Apocalypse Reborn: Demon Lord 10

Apocalypse Reborn: Demon Lord 10

…

Fighting the Academy in-game is all about managing their chokepoints.

The problem is that they have at least two modes of entry and exist in each region through their mountain ranges. Each is defended heavily and can be supplied from the other side of the mountain, so they can’t be sieged and cut off from supplies and reinforcements. If you manage to blow it up and block their path into your lands, then they’ll simply use gates in neighboring regions to mass their mercenary armies and hit you in the flanks.  Given their immense amount of wealth, their manpower advantage, and their industry, they should be able to subjugate any enemy popping up in their ‘backyard.’

I let them believe that, allowed them to mass their troops, and now there was a field of corpses in front of me that extended into the horizon.

I massed the Citadel Guardians after acquiring my fourth Citadel, commanded they bury themselves in the ground between where my army would meet the Academy’s, and sprung the trap. The result was a feast for the crows and most of my own army getting shaken at the sight of over seventy thousand mortals get torn to pieces by living, near-indestructible constructs made mostly of blades. If I recalled correctly, the game devs modelled the Citadel Guardians like a certain bug-like creature from a tactical game series with incredible speed, damage, and the ability to turn their kills living nurseries for their rapidly-gestating young.

The Citadel Guardians couldn’t force pupae into their kills and multiply, so they were instead given ludicrous amounts of durability and armor.

Durability and armor that the common soldier of the Academy couldn’t surmount.

Speed and dexterity that allowed them to catch up with cavalry and dodge most self-defense spells.

Then, finally, numerous limbs with edges and points that tore through most armor like paper.

The Citadel Guardians erupted from the soil beneath the armies marching upon us, and set about their work with ruthless efficiency, until all that remained on the battlefield was scrap and torn apart flesh. They took casualties, of course. Some of the officers and leaders of the mercenary bands that came forward were Champions. Well-equipped Champions. However, they numbered under two dozen. They were able to destroy a hundred each of the Citadel Guardians, chunking large numbers of the constructs that I sent in alone, and they even managed to regroup and consolidate after the initial attack.

Then, the second group of buried Citadel Guardians erupted from the ground to join the attack, focusing on burying the Champions with sheer numbers.

A simple tap on my rings confirmed that of the fifteen thousand Citadel Guardians I sent in, only two thousand remained functional in any capacity.

I spent weeks of Citadel production capacity to assemble the army as soon as I acquired four Citadels… and destroyed decades of investment spent by the Academy.

“They’re on the backfoot now, but this is not the end.” Riegert nodded at my words. He was more than aware of the situation at hand. There was an opportunity here, but the fact remained that the Academy was massive and had strength to spare. This wasn’t going to be the end of the fight. The only way to really end it was to go in and start knocking out towns and threaten their primarily city. “Take a force and seize the gates. Ilych and Red, you’re both coming with me.”

Ilych nodded and so did Red. They were both well-trained enough to deploy in the operation that I had planned.

Naturally, Riegert frowned at the thought of his daughter coming along with.

“We will be laying waste to their supply lines and the nearest towns and be back by evening.” I told him simply. My gryphon waited with the customized saddle. The great creature sat at my approach and looked at Ilych and Red as they did. I gave him a nod and he relaxed as they clambered atop him. “Champions are not for holding ground, but for devastating the enemy, at least in this capacity.”

Riegert gave a nod at my words, but before he could speak, Crusher spoke up first.

“We will secure the castle swiftly. My men will not rest easy until they’ve done fighting themselves. These machinations are needed, but it is poor fighting.” Crusher spoke and chose his words well. He looked at me without hiding his distaste of my tactics. I gave him a nod. “The Conquerors fight with honor and fury in equal measure, your majesty.”

“The Citadel Guardians will be used to protect our flanks and ward off invasions henceforth. They cannot leave our lands, the range of the Citadels I call mine. There will be plenty of true battles ahead.” I told Crusher, and he gave a swift nod at my words along with a simple nod. He spoke low to his officers, and they sprinted off to inform the rest of the army. “Relay that message to the rest of the troops, Riegert. Let them know that this slaughter is an exception rather than the norm.”

“Aye, your highness. I will. However… may I ask why you do not take the revived Champion of the Children of the Elm with you?” Rita looked my way past Riegert. She seemed ready to come along with my strike team. However, I knew that she couldn’t survive it. Not yet. “I will be more at ease with another Champion accompanying you, as well as my daughter.”

“Rita is needed here to kill any attempts of the Academy to do the same and assault our formation with Champions. Rita, I give you the duty of safeguarding the armies and helping in smashing the fortress walls. Use your bow to its utmost extent.” I addressed Rita directly, and she bowed at my words. It took a lot of investment to get her to the necessary level to be a pseudo-siege weapon. It was centered around a very expensive bow, for which I had to go through numerous dungeons to get the needed materials, and go through a questline. The result was a stark, black bow which Rita used to great effect, rapidly firing regular arrows with ease, but when needed she was able to take spear-sized, metal projectiles and usedthem to smash apart fortifications. Put her at the end of a long bridge, and she can hold a chokepoint until she runs out of ammunition. “Keep an eye out for anything above that looks strange. If it does not bear our markings… kill it.”

“Your will shall be done, your majesty.” Rita stated.

I looked at Riegert, whose concern for his daughter was more than apparent, and I was sure he was ready to volunteer.

“You are needed here to lead the troops. Ilych cannot do the same. Rest easy, she is with me, Riegert. There are battles ahead that I will have need of her strength.”

With that statement, I turned and leapt onto my gryphon and we took off.

Tempted as I was to promise him that I’ll take care of her and ensure her safety, I couldn’t without looking like I cared for him too much.

For my rule to be effective, I had to be a solitary tyrant in many situations.

War most especially.

…

Interlude: Harper

…

War had a habit of destroying budding nations.

The cost of it is beyond obscene, especially if it is to be done in a timely manner. Soldiers needed food for months on end, and plenty of it as they’ll be marching and fighting. Supplies needed to have wagons and pack animals carry them. Without planning and coordination or sacking of settlements, armies would see most of their supply train taken up by rations or food, as well. That meant more wagons would be needed for equipment, for arrows, and for materials like rope, nails, or canvas. Fortunes are lost overnight when marshalling people to war swiftly, as armor needs to be smithed swiftly, farmer’s harvests seized or paid for, and more.

For some reason, I thought that the barbarian king that I served, with all his intellect and ability and power, that he would fall into the same pitfalls when he set about waging war with the Academy.

He proved me wrong practically overnight.

Stockpiles in warehouses were handed over to merchants plying their trade. Anyone who could ride a horse was given the opportunity to deliver packages. Fearsome Citadel Guardians were given immense rectangular boxes and they skittered and used the few dull edges on their body to lift them up in perfect concert before bounding away. Accounts were made, people were tracked, and every route was short and doable within a day as relay stations were set up between every city and the front.

A man could rent a donkey and a cart, sign up to deliver packages to the nearest relay station, and make an honest day’s wage. Then, that man can take a delivery request for a package that arrived in the evening, then walk to the next relay station.  Or, he could pick up a package from the nearest town to bring the Citadel and complete a circle. Thousands of hands made light of the massive work. Those who delivered in the evening followed lit roads patrolled by Guardians. Small meals were given freely at each relay station for those carrying parcels.

Just like that, massive storehouses filled with tons and tons of supplies, were emptied, and transported to the front.

Meanwhile, I had another duty entirely.

I had forgotten the stench of unwashed bodies, about how irritating it was to walk in mud, and even the humidity of the swamp. My memories of my homeland were filled with brightly-colored tents, of stalls filled with spiced meats roasting, and of all Beast Tribe peoples intermingling with another and living in peace. I forgot that even the rich and powerful could only bathe once a day, that the spices were made to make rats and small game edible and even hide rot, and finally… there were the slaves toiling to keep gutters filled with waste clear, washing clothes, and pulling massive wagons laden with materials.

Once I dreamt of rising to the top of the Merchants of the Marsh, of gaining the respect, adoration, and fear of slaves, common folk, and nobility.

Now, I almost recoiled simply walking amongst them as did my companions who followed me.

Thankfully, we reached the inn swiftly after our arrival. Coin ensured we were not bothered by guards, while our own protectors kept criminals away.

However, the inn only gave a small respite from the outside world, thanks to the thin wood walls that would only be considered a stable at my new nation.

I wanted to leave the place as soon as I arrived.

So, I decided to make my move.

“Contact the mayor of the town as well as the leaders of the local gangs, the most prominent merchants, and the nobility. Give gifts to the slavers, but offer them nothing.” I followed the commands given to me. We were emissaries to the Merchants of the Marsh. We would procure able bodies for the fight ahead, as well as supplies and materials. Most importantly, however, we were to contact as many flight-capable individuals as possible and those who can cast magic. Those were integral to not just the war, but the coming peace. “His majesty commanded to take no slaves and offer them no support.”

My companions gave nods at my words.

If any felt that we should have slaves, they knew better than to speak such thoughts aloud.

Our king did not abide by people as property.

Strange, given his origins as a tribal chieftain, but I knew better than to question such a thing.

He probably saw something in the institution that would bring us low later.

“Remember your orders. Every coin we have must be accounted for. Everyone pair up and be prepared. If there is an emergency, we make our way to the point outside the city where last camped.” This was no mere deal. He made that very clear. This was us working to get assets on our side from a budding power. He suspected that the Merchants were moving in the shadows, working to get their own Citadel, and that they would desperately try to become a nation. I knew that he was right. The nobility that ruled over it all would do anything for power, even going against reason itself and opposing a living legend with four Citadels under his command. “Under such conditions, if your lives are at risk, you may use your funds to hire mercenaries or bribe guards. But only then.”

More nods of assent reached me.

Each person under my command is well-learned. Capable of reading, writing, and rapidly doing calculations in their head. If they had the potential to be Champions, they could rule over a city as a steward with utmost ease with their minds blessed with magic. However, they were not like me. They were limited, but still they were talented without a doubt. He raised them carefully, invested in them, and prepared them to be assets for his empire.

They were my responsibility and that terrified me.

Losing one of them is unacceptable.

I would rather burn this whole city down and burn bridges with the Merchants than lose one.

I can be forgiven for such a failure, but not losing these future administrators, mayors, and diplomats.

I swallowed the tension building in my throat and spoke once more.

“Go now, accomplish your missions. Stay safe and secure and make use of what you have given. That is all.” That wasn’t all. I wanted to scream at them to stay safe, to take no risks, and to value themselves over the whole of this city. I could feel the blade at my neck, as I knelt before the throne, if one of them lost. That singular strike that I made to that prisoner, cutting through skin, flesh, and bone, would be rendered upon me. It made my stomach churn and my arms tingle. I wanted to be a merchant and nothing more now, but my past-self cursed me. I accepted his offer and spilled blood in his name. Now, I had all the power and influence that I wanted, and an unbreakable collar and leash tied to a nightmare made reality. “Do not fail.”

They left me at those words, into a city of ramshackle buildings of wood, where even water was a precious commodity and the lives of mortals were bought and sold like they were just animals.

My stomach pains threatened to flare up, but I ignored them and looked at my guards and bid them to follow me.

My mission was to find a Champion amongst the Merchants who can be the steward of a whole region and Citadel.

I prayed that I would succeed.

Otherwise, the mantle will fall unto me.