They were in retreat. Now, we can focus on my town.

"They're in retreat, Captain. What's our next course of action?"

My army, now. "Your Highness. Have your banner hold the outside while my guard push towards the fortress."

"Alright. Captain, Will you need assistance?"

"Yes. Rally some of your men from the other walls and push towards the fortress from there. When we draw the fight, charge in and flank them."

"Yes, Captain."

I bowed lowly. "Thank you, Your Highness."

From the man who sought to execute me, to the man who gave me his respect. He galloped off to assist on another front of retaking this town."

"Guardsmen! Get the gate open!"

"Yes, Sir!"

The remaining guard of twenty-five, after the fifteen we had lost from that battle.

Strangely, the monsters that were inside didn't bother breaking the walls. The damage would be seen as soon as the gates were opened.

Splinters, rocks and fires. The city was attacked, and there were the monsters. "Do not separate! Pikemen in front with shields!"

More than half of our force. This was good.

"Tighten up! The rest of you-stand behind them and protect them! Make some noise!"

"Yaaaaaah!" "Come on!" "Over here!" *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

Shields were being struck. Anyone without a shield started shouting. Our archers started firing over the shield wall.

The monsters noticed, and they were running.

…

Leo did amazingly with the wall that he defended, even while he was in the presence of stumps rather than trees. He noticed me and rode over. "Xander! You've returned."

I nodded. Looked like he didn't break a sweat "We fought well, Leo. Where's Camilla?"

"Holding her own at the West Wall. She suggested she handle it with her retainers after surveying the battle there."

Everything for her 'Dear Sister Weiss'. "Leave some of the men here and bring a force with us to push into the town. We're retaking the fortress."

"Yes, Brother." He brought his hands to his mouth. "Odin!"

Leo's retainer. He rushed over and saluted him. "Yes, milord! For what purpose have I been called for?"

"We're retaking the fortress. Get Niles and some of the men to get the gate open and join us. Two minutes."

"Your command is my desire!" And then he rushes off in that same fashion that he rushed in with.

"Sorry about that, Brother. He can be eccentric, but he means well."

"A new retainer?"

"Yes. The former Royal Court Jester, before that incident with the Pepelian Frog."

"You always seem to have a way with the strange." But back to the matter at hand. "Let's get that gate opened."

In two minutes exactly, Leo's retainers had amassed a force that would enter the town and rendezvous with Captain Hans at the town center.

"Wait for my signal!"

We here banging sounds and explosions. That must be his signal.

"Open the gate! Charge-in!"

And the gates were opened and we charged in. It was an almost straight path to the town center. The monsters were preoccupied with Captain Hans' as my force ran them down. Now, with two fronts, the monsters were disoriented.

"Kill them all!" one of our knights shouted.

It was a massacre, without any blood, just shadows after they were defeated.

"Captain!" one of his guardsmen shouted. "The fortress!"

The monsters were already there, both climbing up the hill and throwing rocks at the walls. Even though we saw the people over there fighting them, we may end up being too late.

No. "We can still make it! It's just whatever's near the fortress we worry about!"

"Prince Xander!"

From the skies. It was Camilla and her retainers landing in. Camilla dismounted and met with us.

"The fight was won on the West Wall, Xander. But I see we still have to retake the fortress and rescue Weiss. Let me and my retainers handle this."

"One thing at a time, Camilla. They're throwing rocks at the fortress."

"Then let's deal with them and quickly get to Weiss."

"Alright. Leo! Get-"

"Big Brother!"

Wait. From the west. I was dumbfounded. "E-"

"Elise?" Leo said before I could.

"Wait for me!"

Elise was riding to the center to meet. She was-

"You were told to stay at the castle! Do your retainers know you're here?"

Leo again. Huh. I'll leave it to him for a bit.

"But Leo, Big Brother rarely has his!"

"That doesn't mean you ride out alone when you could've been attacked!"

Elise made a face. "I only wanted to help, but Arthur and Effie were getting in the way!"

"That's what they're there for, Elise," Camilla spoke, "to make sure they get in your way before something bad happens to you. You're still very young."

Leo sighed. "Well, now that she's here, we at least have someone to tend to the wounded outside."

Elise looked angered at the thought of being held back. Here was where I step in. "We can make use of her abilities right here, Little Brother." I looked to Elise. "Can you help us with getting us to the fortress?"

"Yes, Big Brother! I have a new staff that freezes those monsters in place! My tutor gave it to me!"

A Freeze Staff? This would work. "We need to clear the rock throwers from the base of the hill! Let's make use of Elise's abilities to stop them before we attack!"

|AN|

As mentioned, I would update this daily, if not often.

And with that, the gang's all here.

I am currently in the process of my final class before obtaining my Graduate Degree. I plan on passing the class with an A, so this is a healthy distraction while finishing projects and presentations amidst studying.

Hopefully, this and the other small chapters I write will hold over until I finish my last class the end of this month.

Thank you,

-CoatShirtTie