Kurt had found his way toward the fighting. But by the time he got there, the enemy was falling back on its own. Their push was working.

He had found his way to one of the smaller fortresses they had managed to take. But it was in the line of attack.

He knew he was heading in the right direction from the movements of wyverns and the troops retreating.

He had found a road to the small fortress; it was clearly taken over by their troops. Wyverns are stationed in their simple walls. Minotaur guards.

He was told Layla had set up there, and once he passed the wall he saw the gate open in the courtyard. He asked one of the goblins to see if they could figure out where Rico had joined. As wyverns were covering the area.

He came into a meeting room, and Warlord Travis was looking joyful at seeing Kurt.

"We have done well," said Travis, "We just got word from Valentine as well."

"And what's that?"

"They encountered a shadow creature, but Talia was able to use her swords. They broke through their line as well."

"And their push?"

"They retreated and joined this flank, and this flank retreated to their core." Travis indicated the space between their attack was now essentially theirs. But that hadn't managed to isolate the troops as much as they wanted."

"So they saw the attack in time?"

"In a manner of speaking, they didn't finish the campaign they found out before they started an attack on the fort."

"Better than nothing."

"I agree," said Layla, "they may not have fallen all the way into the trap but we have gained a lot of ground with this."

"They will have to figure out a whole new battle strategy."

"And ours," said Travis, "is simple, pick off the isolated force and hit their supply lines."

"They will eventually want to pinch somewhere and connect, or take a port and sail around," said Layla. "We should make plans for both for the time being."

Several goblins nodded, having smaller discussions between them.

"The wyvern attack completely took them off guard," said Kurt.

"Yes, where have you been?" said Layla.

"A got a report you fell off your wyvern."

Kurt took a moment to explain that he had managed to defeat one of the shadow creatures which was welcome news. Then he had to figure out how to get back.

"We should be able to find your mount," said Simon.

"I'm more concerned about what this creature told you," said Layla.

"What do you mean?"

"Who is in charge of the shadow clan?"

"I don't really know, it was always a bunch of…"

"Humans? Are we sure about that?"

"I mean, they are very secretive."

"Do they even have mana springs?"

"How would I know?"

"It's concerning, the question. I thought it was like the fire clan. But what if it's not?"

"The question is do we press on," said Travis.

There seemed to be a lot of agreement among the goblins and Minotaurs to do that.

"I don't think so," said Layla, "I think we need to think about our appearance in this world. If we look like war-torn savages we will be perceived as them. If we look like people who make organized decisions with follow-through, we may get a better view."

"Yes even if we are technically on some side," said Kurt, "it won't be obvious. We should claim what we have and pull back. Having a horde of goblins roaming the countryside would be handled poorly.

"But what about Valentine?" said a goblin.

"We are not Valentine," said Layla, "are we supposed to fight this whole war for them?" Layla gave a playful smile that got a little round of laughter from the warrior crowd.

Kurt had later managed to find Rico. They decided to keep small attachments of wyvern at some of the main fortresses and towns. They had managed to have some civilians get translation spells.

They would slowly be pulling back the attack. And would wait for some Valentine to make contact in a more formal setting.

Layla would maintain a gate in the current fortress temporarily as it was centered in the area they had taken. Allowing flights back and forth to other places.

Coming from Helmsbrig that also had a corridor they could claim as well on the map.

Groups of goblins, Minotaurs, and Goatmen started forming squads to take positions at various locations. Minotaurs were too large for wyvern mounts. And their hooved feet tend to work just fine for them.

They had to ensure they also treated the civilians there well. The fighting couldn't continue as they were taking the land from them.

There was an opportunity here. Layla saw it. If they could come in, stop the fighting, and come back peacefully quickly. Because there was going to have to be some acceptance.

Kurt wasn't trying to take over their land, just stop the shadow clan after all.

But of course, was that Layla's plan? He had found his way to have a more private discussion with her.

"So are you planning on just taking this for us?"

"The thoughts did cross my mind, what's the difference?"

"Really?"

"What do you think the gods are going to do? Do you have any idea how hard it is to even injure a god, let alone kill one?"

"No actually, but I'd love to hear it."

"There are a couple of ways practically all of which require the co-operation of another god, or for them to do it themselves."

"Practically all?"

"Well, a particular legendary sword Excalibur was said once to exist. But that may be just stories. Named objects are especially rare and especially useful weaponry. Ohh you probably don't know much about that stuff do you?"

"Not really."

"The item names itself, they say at least. So it is not like you can run down to your local blacksmith and ask for one. But anyway…"

"Like that cup," said Kurt. Layla had a particular cup, which he had heard called the Grail of Neptune by an angel before.

"No, that was more like a god's creation thing. But what am I supposed to do? Bonk them on their heads with it? I don't think that would work, it's a cup. So we are basically stuck with them. Unless you buddy with some other god because all the ones I've met are ganging up on me."

"You know I'm not, i didnt think they actually existed really, just you guys story.

"Well, do you think about that anymore?" Kurt shook his head, "We agreed it would be better if we controlled that area."

"We did."

"So, why wouldn't I take some of it, and be the savior? You act like I've been cruel to everyone I rule sometimes."

"It's not that."

"Let's just be happy that today Rosie didn't think to come."

"That would have helped actually."

"You really want her rampaging?"

"Well, it would be nice to know what she can do."

Kurt didn't really have much argument for not claiming the territory, at least as vassals for the war. He had been fighting this the entire time but the whole separation of their world just went out the window. The news of the attack would reach the world, not just the two continents of the hemisphere.

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