70. Deployment

At the same time, the Flying Dragon Empire sent word of Demon Island’s intentions to all the other empires on the continent through official imperial channels. The credibility of the Death Empire was questionable; many suspected their troop mobilizations were a pretext for swallowing up the smaller empires. But the edict from the Flying Dragon Empire was another matter entirely—no one doubted its veracity. A century ago, the Flying Dragon Empire had declared it would never annex any empire or interfere in their wars.

It was Demon Island that had sparked the war a hundred years past, and the surviving elders of every empire remembered all too well the terrifying powers that had been unleashed. The Death Empire might boast the strongest military on the continent, but whether it could stand against Demon Island remained to be seen. Should the continent’s mightiest military be vanquished, the fires of war would soon sweep across the land.

Moreover, the Death Empire was clearly stretched thin. After dispatching over thirty thousand elite troops to the Golden Stone Empire and the Doma Empire, few elite forces remained at home—barely enough to defend the capital and the imperial city.

Thus, the armies of all the empires began to assemble, ready to send support to the Death Empire or the Doma Empire should the need arise, to help repel the threat from Demon Island.

In the elven royal city deep within the Death Forest, the Elf Queen also received the official letters of acknowledgment from the empires.

“My child, your Death Empire has become truly formidable. All the empires are gathering their armies. With a single command from you, their soldiers will march into your lands at your bidding,” the Elf Queen said.

“It’s not that they’re being altruistic. They just don’t want the flames of war consuming their own nations. If it burns itself out in our Death Empire or the Doma Empire, all the better for them. I know exactly what they’re thinking,” Mokfei replied.

For days now, Mokfei had been tirelessly enchanting arrows. Beyond the four thousand he’d crafted earlier, he had produced more than six thousand more. Though his pace was slow at first, he grew steadily faster, even managing to simplify some of the more complex spells. After several attempts, his improved Thunder Command covered a slightly smaller area but struck faster and with even greater force. This was why he had been able to produce such a vast number of enchanted arrows in so short a time.

“Whatever their reasons, you’re still understrength. Their help is not unwelcome,” the Elf Queen remarked with a smile.

“That’s right, brother,” said his sister. “Cain took over thirty thousand men with him. Only the city guards are left here now. The new recruits, Elder Orph says, are still untested…”

“Didn’t mother send thirty thousand elven cavalry as well? That’s enough. With these arrows, we can handle Demon Island’s first landing force.”

“The first?” The Elf Queen was taken aback. “You mean there will be a second?”

“There will be more than just two waves,” Mokfei said quietly. “For a hundred years, Demon Island has lain dormant. Now that they move, it’s with the intent of total conquest. I judge that their first assault on the Doma Empire is simply to vent their wrath at us, since their agents on the continent have all been wiped out by our Death Empire. Originally, their plan must have been to land in the Flying Dragon Empire, support the traitor within, and seize control there—using it as a base to conquer the rest of the continent.”

“Heavens…” the Elf Queen gasped. “Doesn’t that mean the Flying Dragon Empire is in danger?”

“Don’t worry, mother. The Flying Dragon Empire will be fine,” Mokfei said with a smile. “I’ll have these assembled armies reinforce the Flying Dragon Empire—assuming they obey orders.”

“Still, the Flying Dragon Empire…” The Elf Queen’s concern lingered.

“Mother, just relay what I’ve said to their Emperor. And the Flying Dragon Empire is not to be underestimated. A direct assault wouldn’t be easy for Demon Island, though it may be their last resort.”

“Oh, and mother, could you also inquire after that traitor’s situation for me?”

“I’ll report all this to them and ask about the traitor as well,” the Elf Queen said, rising to leave. Before she could go, Mokfei added, “Mother, just in case, order the Death Forest to full battle readiness. Since it was I who ruined Demon Island’s plans, I fear they may…”

“Of course. I’ll issue the order at once,” the Elf Queen agreed, realizing it was wisest to err on the side of caution. The Elven Kingdom could not withstand the devastation of another great war.

Instantly, elven messengers sped from the royal city to every defensive stronghold in the Death Forest. Protective wards were raised around the surrounding towns, all personnel rushed to their stations, and massive ballistae were prepared atop the city walls. Elite elven scouts fanned out in all directions—the first line of defense for the royal city. They would be the first to detect enemy incursions and, if necessary, the first to lay down their lives to protect the Elven Kingdom.

Since the war a century past, the elves had suffered untold hardships to reunite. Now, for the sake of their survival, the kingdom’s finest archers and warriors would form the first bulwark against invasion. Any enemy wishing to enter the Death Forest would have to walk over their corpses.

Meanwhile, the City of Death was also on full alert. Under the city lord’s orders, all defenses faced the border shared with the Dragon Rock Empire and the Flying Dragon Empire.

The city was garrisoned by only three thousand heavy Death Cavalry and a contingent of dwarven archers. The plains outside the walls were ideal for cavalry charges; if necessary, these three thousand would charge the enemy without hesitation—even if it meant annihilation, they were determined to inflict grievous losses. They believed themselves to be warriors worth ten of any foe.

At last, when the empires had completed their mobilization, Mokfei issued his first command: all armies were to converge on the Flying Dragon Empire.

A few days prior, word had come from the Flying Dragon Empire that the traitor had escaped justice thanks to covert assistance. Mokfei immediately guessed who was involved. As long as the traitor lived, Demon Island would have a pawn to exploit, and their landing in the Flying Dragon Empire was all but certain.

The empires were baffled by Mokfei’s order, but all he wanted was for them to hold out until the Death Empire could deal with Demon Island’s landing force in the Doma Empire—then come to their aid.

Mokfei didn’t put much faith in the military strength of these empires, but he hoped that, united under one command, they might become more formidable.

As the empires hesitated over his order, Mokfei sent a second: he selected a dwarf from the City of Death to command them, instructing all forces to obey him once they reached the Flying Dragon Empire.

Slowly, the armies began their march, their destination set: the Flying Dragon Empire.

On receiving Mokfei’s analysis, the Flying Dragon Empire finally grasped the gravity of the situation and began mustering its own forces, concentrating defenses along the coast. Nevertheless, their extended frontline was riddled with gaps, and they had no more troops to spare. It was then that they learned Mokfei had sent a dwarven general to lead the armies of all the empires to their aid.

Out of trust in Mokfei, the Emperor of the Flying Dragon Empire ordered his own troops to obey the dwarf general as well.

This command, once made public, reassured the other empires, who in turn instructed their slow-moving armies to follow the dwarf’s orders.

Thus, the dwarf general chosen by Mokfei hurried to the Flying Dragon Empire with all possible speed. By then, only the Dragon Rock Empire’s forces had arrived ahead of the others.

After taking command of the Flying Dragon Empire’s troops, the dwarf general withdrew all elite forces to the rear and filled the vacated positions with the later-arriving armies of other empires. When questioned about this strange strategy, the dwarf issued his first order: the elite warriors of the Flying Dragon Empire would form rapid response units, ready to reinforce any point along the coastal defenses as needed. The frontline troops were instructed to report immediately upon detecting an enemy landing, and under no circumstances were they to initiate contact with the enemy.