《Emperor's Reign》Chapter 18
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Aeron was startled as a whole group of villagers ran in through the gates, panting.
One of the more physically fit ones regained their breath before the rest.
"Your Majesty, wolves, a pack of wolves found us."
They said.
"Henry said to tell you that some escaped and they'll be heading back through a longer route and covering their scents and traces to make them take longer to find the village."
They reported.
"Good work."
Aeron said before sending a fresh runner to each of the patrols to get them to return.
Whilst he was waiting, he ordered the villagers to make wooden stakes and makeshift throwing spears, instead of buildings, and to dig pits around the village which would be filled with the stakes.
However, most of the villagers were chopping wood and storing it in the village.
The [Druids] grew thorny vines up against the walls, taking measures against them being climbed.
Groups made their way back into the village throughout the afternoon, including Edmund and Kay who brought back 4 and 3 villagers respectively.
Everyone who returned, stayed. There was more than enough food to feed the whole village for three to five days so only small hunting parties were sent out.
The five [Militia] were made into [Spearmen] and equipped in [Boar Hide Armour] and given copper rank spears the Blacksmith was able to make. By now, every member of the army had copper ranked weapons and armour as well as Stage 0 tattoos matching their profession.
Aeron took out the Army Flag and gave it to Henry when he returned as Henry would be commanding and supporting whilst Aeron would be on the front lines.
That evening, the wolves didn't find them but, everyone slept uneasy and Aeron didn't return to Earth.
In the morning, they all resumed their tasks: patrolling, hunting, making stakes, digging pits or chopping wood. It wasn't until after the next group of 20 villagers spawned that there were signs of the wolves.
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A small group ran within line if sight with the village before turning and running back to the main force they had been scouting for.
Aeron stopped the villagers from digging pits, instead willing them with steaks and having the [Druids] grow grass over them that would collapse when stepped on.
He then retreated everyone behind the village walls.
After the village reached Rank 2, a second set of walls had risen to contain 3 square kilometres with the [Origin] at the centre. Aeron got the villagers to run logistical support in the outer rind whilst those who could not stayed in the inner, original, walls.
Now, all the villagers that could work focused on making the stored wood into makeshift throwing spears and handing them up the walls to the soldiers.
Late in the afternoon, the main force finally came across the village. Their numbers were a bit over 600 strong so Aeron guessed it must've been led by a Stage 2.
He sent for the Nature Priests to come out of the temple and join them on the front lines. Both were accompanied by a fairy now, another having been born today.
The wolves gathered on the north side of the walls so Aeron shifted the majority of his forces to defend against them, leaving only a token force on the other walls.
The seven people with nature magic all exited through the North Gate, standing together in the clearing.
Taking this as provocation, the leading wolf ordered a charge with a long howl.
The wolves rushed forwards, some falling into the pits and being skewered. The pits didn't do much though as only one or two fell victim to each one, the others avoided them or just straight up jumped over them when they were exposed to their sights.
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The spell casters gathered together, placing their hands on the ground and using almost all their magic and [Nature Power].
"Mass Summon Plant Golems."
They chanted, feeling drained as they did so.
Aeron and Henry held back a bit so they would remain clear headed for the battle to come.
The magic users returned to the village as several large golems and a multitude of smaller ones rose from the ground and initiated a charge of their own.
There were 9 Stage 1 golems and 90 Stage 0 golems that met the wolf charge.
Where large golems met a large wolf they were quickly overwhelmed by their equal as it had allies, where the large golems met normal wolves there was a massacre as every move would be followed by the death of a normal wolf.
The small golems weren't even instructed to fight. Instead they charged at the enemy line and self-destructed, taking one or two wolves with them and binding another few to be crushed under their own allies’ momentum.
Detonations went off across the battlefield as golems self-destructed one by one, tearing chunks out of the sea of fur that were quickly replaced.
The [Druids] and [Priests] except Aeron and Henry were all moved behind the inner walls as they had completely exhausted themselves and would have to spend a few days recovering.
Boom!
The final golem detonated and the sea was no longer slowed in its advance.
"Throw!"
Henry yelled.
A volley of wooden spears flew from the walls.
"Throw at will!"
Was the next command.
Immediately after grabbing another spear, a soldier would throw it and go to grab another one.
The system given spears from the Celtic village were used up quickly and the soldiers began using makeshift ones to pelt the approaching wolves.
By the time the wolves reached the walls, about half the horde had been killed, though the Stage 1 wolves only had a couple casualties.
The wolves tried climbing the walls, but there were thorny vines in the way which injured there paws.
The second line of wolves collided with the first, crushing some if them against the wood.
A group of 18 Stage 1s gathered at the gates, preparing to smash them.
"Open the gates!"
Aeron yelled as he led Lance, Edmund and Kay to guard were they would come in.
He also got a few skirmishers to stand above the gate and pelt spears upon the wolves as they came through.
The gates opened and the wolves charged in, only to be met with Aeron's icy blades.
Light glinted off bone and two wolves fell to the ground, dead.
Aeron's subordinates followed his example, taking out a Stage 1 wolf each as it rushed in.
The situation then devolved into three-vs-one matches for control of the gateway whilst Aeron himself fought four-to-one.
Spears came down from above, a couple at a time, and injured the wolves. Aeron's side was at a clear advantage.
Just as he had finished off his 4 opponents and was about to help his followers, a grey blur shot out from the watching sea outside the gates.
It slammed into him, sending him rolling backwards. In a well-executed move, Aeron rolled back into standing with practiced ease and turned to face his new enemy.
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