Operations (Part 1)

Sir Berton's fief lay about 230 kilometers outside Kexiu City. It was a standard knight's fief made up of three cavalry holdings. Because the area lay far from the worst of the Demon Calamity, demons had never troubled it, and neither the people nor the local nobles were particularly vigilant against demonic attacks.

Then tragedy struck. Three months earlier, a force of more than four hundred imps and two greater demons had roamed into the area. Their sudden arrival threw everyone into panic, and the people and soldiers alike lost heart.

With four hundred imps and two greater demons, the dark forces soon seized the entire fief. Most of its people fled with Sir Berton; the remaining third died under the demons' attacks.

Now, rebuilding had begun.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye. Some five hundred people worked diligently, raising identical wooden houses along both sides of the planned ten-meter-wide streets.

But human activity soon attracted the demons' attention.

Blood sacrifices were how demons advanced.

A battle was unavoidable if they wanted to keep ordinary residents from facing the demons directly and suffering panic and casualties.

"Tekaxiu, when we get there, watch what I do. Once I break through where the demons are entrenched, lead your men in from the ground. Stick to the tactics we discussed. When the fighting starts, I'll bombard them from above, mainly to take out the greater demons and clear a path for you. The imps will panic in the chaos. That'll be your best chance to attack..." Romon gave Tekaxiu these instructions before climbing onto Lightning.

"Don't worry, sir! I'll wait for your signal!" Tekaxiu said from his warhorse, nodding to Romon.

"Good. This mission shouldn't be too difficult, but stay careful. Get the force moving. I'll travel on Lightning and