….
Hours passed, and the battle was in no way going to end. At this point, it was no longer a battle of might, but one of attrition. Both sides being completely exhausted.
Some soldiers could barely even raise their weapons, while others looked close to passing out from exhaustion.
"How long is this going to take? It's been a stalemate for a while now. Where even are the higher-ups?" said Oliver while applying [Cold Control] to his wound again.
[Your elemental understanding has increased.]
After the 3rd use his ice felt colder and more durable than before,a cold that was bringing him comfort instead of pain still left puzzled.
'Is my ability constantly improving every time I use it?' thought Oliver while another sharp pain was going through his brain
His mind felt like it was about to explode from how mentally exhausting it was.
"This is probably the last time I can use it without proper rest. Goddammit, at this point it is torture for both sides."
While agonizing to himself, a loud scream could be heard coming from on top of the hill, stopping everyone in their tracks from killing each other.
On top of that hill stood a distinguished middle-aged man whose armor was entirely made of an unknown dark metal similar in color to obsidian.
Alongside him were two teenagers whose ages wouldn't go past twenty. One was a blond young man wearing simple armor engraved with different red and purple stripes, with a big eagle symbol engraved on its chest plate.
The other was a young girl wearing a golden helmet decorated with multiple green and red gems, resembling a crown. Her hair was completely covered by the helmet, and her face was stern, deeply contemplating and looking at the people around her, feeling a sense of sadness upon seeing the brutal sight.
"They finally showed up."
…. ….
After seeing that he had captured everyone's attention, the general took a deep breath and started to speak in a way that everyone could understand.
"My dear subjects, I want to thank you all for your loyalty. Going into battle after battle with barely any rest can only be done by the best.
But this time… this time I am left disappointed. The mercenary band famous for going into unmapped territories can't even put down an idiotic rebellion. Today, my dear soldiers, we even relied on our slaves to fight alongside us. They who carried our rations and water now picked up a sword to fight side by side with us. Do you feel no shame having to rely on them? Trained by the best to be above them, only for them to fight as hard as you."
Looking at the soldiers, their morale looked crushed, hoping that their general would stop with all the humiliation. Even if he was right, did they really deserve it?
"This time, I shall make an exception for this behavior, knowing from what hardships we came before arriving here at Dario. I didn't come here only to deliver bad news.
Our hardships in this siege are being paid off after all. A hefty reward has come at this exact moment. After this battle, we shall feast just like the old kings did before.
That gate shall fall once and for all."
After finishing his speech, the general turned his back and walked away together with his two assistants, leaving the soldiers to understand the meaning of his speech themselves. They gripped their swords and prepared to fight harder than ever. After all, their honor was at stake. Even if they were tired from past conquests, a gate like that shouldn't stand in their way.
"This should keep their morale afloat for a while as we do the final preparations," said the general, now looking toward his two assistants.
"Fion, Alexios… release that 'thing.' It's time."
"Yes, General Arjun, your wish is our command," said the two younglings, now understanding how serious the situation had become.
… ….
"Picking up a wooden shield proved to be useful after all. I can only brace for impact whenever an attack is coming and wait for one of my allies to join."
After a long time in this never-ending battle, Oliver was getting more accustomed to fighting and stalling for time. Even if his hands couldn't swing a sword anymore, he knew that someone would always come and finish his job.
For what reason, he could only guess perhaps they were now more willing to fight knowing that a reward was involved.
His condition still seemed to be deteriorating grasping for air whenever he could, his legs shaking, and his eyes about to close at any moment from exhaustion.
His "bandage" also seemed to melt, his brain practically frying itself. Oliver had no way to use his power anymore. His closest allies didn't seem much better, the boost they had moments before fading as a crushing wave of exhaustion overtook them.
While he was looking around to see the condition of his enemies, breathing heavily and barely able to keep his wooden shield raised, a fierce roar suddenly tore through the battlefield, so loud it seemed to shake the very air. A wave of raw fear swept across everyone present.
The sound was coming from behind.
And then, at last, it revealed itself.
A towering green humanoid creature, nearly five meters tall, stepped into view. Its bloodshot eyes bulged with frenzy, foam spilling from its mouth as it let out another earth-shaking roar.
The soldiers froze for a heartbeat.
Then they scattered.
They knew that staying in its path meant certain death.
The green beast charged forward with a massive mace clenched in its hand, though it barely bothered to use it. It simply stormed ahead, each step cracking the ground beneath it, trampling anything in its way, friend or foe alike, as it advanced rapidly toward the fortress gate.
Now standing in front of the gate, the beast raised its mace above its head and, with one clean strike, split it open, leaving nothing behind. It continued tearing at the remains with its hands, even biting at every splinter of wood as if there were no tomorrow.
After the job was done, it finally collapsed on its own from the damage it had taken during the fight. With that, the beast met its end, having been used like a siege machine.
The defenders were completely overwhelmed by that monstrosity they had never seen before. Surrendering was the only option left. They dropped their weapons and waited for their sentence, fully aware that treason spares no one.
Shortly after, the General arrived together with his two assistants and a regiment of reserves.
"The siege is finally over, my subjects. Those who participated in today's battle shall be rewarded handsomely after we make sure everything is under control in the city. My utmost gratitude to every soldier who fought today and proved themselves worthy under my banner.
For now, make camp outside and rest. Tomorrow will be the grand naming, after all. Feast and sleep to your heart's content."
With that, the General departed with the rest of his rested soldiers inside the fortress.
"It's finally over," Oliver said while looking at the aftermath.
Dead bodies were being carried away by his allies. Others were busy dragging the monster away from the entrance, while some carried supplies and set up camp right next to the fortress.
Oliver just stood there, stunned and perplexed by their resilience, not even caring about the beast or the fact that their comrades had died like flies.
"Mourning the dead is for later, I guess.
It wouldn't bring them back anyways'
Moments later, Oliver went to the wagon holding the medical supplies, picked up some bandages, and tended to his wounds, making sure no place was left bleeding.
Afterward, he found a spot where others dressed similarly to him were resting and decided to join them. For some strange reason, the armored soldiers paid no attention to them and continued with their work.
He didn't speak a word, even though by this point he could understand and speak their language for some unknown reason. Mostly, he didn't want to disturb their well-earned rest after such a fight.
He looked around for some time, observing the sun as it began to set while thinking about all the things he has gone through in just one day, he then finally leaned against the fortress wall, his mind struggling to stay awake even for a second.
'So many things happened today… Not even a single day has passed, and I already had to take a life with no way to prevent it. I managed to survive, but God knows how much more I'll have to fight from now on.That man was in the same situation as me, thrown into battle with nothing but scraps, forced to fight and die. I hope I won't have to do it again. I hate it.I don't want to end up like them.Is that a selfish thing to ask?
Why am I always forced to fight for others' sake? The only time I fight for myself is when I need to survive. I don't want any of this. I had enough of it in my past life. In this life, I shouldn't repeat the same mistakes I made before.
Should I desert and run away during the night? There's no way I could survive alone with nothing on me, especially if there are more monsters lurking around. Not even my powers could kill that beast.'
Oliver thought of all the possibilities and kept arriving at the same conclusion.
I should stay with these mercenaries a little longer, at least until I learn more about this place. For now, I should rest for a while. After all, I deserve it.
With that, Oliver finally closed his eyes and slept for a short while.
… … …