Tatsuo, despite his outward resolve, harbored a deep reluctance to unleash the full might of his army upon the female Hobgoblin settlement. He understood their potential value, their unique skills and warrior culture a resource he couldn't afford to waste. He also knew that a full-scale assault would result in unnecessary bloodshed and destruction.
The Elven Battalion, their bows drawn and ready, stood poised to unleash a volley of deadly arrows. The Gunner Battalion, their weapons primed, prepared to unleash a barrage of devastating firepower. Tatsuo knew that if he gave the order, the settlement would be decimated.
But he hesitated. He had one last card to play, a display of power that might sway the female Hobgoblins without resorting to violence.
He signaled to his Wyvern Knights, a squadron of elite warriors mounted on majestic Wyverns. "Wyvern Knights," he commanded, his voice carrying across the battlefield, "take to the skies! Let them see the might of our aerial forces!"
The Wyvern Knights, their Wyverns screeching in anticipation, launched into the air, their powerful wings carrying them high above the settlement. They circled above the battlefield, a spectacle of awe-inspiring power. The female Hobgoblins, their eyes wide with disbelief, watched as the massive Wyverns soared through the sky, their shadows falling upon the settlement.
The Wyverns, with their reptilian features and leathery wings, were a sight to behold. They were magnificent creatures, symbols of power and dominance. Tatsuo hoped that their presence would instill a sense of awe and respect in the female Hobgoblins, perhaps even prompting them to reconsider their defiance.
The Matriarch Moifsai, her eyes fixed on the circling Wyverns, felt a tremor of uncertainty. The sight of the flying beasts was indeed impressive, a display of power that dwarfed anything she had ever seen. The female Hobgoblins, their warrior spirit momentarily subdued, watched in silence as the Wyverns soared above them.
Tatsuo, observing the Matriarch's reaction, saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes. He decided to press his advantage.
"Matriarch Moifsai," he called out, his voice strong and clear, "I do not wish to destroy your settlement. Your people are valuable. Your skills are needed."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the female Hobgoblin warriors. "Join my domain," he continued, "and you will become part of a greater force. You will fight alongside my warriors, your strength and skill respected and valued."
He gestured towards the circling Wyverns. "This is but a fraction of my power," he said. "I offer you a chance to join me, to become part of something greater. Refuse, and you will face the full extent of my might."
The Matriarch Moifsai stood in silence, her mind racing. The Wyverns' display of aerial dominance had shaken her resolve. She knew that her warriors, though skilled, were no match for the combined might of Tatsuo's army and his Wyvern Knights.
She consulted with Commander Lish and Seer Shiozza, their voices hushed and urgent. The decision was a difficult one, a choice between defiance and survival.
The Seer Shiozza, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light, spoke in a low voice. "I sense a great power within him," she said, her voice laced with awe. "A power that could protect us, or destroy us."
Matriarch Moifsai nodded, her expression grim. "We have little choice," she said. "We will join him."
She turned to Tatsuo, her voice firm. "We will join your domain," she announced. "But we will not be subjugated. We will fight alongside your warriors, but we will retain our independence."
Tatsuo, satisfied with the outcome, nodded in agreement. "Agreed," he said. "Your warriors will be respected and valued. You will become a powerful force within my domain."
The battle was averted, the potential destruction averted. Tatsuo had achieved his objective, securing the female Hobgoblin settlement and adding a formidable force to his army. But he knew that this was just the beginning.
A Hobgoblin scout, his face etched with shock and urgency, rushed towards Tatsuo, his voice strained. "Your Highness!" he exclaimed, "Orc-like demons! They're approaching, about fifteen kilometers from here! Their numbers... they're vast! Thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands!"
Tatsuo, though outwardly displaying surprise, had anticipated this. The System's warning of demonic consumption had prepared him for this very moment. It was precisely why he had brought such a massive army, a force capable of withstanding a demonic onslaught.
He turned to his commanders, his expression grave. "Demons," he announced, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "A massive force is approaching. We must retreat, and we must do so swiftly!"
He then addressed Matriarch Moifsai and her warriors. "We will protect your people," he declared. "Assist us in gathering your belongings. We will evacuate this settlement immediately!"
He issued a series of rapid commands, his voice sharp and decisive. "Rota, lead the cavalry and Drake Guards! Form a rearguard, protect our flanks! Kael, your Hobgoblin battalions will assist in the evacuation, ensuring the safe passage of the female Hobgoblins! Anya, Gust Farstrike, prepare your ranged units! We will rain down a hail of arrows and bullets upon these demons!"
He also remembered the flattened path his forces created. "We will use the path we created, it will make our retreat faster."
The army sprang into action, their movements precise and coordinated. The Hobgoblin battalions, their powerful forms moving with surprising speed, assisted the female Hobgoblins in gathering their belongings. The cavalry and Drake Guards formed a defensive perimeter, their weapons primed and ready.
As they began their retreat, the Elven and Gunner battalions unleashed a devastating barrage of ranged attacks. Arrows and bullets rained down upon the approaching demonic horde, tearing through their ranks, slowing their advance.
The retreat was swift and orderly, the flattened path facilitating their rapid movement. As they crossed the forest's edge, emerging onto the open plains, Tatsuo noticed a peculiar phenomenon. The demonic horde halted at the forest's border, their advance abruptly ceasing.
Tatsuo, his brow furrowed, observed the demons' behavior. He couldn't understand their sudden hesitation. Were they afraid of the open plains? Did they possess some inherent aversion to sunlight? Or was there some other, more sinister reason for their reluctance?
Despite the demons' unexpected halt, Tatsuo remained vigilant. He knew that their retreat was merely a temporary reprieve. The demonic horde could regroup, devise a new strategy. He ordered his forces to maintain their defensive formations, their weapons trained on the forest's edge.
He also sent out scouting parties, primarily Ehdeec and his scouts, to monitor the demons' movements, gathering intelligence on their numbers, tactics, and any potential weaknesses. He needed to understand the nature of this threat, to prepare for the inevitable confrontation.
He also instructed the Seer Shiozza to try and sense the demons, and see if she could glean any information about them. He felt that her connection to Zedes, the God of Death and Fear, could give them an advantage. He knew that the coming battle would be a test of their strength, their resilience, and their unity. He was determined to protect his people, to defend his domain, and to vanquish the demonic threat that loomed on the horizon.