As the Blue Army of the Khenis Empire invaded the Gaisenfall Great Forest, they gradually adopted a method of cutting off the land veins.
The invading Blue Army in the forest mobilized a large number of mages to perform ritual magic while constructing double and triple layers of precautionary measures against interference.
In parallel with the rituals, they inflicted damage to the trees connected to the land veins, forcing them to expend their energy on repair and defense, thus locally reducing resistance and taking away the land veins.
In the event of combat, their priority was to inflict casualties on the side of the Elves above all. While the Blue Army had plenty of replacements, the strength of the Elves was already dwindling.
There were no extraordinary strategies, just a war of dominance through overwhelming numbers.
The trees in the areas taken by the Empire were moderately logged, transforming them into areas more suitable for the Empire’s military operations.
The acquired wood was naturally utilized by the Imperial forces without waste.
Having gained control over the land veins, combining earth elemental magic with wood, it was easy to build makeshift fortresses.
The trees that the Elves had nurtured for years were sturdy and conducted magic well. They were exceptional materials for fortresses, too precious to be used as mere building materials.
They seized the forest, felled trees, and built encampments with the lumber. The Imperial Army had already constructed eight encampments within the Great Forest, establishing their network as a solid foothold.
It was solid. Until that night.
“A fire attack…!? By the Elves!?”
Hotaru Flame, the commander of the 11th squadron of the Blue Army, who was in charge of the second fortress near the edge of the forest, was awakened by the alarm bell signaling enemy attack while sleeping in the fortress’s quarters.
Looking out through the square – cut window, the night seemed ablaze with burning stars.
This fort was built by connecting wood from the forest with earth and stone transformed by earth magic, and further enclosing it with makeshift walls for the camp.
All of it was on fire.
No, not just the encampment. Even the forest beyond was burning. The surrounding trees were ablaze, surrounding the encampment.
From beyond the burning trees, fire arrows flew like meteors with tails of flame.
They pierced the walkways of the walls and ignited them.
Elves detested fire above all else. While it was unlikely for the trees of the Elven forest to burn easily, they abhorred the idea of the forest being harmed by fire and only used it sparingly for cooking in extremely limited areas.
Yet, here were Elves handling fire arrows, setting fire to their own forest, despite it being seized by the Blue Army.
No.
Perhaps, they weren’t Elves.
The voice that echoed in the forest just a few days ago. The transformed forest of the Elves…
It was involved. The disaster “Rose Princess of Hellrage” that came from the north.
“…The surrounding fires are just a bluff. There aren’t any trees in places they can spread to here anyway. Focus on preventing the fire arrows. Those with free hands, engage in firefighting.”
“It’s already being done.”
A purple-haired girl clad in rugged, gleaming armor… no, a woman who, by human standards, would be considered young, responded.
She was Sky Iron, the second in command after Hotaru Flame. For dwarves, she appeared to be around 12 or 13 years old in human terms, ceasing to physically age and remaining the same until death. However, Sky Iron was already well into her middle age, 80 for a dwarf, a seasoned warrior.
“…But, there’s a problem.”
Sky Iron, who usually had a tough exterior, was oozing impatience.
“What is it?”
“The stage… is being set. Surrounded by fire, the groundwork for using fire elemental magic has been laid, and…”
◇
A dry wind filled with heat blew through the forest at night.
A giant beast with fur like flames trampled the cracked earth and raced forward.
Depending on how one looked at it, the creature with a face like a bulldog, which, despite its somewhat endearing appearance, was emitting flames of devastating power, evenly searing the walls of the encampment along its outer perimeter with fire.
The walls, made of bundled sharpened wood, were reinforced with Elven forest wood through enchantment. They shouldn’t burn easily, but they did, easily.
Not only the outer walls but also the watchtowers scattered around and the fortress behind them were burning.
The fire arrows being shot one after another directly ignited them, but there was a reason they easily caught fire.
Perched atop the creature’s head, with crown-like metallic horns, was someone.
Wearing a white dress stained with fresh blood… a skeleton.
It was René, taking on the form of a Lich.
Forge rushed toward René, wielding a cursed wand.
The ground beneath her feet was dry and cracked, the grass withering brown.
«Dry World»
A magic spell that thoroughly weakens the power of “water” both physically and magically within a certain area. Prolonged exposure could even dry out a person.
In this magic’s dominion, materials like wood were akin to kindling.
Within the lush green forest, where the power of water prevailed, the elemental magic of fire couldn’t fully exert its power. However, René set fire to the forest and, using it as a leverage, enhanced her own magic by employing «Dry World» to create a space where fire was strictly prohibited.
Even if René was powerful, she couldn’t destroy the encampment in a single blow.
That’s why she thought it would be more effective to provide support.
◇
“…So, this fire attack… we can’t prevent it completely…?”
Hotaru Flame pressed against the narrow window.
The intensity of the fire was clearly stronger than before. The situation had worsened even in the brief time talking to Sky Iron.
When building the mostly wooden encampment, the danger of a fire attack hadn’t been overlooked.
The walls and such were enchanted, and key points were reinforced by connecting them to the land veins.
It was supposed to be sufficient preparation, but it had been breached. Through the nefarious means of setting the forest on fire to enhance magic and the ritual-level widespread magic.
“Anyway, we need to request reinforcements! If we can hold out until the 6th squadron, stationed outside the forest, arrives…”
When Hotaru Flame turned around, Sky Iron was nowhere to be found.
In her place stood an unfamiliar girl clad in Sky Iron’s clothes and armor.
In one hand, she held a mirror for some reason, and in the other, a distorted blade shaped like a crescent moon, slightly taller than Sky Iron.
“…Sky Iron?”
“That person isn’t here anymore.”
“Who are you, then?”
“It’s no good, Commander. You should be more selective about letting merchants into the fortress. You barely checked anyone except Elves and the Undead, right?”
At least it was clear that she was a tricky individual.
Hotaru Flame assumed the stance of the Khenis Empire’s martial art, “Dragon Hand”.
Dragon Hand was a combat style that also accounted for dealing with opponents wielding blades. However, Hotaru Flame had only received standard training in the Blue Army. He didn’t intend to lose to an ordinary opponent, but it wasn’t his area of expertise.
The weapon Hotaru Flame was skilled with was a spear larger than his own height. It wasn’t here now. Even if it were, it would be too large to wield indoors.
The groggy Hotaru Flame wasn’t even wearing his armor.
Without averting her gaze from the suspicious girl, he slowly backed away in a Dragon Hand stance, reaching out for the sword he had leaned against his bed behind him.
But his hand sliced through the air.
“Are you looking for this, by any chance?”
“What…?”
The girl showed the sword hidden behind her back in front of Hotaru.
It was indeed his sword, which had been leaning against the bed just moments ago. At least it should have been there when he woke up.
The girl threw the sword behind her.
At the same time, Hotaru Flame, with his fist clenched like a drawn bow, lunged at the girl.
“Huah!”
With a shout, the blow was unleashed with full force, completely aimed at the girl’s body.
Or so it should have been.
Blood sprayed.
Burning pain.
“Why… When did…?”
“I’m sorry for catching you off guard, ‘Hotaru Flame of the Great Spear’.”
The girl who should have been in front of him had deeply torn his throat from behind.
(TLN: Girl is Tracy btw)
