Chapter 40: Front Lines

Ken Shouryu has been confirmed as the next duke of the east. He has defeated the challenges from his siblings and is currently preparing to advance to tier seven. Ever since the events of Princess Moriah’s fourth birthday, a drive like no other seems to have overtaken the young man. It is recommended that several Upper Watchers take command of the overview of the heir to the east dukedom. His bloodline designated ‘Teostra’ has been confirmed to have mutated Allowing multiple explosions to occur before having to recharge. We have deemed the case to be X Class. Repeat X Class. This will display humanity’s level of power at the next major summit.

Watcher Report on the activities of the next Duke of the East.

The front lines were a massive range of destroyed land, blacken and ashen by years of warfare. It was easy to spot in the distance as it spread most of the border between what was effectively the Last Kingdom and the former Artis Empire. Situated on both sides of the area known as the front lines were two minor mountain ranges that formed a natural barrier like the Endless Mountains but were far smaller in scale.

In the distance, I could see a raging storm hovering over the battlefield. As the years had gone by, a permanent magical effect had taken place over the land. Massive wasn’t even the right word to describe it but I was in awe as only once we were within a few hours’ distance from the front lines did the storm show itself.

“The Eye of Yacsuun.” The name the Primans called it.

“Fortunately, it is calm as we arrived,” Amaya said as she stood next to me. Her helmet was off, and she gripped her spear-like staff Hope of the Dragons tightly.

“You’ve stored the necessary spells,” I asked gazing at her weapon.

“Yes, and has your armor and weapon been restored fully?”

“Yes.”

I didn’t expect us to retreat from the front for several days if not weeks. In front of us was a large camp with various stone structures standing tall in case of an attack on the camp. There were no permanent buildings on the front lines.

Eye of Yacsuun produced several different effects ranging from raining lightning, reverse gravity, and in a worst-case scenario reverse aging. From the description, we’ve been told when subjected to the last storm a person would age backward into an infant and from there they would turn back into a fetus and so on. A process that the victim would feel until the end. It was not a pretty sight to see nor was it one that I intended to happen to any of my people. Those storms mentioned were only the worse but there were several minor storms produced from the eye. Even as we landed from space the storm kept itself hidden by some unknown means.

Weary but alert eyes gazed at us as we marched towards the large camp. The Crimson Army marched in ordered footsteps and moved as one. The Kan family banner raised high overhead while a dragon claw clutched at a shield. Derived from the story of Apollo Kan facing against Arrgonton. I met the so-called dragon and he appeared very humanoid to me but perhaps that wasn’t his true form or a transformation of some sort. In the end, I gained an increase in the potency of my bloodline from the encounter and a spell strong enough to kill gods. A spell that I could barely cast.

“The stars shall show all truth before me, no illusions can deceive other than my own.”

Casting my perk Starlit Eyes as we approached its activation phrase slightly changed after it upgraded

We stopped just outside the borders of the camp detecting the presence of a powerful magical barrier. Instead of announcing ourselves, we chose to wait in silence. Armors glinting beyond crimson as the red sky effect was still in place in tandem with the dark Eye of Yacsuun. The air was heavy with the smell of unwashed men and copper. Blood had been spilled and it was very recent.

A tired Gloria walked forward and announced us. Ever since Fort Carrano’s fall, the woman had done her best to stay as far away from me as possible. I didn’t blame her and understood why. Perhaps I could have gone about other ways, perhaps we could have retreated and faced whatever Nox came crying out. The fact remained that it was too late now and had she heeded my warning the events that took place may have had a different outcome.

A few words were exchanged between Gloria and the guards before the barrier seemed to accept us and no longer radiated a hostile presence.

“Nox.”

I simply pointed and one of my knights, Rouge, took off in the direction of the guard talking to Gloria. Not pausing in the slightest as she speared the man through. Gloria looked on in shock and I truly realized the women’s injuries must extend far beyond the surface level as she should have more than enough time to detect what was going on around her.

A look of surprise entered the guard’s face before he turned and stared directly at me. A voice roared out and my danger sense went off. My body and mind moved at once as I raised my shield to deflect a blow that would have crippled another man of my level.

“General Irvon, I believe there is a misunderstanding.”

No second blow came as to my surprise Princess Moriah along with several of her guardsmen moved to intercept the general.

I could still feel the eyes of the creature on me and once I was certain the general would not strike again, I turned to look. It smiled. Then from the distance, it mouths.

“Found you!”

Then it began its transformation only to die as several weapons pierced its body. The guardsmen that had previously surrounded Rouge acted. I could feel their strength tiers three to four from the several dozens of men.

“Found you?”

I didn’t see the blow that arrived next but felt it as my body was shot off into the distance. The blow was powerful. Had my magical shielding on my armor not negated it then it would have taken my life. The magic that was stored was completely depleted. Although I still had a few life-saving items on me. I would need to be very careful of the next upcoming attacks. The second blow that came was stopped by my shield. A black-clawed hand struck towards my heart.

“So, you’re the one who’s given my queen so much trouble. The description matches what my sister said you’d look like.”

She began to glow a red-light hue like the one coming from the sky.

The woman sighed and my heartbeat fast in fear as my core warned me of the danger to come.

“Maybe in the next life…”

*

Amaya took control of the Crimson Army the moment Aegis blocked the blow from General Irvon. Part of the plans they discussed was what they would do in the situation that the soldiers of the front lines belonging to the Crimson Army were partially turned into Nox. Now that it was verified, they would proceed to take the necessary steps to vent all the Nox. Amaya had no plans to sleep next to an enemy that could turn her allies on her at any point. The Crimson Army and their allies formed in a half-circular formation the ten great families split on the ends while Moriah’s forces served as bullhead.

The screams began erupting from the camp as the men of the frontlines fought against their turned comrades. A few ran out but the forces of the Crimson Army remained in place. Killing anyone that came too close. Regardless on whether they turned or not.

Amaya felt a huge amount of danger coming in the direction Aegis was thrown off into. She activated one of the tier seven spells stored within her staff. While her mages did the same. Then she felt danger coming from the camp and the red sky bathe them with its light as explosions rang off.

Amaya knew Aegis would be able to survive whatever was happening which is why she focused on maintaining her spell. After the events of Fort Carrano and during their stay in the capital it became increasingly clear to the cousins that the Primans had no solid way to prevent themselves from being taken over by the Nox. Not from a lack of trying as they had a few methods that showed when a Nox was infesting a person. Yet these methods weren’t foolproof and the seemed to be plenty of mid-level commanders taken over. The Warrior Princess and her commanders couldn’t figure out why. Not until today.

“Baroness Vanns,” General Irvon roared out as he watched her explode over a downed Aegis. He saw red as multiple explosions rang out over the camp recognizing various important areas being targeted by the enemy forces. The explosions seemed to be concentrated in the direction of their supplies and General Irvon’s aura billowed out. Reinvigorating his men as he took control.

Amaya saw all of this and more but focused on maintaining her spell to avoid needless causalities of her men. It took another five minutes for the explosions and screams to stop. In the meantime, Amaya had lost sight of Aegis and much of the camp as dust was blown into the air covering her view. A figure flew above the Crimson Army and Amaya recognized the figure of Aisha. She activated a spell construct, and a great wind overtook the attacked camp. Clearing the vision for all to see.

The standing walls and various tents lay in ruins and cries for aid came from all regions of the camp. Once it became clear that there was no more attacking Nox. Amaya immediately dispelled her spell and began shouting orders.

“Bring forth a monolith. Rang take a company and begin constructing an injury field. Select a few of your men and bring the lightly injured there. Once all light injured have been gathered, we’ll cast |Mass Heal|. Loani begin construction of a few fortifications a mile to our left. Once settle have our cooks prepare something light. Alex, Rouge…”

Amaya continued to call out orders, but her gaze remained in the area the explosion erupted over her cousin happened. Several minutes passed yet there was no sign of Aegis. She was starting to get worried but wouldn’t allow it to show on her face not that her soldiers could see her expression with her helmet covering her. It was just a natural habit at this point.

What did form however was a surprised expression as the priest and their counterparts surged from behind the Crimson Army and began to walk through the destruction. Healing as they moved through the rumble. This was the first time the members of the churches acted out in such a fashion. They each left members in the capital but since coming to this world they hadn’t done much at least to Amaya’s knowledge. So, what were they planning now?

*

Groaning I sat up while heaving the debris and dirt off me. My mana pool was partially drained but for the most part, I was completely fine. Most of the explosion had missed me. It was simple really. The moment the assassin looked towards the sky ready to explode herself and kill me in the process I used my magic indirectly. Without time to form the proper spell construct, I allowed the ground to swallow me. I went deep not trusting the surface level of the earth to protect me. While not coming up until I was certain the effects of the explosion were done.

I looked towards the Eye of Yacsuun breathing a sigh of relief as it stayed stationary. No minor storms splitting off.

“Today was a good day to die, but not for me.”

I got up and headed towards my army. Arriving after a few minutes of walking. When I was attacked the assassin kicked me far out and away from any of the people in my army. Hoping to corner me and allow no help. Which is why she acted as fast as she did. Everything occurred within the few seconds after she sent me tumbling. As I made my way into the rebuilding camp, I found a worried Amaya waiting for me. Her body posture relaxed the moment I appeared in her vision, and I rushed forwards the rest of the way.

“I’m glad you’re ok, twenty thousand Nox are headed this way. The Crimson Army will be meeting them in battle. Before the day ends. While the forces of the front lines recover and prepare to retreat to a different front.”

“Well… shit.”