"Come on, Ryntum soldiers!" the commanding officer shouted. "We are almost there!"
With the city gate in sight, the Ryntum soldiers felt a surge of determination and adrenaline. The commanding officer's voice echoed through the battlefield, urging them forward.
They pressed on, inching closer to the heavily fortified entrance.
As they advanced, the Ryntum forces reorganized their attack formation. More firepower was concentrated at the centre, turning their attacking line into an arrowhead-like shape.
The purpose was to channel all their strength to break through the Barlian defences and breach the city gate.
Cannons roared and rifles crackled as the Ryntum soldiers poured all the resources they had into the assault. Artillery rounds screamed through the air, crashing into the city walls, attempting to create breaches for the infantry to exploit.
The soldiers relentlessly pushed forward, facing the relentless barrage of enemy fire, knowing that the final victory was within their grasp.
On the other side, Major General Nolan assessed the situation as well. He realized that trying to contain Ryntum's overwhelming firepower at the centre was an untenable strategy and disastrous for the Barlian forces.
He needed a new strategy. With urgency in his voice, he sent his orders rippling through the ranks of his soldiers. "Fall back from the centre and regroup! We'll attack their flanks instead!" Nolan's voice boomed across the battlefield.
The Barlian forces responded swiftly to their leader's command, disengaging from the centre and withdrawing to positions on the left and right sides.
There are two objectives in Nolan's mind. Firstly, he aimed to minimize their own casualties by reducing the direct exposure to Ryntum's concentrated fire. Secondly, he sought to take advantage of Ryntum's spread-out formation and inflict maximum damage on their flanks.
The Barlian forces executed Major General Nolan's plan with precision. Their attacks were swift. As they struck the flanks, Ryntum's soldiers were caught off guard.
The strategy worked in Barlia's favour, as they inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy while minimizing their own.
Ryntum's commanders soon realized the peril they were in, but their focus on breaching the city's walls left them unable to respond adequately to the flanking attack. The Barlian forces pressed on relentlessly, pouring concentrated fire into Ryntum's exposed sides.
As the chaos ensued, Ryntum's relentless efforts paid off, and they successfully breached the city's gates. The gates swung open, allowing Ryntum's soldiers to pour into the city of Eikadir.
The soldiers quickly gained control over the walls. With the city now partially under their command, Ryntum's focus shifted back to the Barlian forces that had been attacking their flanks earlier.
From the safety of the city walls, Ryntum's soldiers unleashed a relentless barrage of bullets upon the Barlian forces below.
....
The headquarters of Ryntum bore witness to a scene of devastation and loss. In the aftermath of the intense battle, many armed citizens of Eikadir were dead at the hand of Ryntum soldiers.
The attack from the armed citizens had been quelled, but it had come at a heavy cost.
The lifeless bodies of fallen Ryntum soldiers which mainly consist of many top-ranking officers, lay scattered across the floor, a haunting reminder of the fierce resistance they had faced.
Levi's heart weighed heavily with sorrow and regret as he surveyed the aftermath. The faces of his fallen comrades, once full of life and determination, now bore expressions of eternal stillness.
In the corner of the headquarters, a group of citizens who had survived the onslaught were now bound and captured.
Levi's gaze fell upon them. There were fear and defiance, grief and anger, all intertwined in a complex tapestry of emotions. Some of the citizens had tears streaming down their cheeks, their eyes filled with anguish and despair.
They had fought with everything they had, sacrificing their safety and well-being for the sake of their city. Now, they were faced with the harsh reality of defeat and captivity.
Others held their heads high, their expressions resolute and defiant. Despite the odds stacked against them, they remained unbowed, refusing to be broken by their circumstances.
A soldier came and informed the current situation on to Levi. As Levi received the report about the successful breach of the city and Ryntum's advancement, his eyes briefly locked with the defiant citizens once more.
"The city has been breached," Levi stated firmly, addressing the captives. "Your resistance was commendable, but it was in vain. Ryntum now is gaining control of Eikadir."
Leaving the captured citizens behind, Levi turned to his soldiers and issued the next orders, "Prepare to move into the city! Take the captives with us. Let them witness their city fall into our hand."
As Levi issued the command, the Ryntum soldiers quickly formed their ranks and began their march towards the fallen city. The captured citizens, their hands bound, were forced to walk alongside the soldiers.
From the Ryntum headquarters, they embarked on a solemn march across the vast expanse of the war-torn battlefield.
The vast land bore the scars of the recent conflict as they had to navigate through the remnants of battle - broken weaponry, scattered ammunition, and the solemn remains of fallen soldiers from both sides.
Soon, the city gates now lay in ruins, a stark sign of the breach that had occurred during the intense battle. The sight left the captive citizens in disbelief, realizing the extent of the devastation that had befallen their home.
Passing through the damaged gates, the signs of the battle continued inside the city. Buildings stood half-destroyed, their walls bearing the marks of fierce gunfire and explosions. The streets were strewn with debris, and smoke still lingered in the air.
The captive citizens walked on, witnessing the aftermath of the conflict they had been caught in the midst of. The sight of their city in ruins left a deep sense of sorrow and anger within them.
They journeyed further into the heart of the city, they arrived at the grand square, where the Ryntum flag now proudly fluttered in the wind. The once lively square was now solemn and occupied by Ryntum soldiers, celebrating their victory.
Levi's presence in the square commanded attention. Ryntum soldiers hurriedly stood up straight, their eyes fixed on the figure of their commander, Levi.
Levi's stern gaze swept over his troops, and he wasted no time in addressing them.
"Did we capture any Barlian soldiers?" Levi asked in a commanding tone.
"Yes, sir," replied one of the officers. "Most of them died in the battle, but we managed to capture some prisoners. One of them is Major General Nolan."
Levi's interest was piqued at the mention of the captured Barlian leader. "Where is he?" he inquired, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and authority.
"He's being held in that building, sir," the soldier replied, pointing in a certain direction. "We have him under guard, awaiting further instructions."
"Take me to him," Levi ordered. "I want to speak with him."
The soldier led Levi through the debris-laden streets towards the central building. As they approached, the sounds of celebration from Ryntum soldiers celebrating their victory faded away, replaced by a more sombre atmosphere inside the building.
Inside a dimly lit room, Major General Nolan was seated, his hands still bound. Despite the dire situation, his expression remained resolute, and he met Levi's gaze with unwavering determination.
Levi approached him and called out, "I finally meet you, Major General Nolan."
Nolan's expression didn't waver, but he remained silent, awaiting Levi's next words.
"You have lost, Nolan." Levi said, "With your defeat, this region that we lost more than a hundred years ago has returned back into our hands."
Nolan's expression remained stoic, but his eyes showed a hint of frustration and disappointment.
He had fought with all his might to defend the city, but in the end, the tides of war had turned against him.
Levi continued, his voice steady and authoritative, "Your resistance was admirable, Major General, but it was no match for the might of Ryntum. Now, the city is under our control, and your forces have been defeated."
Nolan nodded, acknowledging the reality of the situation. "You are right," he said, his voice calm and composed. "The city has fallen, and as for now, no one could stop you. What would happen to me now?"
You will be sent to Torksey Island and imprisoned there, alongside your superiors," Levi stated firmly. "You may stay there for a period of time or for the rest of your life. Who knows."
Nolan nodded, accepting his fate with a sense of resignation. "I expected as much," he said before asking, "I heard it was a prison island. Is that true?"
He had heard the rumours about the island but never bothered to confirm it. Now that Levi has mentioned the island, everything he heard must be true.
"You're correct. It is an island made specifically to contain prisoners as the king doesn't want to build a prison on the mainland. According to the king, if the jailbreaks ever happen, it won't pose a threat to citizens."
"Your king would go that far for his people, huh?" Nolan chuckled.
"Well... Maybe?" Levi said with uncertainty. He does think that it is a bit overboard to turn the entire island into a prison. But who is he to pry deeper?
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