From the forest emerged over forty massive siege engines—far larger than ordinary catapults.
"Those are…"
"Sorola, tonight you made three mistakes. First—we never truly counted on orcs; their help or lack thereof changes nothing. Second—you're close to the Black Dragons. Did you think I wouldn't prepare? Third—you underestimated us. Behold our true trump card: 'Magic Bombard Cannons.'"
Princess Aishanna rose from her giant bed. From this angle, her full breasts and flawless legs were on full display—she definitely had exhibitionist tendencies. She smiled coldly, mocking my choice, eyes venomous.
I let out a soft "Oh?"—suddenly uncovering a massive secret, one threatening Diyari's very survival.
"If you change your mind, Sorola, I'll forgive you… heh heh…"
Her plan was decent—but not enough to worry me. Her slip, however, demanded attention.
At first I hadn't noticed, but her allure rivaled Fina's. Deep meaning there. Succubi needed male essence to bloom. Aishanna, seventeen, already radiated full power—meaning she was no virgin.
Fina and I same age—twenty. I took her at eighteen. Two years later she reached this level. Aishanna younger—deflowered before eighteen?
Uncontrolled young succubi drained men fatally—like female spiders. I'd nearly died with Fina without forbidden training arts. Chilling memory—knees still weak.
Few men could safely bed succubi. Most likely candidate… her father, King Chaster of Diyari. If true—she wasn't just princess. Likely Diyari's shadow ruler.
Cold sweat. Had I not "handled" Fina, I'd never spot this. If Aishanna knew I knew—she'd kill me at all costs.
"Lord Sorola!"
Generals worried—I stood frozen. Grand elder and Serbei feared I'd lost composure.
I kissed Xue Yan's forehead, flashing Aishanna my most confident smile, addressing Titan:
"General Titan—is the force pinning Black Dragons the 'Red Beard' among your four great generals?"
"Sharp guess, Lord Sorola. Indeed—General Kirul 'Red Beard.'"
Titan—true gentleman. Kirul my father's nemesis—clashed often in old war. Tonight, another chance.
Grand elder whispered anxiously: "Sorola—what are those Magic Bombard Cannons?"
I signaled Serbei to drop the Thunder Echo Barrier, then smirked.
"Magic Bombard Cannons—powered by massive magic stones. 7,200 pounds, 67 feet long, ten times normal catapult power—rivals high-level spells. By the way, 450 gold each—buy twenty, get 5% off."
Shock. Forty cannons—forty high-level spells—enough to shatter their shield.
Dragon Fury: "How do you know so much?"
"Simple. Inventor: Sorola Rubia. Sold those forty to Diyari through channels. Netted me over eight thousand gold."
"WHAT?!"
Jaws dropped—including Jenna and Xue Yan.
Grand elder clutched head: "You… sold weapons to the enemy? Treason!"
"Old friend—words matter. Empire's free market—no ban on foreign arms sales. Got coin? I'll sell to you too. But you're broke—what's that got to do with me?"
"Then… no Black Dragons, plus cannons—how do we hold…"
"Relax, Commander Serbei. Free gift."
I kissed Xue Yan, handing Serbei a scroll—anti-gravity array sketch. I built the cannons; of course I had a counter.
High-level earth magic—nullified projectiles.
Cannons arrayed behind Diyari infantry, preparing fire. Serbei rallied earth mages, directing array placement.
"Lord Sorola—last chance. Surrender—or we obliterate Gaia!" Gaoxia barked beside Aishanna.
Dark elf and Diyari forces roared. Our side silent—without Black Dragons, defeat seemed certain.
I laughed.
"Love your line, Aishanna. But you made three fatal mistakes."
"Dead man still mouthing off?"
"Mouthing off? I'm right here—come bite."
Humiliated before hundreds of thousands, the princess flushed crimson.
"Hmph! Magic Bombard Cannons—full assault!"
First row—ten cannons launched. Magic-stone boosted, flaming boulders ten times larger screamed like meteors.
Second, third, fourth rows followed.
"Arrays—activate!"
My command—blue shield gained yellow hexagram. Arcing boulders suddenly lost gravity—soaring skyward like fireworks that never burst.
"Heh heh heh heh~~"
Enemy stunned; I waist-hands, hip-thrusting, laughing.
"Little Aishanna—too green. Go home play house."
Her flawless face twisted—rage distorting beauty.
Sometimes I wonder why I love bullying beauties instead of cherishing them. But damn—it's thrilling. Even arousing.
As Aishanna fumed speechless, Gaoxia barked: "Sorola—don't gloat! You stalled orcs cleverly—raiding supplies across Moonwatch. Pity—Black Dragons you await are bogged down. Witness our cutting-edge trump card!"
"HAHAHA~~ You're the ones who haven't seen the situation clearly. That's your second mistake. Gaoxia or whatever—open your ass wide and look who 'Magician of the Battlefield' Sorola really is."
I raised my hand. My guards fired signal flares. A blue orb soared, exploding above Gaia in a sea-blue firework.
From behind Diyari lines—Silverleaf direction—a red flare rose: Black Dragons signaling enemy obstruction.
Moments later—left flank green flare. Then right flank another green.
Distant thunder of hooves and war cries—birds scattering in panic. Ambush forces activated, charging the enemy.
Enemy ranks stirred—realizing more than Black Dragons approached.
I dropped the humor, face ice-cold toward Aishanna.
"I'm Rubia family—but closer to Crimson Eagles and Silver Snow Wolves."
Dark elves panicked—no cavalry. Imperial knights hitting mages? Death sentence.
Diyari no better—cavalry pinned by Black Dragons, cannons useless against mobile riders. Infantry alone couldn't stop ferocious Silver Snow Wolves. Chaos natural.
I'd bluffed. Crimson Eagles came—50,000 elite cavalry. Other side: my hastily recalled 20,000 light cavalry—just for scare. Current forces barely enough—but workable.
"What's wrong, little Aishanna? I haven't played my final ace—you're already out of moves? Where's that 'Sorola, you made three mistakes' swagger?"
"Sorola—if you have guts, come out for decisive battle!"
Aishanna—smart woman, but still a girl. My twisted provocation worked—she raged, losing reason, demanding all-out war.
"Afraid of you? Holy elf warriors—lower bridges! Full assault!"
Momentum reversed—elves eager for fight. But grand elder, Serbei, Chishi disagreed—enemy numbers superior, too risky.
"Aces are played last. Aishanna—you guessed how I drove off orcs. Guess where they ran?"
Aishanna frowned delicately. Enemy generals fell silent, pondering.
Sorola
Strength: 72 Intelligence: 99 Magic: 68 Reputation: 92 (Earth)
Equipment: Maki (Strength +5) / Triple Daggers (Strength +2 / Magic Defense)
Defense: Magilight Ring (Magic +1 / Dark Element) / Night Star (Defense / Magic Defense)