Volume 2 Chapter 8 Rubelin's Wall
Eleonora had brought the main dark elf tribes under her rule. She gathered the warrior class and turned them into a real army. But training them was slow. They were used to fighting alone, not in teams.
She also trained new fighters — refugees who chose to throw stones in battle. That took even more time. But during all this, her messengers spoke to the small Blackwood tribes. They gave updates on the army's size and training. The small tribes sent people to see it for themselves. After that, they acted more respectful.
While this happened, in the forest city of Rubelin, a man stood at the gate.
He was human. Normally, no humans could enter. But this time, the gate opened.
The man was Albrecht zu Reionburg. He was once a knight who joined a royal tournament in Ashreach. There, he had fought Eleonora in the semifinals.
"Welcome back, Lord Wilhelm."
"Yeah, I'm back. Anything new?"
"...It's better if you ask your father."
Albrecht frowned. The elf didn't greet him the way elves usually did. Normally, they said the wind and leaves were the same. That meant peace. But the elf didn't say it. Something was wrong.
He rushed to the main keep — the heart of Rubelin, where the top leaders were waiting.
"Brother!"
"Rea! You've grown!"
The girl ran to him with a bright smile. He hugged her tightly.
"My son. You have returned."
"Father. Has the wind brought something dark?"
The lord of Rubelin, King Offran, gave a deep sigh.
"Some of the villages under us have rebelled. They now follow a new kingdom called Ropsein."
"Ropsein?"
"Yes. Humans and elves are joining hands. They say their leader is a woman with golden hair, blue eyes, strong as stone, and as tall as the sky."
Wilhelm blinked. He knew that woman.
"I've seen someone like that. We fought once. I lost."
"Oh? Who was it?"
"A warrior from Tyria. I met her during my travels."
He lowered his voice like leaves brushing together. The leaders looked at one another until Offran raised his hand to calm them.
"And her name?"
"Eleonora di Kamitafira. She won the tournament in Tyria. Then she led an army and destroyed the Empire of Loriengita."
"She did what...?"
Offran looked shocked. So did everyone else.
The woman who destroyed a great empire was now building her own.
"Has Ropsein made any moves?"
"They're going to nearby towns. Most join them. No one says no. Even Tsiphirai and Kudemburg have bowed to them."
"Those two towns... That means they'll gather more troops. At least 800, maybe more."
Rubelin could call up 700. The fortress gave them an edge, but it might not be enough.
"We need to gather our army now. Even if we want peace, we must show we're strong."
"Yes. Wilhelm is right. Prepare—"
"Urgent news! Skurot has fallen! They've joined Ropsein!"
A scout rushed in. Everyone went quiet. Skurot was a city to the north. If Ropsein had the west, south, and now the north, then Rubelin was surrounded.
Only the east, held by Polania and Atlinia, was still free.
"They're coming."
"What's our force?"
"We have 500 foot soldiers, 200 archers, 100 stone-throwers, and 300 support workers. 1,100 total. 400 are still in training."
"Not bad. That's a strong start."
"Dark elves move faster than humans. And the refugees — once we offered citizenship, they fought like hell to prove themselves."
When Eleonora asked Georges about the army, he nodded.
"Over 1,000 fighters. That's enough to scare smaller towns. When they saw the numbers, Skurot gave up without a fight. If we take Rubelin, the rest will fall in line."
"Still... I don't want blood to spill."
"That's not like you."
"If I declare our nation, my brothers won't stay quiet."
Her brothers — the princes of the dead Empire of Loriengita.
One ruled the West: King Charles of Clanf. His capital was Dolbor. He was hiring mercenaries and planning a big move.
The other ruled the East: King Simeon. He trained his army in Clanf Furt, in West Kenranf.
"They're both chasing the same prize."
"Parisess."
"The East will take the flat lands first. They want to grow strong up north before heading south."
Eleonora knew the West Clanf couldn't move easily. The Lepine Mountains blocked the land. The sea was worse — the Tuariasas-Oren navy ruled those waters.
The West had lost ground since Tyria's fall. They were behind.
But both kings still wanted the same thing: to rule the old capital, Parisess. Even if it was a broken city now, covered in dust and ruins. Even if the Suno people still wandered there. They wanted it.
"If I build a country there, they'll say they're just 'protecting' it. That's why we take as much as we can, with as little blood as possible."
"Heh... This was supposed to be a home for us."
"It still is. I won't let you die in the streets. And I won't let the princess die in a castle. That's what matters."
"And you?"
Eleonora gave a tired laugh.
"Me? I already lost what I wanted. Now I go where the wind takes me. Maybe someday, I'll find something new."
There was a knock. Eleonora stood up.
Outside, a dark elf knelt low.
"Message from Erika. Rubelin has moved."
"Adolf. Tell them we ride. We'll lead the army."
Adolf bowed and ran. In the distance, a door creaked.
"To Rubelin."
The army marched. Over a thousand soldiers stood before the great walls.
Rubelin had seen many battles. Its walls were tall and strong. Some fighters swallowed hard as they stared up.
"Give me the white flag. I'll go."
"General, no! Let me go instead—"
"I'll be fine."
Eleonora took the flag. She handed over her sword.
"I'll be right back."
Character Notes:
• Rubelin - A forest fortress city located in Blackwood (Schwarzwald). It is ruled by the elf king Offran and serves as a strategic stronghold.
• Albrecht - A legendary itinerant knight, he is a dominant force in tournaments across Western Naroppa.
• Rea - Wilhelm's sister.
• Offran - The elf king and lord of Rubelin.
• Kudemburg - A location governed by the same dark elf chieftain as Tsiphirai. Known for producing high-quality breastplates favored by cavalry and infantry.
• Tsiphirai - A western location governed by the same dark elf chieftain as Kudemburg. Erika has connections here.
• Skurot - The entrance to the Lutba Sea, ruled by elves but with fewer numbers, making it easier to conquer compared to Rubelin.
• Polania - A southern region encompassing Khufrak, Rubelin, and nearby areas. It is home to various factions, including the 8-pointed star cultists and elves.
• Georges - A rugged-faced knight and the only lower noble among the Twelve Sacred Blades. He volunteers to lead the cavalry, seeking promotion and recognition. He harbors ambitions to marry Princess Elodia.
• Erika - A dark elf (forest person) with exceptional agility and magical abilities, including silencing and invisibility magic. Her appearance is characterized by dark brown skin, ash-blond hair cut in a short bob, long ears, and red-black eyes resembling dried blood. She has a detached and playful personality, often showing amusement or indifference to conflicts. Her relationship with others is distant, though she seems to have a tribal connection with men like Klaus and Franz.
• Erik - Son of the fallen warrior Danruhav, seeking revenge and a new land, eager to prove his strength in battle.
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