1 Aureus Astrea (1)

A man in radiant armor adorned with Suanni motifs rode through the spatial gate. As he surveyed his surroundings, his pupils flared with the light of the sun. Celestial energy swirled around the man as a majestic aura emanated from him.

An ornate indigo scabbard hung at the man's side with the insignia of three leaves carved upon it. Detracting from this image was a very normal looking sword handle. Unadorned and plain but giving off an aura of being well-cared for.

As the troops finished transitioning, many of them bowed in the man's direction before heading to their positions.

A messenger rode up to the man as he looked at a golden spatial pouch by his belt "Prince Aureus, scouts have been sent out with a courier to the rally point to retrieve the various documents."

A middle-aged man exuding a martial aura approached Aureus as the light in his eyes dimmed, "Highness, we should have an hour before the scouts return."

"Very well, Tarin. Let us wait for the full complement to complete transiting and form up. Meanwhile, have the perimeter guards bolstered by the troops coming through where possible. It has been reported that the frequency of the demonic beast tides has been increasing of late. I would hate to fight one when half of my forces are still transitioning." said Aureus as he dismissed the messenger.

"Highness, how do you wish to make the rendezvous to Everdawn City? Considering that you refused a full escort from the governor and ordered all forces to remain on patrol instead." A striking young man with brown hair and piercing blue eyes piped up.

Aureus chuckled "Isn't it just an arrival, Johan? Is there a need to gather over a thousand men to be baked under the hot sun for a routine march; when they can be put into use elsewhere in the realm that will do the subjects good?"

"Some would suggest that as an Imperial Prince, it would do good to the realm to have said prince adhere to customs especially in arrangements involving potential dangers." said Tarin in an oily voice "After all, we can't have the grand prince of the Astrea Empire collapsing on the first day of his new job, can we?"

"Your highness may not be concerned about stately proprieties but please think of the poor peasants working under you. Our careers would be over in a flash if you suffer a fatal wound en route to your new holdings." Johan added in while appearing gleeful.

Aureus turned his gaze towards the heavens before replying. "You know, when my dear father taught me about leadership and winning the hearts of men, I am quite sure he never envisioned this particular brand of leadership existing. I wonder, would he be aghast at the way my subordinates venerate me."

"I would venture that his Majesty, the Emperor would be glad that one of his sons has mastered such a unique take on leadership. It can be considered a matter of one in a thousand chance. I see no reason why his Majesty would not be pleased with such an achievement." Tarin said in a deadpan manner.

"All right, enough joking around. With regards to our route to Everdawn, let us plot a route that will intersect with the various patrol routes that are already ongoing. Should we run into a beast tide, we will engage in full," Aureus ordered. "Should any Everdawn patrols be engaged in battle, we will divert to assist. We will perform a fighting retreat in the event of being overwhelmed for either scenario. Are there any questions?"

"Highness, if we run into a scale 8 and above beast tide on our way?" queried Johan.

"We will hold an officers' meeting after the maps arrive. I want all officers to know our potential fallback points on various parts of the route to Everdawn. Should any of our forces separate, they are to make haste either to the closest fallback point or Everdawn City itself."

Johan genuflected "Yes, your highness."

"Dismissed."

—

After the relevant preparations have been made, Aureus's army of 1000 strong began marching in the direction of Everdawn.

Along the way, they met up with various Everdawn patrols and stopped to camp for lunch with one of them.

The various troops between the two outfits began breaking out the cards and dice in an attempt to fleece the other party. Tarin walked up to the Prince and chuckled when he saw what the Prince was gazing at.

"Cards and Dicing aside, what do you think of the patrols?" Aureus evaluated the Everdawn outfit as he asked Tarin.

"Highness, looking over the patrol plans and having cross-referenced it with past patrol plans, I would at least say that the planner is a competent military officer. The fact that he is able to keep up such a high degree of patrols despite the increase in beast tide attacks suggests that he is an exceptional officer."

"This does not match with our initial predictions, does it? I expected to be scraping the bottom of the barrel in these outposts but we appear to be getting the cream of the crop instead."

"Not just the officers, the regular troops appear fit and well outfitted with a high level of motivation. The Everdawn military outfit looks to be a first-rate act by whoever is commanding." Tarin added on.

"For some of them, it is their home. If one cannot find the motivation to fend off savage beasts at one's doorsteps, then I doubt that person can find much motivation elsewhere in life." Aureus opined. "The training and equipment levels do not match the frontier though. Those archers could match the archer corps back home and those bows appear to be made of Black Yew."

"One good shot can feed their families for days. Not a bad incentive out here in the frontier," Tarin offered. "With a basic sphere even peasants can wield a Black Yew bow; it demonstrates a certain flexibility in the commanding officer's mind by allowing such customization."

(My reports mention that there will be a new rotation of sub-standard officers into the outer realm. I wonder did something happen with the personnel transfer due to the beast tides and spatial storms?) Aureus mused as he turned to his chestnut warhorse 'Charger' and mounted.

(Well, one way or the other, I will find out when I reach Everdawn)

—

"Highness, enemy sighted! A three hundred strong beast tide. Mostly class 3 demon wolf beasts!" a scout reported. "Friendly forces are engaged!"

As the scout completed his report, blades began rustling as the troops behind Aureus armed themselves.

As the men got into position, Aureus raised his voice "Men, engage at will!"

"OOOOORAHHHH!!!" A roar shook the ground as the troops began advancing in a quick march.

"Highness, permission to join the fray?" asked Johan.

"Granted," said Aureus.

Johan bowed towards Aureus before summoning his black glaive and riding off.

"Ahh, to be young once again. What an enviable feeling," murmured Tarin as he watched Johan ride off.

"If you were to join the fray too with Johan, I would hazard that your kill count would be no lower than Johan's." Aureus snorted as he signaled his command group.

"It's the vigor, highness, that I covet. Not the glory." Tarin replied while looking like a venerable old sage.

"Get used to it, old man. Can't have you denying reality when I need your mind to discern matters for me." Aureus replied with an amused tone.

"As your highness wishes."

As Aureus and his command group crested the path, they saw the troops pincering the beast tide between the Everdawn patrol and themselves.

It was short and bloody work. With the addition of several hundred crack troops, the battle was over in a flash.

Johan blazed a path straight to the biggest demon wolf in the tide, creating swathes of dead beasts in his wake. Bearing down on the enormous wolf, he beheaded it with a single quick blow of his glaive.

"Good blow," Tarin was nodding his head at Johan's kill.

Spying the banners of Aureus and his command group from afar, the patrol leader of the Everdawn forces began making his way over.

"Highness, thank you very much for the assistance. We would have taken casualties had it not been for your timely arrival," thanked the patrol leader after reaching Aureus.

Aureus nodded before asking "What are the status of the other patrols in the vicinity?"

"Highness, as far I know, my group and I are the first to be attacked by a beast tide today. The other patrols that we have passed earlier reports no clashes. In addition, Primus Romulus Denter is in charge of the patrols surrounding Everdawn. He is leading the patrols himself and can be found further ahead."

"That will be all. Good hunting on the rest of your patrol, Commander."

The patrol leader genuflected before departing.

(The situation seems far more severe than reported if a random group of three hundred, class three beasts, can attack a patrol group so close to the vicinity of Everdawn) Aureus mused.

"Let us pick up the pace, I intend to make contact with the command structure of Everdawn as soon as possible."