49 days after the explosion - Fort Wagner

Everything was going in the right direction for general Rexford

Not only for easily taking almost all the Griffon's armed forces without a fight, but also because he would take the rest with an easy fight

At the begging, Rexford was worried about a trap or hidden card, but the reports made both of them unlikely

For the looks of things, the prince was serious with a straight fight on open plains

The reason Rexford knew this was simple. Since he was watching the remaining forces on the kingdom, when almost all of them started to move to the battle ground, he knew there was little chance of a trap

As for the little force that was left behind, they were the kind the couldn't move even if the wanted too

Leaving the prince with no forces to do an ambush or any kind of surprise attack

He was even hiring any available adventure and summoning them to the battleground, paying extra to those with higher ranks

Well, he was doing the same on his side, since adventures were like mercenaries

So Rexford was really doubtful of foul play or any kind of surprise

Of course he also checked the battle ground for any kind of trap, but he couldn't find either normals or magical traps

He even saw that the prince also sent his own scouts to check the place and made sure Rexford didn't put some of his own traps, increasing the chances that it would be a straight fight

And as for why Rexford didn't get rid off the scouts, it was because he was afraid he would change the prince mind if he didn't let the prince known that the battlefield was clear of traps

What would be the point of putting some if he would already destroy the enemy army with what Rexford had in hand?

Better to suffer some casualties and finally crush his enemy than risk it all for a little advantage that might screw it all

A strength forward battle was better for him than a battle of wits(not like he couldn't do them) since it would crush the remaining resistance if he wins in the end, earning his country an entire kingdom

With something so important, it was better to have a sure win than the possibility of a perfect win

And how could lose in a straight fight?

It is true he wasn't sure why the prince chose to end it all like this. It could be because he wanted to go in a bang or though he could win, meaning he gave up or was an idiot

And for what he knew of the prince, it could be either

56 days after the explosion - Roswell Plains

Finally, the day came and everything was going according to plan

Both armies gather on the plain, without any kind of foul play, and the numbers were exactly what the General Rexford expected

Worried that an ambush or trap may occur, he only brought 70% of his forces and half the enslaved soldiers while leaving the rest in the different forts, and he still had doubled the amount of force than the other side

he brought 80000 soldiers, 1000 mages, 5000 knights, 500 dragon riders, 10000 mercenaries and 30000 slaves(including mages and knights)

As for the other side, Rexford couldn't know for sure, but for what he could see, it was around 50000 soldiers, 700 mages, 2000 knights, 400 griffons and 3000 mercenaries

Well, there was also the support staff like blacksmiths, cooks, medics, etc. But they were pretty even there. Well, the prince had a couple more carriage with stuff, but been his home country, he had local advantage there

And that would be the only advantage he had since not only did he lose in numbers, but in quality also

If it was also taken into account his soldiers were more experience, and he was using the enslaved soldiers as meat shields that would also work as a psychological factor since most people would hesitate to attack a friend forced to move against his will

Rexford was also sure that most of his mages were from the academy, and the soldiers should have a good portion as militia, meaning that they were really green.

Basically, there was no chance for the prince to win, and Rexford couldn't be more pleased

Of course he could have ambushed on their way, put traps on the battlefield or just fight from the forts

But this would be a historical battle, and he would be put on the history books as the general that united the human race, wouldn't it look better if he won in a glorious and final battle?

And since there was no way he could lose, there was no point in doing something cheap that would forever remain on the history books

A crushing defeat was the best option, no matter how he looked at it

If he had one complaint, it would be the prince and his future wife were on the battlefield as "moral support"

Not only did it meant he had to make sure nothing bad happened to them(it was his head otherwise), they would take most of his glory after the battle

The only good thing was that he should be properly rewarded for the trouble, and he would get quite a few points with the royals and nobles, so he had no choose but suck it up

Besides, the difference of strength was so great that it couldn't end in any other way but a complete and absolute massacre

All he had to do was take care of this simple battle, and all that awaited him was fame and fortune