Volume 2 Chapter 9-2 Ropsein - East Clanf War Begins
"You're no different, you know. You've gotten used to the city talk, haven't you?"
"Idiot! Even a common soldier is part of the king's army! Watch your words!"
The country guard put down his spear and swayed slightly, then turned to leave.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
"Just going to pee! I'll be right back!"
"Sheesh... He just wants to climb the ranks... I just want to go back home to the village."
He fumbled with the rope tied at his waist, slipped his pants down, and a soft sound of urine spilled quietly into the dark night.
He shook his hips toward the bushes. The leaves rustled faintly.
"Hey? Was that a dog?"
As he bent down, a sudden arm shot out from the bushes and grabbed him. At the same time, a dagger plunged toward his chest.
"Hah!"
The man fell silent, his body quickly hidden by the shadows of the bushes. After that, only silence returned to the night, cold and still.
* * *
"He's late... How far did he go just to pee?"
His partner, serious and worried, grew angry as the man did not come back quickly. Just then, footsteps approached, steady and slow.
"Finally... You were late. Did you take more than a leak?"
The partner lowered his head silently, his face showing a strange change. The other barely noticed and kept working.
"Anyway, if we do our jobs well, maybe the nobles at the front will notice us. You should try being serious for once."
Turning around, the man was suddenly grabbed from behind. A sharp blade cut across his throat.
"Guh!"
Holding his neck in shock, he saw his partner's face change from pale to dark, and his ears sharpened oddly.
"Your partner is already dead."
The dark elf who killed both guards gave a sign. Flames sparked from magic, and their comrades set fire to the houses.
The oil-soaked buildings caught quickly, roaring with flame and smoke.
"A spectacle of three thousand dead."
Then they vanished into the darkness.
Screams of the replacement guards echoed through the village.
"Fire! Fire!"
"Wake up! Run!"
But few could escape. Most were deep in sleep, tired from the march and drinking, and they burned with the houses.
"What happened? Did some fool mishandle fire?"
"We have no clue... The soldiers scattered when they ran. It's hard to gather them."
"Hurry. When we gather, we move to capture the princess."
The generals and nobles escaped the village and reached the river they had seen during the day.
One officer stepped forward to cool off in the water, but suddenly tripped and fell with a splash.
"You fool! Get him out fast!"
As soldiers ran over, the day lit up like noon.
Countless simple traps lay hidden on the riverbank, grass and vines twisted just enough to catch a foot.
On the other side, a girl shot magic lights into the sky.
The general's face turned pale.
Across the river, humans and dark elves held bows and sling ropes.
"Ready!"
The commander raised his right hand.
"Hurry—"
"Fire!"
Arrows and stones whistled through the air, hitting the front lines.
The general felt a sharp blow to his head.
His world turned dark as he fell into the river and was swept away.
* * *
"Is that all they have?"
The small group of about one hundred hurried into the forest, catching their breath and looking around.
This group was the nobles' mounted soldiers and those chasing them.
The command was in chaos.
Looking back, the village still burned, smoke thick in the sky.
Ten soldiers had already fallen on the way.
"Hey?"
More fell.
Someone had been shot in the neck.
"E-enemy attack!"
Terrified, the young soldiers dropped to the ground.
Nobles forgot their pride and lay down, clutching their heads.
"What happened?"
"Enemy ambush. Keep quiet!"
The young soldiers tumbled over nobles.
Looking around, all they saw was the dark forest, empty of humans.
"It seems they ran after one hit. Sorry."
"Forgiven. They tried to live. Don't blame them."
The nobles stood and looked back at the village.
No one was left to flee.
"The fire was set by the enemy. We must return and tell His Majesty."
"Retreat?"
"We must at least send the message. We don't know if the general lives..."
The East Clan Kingdom army left was only eighty-two.
After gathering survivors near the river, they numbered just over one hundred.
Ropsein's forces were busy preparing.
Their initial win cost East Clan about thirty percent of their strength.
They lost terrain advantage.
Eleonora called Erika, giving her a team of elite spies for rear attacks.
Notes:
• Rea - Wilhelm's sister.
• 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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