn’t go.
So the number of guards protecting their city was pitifully low, or even somewhat weak, leaving them vulnerable to bandit attacks. Not that there is anything the bandits can get in their poor city. And if they want to abduct girls for their pleasure, that would be a bit hardcore, as almost all of them are so skinny that you can only feel bones.
…
The sunset draped over Maple Leaf City as a chilling wind blew through the empty streets.
The handful of elderly and disabled soldiers looked at the horizon as an army of soldiers marched toward them.
They exchanged knowing glances. Some were numb, and some were even excited, knowing that it was an army from Moonshadow City that was coming. The rest were puzzled, as the informed soldiers told them about the deeds of the army after annexing a city.
After a brief discussion, one of the guards, an elderly man with a limp, slowly approached the massive gates. With trembling hands, he pushed them, and with a creaking sound, the gates began to open.
Although it was a sign of surrender, none of the guards showed sadness. Each of them excitedly steps aside from the gate to invite the approaching army inside.
…𝑜𝗏𝑳xt.𝗇t
As the army marched closer to Maple Leaf City, their steps faltered as they witnessed the gates slowly opening with the guards stepping aside in surrender.
Confusion and surprise flickered among them, spreading whispers among the soldiers.
“Where is the exciting fight?”
“What about your backbone?”
“I didn’t think it would be this easy.”
But as they looked at the lineup of old and disabled guards, sympathy quickly grew. They thought that this should be the result of their lord’s show of power.
With the noble alliance leader killed, the nobles who maintained these cities had no time for them as they should have already escaped.
The commanding officer, however, maintained a stern expression as he raised his hand to signal the army to halt. He couldn’t risk his troops; maybe it was a trap set by the opposing force.
“Hold your positions and maintain vigilance,” he called out as they slowly marched to the city.
The city inhabitants, instead of cowering in fear, approached them with tentative smiles. It was a weird sight, as they unconsciously lowered their guard.
The people who were talking in the pub earlier were probably the most excited, as if they were awaiting their saviors. They looked at the army to see where they hid their legendary rations that would be distributed to the city inhabitants, or so they had heard.
But to their disappointment, there was not even a vehicle or anything similar in sight. What they didn’t know was that supplies come after they finish conquering a city or after they have rested.
Their disappointment turned into excitement as they heard the sound of rumbling wheels getting closer and closer. A line of carriages, laden with provisions and supplies, rolled into the city.
Earlier, the leading officer responsible for the rations saw that there was no battle for a while, so he took out a long-distance telescope to look. Noticing the commanding officer signal for him to come, he quickly ordered the carriages to move.
The soldiers began to unload the much-needed food for the residents. It dawned on some soldiers that this surrender was not born out of fear of defeat, but out of a desperate struggle that needed relief.
The people of Maple Leaf City received the food and supplies with gratitude, their eyes sparkling.
For the troops, it was a gesture to quickly integrate the people into Lord Maximus’ rule, but for the residents, it was a life-saving thing that alleviated their suffering and prevented further loss of life.
The soldiers couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions–compassion for the plight that the people in the kingdom faced, and a renewed sense of purpose to their mission, knowing that they were saving people who were suffering.
Under the darkening sky, soldiers and citizens mingled, sharing stories and finding solace in this cruel chaos that was happening in the kingdom.