Day 6
Location: Arrived at the border.
When I woke up, the sun hadn't risen yet, but I could already hear the sounds of the camp stirring.
I looked out the carriage window and saw that the soldiers had pitched dozens of tents behind the cliff, about four hundred meters from the border.
I stepped out of the carriage to get a better view.
Oh wow.So many tents already...
Then I turned to look behind me—and there were so many soldiers. Around a hundred thousand... no, maybe even one hundred thirty thousand.
But not only that—there were twenty-one heroes, if I counted right.Thirteen swordsmen, three healers, and five magic users.
And those were just the high A-ranked heroes.There were many more B-ranked ones—more than fifty, for sure.
All of that... for a single war.
Now I wonder... is this really all the kingdom's power?Did Aldric send everything we have to the border?
If yes... then he might be very foolish—because that would mean he left our back exposed.The rest of the kingdom... unprotected.
There are three kingdoms on this continent—or, I mean, on the continent of Vulthar.
Our kingdom, Valderyn, is ruled by my grandfather Aldric and sits in the center.
To the east lies Caldrithal, the kingdom we're at war with, ruled by King Usyn.
And to the west lies Tharvos, ruled by King Osvan.
If our forces are all gathered here at the border... and the west is left defenseless... then Tharvos might attack us.
But I don't know much about the relationships between these kingdoms, so I can't say what Tharvos is thinking.I also don't know if this really is all of Valderyn's strength.
For now, my role is to watch from behind. I'll make my move soon—when the time is right.
"Hey, Kagen! What are you standing around for? Come join us in the planning tent!"
"Yes, Grandfather. I will."
I followed him into the largest tent in the camp. It was filled with commanders, maps, and a heavy silence.
"Now that my grandson is here," he said, "let's begin the strategy discussion."
Ah... I see. He called me to observe.He wants his grandson to learn as much as possible from this war. What a grandfather I have...
"Go on, Varek," my grandfather said, turning to the High General. "Tell us your plan."
"Yes, Aldric, of course," Varek began. "As you all know, we must protect the kingdom at all costs.
To be honest—this will be my first war. Not just for me, but for all of us.So I've done my best to think of a plan."
He pointed to the map on the table.
"Each commander here will take ten thousand soldiers. There are twelve commanders in this room, so that gives us twelve divisions.
Each group will attack a different site along the border.
The remaining soldiers—over ten thousand—will stay with you, Aldric, along with the A-ranked heroes and myself.We'll lead the central attack.
As for the B-ranked heroes—they would stay behind the soldiers, positioned at the rear, and support the attack from there.
Our strategy is to lure the enemy deeper into our formation. Once they're surrounded, we strike from all sides—front, left, right, and behind.
We'll trap them in the center and crush them."
He took a breath, then added:
"We've also done some calculations. The enemy has around one hundred thousand soldiers—and not many heroes.Which means... we have the upper hand."
"That's a good plan, Varek," my grandfather said. "As always."
He turned to the others. "Alright, you all heard the High General's orders. Now go."
One by one, the commanders left the tent to prepare.Only my grandfather, Varek, and I remained inside.
"And Kagen," he asked, "what do you think of this strategy?"
"Oh—yes, my King. I think it's a good strategy, for sure," I replied.
With a quiet, worried tone, he said,"Very good. Now, Kagen—I want you in the back, alright? I can't let you be attacked by the enemy."
"Grandpa—I mean, King—I didn't come all this way for you to worry about me. Please... focus on the war!"
"Hahaha! What a grandson," he said with a smile.
Then I left the tent.
About an hour later, just as the sun began to shine over the cliffs, the soldiers had split into thirteen groups.Each commander led ten thousand men, and the final group was led by the King and the High General.
I was with my grandfather's group.
The soldiers stood ready, swords drawn.The heroes, too. I looked back at the B-ranked heroes—they looked tense, nervous, afraid.
The A-ranked ones didn't show a hint of fear.
Today is my chance—not just to shine, but to gather as much information as I can.Watch. Learn. Survive.
Then—suddenly—
While everyone was focused ahead, eyes on the border...Out of the dust, thousands of enemy soldiers began charging toward us.
"WHAT—WHAT'S HAPPENING?!""WHY ARE THERE SO MANY?!"
Panic swept through the camp. Soldiers shouted, heroes stumbled back, confusion everywhere.
Aldric turned sharply to the High General.
"HEY! VAREK! WHAT'S HAPPENING?! WHY ARE THERE SO MANY?!" he roared.
"I... I don't know, Aldric! There must be a mistake!"
But within a minute—They just kept coming.
Not one hundred thousand...Not even close.
More than 250,000 soldiers.
The heroes, the soldiers—even my grandfather—stood frozen, faces pale, eyes wide.
The unexpected had happened.We were now facing a truly powerful enemy.