The Behemoth above the Kingdom Army spotted the approaching fleet.
The Reconnaissance Knights descended to report to Grand Marshal Garkin.
The Kingdom Army on the ground had made a discovery of its own: the Rat King had appeared on the walls of Old Val Town, mocking them from afar.
Word also came from the air: the Greyfur Rats they had been watching had withdrawn into Old Val Town.
The Ratfolk had grown impatient when the Human Things failed to attack, so they had gathered the Rat King and all the nearby Greyfur Rats there.
"An unexpected bonus."
Grand Marshal Garkin, who looked like a smaller version of the Rat King, moved to the front and ordered every soldier to build a defense line. The Ratfolk's counterattack would be fierce.
"Wipe Old Val Town off the map."
Grand Marshal Garkin's order reached the Behemoth, then passed from the Behemoth to the arriving fleet.
The Airships that had climbed high to conceal themselves began to descend.
At night, bonfires dotted the central square of Old Val Town, where the Moon-Eater Clan's Greyfur Rats were enjoying a filthy feast.
They had no reason to be afraid. Fel Energy protected the Ratfolk. The Human Things' magic did not work, leaving them to face an endless Rat Tide.
If the High Priest had not ordered them to finish the battle quickly, they would never have bothered accepting the Stuen Rats' proposal.
"Once we deal with these Human Things, we'll invade the Empire! Sweet blood, golden treasure, and the screams of our food await us there!"
"Make the Clan great! Middle Earth belongs to McKennen!"
The Greyfur Rats' celebration echoed through the night sky above the town. None of them noticed the deep darkness on the western horizon silently split open. A few faint glimmers