Spirit Game

General Varlox was beside Rain in an instant and kneeled. "I apologize for being late, my lord. We had to evacuate all the townsfolk to a safe distance and make sure they didn't notice our soldiers before we came here."

"No, you did a great job saving us just in time." Rain shook his head. "Wait. I didn't request thousands of Ebizo soldiers, though."

"It was I who took the initiative to report to Lord Izumi, my lord. I hope you don't take offense, seeing that the situation was dire."

". . ." This was exactly what Rain had thought about having a strong troop; they sometimes acted on their own.

Though he had to admit that General Varlox had saved them. Without the aid of thousands of Ebizo soldiers, they couldn't have mustered a wave that could carry the warship all the way here.

"I will accept any punishment later for acting on my own accord," General Varlox said.

"No. Never mind that. But . . . Lord Izumi is busy, right?

He's also fighting his own war on the sea. Is it alright to send his troops to me?"

General Varlox remained on his knees. "Regarding that, my lord, I have a message from Lord Izumi."

"A message?"

Instead of answering, General Varlox pulled out a huge bubble from his inventory, showing Lord Izumi inside like a crystal ball.

"This is a memory bubble, my lord," General Varlox said and played the recording.

"Rain, I must say, I'm disappointed that you didn't rely on me," Lord Izumi began, his voice both stern and understanding. "Our alliance is not just a formality. I understand that I've been extremely busy these past days, with every soldier under my command engaged in battles to reclaim our lands and restore our honor.

"Yet, even amidst this turmoil, I want you to know that I am not a stingy or ungrateful lord. I wouldn't hesitate to spare a thousand of my elite troops to aid you in eradicating the Hobgoblin threat. These soldiers I've sent are the best of the best — brave, skilled, and loyal. They will fight tooth and nail for you, as they would for me.

"Although I can only lend you this much for now, I want you to understand that these warriors are more than capable. They embody the strength and resilience of our race.

"In the future, Rain, I hope you will rely on me more. Our bond is meant to be a source of strength, not just a political agreement. We stand together, and together, we will win."

The recording ended, leaving Rain with tears in his eyes. Lord Izumi had not only sent reinforcements but also a powerful message of support and trust. Rain's heart swelled with gratitude for the seadwellers' lord.

Rain realized how much he truly owed to Lord Izumi. The Seadweller Lord had gone above and beyond, offering not just his elite troops but also his loyalty and friendship.

Rain vowed then and there to return the favor to Lord Izumi in the future.

~Chi!~
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Rain wiped his tears and smiled. "You're right, Chi. This isn't the time to be crying in relief when the enemy is still at large."

General Varlox rose to his feet. "Your orders, my lord?"

Rain stared at the Hobgoblins who were scattering away while General Varkis tried to bring order to his army.

Seeing the warship and the thousand Seadwellers, not to mention their own numbers diminishing from the cannons and the disease, the Hobgoblins morale was non-existent.

Rain reflected on the countless days he had been haunted by the Hobgoblins' presence. Ever since he first learned of their existence, he had been unable to find peace. Their shadow loomed over him like a dark cloud, a relentless reminder of the threat they posed. The constant menace had kept him on edge, always alert, always ready for battle.

Now . . . he wanted to put an end to his fears.

"Let's wipe out these motherfuckers!" Rain's voice sliced through the chaos, a clarion call to action.

General Varlox wasted no time, barking orders that set their forces in motion.

The cannons roared, spitting fire and iron across the battlefield as the Ebizo soldiers moved with lethal grace. They formed a disciplined wall of steel, advancing against the disarrayed Hobgoblin ranks.

Each cannon blast marked another step towards victory, while the soldiers carved a path of devastation through their stunned enemies.

The Hobgoblins, once bold in their aggression, now faltered and fell before the barrage of attacks.

The tide had turned decisively in favor of Rain's forces, their unity and skill proving more than a match for the chaos and disorder of their foes.

Amidst the smoke and fury of battle, the Ebizo soldiers pressed on, their mission clear: to wipe out every last motherfucker who dared to threaten their lord and homeland.

General Varkis watched in grim silence as his once formidable army dwindled before his eyes, their numbers thinning with each passing moment. Blood stained his lips, a bitter reminder of the disease ravaging his body, weakening him with every breath.

This catastrophe wouldn't have befallen them if they still stood at their full strength — ten thousand strong, a force that even the one thousand Seadwellers would have hesitated to challenge.

Yet, fate had dealt them a cruel hand. Disease had already claimed half their numbers, and the cunning traps and deadly explosion had further decimated their ranks by thousands more.

Now, here they were, lured into this trap laid out on the map, where the Seadwellers lay in wait with a force that defied belief.

Who could have anticipated that thousands of Seadwellers would wield their water magic to transport a damn warship across the seas, all the way to this forsaken battleground?!

General Varkis clenched his fists, a mix of rage and resignation burning in his eyes. They had underestimated their enemies, and now they paid the price dearly.

But even in the face of overwhelming odds, Varkis knew the battle wasn't over. There would be vengeance, there would be retribution. He swore silently to himself, amidst the chaos and despair, that they would make the Seadwellers rue the day they dared to challenge the might of his King.

"To King Kraggul!" General Varkis shouted as he stormed towards Rain and the others.