The fading rays of the setting sun bathed the walls of Redleaf City in a warm orange glow, the air carrying the faint scent of wheat and the familiar hearth-smoke of a human settlement.
"Whoa!"
Leylo pulled back on Tempest's reins, and the army behind him slowed to a steady halt. The guard knights of Redleaf City had long since noticed this approaching force. Mammoths, Earth-Dragons, Storm Griffins, and Pegasi—the sight of such powerful and mystical magical beast units left the guards breathless.
"Quick, go report to the Count!" a guard captain shouted to his men, snapping out of his shock. Having served in the military for years, he had never seen a northern lord field a force of this caliber. This was far beyond the typical strength of a minor noble.
Before long, a commotion rose within the gates as the drawbridge was slowly lowered. A squad of knights escorted a robust young nobleman in elegant attire. It was the newly appointed Count of Redleaf Territory, Gawain.
Gawain's eyes swept over Leylo and Lillian's army, a flash of astonishment crossing his face before being replaced by a warm, welcoming smile.
"Lord Leylo, Lady Lillian, you've finally arrived! The lions of Blackstone and Amber Territory truly live up to their reputation!" he greeted them loudly, stepping forward.
"Count Gawain, it has been too long. You look well," Leylo smiled.
"Lord Count," Lillian added her greetings.
Gawain laughed heartily. "No need for formalities. Your army has truly opened my eyes! Especially those Mammoth Knights—I doubt there's a second unit like them in the entire North!" He marveled at the mountain-like beasts. The last time he had seen Leylo, the man had only one griffin and twenty-some Pegasi. In just a few months, he had acquired herds of mammoths, storm griffins, and earth-dragons. Even his Pegasus unit had multiplied several times over.
"The Count overpraises us," Leylo replied modestly.
"With you here, I have much more confidence in this purge of the Emerald Marsh," Gawain said warmly. "I've prepared a camp and supplies outside the city for your men. Please, follow me inside. Lord Luke and the other lords are waiting for you."
The Council of Lords
The following morning, the lords of the North gathered in the council hall of the Redleaf Manor. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the floating dust in the air. A military map was spread across a long table in the center, clearly outlining the borders of the Emerald Marsh.
Knight Luke sat at the head of the table, his mountain-like presence quickly silencing the noisy hall. He scanned the room and spoke. "Gentlemen, I have called you here today to discuss the specifics of purging the Emerald Marsh."
Count Gawain stood first and walked to the map. "My fellow lords, according to our recent reconnaissance, monster activity within the marsh is becoming increasingly rampant. Beyond the scattered minions harassing villages, we have discovered a larger force: a child of the Nine-Headed Magic Snake, a Naga commander calling himself 'Evil Eye.' Under his command is a warband of ten thousand Nagas."
He paused, placing several small green flags on the map. "This 'Evil Eye Warband' has been split into several smaller groups of about a thousand each. Like the fangs of a venomous snake, they are constantly infiltrating and plundering our lands. Stonebrook Territory, Raindrop Fort, and Silvermoon Town have already been heavily damaged. Stonebrook, in fact..." Gawain's voice turned heavy. "The entire territory was nearly razed to the ground, and its people were taken."
Six green flags were placed along the border, representing the known locations of these smaller Naga warbands. Indignation and worry filled the faces of the lords.
Luke spoke in a deep tone. "The situation is urgent. My plan is to gather our superior forces and split into three routes. We will strike like lightning to wipe out these six border warbands one by one before their main force can react."
The plan was direct. Most lords here were military men and agreed with the principle of speed.
"We agree with Lord Luke's plan!"
"It's time to show those beasts what we're made of!"
As the lords began to discuss the allocation of troops, Leylo cleared his throat and stood up. Gawain, thinking he had a different tactical view, smiled. "Baron Leylo, please, speak your mind."
Leylo nodded slightly. "Lord Luke, gentlemen. While the armies of Blackstone and Amber were en route to Redleaf City, we encountered an Evil Eye Warband and have already annihilated it."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and plucked one of the green flags representing the northwestern Naga group from the map.
The hall fell into a stunned silence.
A warband of a thousand Nagas would inevitably be led by a Tier 4 commander, with numerous Tier 3 Nagas and marsh beasts in support. Leylo and Lillian were new lords in the North, yet they were already strong enough to wipe out such a force during a routine march?