When Jack and Arlcard were still inside the mausoleum's labyrinth looking for their way to the bottom floor, John and the army he led arrived at the spot where the old bridge was located. Across this bridge was Palgrost's territory. They were one day ahead of schedule. His careful route planning and troop management to repel the local monsters had been more effective than he predicted.
John was standing on top of one side of the chasm, feeling good about himself while the troops slowly trickled across the old wooden bridge.
The old wooden bridge looked fragile but they were sturdy. It had no problem supporting the army that marched on it. Even so, the bridge was not wide. Many of the troops had to wait their turn to cross the bridge.
John had them run on the bridge to save the time. Those who had skills that increased movement speed used them before running across the bridge. Those who could fly used the ability to cross through the chasm.
As for the supply carts, they were too large for the bridge. John had some high-level magic users with the telekinetic spell to move these carts across the chasm. A few mages used telekinesis on the same cart, this was because their intelligence stat was not high enough to move the heavy cart by themselves.
Luckily, the chasm at this spot was not too far. The gap was only twenty meters, so it was still within the range of telekinesis.
When all the supply carts were moved to the other sides, John had these mages use their telekinesis to move the soldiers. Thus, increasing the pace of everyone crossing the chasm. The one with flying ability and sufficient strength also helped carry people over.
This process of crossing the bridge had been going on for almost half a day. Salem came bringing John a report.
"Reporting, sir. Sangrod's scouts continue to approach this place. We had the illusion copies led them elsewhere a few times, but it seems they have started to suspect this area. I'm afraid we won't be able to fool them for much longer."
John sighed. "And here I thought I could just stand here idly and do nothing until everyone passes. Fine then, I will go and take their attention. Call the illusionists! Salem, I leave you in charge here. Have all of them cross this bridge before nightfall. Whip them if you have to!"
"Uh, yes, sir," Salem answered. He was fine being asked to command, but whipping people, that's another matter.
John called Arther and Meryl to follow him while he met the illusionists. He had kept these special units the last to cross because he needed their spells to distract the Sangrod's scouts.
*
At the place where the large natural bridge linked the Jagara region with Palgrost's territory, Ezekiel and Sierra were on standby with a large army. They had arranged a defensive formation around this rock bridge. No one would be able to cross without first defeating their army.
"Be on alert! They should arrive by later today or tomorrow," Ezekiel told his adjutants. He was not aware that the Themisphere army had arrived early and was already in the process of crossing over the chasm some distances away.
"Our scouts had not found them?" Ezekiel asked Sierra.
"Not yet, brother. They spotted several brigades that were marching all over the place. They tried to catch up but all of those were just illusions."
"Damn those humans! Hmph. Doesn't matter. Whatever they are playing at, they will still have to come through here. Unless they can all fly, we should be fine to just stand guard over this place."
He then saw one of his scouts come riding at top speed.
"Sir! We have spotted the Themisphere army," the scouts reported once he arrived.
"Are you sure they are not just illusions?" Ezekiel asked.
"We saw the outworlder leader at the head of this army," the scout answered.
"The Illusion Copy spell works on outworlders as well," Ezekiel said. His tone was slightly peeved.
"The outworlder leader, he, uh, he called out to me," the scout said.
"He did?"
The illusion copy created an illusion. The copy couldn't be touched like Jack's previous spell, Body Double. The copy also couldn't talk.
"Where are they heading?" Ezekiel asked.
"Toward here. They should arrive soon."
Ezekiel heard it then. The sound of approaching troops. Themisphere army came out from behind a cliff. Ezekiel called everyone to be ready for a battle. He hoped it didn't come to that. Especially after he saw two of Themisphere's Lord Marshall were in the march. Arther and Meryl were riding next to John.
Arther and Meryl were both level 81 now. They increased a level due to Jack's multiple usage of Call to Arms which also benefitted them.
However, Ezekiel had a higher level than them. He was a level 85 mythical. Most of Sangrod's soldiers had higher average levels than the other countries. This was because they lived the longest compared to the other races. But in turn, Sangrod also had fewer soldier counts compared to other countries.
Ezekiel wasn't afraid if he had to battle a lord marshall. Going against two at the same time, however, was not something he looked forward to unless he had no choice. But if the Themisphere army intended to force their way, he won't back down.
"Hold…!!" Ezekiel shouted when the Themisphere army came exceedingly close.
John gave the sign and everyone stopped.
"We meet again!" John greeted with a wide grin, which confused Ezekiel. The human leader was acting as if this was a joyful encounter.
"Stop advancing and turn back!" Ezekiel exclaimed with a stern face.
"So stiff. You should loosen up a bit," John said. He turned to Meryl and asked, "What do you think, my fair lady Meryl? Do you think you would want to go out with such a stiff guy? I think not, right? Not even if he is the general of an army."
Meryl glared at John with annoyance. At this moment, she had more of an urge to fight this royal advisor than the enemies in front of them.
"I won't repeat myself. Back off!" Ezekiel warned. He was not amused by John's words.
