Chapter 69: Enter Eldoris Dominion, Commander
Both armies stood motionless. The human soldiers formed up outside the forest.
Tanaka stood a few meters away from them, completely unguarded. Behind him, the gates to Eldoris remained open. That was deliberate; he did not want the humans to think he was hiding behind his own forces.
At the same time, he did not want his people standing exposed. Raizen and the Star Wolf Warriors took their places at the front of the Dominion. Raxolf was among them, keeping a close eye on the human army.
Goblins took up position at the watchtowers. Drakar had the Greater Kobold scouts posted in the forest.
Sylva kept the younger Moonhares away from the gates. Torga gathered the Stoneshell Turtles along the road leading to the settlement. The Greater Ogres took up position further back within Eldoris, while the five Kijin stood by the central district.
Even the Mana Birds ceased their activities for the time being, circling over the buildings. They were observing, waiting.
Tanaka had given the order silently;
most humans would not have noticed it, but Lucien did. The young noble took in the sight of the monster settlement and narrowed his eyes. Tanaka could practically read his thoughts. How was it that a settlement of monsters was so well organized?
Tanaka knew what he was thinking because Tanaka had asked himself the same questions. The answer was simple. They had worked for it. Tanaka studied the formation of the human soldiers. He had played countless games of this type in his past life and knew the basics of military organization. The heavily armored vanguard was standard issue for front-line fighters Most were on foot, but Tanaka suspected there were also knights among them. They would serve as the primary defense and the spearheading force for any assault. There were several groups of ranged fighters at the center of the formation. Tanaka could see crossbowmen among them, suggesting there were also archers present. Further back and to the side, he could make out the human cavalry.
Mounted fighters were typically used as flanking units and could quickly surround and isolate enemy formations.
The mages.
Tanaka could not see them all, but he did not need to. The magic staffs and enchanted robes were difficult to disguise.
Tanaka turned his attention to the rear of the formation. There he could see the supply wagons, escorted by healers and additional fighters. Tanaka’s mental calculations grew more complex. If this was a dungeon raid, he would have known precisely what to do. The front-line fighters would serve as tanks, with the ranged fighters and mages providing fire support. The healers would keep the tanks alive, while the cavalry would take advantage of any weaknesses and strike from flanking positions.
The supply wagons were their resources, and everything else was focused on protecting them. Lucien was the raid leader, the commander who decided when to push forward and when to retreat. Tanaka almost smiled at the though. Reality had a habit of intervening, as it did now. This was not a game, and these were not mere players .
One misstep and real lives would be lost.
Tanaka’s smile vanished. He had never led an army in battle, nor had he ever had to make decisions on the battlefield. In his past life, he had learned the rudiments of warfare through games. He had witnessed countless battles as a beta tester, analyzing the tactics used by other players. He knew the value of chokepoints and flanking maneuvers, of aggro and resource management.
He knew how to bait enemy fighters into attacking specific targets. He knew how to lure stronger opponents into wasting their resources. But none of that knowledge was particularly useful in a real battle. Tanaka turned his gaze toward Eldoris. His subordinates were watching him closely .
Raizen, Raxolf, Eldrin, Drakar, Sylva, Torga, the five Kijin, and Sora. They all trusted him, and that trust was a burden that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Tanaka met Lucien’s eyes once more. "You seem to be studying my army." Lucien commented.
Tanaka gave a short, humorless laugh.
"You seem to be doing the same to me." Lucien smirked. "That’s fair enough." The two men stood facing each other for several long moments, sizing each other up. Finally, Lucien gestured toward the settlement.
"You have prepared this place for war." Lucien said. Tanaka turned his gaze toward the watchtowers. "You seem to have prepared it for survival." He replied before turning back to Lucien. "There is a difference." Tanaka said. Lucien frowned, but he was not entirely surprised. "You prepared it for survival?" Tanaka gave a short, bitter laugh. "Survival is all we have." He gestured toward the watchtowers. "Those are for observation." He turned toward the forest. "These are for observation as well." Tanaka gestured toward the surrounding buildings. "These are for protection." His gaze met Lucien’s once more . "None of these things require war."
Lucien looked around. Tanaka could see he was considering his response carefully . It was not easy for him, apparently. "Very convenient." Calian said. Tanaka turned toward the young noble, who was standing beside Lucien with his arms crossed over his chest. "Convenient, indeed." Calian’s eyes were locked on the monsters. "You claim you’re peaceful."Yet you have soldiers."
"You have watchtowers."
"Patrols."
"Defensive walls."
"And now you stand before an army demanding we leave."
Tanaka raised an eyebrow at that. "You are the one who brought the army." Calian’s expression darkened. "Because you are a monster." Tanaka barely had to do anything for the Star Wolf Warriors to stop growling .
Raizen’s golden eyes flashed dangerously, but it was Raxolf who stepped forward.
Tanaka only had to raise a hand for the Star Wolf Lord to halt. The others quickly followed his example. Calian’s expression was one of mild surprise, although it was obvious he had indeed understood the message. Tanaka did not have to shout for his people to listen. All he had to do was make them understand that he was their leader. Lucien eventually spoke. "Calian." The young noble turned toward him . "Commander?"
"Enough."
Calian clenched his jaw in frustration, but he remained silent. Tanaka found himself quite interested in the exchange. Lucien had authority, it was written all over his face.
His subordinates obeyed him. Not because he shouted at them, but because they chose to obey him. That was something Tanaka knew all too well. A commander who could not control his subordinates could not control a battle. Tanaka turned his gaze toward the soldiers. Most of them were watching him intently. Some looked frightened, others angry, and a few even confused. Tanaka was not surprised by any of it. They had expected to find a monster nest, but instead, they had stumbled upon an entire settlement. Tanaka turned his attention back to the human army. They had unknowingly taken the most advantageous position possible. The forest behind them would provide cover, and the open land in front would allow for easy movement.
The natural chokepoint to the settlement was the road, and if the humans charged directly forward, they would have little difficulty reaching the gates. On the other hand, the terrain around the forest and open land would severely limit their cavalry’s effectiveness, and the Star Wolf Warriors could easily cut their flanks. Tanaka could have the goblin sharpshooters take advantage of the elevated terrain to pick off any would-be snipers , while the Mana Birds could serve as scouts. The Stoneshell Turtles could reinforce the walls, and the Greater Ogres could serve as additional shock troops if needed. As for the five Kijin. Tanaka allowed himself a small smile as he looked upon the powerful warriors. They were the best fighters in the Dominion, and each of them was strong enough to take on a Monster Lord in single combat. If battle was truly inevitable, then they would play a part in deciding its outcome. The slimes, meanwhile, were an asset that Tanaka wished he could use more often. The Greater Slimes were not strong enough to engage the humans directly, but they could still provide invaluable service as spies and transport. They could even serve as distractions, drawing away pursuers long enough for the warriors to escape.
Tanaka turned back toward Lucien. "You have brought a great force." Lucien inclined his head. "I have." "Why have you done so?"
Lucien’s gaze was serious. Tanaka understood the implications of the question. "You were ordered to investigate the forest." Lucien tensed. "With a thousand soldiers, you say? Why is that?" "Because the reports suggested there was an organized encampment of monsters." Tanaka gave a short, bitter laugh. "So the kingdom is afraid of us?" Lucien did not answer immediately. Tanaka did not press him. The reason was obvious enough, and it was not the first time Tanaka had encountered fear in human hearts. Tanaka turned back toward Lucien. "Then investigate. Walk through Eldoris. Look around. Talk to my people. Ask them whether or not you are truly facing an army of monsters. If you are, then you will not find many willing to meet you in battle. See for yourself what you have been deceived about."
Lucien appeared to be considering his response. "You must be mad," Calian said, stepping forward. "You cannot seriously expect us to enter that cursed place!" Tanaka paid him no mind. His gaze was fixed on Lucien. "See for yourself that we are not what you have been led to believe.
Talk to my people. Ask them what they think of you and your army." Lucien stared at him.
Tanaka merely shrugged. "If you still believe we are the monsters you have been told to slay, then you may do as you wish." Calian laughed. "You think the Commander is simply going to walk into your domain?"
Tanaka looked at him. "No. I think he will come to his own conclusions." Lucien said nothing for a long moment. Tanaka could see the man was calculating his options.
Lucien was a clever man, but cleverness would get him nowhere in a battle.
"Very well," Lucien muttered at last. Several of his soldiers started to protest, but they were silenced by one look from their commander. Lucien dismounted from his horse and took a few careful steps toward Tanaka. Tanaka followed his movements with his gaze, noting the way the man kept his posture straight. Lucien’s knights were the first to react, lowering their weapons as they bowed in respect. Tanaka was not surprised. The man was clearly someone of substance. Lucien handed the reins of his horse to one of his knights before turning his attention back to Tanaka. "I’ll enter." Lucien said at last. Tanaka watched Calian’s face, but the young noble said nothing .
"I am going to see for myself." Lucien said .
Tanaka only smiled. "If you insist." Lucien turned toward the gates and took a few more steps. "You may think this is an act of faith," Tanaka said, "but it is not. You are still under suspicion, Commander. If you wish to leave, no one will stop you." Lucien did not seem particularly surprised by Tanaka’s words. "Very well." He said simply, before walking toward the gates. Tanaka waited until Lucien had stepped through before following him.