Strategies

'Yes, 500 tempest wolves, giant mantises, and shadow horses are moving here with some supplies. The new wyrms have only just left town so they probably won't make it.'

"There are just ordinary beasts, what can they help? We need more men. I request to be sent back to gather reinforcements."

I recognized this particular commander. He had been the one commanding the left flank that collapsed. Evidently, both his men and skills at commanding them were subpar and he just wanted to leave this place.

"We can't move any other forces to this place. We would substantially weaken our defenses in other places, making us vulnerable. But since you were so willing to be the first to head out, you will be stationed on the frontlines next time."

Sigmund had seen through that commander's plan and he was having none of it. The commander turned pale and his hands started trembling. He knew that the bloodshed was thickest at the frontlines and he wouldn't survive there.

However, the order had come directly from his king. He couldn't openly defy his ruler.

Remaining silent, he wished to simply slip out of the tent in silence. I was debating on pointing out the commander's actions but Sigmund was already a step ahead of me.

He grabbed his sword and waved it at the now fleeing commander.

The commander was cut in half at the waist without even being touched by the sword. That sword was dangerously sharp! It had literally just cut through space. I had only cut a few meters deep but that was space we were talking about!

"This is the royal blade, Gramr. It is passed down from king to king, choosing the next king."

'Really, I thought the title of king was hereditary here?'

"It usually is. However, what if the royal line were to die out? Or what if there were three sons? The sword generally accepts anyone from our family, its choice is just to prevent uncertainties. Back then, it chose my youngest brother and after that, it naturally chose his son."

So the sword had a will of its own and could cut through space... Fighting Sigmund would not be easy.

By now the corpse had been cleared away and the talking resumed. I will spare you the details but overall it was decided that they would keep the same strategy as before, with me forming an independent strike group. I would support wherever I saw fit and maybe try separating the Aesir commander from his troops. Apparently, this would be very detrimental to the Aesir's troop morale.

The main goal here was just to defend. Especially, since there were currently 10 wyrms heading right here. Once they arrived, the Aesir would be having a bad time.

Thankfully, the Aesir took the rest of the day to reorganize themselves, giving us some much needed time. My beasts arrived. With this, I felt more confident to fight on until the wyrms arrived.

The supplies they brought were also a great help for the humans. The vibrant apples I had brought could feed them for a week. The troop's morale increased with just one meal.

Then I began positioning the beasts to allow me more control over the battlefield.

The giant mantises were stationed in front of the human's main force. Those mantises were instructed to create holes in the enemy formation even if it cost their lives.

The wolves were placed near the left flank, while the shadow horses covered the right flank.

The remaining rhinos and widows were on standby, waiting for an opportunity.

Then as the sun was diving into the horizon, a horrible hunch struck me. The Aesir would no doubt attack in a way that would make our superiority in numbers be useless while giving them some advantage.

The biggest advantage they had was that they could only be defeated if multiple humans or beasts worked together. Thus, ideally, they would attack in a way that made cooperative fighting more difficult. Like limiting the ability to communicate with each other or see each other in the first place.

Wait a moment! If they can't see each other...

There was going to be a night attack!