Chapter 585 - 585 - Getting Ready

The army of Temple Guards marched forward, Aiden's resistance force have taken up their positions. He himself stood firmly atop the cracked remains of the wall, overlooking over yonder. His stern, gaze fixated on the steadily approaching army, the entire field was engulfed in agitation, they gazed at the distant mass of armored skinks tensely.

In front of Aiden's eye, a semi-transparent image floated, visible only to him. Through some means he himself did not understand completely, he could see the entire landscape from a bird's eye view. 

His own force of resistance soldiers -now all sporting their unique names-, were all marked in vibrant neon green columns as they stood in formation, his assigned captains following each and every one of his conveyed orders.

From the edges of the visible landscape of his system's map, Aiden could just barely make out Madam Dara and her lethal daughters as they traversed the slithering pathways, making their way towards the back line, keeping themselves hidden to the shadows behind the cover of the massive cavern walls.

Aiden's chosen tactic for this battle, though not too elegant, or even that impressive, was the best he could come up with given the short time frame. It did give them the best possible result, and whilst he never doubted their chances… in truth, he wasn't certain if he could save every single life. 

The main reason he used the best possible armor and the largest, most robust metal shields at the front was his hope to achieve this dream of theirs. It may have looked like a waste to spend the best possible fighting force nothing more than a glorified flesh heap of a wall, it did give them the best chance in terms of protection and to push the battle as long as possible.

First, they had to survive the first rounds of assault, try to withstand as much of the blow as possible, whilst Madam Dara's group of assassins would make their way through the back and ambush the back line where the pompous army officers resided. 

…

The seconds passed torturously slow as the people of the resistance nervously stood in formation, looking over the not-too-distant horizon as the ominous dark mass, the organized columns of Temple Guards have lined up. 

Though they were still several hundred yards away, the barren land that stretched between them, suddenly no longer seemed as vast as just a second ago. It was just now, as the resistance, mostly consisting of the average ex-citizenry of Ugburg, the ancient underground city stretching far behind the opposing force, these High Temple Invaders.

They were not trained soldiers, warriors, or even adventurers. They did not fight before… heck most of them haven't even raised their arms in offense or defense before. The spears, lances that were mostly just reconstructed from rakes, hoes, shovels, and spades weren't anything spectacular either.

Yet, even though they were visibly nervous and scared, none of them ran and cowered away. No, they would never do that. Their eyes gazed on the stout figure of the robed skink, their leader standing like a statue of the Ancient Heroes, looking over everything. 

They would never betray the trust, the pledge, the vow he had given them. They would not let him risk his own and with that, his daughter, the little sunshine's life just for their sake, without not providing the same in return.

No, they weren't like these incoming forces, they weren't just a group sharing the same goals. Whilst they may have joined for that reason before, and maybe because they had no other option back then, that has long since changed. 

They were a family, they shared a bond, much stronger than that these mercenaries, these guard force could ever hope to understand, to comprehend.

Some of the gazes wandered to the back, pooling strength from the brave and determined look of the little Tolliah, standing firmly at the entrance of the cave system stretching behind them. Seeing how unafraid she looked, how proudly she stood, and how her eyes sparkled as she gazed on her father, the crowd's unease and worry slowly, gradually began to calm down.

If a young little girl, like the little angel, Tolliah could stand without shivering, cowering before the looming terror, then how could they be this weak?!

Forcibly, the people puffed their chests, straightened their backs, and gripped their weapons firmly with their hands. Their trembling scared gazes changed, settling down with a newfound resolve, with cold determination. 

They will not falter, they will not let the enemy ruin and shatter this dream, their new happiness!

…

Looking at the enemy steadily setting up in their positions, keeping their formation with the vast experience they had, Aiden was caught off-guard when suddenly the bell-like sound of his system rang inside his mind, signaling the arrival of new notifications.

Taking a quick look on his feed, he was surprised and slightly shocked to see the unexpected changes in their army.

[Your Army Group: 'Infantry' have resolved their fears, and thus increased their efficiency due to their newfound determination. Their desire to protect their cause has now been firmly set in their hearts and minds. 

As a result, their efficiency has risen. New value: 100% (+10%). 

In regards to the new change, the Group Power Value has also been updated accordingly. New Power: 78.75 (Previous Value: 70.8)!]

[Your Army Group: 'Bowmen' have resolved their fears, and thus increased their efficiency due to their newfound determination. Their desire to protect their cause has now been firmly set in their hearts and minds. 

As a result, their efficiency has risen. New value: 105% (+10%). 

In regards to the new change, the Group Power Value has also been updated accordingly. New Power: 99.2 (Previous Value: 89.7)!]

[Your Army Group: 'Spearmen Militia' have resolved their fears, and thus increased their efficiency due to their newfound determination. Their desire to protect their cause has now been firmly set in their hearts and minds. 

As a result, their efficiency has risen. New value: 100% (+10%). 

In regards to the new change, the Group Power Value has also been updated accordingly. New Power: 84 (Previous Value: 75.6)!]

[Your Army Group: 'Draghan's Elite' are now determined to protect the new family they have found within the Resistance. Their zeal burning even stronger in their hearts and souls, their efficiency has risen considerably. New Value: 125% (+20%)

In regards to the new change, the Group Power Value has also been updated accordingly. New Power: 207.3 (Previous Value: 172.8)]

Aiden looked flabbergasted at the sudden string of messages.

Still, though he was utterly shocked inside, he forced a calm disposition on the outside, afraid to cause unnecessary worry amongst the men and women getting ready below him. 

Before he could ponder more on the sudden, borderline miraculous changes, another notification rang inside his mind…

---

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