Battle for the Illusory Realm: Inazuma vs Port Ormos
The sea breeze carried a salty tang as it swept past the towering walls of Inazuma City. Lü Bu, clad in crimson armor like burning fire and holding his Sky-Shattering Halberd, stood atop the city gate. His gaze was deep and unfathomable as he watched the figures hurrying through the city and the fluttering military banners. Below the walls, Yuan Shu's army surged like a black tide, with banners snapping loudly in the wind.
"Lord Yuan, the city of Inazuma is now yours," Lü Bu declared in a thunderous voice. He strode down the tower and stood before Yuan Shu. Corpulent and grinning widely, Yuan Shu cupped his hands in salute.
"Fengxian, we are bound like brothers. This city is truly a gift from heaven! But why this sudden…"
Lü Bu's eyes blazed with resolve. "Lord Yuan, Port Ormos in Sumeru is a vital trading hub, overflowing with wealth. If we seize it, our grand hegemony will be within reach. I have received secret reports that its defenses are lightly guarded—this is our chance. I yield Inazuma to you. All you need do is prepare fully and march on Port Ormos!"
Greed flickered in Yuan Shu's eyes. He calculated that with Inazuma already in his grasp, taking Port Ormos would make him the most powerful warlord in this illusory realm. He nodded firmly.
"Very well! Rest assured, Fengxian, I shall not fail you!"
Back in the city, Yuan Shu immediately summoned his advisors and generals to discuss the attack on Port Ormos. His strategist Yan Xiang frowned deeply, his face filled with concern.
"My lord, though Port Ormos is strategically important, the military strength of Sumeru is not to be underestimated. The Akademya commands two mercenary forces—the Thirty Corporations and the Eremites—who guard Port Ormos and other key locations. If our army marches far and becomes trapped in a prolonged war, we risk running out of supplies and being attacked from both sides."
Yuan Shu waved him away impatiently. "Hmph! Mere mercenaries are hardly worth mentioning! Our forces are strong and well-armed, and with Fengxian's aid, we shall take Port Ormos in one strike!"
Seeing that Yuan Shu's mind was made up, his followers could only nod in agreement.
Meanwhile, in his own camp, Lü Bu conferred with Gao Shun and Chen Gong. Stroking his beard, Chen Gong spoke gravely.
"My lord, Yuan Shu is greedy and short-sighted. Letting him attack Port Ormos may wear down Sumeru's forces, but he may not succeed. If the battle turns against us, how should we respond?"
Lü Bu pondered for a moment, his gaze unwavering.
"Gongtai, I have my own plan. If Yuan Gonglu takes Port Ormos, it will greatly benefit our army. If he fails, we shall step in to clean up the mess and reap the benefits. Gao Shun, immediately train our elite troops for any emergency."
Gao Shun bowed and departed.
Under Yuan Shu's frantic preparations, his army finally marched out. The column stretched for miles, spears and swords forming a dense forest, their momentum terrifying. After a long journey, they arrived near Port Ormos. Inside the port, merchant ships came and went busily, completely unaware of the impending crisis.
Yuan Shu set up camp outside the port and sent men to issue a challenge. When the commanders of the Thirty Corporations and the Eremites heard the news, they ascended the city walls and stared solemnly at the ant-like enemy outside.
Akhmar, leader of the Thirty Corporations, let out a cold laugh. "These rabble dare to invade Port Ormos! Sound the order: strengthen defenses and prepare for battle!"
At dawn the next day, Yuan Shu ordered the assault. His soldiers charged toward the port like a tidal wave, war cries shaking the heavens. From the walls, the defenders unleashed a rain of arrows. Frontline troops fell one after another, yet those behind pressed onward without flinching. A brutal clash erupted, and soon the harbor's soil was stained red with blood.
As the battle raged, Yuan Shu's advisor Li Feng offered a plan.
"My lord, the enemy holds fast within their walls, and our direct attacks are costing us dearly. Why not split our forces, circle around to the rear of the port, and strike from both sides? That will surely break their defense."
Yuan Shu found the strategy sound and ordered his forces to divide at once.
But their movements had long been spotted by the defenders. Upon learning of the split, Akhmar smirked. "Hmph, just as I planned!" He immediately dispatched an elite unit to ambush the flanking force along its only route.
When Yuan Shu's detachment marched into the trap, hidden troops burst forth. War cries and screams intertwined. Caught off guard, Yuan Shu's soldiers descended into chaos and fled in all directions.
On the main front, Yuan Shu's heart burned as he saw his flank collapse. He personally beat the war drum to rally his men and reverse the tide. But just then, the defenders flung open the gates and sallied forth. Soldiers from the Thirty Corporations and the Eremites charged like tigers, throwing Yuan Shu's army into complete disarray. They began to retreat in defeat.
Just as Yuan Shu's forces neared total collapse, Lü Bu's reinforcements arrived.
Gao Shun led the elite troops like a sharp blade piercing the defender's lines. Lü Bu swung his Sky-Shattering Halberd, cutting down all who stood in his way. With Lü Bu's support, Yuan Shu's army regrouped and counterattacked.
The two sides once again locked in a stalemate. As night fell, the battlefield was littered with corpses, blood glinting eerily in the moonlight.
Inside the camp, Lü Bu and Yuan Shu discussed their next move.
"Lord Yuan, though we suffered losses today, the enemy has also been greatly weakened," Lü Bu said, his brow furrowed. "Tomorrow, we concentrate all our forces and storm the port. We must take Port Ormos!"
Yuan Shu nodded in agreement.
At the first light of dawn, the next assault began. Lü Bu and Yuan Shu personally led the charge. Their soldiers, morale high, fought bravely. After bitter fighting, Yuan Shu's forces finally broke through the defenses and poured into Port Ormos. The city descended into chaos, filled with shouts of battle and cries of despair.
After three days and three nights of fierce fighting, Port Ormos fell to the combined armies of Lü Bu and Yuan Shu.
Gazing at the mountains of wealth inside the city, Yuan Shu grinned from ear to ear.
But Lü Bu's eyes turned toward the horizon.
He knew deep down: this was only the beginning of his struggle for supremacy in the illusory realm…
In a world woven from political intrigue and raging war, far greater crises and challenges were quietly drawing near.