NOVPUBGhislain’s plan was set in motion, and he addressed Vanessa to confirm the enemy’s movements.
“What’s the enemy's force distribution?” he asked.
Sitting in silent concentration, Vanessa opened her eyes, glancing at a fallen mage beside her, who had collapsed with foaming lips.
“As you expected, my lord. They’re all clustered near the tunnel’s exit point. There are barely half the troops left around the gate and walls.”
Vanessa, with her skills as a 6th-circle mage, was able to scan an impressively large range, though at a cost. She drained mana from other mages to maintain the effort, leaving several of them sprawled out, exhausted from their contribution.
Even with the fallen mages around him, Ghislain had Vanessa continue her search. A broad overview of the battlefield was crucial in any war, and similar efforts had helped him thwart spies in the previous battle by using mages to their limit. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Satisfied that the enemy had fallen into his trap, Ghislain nodded. “Good, it’s time to start.”
“Are you certain this is wise?” Vanessa’s tone was cautious. “If something goes wrong, it could put us in grave danger.”
Ghislain gave a small chuckle. “But if we succeed, we’ll take the fortress with minimal casualties.”
“Could I use the mages’ mana to attack the wall troops directly?” she offered.
“No. It’s still too soon to reveal our mages openly. Besides, that approach might hurt them, but it wouldn’t let us capture the fortress quickly. We know they’re stalling, waiting for reinforcements. We don’t have that luxury.”
Vanessa, resigned, lowered her head. “Understood. May you stay safe...”
“Of course. Let’s prepare.” Ghislain called for his knights, gathering them close.
“Tonight, we’ll descend into the fortress by hot air balloon. Once inside, we’ll take control of the walls and open the gates.”
The knights were momentarily silent, some visibly tense. They’d noticed the dozens of hot air balloons that had arrived with the latest supply shipment—far too many for mere reconnaissance. Many had feared the worst after their recent landing practice, and now it was confirmed: they would be executing an airborne assault.
After Ghislain’s command, one knight cautiously asked, “Then what was the tunnel for? Aren’t we using it to attack?”
“It’s a decoy. Their main force is clustered around the tunnel exit, waiting to ambush us.”
“So, you mean...”
“Yes. While they’re distracted, we’ll slip inside the fortress via balloon and capture the gates from within.”
The knights swallowed hard, watching Ghislain with newfound respect. He held the entire battlefield in his hands, carefully manipulating each piece. Everything they’d done—the tunnel digging, the omission of siege engines—was to mislead the enemy, drawing their attention and lulling them into a false sense of security.
‘So that’s what all that landing practice was for,’ one knight thought. ‘He planned this from the start.’
Ghislain spoke again, his tone calm but determined. “I understand your worries. This isn’t an easy mission—entering the heart of the enemy’s stronghold carries real risk. But remember, we’re here because we have no other choice. We’re outmatched in numbers, and our true adversaries in the north are far stronger than this.”
The knights braced themselves, each of them acutely aware of the stakes. They’d spent endless hours honing their skills, enduring hardship, and pushing themselves far beyond their limits. They had every right to feel pride in their preparation.
In response to his words, the knights shouted in unison, “We’re ready, my lord!”
Their intense training had prepared them for this moment, and now, despite the danger, their pride and confidence swelled within them.
“Yes, they may be starving, but Cabaldi’s forces are the best-armed soldiers in the north. We’ll be landing directly in their midst. Are you afraid?” Ghislain’s eyes gleamed.
A knight scoffed, “We’ve already defeated the Desmond army once!”
“We conquered monsters in the Forest of Beasts!”
“So why would these fools scare us?”
Encouraged by the knights’ growing enthusiasm, Ghislain smiled. “Good. Fear is for the unprepared. We’ve trained hard for this. Now is the time to unleash all we’ve learned.”
Clenching his fist, Ghislain pounded it against his chest twice—a gesture of victory often seen among mercenaries dedicated to the Goddess of War.
Following his lead, the knights, mostly former mercenaries, performed the same ritual, smirking with a shared, fierce determination. Even those who had never been mercenaries followed the gesture, sharing in the camaraderie.
“I’ll lead the charge as always,” Ghislain declared.
He’d always done so—whether in the Forest of Beasts or the last battle, he had always been the first to plunge into danger, showing that the impossible could be made possible.
The knights mirrored his grin, and they placed their fists to their hearts in a solemn pledge, a knight’s vow to follow their lord.
Ghislain looked at them all, his expression sharp and confident.
“It’s time to show them what we’re made of.”
At nightfall, those working in the tunnels joined the main group. Ideally, all 400 knights would ride the balloons, but there wasn’t enough space. The mages needed to pilot the balloons, so they were limited by the number of mages available.
The knights fought over the opportunity, each asserting that they deserved to go. Finally, a selection was made, and a hundred knights were chosen.
“Aw, I wanted to go,” one grumbled.
“I’m stronger than some of those going. Why am I staying behind?” another complained.
“We’ll have to put up with their bragging when they return,” a third muttered.
Those left behind licked their lips and prepared to advance with the infantry. Their task, though less risky, was just as important: they would storm the fortress as soon as the gates opened.
As the dozens of balloons rose into the sky, the mages directed them toward Cabaldi’s fortress with wind magic.
Those aboard the balloons were tense. While too high for ordinary archers, the balloons were vulnerable to well-aimed shots from skilled knights or mages within the fortress.
But Cabaldi’s forces didn’t notice the balloons until it was too late.
Focused on the Fenris forces ahead, and hindered by the dark night, the defenders were caught off guard.
“What’s that?” a soldier on a distant watchtower mumbled, squinting at the sight above.
As the alarm spread, the soldiers and officers on the walls turned to see the shapes floating overhead.
“What are those? Are they monsters?” one asked, bewildered.
“Why are they heading into the fortress?” another added, his voice wavering.
The men, entranced by the strange sight, forgot the approaching Fenris troops as they gawked at the mysterious balloons.
Seeing his soldiers hesitate, a wall commander scowled.
“We need to find out what’s up there. If those are monsters, we’re in a dire situation, sandwiched between them and the enemy.”
A few scouts were sent to investigate.
Unaware of the enemy’s confusion, the knights on the balloons frantically argued with the mages to descend quickly.
“Get us down fast! Don’t you see those torches? They’re coming to investigate!” a knight barked.
The mages hurried them. “Just jump already! We’re getting out of here the second you’re down.”
Despite the tension, the knights knew the mages were right. They had to jump before enemy soldiers detected the full extent of their approach.
Finally, with tense breaths, the knights leaped from the balloons, each using the landing technique they’d practiced.
Thud! Thud!
“Ugh! Made it!”
“I survived! That training paid off!”
Some groaned, others laughed, but all managed to land with minimal injuries.
A few balloons remained quieter than the rest. Kaor and Alfoi shared one, barely speaking after a recent incident where both had nearly fallen.
As Kaor descended, he grumbled, “Try not to fall this time, idiot.”
Alfoi, not looking at him, muttered, “Hmph... watch yourself.”
Scoffing, Kaor threw himself from the balloon.
Splash!
“Ouch! Damn it, that hurt!” he cursed.
With the last knight down, the balloons rose again. The mages were ready to escape, their duty done.
“See you alive after this!” a mage called down, taunting a knight.
“Wash up and wait for me. I’ll put you out of your misery,” the knight quipped back, grinning.
The mages laughed, already preparing for departure.
As the balloons vanished into the night, Fenris’s knights looked around. With no way to retreat, it was all or nothing now.
Ghislain, who had landed first, scanned his surroundings.
“No stragglers or injuries, I assume?”
“None, my lord!” they replied, stretching aching arms.
A fierce determination settled over them, and Ghislain, smiling, drew his sword.
“Are you ready to spill some blood?”
The knights, mirroring his grin, raised their swords, each one shimmering with a sharp blue glow of mana.
