The Mechanical Era

2 days later, after the declaration of war, the three heads of the big three already gathered in the northwest border cities of Tyrol, Gardon, and Xaver. They received the message about the failed attempt on rescuing the pope and their children. Assuming that Rose Valline will soon declare war, the men wanted to gather up their forces, and start their invasion.

However, considering they received the message near dawn, they all collectively agreed to set out in the early morning tomorrow. One night later, on the 1st of Nummum, the northern armies prepared to march forward.

The invasion plan was simple. Launch an attack through the western side of the continent to make their way to the city of Villina. This hopefully puts pressure on the queen to send more knights and peasant infantry to the western side of the continent.

From there on, an attack would be launched in the east. Though there might be trouble getting past the large tributary, from there onwards, it could be a breeze through the enemy lands as it would be scarcely defended. Once they arrive at the city of Villine, they will save the pope, save their children, and burn the heretic, as they should have done long ago.

Danial was to march from the city of Tyrol, while Corel was to head down from the city of Gardon, the large city next to Tyrol, while Salvatore was to go down from the city of Xaver. Malinda, Fiona, and Samatha, with their respective knight commanders, had all taken a position on the river, to defend the eastern side. Once Phase 1 of the plan is completed, they would launch the attack by crossing the river.

Before the sunset even arose, around 4 AM, the soldiers were woken up early. The peasant infantry, after grabbing their weapon of choice, either a spear and shield or a bow, said goodbyes to their families and joined up in the city squares.

The knights, who were on the backs of horses, were at the front, while the peasant infantry was at the back. They had prepared all the equipment they will need to make it to the next city via small caravans pulled by mules.

Some lucky ones, who had connections to people in a higher positions of power, managed to get on a caravan themselves and sit out the ride. At the very front of it wall, sitting on a white horse, was the monarch themselves, leading the army forward.

After a quick speech to elevate their spirits, the men, wearing their best pairs of shoes, marched 3mph (4.83km/h) on paved roads all over the continent. Roads built millennia back to the Asterarian Imperium days.

As they march continuously for a long time, the sun boiled them all alive. Although the knights were worse off, considering they were stuck inside that metal suit, the peasant soldiers felt as if their knees were slowly broken with each step they took.

Danial, who had marched with his men for about 2 days and 12 hours, which covered a distance of 75 miles in total, ordered another stoop to take a look at his map. While the men sat on the ground, exhausted, his blue eyes scanned the landscape, looking for landmarks to pinpoint where they were. Using his spyglass, he checked to see a small shallow river.

"Ah, there it is!" he comments. About 273 yards (250 meters) from their position, he can see a river flowing eastward. With their location pinpointed, he then looks for some kind of marking. When it was confirmed no markings are to be seen, they marched left to the river, where it flowed, till they came across a bridge.

The bridge presented the army with a bottle cap. Being only 2 meters wide, it would take some time to fully cross the bridge, especially while carrying all that equipment. So, to make the maximum use of their time, Danial and a bunch of knight scouts crossed first.

Danial gives and instructs his scouts to search for the agricultural city of Browntown. The city of 45,000 that has plenty of excess food that they could use to feed their soldiers, knights, and peasants alike. However, as Danial suspects, the city would be guarded by an army, as it would be a good launching point for Rose Valine.

The scouts disappear for about 12 minutes before returning back. By this point, about 480 knights have managed to cross the small bridge, with the peasant army still in waiting. They come straight to Danial and unload the information they found.

"We found Browntown, your highness! It is about 3.1 miles (5 km) from the bridge!" the lead scout said.

"Did you see anyone guarding it? Any soldiers present, and if so, how many?" he questioned. Another knight stepped forward to answer.

"Yes, your highness! We spot about 3000 peasant infantry split into three groups along with about a hundred cavalry to their sides. From what we saw, they were about to depart the city! They might reach us in a few hours or so!"

"What did they look like?"

"Most of the knights had runic armor on, while the infantry looked rather normal. We suspect it is comprised of a bunch of locals. No sign of reinforcements."

Danial places his hot hand on his chin and immediately retracts it as it started to burn him. Although it was reinforced, the town wasn't as reinforced as it was. It appeared to be the perfect time to strike them before any more reinforcements can arrive.

After a few minutes of him, internally debating. he made the decision to immediately march on the city and take over it. He waited for a while till he got the right amount of soldiers he needed to do the job, and appointed a random night to oversee the bridge crossing.

He gathered about 5,000 infantrymen and separated them into two units, all given a potion of strength and endurance. Each unit was expected to have 2,500 men. There are about 100 on each row while containing 25 columns of men. The two units were to engage the cavalry and defeat it by holding the line. He expected to achieve this with the pure grit of the Hoverdam's soldiers' spirit, and a few strength potions they brought along the way.

Meanwhile, about 100 knights will be separated into 2 units. Forming an arrowhead shape, they will move around and attack the peasant army from the sides with high speed, and attempt a breakthrough, though they might not be needing any potions for their task.

With the group all set, Danial marched forward with his troops, wanting to gain some glory for Hoverdam, and himself. They marched for 2 hours until they encountered the enemy. By this point, the enemy appeared to be ready.

The two sides stared at each other until one side blew a horn. With that, the enemy started charging at them. Danial personally leads his army to battle, as one should. The enemy knights start charging the infantry, with their runes activated.

Despite their weapons boosting their strength, the infantry held and started to pick off the knights. They first stabbed their horses with their spears. Some immediately fall to the ground and become vulnerable. In the midst of the chaos, both sides manage to kill each other effectively.

The enemy peasant infantry, which was much further away, felt a bit suspicious. They looked around to see where Danial's cavalry was, only to realize late that they were approaching from the sides. The men tried to quickly maneuver in order to resist the attack, but it was too late. The knights, with full force, mowed through the enemy infantry like it was nothing. They then withdraw and attack from a different position.

Amongst the chaos, bodies start falling to the ground. Danial, who was on top of his horse, tried to find the commander of the enemy unit. At this point, he had ranked several kills. He looked around, amongst the battlefield, where men fought to the end.

Just then, he senses a spear coming in his direction. He moves out of the way for it to miss. In a split second, as if it was instant, he cuts the spear off with his longsword. Danial then turns to the attacker. He wore a green mana-stone runic armor, meaning a high leveled knight. With his attention at his focused, the two men fight.

The sword fight was chaotic and fast, only lasting for 2 minutes. The two men clashed while their horses ran around with each other. The two swords clashed with each other extremely fast, with the one who misses dying in defeat. With Danial's speed, skill, and increased strength due to his magical power, he managed to overpower and kill the enemy.

With the enemy commander dead, Danial screamed at the top of his lungs, pronouncing his death. With him gone, the soldiers lose the will to fight and surrender to Danial. The first battle of the war, does to the north.