Formicea

 

This isn't good.
To be precise, this is disastrous.
According to this man, as well as all the other scouts I sent to verify his words, the greatest monster horde since the orc invasion centuries ago, if not even far greater, is about to cross our border and rush into the republic.
If this continues our glorious nation might be at risk.

If I had any doubts about calling the Aquilean legion to aid us, they're gone now.
Rather, I chose to send word to all the others, as well as an updated version for the Aquileans. I even turned towards the Aeterian legion as well.
As we now have to deal with a completely new second force of this magnitude, there's no other choice but to fight in a joint effort.
The elite from the Aeterians might be just the difference we need.
After all, the Evergrove won't matter if these monsters break through.

The mobilization of our army works surprisingly smoothly.
The greatest issues lie with bringing the slaves with us.
While the collars ensure that none are doing anything stupid, getting them all the considerable long distance to the southern frontline is an entirely different matter.
The reason for bringing them is to have as much manpower as possible at my disposal to meet this new threat.
Thus it would be nonsensical contradictory behavior to have half of them die already on the march there.
This means we need to take it slow, decrease our pace, and organize transport carriages.
While I am able to manage the extremely challenging logistics of this operation, it means we'll need at least three weeks to fully assemble our army at the rally point.

Of course, I'm one of the first to arrive, after I made sure my orders were placed and will be followed.
While the journey over the well-maintained roads of our nation, which offer regular checkpoints for weary travelers, was anything but hard, there's a certain point that robbed me of my night's sleep.
By now we confirmed that those insect creatures also come in a flying form.
This in itself already brings enough problems, regarding planning suitable countermeasures and adjusting our overall strategy, but what is the real issue I'm experiencing, would be that I spotted some of them far away in the sky.
I'm certain they're scouting our movements.
The idea that they are doing this on purpose is very disturbing, as it could mean the Tarsonians use them for advanced tactics and can truly gather some kind of intel through their flight.
Nonetheless, the threat in the south has to be met, as there's no alternative.
Fortunately, we manage to arrive without incidents.

We take position at the Salas, the river just north of the no-man’s land that leads right to the Tarsonian border and separates the Drega Mountains from the Evergrove.
The base that controls the only bridge of the region is barely more than a glorified gatehouse.
There was never any effort made to cultivate the region to the south, as due to the proximity to the Evergrove, it was simply not worth it.
For this reason, monsters can roam these lands, but the few that emerge have little incentive to cross the waters.
Therefore, the fort's only purpose is to keep lone wandering monsters from crossing into the heartlands.

Given the huge insect army gathering right here, it apparently wasn't the worst idea to stay out of it.
Even from here, I can see dust clouds from all that movement, as well as glimpses of flying creatures, poking over the horizon.

I ask one of my scouts for a report.
The man clearly looks like he doesn't want to be stationed here.

 

"What can you tell me about the enemy?" (D)

"I, I don't know. You see them. They're scattered in the area, seemingly wandering around without real purpose, but their numbers are becoming more by the second. Small dog-like beings, abominations with spikes for legs, some of them terrifyingly huge monstrosities, and even a few flying ones! I don't know what they're waiting for. There's no way we could ever hope to defeat them." (scout)

 

Yeah, this post didn't do him good.
At least, he was able to provide a bit of useful information.
It seems like the monsters are waiting for something.
The question is, do we want to wait till this happens?

For the time being, there is no other choice but to stay passive, until not just my own army, but also the other legions are assembled.
Not only because we'll certainly need the troops to deal with this, but also because this will divert a part of the responsibility for the possible outcome to the other Domini.

The following days don't bring much change.
While the insects act hostile against any probing advancing movements, they're otherwise just randomly scattered around the land.
There’s a ruckus in the outskirts of the Drega Mountains and flocks of harpies and even some wyvern take flight, the insect fliers presumably alarming them, but the bugs don’t seem to be actively taking territory.
It's like they're trying to figure something out, or, more concerning, are waiting for something to happen.

So I feel a strange mix of relief and disturbedness when the golden eagle standards of the Aquilean legion come into view.

Even the man himself, Cassius Aurellio, Dominion of the Aquilean legion rides on his ridiculously big steed. in front of his troops. 
As overly pompous as his high-held black mane on his head indicates.
Not to forget the ridiculous blue eyes.
It's as if he's keeping them wide open on purpose to show off his heritage as a pureblood.
Of course, I still receive him with all honors.

 

"Dorajus! I see you're well. That is, aside from your inability to make any progress in this mess of a war you're leading." (Au)

"I want to see you deal with a sudden insect invasion!" (D)

 

Seriously, as if anyone could've planned for this.

 

"Well, I can't do much worse than you did. I heard you managed to lose all the territory we acquired in months. That's quite a letdown, given how highly you Empyreans always think of yourselves. Though, please excuse me. I need to make sure that my legion performs well. Which shouldn't be too much of an issue. After all, we still fight by ourselves." (Au)

 

Such an asshole!

All there is left now would be the support force from the Aeterian legion.
I actually have hopes for them, as due to their service at the Everhold against the Grove, their veterans are proven monster slayers.
However, even after days, there's still no sign of them. Till suddenly...

 

"A troop! From the southeast!" (lookout)

 

Out of the forest?
Why wouldn't they use the roads?
Goddamn, that's what they're there for!

Yet once I arrive at the scene, my heart sinks.
What I see is truly just a singular troop.
Barely ten soldiers.
And a ragtag bunch at that.
Is that seriously all they could muster?

As before, I receive them, but can't help not being all that enthusiastic about it.
Out of that group, a woman separates and approaches.

 

"Hey, you're the boss here?"

 

Apparently, she's trying to live up to their reputation of being a bunch of savage brutes.
This is already apparent from their looks.
Not a single one of them carries standardized equipment.
Bows, mini crossbows, spears, swords, daggers.
It's almost unlikely that there's so much variety in such a group.
Even their uniforms are so thoroughly modified that they're unrecognizable as army equipment, save for this woman’s medallion of rank.
And even that seems purposefully dulled.

 

"Yes. Dominus Dorajus Verilian. We were awaiting you. Centurion..?" (D)

"Tasha Leona. Centurion of the fifth cohort of the Aeterian legion." (T)

 

The young, dark-brown-haired woman in front of me carries two curved blades and has overall quite the tan, which might refer to a southern heritage.

 

"Ahem. Is there a reason for taking such an... unusual route?" (D)

"Route? Oh, right. Yep, there was an issue with one of the forward bases. We had to check up on them. You know the boss. Always vigilant." (T)

 

Though apparently not vigilant enough to send more troops against the real threat.

 

"I need to say, I expected a greater contingent, given the threat we are facing." (D)

"Tsk. Expectations. Let me tell you, we are more than you could've hoped for." (T)

 

I almost feel how that girl swallowed not to end that sentence with "old man".
Not that this makes her behavior all that much more excusable.
But I also notice how not a single one in her troop seems fazed by this exchange.
No, they look even amused.
Don't they fear repercussions?
They even look relaxed while playfully fiddling with the handle of their weapons, while at the same time appearing as if they'd be ready to strike out at a moment's notice.

It is then that I take note of the intrinsic designs on the different equipment.
They don't wield standard weapons.
They're all high quality.
I'd even dare to say that they're magic in nature.

Furthermore, the ever-burning flame, the symbol of their legion, is not in its rightful place on their chest.
This would be unthinkable, even for them, yet another glance at their weapons reveals the reason.
On the hilt of their armaments, a flame with a dragon in its midst is proudly carved.
Of course!

This is a veteran corps.
One of these elite soldiers is rumored to equal a hundred men.
Certainly, that's an overstatement and I'd rather have received around ten thousand more soldiers, nonetheless, they might not be quite as useless as I initially suspected.
Their expertise could even be rather helpful.

.
.
.

"What do mean, you don't know?!" (D)

"I'm saying that I have no idea what these things are. Never before encountered them. My knowledge of how to deal with them amounts to the obvious. Hit them till they die, and if you can, aim for lethal places. I'm just gonna assume here that the head is one. However, that might not always be the case. Aside from this, don't let them maul you. They seem close-combat oriented." (T)

 

That's quite as far as I was already.
Nothing novel.
Yet at least the lack of ranged attacks could be an advantage for us.

 

"So if we can build a stable line of defense, we should be able to pick them off from afar." (D)

"Might work, but they have fliers. Oh yeah, almost forgot! You should form dedicated ranged formations. They'd be solely tasked to take down what flies around there. Split them into smaller troops and have them shoot all at once. This way, your formation won't get riddled with holes by them. At least not as much. Oh, and don't forget to defend them adequately." (T)

"Then what about the ground fight?" (D)

 

If the ranged units concentrate on other stuff they can't help the threatened ground forces.

 

"If your troops are really so bad that they can't even survive a fight like this then you should've trained them better!" (T)

 

Damn, I can basically feel Cassius' smirking next to me.

 

"Sorry, but my soldiers don't have as much experience with monsters as you do. They're used to human enemies, and fighting these creatures isn't really comparable." (D)

 

Especially, not their strength.
The big ones might break right through.

 

"Tsk. Then they should get ready for a trial by fire. If they want to survive the next day that is. You should've let them fight more against them beforehand. Unfamiliarity can be deadly." (T)

 

In this case...

 

"Then why don't we send in the slaves first? Might be discouraging to look at, but should show them what they have to expect." (D)

"You seriously want to sacrifice..." (T)

 

At this, Cassius raises his word.

 

"Dominus Verilian! Are you aware that the slave deliveries got delayed recently? You probably won't receive any more for the near future." (Au)

 

As if I didn't already notice that.
Rakis' royalty is apparently actively interfering with the acquisition, and the recent enemy counterattacks as well as their evacuation efforts rendered our raids ineffective.

 

"However, this might be for the better. I hope you didn't intend to apply your... practices in the coming battle." (Au)

 

There's much to consider.
While our reserves of slaves are still big enough to make quite the impact, we mostly utilize the desperation of the people against them.
The idea that any kill will get rewarded with freedom, or traded for other amenities if wished so, is just the sliver of hope most of them require to commit to the deed.
Funny enough, we even follow up on that promise.
After all, if we didn't this would eventually spread and completely hopeless people don't make for good fighters.
Yet even if they're motivated, most of them are basically civilians.
They only received basic weapon training with shabby equipment and the rest is on them.
Regarding morale, enemies like these insects cause considerable panic.
So using them could put our lines in disarray.
Slaves are simply better suited for small skirmishes than big formation battles.
Incorporating them into ours would bring more trouble than it's worth.
Especially, as we need to coordinate with the Aquileans.
However, they don't necessarily need to be part of it.

 

"Of course, I wouldn't. Yet it might work to send them in advance to force the enemy to show us what they got." (D)

"Did you even look at the battlefield? There's a single bridge connecting us to these lands. We can't set over the river and hope for an easy retreat. Especially not if the slaves will try taking the same way." (Au)

"Then we don't. You're underestimating the range of these collars." (D)

"And you are weirdly infatuated with them! Seriously, how did you come to use such a new trinket so excessively?" (Au)

 

Why wouldn't I?
We are the Empyrean legion.
Persecutors of the will of the republic!
We slay the foes that rise against the nation and bring unruly regions under control.
These collars are basically the embodiment of our duty.

 

"It has its advantages. Especially, if you set up the necessary countermeasures. If things become dire we can still kill all of them off. All it needs is the press of a single button." (D)

"I don't have any favor for your practices, yet this is your war. We are supposed to be support and this is what we'll be doing. Don't expect us to fill your first line." (Au)

 

With this, he turns and leaves.
Damned Aquileans!
So much for "facing the enemy wherever they are".
Yet I'm confident in this strategy.
I approach my commanding legates and tribunes and utter a commandment.

 

"This goes out to all centurions with assigned drafted personnel. I want you to send every single one who in any way is capable of putting up a fight. The rules are the same as usual. They may be freed if they can at least kill one of these creatures, but won't be able to return before the engagement is over. Hand out spears. They should prove more effective. You will kill anyone who stands up against this! Though, make generous use of the pain application function beforehand." (D)

 

I am no monster, after all, they deserve a chance to try.
And if they die, the handlers will at least be able to take up arms and join the battle.
Only benefits.

 

Naturally, the following hours become still quite messy.
Yet only less than three percent of the slaves had to be executed.
The others accepted their fate.
Albeit slightly disgruntled.
Yet it might help a bit that this time they don't need to kill fellow humans.
The ethical aspect of this deed was the cause of many impromptu executions my handlers had to perform.

Eventually, we can drive them over to the other side of the river.
I have Legate Antrius instruct the several thousand men and women about what is expected from them.

 

"You know the drill! Once the battle is over, you'll return here, no matter how it turned out. If you can bring in a right mandible as prove that you killed one of these things, you may be freed. Don't even try to bring in a left one. For any who don't show up again, we'll press the button. Seriously, consider this a mercy. This might be preferable to what these things will do if they catch you." (A)

 

Yeah, deep fear, hopelessness, but just enough determination to know they have no other choice.
I don't have high expectations, but maybe they can do a little.
At least, the enemy will be forced to show us their hand.

In a disillusioned manner, they step towards their very likely end.
Meanwhile, we need to ensure the handlers are ready to do their duty.
There were several incidents where bleeding hearts "forgot" to press the kill switch.

Suddenly, I'm approached by Dominus Aurellio.

 

"What do you want?" (D)

"Oh, I brought a nifty little trinket with me. A farsight crystal. Newest technology. It should enable us a good view of the battle. Are you interested in joining me?" (Au)

 

Tsk, bragger!
Of course, the guys with the focus on mobility and transportation get the good stuff first.
He can't help but show this off, huh?
Yet he's right that a better view will help me to adjust my strategy.
So I begrudgingly accept.

Thus we gather on the highest tower in the fort.
It seems one needs a clear view of the target area and the crystal will cross the distance for you and provide a clear image.
Through the reflecting surface, I see the approach of our band of slaves, as they close in on the first insects on their way.

Now it starts.