The Monster King's Legacy-Chapter 216: Preparing for War

As word spread of the leaders' decision, preparations began for an unprecedented migration. Entire caravans of humans, dwarves, and elves began the journey to the monster kingdom, their trust placed in the coalition and the strength of Lance's forces. Though the elves had not received an attack at their home, their forests had long been breached, it was only a matter of time. The forest aside, Ithil did not have the power to rise new elves from the earth, so he accepted the offer.

The goblins, demons, ogres, beastkin, and other allied races worked tirelessly to fortify the monster kingdom's borders and accommodate the influx of refugees.

The leaders returned to their respective lands to gather their forces, each preparing for the monumental battle ahead.

Within the monster kingdom, Lance stood before his elite troops. His calm yet commanding voice inspired confidence as he addressed them.

"This isn't just a war," he said. "It's a battle for survival, ours and theirs. We stand not just as protectors of the monster kingdom, but as defenders of all races, alongside the other races. Let's show the world what we're capable of."

The gathered warriors roared in response, their spirits lifted by his words. The dragon-blessed warriors were also placed in charge of the elite forces to lead them as Lance would most certainly not be around most of the time.

Kaelthara who had arrived later than the others met with Lance privately alongside Aelyndra.

She quickly made herself comfortable on one of Lance's couches, eating away at the large trail of fruits placed on the table. She seemed to enjoy them.

"This war goes beyond the world," Kaelthara said, "it more personal for us dragons."

Aelyndra nodded. "After all, they were once our allies, long before mortals walked the earth. But they betrayed that alliance, deeming us unworthy of protecting the balance. They saw us as part of the problem."

Kaelthara nodded, picking another apple off the trail. "Not so black and white, but they turned on us, slaughtering thousands of our kind. The war between dragons and Titans shaped the very earth we now stand on. We were victorious of course, but it came at a great cost. The Dragon sealed the Titans away, and now they've broken free."

Lance absorbed their words, his expression unreadable as he stretched a hand to pick a fruit from the trail, Aelyndra glaring at them both as their mouths moved, chewing on whatever they had bitten into their mouths. "In the end it isn't just a battle for survival. It's a continuation of an ancient conflict."

Kaelthara nodded. "One we intend to finish. Of course, we will most definitely win. The issue here is the damage that will be done to the earth."

Aelyndra's gaze hardened for a moment before she let it go, sighing. "Can the two of you at least try to take this seriously? Lives are at stake here. I know mother, you don't particularly care for mortal lives, but you Lance, you can't follow in her footsteps and act so nonchalant." She said. Conveying her concern as calm as possible.

Lance placed a hand on Aelyndra's shoulder, his voice steady and his other hand showing a thumbs up. "I know you don't know this meme, but, it'll be alright. If a child cannot rely on his father, then he should rely on his master. After all, like master like student." Lance said, causing him and Kaelthara to burst into laughter a moment later, as this was a running joke between them.

Though Aelyndra felt like clobbering both of them and setting their brains straight, she just let it all go with a deep sigh… after all, she is weaker than both of them. Perhaps with her magic she could handle lance for a limited time, but against her mother, even if she was to bend time and space itself, it wouldn't be enough.

…

As preparations continued, a tense calm settled over the monster kingdom. The sky seemed darker, the air heavier, as if the world itself braced for what was to come.

From his balcony, Lance watched as the city below buzzed with activity. Soldiers trained tirelessly, refugees found safety within the fortified walls, and different leaders moved with purpose.

"Well, this is not the time to be training, they should conserve their strength." Lance murmured.

…

The world seemed to crumble as the days passed. The Titans, enormous beings of unimaginable power, advanced relentlessly, leaving destruction in their wake. Entire cities once symbols of pride and civilization were reduced to rubble within moments. Kingdoms that had stood for centuries now lay in ruin.

The coalition's forces worked tirelessly to protect their people and hold back the titans, but against the sheer might of the Titans, their efforts felt like trying to hold back a tidal wave with their bare hands… completely useless and not even remotely efficient or effective. It was clear that this was not an enemy they were even meant to face.

In the western lands of the dwarves, a once-great citadel carved into the mountain stood defiantly against a Titan of molten stone, much like the one Lance faced but more. The stubborn dwarves unleashed their most powerful enchanted weaponry, great cannons and ballistae that rained fire and metal. Their stubbornness proved effective for a short moment, but once the titan regained its footing, that was the end of it all.

After all that, the Titan merely swatted them aside, its colossal arm shattering the mountain and sending it cascading onto the city below. Thousands perished in an instant, and those who fled spoke only of the Titan's glowing eyes as it left their homeland in smoldering ruins.

Following this story, the rest who had been stubborn and refused to flee their lands decided to make a smarter decision.

As the Titans advanced, the great migration to the monster kingdom became more perilous. Massive caravans of refugees humans, elves, dwarves, and others traveled through treacherous terrain, often pursued by the very beings they sought to escape, without needing to say, they were caught most often than not.

For the most part however, there were soldiers to distract the titans long enough for the caravans to make progress. They didn't have to travel all the way after all, just to locations with large teleportation formations held in place by capable mages.

At the monster kingdom's borders, Lance's forces worked tirelessly to receive the refugees. Construction of temporary housing taking place, different teams working day and night to expand the kingdom's capacity.

As for the titans, time was nearing to confront them.