Pestilence: Rise Of The Pure Undead

Fioldron Ferrcrona was growing more and more worried with each passing day, despite none of his champions being put out of combat or killed, despite maintaining their position and managed to reach the original objective of damaging some of the weapons to prevent too much damage from befalling the barrier, despite all of this, he could not help but become concerned.

Loimos had not moved a centimeter ever since this had all begun, continuously staring ahead, at the same empty space, the strategy on their side never changed, the golems would always start from the same spot, move forward at the same speed, in the same manner, no new troops were added, the archers posted on towers stayed the same and only the Tochian undead would appear to occupy the elemental champions, even as they numbers increased and as they grew a firmer understanding of the skeleton's capacities.

It just didn't make any sense, they could deal so much more damage to the barrier if they just focused their fire a bit more, but they wouldn't, as though…

"As though they are waiting for something? For what? If they can overpower us as is, why not do it?

The royal courier has to be a devil of the battlefield, he commands that Tochian skeleton after all… Why not join in and bring death to my champions?" his armoured hand covering his mouth, he whispered to himself, night was dark and the cacophony of projectiles and corpses crashing against the barrier was as loud as ever.

He stood on his own, up on the wall, he could not see or sense him, but he was certain that Loimos was still just standing there, like a statue, of course, it was easy to not care when the only loss you suffered were simple golems that could be easily replaced.

'He does not only have that swordmaster at his disposal either… There is the one with antlers and that goliath-size zombie, we have seen them around, and there are possibly more that he keeps hidden…' Fioldron Ferrcrona was feeling restless, the royal courier was not trying to just conquer Ircron, these battles everyday held another purpose to him.

Some sort of distraction perhaps? But for who? What enemy would require the undead to engage in something so ridiculous? The iron king had gotten to speak with this Loimos, and he had not given the impression of one that enjoyed playing with his food, in fact, Fioldron Ferrcrona held to conviction that were he not given specific orders, Ircron would already be a bastion of the dead.

'Mmh, or maybe- Maybe he is extending everything to lure out reinforcements? Even I am not certain that some will come, that makes sense… But it feels wrong, they hold the advantage against us, we have to hole up behind barriers, they just need to spread their miasma everywhere on the continent to trap us inside and prevent the great majority from even stepping outside for a second'

He hummed in thought, repositioning his crown, pointer finger tapping on the pommel of his sword, a soft metallic clang resounding, drowned amidst the constant rumbling against the barrier.

Indeed, the livings were at a clear disadvantage, that much should be obvious, most would assume that loss was inevitable even.

'I just can't wrap my head around it' he lamented, incapable of getting inside of the head of the undead, especially when it seemed the orders were coming from above, and not a decision from him directly.

"My lord? I'll stay in watch, you should go rest" one of his champions approached from the darkness, dressed mostly in white, a fairly petite girl with dark hair tied in a simple ponytail, carrying a rapier on her waist.

"Ah Lunate, you are right" she was a fairly recent addition to the ranks of the elemental champions, and one the king would have liked to oppose but could not find any good reason to.

Even if a bastard, he did not want his daughter to get anywhere close to the battlefield, but alas, he had decided to keep this relationship a secret and her capacities were sufficient to join the ranks of his champions, so he had to relent against his wishes and accept to maintain this secret.

"Do be careful" he advised softly, taking a few steps away before he felt a slight warmth on one of his fingers.

He stopped, confusion turning to a bright smile, incapable of holding his laughter.

"Ah, Wanneck, you crazy bastard…" this signal did not mean anything specific, simply an old gift from the merchant king as a sign of appreciation but Fioldron Ferrcrona could read in between the lines, reinforcements had arrived.

Judging by the lack of any reaction on the side of the dead, it seemed like they had not been noticed just yet, tomorrow morning, they would get their chance to truly hit the undeads heavily and perhaps, even halt their conquest for some time.

"Lunate! Stand ready for tomorrow, the whole team is going for it!" he told her without elaboration yet, proper planning would wait until everyone was well-rested and present.

_______

This morning would mark the seventh day since the beginning of the battle for Ircron, the gates were closed at the moment, the livings would soon step out and launch another assault.

Ourlon was standing tall, hand resting on the hilt of his pale blade, he was within trenches dug by servants of Vwoldtnir, tunnels leading to humongous underground chambers containing obscenes amount of golems, some of a different manufacture to the ones that were being thrown at Ircron everyday.

It was also were other minor lords were waiting for further orders, teleporting gates had been set up, allowing for troops to retreat or be called in at any moments, but any more reinforcements would most certainly not be necessary, the sheer amount of simple golems was enough to hold back tides of enemies for days on end.

He approached his general, Loimos, the swordsman's left pinkie finger was subtly twitching.

"I sense a good fight oncoming" he spoke, and almost startling the swordmaster, Loimos graced him with a movement, turning his body and head to face the minor lord.

"My apologies-" Ourlon felt like he shouldn't have brought something he couldn't prove up.

"How accurate are you?" but as per usual, Loimos seemingly showed no particular reaction.

"It has yet to have failed me" the minor lord admitted, a battle hardened warrior like himself was difficult to intimidate even when put in front of superiors, but Loimos had the singular quality of being genuinely creepy and unpredictable, and having seen a portion of the general's powers, he could only respect the strength demonstrated as well.

"Then, take Prikrip and Alkayne with you as well" Loimos was pretty much giving him the leader position amidst three other minor lords, the two mentioned right here and Yuorlt, who was always meant to accompany him.

"Do not be defeated, retreat if necessary, fight another day, sharpen your blade for the next confrontation, do not rely on The Graveyard and King Nitok, hail to the king" with the sama deadpan tone as usual, Loimos advised Ourlon before getting back in place, slamming the end of his polearm into the ground, right in front of himself.

Both hands grasping the handle, Ourlon could sense death force and other energies swirling inside and around Loimos, arts and his special ability clearly at work.

'Is he going to join combat today?' the livings were to be pitied, but they were also lucky, Loimos always followed orders perfectly.

Far in the horizon, the sun rose, bright solar star was exceptionally large today, it seemed like the regular one had relented its spot for a gigantic counterpart.

The seventh morning was here.