blueteamnovel Chapter 68: Sixteenth Floor, The Battle of Fort Pogoren (1)
Chapter 68: Sixteenth Floor, The Battle of Fort Pogoren (1)
Chapter 68: Sixteenth Floor, The Battle of Fort Pogoren (1)
The first of these species was the Koshark. They resembled centaurs, having the upper body of a human and the lower half of a horse.
Following them was the Subren species, ghost-like beings with translucent, almost ethereal forms that floated just above the ground.
And finally, there was the Turina. They bore a striking resemblance to humans, though their red skin, massive builds, and curled, ram-like horns jutting over their ears marked them as something different and far more formidable.
Thanks to Ha Hee-Jeong’s briefings, I already knew about these species.
The meeting was already off to a rough start as a member of the Koshark party had already grumbled off to the side. A more composed comrade stepped in to cut him off, however.
“Turen, quiet down. This meeting is to ensure we survive the sixteenth floor.”
“Hmm? Okay.”
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. All eyes turned toward the Koshark party, but they seemed entirely unbothered by the attention. Finally, the emperor broke the silence.
“It seems the reinforcements sent by the Shadow of the End have grasped the situation. Now, let’s begin the real discussion.”
No one responded, and an uneasy quiet once again enveloped the room. The emperor sighed wearily.
“The southwestern defense line has fallen, as have the southeastern and eastern lines. Great General, is my understanding correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The emperor covered his face with both hands as if the weight of the truth was too much to bear. I could see his cheek muscles clenching behind his hands. His fingers trembled slightly, and for a moment, it almost looked like he was about to laugh.
He then sighed deeply, revealing a bitter, sorrowful grimace.
“So, the only defense line that did not fall was the western one.”
As Ha Hee-Jeong had predicted, of the four groups, only Earth had managed to hold its defense line. Unless the other species had a climber capable of fending off a dragon, it was likely impossible for them. Given they had to face a colossal army reinforced by a dragon, survival would have been their goal instead of defense.
The emperor’s words drew the three other species’ attention toward us, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
“What? They actually held their line?”
“That’s insane. No way.”
“Maybe their trial was easier than ours?”
Thanks to my heightened senses, I could hear their mutterings of disbelief. The general’s voice boomed over their whispers, cutting through the air.
“It was as we predicted, Your Majesty. The defensive lines were only sacrifices to prepare for the final battle at the fortress. It’s a miracle the Western line held at all.”
His loud voice brought the room’s focus back to the discussion at hand.
“I understand. It just pains me to think of the Imperial citizens who died defending the other lines. The Western defense holding is indeed a miracle.”
“Yes, within the fortress, they're already calling it the Miracle of the Drina River."
“The Miracle of the Drina River...”
The emperor's gaze shifted to me, assessing me with his sharp blue eyes. He clearly knew I had played a key role in defending the West.
It wasn’t surprising. After all, I had saved many important figures, from the Grand Marshal to the Commander of the Imperial Knights, and even the Night Witches.
It wasn’t surprising word of my deeds would have reached him by now.
“I hope another miracle can be achieved here at Fort Pogoren.”
The general’s voice trembled slightly as he replied, betraying a lack of confidence, “It surely w-will.”
Every climber present frowned—whether human or non-human—their faces darkening slightly.
“In what manner are our forces currently deployed?”
“The Earthlings are positioned to the left of the gates. The Turinas and Subrens are at the center, and the Kosharks are on the right.”
“Hm. The Earthlings held the West, so shouldn’t they be stationed in the center?”
“They may have held the line, but it was mostly due to one exceptional individual among them. Based on recommendations from the 588th Bombing Squadron and the Commander of the Imperial Knights, we plan to assign him as the commander of the reinforcements at the center.”
As expected, I would be the commander of the reinforcements. After my stellar performance on the fourteenth and fifteenth floors, I was best suited for that position. The role would be crucial, as it gave me the authority to command the other species during the upcoming battle.
Of course, the Empire’s commands would supersede mine, but I could act freely within my role.
[Defend the fortress until the invaders are defeated. If the fortress falls, survive for six hours. There is no time limit.]
The military council adjourned after outlining a broad strategy. The plan, to my surprise, was rather simplistic. While the enemy approached, we would bombard them with arrows and magic. If they reached the walls, we would drop stones and pour boiling oil on them. If all else failed and they breached the fortress we were to fight until the very end as there was no future for the continent if we retreated.
Even though I had little to no military expertise, I could tell this session offered little substance. Perhaps the fact we weren’t a professional army led to our lack of cohesive strategy.
Honestly, my earlier discussion with Hee-Jeong was more productive.
The climbers from other races also seemed mildly disappointed.
Fortunately, the Imperial army’s subsequent meeting was more structured and inspired a bit more confidence. We planned the tactical use of our bombardment units and mages, but even then, it was clear hope was thin.
In the end, we left the room and headed toward the fortress walls under the command of the Great General. I exchanged a few words with him as we walked, his grim attitude remaining the entire time.
“I see. So, the Commander of the Western Legion, no wait... She was promoted to fortress commander. Anyway, Kartrey Monaca will be positioned at the center. Ensure you coordinate well with her.”
“Understood."
It seemed Kartrey Monaca had been promoted after her victory at the western front. While the achievement was certainly impressive, a promotion to fortress commander seemed like an extraordinary leap.
Well, they did call it the Miracle of the Drina River.
The emperor likely pinned his hopes on Kartrey Monaca to deliver another miracle. While my efforts had played a large role in the victory, she had been the commanding officer on the field, so it made sense that she would receive the glory.
The Great General fell silent as we finished our exchange, and I slipped toward the back, hoping to speak with Ha Hee-Jeong.
Before I could, however, a Koshark climber bluntly addressed me, “You're the one who held the line?"
His blunt tone irked me, so I replied in kind, “Yes. Why?"
The Koshark who had spoken seemed unfazed by my sharpness. I recognized him as the same warrior who had voiced his complaints earlier—Turen, if I remembered correctly.
His hooves echoed rhythmically as he approached, the clopping making his centaur-like form all too obvious.
“You look frail, almost like a mage. But you wield an axe, so you must be a warrior. Hmm, interesting."
“So what?"
His dismissive attitude grated on me, but I kept my temper in check. He seemed intent on provoking me, and my patience was wearing thin.
He sneered, his voice ringing out skeptically, “I find it hard to believe someone like you defended a front. How could a small, weak body like yours take down a dragon?"
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. Ha Hee-Jeong had warned me about the Kosharks' arrogance. The Kosharks revered physical power, dismissing everything else as inconsequential. They believed themselves to be superior and settled every conversation through displays of power.
Well, beating up an ally on the eve of battle wasn’t wise, but I could only tolerate so much bullshit.
Technically, I should punish him for insubordination and insolence toward a commander.
But Turen’s arrogance grated on me too much to give him a simple punishment.
Powerful individuals could recognize each other, but the weak were often blind to the signs of strength. Turen was no match for me, and he didn’t even realize it.
If our power was more evenly matched, sure, someone could get hurt, potentially causing problems for the team. But him? I could knock him down without breaking a sweat or hurting either of us.
“The commander claims he saw it, so I guess you’re not lying. Still, did you just fight the weakest dragon?”
“You seriously can’t shut up, can you? If you’re so curious about my strength, let’s settle this right here, right now.”
“Oh? You mean it?”
Turen’s face lit up excitedly, and a smirk spread across his lips.
“Yeah, I’m serious. If I lose, you’ll become the commander. But if I win, you’ll shut up and follow orders.”
“Hehe, a duel for the position? That’s more like it!”
He looked almost too eager, and I guessed this was exactly what he had been hoping for all along. Although his attempts to provoke me had been rather obvious, that didn’t bother me in the least.
I turned my gaze toward the climbers from other species.
“Anyone else got an issue with me being commander? Speak up now, or forever hold your peace.”
I paused, letting the weight of my words settle.
Then, I added, “Unless you’ve got a death wish.”