Their holy training resisted—partially. But partial resistance against area-effect horror meant they were stunned rather than completely debilitated.

Long enough for Legion One soldiers to swarm their position.

The paladins died fighting. One managed to take three demons with him before being overwhelmed.

Another actually wounded Liam—superficial cut across his armored shoulder that [Essence Feast] immediately began converting to regeneration.

The others fell under coordinated assault that gave them no chance to use blessed abilities effectively.

By the time Legion Two breached eastern wall, the garrison was already broken. Radiant soldiers surrendering.

Officers trying to organize retreat that had nowhere to go. Commander screaming for quarter that demon forces were willing to grant.

Ninety minutes after assault began, Ashford garrison had fallen.

Fifteen hundred Radiant Empire soldiers dead or captured.

Approximately two hundred thirty demon casualties—slightly higher than projected but well within acceptable parameters.

First blood drawn.

First victory achieved.

And standing in the garrison courtyard surrounded by evidence of overwhelming demon military superiority, Liam felt the weight of what they'd begun.

This was just garrison town. Small engagement. Practice assault.

Sanctum Lux would be this times a hundred. Times ten thousand.

"Lord Azra!" Commander Torven approached, his armor splattered with blood that wasn't his. "Garrison is secured. Prisoners being processed. Civilian population is contained but unharmed per your orders. Total casualties: two hundred thirty dead, four hundred seventeen wounded."

"And the garrison commander?"

"Dead. Fell defending the main barracks. Fought well—took seven demons with him before succumbing." Torven's voice carried professional respect for worthy opponent. "The survivors are requesting terms of surrender."

"No terms. They're prisoners until we determine what to do with them." Liam deactivated [Abyssal Plate], the shadow armor dissolving. "Medical teams treat our wounded first, then enemy wounded if resources permit. Prisoners are contained separately from civilians. No reprisals against population."

He walked through Ashford's streets, seeing civilians emerging from homes where they'd hidden during assault.

Their expressions were complex—relief at Radiant occupation ending, fear of what demon military rule might bring, hope that liberation might be permanent.

Liam continued through the town, seeing variations of the same scene. Civilians grateful for temporary liberation, anxious about uncertain future, hoping that demon army's success would mean lasting freedom.

He couldn't promise them that. Couldn't guarantee that Ashford wouldn't be reoccupied the moment demon forces moved on.

Could only offer temporary respite and hope it was enough.

---

By midday, Ashford was secured and Legion One had resumed march.

Legion Two departed an hour later after ensuring wounded were stabilized and prisoners were contained in makeshift detention that Fourth Order would monitor until civilian population could take responsibility.

The army continued south, now trailing clear evidence of its passage.

Destroyed garrison. Freed town. Two hundred thirty demon bodies being transported with supply trains for eventual return to families.

First blood drawn. First casualties taken. First victory achieved.

Liam walked with Legion One's main body rather than command group, his presence among common soldiers serving dual purpose—showing he fought beside them and boosting morale through proximity to Primordial who'd proven himself in combat.

Demons approached throughout the afternoon. Some requesting blessings. Others just wanting to walk near entity they'd seen tear through Radiant defenses.

A few brave enough to ask questions.

"My lord," a young soldier ventured. "The garrison fell so quickly. Does that mean Sanctum Lux will fall as easily?"

"No." Liam's honesty was immediate. "Ashford was practice. Border garrison with minimal fortifications and fifteen hundred defenders. Sanctum Lux has three concentric walls blessed with divine wards, tens of thousands of defenders, and defensive capabilities we haven't fully mapped. Today was easy. Real fight comes later."

"But if you fight beside us—if the Primordial leads assault personally—surely we'll prevail?"

"I'll fight beside you. And yet many of you will still die because Sanctum Lux is defended by forces that make Ashford garrison look insignificant." He looked at the young soldier directly. "Don't mistake one victory for guaranteed success. We won today because we had overwhelming advantage. We won't have that advantage at Sanctum Lux."

The soldier processed this grim assessment, then nodded slowly. "At least you're honest about it, my lord. Better than being told we'll definitely survive when mathematics suggest otherwise."

"Mathematics are all we have. Might as well be honest about what they say."

Evening brought the army to third night's encampment.

Legion commanders reported successful first engagement, acceptable casualties, morale improved by decisive victory.

Supply trains confirmed logistics were tracking projections despite Ashford assault consuming some resources.

Everything proceeding according to plan. Everything working as designed.

And yet Liam couldn't shake the feeling that Ashford had been too easy. That first engagement had gone too smoothly. That they'd won because the Radiant Empire had allowed them to win.

"You're overthinking," Lilith observed when he shared concerns during evening command briefing. "First engagement was successful because we had overwhelming force and complete surprise. Not because enemies allowed it."

"Or they allowed it because losing one garrison is acceptable cost for gaining intelligence on how demon army fights." Liam gestured to maps. "Every tactical decision we made today has been observed. Every capability we demonstrated has been noted. They're learning how we operate."

"Then we adapt. Show different capabilities during different engagements. Keep them uncertain about our full strength." Zara's analytical mind was already processing counter-intelligence considerations. "Fourth Order can help with that—eliminate observers before they report, feed false intelligence about our methods."

"Speaking of Fourth Order—Kael'thra wants permission to range further ahead. She believes there are Radiant Empire observation posts deeper in border territories that should be eliminated before they can report our position."

"Granted. Tell her to eliminate observation infrastructure but avoid engaging major military installations without explicit authorization." Liam approved the request. "We're past the point of hiding our presence, but we can still limit their intelligence gathering."

Additional reports followed. Medical status of wounded. Prisoner processing. Civilian response to liberation. Supply consumption.

All the mundane details of managing two hundred thousand demons at war.

By the time briefing concluded, exhaustion had settled deep into Liam's bones despite his physiology theoretically not requiring extensive rest.

Leading apocalyptic military campaign was apparently exhausting regardless of physical capabilities.

He retired to his modest tent, expecting his mind to race with tactical concerns.

Instead found himself thinking about the young soldier who'd asked if Primordial leadership guaranteed victory.

About the two hundred thirty demons who'd died achieving objective that was just preliminary step toward main assault.

First blood drawn meant the dying had begun. Would continue. Would accelerate as they advanced deeper into Radiant Empire territory.

Two hundred thirty today. How many tomorrow? How many by the time they reached Sanctum Lux?

How many would die attempting to breach walls that mathematics suggested were impregnable?

[Day 3 of March: Complete]

[Distance Covered: 27 miles (Total: 96 miles)]

[Casualties: 230 dead, 417 wounded (combat)]

[Enemy Casualties: 1,500+ (garrison destroyed)]

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