As Arthur was about to ask more about Domains, a silver-ranked assassin rushed toward the command center with urgency in his steps.
"My Lord! Commanders! The enemy army is only five kilometers from the territory!" he reported, kneeling swiftly.
Arthur was taken aback for a brief moment. But then, a calm confidence settled over him. He had been preparing for this day—planning, organizing, and strengthening his forces. Now, the moment had arrived.
He stepped forward and addressed his commanders with composure.
"Everyone, get into formation. We will meet them head-on and crush them completely."
He turned toward the assassin. "Spread my orders across every unit."
Then, he began issuing commands:
"All archers—Bronze Eagle Unit and Bronze Starlight Unit—will take position atop the outer walls. Rain arrows on the enemy the moment they come into range."
Alisha stepped forward with a determined nod. "My archers won't miss a single shot, Lord Arthur."
Luna Nightshade gave a simple bow. "Understood. The sky will be our canvas."
Arthur continued, "The Arcane Circle and Mystic Circle Units—our mages—will also take the walls. Begin bombardments with large-scale magic the moment the goblins are within spell range."
Zara adjusted her gloves with a cold smile. "Let's see how long they last against a rain of spells."
Lily grinned. "They'll burn before they even get close."
"The Silver Auric Unit will be stationed just behind the walls to provide healing support to the mages and archers."
Isabella placed a hand over her heart. "My healers are ready. None of ours will fall today."
Arthur's eyes shifted to the battlefield's front. "The Blood Knights of the Silver Steel Unit will form the first line of defense. They're tireless and perfect for absorbing the initial impact."
Dock cracked his knuckles. "Let them come. My steel wall will hold."
He turned slightly. "The Bronze Steel Unit and Bronze Blade Unit will form the second line behind the Blood Knights. George and Voloric will lead the charge when the enemy begins to falter."
George grinned and slammed his fist into his chest. "We'll break their lines like waves on stone."
Voloric's eyes narrowed. "I'll turn their front into a slaughter pit."
Arthur's voice remained steady. "The Silver Blade and Silver Steel Units will remain in reserve. Knuckle and Dock, prepare your soldiers to move swiftly."
Knuckle stretched his arms. "Just say when, Lord. I'll turn their retreat into a graveyard."
Dock gave a short nod. "Already positioned. My men are eager."
"The cavalry—Silver Storm and Silver Thunder Units—will circle to the east and west flanks. Ronan, once the enemy is engaged at the front, you'll strike from both sides and collapse them inward."
Ronan adjusted his spear. "It'll be over before they know they're surrounded."
Arthur nodded. "Assassins from the Ghost Walker and Shadow Units will move stealthily around the battlefield. Disrupt their backlines and eliminate any goblin commanders."
Diana's expression was unreadable. "Consider their leadership already dead."
Arthur's gaze shifted to his final line. "Guardians of the Paragon Guardian Unit will hold the inner perimeter, protecting the command post. Blaze, this is your domain."
Blaze gave no words. He simply nodded with quiet confidence, his presence calm yet commanding.
Arthur turned to the last few. "Silver Eagle and Silver Starlight Units will support the flanks. Olivia, Ava—don't let any of them escape."
Olivia smiled faintly. "They won't take a single step past us."
Ava twirled her sword. "Let's end this quickly."
Arthur's voice rang with certainty. "This will not be a battle. It will be a massacre. Go and prepare—we strike with precision and force."
The commanders saluted and moved swiftly to execute the plan. Over two hundred thousand trained soldiers mobilized like a rising storm—ready to face ninety thousand goblins with overwhelming strength and flawless coordination.
All the soldiers and commanders had taken their positions, spreading like an iron tide across and behind the defensive walls. The walls themselves buzzed with power—mages humming incantations, archers stringing arrows, and healers already preparing recovery zones.
On the frontlines, the Blood Knights stood still—silent, emotionless, mechanical war machines awaiting orders.
Cavalry units flanked both sides, hidden just behind gentle slopes of terrain, ready to burst forth like thunder. The assassins had long vanished into the shadows. Every corner of the battlefield was covered.
And atop the highest watchtower, Arthur stood with his hands behind his back, his cloak fluttering in the wind. His golden eyes gazed into the distant horizon where a dust cloud began to rise—the goblins were near.
He smirked slightly.
"After defeating them, I can use the town of goblins where they came from, to make it a sub-territory of mine... That would fulfill one of the advancement conditions," Arthur murmured to himself, his voice calm but eager.
His grip on his sword tightened.
"And I will personally join the battle. If there's a gold rank goblin among them... I'll kill him myself. That will take care of the second requirement."
A pulse of mana stirred around him as his aura began to rise. Heroes who stood near the tower looked up, silently inspired.
The stage was set. The bait was prepared. All that remained—
Was the slaughter.