After the others agreed to my proposed strategy, the rest of the meeting centred around all the rest of the preparations we needed to do. Little details like how to protect the noncombatants and the city proper.
There was little trouble with the decisions themselves, yet it took quite a while. Long enough that Harja and Geirskogul ended up leaving early because they got too bored. Most of the fairy elders also tried to dip out, but the rest of us forcibly restrained them. Unlike the first two, these leaders were directly responsible for the ones we were making decisions for.
While it was true that they wouldn't mind whatever we decided as long as it wasn't too unreasonable, we still weren't about to let them off the hook for things they were responsible for.
Of course, the hope was that most of these plans wouldn't be needed, but this was a battle involving noncombatants. Not taking every reasonable measure to ensure their safety was being irresponsible as a leader.
But at the same time, overdoing it was also a problem. It wasn't good to take preventative measures to the point that we pissed off the very people we were trying to protect. This was especially true for the fickle fairies who made up the vast majority of the southern city's population.
Minimum irritation while ensuring minimum losses.
And of course, this included property, not just lives.
But most property was immobile or impractical to move, so the best we could do was to avoid letting the fighting reach the city itself, while adding additional layers of precaution just in case it did happen.
That was the entire point of the combat formation we had decided on at the beginning. The dragonkin form a bulwark while the dokkalfar and demons cover the flanks and watch for stray enemies that try to get around Harja's main forces. Beyond that, the spirits watch over anything and report anything unusual, and the fairies go to intercept anything that anyone misses.
My own job, as the single most powerful combatant by far, was to charge straight into the enemy force to blunt their attack as much as possible. If things went perfectly, then the others wouldn't have anything to do, but it was difficult to imagine a scenario where that would actually happen.
Back in the city proper, the young and old, as well as anyone else who would find it difficult to evacuate the city quickly for any reason would be evacuated before the battle would start. They would spend the days leading up to the fateful day in the community centres or other places that can accommodate them, like my own mansion.
If things don't go well, the rest would be evacuated from the city though various means we had planned. It was fortunate that the southern city was the one that was threatened, as the fairies could simply fly to the other city, even if it took time. The ground-bound populace would have no choice to use the dungeon to get across, hence it was fortunate that the threatened city was one where there was comparatively few people like that.
With things planned out to the best of our abilities, everyone informed of what was expected and needed to be done, and all the preparations for the upcoming battle done, all that was left was to wait for the big day.
Our fairy scouts continuously performed high altitude and high speed reconnaissance. Thanks to the magical turbine engines, it was quite easy, and such little people flying high above the tree line, it was easy for them to avoid the notice of the advancing army. And since they were people who had originally grew up in a forest, getting a good idea of where all the enemies were ended up being pretty easy for them even through the leafy canopy.
While we did suspect that the enemy predicted that we knew about their approach, our side still had an overwhelming intelligence advantage. Fine tuning our plans became quite easy, and it was hard not to be confident in our strategy.
When the enemy army was a bit over one day out from reaching the city, we put our plan into action.
All of our troops made their way to their posts, just far enough that they would have a nice chance to rest before having to form up. The spirits were held back, only to spread out after I started engaging the enemy. We knew there were a lot of elves on their side, so they would be able to see the spirits as the blanketed the skies with their numbers.
Tipping our hand early would only go against us, so they would only move out once the battle already started, far too late for the enemies to do anything about the spirits as they watched for what the enemy does from high enough that they couldn't be hurt.
Claret and the other greater spirits would not only act as liaisons to report what the spirit army sees, but also to keep them organized. I promised them all plenty of mana treats after the battle was over, and made sure that the greater spirits knew to use that as a carrot to ensure the fluffballs wouldn't get lured by any schemes the enemy tries.
If I had to mention something that didn't go as planned though...it was the group of kids that ended up sneaking to the southern city and tried to follow everyone to the front lines.
"And what were you all planning on doing?"
My hands were on my hips as I did my best to make a threatening expression. Except, due to the nature of the ones I was faced with, I knew that I was failing badly at it, and my expression likely looked more like that of annoyance and frustration than real anger.
"We don't answer to you. We're doing what needs to be done!"
My eyes narrowed at the words of Iaso, the kid that lead the group of dhampires.
"And what is it that needs to be done?"
"Protect those who need to be protected of course!"
The dhampires behind her cheered, raising their weapons.
"No."
I lowered my voice and stated my demand as firmly as I could.
"I already said so, we don't answer to you."
And to those words, the entire group of armed dhampire children turned away from me as I inadvertently pressed a few fingers against my temple.
"And what would your mothers think?"
Thankfully, my words made them stop, though a small part of me found it slightly intimidating that they all turned and pointed their weapons at me as one. Physically speaking, their actions couldn't even be constituted as even the smallest of a threat towards me, but that look of determination they all held, worked against my nerves.
"We're doing this FOR our mothers!"
The other dhampires cheered again to Iaso's words.
"And what if some of you got hurt? Or even killed? What am I supposed to tell your mothers if that happened?"
"Then that just shows that we were too weak. And we'll tell them ourselves."
I let out a broken sigh. I could understand their determination and will, at least a little. The issue was that it was a risk I wasn't willing to take.
"YOU are the ones that are weak, the ones that WE are supposed to be protecting!"
My frustration peaked, and I was unable to keep up with the diplomatic talk. Instead I simply told them my opinion bluntly, as a barefaced truth.
"That doesn't matter. We are still stronger than those we are protecting, and it's the duty of the strong to protect the weak. To protect those important to them."
"How's that any different than what I'm trying to do! Just because you're a little strong, you think you have to take up the mantle of a warrior? How do you think we feel, when just we want to protect those important to us?!"
But as the words escape my lips, I realize the contradiction in my words. I scratch at my head, wondering if maybe I should just tie them all up and carry them back to the western city and deal with this issue on a later date.
"Hmph. Just let them do what they want."
"Chieftain Harja."
I look up at the figure that came up from behind.
"They may be children, but they are still warriors. Let them come."
"But, they're kids. We can't just bring kids to a battlefield!"
I was dismayed at the fact that this chieftain was even entertaining the idea.
"Actual combat is a better teacher than any other. They can do that by watching from behind my warriors. Or what, do you think we'd let a single enemy past us?"
(Frankly, that's exactly what I'm worried about.)
But I couldn't actually say those words out loud. Taking a dig against Harja's pride was something that I couldn't do at this point in time. Even if what I was worried about was simply the possibility of such a thing happening.
"Alright. I got it. I'll owe you one."
In the end, I relented. I didn't like it at all, but continuing to try to fight it could effect morale. So rather than doing so, backing off and letting this happen might be safer for all involved.
My mind went back to my daughters. Earlier in the day, they were all gung ho about following me to watch the battle. Even Letty seemed interested, and it took me far too much time to make them stop. Though convincing them was another matter, and I was worried Alicia and Fate would try to sneak their way over. Especially since I couldn't rely on Letty to hold them back.
In the end, I got Philia to try her best to hold them back, though I felt bad for making the elderly orphanage director watch over my kids. Even more so since she would have to keep watch all night as well, with them being vampires and incapable of sleeping.
I promised myself I'd make it up to her even though she insisted she didn't need anything in return.
It was a little depressing that our carefully laid plans were already unravelling even before contact with the enemy had been made, but it wasn't anything catastrophic. Rather, having another layer of defence was actually a good thing.
Despite my hesitation due to their age, those dhampire kids had been growing at an impressive rate. Now that they were able to explore deeper into the dungeon as an extra curricular activity as long as they followed an established hunter properly, their vampire heritage had been put onto full display.
From the reports I had been hearing, their coordination and tactics were far and away better than what one would expect from kids their age. Their wealth of experience, and especially their drive, were really showing. They've been going deeper and deeper into the dungeon, and the most advanced group were taking on floor 27.
I had to double check when I found that out. Floor 27 was the first time incorporeal monsters showed up, and it was one that gave me a bit of trouble until I figured out the trick to dealing with them. Even with advance knowledge though, most parties had trouble on that floor. Vanguards couldn't hold off incorporeal monsters as they'd just pass through their bodies. Most weapons had no effect as they'd phase through them the same. Only magic and mana infused objects had any effect. And that only worked if you could see your target, as many of the monsters were simply invisible until they started their attacks.
The hurdle to even start fighting on that floor was high, so it was one of the walls that many parties struggled to overcome. Few simply could even meet the minimum requirements to clear it without spending a long time training and purchasing new equipment just for that one floor.
But the dhampire kids only received the basic advice everyone got before starting that floor. And while it wasn't like they didn't struggle, they were making real progress without any special preparations needed. Though, admittedly, our vampiric claws gave all of them a natural weapon that was effective against incorporeal monsters. Not to mention that it seemed like every one of their parties had at least one magic user, something not all normal hunter parties had.
And their ability to progress through the floor increased exponentially every time they visited it.
Of course, the reason for that was due to another property of vampires they inherited: the [blood sucking] skill. While it was far more difficult to raise the skill than for us pure-blooded vampires, even at rank one the skill allowed them to learn new skills simply by sucking the blood of their prey. That also worked on incorporeal monsters, and that included the skills that allowed them to both attack incorporeal beings, but also perceive them.
The first few parties that reached floor 27 were already able to vaguely perceive the invisible monsters that inhabited it. The battles grew quicker as fewer attacks missed, and their escorts needed to intervene less as the monsters grew unable to effectively flank the party unseen.
As things stood, these kids, despite not even being ten years old yet, were stronger than some of the hunters twice their age.
I was worried that I had overturned them when fixing their racial data up, and would have to look into it in the future. I didn't want dhampires to overtake the other races by being too strong, though it was possible that this was an isolated case. These dhampire kids had unusually strong drives, as was shown how they came to help defend the country of their own will.
I just hoped that they wouldn't get seriously hurt while pushing themselves so hard.
That said, it was fortunate that I had all those reports from the extra curricular activities. Originally they were to make sure that the events were running as intended and for the sake of finding ways to improve them, but they would equally work well for fine tuning the dhampire racial data.
With a shake of my head, I turned away from the city and faced the direction of the enemy army that were on approach according to our scouts.
There was no indication that they had noticed the fact that we knew they were approaching, but our strategy didn't care if they did. The basics of it were broad enough to account for any changes to their behaviour, and we could easily adapt to whatever they tried.
Though, overconfidence was the enemy. I've suffered greatly over and over both through insufficient preparation and not being cautious enough.
Even though, this time we had quite a lot of intelligence to work with, there was the possibility that the enemy had a trick or two up their sleeve. Obviously that damn cold iron sword could appear again, and someone even stronger than that last person who wielded it.
Maybe something entirely unexpected as well.
In the end, that's why I proposed this tactic. I would go in and reduce their army as much as I can, and everyone else would watch for any tricks and protect the city. With so many allies I can fall back on if anything happened, there were far more chances of correcting any trouble that showed up.
And luck would play a far smaller role, with backup being as close as it was.
We were a nation, and as a proper nation, would work as one.
We would be tested against an external crisis once again, and this time we were prepared.
I pulled out my weapon from my pocket dimension, the two scythes layered on top of each other to appear like one, and rested it on my shoulder as I started to march towards the place we decided to have the battle.
This time, it would be war. And I wouldn't have to even consider holding back, with most of the enemy combatants being enslaved monsters. Such an army shouldn't exist, and I would return it to dust.
Over the next day, our armies marched out to the site where we planned the fateful battle.
As planned, the dragonkin, lead by Harja, would become the backbone of our defensive formation. Their job was to take the brunt of the attack, halting it from taking another step towards the city. Behind that was the dhampire kids, though they were a last resort, and I really hoped that they wouldn't even get the opportunity to be involved.
On the flanks were the dokkalfar and demons, lead by Elli and Frigg respectively. Their job was to catch any overflowing monsters that tried to go around Harja's warriors and formed the arms of a claw formation. Though to prevent the enemy from catching on to our strategy early, these two forces were held back and hidden until contact was made.
The imps and fairies, thanks to their high mobility, were to act as both a patrol force and quick response force, helping out any critical flash points while also watching for any stray enemies that separated from the main force, engaging when necessary.
Lastly, the spirits would watch over everything as our primary eyes, reporting on the enemy movements to the best of their abilities. Frankly, the little fluffballs weren't really good at watching out for things, but I hoped that their sheer numbers would make up for things. The greater spirits, lead by Claret, should hopefully keep them on track and avoid getting too distracted and put themselves in danger.
Though I had to admit, the greater spirits really had their work cut out for them. Keeping order with the fluffballs was probably even harder than doing the same with the fairies and imps. Little better than herding cats, practicality speaking.
And then there was myself, in the thick of things.
Fortunately, with the enemy composition that was expected, my part, despite being the most active, was probably one of the easier ones. Just pretend to be a living slap chop ad parody. Too bad I didn't have a baseball bat. Though, being a vampire, the blood I was about to get access to was even better than a radioactive energy drink.
I went around, check everyone's formation after night fell, quickly zooming around with my wings stretched out.
Due to the situation, the warriors couldn't set up proper camps, or even have warm food. They simply slept on the cold ground, though even a restless sleep was better than having to fight right after a long march, so we were far better off then the enemy, not even taking into situation the difference in our force's power.
Flapping my wings hard, I zoomed up through the sky until my breath came out as little clouds, though that might've just been due to the night chill no longer inhibited by the insulating canopy. The forest below stretched out all the way to the horizon, and in the gaps here and there, I could get a general picture of everything.
Our allies resting before the big battle the next day. The enemies as they had stopped their advance for the day.
For the first time, I was able to confirm what our scouts had reported, and my confidence only rose even higher. Nothing I could see through the gaps in the forest canopy contradicted what the fairy scouts have reported, though seeing it for myself really pressed home how huge the army was.
I was quite impressed, even though they were just monsters, at the sheer scale of the army that was put together. Even if they were simply captured from inside of a nearby dungeon, the efforts that must've been exerted just to get them this far through the forest was incredible.
But my little stint as a U-2 was short lived, and I came back down to a more reasonable altitude further back from the front lines.
"Master!"
"How's everyone doing, Claret?"
I greeted my every faithful familiar while being swarmed by a veritable legion of fluffballs. They orbited around me, rubbing their soft bodies against my own at every opportunity. Though admittedly some of the places they pushed themselves into were a bit embarrassing, I knew that they didn't understand such things so all I could do was bear with it. They only had the purest of intentions after all.
"Really well, Master! All the little ones came when they heard that you wanted their help!"
Claret puffed out her chest with pride, though I could barely see her figure through the virtual cloud of fluffballs.
"Very good. Here, take these."
I handed my familiar a handful of mana treats.
"You can have one, the rest are for the other greater spirits. I'll have more for after the big battle."
"Thank you Master!"
Happily accepting the gifts, Claret immediately chomped down on one of the mana treats before heading off to find the other greater spirits. I really was thankful that they didn't dislike me anymore. Though they still didn't really show themselves around me, I knew that they weren't avoiding me in particular, just that they didn't like to show themselves usually.
As for the little fluffballs, I tossed out dozens of little mana treats by the handful. Though admittedly, this was only half as a preemptive thanks, and half a bribe so that they remember to do their jobs the next day.
But as usual, only the ones further away rushed to grab the treats, with the ones closest to me opting to prioritize on getting their fill of rubbing their bodies against mine before drifting off in contentment. Only then did they start to chase after the mana treats I spread around.
I made sure to be generous with the numbers as well, spending the night away with the fluffballs, refilling my MP pool with blood stored away before sharing even more mana treats.
Ninetailed_Furball
Hi everybody! It's your usual furball! (^o^)／
Here we are, the day before the big battle! (^.^)/
Yes, I know, kinda feels like I've been delaying things. Though, in my defence, I misjudged the word count for the first half of this chapter, and had originally planned for the battle to start in the latter half of it.
That didn't happen, so I ended up wasting time figuring out how to put together the latter bit of the chapter. Took a few reworks, so this chapter ended up being delayed a bit. (￣□￣;)
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