Shadowfall Kingdom
Vincent
Kaijuu Ryu’s Laboratory
05:55
I place my left hand on Shanon’s shoulder. She meets my eyes.
I close mine briefly and nod.
“FORM UP!”
Thank you, General Tailor.
The commanders move immediately, forming a straight line five meters ahead. I stand at the center. They snap to attention.
“At ease.”
Feet spread. Hands clasp behind backs.
I glance at Wilfred and give a subtle nod.
“From this moment forward, you will address General Kaijuu, Vice General Shanon, and myself as ‘Sir.’ Is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir!”
I check the clipboard in my hand.
“Covert Corps, step forward.”
Three figures detach from the far right. Two halt. One steps ahead.
“Commander Shizuku.”
“Yes, Sir!”
She and her vice commander, Mary Westeria, wear black tactical uniforms—masks lowered, scarves wrapped neatly.
“Report enemy numbers.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Mary hands her a document.
“East Empire forces, estimated one month ago:
Foot Soldiers: 60,000
Spearmen: 20,000
Archers: 12,000
Mages: 6,500
Support: 14,000
Rear Guard: 7,000
General’s Elite Guard: 250
Total estimated strength: approximately 120,000, Sir.”
“Good. Hand me the report.”
Mary steps forward and presents it crisply.
“Dismissed.”
They return to formation.
“What about their covert division?”
“They have no such unit, Sir.”
“I see. Return.”
“Yes, Sir.”
They fall back in line.
I turn slightly.
“Vice General Shanon, explain the flag communication system.”
As she outlines the system, I review our own numbers.
---
[Shadowfall Army Overview]
Foot Soldiers – First Division: 20,000
Commander Mark Gutenberg
Vice Commander Debby Fin
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Foot Soldiers – Second Division: 12,000
Commander Martin Lewis
Vice Commander Jeremy Matthews
Spearmen Division: 10,000
Commander Daniel Steady
Vice Commander Hector Wilson
Tank Division: 4,000
Commander Shirley Moonwood
Vice Commander Phillip Surges
Archer Division: 8,000
Commander Archer Million
Vice Commander Bernice Filmos
Magic Division: 12,000
Commander Mike Turner
Vice Commander Alice Turner
Support Division: 5,000
Commander Lindy Mercia
Vice Commander John Carter
Beastmen Division: 18,000
Commander Gary Coleman
Vice Commander Shaun Surges
Covert Corps: 500
Commander Shizuku Hamilton
Vice Commander Mary Westeria
Horse Cavalry: 500
Former General Shanon Wilson
Vice Commander Richard Orchard
General’s Elite Guard: To Be Determined
General Ryu Kaijuu
Vice General Shanon Wilson
Vice General Wilfred Shadow-Wolf
Total Forces: ~90,000
---
Shanon finishes.
“Magic and Archer Divisions, step forward.”
Two groups advance.
“Commander Archer.”
“Yes, Sir!”
“How are your ribs?”
“Fully healed, Sir!”
“How many passed basic training?”
“7,500 of 8,000, Sir.”
“Commander Mike.”
“Sir!”
“How many passed?”
He glances at Alice’s note.
“8,500 of 12,000, Sir.”
“The remainder will serve strictly in support roles within your divisions. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Archers will divide into two combat divisions. Mages into three. Each division will have a captain and vice captain. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Return.”
They step back.
“Foot Soldiers—First, Second—and Spearmen Divisions, step forward.”
Three formations move.
“All foot soldiers will merge under Commander Mark. Six equal divisions. Spearmen will split into six detachments and attach to each infantry division.”
A few stiffen.
“Each division will appoint a captain and vice captain. Five hundred support soldiers will be assigned to each. If support numbers fall short, the Support Division compensates. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Questions?”
Commander Martin raises his hand.
“Permission to speak freely, Sir.”
“Granted.”
“Why is Commander Mark placed in charge? I believe myself equally qualified. Please clarify, Sir.”
“Very well.”
I meet his eyes.
“Commander Mark was the only one among you with the courage to challenge one of my wives—whom I personally trained.”
Silence.
“Need I continue?”
“No, Sir.”
“Return.”
They step back.
“Beastmen Division, step forward.”
Eighteen thousand shift as one. Gary and Shaun approach.
Gary is shirtless, muscular, wolf ears flicking. Shaun stands composed, bunny ears upright.
“Commander Gary.”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Strengths. Weaknesses. Numbers.”
“Eighteen thousand strong, Sir. Only two failed basic. High speed. High attack power. Weak defensive capacity. Many call us glass cannons. Approximately 6,500 can transform—including myself.”
“Demonstrate.”
“Yes, Sir. Request permission to act freely after transformation.”
That sounds dangerous.
“Granted. But wait.”
“Yes, Sir!”
I turn.
“Wilfred. Front and center.”
“Yes, Sir.”
I whisper instructions.
He nods.
“About face!”
The entire formation turns away—except Gary and Wilfred.
“At ease. Plug your ears.”
They comply.
“Commander Gary.”
He lowers into a stance.
Bones crack.
Fur bursts forth. His frame expands violently—werewolf-like—now towering over me.
Then—
He strikes a bodybuilder pose.
“Wasn’t that cool? Look at these muscles! I am magnificent!”
He flexes again.
“Gary. Sit.”
He sits immediately.
“Paw.”
He obediently offers his massive claw, eyes gleaming.
I snap my fingers.
“Revert, Commander Gary!” Wilfred orders.
The fur retracts. His body shrinks.
He bows deeply.
“My apologies, Sir.”
“No issue. Explanation?”
“In beast form, Sir, thoughts are… difficult to contain.”
“I see.”
I gesture.
“Wilfred.”
He signals the others to face front and unplug their ears.
I continue.
“Commander Gary.”
“Sir!”
“Four divisions. Standard structure. Additionally—form a special unit: one thousand fastest, one thousand strongest.”
He listens carefully.
“The strong will evacuate wounded from the battlefield. The fast will administer medical aid.”
His eyes sharpen.
“Yes, Sir!”
“Return.”
They step back.
“The remaining commanders are dismissed. Vice commanders of cavalry, covert corps, and support division remain.”
“Yes, Sir!”
The formation disperses.
Only five remain, alongside Shanon and Wilfred.
