Day twenty of the march brought them within sight of Valengard.

The city sprawled across rolling hills like something from a painting—white stone buildings with red tile roofs, organized streets that spoke to centuries of careful planning, walls that were substantial without being overwhelming.

Church spires rose from multiple districts, their gold-leaf crosses catching the afternoon sun in ways that made them look like they were burning.

It was beautiful. Civilized. Everything demon territories aspired to be and rarely achieved.

And in two days, Liam would order its destruction.

"Walls are twenty feet high, three feet thick stone construction," Zara reported as they surveyed the city from elevated position two miles distant. "Five gates—north, south, east, west, and a smaller service entrance on the northeast corner. Each gate has defensive towers. Artillery positions on the walls at regular intervals."

"Garrison strength?" Torven asked.

"Intelligence confirms five thousand troops, but they've had time to conscript civilians. Could be facing seven to eight thousand defenders if they've armed the population." Zara pulled forward more detailed schematics. "The city's built on hills, giving defenders elevation advantages. Streets are narrow enough to bottleneck our forces. This isn't going to be quick assault."

"Nothing about this campaign has been quick," Koth observed. "Why start now?"

"Because quick assault minimizes casualties and we're already operating with compromised forces." Liam studied the city's layout, his tactical mind processing approach vectors and defensive strong points. "We can't afford prolonged urban combat. We need to break their will to resist early or this becomes grinding siege that costs more than the city's worth."

"How do we break will to resist in first engagement?" Commander Kael'dris asked.

"Overwhelming force at multiple points simultaneously. Make them realize defense is futile before they've committed to extended resistance." Liam traced assault paths on the maps. "Four-pronged attack. North, south, east, west gates hit simultaneously. Spread their forces, prevent concentrated defense, breach at whichever point shows weakness first."

"And the civilian population?" Lilith's voice carried concern that was becoming familiar. "Thirty thousand non-combatants who'll be caught in the middle of urban assault."

"Will be given opportunity to surrender before assault begins. Civilians who leave the city aren't harmed. Those who stay accept risk of remaining in combat zone." Liam's voice was flat. "We're not targeting civilians. But we're also not delaying assault to ensure perfect civilian safety."

"That's cold and might broarder create political problems."

"That's military necessity that prevents the campaign from becoming indefinite occupation trying to perfectly separate combatants from civilians." Liam looked at Lilith directly. "I know it's not ideal. But ideal solutions require resources we don't have."

She held his gaze for moment, then nodded slightly. Not agreement exactly. Just acknowledgment that he was making decisions she'd made herself during ten years of impossible situations.

---

That evening, Liam sent formal communication to Valengard's leadership. Not through military channels—through civilian messenger who carried white flag and written terms.

*To the leadership and citizens of Valengard:

The Demon Empire's army surrounds your city. We will assault at dawn in two days. This is not negotiable.

Civilians who wish to leave before assault are granted safe passage. We will not harm non-combatants who depart before fighting begins. Those who remain accept the risks of being present during urban combat.

Military forces who surrender before assault will be treated as prisoners of war. Those who resist will be killed.

We seek the city's capture, not massacre. Your choices determine whether that capture is swift or costly.

Lord Azra, Commander of Demon Empire Forces*

The messenger returned six hours later with response that was terse and defiant.

*Valengard does not surrender to demon invaders. We will defend our homes, our families, and our faith. Come at dawn if you must. We will be ready.

Commander Henrik Stros, Valengard Garrison*

"They're going to fight," Torven said unnecessarily. "No surprise there."

"The surprise would have been surrender." Liam set down the response. "They've had weeks to prepare psychologically. They know demon army is coming. They've convinced themselves they can hold."

"Can they?" Kael'thra asked.

"Not against two hundred thousand troops attacking simultaneously from four directions. But they'll make us pay for the city in ways that empty threats wouldn't." Liam looked at his assembled commanders. "Prepare legions for urban assault. Review house-to-house combat protocols. Remind soldiers that civilian casualties create political complications we don't need."

"And if soldiers encounter armed civilians?" Commander Vor'mak asked. "Distinction between garrison troops and conscripted population becomes fuzzy in urban environment."

"Armed resistance is armed resistance. Soldiers defend themselves appropriately." The answer was brutal but necessary. "We're not asking troops to die because they hesitated determining if attacker was professional soldier or armed civilian."

The commanders dispersed to prepare their legions, leaving Liam with maps showing a beautiful city that would be burning within forty-eight hours.

---

Day twenty-one was spent positioning forces and conducting final preparations.

Legion One took position north of the city. Legion Two south. Legion Three east. Legion Four west. The remaining legions formed reserve that would exploit whichever gate breach succeeded first.

Fourth Order scouts infiltrated the city under cover of darkness, gathering intelligence on defensive positions, identifying ammunition stores and command posts, marking high-value targets for priority elimination.

"The garrison is concentrated at the gates," Kael'thra reported after her scouts returned. "They're expecting direct assault on walls. Interior streets have minimal defensive preparation—they're hoping walls hold long enough for reinforcement from Sanctum Lux."

"Are reinforcements coming?"

"Intelligence suggests Sanctum Lux is aware of our position but hasn't committed forces to Valengard's defense. They're either letting the city fall to buy time, or they're preparing defensive positions closer to capital." Her scarred face showed satisfaction with gathered intelligence. "Either way, Valengard is isolated. No help is coming."

"And civilian evacuation?"

"Approximately three thousand left the city. Mostly elderly and children. The rest chose to remain—either to fight or because they believe walls will hold." Kael'thra's voice was matter-of-fact. "We offered safe passage. They refused. Their consequences to manage."

Three thousand refugees streaming away from the city created visible reminder of what was approaching.

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