Chapter 21 13th Crusade

A day has passed since the declaration of alliance between the Dark Guard and the Order which signal a renewed sense of hope and determination as both armies hurriedly begin forming as one large and diverse army. Supplies, equipment, and other necessities needed for the long campaign slowly but steadily gathered and transported to the Dark Guard ship, as its role has been redefined to a mobile fortress. Several smaller vessels have arrived to serve in specialized roles such as scouts, P-O-Ws transports, fire support, etc. Morality throughout the capital is very high as many people believe that the era of the Demon Lord will finally come to an end and a golden age of humanity is about to begin. A wide variety of people from young men and women in their late teens to battle-scarred veterans quickly enlisted into the Order's military in hopes of gaining fame, and fortunes with no longer afraid of fighting to quickly lose. There was also news of people from neighboring cities, towns, and other settlements wanting to join the crusade as well as further expand the army.

Inside a large and enclosed tent located next to the staging area where everything is being gathered and sorted, the Commander goes over the various reports that his new allies were giving him until two people walk in.

"Commander." A familiar voice gets the Commander's attention as he looks up and sees Prince Nicholas walking with a Valkyrie clad in elegant, blue armor with gold trimming, armed with a sword seemly made out of near transparent blue crystal with a golden handle and guard. A mesmerizing rounded shield protects her entire left arm and side of her body. The Valkyrie has short blonde hair that barely touches her shoulders, light but stern green eyes, and a fair light tan skin color. She is slightly shorter than the prince but has a well-built body seen on her practically exposed arms and legs. Nicholas does a quick interdiction, "This is Jessica, she'll be your link between you and our Holy Chief God and she is part of the advisor group along with me."

"So, it's just you two being my advisors," the Commander asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah no, General Felix will also be your advisor but he is currently getting fitted into his armor so it's taking a while for him to get himself ready," Nicholas explains which the Commander nods.

The Commander gets up and addresses them "I see, anyway before we begin, I wish to make a few things clear." Nicholas and Jessica look at Commander with some feelings of concern and wonder. "You two along with General Felix, you three will be our guide and advisors to which you'll be telling us on how much you want us to save, destroy, go around or ignore places and people as well as informing us of important matters that you've received from the King or the Chief God. Lastly, in the case in an event that I'm not here or my hands are too full to effectively command any portion of the army, you three will be placed in charge. In essence, you'll be determining the flow of the crusade and what can be washed away, however." The Commander goes around a black glass table and stands in front of the two to emphasize his next sentence. "We the Dark Guard will be the leading this crusade including how it'll be conducted as the condition I demanded from the king."

"Yes, I remember, that the Dark Guard will be leading the charge against the monster," Nicholas states in the previous meeting.

"But it's how we'll be leading the charge is the concern I have." Commander crosses his arms as Nicholas and Jessica look at each other in confusion.

Nicholas says as he looks back at the Commander for clarification, "Pardon us, but I think we don't follow your meaning?"

"We will be doing things very different than the Order has ever done in the previous crusades. Some things you'll think could be heresy. Our way of handling things that'll conflict with the Order's doctrine regarding war, prisoners, taking over enemy towns and cities, and all other matters. Thus, I'm worried that'll make you two and the entire Order army think that the Dark Guard has suddenly aligned with the Demon Lord because of a misunderstanding or an action we've chosen to take."

Jessica speaks up and asks, "What kind of misunderstanding or action would make them think you to be a heretic?"

Commander looks directly at her and answers, "Taking the monsters, the mamono as they call themselves prisoners instead of outright executing them including any takeovers on mamono villages and towns."

Jessica and Nicholas immediately protested but the Commander raises his hand and says, "As I have said, we'll be doing things differently."

"But why spare them from their rightful fate? They are slowly bringing our world to ruin but you want them to live, WHY!" Jessica is clearly angry while Nicholas seems lost.

"They are slowly ruining your world, I don't disagree with you there but." Jessica narrows her eyes at him, waiting for a perfectly reasonable reply. "They are also the key to their defeat and we wish to exploit that to its fullest."

Both Nicholas and Jessica look at the Commander dumbfounded as he lost them, Nicholas simply says, "What?"

The Commander takes a deep breath and explains, "Any monster we take prisoner, we'll gain new insight into what they are planning as well of other threats that'll impede us from our shared goal."

"And what goal will that be?" Jessica crosses her arms.

"The defeat of the Demon Lord and the removal of her most powerful weapon; Demonic Corruption." His answer seems to calm Jessica down but Nicholas has his own concerns as he says, "What's your plan with the monsters once they give you want?"

"That'll be up for my Chief Science Officer in what becomes of them." Commander walks back around the table but keeps talking, "I assure you two, no matter how merciful or heretical our actions may look, there is a reason behind them. Our methods will ensure the survival of the human race and the world as a whole."

A third person abruptly enters the tent, "Forgive my tardiness, my armor didn't want to cooperate with me or should I say my gut. HAHAHA!" A man dressed in heavy dull silver armor with only his mouth expose stands next to Jessica as she lets go an annoyed sigh at the man's display. "General Felix ready for war." Felix salutes to the Commander to which he nods at him. "So, what did I miss?"

"Don't worry General, these two will fill you in later however there is a more pressing matter." All three intently listen as he says, "I've recently gotten a report that Druella has contacted her mother, the Demon Lord for aid after Choryrth's attack that left the city of Lescatie in devastation. From what Widow gathered, the Demon Lord is busy gathering the needed aid and reinforcements to stabilize the city. Sounds like she'll be ready in a day or two thus we need to move now or risk losing our advantage."

General Felix suddenly asks, "Who is this Widow and how did this person get so much information on those monsters' plans?"

Commander answers, "Widow is our infiltrator specialist and she is currently inside Lescatie for half a week, surveying the city's recovery and troop movement so when we attack, we'll have an effective plan to recapture the city."

Jessica now asks, "How is she able to conceal herself for so long, or hasn't been corrupted yet?"

He explains, "Widow isn't hiding in the shadows or from an elevated position but she is instead walking among the city people as one of them. Going to various places gaining intel as well planning her own surprises that'll help us when we attack."

"So, she is disguised as one of them but won't the monster sense something wrong with her since she doesn't have demonic energy?" Jessica concerned about the possibility of this Widow person getting caught and turned, revealing all of the Commander's plans to the enemy.

"Look here, this will help in explaining how she can move freely without the risk of detection." Commander slides the papers away from the center of the table as the entire surface of the table lights up, surprising all three advisors as they look at the table in wonder. "After the failed monster siege on Highland City, we captured a few remaining combatants that were either unconscious or immobile from being heavily wounded and we selected this one." A profile of a Lizardman comes into view as the Commander continues his explanation, "This Lizardman, name Hanna after we captured, and integrated her, we had her memories and personality copied and planted into Widow's mind. Now Widow will know how to speak like Hanna, interact with people like Hanna, and know every location and secret spot that Hanna has visited. Once the process of applying Hanna's memories into Widow was completed, we transported Widow close to Lescatie and she began her infiltration mission."

Both Nicholas and Felix are impressed while Jessica is still concerned but doesn't say anything any further. Felix speaks up, "So when do we retake Lescatie?"

"Now."

All three of them with their eyes nearly bulging out of their skulls as Felix studders, "N-n-now, what huh you mean now?"

"We are starting now. Gather all the available troops you have and lead them to the training grounds where my forces are currently getting organized. I'll explain more to these two while you gather your warriors, General."

Felix doesn't move and instead questions, "But aren't we moving a little too fast, I mean even if Lescatie is heavily damaged and suffered large casualties, there are many threats to us like the high amount of demonic corruption in the air."

Commander nods his head and says, "We have a solution to counter that problem and they are ready to be deployed. Now General go and get your army together and meet us at the training grounds as quickly as you can. We'll be launching this attack in one hour with or without you."

Felix wanted to protest but knowing there is very little time, he hastily exits the tent and starts yelling out his orders. Nicholas and Jessica look back at the Commander once Felix is out of sight as the realization of the thirteen crusade is starting in one hour.

Nicholas speaks up, "So we really are taking back Lescatie today, but won't this give you an opportunity to fight the Demon Lord now instead of later?!"

The Commander takes a deep breath then says, "We aren't ready for her yet and we don't want her to see our capabilities so early. Battling her will be significantly harder and more dangerous if we don't choose the correct time and place thus another reason to take Lescatie now. There is something I want you two to see and to be careful with"

The Commander points his finger back at the table to direct their attention as they see the image of Lescatie shifts to a strange tri-angler pillar the Commander says, "These void spires will be the key factor in winning back Lescatie as they'll make the city safe for your armies to enter without the risk of being monstertized right away."

Jessica asks, "How did these spires work?"

"They basically suck in the demonic corrupt air by a powerful singularity that is akin to a blackhole which will destroy the corrupt. We'll deploy five on them around the city but not anywhere where the army will be teleported since the spires will be more heavily concentrated than the city. Anyone from the Order who wanders too close to the spire risk being instantly monsterized or worst; getting sucked in and killed. When we get everyone together I'll explain to them to stay away from the spires as well as the rest of the operation. Any other question?"

Jessica doesn't say anything but Nicholas does, "What about Widow? Aren't you afraid that someone here will try to kill her without realizing that she is on our side?"

A slight smirk flashes on the Commander's face as he answers, "Didn't worry about her, she can take care of herself even if someone attacks her, she'll just jump over them to where ever she needs to be. On the off chance you do encounter her, she'll be wearing a silver band on her left arm that way we know it's her and not some other Lizardman."

Nicholas nods his head and seeing there are no other questions the Commander walks around the table and heads towards the exit, saying, "Let us finish the preparations and take the Lescatie before the Demon Lord arrives."

Jessica and Nicholas follow the Commander to the training ground where the location is being used as a staging area for the crusade where the Order's army is being reorganized and supplies being sorted out. A few Dark Guardsmen instruct the numerous logistical officers as well as the Order officers and captains amidst the chaos. Once they got to the center of the field, Commander's eyes lights up and seconds later, a large Dark Guard force suddenly appear out of thin air in a puff of black smoke which spooked all those nearby. Jessica and Nicholas observe the instantly new force in front of them and see the wide variety of individuals from the biggest scariest looking giant to the one who looks like a proper princess while the rest are neither dressed nor armed as the other. While those two continue to eye the Dark Guard force, the Commander looks around for General Felix and his quickly gathered army but instead sees him waving his arms, yelling into the air trying to get any hero and soldier's attention.

'This is going to take a while.' Commander slightly shakes his head at the General's display but quickly refocuses as he starts a telepathic link with Widow, 'Widow! Find a place where you can be alone then send a confirmation sign back to me.'

In Lascatie, Widow is out and about in the Poor District in her Lizardman disguise, helping out a group of mamono in recovering bodies from collapsed buildings or removing debris off the roads until she receives a subtle message from the Commander, 'Widow! Find a place where you can be alone then send a confirmation sign back to me.'

Widow turns to the group and shouts, "Pardon me but I think I need to relieve myself."

A werewolf grunts and shouts back, "Yeah, yeah, go do what you need to do but don't take too long! We still have five more blocks to deal with!"

"I know, I'll be quick!" Widow jogs out of view and out of hearing of the group before she quietly walks to a partially collapsed home. Once she sees she is alone, Widow sends a message: 'Ok, I'm alone.'

'We are almost ready on this end. What about you?'

'I've placed several incendiary bombs throughout the city and are ready to be detonated. Let me know when and I'll reignite this city in fire.' Widow hears distant footsteps but they don't sound like they are getting closer.

'Good, we have ten to fifteen minutes more minutes before we can start. Any new information you've heard or found?'

'Yes, the Demon Lord is supposedly be arriving with the first load of aid and reinforcements sometime today as they are finishing gathering the last bit of materials and food.' Widow knows she'll have to leave this part of the city soon and prepare herself before her "group" starts wondering where she is and start looking for her.

'I see then this will be a race for the city. Go do what you need to do Widow, I'll tell you soon on detonating the bombs. Commander out'

Widow smiles to herself as she leaves the ruined building and walks back towards the center of the city as the battle is about to commence very soon in this unprepared city.

"Commander!" A voice shouts out to him as he turns around and sees General Felix approach him with a respectably large group of soldiers behind him. "This is everyone I can muster without compromising the capital's defenses."

"Very well then, we can now begin the operation of retaking Lescatie before the Demon Lord arrives at the city." Many murmurs broke out among the Order's ranks at the Commander's comment while his three advisors simply look at each in silence. The Commander raises his hands, quieting down the concerned Order before he starts shouting out, "Alright everyone listen up! My name is simply Commander and starting now we will take the first step in saving humanity from ruination and extinction being caused by the monsters. The monsters who seek to enslave and corrupt every last man, woman, and child on Eos, but not anymore. Today is the day Humanity's wrath and retribution is at hand, for today, we not only save your loved ones but this entire world. Follow us as we shall lay siege on the aggressors and retake that what has been taken from you. Today, we will retake your fallen city Lescatie and tomorrow the next city, after the next, and the next until every city, town, and village is back to their rightful owners!"

All the Order soldiers listen intently to every word the Commander says with many start feeling riled up. Prince Nicholas, General Felix, and Valkyrie Jessica also listen closely to the Commander's speech with mixed feelings. The General's feelings are the same as the soldiers in looking for some payback, Nicholas is more interested in how'll the Dark Guard will lead the Order's army to victory and Jessica is still deeply concerned about her new "allies" as she sees them to be a threat to the Chief God's plans.

"The time has come! Dark Guard return to the ships and prepare for battle!" In a wave of sudden black smoke where the Dark Guard stood leaving nothing but an empty spot that startled a few Order soldiers that were standing near them. The rest of the soldiers stand waiting for what the Commander has to say, "The rest of you.." A pair of portals open beside the Commander on either side of him as he continues, "You have a choice right here, right now for if you chose to step through and join us, you'll be taking orders from me and I expect you to follow them to the letter even if my orders seem counter-productive or heretical, punishable by death in your laws. If you cannot follow my orders or have the courage to fight then it is best you get left behind to defend whatever city or settlement we've captured." Commander looks at the three advisors and says, "Say what you have to say then step through one of these portals but do be quick. I'll see you three on the ship." He vanishes in a sudden black smoke leaving just the Order by themselves.

The army looks between the two portals and the three high-ranking Order officials but no one makes a move or asks a question as they simply stand there indecisive. Prince Nicholas takes the initiative and walks to the spot where the Commander was standing earlier which the army slowly focuses on him. Nicholas takes a deep breath and shouts out with clarity, "My friends and fellow brothers in arms, I know you all feel hesitant, especially to our new allies, the Dark Guard but I assure you all, they are here to help us in our darkest hour. To fight alongside us as we try to save whoever we can and whatever we can from those damn monsters. They may not follow our devotion to the Chief God but she has sent her greatest warriors to the cause." Nicholas gestures towards Jessica as she simply stands tall and stoic, typical of a Valkyrie. "I believe this alliance, we'll finally reach our goal of enteral peace and prosperity for the entire Order and the surrounding nations will never dare to challenge us again. Follow me and let us make that dream a reality. FOR THE ORDER!"

"FOR THE ORDER! FOR THE ORDER!" The soldiers chant as Nicholas, Jessica, and Felix enter the portals follow by the army as they split into two columns.

The three exits out of the portal and were awe-struck at the interior design, the same reaction followed as the front group of soldiers exit out of the portals too. The Order appeared in the area where the prisoners were once being held but all the cells are now empty. Now the room is filled with allies instead of enemies as they examine everything. While Nicholas and Jessica are looking at the ceiling and cross bridges, Felix looks down at the ground and slightly taps the floor with his claymore.

CLACK CLACK

"It's metal!" He then looks at the rest of the room and realizes it's all metal.

"General?" Nicholas looks at him with a confused expression.

"My prince, look!" Felix taps the floor again with his sword and the same clack sound is heard as Felix explains, "This floor, this ship, it's all metal!" The prince and Valkyrie look closer to the floor then everything and true enough it was some kind of metal, a kind they don't recognize.

"Impossible! An entire ship made of metal?! There has to be something else to this ship." Jessica not believing in the General's observation but a voice from above joins in.

"Well, you two are both correct but this isn't the time for a lecture in advance engineering and aerial construction." Everyone looks up and sees the Commander on the catwalk looking down on everyone as more Order soldiers exit the portals.

Once everyone is through, the Commander contacts Widow again, 'Widow, you can begin.'

'Understood.'

"Everyone your attention, please!" The Commander shouts, getting all the Order soldiers to focus on him instead of their surroundings as he starts the briefing, "We will start the operation of retaking Lescatie in ten minutes but one of our people is already inside the city starting trouble for the enemy forces." The crowd quietly talking among themselves until someone shouts out, "What's the person doing in the city?"

"I'll show you." He points to the ceiling then a holographic screen appears, spooking everyone below but quickly compose themselves while a bird's eye view of the city fills the screen.

"Isn't that Lescatie?"

"That can't be Lescatie, it looks more like some stupid ruin."

"Is that area on fire?"

Questions are loud as a thunderstorm as the crowd argues with each other until the Commander's booming voice silences all others, "ATTENTION PLEASE! (every head immediately turns to him) Here is the plan for retaking the city: We are currently under cloak so they can't see us approach as we begin the first step by deploying five singularity spires around the city's edge, they'll decrease the amount of demonic energy inside the city. Once the level of energy is at a manageable level for you all, especially the female troops, we can begin the second part. The second step, all Order soldiers will be teleported to what we know as the Slums. (Section of the outer part of the city lights up on the holo-screen) Your task is to secure that district and then move into the commercial district where a portion of the Dark Guard will be contesting it. The rest of the Dark Guard will be in the center district including the castle however my team will be engaging the elite defenders, Fallen Brides, and Druella. The faster we take the city, the more likely we can be better prepared for the Demon Lord's arrival."

The noise from the crowd quiets down but a sense of dread permeates the air at the possibility of the Demond Lord appearing in the middle of the battle.

A voice among the crowd shouts a question, "What about Castle Salvarision? If everyone is focused on Lescatie, who'll deal with the defenders over there?"

The Commander addresses the question, "Castle Salvarision will not be a problem as this ship will reduce that place to rubble along with any monsters inside. We do know that a significant portion of the castle defenders are currently inside Lescatie but an equal portion of the Dark Guard will be engaging them in combat leaving the Order to have the numbers and strength to accomplish the initial goals. The fallen heroes who'll be the true threat to the operation will be inside the castle where my team will face them. Any other questions?"

Nothing is heard until a voice booms throughout the holding area, startling almost everyone except the Commander, "Approaching Lescatie in five minutes, all hands be prepared for departure! Launching Void Spires!" A faint rumbling sound is heard then seconds later all is quiet.

"Alright, I trust you all know what to do. Once the portals open up in front of you, charge in and don't look back. Fight with all your might and victory shall be ours. Soldiers of the Order prepare, for today and onward, this war will be our favor all the way to the end!" Commander's words replace the soldiers' feelings of worry with determination as they all start mentally and physically preparing themselves. "Prince Nicholas, any words you wish to say to your countrymen?"

All eyes focus on the prince as he takes a deep breath and walks towards the center of the wall facing the crowd, "My friends, we are starting this crusade to finally end the monster threat once and for all and we are not doing this alone. Thanks to the Dark Guard, they have already saved an entire city, giving us all the breathing room we all need and now they'll lead us along with the Chief God's blessing to our salvation for all of mankind! The Chief God has not given up on us and neither should we, the end is coming and we WILL SEE THE LIGHT! GLORY TO THE CHIEF GOD! GLORY TO THE ORDER! AND GLORY TO THE DARK GUARD!" Nicholas starts chanting 'GLORY', the General joins in then a few soldiers start chanting and before long all Order soldiers are shouting together in unison.

Three portals suddenly appear behind Prince Nicholas and the Commander yells out, "Everyone the operation has begun, ATTACK!" Commander then instantly vanishes in a black mist as Nicholas orders, "EVERYONE CHARGE ARGHHHH!" he and everyone else all quickly run into the portals like an angry stampede, and appearing inside an inflamed city with the mamono caught off guard and stunned by the surprise before meeting their end at the point of a sword.

5 minutes earlier on top of one of the castle towers

"What the hell is going on!?" Merse yells out as numerous mamono ran around until a Hellhound runs up to her.

"Ma'am, the city is on fire!" She responds but an annoyed deadpan look on Merse's face as she glares her down, saying, "Obviously it's on fire, what I want to know is how the city is on fire."

The Hellhound visibly gulps from the hostile pressure and carefully explains, "We don't know how exactly other than there is a sudden boom then fire just erupting seconds later everywhere. Guards haven't reported any Order force nearby nor that unknown force. We/What's that in the sky?" A Werecat shouts, pointing at five purple arrows descending toward the city from the sky. Anyone who heard her looks up to the sky too and simply watched them come down.

'Please miss the city. Please miss the city.' Merse chants in her mind as she observes their descent until they landed outside the city.

*Sigh* "Thank the Fallen God, they missed, we don't need any more trouble. We…" Merse stops speaking as she sees one of the five arrows visibly shifting its form into something akin to a pillar then seconds later a black orb appears above it. Merse mumbles to herself "What is it doing?" Her answer came in a feeling as she noticed the flow of demonic energy seeming to be drawn into those new pillars at an alarmingly increasing rate.

Realizing that the city's demonic air is being sucked dry by those weird pillars, Merse yells out, "Archers and Spellcasters destroy those pillars now!" People of those professions make a mad run to the walls and that's when the entire Order and Guard forces appear all over the city thus the battle for Lescatie begins.

I'm still alive, just super busy with everything so typing, proofreading and editing have slowed down more than I liked also I've kind of forgotten about Salvarision. Hopefully, this chapter is worth the wait for you, and the ending has you excited for the big battle in the next chapter.