Chapter 27

Tuerien entered his Vault. He had abandoned the Spire as soon as the attack had commenced, using his teleport spot to return to the entrance of his main dungeon. He had worked through the labyrinth of traps to the heart of it, passing through his throne room and living quarters to reach his Vault.

Leo and his monster girls had attacked the temple first. That sword was important, but why?

Tuerien didn’t know. None of his monster girls could touch it. Nor could he. What did Leo know that he didn’t? What did it matter? He would crush Leo. Tuerien didn’t need a sword. He had his army. He revived his monster girls.

His casualties were mounting. Not only had all his protectors around the temple, save for a pair of harpies, had died, but so did the other monster girls he had patrolling the streets. Leo’s army was moving fast, heading for the bridges across the river.

Tuerien revived all his monster girls. They poured out of the spire into the ruined grounds of the palace, the scars from Leo’s first attack still abundant. He rolled his shoulders. This was it. Leo had his forces committed.

“Lutin, have Foc ready his attack,” Tuerien sent to his goblin.

“He’s eager for it,” Lutin reported. She sounded eager, too.

“Just try to keep him from getting killed. I need him to stall Leo long enough.”

“I’ll do my best, Lord Tuerien. He does not listen to me much.”

That was fine. Foc would be just enough to tip the balance. Leo’s dungeon would be locked. Unable to revive his monster girls, the war of attrition would begin. And Tuerien had his reserves ready to strike.

The forces he had held back during their first clash.

“They are almost to the bridges,” reported Acier.

Tuerien smiled, ready for this to begin.

I watched Tuerien’s monster girls moving out of the palace. They were heading to the intact bridges to hold them against my forces, splitting his monster girls into two groups. They would reach the bridges first. That was perfect.

“Dongara, be ready to destroy the east bridge,” I said.

“Yes, Lord Leo,” she sent.

“Maya, they are moving how we expected,” I sent to my undine girlfriend. “Be ready in the river.”

“We’ll be ready, big perv.”

I smiled as I watched Tuerien’s forces. I had my forces split up, but the force heading toward the eastern bridge knew not to cross. They were already turning in the streets to assist with the assault on the western of the bridges.

Tuerien’s forces rushed out onto the bridge. From the scrying sensor, they looked like ants swarming out across it. I waited as the span they crossed was wide. I waited until they were all rushing across it.

Half of his forces. He would revive them, but, that would take time. I would gain the initiative.