We made our way to the south side of the village where the jail building was located. Being a small village the jail was rather small, with a dimly lit jailers area used for supervising the prisoner. The jail only included one single cell which consisted of a small floor mattress and toilet sink combo. Entering the building, Erica threw Harvey at the wall in the back of the cell.

“Alright Harvey, time to tell us all the details behind your collusion with Ayria. We have been trying to uncover your endgame for a while now, we just have not had the evidence to bring it up to the rest of the council, but, due to the current situation, we are now moving past those ideals while we aggressively push towards extracting information from you. I will insist that you give up and just tell us what we need to know.”

“I refu…”

Harvey began shouting his refusal before being stopped midway as I stabbed the dagger in my hand hilt deep into his shoulder.

“AAAAAHHHH!!”

“Fine, Fine!... Stop! I'll tell you!.”

“Great! First off I want to know what your plan was, for what reason did you go to Bellmane village?”

“Bellmane was supposed to give assistance to me and my faction in our pursuit in taking over the village.”

“But, for what purpose would you want to do that? We have a good thing going here.”

“Because I am tired of being under that passive old man who is content with our current state. I want our village to explore more possibilities, grow, build, compete for our place in this world. Don’t you desire more for our village? Are you not tired of being treated like small fry by those bigger nations without ever fighting back? With the help of Bellmane, I could subdue the rest of the forces residing here taking control by force. Together we would continue to grow in the shadows' retaliating through stealing supplies and defectors while deflecting the aggro towards the bigger nations who already have conflicts daily. Eventually, we will have the strength to expand into our own independence.”

“The council all have this goal in mind, we have the desire to expand but, we desire to do it together. The council was created so that we have mutual agreements and can discuss the issues at hand while covering multiple different aspects without one sole person making all the decisions. We have seen by watching some of the bigger nations using this way of ruling comes with far too many negatives.”

“I tire of the council's ignorance, and weakness. I have my desires the council has theirs, either way, what is done is done. Speaking of, I would begin preparing for Bellmane village’s assault, by my guess they should only be half a days march away, hahaha!!.”

“What!! How could you endanger the people of this village!”

Erica screamed out at Harvey while turning around dashing for the exit. Okin stares at Harvey for a second before following suit, while the chief stayed behind to further interrogate Harvey.

Erica ran back to the rest of the council informing them of the information that we had just gathered from Harvey.

Having heard that Bellmane will be leading an attack on our village in half days time sent everyone into high alert scattering to prepare Intel, weapons, rations, and other supplies. Katie took some of the forces to the edge of the town where they began setting traps, barricades, and scouting the land. Hoping to devise tactics where our forces can not only defend against the enemy but, also counter-attack as well.

Erica, on the other hand, helped gather the noncombatant villagers, such as the injured, children, and elderly to ready supplies so that they can take cover in basements around the village. Following the scene of the whole village rushing around trying to finish their respective jobs and tasks, what was left of the council once again had a meeting to discuss how they shall navigate the new course of events.

“Niko, I would prefer to keep you out of the fight but, I feel like this situation is quite an emergency, will you help us protect the village?”

“...mmm, I suppose I am not against the idea of letting loose a tad longer.”

“Okay! Perfect! with the skill you have shown earlier against Harvey and his followers, I am pretty sure your strength will count as a small force in itself.”

Erica showed me a pleasant smile while breathing a small sigh of relief knowing that she had more strength on their side to help combat against what was to come.

“Alright everyone, we are all aware that Bellmane is a larger village than ours meaning they will outnumber us by quite a bit. We currently have no Intel on how many they will be bringing. we have scouts searching for their forces and will be contacting us via mana to inform us of the details regarding their numbers, among other information. We have barricades set up all around the village with flame towers that will be used to fend off the attackers, also, be wary of traps set up on the outer side of the barricades, we do not want any accidental casualties on our side. Niko and I will be on the frontlines, while Katie will lead you other council members to defend the village. If any attack from our flanks or get past us it will be your jobs to defend the inner parts of the village.”

“BOOM!...BANG!”

During Erica's breakdown of the strategy, there is an explosion that sounded like it came from nearby, immediately following the explosion was the bang of the door being busted wide open.

“Chief!! Bellmane has sent an airship and is currently bombing the village!”

“WHAT! Everyone gather your equipment! we must defend against that airship!”

“But..but how? How are we supposed to take on something that is in the sky? our village does not have any airships, we are but simple mercenaries specialized in ground combat.”

Everyone's face was filled with horror as they did not expect Bellmane to be capable of having an airship. Seconds later the airship grew closer dawning the flag of the Nation of Ayria. It looks like Harvey was in alliance with more than just Bellmane village, for what reason would Ayria have for working together with Bellmane and Harvey to take control of this village? what was their endgame?

While everyone was scattered around the village trying to find ways to handle the damage caused by the airship, a loud clunking could be heard from above. Looking up I could see something quickly speeding towards the ground… it was a bomb, that was hurling itself straight towards the earth, beneath it stood a crying little girl holding a teddy bear as she was crying for her mother. The onlookers all gasped holding their breaths as they stood by in despair as the bomb came down on top of the child.