In the Givari Forest, 96 kilometers northeast of Kisor, an eerie silence concealed massive military tension. On its eastern edges, Duke Friedrich Junis' forces - now numbering 25,000 troops after reinforcements from Maklonia - advanced confidently. Friedrich himself led them, accompanied by his loyal commanders: Lord Valerian Cross, Lord Gregor Stone, and Lord Elia Thorn.
"The forest seems suspiciously quiet, my Duke," Valerian remarked, his eyes scanning the dense trees. "Do you think Yannis is planning something?"
Friedrich chuckled coldly. "Yannis is a coward, Valerian. He wouldn't dare face us in open battle. Probably hiding deep in the forest, trying to slow our advance. But it won't stop us."
Meanwhile, on the forest's western side, Royal Duke Yannis' 20,000 troops prepared for a desperate gambit. Yannis and General Alvin, commander of the royal army, watched as 5,000 infantry - mostly Yannis' less experienced troops - advanced toward the forest's heart.
"Are you certain about this, my Duke?" General Alvin asked, concern evident on his face. "Sending 5,000 troops as bait into the forest's heart... it's extremely risky."
"We have no other choice, Alvin," Yannis replied, desperation in his eyes. "Friedrich's forces outnumber us. We must trick them, draw them into a trap. If they enter the forest, the rugged terrain will favor us, and we can encircle them."
The plan was simple in concept but required precise execution. The 5,000 infantry advanced slowly, deliberately raising dust and making noise to attract Friedrich's attention.
Soon, Friedrich's scouts spotted Yannis' advancing forces.
"My Duke! Enemy troops! About 5,000 infantry moving toward the forest!" a scout shouted.
Friedrich smiled victoriously. "As I expected! They're trying to delay us. So be it! Commanders! Advance our main forces into the forest! Crush these rats! Leave none alive!"
Friedrich's 25,000 troops surged forward, heavy cavalry leading, followed by heavily armed infantry. The ground shook beneath them, war cries filling the air as they entered the forest, expecting an easy battle.
But as Friedrich's forces penetrated deep into the forest's heart, the situation changed dramatically. Yannis' 5,000 troops suddenly vanished as if swallowed by the earth. Then, from the dense trees, thousands of arrows rained down, followed by a surprise flank attack. Yannis' remaining 15,000 troops had lain hidden, waiting for this moment.
"Ambush! It's an ambush!" Valerian Cross shouted as arrows fell like rain.
"Encircled!" Gregor Stone roared, seeing Yannis' troops charging from all sides, cutting off supply and retreat lines.
The forest became hell. Dense trees hindered the heavy cavalry's movement and rendered Friedrich's massive military formations useless. Soldiers fought in chaos, unable to clearly see their enemies, hearing only their comrades' screams as they fell.
"Advance! Don't retreat!" Friedrich bellowed, brandishing his sword and fighting fiercely. But his forces were surrounded, panic beginning to spread through their ranks.
Yannis' troops pressed their advantage, using their knowledge of the terrain. Arrows rained down, spears pierced armor, and swords clashed everywhere. Cries of pain, the clang of steel, and soldiers begging for mercy filled the air.
At this critical moment, when Friedrich's forces seemed on the verge of collapse, Lord Gregor Stone emerged as a beacon. With his massive physique and unyielding courage, he fought at the encirclement's heart. Seeing the panic in his soldiers' eyes, he realized they were near defeat.
"Follow me! Brave men! We won't die here!" Gregor thundered over the battle's chaos. "Break through! Break the encirclement! Eastward! Eastward!"
Gregor gathered a thousand of his elite troops and charged like an arrow toward the encirclement's weakest point. Fighting like a beast, he cut down enemies, carving a path for his men. His strength and courage inspired his soldiers, who followed with equal ferocity.
Gregor succeeded in breaking the encirclement. The gap was small but sufficient. Friedrich's remaining forces began retreating through this opening, following Gregor. The tide turned against the Royal Duke. They had inflicted heavy casualties on Friedrich's forces but failed to destroy them.
The battle became a bloody chase. Despite their losses, Friedrich's forces still outnumbered Yannis'. The armies clashed in brutal combat, screams rising as enemy and ally blood mingled with the forest soil.
Amid the chaos, General Alvin, commander of the royal army from the capital, fell. A spear pierced his chest, and he collapsed silently, leaving his troops leaderless. His death dealt a crushing blow to the Royal Duke's forces.
Ultimately, Royal Duke Yannis was forced to withdraw. He had lost the battle. Yannis retreated with his remaining 13,000 exhausted, demoralized troops toward the town of Al-Manara, 65 kilometers northeast of Kisor - their last hope.
Meanwhile, Friedrich's forces fully occupied Tel Mima, Yannis' former camp. The victory was bitter, having cost them dearly, but they achieved their objective. The path to the kingdom's heart now lay open.
In Kisor: Refusing Aid
Meanwhile in Kisor, tension hung thick in the air. News of the battle reached Zidan through Marion's spies. He knew Yannis had lost and danger was drawing nearer.
The next morning, a messenger from Royal Duke Yannis arrived in Kisor. A pale, ragged young man knelt before Zidan in the palace hall.
"Lord Baron Zidan! Royal Duke Yannis urgently requests reinforcements!" the messenger said, voice trembling. "We suffered heavy losses at Givari Forest. We need every soldier you can send to face Duke Friedrich!"
Zidan regarded the messenger calmly. Sending troops now would mean revealing his new weapons and soldiers' advanced training prematurely. He didn't want Friedrich or the king to discover the true extent of his forces or the gunpowder secret.
"Messenger," Zidan said coldly, stunning the envoy. "Kisor is a peaceful town. We are people of peace, not war. Our forces are small and cannot intervene in ducal conflicts. We have no reinforcements to send."
The messenger was shocked. "What? Lord Baron! You refuse to aid the king? Refuse to help the king's cousin? This is rebellion! Treason!"
The messenger's voice rose, face red with anger. "When the Royal Duke finishes with Friedrich, he'll crush every petty noble with rebellious intentions! He'll crush Kisor! You'll pay dearly for this refusal!"
At that moment, Sifara stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt. His eyes blazed with anger.
"Leave, messenger!" Sifara roared, voice shaking with rage. "Leave before we take your head here! Kisor doesn't yield to threats! Return to your master and tell him to fight his own battles!"
The messenger trembled with fear. He hadn't expected this defiance. Looking between the furious Sifara and coldly indifferent Zidan, he fled the hall, the castle, and Kisor as fast as possible.
The Royal Duke's Wrath
When the messenger reached Al-Manara where Yannis was reorganizing his exhausted forces, the Royal Duke erupted in fury upon hearing Zidan's refusal.
"What? He refuses? This petty viscount refuses to aid the king?" Yannis shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "I've sent messages to all nobles, most agreed to send at least token reinforcements! But this Zidan... this is open rebellion!"
Yannis knew other nobles had similarly withheld troops, but Zidan's refusal was the most blatant and insolent.
"When we're done with Friedrich, gentlemen!" Yannis told his commanders, eyes flashing with threat. "We'll crush these petty nobles! Every one with rebellious intentions will pay! I'll never forget this refusal!"
Yannis' words carried a promise of vengeance. Zidan had placed himself in a difficult position between Friedrich's hammer and Yannis' anvil. But Zidan had his own plans, secret weapons, and an army about to demonstrate its true strength.