Ironblood Fortress.
Marquis Hormay sat with a face as dark as storm clouds, his expression frozen in grim silence as his eyes swept across the message in his hands. Pokémon
The Pokémon Domain had actually mobilized an army—and their target was none other than the long-disbanded Gilded Fang Merchant Guild!
Alongside the report of troop movements came an official statement from the Pokémon Domain.
It declared that Earl Aven of the southeastern border had recently suffered an assassination attempt, and their march toward the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild was merely for the sake of investigating this incident.
At the same time, Earlless declarations from the lords of the Eastern Domains poured in. They proclaimed that the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild owed them massive debts. They intended to march there as well, to audit whatever wealth remained and divide it among themselves.
Though no one could be certain how much property the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild still possessed, one thing was certain: within their vaults would surely be mountains of grain and stores of potions—the very resources most desperately needed by every territory at this moment!
Furthermore, these declarations openly called for more lords and trading guilds to join them, to collect together and demand repayment of all the debts owed by the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild.
"Damnable fools… do they mean to declare war on the Ironblood Fortress itself?" Marquis Hormay's fists clenched tight after finishing the letter.
The statement may have claimed that the Pokémon Domain only wanted to investigate the assassination, but anyone with half a brain could see the truth—the enemy was marching straight at Ironblood Fortress.
"Hmph! Since you insist on a fight, I shall oblige you!" Marquis Hormay let out a cold snort, the corners of his mouth curling into a sinister grin. "All the more convenient—it is time to settle both old grudges and new!"
At the same moment, the lords of the Northern Domains also received the news.
The fall of the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild had struck them the hardest.
Their finances were in shambles, their coffers empty, and now even preparing for the approaching winter had become an impossible burden.
Yet because the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild had always stood under the protection of the Ironblood Fortress, all they had ever dared feel was silent fury, with no means to resist.
Now, however, seeing the Eastern Lord's joint declaration, many of their eyes flickered with temptation.
If this campaign truly succeeded, their own domains would finally breathe easy again—their shattered treasuries would at last be replenished.
Of course, it was only a thought for now. After all, their opponent was the dreaded Ironblood Fortress. Should the assault fail, the consequences would be catastrophic.
So, for the moment, they would wait and watch. If the Pokémon Domain really managed to defeat Ironblood Fortress, then they could arrive later, like vultures, to snatch a share of the spoils.
And for the Ironblood Alliance itself—an alliance bound by nothing but mutual interest—it would be nothing unusual to kick the Ironblood Fortress when it was down.
In the Northeast territories, armies were already assembling at full speed.
Though the Pokémon Domain would be the main attacking force in this campaign, Earl Ruize had no intention of sitting idly by.
He knew very well that although Earl Aven had promised all the participating lords a fair share of the spoils, the true lion's share would inevitably be determined by battlefield merit.
And as the former commander of the Knight Order of Aspiration City, Ruize knew better than anyone how this game was played.
Besides, the Northeast Domains lay right next to the Ironblood Fortress. Their interests clashed most directly. This was the perfect opportunity to wrest control of those interests.
If they could destroy Ironblood Fortress once and for all, the Northeast Domain would gain control of the Northern Region of Aspiration City piece by piece, and the Frontier Fortress would replace Ironblood Fortress as the dominant power.
Thus, Ruize made the decision to personally dispatch a large portion of his knight order to the battlefield, to accumulate enough military merit and secure the rewards he sought.
"Father, the knight order has already been fully mustered and stands ready to march!" his eldest son reported briskly.
"Good. Well done. And remember to tally the numbers of knights sent by the other lords. We will reorganize them into a single, large knight force."
"This is the very first joint operation of the Eastern Alliance. Tell the other lords: the war merits that belong to them will not be diminished—not by even a fraction!"
Earl Ruize nodded with satisfaction. Though he no longer bore the title of Commander of the Aspiration City Knight Order, he could still assemble a formidable force.
Then he turned to his second son. "What about the reaction from the Knight Order of Aspiration City and the other nobles?"
"Father, they reacted just as you anticipated—they remain largely indifferent."
As expected, Ruize allowed himself a faint smile. "Naturally. This war touches upon both the Eastern and Northern Domains, and it involves both Marquis Hormay and Earl Aven. The pretext Aven offered is sound—no obvious flaws. Even if Her Highness knows our true aim is the Ironblood Fortress, she cannot interfere openly."
"Moreover, the most important factor is that the Ironblood Fortress has been far too arrogant of late. Her Highness herself must be fed up. She may even welcome this war."
A knowing smile spread across his face. "As for those fence-sitting lords—let them be. Their choice not to participate is itself a kind of choice."
"Any news from Earl Aven's side?" He turned to Berrin, his most cherished son.
"The Pokémon Domain's knight order has already set out. They will cut straight through the Eastern Region into the North, marching directly to the South Gate where the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild was located," Berrin replied.
Excitement lit his eyes. This campaign would see even Brambleford Village's Gloom Squad take the field—a perfect chance to prove their true strength!
"Excellent. Then we march as well. Our target: the East Gate of the Ironblood Fortress!"
As soon as Earl Ruize's order fell, the knights, alongside their magical beasts, surged forward in grand formation, thundering toward the Ironblood Fortress.
Across the plains, Countless Pokémon surged like waves.
Just as in his last campaign, Aven sat calmly upon the broad back of his Torterra.
Surrounding him marched ranks upon ranks of Grass-type Pokémon—the Glooms, forming the backbone of the army.
On the outer wings, the Nidoking tribe and Drapion tribe advanced in formation, though only the younger warriors like Nidorino, Nidorina, and Skorupi accompanied them this time.
Over these past weeks, Aven had finally succeeded in fully taming the Drapion tribe. Once again, he could only marvel—Pokémon food was truly irresistible.
Above, the skies teemed with Yanmas and Mothims, their wings filling the heavens, led by a commanding Crobat.
Since the Ironblood Fortress commanded its own aerial division of Golbat, this air corps would be the main force of the aerial battle.
Air superiority was paramount in any war. Aven had full confidence that his Crobat-led squadron would wrest the skies from their foes.
Behind the army trailed lines of Skuntank pulling carts. Their destination lay deep in the Northern Domains, and they needed enough supplies to last many days of battle.
"Lord Aven, we are about to enter the territory of the Ironblood Fortress," Kale reported, approaching with his Empoleon. The Emperor Pokémon, with its kingly might, would be nothing less than a slaughtering machine on the battlefield.
"Well done. Then let us make camp here. We strike tomorrow, at noon," Aven commanded.
The Pokémon Domain's armies were made up almost entirely of Grass-types. Their strength shone brightest under the blazing sun of daytime.
By contrast, the Ironblood Fortress's Golbat division were nocturnal. At night, their strength was at its peak. Choosing daylight for battle gave the Pokémon Domain a crucial advantage.
But that also meant they had to guard against a night raid. Under the cover of darkness, a surprise attack was the oldest trick in the book—and one that clearly favored the Ironblood Fortress.
"Yes, Lord Aven." Kale bowed his head and swiftly issued the orders.
As the former lord of Marina City, Kale was a seasoned commander. Aven had already entrusted much of the battlefield command to him.
On the walls of Ironblood Fortress, Marquis Hormay stared into the distance.
News had just reached him: the Pokémon Domain's army had crossed the border.
"My lord, they've made camp at the frontier," the scouting knight reported.
"It looks like they plan to rest and strike at daylight tomorrow."
"Oh? Resting? Planning to attack by day?"
"Tell me, is this Earl Aven truly so arrogant? Does he actually see himself as the attacker here?"
"We are Ironblood Fortress! Our warriors were forged in rivers of blood. When it comes to battle, we fear no one."
The leader of the Ironblood Knight Order stood there, clad in blood-red armor, a Golbat perched on his shoulder. A hideous scar ran from his brow across half his face.
At the knight's words, he gave a cold snort. Always, it was they who marched out to invade others. This was the first time they had ever suffered an enemy invasion!
"Then I must trouble you, Captain Bloodhowl," Marquis Hormay said calmly.
"They dared to step into our land. They shall not leave it alive."
Still swirling his wine, the marquis let the liquid glimmer in the candlelight, catching the Golbat's greedy gaze.
"As you command, my lord!" Bloodhowl dropped to one knee, then slung his massive blood-red greatsword onto his back and strode swiftly away.
Before long, the Ironblood Knight Order thundered forth, riding their Rhyhorns into the night.
A dark flutter of wings erupted across the skies. Swarms of bats blotted out the moonlight completely.
Beneath the moon's pale glow, the Glooms had already rooted themselves silently into the earth.
The Nidorino, Nidorina, and Skorupi stood tense, battle-ready, waiting for the enemy to emerge.
"Why aren't they here yet? Could the Ironblood Knights be afraid?"
Sutter's eyes stayed fixed on the distant horizon. They had been waiting for what felt like an eternity.
"Do not worry—they will come," Aven said with unshakable calm.
Of course, if the enemy chose not to appear, that would be even better. The daylight battle tomorrow would tilt the odds even further in their favor.
One way or another, they only needed to endure this night, making their final preparations for the war that loomed at dawn.
(End of Chapter)