Chapter 96

    Their remaining troops gathered together, and a debriefing was conducted by the still wounded Olivia. Matt listened in while he acted as a mana battery for the healers, who were hard at work getting the survivors combat-ready.

    They had moved into the small fort, and she was permanently stuck on her flying device, as her legs would need to be regrown before she could walk. For now, while under the anti-flying formation, she was carried on a stretcher. That still didnt diminish her contributions to the earlier fight.

    Olivia had regained consciousness from one of the blasts that took out the rest of the command staff, and immediately started issuing orders despite her charred off legs. She quickly found that all of their comms were jammed, and began working on a solution. As it turned out, an opportunist spy hidden among their mid-level commanders had taken the opportunity to sabotage their comms, after starting the charge himself.

    It had taken her half an hour to even be able to send messages at all. But once she had regained some measure of control over the system, she ordered all the troops she could reach to organize an offensive.

    Matt and the other Pathers in the army were totally unaware of the situation, as their comms had remained obfuscated until there was a complete wipe of the system. It had only taken place close to the end of the battle, when Olivia felt secure enough about a victory to slacken her micromanagement. The entire process took about two hours.

    After reviewing the telemetry of the battle, Matt had personally messaged the woman with how impressed he was with her orders. Her commands and decisions, while only communicating with a fraction of her forces, hadnt simply been practical and smart.

    They were inspirational.

    She had predicted everyone''s moves; even her own unreachable allies. She moved her few troops to counter enemy movements, while also assisting faltering sections of their ranks during chaotic and brutal melee. The disparate forces that should have been beyond her control were seemingly shepherded into place.

    The meeting started with Olivia relaying orders. We won the fight, but our unit has been rendered combat ineffective, so were going to be absorbed by General Lupis. We did well, but our overall mission was a failure. I''d like to thank the Pather Annie, who took out the enemy leadership early enough to let me direct our troops mostly uncontested.

    Matt sent Annie a thumbs up in their private team chat, but there was grumbling from half a dozen indistinct voices transmitted over the AI. Olivia let the remaining mid-level commanders vent for a minute, but she quelled the moderate dissension shortly after.

    Her voice cut through the murmurs, I don''t like it either. And that''s why we won''t be sticking around for reinforcements or another enemy unit to come finish us off.

    That only caused another round of questions, which she answered with a casual, I intended to get started on our original objective. Were down to one hundred and fifty thousand combat-capable troops, which is more than enough to start the initial push. We won''t be able to secure as much ground as Id like, but we only need to keep things going for a day or so before our reinforcements arrive.

    There was more chatting, but Matt tuned it out. He was concerned. They had nearly twenty thousand heavily injured fighters who only needed time and mana to get back on their feet. This didn''t seem like the best course of action in his mind, and it was at odds with Olivia''s earlier decisions.

    Our preliminary scouting shows that the medium forts and large forts are reinforced, but not to the degree that this fort was. Theyre just doubled up in defenders. I want us to surround them and keep their forces contained. We wont be engaging, just clearing the way for our reinforcements.

    That seemed a far better use of their time, and Matt nodded along with the questions being asked. Nothing jumped out to his AI or his own experience. The plan seemed sound enough.

    The wounded were going to be shifted into the fort, and its defenders would be the Kingdom fighters who were too injured to fight and fly, but could stand on a wall on guard.

    Olivia ordered Team Bucket to join the fourth squad, which was more of a quick reaction force than anything else. They were to stay with the command structure, and be ready to intervene any time the fort''s defenders tried to sally forth and break free.

    Matt hoped at least one fort would try and break the siege, but none sent their troops out. They had a boring day of easily advancing. They moved forward as a unit, flying when they could, but dismounting and jogging when they couldn''t. It was slow, but their numbers ensured that no one could easily attack them while they engulfed each fort on their way.

    It was late evening when their reinforcements arrived. Matt saw them approaching from the rear, not by sight, but from the pillars of smoke that rose up in the air. They were from the splinter groups that dropped off to siege down the surrounding forts. It was a fiery testament to the devastation that a million-strong force could muster.

    Matt and his forces had already arrived at the city''s edge, and were busy setting up a small camp, while the general troops were digging defenses and preparing the siege engines.

    When the leading elements caught up with them, Liz and the rest of Team Bucket were unpleasantly surprised at what they found.

    Alyssa was leading the force in an armored skirt while twirling her obnoxiously colored parasol. Their team followed her into the command tent.

    Good afternoon, everyone. You all look spiffy after losing most of your forces. She beamed at them like she had just given them the greatest of compliments.

    Where is General Lupis? Olivia seemed suspicious, and Matt prepared to summon his sword from its ring at her shift in demeanor.

    Little Wolfie will not be joining us, unfortunately. An unexpected guest arrived and sent him on a vacation. I''m the new general. How convenient! It seems the Queendom was quite upset about someone killing their generals in the middle of a major battle, and took revenge. Or maybe they were just so impressed with how effective that tactic turned out to be, they decided to copy it.

    She shrugged as if none of it concerned her. Either way, our generals all seem to have a number of assassins gunning for them now. Between that, and all the major movements happening, there just arent many generals available to step in for poor Wolfie and Alister. The only other candidates are all leading smaller forces right now, and they each seem to be thoroughly tied up at the moment. They simply wouldn''t be able to get here in time.

    Alyssas mouth stretched from ear to ear as she finished, Which leaves me the highest-ranking commander for this siege. Wonderful, no?

    Everyone present knew that absolutely none of this was a coincidence. There was no chance that every available field strategist could be simultaneously held up. But if she was rightfully in charge, she wouldnt be removed easily.

    Seeing the looks on their faces, Alyssa continued with a laugh. Oh, dont be like that. Ever since the auction, its been chaos out there. Combine that with a few of the wrong wild mushrooms being cooked into some meals, and a very messy incident between a member of the peerage and their less-exclusive-than-expected mistress... Well, our beloved Kingdom finds itself with a shortage of high level commanders to send our way. Nonetheless, Im confident we will prevail.

    To Matts shock, Liz beamed right back at Alyssa. Wonderfully said. We have all the leadership we need to win right here. Im sure then youre prepared to suborn yourself to General Olivia and her orders?

    Everyone froze, particularly Alyssa and Olivia. The latter of whom made a face like shed swallowed a bug.

    Alyssa looked ready to spit fire but played it cool. My, my. I dont know what youre talking about. I''m the only person here with a general''s title.

    Lizs smile grew sharp, and her yellow eyes glittered. Ah, but you yourself said that Lupis was your original general. If you took over from him, then youre technically just an acting general. No?

    Matt could see Alyssa debate lying, but she finally shrugged and asked, So?

    His girlfriend looked like the cat who ate the canary.

    Then, when two acting generals meet in the field, the acting general who was on site first retains command. Per section 9 subsection 14B of the Kingdoms articles of war.

    Her words were accompanied with a smile that could cut glass, and an AI message listing the relevant passages straight out of official Kingdom protocol.

    Alyssa just glared at Liz. As a representative of the peerage, even the younger generation, I have the authority and responsibility to take over battlefield command from someone I deem unfit.

    Annie shrugged and said, I don''t know... Is someone who can''t stop a fire in their closest better than someone who single-handedly salvaged a disastrous battle?

    Alyssa stilled, then pivoted to stare Annie down. With bared teeth, she smiled before closing her eyes and biting down hard on her lower lip. Taking a deep breath in through her nose, she twirled back around to face everyone else with a gentle smile.

    I will, of course, follow the letter of the law. My troops are at your disposal. Oh, and should things get a little too tall for you, Im ready to step in and shoulder the burden. Best of luck to you, General.

    As she made her exit and passed the command tents anti-listening bubble, Olivia spun to Liz and nearly roared, What the fuck was that?!

    I...

    No! You just threw me under the bus as a political tool to get back at her! Everyone knows how you hate her, don''t pretend differently. We all know the laws, but everyone also knows they arent applied equally. Alyssa can ruin me and my family if she wants. Easily. I would have happily agreed to her command to avoid that kind of trouble.

    Liz looked crestfallen and worked her mouth for a moment before she cleared her throat and tried, Sorry. I...

    No, don''t. Just don''t. That situation was about as nuanced as a rift break. That stunt you pulled? Youre either politically braindead, or knew exactly what you were doing, and just didnt give a fuck about the collateral damage. And if the Pather Union negotiations Alister brought to me were any indication, it sure as shit isnt the former.

    Olivia looked ready to puke, but Matt stepped forward. This this isn''t all bad. You can foist blame on us. We can handle the little pressure anyone in the Kingdom can put on us. But remember what Alyssa said; she will follow the letter of the law. If you dont show gross incompetence, she can''t oust you. He clapped her shoulder lightly. We believe in you. You can do this.

    I''m not qualified.

    Emily scoffed. We don''t believe that for a second, and neither do you. Everyone could tell in ten minutes that you and whats-his-name were the real brains behind that other idiot.

    Alastair, isn''t dumb. He''s just... busy. Even Olivia must have heard how weak that sounded, because she wilted in a bit. He has other strengths. He''s nice, at least.

    Liz looked subtly chastised as she nodded to Olivia. You''re right. That was wrong of me to put you in the middle of our pissing match, and treat you like a pawn. I''m sorry, and Ill make sure to head off any fallout from it.

    Matt looked around to the few command staff in the tent and said, I know who I would rather have commanding me. If we do our job, well have a much better chance of getting through this. He knelt down and said only loud enough for her to hear, Remember that youre being watched, and if you impress the right people, she cant touch you. Youve already proven that you can do this.

    Olivia got a hard look in her eyes. Keeping her voice low, she responded, Fine. But I still need to hedge myself against the political blowback youve brought down on me. If Im going to foist the blame on you as suggested, then I need to make it publicly clear I think youre to blame, and dont trust you now. Raising her voice once again, she continued, Effective immediately, youre no longer officially part of senior command. Your presence in the command tent will be by invitation only from here on out, which I will still provide for the daily strategy meetings. Itll cost you your leadership bonuses, but it will also probably placate Alyssa enough to keep her from taking the first opportunity to smother you all in your sleep and blame Queendom assassins.

    They hit the stairs, and Matt took them two at a time, throwing himself off the cliff that the defenders created in the stonework. He launched into the defenders standing at the base of the tower.

    It was a similar scene to the formations he had constructed when he was defending the Kingdom city.

    To their side, a flurry of mana cannons and other long-range spells lashed out at the attackers as they tried to take the breach. They pushed through the enemy fire as they closed the distance to engage in melee combat, where the ranged weapons had the chance to hit their own troops.

    As Matt landed, he swung his longsword and let loose a [Mana Slash] that created enough room for Conor to land next to him and activate [Demon Zone]. Together, they cut a path to the stairs, trying not to get bogged down.

    Team Bucket fought their way up the stairs to the portion of still intact walls with Conor in the lead. Matt reached around him to unleash a never-ending torrent of flame on anyone attempting to prevent their ascent. Liz and Emily took care of protecting their heads from attacks from above, with Liz creating a roof of blood and Emily blasting anyone that stuck their heads out to fire.

    Together, they cut their way to the top of the wall and created a beachhead, as Annie anchored and lowered rope ladders down the other side of the wall.

    They were attacked by what Matt expected was a QRF team, but they couldnt stand the onslaught of Conors [Demon Zone] and Matt alternating between [Flamethrower] and his blade. They held their position long enough for reinforcements to scale the ropes, even as they were attacked from all angles.

    A massive Tier 7 with a hammer that had to weigh in the dozens of pounds made his way to the front. With his heavy armor, he was able to shrug off both Matt and Conors attacks. As the fight drew out, the man seemed to increase in size until he was nine feet tall. Liz called for them to retreat once the hammer wielder shrugged off one of Emilys [Bolts] as if it didn''t even affect him.

    Liz gilded forward on a streak of blood as more and more of the ruby liquid poured out of the glove on her hand, and she grew to equal the man''s size. The Tier 7 brought his hammer into Lizs golem form, sending a spray of blood everywhere, until Liz activated [Blood Crystal Armor]. Her golem form subtly shifted, growing solid and angular, with its ruby hue acquiring a tinge of gold.

    The next hammer blow only cracked the solidified blood, which quickly melted and reformed back to full defensive power. In ten seconds, Lizs liquid form enveloped the man, and he was gone. How she killed the Tier 7 in Tier 8 armor, Matt had no idea, but she used her already formed golem to start clearing off the top of the wall..

    Seeing that she was fine, the rest of the team waited for the reinforcements to climb the rope ladder, and set up another three. They spaced them a dozen feet apart, creating enough room for more and more people to flood the top of the wall.

    Matt, Aster, Emily, and Annie climbed partway down the stairs and started peppering the makeshift barrier that the defenders had erected from above. It was a long, bitterly fought battle of attrition, where they whittled down the defenders. Without the high ground provided by the walls, the defenders couldnt stop the never-ending waves of Kingdom soldiers.

    Liz joined them half an hour later, as they were resting at the first makeshift barrier. They were busy scouting the Queendom defenders at the second layer of fortifications. The Kingdoms assault had devolved into more of a stalemate. The Queendoms position was fortified by mana cannons set up and ready to hit anyone who poked their head over the edge.

    The Kingdom set up their own fortifications and troop stations in the breach as they flooded in. They had managed to take three out of the four holes in the wall, and the fourth was falling, thanks to a concentrated force that punched through with an extra unit of elite troops.

    Matt had to marvel at how much better this siege went when compared to their first one. When you didn''t care about the collateral damage, and smashed everything with siege weapons from the start, things went a lot easier.

    Once they had captured the city walls, Olivia gave her most controversial order yet. She ordered them to man the walls with their own mana cannons, and simply blast the defenders away from their entrenched positions from range.

    Some mid level commanders called her a coward, along with everything else under the sun, because they were losing out on potential personal points since they weren''t fighting themselves. It was a selfish complaint; the overall strategy was safer, and inflicted greater casualties without risking themselves.

    Nonetheless, it pissed off enough people to nearly inspire a coup, as the commanders openly spread their discontent to the rest of the troops. But to almost everyones surprise, Alyssa again backed up Olivia''s decision, and forced the malcontents into a simmer.

    As they pushed the defenders to retreat deeper into the city, they were forced to endure more and more casualties. The opinion of the Kingdom general soldiers shifted as they saw the wisdom in the decision to bombard the Queendom from afar.

    Finally, the defenders tried to break out for a second time and repeat the Kingdom''s tatic from the last siege. They tried to break out from the gate opposite of Team Bucket. But unlike when the Kingdom made their escape, the defending troops were defeated in earnest.

    Three and a half weeks later, the city had finally fallen. It was a massive victory.

    Matt knew he had made out well from the siege, even without engaging in the final battle. He had his AI check his point total for taking the city.

    Prior Total (last updated 25 days ago): 102,050 points (47,292 pending transfer; 54,758 available).

    TEAM MERITS:

    (Calculated for Tier 6 Combatant).

    Enemy vassal killed, Tier 5. Worth 1 point. Performed 784 times.Enemy vassal killed, Tier 6. Worth 5 points. Performed 22,877 times.Enemy vassal killed, Tier 7. Worth 25 points. Performed 215 times.Items and equipment looted but returned. Assigned worth: 15,214 points.Played a major role in capturing an enemy city. Worth 50,000 points. Performed 1 time.

    PERSONAL MERITS:

    (Calculated for Tier 6 Combatant)

    Enemy vassal killed, Tier 5. Worth 1 point. Performed 174 times.Enemy vassal killed, Tier 6. Worth 5 points. Performed 3,741 times.Enemy vassal killed, Tier 7. Worth 25 points. Performed 35 times.

    ARMY MERITS:

    Defeat a major enemy army of quarter-size (6.32M vs 1.91M) in a defensive position while besieging a walled city. Reward: 1.05x multiplier to all merits.Successfully besieged an enemy city (6.32M vs 1.98M). Reward: 1.1x multiplier to all merits.Won a major engagement using only sound tactics. Reward: 1.05x multiplier to all merits. Note: Merit awarded based on recommendation of Army observers.

    UNACHIEVED MERITS: For reference purposes only.

    Capture an enemy city without causing significant damage. Worth 250,000 points.

    SUMMARY OF GAINS:

    Team Merits:Raw Total: 185,758Team Multiplier: N/ACategory Total: 185,758Personal Merits:Raw Total: 19,754Personal Multiplier: N/ACategory Total: 19,754Combined Merits:Sub-Total: 260,270Total Multiplier: 1.2xGrand Total: 312,324

    New Gains: 312,324 points.

    New Total: 414,374 points (47,292 pending transfer; 367,082 available).

    Updated Pather Team Ranking (Kingdom of Seven Suns): 2nd place.

    Estimated Daily Stipend: 2,500 points.

    The points for the siege, along with their team keeping third place in the Kingdom rankings, earned them 36,000 points. It put Matt a little over a quarter of a million points. It was exhilarating to know that they were back over the points needed to buy the upgrade orb that Aster still needed. By his rough estimation, even Emily would be able to purchase an orb, with a little help.

    The troops partied like crazy with the influx of points that first night, as they started to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure. They wanted to get the city in good enough shape to get the teleporter active. But to everyone''s surprise, the Queendom pulled off of the Kingdom city that they were besieging, and were now making a beeline towards them.

    They were ordered to abandon the city after only holding it for three days. It spoiled the jubilant mood that everyone had after such a massive victory, but with the Queendoms estimated seven million troops to their remaining four million, there was no hope of holding the destroyed city.

    With their forewarning, they were able to leave the city without resistance, but not before they set explosives to drop the remaining walls that had survived their initial bombardment. With the city leveled, they made quick time back to the coast, and flew over the ocean and back to the closest neutral city.

    Matt and most of the general troops expected to find the Prince upset, but to their surprise, he was exceedingly happy at their return.

    So happy, in fact, he even called all of the top commanders to watch as he made Olivia a peer of the realm, and promoted her to a Baroness. He didn''t even wait for them to enter the city proper, and did it in front of the entire army.

    For her inspiring work securing us a city before the Queendom was able to repeat the feat! For forcing them to retreat without earning the points we have from such a victory! The Princes voice echoed out over the field out of the neutral city, causing near-endless roars of approval and cheers for the Kingdom''s newest noble.

    Matt just smiled and clapped along with everyone else as they stood in the long grass that surrounded the gate to the city.

    Even without her legs, Olivia seemed to stand tall as she received her reward, and clearly suppressed tears as she repeatedly thanked everyone and anyone who came close to her. She even thanked one of the waiters that the Prince had brought out to serve everyone, to her embarrassment. When she realized her faux pas, she nervously stammered an apology.

    Alyssa walked over to where their team stood, and sighed with a glass of champagne bubbling in her hand. What a lucky girl. Still in her armored skirt, she bumped Lizs hip with her own. That could have been me up there.

    The you took that from me seemed unsaid, but Matt heard it loud enough.

    Apparently, so did Liz. What do you need to be made a peer for? Your parents are already nobles.

    Alyssa sighed. Yes, yes. They are. But theres a key difference between earning my own peerage and gaining it through my parents. Namely, that all decisions related to said peerage also go through my parents. That title would have granted me power that belonged to me, and nobody else. She didn''t look hateful or angry, just tired. Oh well, there is always the next plan.

    The colorfully dressed womans voice gained some heat as she turned to Liz. You know, considering that favor you owe me from getting the Crafters to back your little Union, I expected you to back me up too. Or at least not get involved. Dirty of you to flake out like that.

    Liz nibbled on her lip before she said, I didnt even think about it. If you had messaged me, I wouldve kept my mouth shut to return the favor.

    Alyssa sighed and sipped at her glass. It would have taken a favor for you to simply not actively sabotage me? At poor Olivias expense no less. Well, I guess I expected too much of you, that''s on me. Here I thought wed been quite friendly these last few months, with each of us keeping out of each other''s way. One of us even lending the other a much needed hand on multiple occasions. Clearly I was mistaken. Thats not the type of relationship we have. Not at all. Ill be keeping the favor in my back pocket for now. Be warned; when I do call it in, I wont be holding back. Not anymore.

    Another cheer went up, and she raised her glass to where Olivia received congratulations, then downed the glass and walked off to the main gate.

    The last thing Matt heard was a muttered, Lucky girl.

    Their team moved to get in line and congratulate Olivia. Matt wouldn''t call her a friend, not with how they had foisted her into this position unwillingly. Still, there was no denying that she had done well, and had earned her rewards. Adding a little bit of camaraderie to a celebration never hurt.