Author's notes: Well guys… here it is, the defense of Durhen is in this chapter.

Before I discuss more about this, I'm going to inform you guys about some information regarding the combat vehicles that you saw in the trailer since I think that most of you are thinking that it will be plain overkill. First off, they will NOT be the game breaker in this story because of the following reasons…

Drawbacks:

Limited Fuel – seriously, all combat vehicles require fuel in order to move. Without this, they are all sitting ducks (Though they will be getting their fuel through the same process that Colbert used in order to make gasoline for the zero fighter)

Slow – all tracked vehicles are technically slower compared to their wheeled counterparts and that applies to vehicles like the Crusader tank, Overlord tank, and Tomahawk launcher. Due to this, the enemy can outrun them and escape easily if needed (and even outflank them if they don't have any support). Besides, Albion's terrain will make it difficult for them to move except the Humvees and Comaches (the latter being unaffected by terrain as it is an air unit).

"Fat" – the combat vehicles that will be forming up the army group that will go in are all large especially the Overlord tank. This makes the vehicles easy to target even from afar.

Irreplacable – if they get destroyed for good, they won't be coming back so planning carefully is very important in order to ensure their survival.

Well, these are now the advantages:

Hard-kill protection – yep. All combat vehicles save for the humvee, dozers, and supply trucks will be having tough armor at their disposal which makes them difficult to destroy.

Heavy firepower – All of the vehicles will be packing a lot of punch at the enemy and it will hurt real BAD.

Radar – the Humvees will have short-range radar capability installed in them due to the remote-control weapon station controlling their heavy machinegun turrets as seen in the trailer.

Accuracy – since every single US vehicle has a reliable Fire Control System in them, their accuracy will be high.

Now that sums up the vehicle convoy issue. Continuing with regards to the defense of Durhen, it will be a battle from high ground against low ground which will give the ALC force stationed there an advantage in battle although the attacking Albion forces will also have theirs, their numerical superiority and magic to be exact, as well as one more thing which will be revealed as you read this chapter.

Without further ado, here's turn 7! Enjoy reading!


========== Turn 7: Fight for Freedom ==========

"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
("If you want peace, prepare for war!")
-
Flavius Vegetius Renatus (ca 390 AD), Roman military strategist
From "Epitoma rei militaris" (a summary of military matters)

At the town square of Armaghe, Armaghe…

2000 Hours…

Armaghe is one of the largest cities in Albion. In fact, it is almost as large as Londonium and it is about 800 miles away from the royal capital of Albion. Being a large city, Armaghe houses a large deal of Albion's population with a total of approximately 850000 inhabitants. That's a big number to say and not to mention the various economic and industrial infrastructures in the city like factories.

In Armaghe's city square, the four young men, undercover ALC spies to be exact, are still roaming around the roadways of Armaghe as the still haven't found a single inn to spend the night in.

"Damn, why can't we find a single damn inn in this city?", Johann complained.

"Quit complaining Johann", Joel replied as he keep hold of the reins controlling the horse, "At least we don't have those imperial soldiers all around our asses. It's our necks that get's slit if we get discovered."

Joel looked around and relived to see that none of the Albion Imperial Army soldiers are keeping a sharp eye on them. Perhaps it's because of the fact that they are dressed too simply. Currently, the four of them are wearing simple villager clothing except that it's dirty in some portions along with several rag stitches around it. Moreover, they are not carrying anything worth looting in the first place and they all look to be on the impoverished side thanks to their somewhat old-looking and beat-up cart typical of many commoners living in villages and in the countryside.

"Whatever", Johann replied back, "Anyways, we really need to find an inn soon. I don't want to let those suckers see us in the middle of the streets at night."

"Johann's right", Owell said as he yawned, "We need to get some rest for tomorrow."

"If my guess is right, we need to roam around Armaghe by tomorrow and plot all the important locations in this place for reference starting now", Kevin said.

"You're right, Kevin", Joel said, "But how are we going to send back whatever information we'll obtain especially now?"

Kevin just looked up and pointed his pointer finger up in the sky as pigeons flew past overhead the group.

"Kevin, are you sure about that?", Johann asked.

Kevin simply nodded and the rest knew what it is.

"You're a genius Kevin!", Owell replied.

"Quiet down, Owell", Kevin said, "We don't want to attract any unnecessary attention."

The group continued on their ride. All around, large stone buildings dominate the scenery. Some of them are likely to cast a shadow during daytime. Moreover, given the large buildings in this city, urban warfare tactics and strategies are the best bet in order to take this city. Besides, fighting inside cities isn't the specialty of the Albion Imperial Army which gives the ALC an edge since they are trained to fight in situations where the enemy is at a disadvantage.

The group made their way among the streets of Armaghe. Soldiers litter the area in large numbers clearly implying that they are strengthening their grip on the city to prevent the rebels from capturing it. Due to all the assets that Armaghe contains, letting the city fall to rebel hands is definitely not an option. If things get too serious, they may opt to burn the city to the ground to prevent the rebels from gaining any strategic and tactical advantage though this would be the last thing they will want to do.

As the group went by, they passed small bunches of city folk walking on the road and most of them have a sign of fear in their eyes. Even though the group didn't approach any of them, they can easily tell that the people are scared. Well, considering the sizeable Imperial Army force stationed in the city right now, it's impossible not to get scared especially when the Imperial Army is notorious for beating down civilians at their discretion usually for just petty things.

Suddenly, an old man leaning on a stick for supporting himself as he walk slowly suddenly appeared in front of the road where the group's cart is heading causing Joel to pull up the reins so as to prevent the old man from being run over. It was already night so it was hard to see somebody else from a distance and the lamp posts around doesn't seem to have enough illumination to let them group see anything from afar.

"Woah!", Joel exclaimed as he pulled up the reins in time.

The old man, on the other hand, just stood where he is as if he didn't realized that he was just a moment away from being run over. Probably because he is too old that most of his senses have deteriorated through old age.

"Hey old man! What's up with you!", Owell shouted as he went down the cart and rushed up to the old man to see if there's anything wrong. However, he was shocked when he realized that the old man appears to be deaf.

"W-what?", the old man sputtered slowly as he turned his gaze on Owell.

"Owell, the old man seems deaf", Johann said.

Owell looked at the old man and the latter really is deaf.

Kevin went down from the cart and moved towards Owell and the old man. Once he knows that he is within hearing range of the old man, he spoke.

"Old man, what's with the face of the city folks all around here?", Kevin asked.

"T-the-they are here", the old man said.

"Who's here?", Kevin asked.

"Those winged-fire breathing beasts of death, they are here", the old man said.

"Oh shit", Owell thought, "We need to inform the guys back there about this or they're gonna get fucked."

"Thanks for the answer old man", Kevin said as he signaled Owell to come back at the cart after guiding the old man to a corner of the street where the old man can't be run over.

Once they are on the cart, Joel whipped the reins causing the horse to move again and pulling the cart in the process.


Meanwhile, at the port town of Rouen…

2040 Hours…

The port town of Rouen is a large Tristanian town located just a few kilometers away from the Germanian-Tristanian border. Since it is close to the sea due to its port status, Rouen acts as a harbor for ships bringing in products from Albion as well as for exporting Tristain's own products overseas. Due to this, Rouen is an important town for Tristain as this is one of the few ports that bring in commerce and trade to the kingdom. Losing this port town can have some serious setbacks associated wit it.

Large docking cranes litter the area facing the open blue seas on the horizon and trading barges are docked everywhere with the cranes busy lifting the cargo off the barges. There are also other barges… no, it is more proper to say as warships docked on the port as well due to the large and long cannons mounted on the warships. The warships in question belong to the Germanian navy as evident on the coat of arms emblazoned on the masts and sails of the behemoth warships. However, there are also several warships bearing the Tristanian royal emblem on the port and these are docked side by side with their Germanian counterparts.

On the grounds near the docks where the warships are docked, lots of soldiers bearing emblems of Tristain and Germania in their armors are busy moving to and fro all around the area. Suddenly, a soldier wearing what seems to be a better-looking armor stopped and looked at his comrades before speaking.

"Attention!", the soldier in distinct Germanian armor shouted in a military tone.

The soldiers, clad in Tristanian and Germanian armors, stood in attention in front of what appears to be their commanding officer. Their weapons clanged as they stood straight in position.

As soon as the Germanian officer thought that the men are in order, he spoke.

"All soldiers listen up", the Germanian officer began, "The reason why we are all here is that our kingdoms called forth our services for battle. As you probably all know, a civil war has broken out in Albion a week ago and we are to move in and quell down whichever side wins. Is that clear?"

"Sir, yes Sir!", the soldiers shouted in unison.

"Good", the Germanian officer replied, "All of you are dismissed. You are all free to do whatever you want but I want all of you not to do anything stupid."

The soldiers nodded as the officer dismissed them.


Meanwhile, at a large room of a building, Armaghe…

2100 Hours…

"Man, I'm beat!", Johann exclaimed.

"Cut it out Johann, at least we found an inn at last", Joel said as Owell and Kevin heaved up their meager belonging inside the room.

"Anyways, this room is quite large!", Johann said optimistically.

"Yeah, they really have to cut down on costs in order to scavenge what is left", Owell stated as he looked at every corner of the room.

The room itself has four beds fit for a small group of travelers such as them and has all the needed necessities. Actually, the room is originally rented at a high price but the news of the rebellion and the Reconquista government's lockdown of all the remaining cities and towns at their command made things really worse for travelers as they will not be able to travel due to the lockdown. The inn keepers suffered here as their customers, the travelers, will not be able to come because of this. In order to still earn money, almost every single inn keeper has decided to cut down prices.

Owell and Kevin heaved up their belongings on the beds and started unpacking. For a traveling group, they have all the necessities except that all look crude yet still reliable.

"Okay, how are we supposed to send out a message back at our guys there?", Johann asked.

Before any could respond, the group heard a knock on the window. The group tensed at what it is but they slowly reached for the window and brushed aside the curtain to reveal a pigeon knocking on the window with its beak.

"Geez, it's just a pigeon", Owell said as he breathed deeply and gazed at the bird.

Kevin opened the window causing the pigeon to enter the room. As it landed, the group can clearly see a piece of paper tied to the pigeon's feet.

"Hey, it's carrying something!", Johann said as he pointed his finger on the paper tied to the bird.

Kevin untied the paper on the pigeon and unrolled the paper. He then read what's inside.

"So what does it say?", Joel then asked.

"Guys, this is a messenger pigeon", Kevin answered as Johann closed the window, "And the paper says that we should write all that we saw in this city and tie it to the pigeon which will then fly back to Durhen."

"I see", Joel said, "They really backed us up."

"Yeah, let's write everything that we saw here", Johann said enthusiastically.

"Wait, how does that pigeon found us?", Owell asked.

"Messenger pigeons are specifically trained for this task. Don't ask me. All I know is that these little guys can do their job", Kevin explained.

Without any further questions, Owell wrote all of the Intel report that they mustered which also includes a mention of the dragon knights. This will make their friends in Durhen better prepared against these winged fire-breathing beasts. As Owell is writing, Johann grabbed some bread and water then fed the pigeon so it won't get hungry that easily on its flight run to Durhen.

"Done", Owell said as he tied the paper carrying the Intel report on the pigeon's leg.

As soon as the paper is tied tightly on the pigeon's leg, Joel opened the window to let the pigeon out.

As the pigeon slowly became smaller from the view, all that they can do is hope and wait that the guys back at Durhen will do fine. They closed the window and put the curtains back when everything was done.

"Okay guys, we'll be going to do a lot of recon op tomorrow so let's rest", Joel said to the group.


At the Palace of Londonium's Imperial Quarters…

2400 Hours…

The palace of Londonium, like those of the other kingdoms, is a very large castle. It is already midnight but Emperor Cromwell is still awake in his quarters and is perspiring nervously. The reason of all of his worries is that one of King Joseph's agents, a woman who goes by the name of Sheffield, came up to him just an hour ago and ordered him to put this rebellion in order or else…

Flashback… an hour ago

Emperor Cromwell is watching the reports coming at his office with a grim look on his eyes. The papers are all requests from the nobles in charge of various cities and large towns about additional troops in order to maintain control of their areas against possible rebellions from breaking out. Ever since the unidentified rebel group started to make its offensive, nobles throughout Albion are requesting more and more troops to stave off the disturbingly powerful rebels that have already killed scores of mages within a week. He didn't expect these unknown rebels to do damage as worse as this considering that they have no mages of their own. Consequently, how can they do this? This is the question that has been bogging Cromwell's mind up to now. He can't think of anything that will allow the rebels to do something like this except magic though this is immediately crossed out as the new rebels are just a bunch of peasants.

As the Albion emperor is contemplating on his dilemma, a gust of wind blew through the open window causing the curtains to move. Cromwell shielded his eyes from the sudden gust of wind that came inside the room. When the wind subsided, he put his arms down and was shocked to see somebody familiar.

"It's been a while since we last met… Emperor Cromwell", a hooded figure spoke in a female tone.

"Sheffield, I have no time for pleasantries", Cromwell said as he regained his composure, "I am preoccupied in dealing with these new rebels so what do you want?"

Sheffield took of her hood and smirked before replying.

"Actually, that's why I am here", Sheffield stated.

Cromwell placed a glare on her before he spoke.

"What do you mean?", Cromwell asked.

"Master Joseph wants this rebellion crushed immediately and you are to use every means possible to quell them down", Sheffield spoke, "That is what my master wants."

"I know", Cromwell said, "I have already dispatched a group of dragon knights in order to assist in eliminating them. The rebels will be dead by the next day."

Sheffield smiled and spoke.

"I see but Master Joseph also wants that you hand over the leader of the rebels if possible", Sheffield stated, "Master became interested in the exploits of these rebels and… he wants to have a little chat with their leader. That rebel leader piqued my Master's interest. I hope you can catch him alive."

Cromwell frowned at this odd demand.

"And what is interesting from a lowly scum of a commoner?", Cromwell asked.

"Only my Master knows", Sheffield replied back, "I'm sure you are fully aware about my Master's odd tendencies… right?"

Cromwell just sighed before he replied.

"I know", Cromwell stated, "But if the rebel leader becomes impossible to be captured. I will not hesitate to have him killed on the battlefield do you understand?"

"How brutal", Sheffield commented, "I heard about the lies… I mean news that the rebels are burning the churches. You won't really hold no restraint when it comes to killing dissidents don't you?"

"Don't give me that opinion. I am using all means necessary even if I have to lie", Cromwell replied back, "Even your Master does these kinds of things though I am quite impressed that he can hide all of them and still save face."

"That is my Master's specialty", Sheffield replied happily, "Regardless, I am also here in order to hand over something that Master wants you to use."

Sheffield took out a box and handed it over to Cromwell who opened it. Much to the Albion emperor's surprise, it contained a ring… not just a simple ring… the Ring of Andvari.

"This…", Cromwell said but he was cut off by Sheffield.

"Yes, that is indeed the Ring of Andvari", Sheffield said.

"Why would he hand over to me such a powerful artifact?", Cromwell asked.

"As I have already said, Master has odd tendencies of doing things… and he just wants you to use the ring in order to see how the rebel leader will respond. He also said that you can have fun using the ring against the rebels", Sheffield explained.

"I see", Cromwell said calmly, "Does King Joseph have other things that need my attention?"

Sheffield put her hood back on before replying.

"That's all of it", Sheffield said as the gust of winds came back, "Until then."

Just as Sheffield said the last word, the gust of winds became powerful causing Cromwell to shield his eyes again. By the time he lowered his arms. Sheffield is already gone.

Flashback end

That's one of the consequences of the secret treaty that he agreed with King Joseph. Cromwell face palmed himself. In addition to the secret treaty that tied him, he is also worrying too much about the threat that the new rebels are posing. Sure, they did manage to kill a large number of his soldiers over a week but that will not last long. Yes, that's it. The rebels are just lucky and all luck runs out. He calmed himself on the grounds that since he sent the dragon knights on an attack mission along with the Imperial Army group stationed in Armaghe to the village of Durhen. The Imperial Army will be bearing down on the rebels with the sheer weight of firepower that they can unleash and Brimir's guidance will help them claim victory. By the end of tomorrow's day, the rebels will be losing battle after battle and he is sure of it.

Cromwell reclined on his seat as everything he had planned is set into motion.


Meanwhile, at Durhen…

0800 Hours…

It was a clear sunny day the next day. Everything seems peaceful except for the village of Durhen. In this village, men armed with rifles and machine guns are making preparations from a suspected Reconquista attack as seen from their movements which comprise mostly of them moving to and fro carrying ammunition for the guns and howitzers. Aside from men, women and children as young as 15 years old are already carrying rifles as well. Due to manpower issues, Ian, the ALC commander of Durhen, have authorized the recruitment of teens as young as this age in order to aid in the defense of Durhen. Ian didn't like this setup but desperate situations require desperate actions… and this situation is a perfect example of it. However, those same people were also given their own sets of armor and steel helmets like the troopers who comprise the ALC's fighting force in order to increase their survivability rate. As of now, the ALC garrison base of composed of 2000 men capable of fighting not including the members of the Rear-end squads. This number is thanks to those same women and children that volunteered to take up arms.

As men do their tasks, Mark is supervising everything with Ian and James accompanying him.

"General, why are you here?", Ian asked.

"I'm here because I personally want to ensure that this place will hold out", Mark replied, "Besides, having the overall commander in this place will boost up our men's morale isn't it?"

"Yeah I know", Ian replied, "It's kinda different compared to those egocentric nobles. They just give the order and that's all. They only appear just to show off."

"That's because these bastards are just a bunch of dandy cowards", James interrupted causing Mark and Ian to look at him.

"Cowards?", Ian asked with a confused look on his face.

"They send their own soldiers to their deaths while they just lay down comfortably from their fucking horses!", James said in anger.

"Calm down, commander", Mark said, "Once we win this war, we're going to land the hammer right on them."

Ever since the Ranger team was sent into this world, they became the leaders of the ALC with Mark as the overall commander while the other rangers assumed commander status. Suffice to say, instead of their ranks from the US military, they assumed high-ranking positions in this resistance force.

Just as the three leaders are having a conversation, an ALC trooper carrying a shovel in addition to his rifle came up to the three and saluted.

"Commanders, all of the demo traps have been set at their pre-defined locations and the howitzers are all ready to fire at a moments notice", the ALC trooper said.

"Good", Mark said, "What about the gunners right on the second floors of the houses?"

"They are all locked and loaded, general", the ALC trooper said.

"I see", Mark replied, "Now go back to your post; I want all men ready to fire once the battle commences."

The ALC trooper saluted before going away. The three leaders then looked at each other before Mark spoke.

"Alright, let's go to our posts", Mark said to which Ian and James knew what it meant.

The three leaders parted ways as they go to their respective areas from which they will give orders to the ALC troopers stationed there. James went up to one of the two-storey houses and was greeted by an ALC machine gunner crew who saluted when he got up.

"Commander!", the eight men that comprise the gunner crew who are all wearing forest-style camouflage clothing and steel helmets at the top of the house that James went up to and greeted him in formal military protocol. Therefore, James returned the favor and then asked them about the situation.

"What's the status?", James asked.

"We're ready to fire, commander", one of the ALC troopers said, "The machine guns are all aimed at the sky and we're prepared to gun down all hostile flying targets."

"I see", James said as he looked at the place which is fortified by several slabs of steel to shield the gunner crew from the likely incoming attack from the dragon knights stated in the Intel report that came from the infiltrator team that went to Armaghe. Wooden boxes holding magazines of machine guns and rifles are also littered around the place.

"Alright, man the guns", James said, "Relay this to the other gunners."

One of the men nodded and hurried downwards to inform the other gunner crews about the order. The second storey of the house that James went into is located at the center of the village and is also the highest. This gives James full view of the area. The village is ringed with several two-storey houses providing a reliable line of cover for the ground forces. This means that the howitzer crews and troopers on the ground can engage the enemy's ground forces without worrying from the dragon knights as the winged beasts will be taken care of by the machine gunners.

From James vantage point, he can already see the gunners on the other second floors of the houses cocking their machine guns ready to fire at any hostiles. He smiled with satisfaction as he cocked his own M16A4 rifle and prepared as well.

Meanwhile, at the ridges overlooking the horizon, Mark is busy supervising the howitzer crews in preparing the howitzers. The howitzers will not only be firing fragmentation shells but High Explosive shells as well in this battle. The enemy will be packing a lot of men and firepower so they should at least respond with theirs. The fragmentation shells will still be used in an anti-personnel role and this will become evident as the largest portion of the attack force will be comprised of standard foot soldiers that don't have any protection against shrapnel. The high explosive shells will be used in some sort of an anti-armor role. And their primary targets will be the mages and their summons which most likely are golems.

"All men, double time!", Mark ordered causing the men preparing the howitzers to hasten their efforts.

As the howitzers are being prepared, Ian is pre-occupied in arranging the men at the ramp connecting the low ground to the high ground of the village in proper battle formations. The plan is to use the natural topographic features of the village in such a way that a force of at least a hundred men can hold off the avalanche of more than five hundred enemy soldiers attacking at once. He watched as the men positioned themselves on the ridgeline of the cliffs which are fortified with sandbags and their guns all aimed towards where the enemy will appear.


Meanwhile, at the outskirts of Durhen…

0900 Hours…

The Imperial Army group from Albion has arrived in Durhen ready to stomp the rebels in one go. With their numbers boasting to an impressive 6000 fighting men which doesn't include their mages which, in turn, numbers to around 90, the commander of this attack force is confident that the rebels will be mopped down in no time. Aside from the aforementioned manpower, the attack force is also complimented by a group of 60 dragon knights acting as air support.

Mounted atop his dragon, Viscount Willard Fraser is the one leading the large attack force straight into Durhen. After several minutes of waiting, he can already see their target village from the horizon… and he can already smell blood as he neared the village. Currently, he is not wearing any serious armor around him for two reasons. One, he already decided that he will just watch the battle from afar relaying orders to his soldiers. And two, none of the enemy can reach him as he will simply cast a fireball at the insolent fool that will dare attack him.

In the next few minutes, Viscount Fraser can already make out of what the things are sticking out off the cliffs. Feeble barricades made of sack and earth, outlines of what seem to be cannons that are even smaller than what the Albion Imperial Army uses, and rebels pointing their muskets towards them. Viscount Fraser can only smirk either of amusement or pity at the worthless defense that the rebels are putting up.

With a confident smile on his face, Viscount Fraser ordered the attack force to charge in. Scores of men arrayed in rectangular formations charged at full speed towards the village. The attack force consists of mounted cavalry armed with lances and shields with foot soldiers armed with muskets and spears following closely behind. As the men continue to charge, a resounding CLICK was heard beneath the ground that they stepped on and the next thing that happened is a… BOOM.

A violent explosion suddenly erupted from where the soldiers used to stand a moment ago. The explosion sent men flying upwards and flesh with drops of blood began to rain down. Aside from that, screams of pain became prevalent throughout the scenery as the soldiers that survived are bleeding badly or losing a part of them as a result. Viscount Fraser's smirk was suddenly replaced with that of shock. Just as he was recovering from what happened, another explosion erupted claiming another large chunk of his men. To make matters worse, several explosions simultaneously erupted causing heavy damage to his attack force. All in all, the explosions caused by the demo traps claimed about 2000 of his men.

Viscount Fraser gritted his teeth. How dare those rebels dare use a dishonorable tactic like this? Suddenly, a dragon knight came up to him and spoke.

"Sir, almost a third of our attack force has been wiped out, what are we going to do?", the dragon knight asked.

"Tell the 4th and 5th dragon knight teams to swoop in and blast the rebels from above!", Fraser said, "And have the mages cast golems to act as meat shields now!"

"As you order Milord", the dragon knight said.

With just a word, 24 dragon knights sped towards the village in an attempt to damage the defense line and allow the main attack force to move in. The demo traps produced a thick screen of black smoke when they exploded giving the dragon knights the chance to close the distance without being spotted. At the same time, mages began to chant causing the earth to rock violently and raise up which eventually turned into 15-meter golems. The mages then ordered the newly created golems to advance and sweep the ground of any explosives that the rebels might have set up. As the golems moved, several explosions erupted causing some of the golems to stagger and eventually crumble down due to the damage. However, this made the ground safe to cross and the rest of the attack force continued to charge in although the smoke that ensued caused some difficulty as the thick smoke hindered visibility.

The dragon knights continued to advance and they managed to get out of the thick screen of smoke. However, what greeted them on the other side did bode well for them. Dozens of musket-armed men were the ones that greeted them with open arms and the word that was shouted sealed them to their doom.


Meanwhile, at the defense line of Durhen at the cliffs…

0920 Hours…

"Fire!", Mark barked the order.

Within an instant, hot lead poured into the unlucky group of dragon knights causing them to fall down. Like their leader, none of them are wearing any serious armor in order to ease the load of their dragons as well as give them more maneuverability. However, the lack of armor in this situation cost them their lives. In one salvo, 17 dragon knights simultaneously crashed down. The remaining 7 dragon knights that didn't get hit in the volley unleashed a salvo of fire at once with their riders casting big fireballs. The result was that more than 100 ALC troopers died in the blast and 6 howitzer pieces were destroyed. However, the next salvo of hot lead claimed the remaining dragon knights eventually causing them to fall down as well.

"Give me the damage report!", Mark yelled.

"General, we have a hundred dead, six howitzer pieces destroyed, and 80 wounded", an ALC trooper said.

"Evacuate the wounded", Mark ordered, "And have the machine gun crews ready to fire. Those dragon knights will be coming up real soon."

"Yes, General!", the ALC trooper said before going away.


Meanwhile, at the front door of Armaghe…

0930 Hours…

"All of you scumbags! Hurry up before you have all of us killed!", a mage said as he yelled at the group of commoner infantry and cavalry following him.

The group was having difficulty crossing due to the smoke so a wind mage casted a wind spell causing the smoke to subside. However, that didn't turn out to be the best option. The smoke may have been cleared out but more than four dozens of musket-wielding rebels greeted them with the muskets pointed at them. Suddenly, they heard a word.

"FIRE!", Ian said as the lines of ALC troopers stationed at the top of the cliff opened fire on the caught-by-surprise Imperial Army group. Most of the men of the Imperial Army group fell dead the moment the hot lead bit their skins. To make matters worse, some of the ALC troopers are firing their ACRF-40 machine guns at them causing more damage. An earth mage was successful in casting a spell impaling several of the rebels with a medium-sized earth spike killing them in the process.

However, that didn't last long as well, as several of the rebels responded by firing their ACBG-79 grenade launchers at them. The 40mm grenades slammed into the mages disintegrating them into bloody bits of flesh. The remaining imperial soldiers were brutally gunned down by the rebels eventually.

"Commander, first wave destroyed!", an ALC trooper said as Ian nodded.

"Good, patch up the wounded and stock on your guns", Ian replied.

The men who were badly wounded but lucky enough to survive where carried away to safety in order for their wounds to be treated while those that remained checked their ammo reserves and held their positions.

The smoke generated by the demo traps finally subsided allowing the Imperial Army to advance without hindrance. However, this made them easy to target as well.


Meanwhile, at the defense line of Durhen at the cliffs…

0935 Hours…

"General, the enemy attack force is within range of our howitzers. Requesting permission to fire", an ALC howitzer crew said.

"Request granted", Mark replied, "Use the HE shells on the golems. The golems are top priority so open fire on them first. Once they're all down, switch to frag shells and target the enemy's infantry."

"Affirmative General", the ALC howitzer crew said.

Within the next few moments, all of the howitzers situated on the cliff burst with fire and the HE shells slammed into the slow-moving golems who crumbled down due to the explosion. Some of the shells missed their spot but hit the enemy infantry near the golems causing casualty. As soon as all the golems are down, the howitzer crews all changed to fragmentation shells and systematically targeted the tight clusters of enemy infantry. The mages of the Imperial army we're not able to make a counter-attack as they are not within range not to mention that the enemy is situated atop high ground. This caused them to get pinned down by heavy howitzer fire.


Meanwhile, from the rear lines of the Albion Imperial Army group, Durhen…

0945 Hours…

"How did this turned out?!", Fraser said angrily as his attack force got hammered by the enemy.

"Damn those bastards!", Fraser snarled, "All dragon knights charge!"

With his war cry filled with anger, the Viscount charged forth with his dragon knights following behind. As soon as he got in range, he casted a large fireball and sent it straight at the line of howitzers.

"INCOMING!", a howitzer crew said as the fireball burned him to his death.

The fireball claimed about five more howitzer pieces including thirty howitzer crews who were charred to their deaths. The men who survived, Mark included, returned fire. The dragon knights accompanying Fraser got shot down by the machine gunner crews holed on the second floors of the houses as the ALC troopers out in the open started to scatter while firing at the Viscount and his remaining dragon knights. The Viscount saw as his dragon knights got shot down and shred to bits by the rebels' strange muskets which he finally noticed. However, with all the factors considered, Fraser knew very well that he's screwed here. His attack force has been destroyed by a large margin and that is a clear disgrace to him especially if the rebels were to capture him. With no other option available, he charged in with the intent of killing as many of the enemy as he can before being killed.


Meanwhile, at the second floor of a house, Durhen…

0946 Hours…

James saw a dragon knight who seems to be the enemy leader ready to scoop in on the ALC troopers so he aimed his M16A4 rifle at the dragon knight and clicked the trigger.

"DIE YOU SON OF A BITCH!", James exclaimed angrily as hot lead began spitting out of his rifle and the dragon knight crashed on the ground full of bullet holes. Thanks to the scope attached on top of his rifle, James was able to hit the dragon knight right in the first shot. The ALC troopers accompanying him also fired at the dragon knight causing the unlucky dragon knight to get riddled by more bullet holes.

With the dragon knight dead, James breathed deeply and lowered his rifle. The ALC troopers came up and asked him.

"Commander, are you alright?", an ALC trooper asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine", James said.


Meanwhile, at Durhen…

1011 Hours…

The battle is finally over. The village of Durhen was successfully defended and so it is still in ALC hands. However, it did caused the ALC a lot of casualties and some military hardware destroyed. Still, this victory is still a better option.

On the ground where Viscount Fraser lay dead, ALC troopers circle around the Viscount's dead body which is littered with countless bullet holes. A few moments later, the same ALC troopers parted in order to make way for the three ALC leaders currently present at Durhen.

"Commander Ian, you know this guy?", Mark asked.

"Yeah, this is Viscount Willard Fraser", Ian said.

"So this bastard is one of them huh?", James said, "The bastard deserves that kind of death."

Mark and Ian slightly nodded at James comment before the three decided to go away.

"Haul that body away and burn it along with the dead of the enemy", Mark ordered, "Detain all of the wounded enemy and juice out whatever information can be obtained from them and salvage whatever weaponry and armor can be recovered."

With that, the three went away as ALC troopers lift up the Viscount's corpse and landed it on a pile of dead bodies. After a few minutes, the ALC troopers lit the pile of corpse and it was now ablaze after a few moments.

-TURN 7 END-


Battle Report

Combatants:
Albion Liberation Corps (ALC)
Albion Imperial Army

Commanders:
ALC – Mark, James, and Ian
Imperial Army – Viscount Willard Fraser (Killed-In-Action)

Strength :
ALC – 2000 troopers and 800 irregulars
Imperial Army – 6000 soldiers, 90 mages, and 60 dragon knights

Casualties:
ALC - ~200 dead, ~140 wounded, 11 howitzer pieces destroyed
Imperial Army – entire attack force destroyed. Survivors taken as prisoners.

~ - minimum estimate

PS:

These are some character insights

Viscount Willard Fraser – based on Simon Fraser, a British general who was killed by an American Continental Army sniper during the American Revolutionary war. The way he got killed is a nod to how his namesake got killed during the American Revolutionary War: gunned down by a sniper (PS: James is using an M16A4 with a scope). For the identity of the sniper that killed Simon Fraser, search Wikipedia.

Simon – based on Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan war hero who played a major role in freeing Hispanic America from the clutches of the Spanish empire. Trust me, Simon will play a big role later on.

By the way, Saito and company won't be taking too much screen time until the invasion of Albion by Germania and Tristain commences though they would be making occasional appearances throughout the Albion Civil War.

Off-story topic: My other two fanfics will be updated in a few more days. Just bear with me guys especially if you're also following them. College is a real heavy load for me.