The earth-shattering bellow of Lao-Shan Lung served as the starting signal of the siege operation. Canopus began shouting orders and various units under their respective commanders began moving according to the plan.
Hunters and mages with fire-affinity took positions around the dragon, using the platforms and elevated bridges as firing positions. They prepared their most powerful spells, chanting and circulating their mana to the utmost. Moments later, fiery balls of various sizes streaked across the sky, converging upon the dragon in rapid succession, enveloping it in a roaring inferno.
Lao-Shan Lung, shrouded in blazes, lowered itself onto all four and continued walking, shrugging off the attacks. With its every ponderous step, the beast shed the dying flames, seemingly unbothered by the attacks.
"What in God's name is this? Even with all of that conflagration, it is unfazed..." Duke Baikal, who was appointed as the commander of Area One, stared in disbelief. "Hold your ground! Continue pelting that beast with fire spells! Logistics, distribute the mana potions! The rest of you, man the siege weapons and start shooting!"
Knights took their ammunition and rushed to their assigned emplacements, hurling massive boulders with the catapults, launching giant bolts with the ballistae and firing the cannon balls towards the advancing dragon. Fire magic continued to rain down upon Lao-Shan Lung, gradually chipping the thick shells that protected its colossal body, yet doing little to slow its advance.
"From the look of it, it seems that the assaults in Area One are not going well..." With a concerned expression, Marion gripped her blade, ready to rush into action.
"Calm down, we need to remain in Area Two and preserve our strength." Scarlet held onto Marion's shoulder. "If that dragon managed to break through that gate, and I hope it doesn't, we have to turn up our offenses. We mustn't let it through this gate."
Marion gritted her teeth in frustration, vowing to do her absolute best when the dragon entered her range. "But at this rate, Gate One will not hold..."
The periodic tremors felt oppressive as the hunters and supporters in Area Two began to sweat. The unstoppable march of the beast questioned their mettles, convincing them to give up against the force of nature.
"Everyone, maintain your stance and do not give in to fear!" Standing atop the middle of the highest over-arching bridge in Area Two, Lilium monitored the advancing dragon while tightly gripping her new weapon: the Blazing Bow. "Follow the plan and place our trust in the Lord who will guide us through this crisis!"
Scarlet, Alfina and Marion were similarly perched on the bridge, each preparing for the inevitable destruction of the gate as the beast rose onto its hindlegs again. The looming head over the giant gate paid no heed to the various hunters in Area One who, at this point, had become exhausted from their continued offenses.
"... All units, prepare to retreat to Area Two! We will join up with the hunters there and continue putting pressure!" Duke Baikal ordered to sound the gong, signaling the regroup. He traversed through the cavernous channel with his entire brigade to Area Two, ordering them to recover their exhausted mana and strength. "That accursed dragon..."
With a mighty swing, Lao-Shan Lung slammed onto the gate, creating fractures on the rocky foundations. Dust and debris rose with violence while woods began to snap under the immense weight; the structural integrity of the foremost bulwark had taken massive damage. Rearing its body back, the elder dragon brought its entire mass forward with a tackle, bursting open the gate that had stood in its way and sending a massive shockwave across the area.
Dust fell atop the hunters traversing within and along the cliffs. Boulders rolled down, crushing some of the siege weapons and knocking several retreating humans off the platforms. Hunters who ran along the hanging bridges lost balance and several unfortunate souls were thrown off, plummeting onto their death.
"What a ridiculous phenomenon..." Alfina maintained her balance atop the swaying bridge, using her new glaive, Kut-Ku Pike, as a support. Witnessing the chaos, she took a few deep breaths and glanced over at the blue insect-like ornament made out of magic crystal attached on her right hand. She returned her attention back to the dragon that had gone down on all fours. "I am going to make you proud, mother. I am going to be a great noble, and support you."
"Those fools... No, I should have expected this..." Despite preserving the bulk of the forces from Area One, Duke Baikal was frustrated that casualties had arisen because of his delayed retreat order and the sheer extent of the dragon's might.
"This relentless invader..." Marion was furious at the beast for the casualties and gripped at her Mammoth Longblade, ready to pounce.
"Not yet, miss Marion... wait for Duke Baikal's order." Watching the dragon resuming its march, Lilium took out an arrow and nocked it.
"All units, prepare your fire spells and arrows!" Duke Baikal ran towards the highest point of the cliff side, hoping to better oversee the situation, and projected his voice. "Get ready! Aim!-"
"Fire! Fill your furious soul into my voice!-" Scarlet's hands shone.
"Fire. Bequeath your blessed spirit unto me.-" Alfina clasped both of her hands together.
With a swing of his arm, Duke Baikal sounded the signal. "-Fire!!!"
"-Sol Exardescere!" A large burst of wild flame flowed out of Scarlet's hands, barreling into the beast.
"-Flamme Spirituelle!" A large orb of blue fire elegantly squeezed out of Alfina's hands and darted towards the elder dragon.
Lilium released her arrow that ignited as it made contact with the wooden rubbles stomped by the elder dragon. As the magic spells converged following the arrow's point of impact, brilliant explosion erupted. The shockwave rippled across the battlefield, rattling the platforms and swinging the bridges while boulders around crumbled towards the epicenter.
"Success! Thank the lord that we did not skimp on the explosive powder." Duke Baikal witnessed the destruction burying the mountain dragon in flames and debris. "Coating the gate in animal grease works great as well."
Lao-Shan Lung finally stopped; feeling the impact coming up from its softer underbelly, it reared back on its hindlegs. Flames continued raging, softening and cracking its outer shells.
"Continue attacking with magic and projectiles!" Under Duke Baikal's command, the hunters and knights continued their duties. With higher number of personnel gathering in Area Two, the continuous bombardments were more intense.
Clumsily staggering forward, Lao-Shan Lung tried continuing its march; bumping against the cliffs, it destroyed several platforms and bridges whilst on fire. It finally stopped and raised its head towards the sky. With a deep inhale that disturbed the air, the dragon unleashed an even louder bellow that drowned all the surrounding noises.
"Gah!" Lilium and her fellow hunters instinctively covered their ears while the bridge underneath them wobbled violently.
As the sound wave subsided, the humans tried to regain their bearings, trembling at the beast's otherworldly display of strength. The once raging flames had been snuffed out with that roar.
After its absolute dominance was showcased, Lao-Shan Lung resumed its steady steps, lunging forward to get back on all four, it demolished several overhang bridges in an instant. Some unfortunate humans, being too slow, were brought down together, crushed by the boulders and the dragon's massive limbs.
"My lord!" A knight subordinate of Baikal Duchy rushed to tend to his master.
"Ugh!" Duke Baikal was on his knees, trying to regain his balance. Having been in close proximity to the beast, the shockwave battered his body, ringing his ears and leaving his organs aching. "I am fine! Status reports!?"
"My lord, you're bleeding!" The knight gave a vial of potion to the duke. "We've suffered more casualties... and that beast is still advancing..."
"Curses!" Duke Baikal emptied the vial and wiped off the blood running out of his ears and nose. He hastily got on his feet, wobbling momentarily as he ran towards his next command post. "Do not falter! Get back to your positions or find a new one! Resume the offenses!"
Amidst the chaos, Alfred, who was stationed at the rear of Area Two, furrowed his brow in cold sweat, unable to digest the madness before his eyes. Whilst trying to comprehend the chaos, he spotted Scarlet dangling against the cliff, clinging to a splintered wooden beam with one hand while her other hand was holding onto an unconscious knight.
"Scarlet..." Looking around the stacks of supplies, he grabbed a bunch of rope and a hooking contraption that climbers normally used to scale rocky and icy walls. On his way out of the supply depot, he also seized several mana and health potions; slinging the rope over his shoulder, Alfred headed out to the frontline.
Lao-Shan Lung restarted his advance, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
"No... You are not passing me!" Lilium slid down a damaged wooden bridge as she shot her flaming arrows. Landing on the valley, on the path of the beast, she dragged the arrowhead against the rocky ground; sparks trailed along as she charged up her Dragon Piercer. The fiery force swelled with each passing second and when it reached the zenith, she released it. The arrow flew across the valley at unprecedented speed and drilled into the dragon's snout. Without a pause, she prepared another Dragon Piercer. "You are not trampling over my home."
"The heat has softened your armour..." Marion, who had prevented her fall with her wind magic, scaled the broken platforms and landed atop the beast. After holding off her fury for a long time, she could finally unleash her powerful slashes onto the dragon's back. "This is for all the lives you have taken!"
"Scarlet!" After traversing through several platforms that were barely holding on, Alfred reached an overhang above Scarlet, whose hands were beginning to slip. He tied one end of the rope to the hook and secured it on a wooden beam. Next, he slung the rope around his back and fashioned the other end into a noose, lowering it. Scarlet slipped her feet into the hole while Alfred used his body as a pivot to control the tension and relieved Scarlet's burden. "Hang on! Can you grab the rope?!"
"Fuh... Hah!" With a swift motion, Scarlet released her grip on the wooden beam and caught the rope, jerking down as the noose tightened around her feet. "Ugh! Why do you pick today to be this heavy..."
"Hmph!" Alfred's heels skidded a little from the jolt. Walking back and using his entire body as leverage, he began pulling with all his might. "Huff, huff, just a little more...!"
After a single agonising minute, Scarlet reached the edge of the platform and told Alfred to stop. Taking a deep breath, she swung the knight back and forth to gain momentum and with a burst of strength, she threw the deadweight up onto the platform, freeing herself from the burden. As the knight rolled along the platform into safety, Scarlet let out a sigh of relief. "Fuh... Thanks Alfred. You can let-!"
A sudden tremor from Lao-Shan Lung's advance dislodged the wooden beam securing the rope, tripping Alfred and sending Scarlet free-falling.
"Scarlet!" With a terrified face, Alfred scrambled to grab the slipping rope, but failed. His eyes were filled with terrors and rushed towards the edge, praying for Scarlet's safety.
Alfred saw that the hook had dug into a crevice within a rocky protrusion, swinging Scarlet in a wide pendulum before breaking off. With the remaining momentum, Scarlet was flung onto the back of the elder dragon, landing safely with minor bruises.
"Phew... Thank you Lord Flare. Thank you for saving her." After securing Scarlet's safety, Alfred took out a health potion and tended to the unconscious knight.
"Guh!" Scarlet took out a vial of health potion and drank it, healing her injuries from the rough fall. "I've had enough of you!"
"Scarlet!? Nice!" Marion, who finished her combo, greeted Scarlet in glee. "Let us beat this guy up!"
"You don't have to tell me! I'm fuming!" Scarlet sent out her kinsect to collect the monster essence whilst attacking with her new fire elemental insect glaive: Flammenkaefer.
"With the two of us, we can hurt this guy even more!"
"Make it three!" Alfina vaulted with her glaive and boosted herself with her magic, planting her feet on the dragon's back. "I will soften its back with my fire!"
"So will I!" Scarlet finished gathering all three colours of the extracts and unleashed several devastating aerial combos that scorched the shells with every impact.
After a few unforgiving minutes of continuous assaults, the large shells at the back of Lao-Shan Lung cracked under pressure and shattered, exposing its softer inner layers. The beast jolted from the sudden breakage of its proud armour and halted its advance, bewildered about the pain it had not felt for a long time.
Marion beamed a proud and satisfied smile. Scarlet scorned in defiance against the wounded beast while Alfina tightened her grip on her glaive and chanted her next spell whilst attacking.
"They broke its back..." Duke Baikal, currently observing from an overhanging bridge that survived the onslaught, smiled for the first time since the beginning of the siege. "We can do this! Concentrate on the left flank! Let the beast turn to the right! Lead it away from the gate!"
Knights and hunters hurried themselves to the left flank and resumed their offenses. Their spirits were raised after seeing the three hunters breaking the seemingly impenetrable shells. It had halted the dragon's momentum, giving it to the humans who desperately needed the increase in morale. The logistic units too, were elated at the progress and hastened their transport of supplies to support the frontliners.
"Cavalry units! Get ready!" Duke Baikal descended from the bridge to address the cavalry units. "Earl Sultier, I will leave it in your good hands."
Elrion nodded before adorning his helmet. He raised his prized halberd, gifted by the emperor for his excellence in battles, earning him the right to add 'von' to his name. "All units! Ready your weapons and follow my lead!"
Lao-Shan Lung swayed side to side in an attempt to rid the three hunters atop its back. Its massive body carved the valley walls, widening the path and wrecking the various structures that the humans had built. A single swipe of its tail left a deep gash. One slam of its body collapsed the escarpment. The landscape of the valley was being altered by a single beast.
"Everyone hang on!" Marion dug her dagger into the hard carapace of the beast, barely holding on from the thrashes.
Scarlet was similarly holding on with her dagger. "Guh! Alfina, stop attacking! You'll be thrown off!"
"No! We have exposed its vulnerable spot!" Alfina stabbed her glaive, balancing herself while trying to chant her spells. "We need to keep up the pressure!"
"We need dragon element! We need to wait for Aria's arrival!"
"I am not letting her have all the glory!"
"This isn't the time for something that petty-!" Whilst in the midst of her sentence, Scarlet felt the shift in gravity as Lao-Shan Lung stood on its hindlegs, leaving her, Marion and Alfina dangling like accessories. "Oh no!"
The elder dragon tilted its body to the side, facing its back against the scarp and leaning back in an attempt to crush the hunters.
Marion, Scarlet and Alfina noticed their predicament and slid down along the dragon's spine; they tumbled and rolled across the rough surfaces of the protruding shells, struggling to stabilise their footing.
In the midst of their hurried descend, Scarlet spotted the rope with the hook attachment that Alfred had made lodging itself into the dragon's shell. Being on her path of descent, she swiped the contraption and shouted for her companions to converge towards her. With a temporary spin, she launched the hook towards a rocky overhang, spinning and digging into the structure for a secured hold.
Marion and Alfina sped up. Before the dragon could crush them, they leapt towards Scarlet who had also jumped before the impact could register. With their leap of faith, Marion and Alfina caught each of Scarlet's legs and swung away from the maw of death.
Lao-Shan Lung's back gouged out the cliff face, sending a powerful shockwave towards the three escapees, accelerating their momentum.
"""Guah!""" All three groaned in pain as they smashed against the crag.
"Huff, huff. That was close!"
"Hey, cling to something else already! You're heavy!"
"How rude!" Marion was a little hurt from Scarlet's comment.
"Hup!" Alfina sprang toward a splintered wooden beam and propped herself up to stand atop it. Returning her gaze towards the elder dragon. "We need to continue our assaults."
"Sheath your blades, miss." Landing on a rocky overhang below, Marion turned her head back towards Alfina. "We have done our job, now is the time for us to take a breather and move to the next area."
"..." Alfina was frustrated that she could not deal more injuries on the beast. "Ah... this is disheartening..."
Lao-Shan Lung, having rid itself of the three hunters, got back down on all four and recommenced its march. The continuous bombardment of its right side had veered it slightly to the left, aware of the harm the humans could potentially inflict.
"Forward!" Elrion led the cavalry units, splitting them into two main groups.
Elrion personally led Group One, charging towards the beast and carving into the dragon's right forelimb. The rest of his horsemen followed suit in an elongated formation, repeatedly slashing at the same location where Elrion had struck. He continued his advance and hacked at its hindleg before turning around and darted under the dragon where he raised his halberd and slit the underbelly of the beast. His entire unit continued snaking around the beast while inflicting as many injuries as they could.
The other cavalry group, larger in number, was led by Viscount Coteau who further split his cavalry into more units with each carrying lengthy ropes. Some units wrapped the ropes around the left forelimb of the beast while others with wind magic, pushed themselves up with the ropes and slung them around the dragon's horns. Viscount Coteau, being the most proficient wind-affinity magician among the group, wrapped his rope around the horn on the dragon's snout.
"Pull!" At the Viscount's command, the entire group began to jerk the ropes in unison, trying to drag the beast further towards the right flank. They hooked the ropes to their steeds and spurred their rides forward, prompting the horses to gallop while the knights dismounted and pulled alongside their companions.
The elder dragon, despite its massive head, was feeling the force exerted by hundreds of men and horses. Coupled with Elrion's group and the various hunters and knights bombarding its right side, the beast began to veer left even more.
Marion, Scarlet and Alfina climbed up the precipice and staggered towards an outpost, away from the frontline. They dragged their aching and weary bodies to the entrance where a priest welcomed them with jubilation. Many injured individuals were being treated with potions and healing spells from the light-affinity magicians dispatched by the church.
The trio were given their well-deserved treatment and brief respite. Many hunters and knights in the room who had witnessed their feats in breaking the dragon's armour, sang words of praise. The priests and priestesses joined the elated crowds while also praying in gratitude to their Lord.
"We need to return to the frontline as soon as we are healed." Hastily eating her ration consisting of dried meat, cheese and bread, Alfina was eager to rejoin the battlefront. "If they succeeded in changing the dragon's course, we will head to Area Three instead."
"I share your eagerness, but even both me and Scarlet, blessed with the mark of Angelos, are not fully recovered." Marion finished her last piece of jerky. "Be patient and trust our companions."
"I'm rather surprised, to think that you've wised up and gave her a great advice."
"Hey, Scarlet. I sense some kind of rudeness in your tone."
"It's just your imagination."
"I am also worried about princess Lilium." Alfina got on her feet, ready to head out.
"Miss Alfina, do not worry." A priestess poured another cup of water for Alfina. "There are words from the knights that they saw her highness retreating to the rear just before the cavalry units advanced."
"..."
"Worry not, miss Alfina. We will get another chance to clobber that dragon in Area Three." With a devilish smile, Marion cracked her knuckles.
The constant tremors had softened over time. Marion, Scarlet and Alfina had recovered enough and began heading out. Cheers and voices of well-wishes were raised as they strode out of the room, praying for them to re-create the unforgettable spectacle.
The cavalry units had begun to show their results: Lao-Shan Lung had its head and body completely veered to the right flank, forcing it to march into another path, heading towards Area Three.
"Success!" Duke Baikal, watching from above, raised his fist in exultation. "Sound the gong! All units are to recover! Send the cavalry back into safety!"
As soon as the gong was sounded in a particular interval, the hunters, knights and cavalry units in Area Two began their retreat. Some screamed in joy, hugging each other, while others remained calm and organised, still keeping vigilant.
"I have done my part here..." Taking a seat on the rocky ground, Duke Baikal eased his worn out body. "Now, it is up to you, brave warriors of Area Three."
Lao-Shan Lung had veered off from a direct path to the capital city. However, it could still enter other paths that will lead it back towards Elsyrium.
The supreme commander and the current crown prince of the empire, Canopus Sekhmet Tyr Mars, was elated that the elder dragon did not breach Gate Two; he knew that if it was breached, the capital would be doomed for there were no other paths to lead the dragon away. "Send words of praise to Duke Baikal! Take him to the rear and let him rest! I will take command of his remaining units into Area Three!"
The tremors intensified as the beast headed closer to the main gathering hub. The hunters and knights of Area Three got into their positions, waiting for the dragon to enter their range.
"Duke Charme, we will not let the valiant efforts of Duke Baikal and those under his command be in vain."
"Naturally, your highness. As the commander of Area Three and Four, I will see to it that we succeed in repelling that dragon." The current head of Charme House and a military veteran who had participated in many wars, Florian Lupin Charme, reassured the crown prince. "I will not let my daughter see my pathetic side again."
"Do not be too hard on yourself, it is only natural that you reacted the way you do." Canopus cast a saddened gaze. "I, too, was devastated by the loss."
"Enough of the sentimental talk, I would rather be focusing on the incoming beast."
"... Indeed."
Dust and debris began to rise and rubbles fell into the valley. Lao-Shan Lung's head peeked around the corner and turned towards the humans who were waiting for its arrival. The sheer size of the dragon's head alone made them swallow their saliva in fear, wondering how the hunters and knights of Area One and Two could stand against such baffling existence. Lao-Shan Lung continued its advance, slowly revealing its colossal form as it turned around the corner.
"The beast has come! All units, begin the attacks!"