Third General Iunda was riding back to the other bases, retreating with his head 3 orc soldiers. They were riding through a jungle, which all during their journey, the only noises were for sure clear for them is the horse feet hitting against the ground.
Iunda took a deep breath before composing himself to speak.
"I know you guys must have think I am nothing but a shameless commander. And I understand why is that... But had I not retreat, the others-"
"The others what, sir?! We just left our brothers to die against them! And you were the one who planned the defenses there! Had you not plan it our comrades were for sure will live until this time", one of the orc said. He was in a deep sorrow watching his brothers died while he couldn't move even an inch to support him.
"As much as I agree what you said and hate our decision of retreating, it the best we had to do, mate.... It's not like we even stood a chance against them", another orc speaks out. His opinion stands clear.
The travel back to their base went dead silent yet again. The next base was the second last of line, as most of the soldiers were stationed there. The last base, the furthest one from the others was the one connecting Fort Tarahud with Zarghian Forest, but need to cross the L'ayre Straits.
Back at the conquered base, Cayden was seen reading the map he looted from the barracks. However, the map seemed to be torn and barely readable. It's a piece of the full map. He took the piece and tried to read it.
"Lay... Lays... Tch.. It's hard to read this.."
He squinted his eyes littler and close the distance between his very own eyes and the piece.
"L'ayre Straits. Dang. Why the is there a straits here... I guess I'll request for warships later. Oufouni, tell me, during your travel to their castle, weren't you supposed to travel through this straits. Why didn't you told me there will be straits?", Cayden asked Oufouni with serious tone. He looked like he will eat Oufouni right now.
" Sir, I simply didn't went this way... I use the longer way. And I didn't bypass this massive fort. Had I use this route, I would be dead way before", Oufouni explained himself.
"Well.... I'll take that reason.. Let's see.. Ryu-Ji.... Hrmm.... Think I've heard that name before... Where eh?... Elves... It was surely something like that...", he pinched his nose bridge while closing his eyes hard, trying not to get distracted with his surrounding.
" Nevermind. We just push tomorrow... It will be the second base before we finally conquer this fort", Cayden added. He just wants this operation to end quickly.
"Goodnight, men", he said before entering his own tent. He stretched himself a bit, before going to his bed. No dinner and no shower, he had no reason to do those yet, at least that's what he thought.
Outside the tent, the soldiers were seen eating their dinners but they seemed very tired, not physically but mentally. They've been pushing for more than 40km in about 3 days, or less.
"Oufouni, I'm just saying... I think the others might be tired. I think we need to halt our progress to the next base. It will be about what? 25 km? I believe they all are tired even from previous battle", Erik said while assessing the soldiers behaviours during dinner time, most of them seems to not have appetite.
"As much as I want to agree, we can't. Even if we lost a momentum, we're giving them chances to gain their men and will surely fight us back. You wouldn't want that right?.. I guess we can actually rest a bit and defend this next base once we take it", Oufouni replied while he was brewing his tea. His tea looked good, but he add no sugar. The supply was scarce for them. Only Cayden got the access for that.
"Yeah... I just hope we all don't die then", the grey knight answered before going inside his tent. He too seemed tired.
Meanwhile at the second base, Iunda was seen trying to regain his soldiers morale on the field.
"Men, I've watched how they fight. And it's nothing I've ever seen.. Really.. They seemed.. Experienced. I had to say that cause I saw 3000 of our brothers died to their hands easily. I don't want to make the same mistake by ordering you guys to dig the trenches outside during the morning. But... Seeing the distance between us and them, we have time. And I'm going to use that time as best as I can. Tomorrow, we're going to dig trenches around the base. And we're going to add spikes behind the trenches so they can't penetrate our defense. Got it?", Iunda briefed his men. His words sounds confident and strong, but deep inside him, he felt a bit fear. Even though he's a general, he never saw action on battlefield. Never until 255th Tarazmy arrived.
The soldiers nodded. There were around 50.000 men there. Many but not all. Another 33,700 soldiers were stationed on the last base, just in case. Even though the last base was bigger than this one, they were stationed there as to not let any enemies exit the fort and as backup soldiers.
"May us win this war", Iunda said before ordering his men to go sleep. They need to wake up early tomorrow.
Meanwhile at Ryu-Ji, Queen Azelia and Adrog were seen entering a castle hidden inside woods. It was Castle Ryu-Ji, castle of elves. Ryu-Ji, being the Elven District capital, was for sure filled with all kind of elves, there were also but a bit of other races.
Azelia and Adrog entered the castle, and inside, lines of Elf Soldiers were ready and stood at attention. Their armour was kind of better than the standard armour used by Khatardak Soldiers. And behind all of them, sit a fully equipped elf king, Kazeru. His hair brown, indicating he's still young. He looked so ego and full of himself.
"Ah. It is Queen Azelia herself.. It's rare and I never thought this day would come.. What a queen like you doing here?", Kazeru said, trying to provoke her.
"King Kazeru.. I.. I need your assistance.. Reg-"
"Need my help? What makes you think you are worthy to get my assistance? Come here, Azelia. You want my support, beg for it.", he gestured to Azelia to come closer.
Adrog just watched Azelia walked to Kazeru. He felt sad and shocked seeing Azelia, the queen of Khatardak Empire just submit to the king of elves.
Once both Azelia and Kazeru stood in front of each other, Kazeru immediately hugged Azelia.
"Oh my little sister, how long is it the last we met?.. Sorry.. I got busy handling things here.. I'll always support you, sis", Kazeru said and he nearly sobbed, felt sorry to his little adopted sister.
"It's all okay, brother.. It's been hard.. Since father has left.. I'm sorry.. It should have been you to rule us.. I'm just a human", she said.
"I'm an elf. The elves trust me more to rule them rather than to rule everyone... But hey.. As long as you're okay.. That's all..", he said. He then stopped the hug and wiped the tears off of Azelia cheeks.
"I've heard about it.. Eldah wrote to me about it.. There's an invasion happening.. I'll.. I can send help.. But I need time..",Kazeru said. He assured her that elves assistance is inevitable.
"Thank you, brother. I.. I don't know what to do without you"
"You always do. That's how you maintain power. I like it.. Send my regards to our siblings if you're going to visit them"
"Will do, brother"
Azelia then stepped back and left the castle with Adrog, onwards to next district, Oioqer.