Salvos (A Monster Evolution LitRPG)

Chapter 464: Interlude – The Inoria Empire Part One

464. Interlude - The Inoria Empire Part One

Heavy leather boots sunk into the mud. Thump, thump, thump. The haggard figures trudged along the winding gravel road, moving in a forced march. It wasnt that they were tired, per se. They certainly werent exhausted. Most of them were relatively physically fit in fact, many of them could even lift boulders over their heads like it was nothing. 

The real problem was that it was laborious. They werent used to moving in such an organized manner. They were adventurers. Not soldiers. They didnt work in such large groups, nor did they need to maintain tight formations. Even in large adventuring companies, there was a certain level of lax related to how they operated. The hierarchy was far less stringent, with most adventurers simply heeding their party leader.

Zack had never been a part of an adventuring company, either. He had only ever worked as an independent adventurer. In fact, he had mostly gone solo until he met his team. His party. Helen and Jaakko. Both of whom became adventurers for vastly different reasons.

Helen needed to support her younger sisters education, and adventuring paid the bills. Meanwhile, Jaakko wanted to explore the Human lands. Simple reasonings, really. The same could be said for Zack who just wanted to learn more about magic without being able to afford and not caring to get a formal education.

Sure, Mavos Academy was great and all, but the things they learned were far from anything practical. That was why many of their graduates moved on to more administrative or research-oriented roles, rather than participating in any combat situation. It was also why so many of them stalled after reaching Level 70. 

Zack was just over Level 90, now. He was closing in to his next Class advancement. So was Helen and Jaakko. His team was practically on par with a low Diamond Ranked adventurer. Which was why they were charged with this battalion of adventurers.

Well, specifically, Jaakko was placed in charge. 

The Cyclops led them towards their destination. A valley that passed right into a river. 

And why are we going there again?

A voice piped up. Zack glanced back at the person who spoke up. She was a brown-haired woman who looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties. She groaned, walking sluggishly and lagging behind the rest of the group. 

Her name was Shayla. She was a Gold Ranked adventurer. Everyone in this battalion was at least a Gold Ranked adventurer. But she was the newest Gold Ranked adventurer out of all and the least professional of them. 

If you bothered to pay attention at all, youd know what were doing here.

Zack rolled his eyes. Helen glared at him.

Zack.

He shrugged. His teammate took over, turning to Shayla and explaining.

Theres supposedly a garrison used for training new recruits of the Inoria Empire there. Were to subjugate it and get them to surrender without incurring too many casualties.

It was on Laux Lionfists orders. Hed sent this force of about a hundred higher-leveled adventurers off after theyd taken Helmfirth. One of the outermost cities of the Inoria Empire. Zack had been nervous when theyd arrived at the city. He expected there to be a drawn out siege that lasted at least a day, even with the sheer force of both the adventurer army led by Laux Lionfist and the Helbir Leagues army led by Peris Dolonia.

However, it was entirely resolved without drawing a single drop of blood. It seemed that morale in the Inoria Empire was really low, and since Helmfirth was still in the outskirts of the country, they had yet to be affected by the grand ritual taking place, but had heard enough of the horrors from the refugees fleeing the Demon invasion, so they immediately surrendered, even against the orders from higher-up.

Because, to them, it didnt matter what their superiors said. While the sky above was still blue, and the ground wasnt made of white rock, they could see what was happening in the rest of the country. Up ahead, just beyond that valley, Zack could see a crimson sky, and he knew that was when things got serious. The coalition army of adventurers and the Helbir League had yet to encounter any Demons or even get into a fight, for that matter but that was going to change soon. 

Shayla gestured vaguely back where they came from.

Couldnt they have just sent a bunch of actual soldiers instead of sending us? Seriously whats the point? I thought we came here to fight Demons, not people.

We came here to liberate the Inoria Empire and repel this Demon invasion.

Jaakkos voice came out from up front. Shayla and the nearby adventurers turned to face the Cyclops whose gaze was fixed forward. 

We will only fight if necessary. The garrison only holds up to two thousand soldiers, most of them equal to a Silver Ranked adventurer. They will not be able to fight back, and as adventurers rather than an enemy nation, they will be more amenable to surrendering to our terms.

It was a simple explanation. One which Shayla wouldve already known if she hadnt ignored Laux Lionfists briefing. But she refused to accept it, instead crossing her arms and turning away from Jaakko.

Right, so thats why we have listen to the Cyclops of all people. Got it.

There were a few murmurs almost of agreement. The Human adventurers were not happy that a Cyclops was placed in charge of them. And they clearly made their disgruntlement known.

Zacks brows snapped together at this disrespect. He whirled around, pointing at Shayla.

You

 Its not worth it, Zack.

Helen stopped him, pulling him back. Zack clicked his tongue. His teammate shook her head.

Come on, we just have to get our job over with. Lets not squabble amongst ourselves.

Fine.

Zack acquiesced unhappy, of course. Helen was clearly bothered by it, too. But the [Archer] placed logic above all else. Meanwhile, Jaakko didnt care. Not ostensibly, at least. And it made sense. The Cyclops was used to this level of discrimination, even if he was a well-respected high-leveled adventurer.

Were arriving there soon.

Jaakko spoke as he narrowed his single eye. Zack raised a brow, turning to the valley. He didnt see it. Not from this distance. But Helen leaned forward and nodded.

Seems unguarded. I dont think theyre even aware that Helmfirth has been taken.

As an [Archer], she had a variety of Skills and General Skills that aided her vision. Zack wouldnt be surprised if she could snipe down any patrolling guards in the garrison from this distance at her current level.

But she didnt do that. There was no reason for it. They were hoping to resolve it peacefully, after all.

Sean. Scout out the area for us.

Helen called out to the back. A [Rogue] stepped forward. Level 72. He nodded, without saying much else before vanishing. 

Zack exchanged a glance with Helen. He looked back towards the small battalion of adventurers.

You know, what happens if the garrison refuses our terms of surrender?

While he was quite pleased to see Helmfirth fall without any deaths, he was relatively skeptical that this plan would consistently carry over. Especially once they were further into the Inoria Empire. Helen shrugged as the battalion continued to march on.

Just got to give them a show of force, I guess. They should concede once they hear theres an army of hundreds of thousands headed their way.

And what if they dont?

Zack wondered aloud. 

Do we just incapacitate them or do we kill them? Because fighting to incapacitate others is hard.

It is.

Jaakko spoke over the [Mage]. The Cyclops glanced back once. He met Zacks gaze, before turning back around.

If it is necessary, well fight to kill. I would rather not lose any of our men.

Shayla narrowed her eyes from behind. She snorted.

Of course a Cyclops wouldnt care about killing Humans

But Zack and Helen slowly nodded. 

Right.

--

Soon enough, the battalion reached the very fringe of the valley. The garrison was there clearly a place ill-equipped to fend off an invasion. It was stationed here to train troops, after all. Zack crossed his arms as the adventurers looked on at the walls lined with guards. [Archers] waited with their bows raised, already aiming for the adventurer battalion. 

Well, this is just great. They know were here.

Shayla harrumphed as she drew back, alert. Zack instantly raised a tome, ready to conjure a barrier if necessary. A dozen other [Mages] stepped forward, keeping prepared for anything. Zack grunted. 

Where is Sean? He shouldve warned us about this.

He hasnt returned.

Helen pursed her lips as she nocked an arrow into her own bow. She glanced up at the soldiers who had yet to fire, but were still on guard. Jaakko stepped forward, uncaring that he might come under fire. He raised his kusarigama glimmering from its enchantments and pointed at the garrison.

We are the United Coalition of the Human Lands, and we are here to ask you to surrender. Helmfirth has already ceded to us. There is no point in fighting and wasting your lives here.

The [Archers] standing at the walls exchanged an uneasy glance. Zack narrowed his eyes. Theyre nervous, he observed. Helen seemed to notice the same thing. 

But after a moment, they instantly resolved themselves. They held their ground and aimed directly at Jaakko. 

We refuse! Loose!

One of the lead [Archers] shouted. Instantly, dozens of arrows came flying down at Jaakko. Zacks eyes flickered. He raised his spellbook, ready to cast a barrier to protect his leader. But the Cyclops hurled his kusarigama in the air. It flew in an arc swerving around, knocking the projectiles out of the air with ease.

Only a single arrow shot past the kusarigama. A Skill used by the lead [Archer]. Perhaps coupled with an artifact too. It curved straight for the Cyclops, the arrowhead glinting as it reached him. And Jaakko just raised a hand and knocked it aside. 

This is your last chance.

Jaakkos voice boomed as he walked forward. The [Archers] on the walls backed up in fear.

If you refuse again, we will be forced to make you surrender.

The lead [Archer] gaped at Jaakko, sweat dripping down the side of his head. He hesitated for a second. Then he shook his head, reaching for another arrow with a trembling hand. 

W-w-we cant surrender we have no choice.

He closed his eyes as he nocked another arrow. Zack frowned. Jakko raised his single brow.

What do you mean?

The [Archers] aimed for Jaakko once again. The leader of the group shook his head.

If we surrender, well be

Theyll be punished appropriately.

A voice interrupted them. A figure emerged from the battlements. A gray-skinned man who dragged something behind him. Zack blinked.

Thats a Demon.

The adventurer battalion instantly tensed. The soldiers backed away from the Demon in fear. And the Demon smiled.

Sorry, I dont really like coming out either. This sun you Humans have is a little too bright for me. But I just wanted to return something you dropped.

What?

Jaakko stared. And the Demon just tossed what he was holding down the wall. A bloodied body landed with a thud amongst the adventurers. A figure Zack instantly recognized. Helen and another adventurer ran forward, exclaiming.

Sean!

They stopped as they stared at the mangled mess. Helen shook her head, closing her eyes.

Hes dead.

The Demon just chuckled.

Of course he is. Look at him. You dont need to be a healer to understand that. Anyway, Im going back inside now.

He waved as he turned around to leave. Then he paused before the lead [Archer].

Oh, and while were in the middle of negotiations, I have a proposition for you, Edward.

The Demon gestured toward the adventurer battalion. Toward Jaakko who was gritting his teeth and tightly clutching the chains of his kusarigama. 

Either die to them, or die to me.

The Demon laughed. 

I dont care, either way. 

For a moment, there was no response. The Demon just vanished back into the garrison. Zack looked down at the corpse of Sean, feeling both anger and apprehension. I didnt get to identify the Demons level. He cursed, annoyed that he was too caught up in his shock.

Then Edward the lead [Archer] screamed. 

Fire!

And a salvo of arrows rained down on the adventurer battalion, marking the start of the battle.