Intermission

“I am afraid our forces are not enough to stem the tide of their attacks, your Highness,” said an old man in front of her. He was bald, with a wrinkled face and hunched shoulders. He wore a long black robe with a pattern of golden thread. Few would suspect this old, frail man to be a powerful magic caster and a retired member of the Black Scripture.

“Then what about another attempt at killing their general?” Asked the minister, who stood next to the throne.

“Going by the report of the attack by “Crystal Tear” I don’t believe we have a strong enough force to achieve a better result,” the man replied. “Additionally, as per my report, we had encountered a foe of similar strength as well. So, there are at least two such powerful beastman.”

The little girl on the throne sighed. She was Draudillon Oriculus, Queen of the Draconic Kingdom, what was left of it anyway. Her once powerful nation was now half devoured by the invading armies of the beastman.

She faced an unwinnable situation. For a while things were looking better – “Crystal Tear” was minimizing the beastman invasion. Their leader, Cerabrate, fueled by his lust was exceeding her and the minister’s expectations.

And when a group of former Black Scripture members arrived from the Theocracy, she thought the tide would begin to change. And it did, for a bit. With the beastman mostly kept in check by this combination of powerful humans, they decided it would be a perfect time to kill the enemy general and scatter the remaining forces.

They knew in which camp this general stayed, and so they launched their attack. Led by “Crystal Tear” it successfully tore through the disorganized beastman and the adventurers engaged the enemy general. Unfortunately, that was the extent of their good fortune.

“Crystal Tear” had nearly killed the beastman general, when a new group of beastman showed up. It was a small, but a well-organized unit and it quickly pushed the other adventurers back. Meanwhile, the leader of this newcomers engaged “Crystal Tear.” He was a Minotaur warrior wielding a two-handed axe.

He completely overpowered his opponents with a power they could hardly believe. Fighting alone, he killed one of the members of the adamantite group, gravely injured Cerebrate, and injured another member. “Crystal Tear” had no choice but to retreat. With their retreat, the attacking forces completely collapsed, and the rest of the humans had to run for their lives.

Not only did the strategy her minister had come up with to stop the invasion didn’t work. But the presence of such a powerful enemy implied that the beastman could invade any city they wanted, and as long as that Minotaur was present, there was nothing that could stop them.

Worse yet, the former members of the Black Scripture who were sent by the Slane Theocracy to aid the Draconic Kingdom had run into another beastman of, supposedly, similar strength. A Minotaur shaman. Although they did not engage him, as experienced combatants they trusted their instinct.

The morale of the humans was in shambles, and her nation appeared to be finished. The only saving grace of this situation was that the beastman had, for some inexplicable reason stopped their invasion.

“Well, what am I supposed to do?” She inquired the two men present. Also, she had a voice of a young girl, her attitude was that of a tired, older woman.

“Given these new developments, will the Slane Theocracy consider sending us additional reinforcements?” She asked Kraus, the old men in front of her. Capable of using 4th tier spells he was a formidable magic caster and the leader of the group sent to her kingdom.

“I am afraid that given the current political circumstances, they will not,” Kraus replied.

“Perhaps we could request help from the Baharuth Empire,” the Minister offered a suggestion.

“Hmm, they have that magic caster. Fluder? Whatever, he should be able to contend with this powerful minotaurs,” said Draudillon.

“It is as you say, your Highness. But the Empire would never send their trump card to help us. The more likely outcome is one, maybe two of the four imperial knights, along with one or two battalions. And that’s the best case scenario,” her minister poured cold water on her hopes. “Even if they sent two knights and two battalions, it would do little but stall the beastman invasion,” he added.

“Actually, the Baharuth Empire had just signed the documents to become a vassal of the Sorcerer Kingdom a few days ago,” Kraus informed them. “As a vassal state, they can no longer send aid to you without the Sorcerer Kingdom agreeing to it.”

“Then why don’t we ask the Sorcerer Kingdom for help? This Sorcerer King is beyond powerful according to what you’ve told me,” she addressed her minister.

“Would an undead even consider helping humans?” The minister shook his head as he expressed his doubt.

“I am afraid the Sorcerer King is currently occupied. The Holy Kingdom had requested his help against some demon they are facing,” interjected Kraus.

“Then what? We don’t have the gold to higher “Optics” and the countries nearby either can’t or won’t provide us help. What am I supposed to do?!” – Draudillon shouted in a voice was full of anger, panic, and helplessness.

“If I can offer a suggestion,” Kraus began. “Why not request the help of the adamantite group “Darkness,” based in E-Rantel? After E-Rantel was taken by the Sorcerer King, Momon, the leader of the group, became his enforcer,” he explained.

“But would the Sorcerer King allow his enforcer to go to another country? Particularly at a time when he’s away as well?” Asked the minister in doubt.

“A representative of the Theocracy was present when the matter of aid for the Holy Kingdom was discussed. He says the Sorcerer King had anticipated the possibility of a request for help from the Draconic Kingdom. And had instructed Momon to respond to such a request, should it come,” replied Kraus.

“The Theocracy made contact with the undead?” amused, Draudillon said in a somewhat mocking voice. But she quickly regained her composure, while she disliked the Slane Theocracy, she was in no position to offend them.

“How strong could this “Darkness” possibly be? Well, something is better than nothing. Then let’s send the Sorcerer King a request for help,” Draudillon instructed her minister.

 

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