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The next day, Arlan woke up at seven in the morning to get himself ready for the monster subjugation. After tending to his hygiene and equipping his armor, the young baron headed down to the main hall.
A tavern wench approached Arlan to deliver a plate of fried eggs and tauro steak. As usual, Arlan finished his food in minutes and prepared some notes for the briefing. He ordered a cup of tea as he worked on last-minute details.
By the time it was eight, the Banner of the Claw had come down in force and the main hall was lively again. Each member greeted their Captain as they walked by his table. JD sat with Arlan as he ate his breakfast as well. They conversed about small details and got ready for the operation brief.
As all squads reported they were done. Arlan approached the front of the room to address his soldiers. He was joined by JD at his side.
"Good morning." said the young lion loudly.
"Good morning, Captain!" responded every Banner of the Claw member.
"Our mission here has changed. We are no longer investigating the monster sighting. Our new objective is now monster subjugation," stated Arlan as some of the soldiers looked confused, "We will be splitting up into two detachments and destroying monster nest positions. We will be aided by the Nymedes party and the Red Rose party. I will lead one and JD will lead the other." said Arlan as JD comes forth.
"Meet with your squad leaders. They will inform you of your squad's responsibilities and details will be covered by them." announced JD as the three squads shuffled around.
They all prepped their gear and went over the final details. A nervous look took over some of them as this would be their first battle. Nymedes and Red Rose joined them outside the Inn. The Banner of the Claw gathered outside the Northstar Inn so Arlan could address them before leaving.
"Listen up, every single one of you here has trained intensely. Because of that, you're stronger than the average soldier. As long as you follow orders and remember your training, you will be victorious. Bring Midland great honor my brothers and you will live forever!"
An immense fire was lit in each soldier’s heart. The rallying presence and atmosphere pierced into their souls. Even the Nymedes and Red Rose felt a burning emotion.
Arlan's detachment began heading out the west side of the village and JD’s detachment exited the east. Many villagers cheered them out as well. Arlan took note of Lord Poma's absence.
The young lion’s detachment was led by the Nymedes party as they knew the area well. Mahari was the lead scout. They entered the northwest side of the Wolf Forest. The area wasn’t too thick of trees and meadows pocketed the area.
As they traveled, Arlan kept his [Battle Trance] on and Yanie approached Arlan. The elf asked, “Arlan, I heard of your duel with the Guiles.”
Arlan smiled and replied, “They basically asked for it.”
“You defeated Boss in a duel, that’s most impressive.” said Yanie as she blushed. Arlan noticed her forwardness. Trent let out a devious grin from behind Arlan.
Trent then interjects, “That’s our Captain! He beat Boss without even drawing his sword.”
As they arrive at a meadow with a broken-down village, Mahari interrupts, “Arlan, we’re close.”
“Trent, have first squad form up on me.” ordered Arlan.
“Aye, Captain,” said Trent as he turned to the first squad, “On the Captain, first squad!”
Arlan turns to the Nymedes party, “Anthony, your combat experience is invaluable. Since you’re not directly under my command; do as you see fit that would support us without endangering yourselves.”
“No problem, Arlan. We’ll defend your flanks.” replied Anthony as the Nymedes positioned themselves behind the line of soldiers. As they advance on the clearing, Fiala begins casting a chant and mana flows out from her staff. A green circle appeared at her staff with ancient markings.
Fiala chanted, “Numen, bless us with your divine protection.” As the cleric finished her incantation, everyone glowed green with a layer of mana. Arlan could feel the barrier of mana around him as well. His [Battle Trance] could see traces of mana on everyone.
As the group advanced, Arlan sensed dark essence and traces of mana burrowed into the ground. The reason why these nest were hidden for so long was that they were burrowed underground.
“Halt!” yelled Arlan as everyone stopped.
“What is it, Arlan?” asked Anthony from the rear.
“They’re underground right in front of us. At least fifty monsters. Send a runner to the JD’s detachment and inform them that all nests are likely burrowed. Use spears and to strike at the ground.” ordered Arlan.
“Yes, Captain!” replied Trent. The first squad advanced another five meters and thrusted their spears into the ground. Dark brown blood began to emerge from the ground and loud screeches of pain could be heard. In response to this attack, monsters began to rise from the ground in front of them.
The monsters who rose were ant-like humanoids with four sharp claws. They were known as phormics. They behaved like ants on Terra with a hive mind but with much more superior human-like intelligence. They couldn’t be reasoned with.
The phormic soldiers in front of them measured to be tier-one but there were pockets of phormic veterans with tier-two capacities. A burly ant with six claws emanated tier-three capacities, likely a phormic overlord who commanded this nest.
Arlan knew that the first squad was powerful enough but fighting outnumbered like this is dangerous without proper formations and teamwork. This was also their first battle. Arlan ordered the first squad to advance immediately. Speed was the key to reducing the enemy’s numbers.
The Nymedes party pushed forward straight into five phormic soldiers with Mahari at the front. Arlan’s [Battle Trance] revealed that all Nymedes party members were at least tier-two white cores. As Mahari reached melee range, the lizard beastmen let out a loud roar. It was a Mar-Tech known as [Challenge], it threw any monsters or animals within ten meters into a hateful gaze onto the user. This served as his taunt that kept their attention on him. [Challenge] wouldn’t work on more sentient beings though.
As the five phormic soldiers began trading attacks with Mahari, Yanie showered arrows into them. She made sure not to hit Mahari. One phormic fell prey to Yanie’s arrows, allowing Anthony to flank another with his spear. Anthony thrusted upward into it’s head and killed it instantly.
Another group of phormics began to advance on them but Arlan was confident they could handle it. The Nymede’s coordination was incredible. They were B rank adventurers afterall.
On the Banner of the Claw’s side, two groups of five phormics clashed with the first squad’s line. The protection spell was powerful enough to deflect certain attacks that would’ve injured some of the men.
Trent began ordering his men to strike and kill the ten in front of them with a combined attack. This left roughly thirty phormics but it was still a high number. The phormic overlord began charging the first squad’s line formation. The phormic overlord had twenty behind him while the other ten began pushing towards the Nymedes party.
Arlan jumped in front of his men and prepared to meet the enemy commander. Arlan channeled all of his essence and drew his mithril sword. As the promise of violence reached its climax, Arlan dashed forward and activated [Titan Strike]. This Mar-Tech was Arlan’s strongest attack.
As the young lion was within range of the phormic overlord. The monster responded with all six claws aimed at Arlan. A massive burst of yellow essence coated Arlan’s sword.
The young lion then swung overhead onto the phormic overlord and the yellow essence shotgunned down. The kinetic force pierced multiple holes into the phormic overlord, killing him instantaneously. Only a husk ridiculed with holes was left. Even the ground below was cratered outward like a cone.
The remaining phormics cried out and were extremely confused. Killing the phormic ovelord left them without a leader. This gave the Banner of the Claw a massive advantage. The Nymedes party also participated in the one-sided slaughter. Together, they systematically killed off the rest of the phormics with minor injuries.
Arlan pulled his teal blade from a phormic and checked the surrounding area with his [Battle Trance]. Killing the enemy commander is going to be the key in the fights against the phormics. Trent and Anthony approached Arlan and congratulated each other on a victory.
Anthony turned to Arlan and said, “I’ve been through these woods numerous times and never did I expect phormics to dig and wait. They normally attack anyone near their nest. This is odd behavior.”
“Correct, something intelligent is controlling them. We should proceed with caution.” replied Arlan.
“Agreed. By the way, I saw the Mar-Tech you used. I’ve never seen anything like it. You’re at least tier four aren’t you?” asked Anthony.
“Yes. I’m at tier four.”
Trent wasn’t surprised, but the rest of the nearby soldiers and Nymedes party all had widened eyes. Arlan ordered the expedition to rest as a village guard runner delivered a message.
“Milord, a message from Recruit JD. He says that they’ve wiped out a nest on the northeast side of the village. It wasn’t easy but they suffered no casualties. They’ll continue on their mission.”
“Thank you, return to your post.” replied Arlan as he returned the runner’s salute.
Arlan sat on a log overlooking the aftermath of the small battle. Trent approached his Captain to give his report, “Captain, only Drowa and Jams have small cuts. Everyone else is fine, but a little shaken up from the battle.”
“Good job, Trent. Join me, have a seat.” replied Arlan as Trent sits on the log. Arlan offered Trent his waterskin as inside was a rare red berry juice made in Galdo City.
“Thank you, Captain.” replied Trent.
“Why did you sign up for the Midland Army?” asked Arlan. Trent was only about fifteen, the same age as JD. Most of the recruits were between sixteen and eighteen.
“I joined the Midland Army because I’m really no good at anything else and needed to make some kind of money to take care of my sister. Recruits get paid three silver a month and that’s enough for us to get by.”
“I see. If money wasn’t an issue, would you still be here?”
“If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have answered no. But with the inevitable war coming, I’d still be here. If I can make sure my sister lives on peacefully, I’d happily stay in the Midland Army.”
“I see, let’s make sure the drums of war don’t reach her.”
“As long as I’m following you, Arlan, I know we can make a difference.”
“Alright, our rest time is up, let’s continue this another time. Have the first squad prepare to move out.”
“Yes, Captain.”
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