A demon jackal howled as Denter’s glaive gave off a metallic sound as he beheaded the jackal. Wading into the depths of the demon horde, he and Calvus were caught in—he laid out blows to his left and right with his glaive. Slashing arcs and keeping the demon jackals at bay while Calvus organized the defense.

“Third Unit! Form up and defend the refugees. Do not let a single demon beast pass! Upon your lives! Second Unit! Follow Primus Denter and keep him from being encircled! First Unit on me! We shall pincer the demon horde approaching the refugees from behind!” Calvus ordered as the situation turned chaotic.

“Calvus, buy me half an hour of time! I will take the head of the demon beast leading this horde!” Denter amplified his voices as he prepared to charge further into the demon horde.

Calvus did not even bother replying as he shot a green sphere of light into the air toward Denter. As the first unit formed up on Calvus, Calvus led the charge on his mount to break into the back of the demon horde that were advancing to the refugees. (It is far too unrealistic to thin down this horde sufficiently with my current numbers. It would be better for me to aid the holding action by third unit)

Denter has yet to fail, this time will be no different—Calvus barked a series of orders for the first unit to divide the demon horde in two and to aid spread out along the lines of the third unit to aid them in suppressing the demon horde.

Teleportations could be seen amongst the ranks of the first and third unit as they skirmished with the demon horde. Sweat beaded on Calvus’s brows as he took to the front of the first unit’s left flank as the demon horde were pressing into the third unit sorely in that area.

A leonine roar shattered the air behind Calvus and he knew that Denter has finally engaged the demon beast lord. Calvus followed that up by redoubling his efforts in holding down the demon horde. Within a few moments, another roar echoed across the grounds but this time it was tinged with hatred, anger and helplessness. ‘Denter’s on fire today, that was way faster than I expected.’

“Hold the line! Reinforcements are arriving!” Calvus amplified his voice and commanded first and the third unit to hold.

The heavy stamps of the footfalls of horses could be heard as two companies materialized on the right flank of the demon horde. The edge of Denter’s glaive gave off a silvery light as it reaped a harvest of lives amongst the demon jackals. The refugees behind third unit saw Denter’s advance and started cheering.

“Keep the refugees back! Do not allow them to close in on the battle!” roared Calvus as he surveyed the battlefield. It was severe and bloody work as Calvus and Denter’s force worked on thinning the beast horde. By the end of it, near three quarters of their standing forces had teleported back to the fallback point. Denter rode up to Calvus as the latter decapitated the last of the retreating demon beasts.

“It is a good thing we are close to Everdawn. This many in stasis orbs will require the lodges of healing’s august efforts.” Denter ventured as Calvus brandished his sword causing blood to splatter onto the grass.

“Good catch on the terrain analysis earlier on. If our preparations had been any less, it may well have been us retreating with dead civilians.” Said Calvus.

“The movements of the demon beasts were far too suspicious. I do not like it. It is as if they are being led by a being with superior intelligence. We have not seen demon beasts operating with such tactical acuity before.” Replied Denter as his brows creased.

“Indeed, the weight and timing of this ambush would likely have led to a rout if the rank and file under us were not seasoned.” Calvus was shaking his head as he assessed the field again. “His highness must know of this latest development.”

“For one, I am glad we took no civilian casualties.” Denter said as he looked towards the refugees. Calvus nodded in agreement.

—

“Johan, it is good to see you. We could have used your help a day earlier if you had been approved to receive us further out” Denter waved as Johan closed in with three companies of horsemen while Calvus and Denter were half a day from Everdawn.

Taking a look at the battered state of the various troops as well as the refugees behind , Johan’s brows furrowed. He immediately ordered two companies of the horsemen to fan out to cover the refugees while he rode to Calvus and Denter.

“Tribune Calvus, Primus Denter, welcome back to Everdawn. Prince Aureus tasked me with your escort and to see to the last batch of civilians pouring into Everdawn.” Johan greeted as he drew level with the two senior officers. “I take it the trip back has been particularly eventful? The troops look far more beat up than troops whom have just repelled a garrison attack.”

“We were attacked by a large demon horde about a day’s ride away from here. We believe they are being led by a demon beast with higher intelligence. It can be considered a stroke of good fortune that we did not lose any civilians in the recent attack.” Calvus related as Johan’s expression turned grave.

“His highness would want immediate news of this, Calvus sir, I suggest you take a detachment of troops and ride with me back to Everdawn.” Johan suggested.

“I have the same idea. Denter, I leave the rest to you.” Calvus said as he urged his mount forward. Denter raised his arm in salute as Calvus and Johan rode off with a detachment of horsemen.

—

“Welcome back, my dear Tribune. Excellent job on the population move.” Aureus was smiling as he Calvus entered the study. Calvus immediately genuflected towards prince Aureus which prompted Aureus to personally step forwards to raise Calvus up.

“Thank you for the high praise, highness. But, I fear I bring sombre news.” Calvus reported as he stood. As Calvus related to Aureus his recent experience of being ambushed by a sizable demon beast horde as well as the tactical intelligence they displayed, Aureus’s expression turned solemn.

“This issue carries severe ramifications. I will summon the inner council to report in two hours time. Get some rest in the meanwhile, Calvus. You look like you need it.”

Calvus bowed before leaving the study.

—

As the inner council gathered in the castle’s study, the mood was decidedly sombre as every council member received news or rumors of Calvus’s report. Even Reine who has no human connections has managed to get the gist of the issues.

As Edward and the mages entered. Aureus started the council without further preamble.

Much discussion centered around the possibility of the demon horde being led by a demon with higher intelligence as well as the possibility that there may far more demon beasts of the same ilk. Such a prospect was disturbing to say the least.

However no one even ventured that such a possibility was out of the realm of possible as Calvus has related in detail about how he was ambushed and the events leading up to it.

The narration has left no one in doubt that the demon hordes were far more dangerous than expected initially.

Johan called into question whether the expedition to the contested lands should even proceed under such circumstances. Aureus’s answer held no hesitation “This trip is a necessity for the future of Everdawn.”

Tarin then volunteered to oversee the analysis of Everdawn’s defense in conjunction with Calvus as they determine the optimal number of troops to be left behind for defense in relation to the increased dangers of the demon beasts.

Reine offered a company of spirit beasts to the defense of Everdawn by stating that the spirit beast tribes of Mulberry Forest were now in the same boat as the people of Everdawn. They would either sink or swim together.

Calvus’s brows lifted as he heard Reine’s declaration but he kept whatever thoughts he had to himself. As the council winded down, Aureus approved Tarin’s suggestion and requested the remaining council members to prepare themselves well for the expedition into the contested lands.