Stranded - A Nuova Italia AAR

[blklizard]

Special

Chapter 246

As soon as the Mongolian horsemen got through the barricades, they wasted no time in chasing down the routing Qin soldiers who were calling for reinforcements. The Mongols were well orientated with the city so they headed directly for the city gatehouse. The Mongols were aware that they couldn't possibly funnel all of their forces through the breach as it was a risky, not to mention inefficient, approach. If the Qin soldiers were better trained and their officers were more competent, the barricades would have served their purpose and the overall battle would be drawn out a lot longer with the victor still undecided.

The Qin soldiers at the gatehouse were too busy watching the Mongolian horsemen in the distance to pay any attention behind them. They never expected their barricades to fail so they naturally weren't prepared for the Mongolian horsemen bearing down on them. The Mongols weren't exactly brainless fools either since they didn't announce their arrival until they dismounted and were climbing the stairs. Surprised Qin soldiers raised the alarm but, by then, the gatehouse was already filled with battle hardened Mongolian warriors who could easily take on a number of Qin soldiers if they had to in the narrow stairwells.

The gatehouse was soon captured by the Mongols which spelled the end for the garrison. The Qin infantry might be effective on the walls but, in the relatively wide streets that were the norm in the city, they couldn't possibly hope to face the Mongolian cavalry. As soon as the gate was opened, it was like the tap was opened wide open. Mongolian horsemen swarmed into the city where they traveled down the main streets slaughtering anyone in their path. The Mongolian chief was in the group heading to the palace where he wished to capture some officials. He felt he needed some prisoners to help ease his invasion into the rest of Qin.

The Qin forces prepared some desperate defensive lines but they couldn't stop the Mongolians. The Qin officials in the city were captured and were led out of the city. Meanwhile, the other Mongolian warriors were busy getting food and supplies, along with slaves, out. They couldn't wait to divide their spoils as they earned ranks for their performance in the battle. They all knew that they had little time to celebrate as their chief was preparing more invasions deeper into Qin territory. After how the last battle went, they weren't expecting much of a challenge. There might be some resistance but they knew their victory was guaranteed.

 

[blklizard]

Special

Chapter 247

The Mongolian forces invaded the rest of Qin with little difficulty. The chief's idea work splendidly as he struck fear in the Qin officials. With his prisoners from his first captured city, he had them endure a horrific torture method that was never described in details. If anything, the torture was mentioned briefly by a number of names but there was agreement that it was too terrible to be recorded. The chief made it clear that the officials who dared to rally forces against him would encounter the same fate. The man clearly had the military to back his words so the Qin officials had to think twice before setting up resistance.

Most of the Qin officials were content on offering tributes to show that they wished for a more peaceful diplomacy with the Mongolian chief. The few officials who refused to bow down would later regret their decision when the well oiled Mongolian war machine took their cities by force. As a man true to his word, the chief had those officials endure the same torture. After a number of officials died from the torture, the chief no longer faced any resistance. If anything, Qin had somehow became a tributary for Mongolia. In return for being spared catastrophe at the hands of the Mongols, the Qin people would pay a monthly tribute.

The chief was certainly proud of his achievements as the Qin state was subjugated in a matter of two months. The man was eager to expand his influence to other parts of China but he soon decided otherwise. Qin was paying a hefty tribute that was enough to make his people's lives much easier. The chief had the matter where his people might become lazy and complacent like the Chinese so he must search for other conquests. There were no potential hunting grounds in the south so he turned his sights to the east. The chief was eager to test his mettle against the remnants of the Ming forces that thwarted his predecessors' attempt to invade Ming in the past.

The decision proved to be a poor one when the chief encountered far greater resistance. The Ming forces might be remnants of the mighty military the Ming empire once boasted but these were still professionally trained armies. The Ming soldiers also had very defensible terrain making the lives of Mongolian horsemen a living hell. The chief withdrew his forces before he lost too much for almost no gain. The loss taught the chief that, while he had the ambitions and his men were strong, he wasn't even close to matching the incredible feat achieved by Genghis Khan. The man had to be content with what he had.

 

[blklizard]

Special

Chapter 248

Qin remained a tributary of Mongolia for another few years before she refused to pay altogether. If the chief who invaded was alive, the Qin king wouldn't dare to refuse. However, the Mongolian chief was dead and his six sons were fighting for control. Mongolia was, for the time being, thrown into chaos as her fracturing greatly weakened her. The Qin king no longer feared the Mongolians who he saw too divided to threaten him. The few years of tributes had sparked a decline for the state but the king, an ambitious man with competent advisers, was confident he could make Qin great once again.

The primary focus for Qin was the military. Several military reforms were made so Qin soldiers were on par with the Ming soldiers who fended off the Mongolian invasion one after another. Qin generals and officers were also selected based on their merit and not on their wealth. What happened a few years ago was still fresh in the minds of many Qin people so there was the desire for actual change. They no longer wanted to live under the oppression of the Mongolians who treated them worse than dirt. The tributes were reminders of a shameful page of Qin history and everyone wanted to leave it in the past.

Bit by bit, the Qin king rebuilt his state into a dominant power in the region. The Qin borders might have not changed during the time but her stronger military saw the state able to rival many of her neighbors. A few small conflicts did erupt between Qin and neighboring states but the Qin military proved too strong to overcome. With her reputation growing as a strong state, Qin managed to secure a number of alliances with powerful Chinese states as she fought for greater control of the region. The Qin king sadly died young but he left behind a solid foundation that would see a golden age for a state that was in a decline not long ago.

Mongolia was eventually unified in the north but she could no longer subjugate Qin. First, the civil war in Mongolia drastically lessened the soldiers she could muster for war. Secondly, Qin was no longer the same Qin that was a tributary in the past. A month into the conflict, the new Mongolian chief recognized the strength of Qin and offered a white peace. However, the new Qin king was having none of that and actually launched a counter invasion. After a number of victories, the new Qin king signed a treaty with Mongolia that saw Qin receive payment rivaling what she paid in tribute over the few years. The shame the Qin people felt was finally erased following that treaty.

 

[Michaelangelo]

Revenge is such a sweet dish.

 

[Cityracer]

See Mongolia, this is what happens when you try to have a second empire. A nation is only allowed one.

 

[blklizard]

Revenge is such a sweet dish.

Not always but, in this case, there's some extra icing on top.

See Mongolia, this is what happens when you try to have a second empire. A nation is only allowed one.

Not everyone follows the rules so Mongolia had to learn it the hard way.

Chapter 249

Dioniso walked into his new office with a big smile on his face. The man had reasons to be happy given that he just won the election making him the new Doge. As the former leader of the Guild Faction, the man was in charge of the faction during the incident. The man took advantage of the situation by rallying for his faction and gaining plenty of supporters in the process. The Guild Faction had grown more powerful over the years because it received a lot of support from the various Doges. When Dioniso took over, the Guild faction had a significant presence in the government so, with them all backing the bureaucrat, Dioniso won the election in a landslide.

The new Doge had a much different agenda than Sec as he believed war was a necessity to constantly strengthen Nuova Italia while weakening the growing powers in the region. The Republic couldn't be safe if her neighbors grew powerful so, as the Doge, he had duties to monitor the strength of the Southeast Asian nations and, with the best of his abilities, keep them at a relatively weak state. One of the threats too close to home was Kutai which had, following the annexation of Brunei, controlled all of Borneo. If left alone, the Hindu nation could become a serious issue for the Republic. Therefore, he must have the initiation and strike at the Hindu nation first.

The fact that the Nuova Italian people weren't supportive of a war made the declaration of war difficult. Dioniso didn't wish to antagonize the people so early in his term as he might need their support later. Thus, he took the matters slowly and calmly as he searched for a viable solution to the issue. The war with Kutai was inevitable the moment the Hindu nation conquered Brunei. Not only did Kutai annex a close ally of Nuova Italia but she was also building up her military according to reliable intelligence from spies stationed in Borneo. The evidence of Kutai building up her military wouldn't be enough to convince the general populace in the Republic so Dioniso needed another reason to back his invasion.

Dioniso then came up with a small plan and quickly put it in motion. He first spread news that some natives in Borneo wished to be a part of Nuova Italia as they feared the oppression under the Kutai. The Republic had always presented a positive image of aiding those in need so it made sense for the Doge to agree to the request. The natives lived in a region called Banjar which bordered the Kutai province of Samarinda. The Doge organized a small fleet to transport troops to the region so they could protect the natives in need. What he didn't share with those outside his personal circle was that he already had a ship heading to the region two weeks ago to carry out the second phase of his plan.

 

[blklizard]

Chapter 250

The ship carried some of the elite Nuova Italian soldiers who only answered to Dioniso. Even before he became the Doge, the man began to use his wealth to create a small personal army. The original purpose for the army was to protect him against those wishing him harm. As the leader of the Guild Faction, there were people who would kidnap him in hopes to acquiring a large ransom. Dioniso wasn't going to give those people a chance so, instead of a small group of bodyguards, he hired himself some mercenaries who would serve in his small army. Paying for the small army was slightly difficult until he was made the Doge which provided him the ability to pay for it without a ducat from his own pocket.

Dioniso spared no expenses when it came to hiring his mercenaries. He only wanted the best and those whose loyalty was unwavering. For this particular task, he picked a number of marines who excelled both on land and sea. He gave their leader some very specific instructions which were only meant for his eyes only. The marines set out at once and, by the Doge's estimation, they should have completed their task by the time his small fleet left for Banjar. He just needed some bloodshed once they arrived before he could put propaganda to use. The new Doge was confident that his people would be fully behind him in a month's time. In the meantime, he just needed to prepare for war secretly.

The new Doge used the excuse of checking on his military to see how well his soldiers and officers were prepared for war. Even Dioniso was impressed that Antonio was still alive. The general was a veteran who experienced numerous wars and rebellions. Yet, he still had the vitality to keep going and his judgement was still widely respected by his officers and soldiers. If there was a man that was suited for the war with Kutai, Dioniso was confident this man would be the ideal candidate. He met with Antonio and was quite surprised by the man's outer appearance. Antonio's hair was white but he still had the figure of a warrior with many scars to show him off as a survivor.

The two of them chatted for many hours about the future of Nuova Italia. Dioniso managed to casually ask Antonio about how well his soldiers would perform in a war. The Doge explained that the Republic had many enemies so she mustn't be complacent and give them a chance to take advantage. Antonio replied that his men were always given the harshest training so they would remain the best in Southeast Asia. He said that, if there was a threat, he and his men would happily end it for the glory of Nuova Italia. Dioniso was very satisfied with the answer and was given a tour of the barracks afterwards. The new Doge couldn't help suppressing his smile as his war with Kutai was near and his men were ready to spill the blood of the heathens.

 

[blklizard]

Chapter 251

A month after their departure from Palembang, the ships sent by Dioniso to protect the natives returned home. He, like so many others, gathered at the port to see the relatively early return of their soldiers. The expedition leader was met by the Doge personally and spoke of an attack from the natives. The Doge listened intently and it took all of his self-control to not smile. He offered an understanding nod once the expedition leader finished his report and told the man to get some rest. Once alone in the room, Dioniso laughed softly to himself as he went through the paper with his plan. The second phase had been completed so he could move onto the final phase.

The Doge purposely spread rumors about the attack being orchestrated by the Kutai. He even claimed the call for help was a ruse by the Kutai government to lure Nuova Italian soldiers to Bornea where they would be massacred. He made it obvious that Kutai didn't want war so her government used underhanded tactics to harm Nuova Italian soldiers as a way of weakening the Republic. According to the expedition leader's report, the soldiers were attacked by a few thousand natives. Dioniso stated that the backwards natives couldn't possibly assemble such a large force so those could only be Kutai soldiers dressed as natives.

There were casualties suffered by the expeditionary force seeing Dioniso personally attending their funerals. The Doge clarified that he couldn't let such crimes go unpunished. He said that Kutai was a threat to Nuova Italia. He wanted the support of the people to remove this menace in the east that threatened the stability of the Republic. Nuova Italia might had a war with Kutai in the past but that was decades ago. There was no reason for the Kutai government to harm Nuova Italian people who had been pursuing a peaceful path forward. Dioniso's words touched all those present at the funeral with them all rallying behind him to fight Kutai.

A few weeks later, the people of Nuova Italia were completely behind the Doge. The loss of innocent lives saddened many of them and they wanted the blood of those responsible for the deaths. Dioniso waited until he had complete support before he met with the veteran Antonio. The general said that, since he learned about the deaths of his fellow countrymen, he had been preparing for war. He expressed his admiration that Dioniso was willing to act so quickly against the threat at hand. Antonio vowed to bring down Kutai to show all other nations in the region that the Republic wasn't a nation one messed with and got away with it.

 

[blklizard]

Chapter 252

On the day before war was declared, Dioniso met with the marines he sent to Banjar and awarded them handsomely for a job well done. These marines did their task flawlessly which made everything else a very simple affair. The Doge picked these men because he knew he could count on them to perform to his expectations. Of course, the promise of a generous pay was enough to get these mercenaries to perform at their maximum capacity. In addition to awarding the men handsomely, Dioniso also gave them a two month break so they had a chance to spend their newly earned ducats.

The mission he gave them was simple enough. The marines traveled by a swift ship that was relatively small so it wouldn't attract the attention Kutai patrolling ships. Large ships could be either merchant ships or warships so they were often searched before allowing to proceed further. The ship the mercenaries used could easily be mistaken as a large fishing vessel which would be overlooked. They landed on Borneo with no complications and, due to the skilled navigation skills of the marine leader, they landed at a beach off the region of Banjar where they would carry out their main objective.

The marines quickly disembarked and traveled deep into the jungle. According to Nuova Italian spies, there were many tribes in the region that lived peacefully. The objective of the mercenaries was to not only attack the natives and spill blood but also make sure that their uniform was seen by the survivors. They wanted the natives to label the Nuova Italian soldiers heading their way as enemies so conflict was inevitable. They attacked one of the smaller villages where they slaughtered three quarters of the local population. The survivors were allowed to flee after they had a good look at the mercenary uniforms.

As soon as the village was burned down, the mercenaries traveled back to the beach and began their journey home. They purposely traveled in a wide berth to avoid encounter with the ships Dioniso sent. There would be some explaining to do and they would rather avoid it. The soldiers arrived in Banjar where their presence was soon noticed by the natives. Dioniso was very lucky when a few thousand natives, roughly six thousand in total, banded together to attack his soldiers. This made his propaganda rather effective when he claimed the natives to be Kutai soldiers. At the measly cost of some Nuova Italian soldiers and many natives, he got the war he always wanted since he became Doge.

 

[Cityracer]

Looks like Dioniso is looking to surpass Alboino Spinola. I wonder if he'll succeed.

 

[Michaelangelo]

Dioniso, you shrewd man. This war is necessary though. Brunei must be set free!

 

[blklizard]

Looks like Dioniso is looking to surpass Alboino Spinola. I wonder if he'll succeed.

Dioniso is definitely an ambitious man.

Dioniso, you shrewd man. This war is necessary though. Brunei must be set free!

Brunei won't be free anytime soon though.

Chapter 253

Gregorio sat down during one of his rare breaks as he took a moment to catch his breath. Since the departure of Sec, he worked night and day getting supporters for the policy he was fighting the entire time. It certainly wasn't an easy fight but, luckily for him, the new Doge seemed to approve his policy. Dioniso seemed inclined on war but the man did express his interest in the policy claiming it would aid the Republic during time of peace. There was still some ways to go before the policy could be approved and implemented but Gregorio was still optimistic about the future.

One of the key points of the policy involved the improvement of infrastructure. Existing infrastructure was acceptable but there was always room for improvement. Gregorio saw it imperative to ensure that all infrastructure improved to a point that made internal trade more efficient. He understood that foreign trade was important but the transportation of goods throughout the Republic cannot be overlooked either. Such a policy was particularly popular with the Guild Faction so, if he could get enough supporters from the faction, he was guaranteed the policy being approved much like Dioniso was elected the Doge.

There was naturally opposition by the Trade Faction who saw the policy hurting their ability to trade in foreign markets. The infrastructure didn't affect them as much but the stricter state regulations did. These regulations made it more expensive to purchase goods for foreign trading which directly cut the profits of the merchants by noticeable margins. To make their lives a bit more difficult, imports were curtailed which diminished the merchant's income when they return home. The merchants weren't too thrilled when their livelihood was threatened so they sought out the Doge demanding the policy to be blocked.

Dioniso was preoccupied with the upcoming war so he didn't particularly like the interruptions. If anything, the merchants annoyed him and, as a secret retaliation, he chose to back Gregorio for his policy. However, the man didn't back his adviser without putting some thought into the matter. The Doge understood that, once war broke out, merchants were going to have a difficult time trading when foreign fleets might attack them at will. The policy would reap the rewards for the Republic until the war ended. By then, the merchants won't be as furious as they would see the benefits in the long run.

 

[blklizard]

Chapter 254

With the Doge backing him, Gregorio had no problems getting the policy approved. He still needed a few weeks before he could implement the policy but the most difficult battle was behind him. He was thankful of Sec who made all this possible. He only wished the man was still in power when the policy was approved since the man contributed quite a bit to it. Gregorio made a mental note to see Sec once he had the chance. His work wasn't complete until the policy was fully implemented. After that, he could take a relatively long break and enjoy some time with his family. He missed spending time with his two newborns.

Two weeks later, the policy was implemented and, while he was labeled a protectionist, Gregorio was unaffected by what the Trade Faction labeled him. He understood that he was doing what was necessary for the Republic so his reputation meant little. With his job done for the time being, Gregorio took some time off and went to meet with Sec who was said to be working with the shipbuilding industry. How the former Doge got into that trade always puzzled Gregorio so the upcoming meeting could get him some answers. He made his way down to the dock where the people were working in constructing new ships.

It didn't escape Gregorio's notice that the new ships were warships as opposed to merchant ships. He knew that his policy would decrease the number of ships built since the merchants were less likely to invest when their profits were going to suffer. Gregorio, after asking around, eventually located the former Doge who was speaking with another charismatic man. When Sec caught sight of Gregorio, he quickly greeted his old friend and introduced him to the charismatic man. Gregorio was quite shocked to learn that other Doge, Fausto, was also present. The two former Doges were apparently in touch which saw them eventually working together.

Gregorio knew that Fausto was a merchant so he was worried the man didn't approve his policy. Yet, Fausto seemed unaffected by the latest developments in the government. The man said that, when one became a Doge, there were always difficult choices one had to make. Not everyone could be satisfied but, as long as the policies benefited the Republic short and/or long term, it would be a policy worth implementing. Fausto explained that he already spoke with the influential members of the Trade Faction and convinced them that, with the upcoming war, the policy would have a lot less impact on their trade than they first thought.

 

[Cityracer]

I'm surprised that we are revisiting old characters. Somehow though, I think this means they're about to die.

 

[blklizard]

I'm surprised that we are revisiting old characters. Somehow though, I think this means they're about to die.

It's just for nostalgia sake. I won't kill them.

Special

Chapter 255

Zuo looked back as he rode his horse. The sight brought tears to his eyes knowing that what he had basically signed the death warrant of his people. As the king of Shun, he felt he had failed his people by being incapable. He should be defending his people from foreign invasions but defeat after defeat finally saw the Shun capital threatened. When Ming collapsed and Shun was formed, Zuo believe that a brighter future awaited his people. The region would prosper under his rule after the decades of oppression of the Ming officials who were both corrupt and uncaring when it came to the livelihood of the locals.

His first few years as king went splendidly with the living standards of his people improving dramatically. The farms were producing a lot more food while those in poverty were slowly escaping the vicious cycle. It seemed like nothing could possibly go wrong but things weren't meant to be. A growing threat in the north had turned its focus southwards and Shun became the first target. Zuo knew that Shun wouldn't be the last target but, for the time being, he just cared about the well being of his people. They were willing to abandon the capital so they could be with him. However, the journey would be perilous and most of them wouldn't survive.

When the Shun king looked back, he saw a long chain civilians traveling down the road. They were of all ages with many of the men pushing carts filled with all of their belongings. A week before Zuo and his advisers decided to abandon the capital, they placed posters throughout the city regarding his departure. The posters explained that the city couldn't possibly be defended so the king and the officials must abandon it so they could flee to a more defensible position. If there were any willing civilians, they could choose to follow him. To the surprise of Zuo, everyone in the capital began packing their belongings to prepare for the long perilous journey ahead.

The millions of civilians of all ages were traveling with Zuo and their progress was slow. They weren't covering much ground and each day wasted saw the threat closing in on their position. The officials told Zuo multiple times that he must abandon the people for his own safety. However, the Shun king refused to comply stating that these people left the capital for him. He had already abandoned the capital but he couldn't abandon the people. If he were to die, he would rather die the king of Shun than a coward who throws away everything. The officials were unable to persuade him otherwise so they sent a general forward to possibly call for reinforcements.

 

[Michaelangelo]

I feel like I need to go find that map of China again so I can remember where all these random states are.

 

[Cityracer]

I hope Zuo can be successful.

 

[blklizard]

I feel like I need to go find that map of China again so I can remember where all these random states are.

It definitely helps with the map available. I have to look at it before I do these special updates.

I hope Zuo can be successful.

Zuo is indeed a likeable character.

Special

Chapter 256

A week had passed since Zuo and his people left their capital. He was riding along with his bodyguards when a messenger on horseback rushed to his side. The messenger reported that the enemy forces were spotted heading in their direction. The messenger estimated that they only needed half a day to catch up. Because the messenger was shouting out the message, many of the civilians nearby heard it loud and clear. Zuo saw the fear in their eyes as they stared back at him. The king's officials told him that it was imperative for me to leave at once. Zuo turned to his officials and his gaze was enough to silence them.

The king spoke loudly that he wouldn't leave his spot until all the civilians were past him. He said that, as the king of Shun, his duties included the protection of his people. If the hordes dared to come, then he would gladly meet them with a weapon in his hand. Zuo subconsciously reached for the sword he had around his waist. This sword was passed down his family generation after generation. He earned it when he proved himself worthy of the weapon. Zuo felt that, if he were to die, it would be his honor to use this blade protecting what truly mattered to him. The man hated himself for agreeing to the abandon of the capital.

When he was still in the capital, the news of the horde advances terrified everyone. Zuo was terrified as well so, without thinking, he agreed to the suggestion of his officials. They planned to have him taken to a fortress in the mountains where he would be safe. In hindsight, Zuo saw the plan as a hopeless cause. What was the point of him surviving when his people were slaughtered or enslaved by the invaders? What would he rule over that would make his title as king more than just a title? Zuo decided there and then that his last stand would be in the open. He would greet the invaders head on.

Zuo's bodyguards vowed to protect their king so they stayed with him. The king told the officials who valued their lives to flee to the fortress where they would be safe. He wouldn't back off a single step unless his people were safe. Many of his officials fled at once with a few who stayed behind. Those who stayed behind demanded a weapon so they could at least fight the incoming hordes. They might lack the training but a weapon in their hands empowered them and aided them in overcoming their fear ever so slightly. The Shun king and his loyal men stood there awaiting the arrival of the pursuing horde.

 

[blklizard]

Special

Chapter 257

The Shun soldiers that were traveling at the front, upon hearing that their king vowed to hold the rear, rushed to join him. They weren't about to let their king fight alone against the horrifying hordes. If they were to die, they wanted to be remembered as warriors who stood by their king against overwhelming odds. To die a coward was unacceptable and they would rather die fighting for their kingdom. Shun was in shambles after the invasion but the remaining Shun people were united. They weren't going to abandon any of their people to fend for themselves. As the Shun soldiers rushed to the rear, they informed the civilians that they and their king would keep fighting to keep the hordes at bay.

Once news spread about the arrival of the hordes, the young men amongst the civilians took whatever they could as weapons stating that they would fight alongside their soldiers. The older men, those who were relatively fit, would continue moving the carts so the civilians kept moving forward. The young, elderly and the women would keep moving with the older men as they headed for the fortress claimed to be impenetrable. A few of the young men stayed behind to help but the majority went to the rear knowing that they might not live to see another sunrise. Many families said their farewells there and then. On the next day, their loved ones might be dead as they gladly sacrificed for their kingdom and people.

Zuo assembled a number of defensive lines as they prepared for the incoming invaders. Their enemy excelled on horseback so they didn't worry about the enemy traveling through the woods to strike at their rear. If anything, the numerous victories likely made the invaders cocky so they would take Zuo and his men head on. The king hoped that was the case as this was the best way they could inflict casualties on the enemy. He was in the middle of organizing his defenses when the soldiers at the front and the young men arrived. He was touched to see them offering their lives to protect his people. Without wasting more time, he quickly redrew his defensive line to accommodation the latest additions.

"Listen to me," said Zuo as he said what he expected to be his final speech. "These are trying times for our people. They might have succeeded in slaughtering our people and taking our land but they will never crush our spirits. The kingdom of Shun will never falter before them. If we fight and die today, then so be it. Let us show them the strength of our people. We won't die without showing them our blades. This field will be soaked with blood, both ours and theirs. Let their survivors return home speaking of this battle. Let them remember our final stand against the scourge of the north. As long as our descendents live, we will live on! Let them feel the wrath of the Shun!"

 

[Cityracer]

The hordes will never crush Shun's spirit! They will fail to defeat us here, and they'll fail in the future!