As the first light of dawn painted the sky with hues of gold, the army stationed in the south of Erle Island assembled. Their armour gleamed in the gentle morning glow, and the rhythmic sound of marching feet echoed as they move eastward.
The villages along the way, once bustling with the activities of daily life, now stood eerily silent. Doors were shut tight, windows boarded up, and abandoned belongings scattered in the wind. Signs of hasty departures were evident throughout the villages in the east.
No resistance or retaliation was encountered by Ryntum in the region.
With no one to oppose them, Ryntum simply planted their flag in every village and region they passed, a visual symbol of their dominance and control over the land.
Also, they didn't forget to leave some troops to consolidate their holding.
"Now, what? Should I lead the soldiers to the north and combine our forces or capture the west?" The Ryntum commanders contemplated their next move.
The prospect of joining forces would greatly help his comrades in the north to control the population that seems to gather there. On the other hand, venturing westward would allow Ryntum to expand its control, securing strategic locations that could further strengthen its grip on Erle Island.
In the end, the Ryntum forces decided to venture mountainous westward in search of some action. Before entering the area, they sought someone knowledgeable about the terrain to be their guide and scout. Of course, they convinced the guide in a harsh way.
As they step inside the region, the soldiers immediately encountered resistance from the inhabitants. Arrows flew from multiple directions to halt their movement from pushing forward.
"Who the hell are they?" the commander asked.
"They are mountain people, sir." said the guide. "They are intimately familiar with the peaks, valleys, and hidden pathways."
"Is that so? I thought they would run away to the north," he said while watching the mountain people advancing toward them. "Prepare to brace for the impact!" He shouted.
Two forces clashed. The locals, utilizing their knowledge of the mountains, launched strategic ambushes and guerrilla-style attacks on the advancing enemy.
Facing a fierce and intense attack, Ryntum forces quickly realized the need to adapt their strategies to the rugged environment. A group of agile and nimble soldiers were immediately gathered. Multiple mountain warfare units were formed to cope with the resistance in the mountains.
Using their numerical advantage, Ryntum force launched simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts. The goal is to force the enemy to spread their forces thin.
Ryntum also capitalized on their advanced weaponry, utilizing long-range rifles to engage the enemy from a distance.
Time passed and the battle ultimately tipped the scales in Ryntum's favour.
The mountain warfare units had done a great job of disrupting them psychologically. The units randomly appear near their village from time to time. Such a simple tactic is enough to make the enemy lose their focus and filled their hearts with worries.
Despite their initial disarray, Ryntum emerged victorious as the enemy decide to surrender in exchange for guaranteeing the safety of their families. With the western region falling under their control, all left is to combine force and suppress the people there.
"Let's depart to the north. I'm worried that our fellow soldiers there are unable to handle a sudden increase of refugees."
....
As the weary refugees from the south and east regions arrived at the city of Erle, they were greeted with the sight of destruction and chaos. Buildings were marred by battle, their walls crumbling and streets littered with debris. Smoke billowed from damaged structures, mixed with the cries of frightened inhabitants.
The city they had believed would offer them protection now stood as a stronghold for the enemy.
"What are we supposed to do now?" panicked voices echoed among the displaced refugees. There's no place left for them to go except to the west. In their desperate search for safety, they stumbled upon a camp made by the fleeing Blande soldiers.
"Listen, everyone!" shouted one of the Blande soldiers, his voice filled with urgency. "We cannot let our city remain in the hands of these invaders. We must stand together and drive them out! As such, I implore any able body to join us in this daring endeavour."
A glimmer of hope flickered within their hearts. Gathered around a makeshift table, they meticulously crafted a plan. Weapons were made by utilizing the resources available amidst the rubble.
Their hearts filled with determination as they prepared to set their plan into motion. But their optimism was short-lived. News about the approaching enemy from the west arrived at the camp. Simultaneously, the enemy within the city begins to make a move as well by mobilising their troops, closing in on the camp position.
The sound of heavy boots pounding on the street can be heard. With each passing time, it grew louder and louder.
Panic set in as the refugees realized that they were trapped in two directions. A sense of impending doom enveloped them as they realized the gravity of their situation.
Their hopes for liberation shattered. Faced with the overwhelming odds, the refugees knew that continuing the fight would only lead to further bloodshed and destruction.
It was clear to them that surrender was the only option left.
With heavy hearts, they laid down their makeshift weapons and raised their hands in surrender. The once defiant and determined faces now wore expressions of defeat and resignation.
The Ryntum soldiers surrounded them. Their weapons are at the ready, aiming at the refugees. "Kneel on the ground! Anyone who disobeys will be killed."
With no other choice, the Blande soldiers and the refugees obediently dropped to their knees. The weight of their defeat hung heavy in the air as the Ryntum soldiers towered over them.
The refugees were eventually freed and allowed to return to their homes, albeit under the watchful eye of the Ryntum forces. On the other hand, Blande's soldiers were imprisoned.
Ryntum imposes a strict law, prohibiting anyone from leaving the island. The law would remain until the kingdom fully consolidate its control over the new territory.
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