>>5775309While still having the smaller numbers, the combined skills of Ilos' men, as well as the wizards fortifying their armors and weapons as well as implementing a coating of energy around the area made it so that they could still hold the line. The main gates were strictly made so that only magic could open them from the inside, and with the few who tried to go around the fortress being eaten by Pishacas, it would appear to stay that way.
Or so Serpico thought, as the rumbling near him indicated the gates opening remotely.
"WHAT? WHO'S DOING THAT?"
"It's not us, Lord Serpico! Someone is using their magic to override our powers!"
"So there is someone this strong among that fleet?"
Unbeknownst to the Ilonians, Sonia was hiding among the trenches, having learned about the Astral tree and using her amazing magical prowess to be in every soldier's head at once, commanding them and instructing them to dodge and attack at the right instances with the power of premonition.
Though she was learning how to move around the astral tree without being detected by it's owner, she could not transport anyone other than herself, making sure she would remain safe and return to Falconia should any sing of losses be shown.
"We can do it, Irvine! Don't let anyone near that cannon! Push them back!"
"Will do, Sonia."
"At this rate, You won't even need to transform, right? Though I'm gonna miss riding your furry form!"
"Say less." Irvine grimaced, though Sonia appeared to be oblivious to the double entendre. Being a quiet man that only did what he was told to, Irvine did not have much interest for the true meanings of the large scale war he was facing, so long as he could go back to living the calm life nature gave him, hunting, playing the flute, and most importantly, being by himself.
Having grown surrounded by nature, Irvine was always attached to the forests and the wildlife, quickly abandoning any plans of a regular life in his humble town to live as an enforcer of the fauna. Seeing how Midland's species were clearly facing extinction with the unending wars, the apostle knew the importance of protecting the earth around him and prioritizing over the people who abused it's resources.
Which is why he felt little remorse in sacrificing his family once they disrespected his wishes to protect the local forest by setting it on fire while Irvine was living around the area. A decision made both out of desire to expand the town over it's natural limit, and out of resentment from Irvine leaving the place he should have been obligated to serve.
Thusly, the remorse he felt by setting the astral tree on fire was something he felt that went against his own character, yet so long as Griffith's plan of an ideal world succeeded, perhaps he could make up for it in his next life.
