"The question now is, how are we going to get them to believe us?" Aoesia asked.
"I have an idea, an idea I tried once before. We'll make a proposal to the one in charge of this army." Barbarosa said.
When the group reached the fort, they met the army's commander.
"Greetings. We have come to offer aid to Princess Yukiha." Nesma said.
"Ah, yes. The Chief Retainer has told us about you. I'm Gentatsu, the commander of this fort." Gentatsu said.
"We have a favor to ask of you." Barbarosa said. "We want you to use explosives on the bridge."
"Are you sure that would be wise?" Gentatsu asked.
"Yes, we can allow a few to slip through, and then drop the bridge to isolate them." Cheetah said.
"I see. That could work. We don't know when they will come. So, I will make preparations immediately." Gentatsu said.
"It would be much faster if I help. The rest of you, wait here." Barbarosa said.
"I'll go with you." Esmeralda said.
Barbarosa and Esmeralda were soon standing in front of the bridge.
"A great wooden bridge… Destroying the central pylon should be enough to collapse it." Barbarosa said.
"We should also take note of the bridge span. Since that's where most of the action is going to be." Esmeralda said.
The two of them managed to plant the explosives before heading back to the others.
"Alright. That should do it. Now we just wait for the enemy." Glacius said.
"We have split our defenses to the left and right flanks." Gentatsu said. "You should also arrange your own members into the front line and a last line of defense. Once the battle begins, it'll be too late to change your minds. Is everyone ready?"
"Yes, I think we are just about ready." Cheetah said.
"Okay, for this operation, we will split into two groups. The first group will be fighting on the bridge. They can expect many skirmishes, trying to defeat as many enemies as they can." Esmeralda said.
"I shall lead the charge, then." Cheetah said. "I shall take Nesma, Esmeralda, Jessica, Toya, Zenji, Riesz, and Koren."
"Everyone else will take up the position on the bridge and mop up any enemies that slip through." Esmeralda said. "They'll be our rear line support. They are all that stands between the enemy and Hakurei Castle."
"Right. Leave it to us." Rayleigh said.
"When I give the signal, set off the explosives." Esmeralda said.
"Enemy attack! They are approaching the bridge!" one of the soldiers said.
"Sounds like our cue. Let's go." Cheetah said.
"Thanks to he Supply Ledger you lent, our odds are favorable." Gentatsu said. "Let's press the advantage and proceed with the operation quickly."
The frontline team proceeded to the middle of the bridge to confront the invading army. Although the front lines could only take so many enemies at once, the bridge's defense team was four times as big, and were easily able to mop up any enemies that slipped past them.
"Damn it! These people are getting the upper hand on us!" a Beastfolk said.
"And what exactly are you standing around for?" a voice said as a blast was launched at a dog Beastfolk, sending him overboard. The pig Beastfolk near him, scared for his life, jumped off the bridge as well.
"Now! Detonate the bridge!" Esmeralda said as the front lines came back to the others.
"I'm afraid I cannot let that happen." a voice said as a figure in robed clothing appeared before them. "Well, well… I didn't expect to see so many crafty individuals on your side. But it's all the same in the end."
"Facing us on your own? You're either really confident or really stupid." Valfor said.
"A bit of both, I suppose." the figure said as he bows. "I am Rouge, vice commander of this campaign, under Lord Grossa Radan."
"Grossa…? Wait, wasn't he that Daemon that we ran into in the Ancient Museum?" Glacius asked.
"Wait, you fought Grossa Radan?!" Vivian asked.
"Well, we didn't so much fight him as we…kind of escaped from him once." Matthew said.
"You seem quite bold as to actually survive against Lord Grossa. Almost as much as that Ishihara brat." Rouge said.
"You know him?" Glacius asked.
"Not personally, but he is a scourge among Daemonkind! Lord Kuwalsa even had to go so far as to ally with the King of Beasts to guarantee his extermination." Rouge said.
"King of Beasts? You mean Kaido?" Rosalie asked.
"I don't see the need to dirty our hands with rabble like you, but we can't afford to let slip any loose ends, you see." Rouge said.
"So even when not deemed a major threat, you're still wiping us out so there aren't any loose ends." Matthew said in summary.
"Exactly. Now you are understanding the grasp of the situation." Rouge said. "So, if you don't mind standing still and letting me kill you all, that would be great."
"Yeah… I'm afraid we're gonna have to pass on that one." Glacius said.
"Hmph… If you insist." Rouge said as he gets his whips ready. He lashed his whips out at the group.
"How do you like this?" Nesma asked as she launched a ball of light at Rouge.
"Gah! Light! The agony!" Rouge said.
"Gotcha!" Rhtala said as she fires arrows alongside Angelo.
"How is this?!" Agursu asked as he swung at Rouge with his sword.
"Gah! How dare you?!" Rouge asked. "But it doesn't matter. This fort has already fallen to our forces!"
"What?!" Glacius asked as swarms of Beastfolk and Daemons were on the other side ofthe bridge. "Damn it… There's so many of them!"
"We have no choice. We have to retreat to the castle." Cheetah said.
The group was able to make it back to Hakurei Castle and report to Yukiha.
"Are you unhurt, friends?" Yukiha asked.
"Yeah, we're fine. But we couldn't defend the fort. I am sorry." Rayleigh said.
"We heard the reports. It was only a matter of time before they broke through." Juza said.
"So this is all that stands between the Daemons and complete control of the Snow Realm…" Glacius said as a soldier walks in.
"An envoy has arrived from the Daemon Army. What should we do?" the soldier asked.
"They are here already?" Tear asked.
"I don't see any choice. We have to let the envoy in." Esmeralda said.
The group was soon outside the castle, standing across from an army of Daemons, led by a very familiar figure to them.
"I am Grossa Radan." Grossa introduced himself. "As the commander of our forces, I have come to offer you a final act of mercy."
"It really is you!" Galil said.
"Hold it, Galil. Now is not the time." Cheetah said as Yukiha stepped forward.
"I am Yukiha, charged with the defense of this keep." Yukiha said. "Tell me, General Grossa. What is this mercy you speak of?"
"Under Daemonic rule, humans live orderly lives. You will be allowed to return to the shelter of the law. The Council has decreed it." Grossa said.
"You call this…mercy? Eternal servitude under your yoke?" Yukiha asked.
"Such is the price of order." Grossa said.
"If so then… I must refuse!" Yukiha said. "This was the will of my father, and now it is mine!"
"You would gamble your lives for that?" Grossa asked. "I cannot understand how you all think."
"There is not one soul here…who is unaware of the princess' sacrifice for her people!" Juza said. "Therefore, we are all ready… to lay down our lives for the princess!" he said as the soldiers roared in declaration.
"I see. It would seem negotiations have failed." Grossa said. "For your sakes, I hope you do not regret your decision." he said as they started to turn back.