Second World Novel

An immense number of troops crossed through a vast expanse of grassland. The grassland was part of the Lanoskh region, a border region filled with grasslands and savannahs between Liguritudum and Hydrurond.

Beyond this grassland, the troops could see the mountainous terrain that filled many of Hydrurond’s landscapes.

At the border where the grassland and the mountainous terrain blurred, another army lined up and waited. This second army was composed of the draconian race.

The first army that crossed through the grassland was composed of the ethereal race. This ethereal army stopped a distance away and they started forming a line formation.

While the army reorganizing itself, the leaders of the army convened at a temporary command station. Before these leaders was a war table that projected a 3D image that showed their surroundings.

“Have we found out about their numbers?” Master asked.

“I’ve input the data into the war table,” Linda said. “The enemy before us roughly consisted of 1,500,000 troops.”

“We are fighting an army that is less than us? This is disappointing. We have 2,500,000 troops, almost twice theirs,” Ronald said. “Boss, can I sit this one out? I’m not interested in fighting an easy battle.”

Master didn’t respond. It was Linda who said, “You will do what you are told, mercenary.”

“Hehe. As long as you remember a mercenary required payment,” Ronald returned.

“You’ll have your payment,” Master said and asked Linda to resume her report, “What about the other fronts?”

“Mistress and her 2,000,000-strong army were entering from the North through the Shylvan region. They had been hunkering near the border. The Hydrurond army on that side also numbers 1,500,000 troops. They are staying still. As we had expected, they will only attack when Aurebor crosses into their territory.”

“I thought the report said Hydrurond has more than 4,000,000 troops? Why do they only send so few at us?” Spring Crown asked.

“Maybe they are like us? They couldn’t send all the troops?” Motherboard said.

Liguritudum has 3,500,000 troops. Master had used drafts and Call to Arms to recruit troops, but he also suffered a setback due to desertion when he used the country’s army to attack a player’s guild. So, his army more or less stayed the same.

He left behind 1,000,000 soldiers in Liguritudum to keep control. Otherwise, the resistance would cause chaos when he was out. The resistance had no real army so he didn’t worry too much, but they could still cause trouble if they were allowed to roam free. Most of the ones forming the resistance were the officers who had left when he became Liguritudum’s ruler.

“The reason they couldn’t send all their troops is different from us,” Linda explained. “They don’t have internal problems like us so they don’t need to leave behind too many soldiers. Just a few to keep security in the settlements. The reason why they couldn’t mobilize all their army at us is that they have to watch out for a possible third invader.”

𝑛𝔬𝒱𝔢𝓁𝐧ℯxt.𝗰𝗈𝓂

“Third?” Spring Crown asked in surprise. “We have more allies?”

Linda smiled. “Not an ally, but an enemy. Hydrurond has placed a 1,000,000-strong army facing the east where Themisphere is located. This is because Themisphere has started amassing their army at their border.”

“I bet that army is meant to be used against us,” Spring Crown said.

“That is true, but Hydrurond doesn’t know that. They are not aware of our relationship with Themisphere,” Linda said.

“They acted exactly as you said,” Master said to Linda. “To be able to predict our enemies’ movements and cause our target to split its force without us even needing to do anything. I know I’m not wrong to have recruited you.”

“One has to know one’s enemies to win a war,” Linda said. “The Themisphere’s king is too naive. I bet his advisors have advised him not to, but I can foresee him insisting on lending aid to Hydrurond. That act has instead benefitted us.”

“I heard this naivete of him has made the rebels in Themelot submit without a battle,” Spring Crown said. “A move that YOU said should weaken Themisphere’s army because that same naïve king refused to ambush the rebellious officers inside the town.”

Spring Crown didn’t mask his mocking tone. Linda glanced at him irritatingly but she didn’t give him a response.

Spring Crown just chuckled. He didn’t tease the older lady further. He asked a different topic, “By the way, I thought we will finally have all five heavenly enforcers together in this massive campaign. Why are there only the four of us here? I thought it’s finally time we meet the fifth enforcer.”

Spring Crown, Ronald, Wong, and Linda were there around the war table. Wong wasn’t interested in joining their discussion. He just stood in silence. He would only be interested once the battle started.

“You don’t need to worry about the fifth,” Master said.

“Can’t you at least tell us his name? So that we can identify our fellow teammate and not accidentally bully him,” Spring Crown said.

“You won’t be able to bully him even if you want to,” Linda said.

“Oh! So, it truly is a he! You know this person then?” Spring Crown said to Linda.

Linda again ignored Spring Crown, who then turned to Ronald. “Do you know this fifth enforcer?” He asked.

“Hehe,” Ronald simply chuckled.

Spring Crown turned to Wong, “Do you?”

“Hmph,” Wong harrumphed and turned away.

“Tsk! You people.”

“Enough of this meaningless chatter,” Master rebuked. “Everyone takes your position. We will begin our assault soon!”

Master turned to Motherboard, “You will be in charge of our guild army. Summon the guild army command platform next to the war table. Listen to Linda’s instructions.”

“Yes, my lord,” Motherboard replied.

“Gridhacker,” Master called next.

“Yes, my lord,” Gridhacker, who was standing at the back, responded.

“You will be coordinating with the guilds. Have them summon their guild armies and place them as the tip of the spear. Let them take the full brunt of the enemy’s attack before our country’s army engages the enemy.”

Out of the other ten guilds with headquarters in Liguritudum, six had submitted to them. These were the six whom Master had commanded to follow them in this war to be cannon fodder.

“It will be done,” Gridhacker answered.