The Twenty-Eighth Act: The Great War Begins III

Caglis suppressed the tension in his heart and recounted everything he had seen. After the Viero left flank collapsed, Count Jacques had established a defensive position in a forest, hoping to use the terrain to limit the effectiveness of Madara's Skeleton Cavalry and Fear Spirits. After losing their left flank, the Vieroan defensive line had become extremely narrow, leaving them surrounded on three sides by the Undead Army. Madara had sent Skeleton Warriors to attack. The Vieroan elite crossbowmen were almost completely ineffective against the Bone Frames; only crossbow bolts sanctified by priests of the Temple of Flames had the expected effect. But there were too few of them, so they had essentially no impact on the battle. Skeleton Warriors were slightly weaker than human soldiers, but they had overwhelming numbers. With the Vieroan elite crossbowmen unable to contribute, the remaining thousand-plus knights and heavy infantry had been thrown into a bitter struggle.

Like every human army that had fought the undead, the Vieroans resisted fiercely. Madara's Dark Nobles were accustomed to this, and their response was simple: exchange casualties with the Vieroans regardless of the cost. Brando understood as soon as he heard this that Count Jacques was in grave danger. Skeletons were resistant to arrows, yet the Vieroans had somehow failed to bring enough military priests. They were practically courting death. Madara, on the other hand, was rich in experience. Its undead army did not tire and was unaffected by casualties, while humans could not bear the despair of watching one comrade after another fall beside them. Sure enough, the Vieroans soon fell into chaos.

"So the Vieroans are finished?" Brando asked.

"They're almost finished, my lord. But they're still tying down Madara's infantry. The Vieroan elite heavy crossbowmen aren't much of a threat to skeletons, but they