[Siena PoV]
One month passed quickly, with no significant developments during that time. This was because the Empire also used this period to recover its strength after so many of its troops died in the war.
However, we knew this condition would not last forever.
"Hurry! The eighth departure will begin shortly! Those who haven't entered the dock, please come here immediately and board your respective ships!"
Someone shouted from atop a post, informing the citizens who wished to evacuate to be ready to leave for the nation's capital immediately.
The evacuation process had begun ten days ago. This afternoon was the final pickup for citizens wanting to leave the City of Tusculum. Approximately 160,000 citizens had already been evacuated to various regions unaffected by the war in our country.
We had to do this, even though some of them refused to leave their homelands.
"Papa! Don't take too long to join us in the capital, understand? Without Papa, it's just me accompanying Mother all alone while she's sick!"
A young girl was seen standing in front of a Knight who was kneeling to match the child's height.
"Of course, Amore, I will surely return to you both soon after thrashing those wicked people."
The Father smiled; he certainly did not want his daughter to worry by showing a serious expression.
They then hugged and said their goodbyes to each other. The Father then released his embrace on his daughter, letting her board the ship that was about to depart shortly.
Similar scenes were visible all around the dock area. Many of them were making promises, giving lucky charms, or expressing long-held feelings to their loved ones.
After everyone was on board, the ships began to sail away from the dock area. The citizens could be seen still waving their hands to the soldiers staying behind to defend the city.
"Defeat them!"
"Show those Imperial dogs the strength of the Venetian!"
The soldiers then replied to the citizens' words with high confidence to ensure their families could leave this city with hearts that were not too heavy.
"Of course! We won't let those invaders touch you!"
"We will crush them if they dare set foot in this city!"
After the ships carrying the citizens were far enough from the city port, the soldiers began returning to their respective barracks as night was approaching.
I did not immediately return to my residence in this city and had to attend a meeting at the City Hall Building.
Upon arriving at the meeting room, the representatives from the other two nations were already present.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen, let us discuss the developments of the war for today," I said to Marshal Auros and General Melisandru.
"Our reconnaissance unit has just returned from a scouting mission around the Regium Fortress City—the base of operations for the Imperial forces in this region," General Melisandru revealed. "They reported that the Empire just received 80,000 additional troops today."
80,000 troops, huh? That means their total forces now amount to 120,000 people, whereas we only received 20,000 as new soldiers to bolster our ranks, bringing our total forces to approximately 90,000 people.
"By the Great Goddess, how can they still recruit that many troops!?" Marshal Auros said, shocked by the Empire's capabilities.
"The Empire has the largest population on this continent; even if the populations of these three alliance nations were combined, we still couldn't match the population of the Aragon Empire," I answered the Marshal. "Furthermore, the Empire doesn't just recruit its own citizens but immigrants as well. That's why they can add this many troops."
The Venetian Republic has a total population of 1,200,000 citizens and about 300,000 immigrants from other nations living here. From this number, we can only deploy five percent of the total population to the battlefield.
On the other hand, according to the data I obtained, the Aragon Empire has a total of 4,500,000 citizens with a total of 500,000 immigrants. In this war, the Empire deployed 200,000 troops, which is only four percent of their population.
In peacetime, a nation usually only has forces amounting to one to two percent of the total population. However, during wartime, this percentage will rise to 5 percent in combat conditions and up to 10 percent in emergency conditions, such as during the demon invasion long ago.
"Currently, their forces are heading here," General Melisandru said. "It seems they intend to conquer this city as quickly as possible."
"But are they really that confident attacking a city occupied by 90,000 troops while bringing only 120,000 soldiers!?" Marshal Auros asked again, questioning our enemy's decision.
"Have you forgotten? They now have a War Goddess!" General Melisandru replied, responding to the question from the Marshal of the Greco Republic.
Although we will have the advantage of being the defending party, we still have no answer to counter Princess Elena's ability. Even our strongest fighters will find it difficult to get close if there are still three Grand Espadas constantly blocking us from killing the Princess.
"What do you think, Major Siena?" both asked me.
"Tell me, can Prince Vlad fight?" I asked the General.
"Of course, I believe he just awakened his new Profound Codex after returning from the Empire," General Melisandru answered. "His Profound Codex has a vast scale and has always been possessed by the kings of our country."
Hooo~ I didn't know that Rotten Man was competent after all. I thought he was just a spoiled Prince whose every wish was always fulfilled since childhood.
The family of a Monarch indeed always possesses special magical abilities.
However, the General's expression suddenly turned somber.
"What is it, General?" I asked him.
"It is true that Prince Vlad's Profound Codex is capable of countering the ability possessed by Princess Elena, but... he still cannot fully control this ability," the General revealed.
"That means..."
"Exactly, not only will the enemy be affected by his ability, but our own troops will suffer the same fate."
Ahhh... I take back my view that he is a competent Prince. He truly is a useless Prince.
***
[Raul's POV]
We began moving toward the City of Tusculum. From the results of the previous battle, we were certain the Alliance would not dare to fight us in an open space. For that reason, we weren't too worried if they were to use a similar trick and encircle us as before.
After moving for four days, we finally emerged from the Tuscan Forest and arrived in the vicinity of the City of Tusculum. Even from a distance, I could see the city was very heavily guarded by many troops.
The troops began building camps so they could rest comfortably, as launching a city assault of this magnitude would require several days before the main battle began.
Since Tusculum is a port city, we cannot besiege them until their food supplies run out because we don't have access to the Gulf of Cosentia. That means, after bombarding the city with magical projectiles, the first assault will begin.
— BOOOMBBB! BOOMMMBB!
The sound of explosions was heard from a distance; the mages began doing their job to weaken the enemy's defenses.
"Do you think the enemy has a plan to turn the tide, Raul?" Elena asked me. We were both witnessing the process of the city bombardment from a distance.
"They are surely afraid of the Profound Codex you possess, Elena," I answered her. "They must also have someone who uses a Profound Codex with a vast magical scale like yours to counter your ability."
"If they have someone with that ability, shouldn't they have brought them into the previous battle?"
Elena was right; if they indeed had someone capable of using this ability, the alliance should have already brought them to the battlefield. However, they did not do this because there is a risk they must accept if this person uses their power.
Vlad mel Dracus...
The Dracus family is famous for their ability to manipulate blood, and the most famous is their Profound Codex named Blood Frenzy. I suppose the reason they haven't brought Vlad to the battlefield all this time is that he hasn't fully mastered this ability.
Like the Bloodlust-themed Profound Codex I possess, the Blood Frenzy owned by the Dracus family can also cause the user to lose control.
"They surely have something, Elena," I answered her. "Always be prepared for the worst-case scenario and do not underestimate our enemy, especially if they are cornered."
— DUUMMBB! BADUUMMM! DUMMM!
The war drums commanding the troops to advance were heard. Finally, the first assault will begin.
The earth-element mages created Golems seven meters high and controlled them to advance toward the city. The Golems then began throwing large stones.
Besides aiming to check for traps around the city, this also aimed to measure the enemy's firing range.
— Bommb!! Bommbb!! Boommm!!
The alliance responded to the Empire's action by firing cannons at those Golems. Some were destroyed; the mages then moved their Golems back and resumed throwing stones at the city.
This time, their cannon fire could not reach those Golems.
"Hmmm... their firing range has increased from before," Elena murmured. "Previously, their fire was only effective at a range of 500 meters."
I suppose Elena has seen a siege before. This is the first time I've seen it because during the battle of Sarisa City, I was far behind the defensive lines.
"We also seem unable to use the barrel-throwing trick again because the enemy will certainly be prepared to shoot and be cautious after our previous attack on the Regium Fortress City," Elena said to me.
Woah... I wish I could have witnessed that assault process directly back then. To be honest, I've always been curious about how soldiers in a fantasy world conduct a city siege.
"You know a lot, Elena," I praised her.
"No, in fact, my unit didn't participate in the previous city assault at all," Elena said, shaking her head. "However, this time Marshal Salazar asked me to join the assault along with our Infantry Unit."
However, Elena said the Empire had another trick to enter the city without being noticed by them. But this trick required time and caution to run successfully.
The earth-element mages will use their magic to create an underground tunnel and connect it to the City of Tusculum.
Before sending the troops, a few people will be sent to find a spot with loose defenses as the exit point for our troops inside the city.
I suggested this plan to Elena, and she presented it to Marshal Salazar during the war meeting. This tunnel-making process will run for several days. For that reason, this will be quite a long siege.
"Are you sure you want to volunteer for that mission?" Elena asked me.
That's right, I was one of those who volunteered as one of the people who will find the exit point for our troops later.
"Don't worry, I've escaped from that city before," I answered her. "At least I know a little about the ins and outs of that city."
I hope this mission will run smoothly later and I won't have to fight thousands of troops chasing me inside the city.