(Third-person perspective)
Aermir found himself forced to leave a portion of his forces to quell the unrest on Eldest Longsister and Sweetsister. Therefore, only 7,000 men (including 2,000 from other lords) accompanied him to Longsister. An unexpected discovery of a small outpost on the island prompted a change in strategy, forcing him to begin his conquest from this newly discovered location. Despite the changed circumstances, Aermir remained steadfast in executing his overall plan.
The enemy's main force numbered 9,000, a large portion of which—8,000—composed of Vale Knights and disciplined soldiers. While they might not be comparable to the North soldiers, they proved to be a formidable adversary. Unlike the Three Sisters people, these soldiers were neither dull nor undisciplined. Their skills had been honed through frequent clashes with the Mountain Clans, and they had been instilled with a high degree of discipline.
Faced with the imminent threat, the Three Sisters mobilized their populace, conscripting them into a fighting force of approximately 4,000 men. Most of these conscripts were strategically stationed in Citadel and outposts on the eastern half of the islands. According to Aermir's plan, the initial battles would target these conscripts and the Three Sisters' reserves stationed in the eastern Citadel and outposts. The ensuing conflict would test the fighting capabilities of these hastily assembled troops against Aermir's main army.
Lord Carlton stood atop the battlements, watching the messenger disappear into the distance, a somber expression on his face. The fate of his sons and most of his army weighed heavily on his shoulders. The campaign against Lord Drasil proved costly, inflicting devastating damage on his family and troops.
The once bustling hall is now empty, the departure of the soldiers and the laughter of the sons leaving a void that seems impossible to fill. This is not only a personal loss, but also a strategic one; the military strength of the stronghold has been severely weakened, and Lord Carlton is left with only a mere 500 reserve soldiers to defend his territory.
Lord Carlton gazed at the horizon, his mind racing as he considered how to rebuild and consolidate his territory in this adversity. He sensed impending doom. Lord Carlton knew that sending messengers to Lord Torrent was a crucial step. Perhaps an alliance or aid could be sought to strengthen his defenses and reclaim what he had lost. Crow carried urgent messages, and now, mounted messengers, with the same urgency, galloped toward Lord Torrent, seeking aid in this desperate moment.
As Lord Carlton watched thousands of North descend onto the beach, the air was thick with the salty scent of the sea. Despite his grief and losses, Lord Carlton prepared for the challenges to come. He would not be defeated without a fight.
The messenger struggled on his horse, its hooves pounding the muddy road. A sense of urgency welled up within him, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him, his gratitude overflowing. He couldn't help but feel fortunate to have been chosen as the messenger, for he could deliver important messages and requests for help.
As the walls of the cabin disappeared into the distance, the messenger's mind was haunted by the approaching enemy ships. The ominous sight of those vessels reaching the beach had foreshadowed the destruction of his homeland. But now, with each mile passed, that threat seemed to fade into the past.
The dirt road stretched out before him, winding and twisting. The messenger continued on his horse; he knew in his heart that his homeland was doomed, but he was grateful to have been saved. Even if it was too late for his homeland, the information he brought would bring him some reward, and he could start anew.
The wind tousled his hair, the rhythmic clatter of hooves continued, and the messenger rode on with urgency, hope, and anticipation of reward; he heard a sharp whistle of the wind. When he looked up, he saw a large black bird swooping down on him, and the next second, he felt something invisible pushing against his face; it was all in an instant, and then everything went dark.
After killing the Crow, Po came looking for the messenger; she crushed him to death with a dive bomb spell. Following her father's orders, she and Erebus were forbidden from allowing any bird or messenger to leave the Citadel. She wouldn't fail again, nor would she disappoint her father again. She knew Aermir wouldn't blame her, but she still felt guilty. Scouting was her responsibility, and because of her negligence, her father's plans had almost been ruined—something she couldn't accept.
Aermir was a formidable force, leading the assault on the fortifications in a deliberate manner. The 200 "Sword Saints" behind him moved with precision, their imposing presence enough to instill fear in the defenders. As a master of magic, Aermir was well aware of the destructive power he possessed, but he chose to use his abilities with greater strategy and restraint.
Standing before the majestic city gate, Aermir raised his hands and unleashed a powerful spell, shattering the gate into pieces. The echo of the magical attack reverberated through the air, heralding the start of the assault. With the entrance breached, Aermir led his troops into the fortress.
Despite his overwhelming advantage, Aermir chose to send his men to the front. His intention was clear—to give his troops a chance to gain valuable combat experience. The disciplined and well-trained "Sword Saints," working in perfect unison, followed their leader into the fortifications.
His magical prowess could have easily overcome the fortifications single-handedly, but his priority was the growth of his troops. By engaging them in intense battles, he sought to hone their skills and prepare them for future conflicts.
With their extensive training, amazing equipment, and buffs, the sword saints shattered the stronghold's defenses. Each sword saint was as powerful as the Mountain, effortlessly taking down 500 soldiers.
After the war, Aermir divided his forces to attack the east and south simultaneously, catching the enemy off guard. Jory, the commander of the Order of Drasil, was in charge of the eastern force, tasked with securing the Citadel and strongholds in that direction. The remaining troops, under Aermir's direct command, marched south, systematically eliminating resistance along the way.
Surprise was Aermir's secret weapon, and he used it to its fullest potential. His flying artifacts, Wave and Erebus, played a crucial role in maintaining secrecy. By eliminating Crow and messengers, they ensured that the enemy was completely unaware of the impending invasion until it was too late. The invaders moved swiftly and cautiously, approaching stealthily until they were already at the doorstep of their unsuspecting adversaries.
Jory led the eastern front, employing tactics that demonstrated both skill and strategy. As his troops moved with precision, Citadel and strongholds fell one after another. Meanwhile, Aermir's main force encountered almost no resistance as they swept through the southern territories, methodically mopping up small groups, fortresses, and Citadel.
Emboldened by the momentum of the raid, the invaders encountered almost no organized resistance. The disarray within the defenders further fueled Aermir's arrogance, allowing his army to take control of the territory with minimal casualties.