The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

"Just how many are there?" Standing on the deck of the battleship, Oscar peered over the edge and beheld the great gathering before him. A massive fleet of hundreds of airships, maybe a little over a thousand total, ranging from small fighter classes to mid-sized specialized ships like Vorpalares to a large Excrusier, a city-sized airship, was on standby, ported in the ground near Delvar Fort. Not even in the northern borders or in Drakken Port did a massive fleet of potent ships exist. The war here was no doubt approaching its critical limits.

As the newly established headquarters of the southwestern defense, Delvar Fort lived up to its new position. Every single bit of opening along the fortress walls had a cannon or large weapon. The spires reached a thousand feet into the air and held a large ballista on its tip, a large bolt emanating a deadly Ein along the golden arrowhead, rotating around as if searching for a target. Using the token given to him by the Pavilion Master, Oscar easily brushed past the patrolling airships, the soldiers gawking their eyes upward at his towering figure before bowing their heads and proclaiming his arrival with the utmost respect in their shouts.

The airship descended and docked in the main port of Delvar Fort. Exiting while mounted on Erden, he led his Black Aegis Order out of the airship and stopped when he saw a familiar figure approaching, followed by troops clad in armor from head to toe. The dragon-winged helmets and glittering silver armor were none other than the uniform of the Drakiri, the Royal Guard. Oscar smiled under his new helmet as Erden trotted over.

"It's been six months since our last meeting, Lord Rudinberg." Oscar greeted him. The man before him was Gavir Rudinberg, Serena's husband and the grandson of Volstolf Rudinberg, the Head of the Royal Guard.

Gavir tidied his golden cape, draping it over his lap while his mounted Exalt Beast, a white horse, grunted, stamping its six hooves around in a nervous display. It calmed down from a simple patting on its golden mane. "The Prielapos lives up to its mythical name. Even Roden here cowers before him. It has been a while, Margrave Terr. You've been relatively quiet for the past six months."

"Circumstances and preparations." Oscar sighed, recalling the turmoil between Draven and Remulus when he first returned. He chuckled and brightened up his tone. "Let's not dwell on that. It's not often I get to converse with a tenured Drakiri."

Gavir similarly laughed under his helmet. "Indeed, I've been looking forward to a more meaningful chat with the famed hero and Margrave. You barely had the time to spare during the Summer Gala. Shall we spar?" Like his grandfather, Gavir urged for a fight, already gripping the spear on his back, seemingly eager and excited.

"Perhaps later. I need to report to Grand Commander Ward." Oscar was also eager to test out the future leader of the Drakiri, a position held by the Vostolf Family since the olden days in the founding of the Empire. As a part of their tradition, the members of the Volstolf Family never attended the Blue Ocean Pavilion, always training within their lands, so he never met Gavir in his student days. "I also wish to test out your Grade Eight Exolsia."

"Then I shall set a date for later. Follow me." Gavir set out, and Oscar followed, side-by-side, leading their troops from the front as they conversed. The silent marching behind contrasted with the lively words from the commanders.

"Serena's pregnant?" Oscar exclaimed. "Congratulations!" Any good news about his friends made him smile.

Gavir cracked his neck several times and crossed his arms, staring at the sky. "She's a month in now and recuperating in our estate in Dragonheart City. My esteemed grandfather won't stop making a fuss. It's a strange feeling…almost unreal. I'm sure she'll tell you later, but I nearly collapsed when she told me."

"I'm sure that went along well with her." Oscar laughed. Collapsing before his wife during a big moment would be the biggest embarrassment. A few minutes later, he passed through several bridges and arches and entered the large castle fort. Again, a familiar face greeted him, two of them in fact. He removed his helmet and showed his face. "It's been over twenty years, Phillip and Eleanor, or do you prefer Lord and Lady Raeven?"

Phillip smirked, his purple eyes sharpening like swords and his rose hair, the icon of the Raeven Family, flowing freely down his back. Next to him, his wife, Eleanor Shaw, now Eleanor Raeven, had her chestnut hair tied into braids and stared at him intently, studying Oscar with her deep green gaze. As Oscar unmounted Erden, Phillip neared and extended his hand out, saying, "Hearing the rumors and reading the messages are nothing compared to seeing you now. Since when did you grow so tall?"

Stolen story; please report.

"Just his height alone may intimidate the enemy away. It's good to see you again, Oscar." Eleanor swayed her head over and waved. "You as well, Frederick and Emily. Have you two reconciled?"

"Almost. This idiot still has one more thing to do." Emily strode over and hugged Eleanor. They weren't so close years ago, but it seemed time strengthened their friendship. Her words drew Oscar's curiosity, and he turned to Fred, who sighed and shook his head, a wordless message telling him not to worry and leave it to him. Nodding, Oscar turned his attention back to Phillip, who was greeting Gavir. According to Phillip's instructions, Oscar and Gavir left their troops behind and walked together with him to their destination.

"Phillip, why are you here?" Oscar had to look down to ask.

"The enemy's advance through Arkenen City alerted nearby regiments to gather here at Delvar Fort. My grandfather, Abraham, is here as well." Phillip said sternly.

"The Raeven Leader is here?" Gavir removed his helmet, revealing his handsome features, wrinkled by the tense lines along his brow. His fine blue eyes and long, braided blond hair paired well with his square face and broad jaw, a scar extending across the bridge of his nose, the face of a warrior. He replicated Phillip's stern tone and said, "Along with Grand Commander Ward and Great Elder Robert, that's three Greater Marshal Exalts."

"Don't fret. That only means we have to fight harder." Oscar advised, to which Phillip and Gavir laughed, agreeing to the simplicity in his words. Two guards flanked the doors, great long. flags draping down from their long spears, their eyes piercing into them as their hands gripped the spears tighter, true to their duty. They retreated and opened the doors, letting Oscar and the others inside.

A gathering of Marshal Exalts and Knight Exalts circled a large stone table, their gazes retreating from the map to Oscar, Phillip, and Gavir, a few widening in surprise while glancing over him. At the forefront of the table, three Greater Marshal Exalts waited for them. Grand Commander Margaret Ward, garbed in her military uniform and cape, raised a brow at the helmet in Oscar's arm and gave him a faint smile. Great Elder Robert, whom he had not seen at all, as elderly as ever with a long white beard, peered through closed eyes and let out a small hum. Finally, Abraham Raeven, the leader of the Raevens, held a great broadsword by his waist and chuckled, the shaggy purple hair and messy beard swaying about from his broad shoulders shaking.

"Welcome Oscar Terr. It gladdens me to know the Margrave of the Borders has been sent out in our time of need." From her introductions, the other Exalts began to whisper and stare at him, gleaming with interest. She slammed the table, forcing all to be silent, and beckoned Oscar and the others to join the war council. After Oscar took his place close to the table, thanks to others shuffling around to make way, Aunt Ward waved her hands, and pieces appeared on the map, showing the enemies gathered at the lost Arkenen City.

She tapped the group of enemy pieces with a baton and said, "Scouts report the enemy come in a vast fleet numbering 1,300 ships and 400,000 soldiers."

Sounds of gasps and words of doubt tossed around the room, but Aunt Ward banged the table again, striking the baton on the stone edge. "Does anyone have any complaints?"

Great Elder Robert stroked his beard and spoke softly, "We have 1,000 ships and 320,000 men. It's natural for people to hold hints of despair." He swept his closed eyes around the room, and everyone began to shudder, shutting their mouths.

"Grand Commander, shall we prepare for a siege?" One of the Marshal Exalts asked.

"No. We will not. Allowing the enemy a chance to surround us is foolhardy. For other cities and forts, we may allow a siege and let some enemies through so we could counter, but allowing some enemies through this defensive line can cause heavy damage to our southern regions." Aunt Ward snapped her fingers, and the pieces, both theirs and the enemy's, rearranged over the region between Delvar Fort and Arkenen City. "We will split into three armies, each led by one of us. We will leave some in the reserves to combat any stragglers. For a fast and efficient war, the enemy will no doubt use these three passages."

"If the numbers are not in our favor, then we must be better in quality and strategy," Abraham added. "And are we not of the best quality, better than the wretched invaders?"

"Our Exalts are better. A number of our ships also have more advanced weaponry." Aunt Ward glanced at Oscar, and he grinned in response. The advanced weapons surely came from the various plans he had given Aunt Rosett to work on.

"When do we set out?" Someone asked.

"Now." Aunt Ward declared. "The enemy is already setting out, so we have a few hours to catch them. Oscar Terr, Gavir Rudinberg, and Phillip Raeven. The left army will have the heaviest responsibility, so take your troops and set out with Abraham."

"Yes, Ma'am!" Oscar and the others saluted.

The place between Delvar Fort and Arkenen City was a mix of mountains and plains, known as the Red Valley.

The left army consisted of 350 ships and 110,000 men, led by Abraham Raeven.

The center army consisted of 400 ships and 130,000 men, led by Margaret Ward.

The right army consisted of 250 ships and 80,000 men, led by Great Elder Robert.

On the other side, according to the scouts, the enemy's right army consisted of 450 ships and 140,000 men. Their center army consisted of 550 ships and 160,000 men. Their left army consisted of 300 ships and 100,000 men.

Oscar placed his helmet on and departed for the battlefield. The war against the invading Thousand Storm Palace and Emerald Hydra Empire was underway.

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