My Dungeon Life: Rise of the Slave Harem

It was only a few moments after Celeste’s declaration that I began to hear the roars of lions in the distance. There were hundreds of roars, that followed, many of them sounding like they came from an assortment of different animals. It sounded like an entire angry zoo was stampeding toward us. They were also a bit earlier than expected.

I had hoped we’d have another full day. I underestimated the speed an animalkin army could move. They managed to reach here from the border in only a day and a night, and by the sounds, they weren’t going to take a break, but immediately attack us right in the morning. My people had the entire night to rest and entrench ourselves in. We were at the advantage. It was King Roth’s pride that would eventually be his downfall. That was what I was thinking.

“The calls are merely an intimidation tactic.” Xin declared in a cold voice. “Ignore them.”

“Alright, stick to the plan,” I said through Slave Communication. “We’re just going to stop their progress and then toss them back across the wilderness.”

All of my other girls were already out on the field, leading their respective teams. Shao was in charge of reconnaissance, while Celeste overlooked the fairies and mages. Xin ran the main army, while General Nova lead the Osterians. Bernice and the fighters were sprinkled out into Xin’s army to bolster them. Miki remained back with the healers, and Terra remained in front, maintaining a wall of protection to slow, delay, and block their forces. She was joined by the dwarves.

One advantage I had was that I could communicate with slaves from any distance over the battlefield. I also had my map. I had made sure to scout the area, so along with the reports of my girls, I had a complete view of the battlefield. I could see the red coming in now, approaching at a fanatical rate. They’d soon be coming out of the forest and then entering the plains. That’s when the true battle would begin.

There was only one force that was absent to this battle, and that was Elaya. She was in the dungeon, and her purpose was obvious. She was to make sure there wasn’t a sneak attack on the city or someone who attempt to take the dungeon. It was true that she was my most powerful ally at the moment. She wasn’t weakened like Astria, and her spells could truly induce terror. It was exactly for that reason I had to leave her behind as my final resort. If they captured the spring while I had myself focused on something else, there was no point to any of this.

The roaring in the distance slowly teetered out, and then there was a period of seeming quiet. It was too quiet. Not even the insects and birds made any more noise. The calmness slowly gave way to a distant rustling rumble. It grew louder and louder as every soldier on our side began to tense up. The sounds grew increasingly louder until it truly did feel like a stampede was coming.

Then, just as the knees were starting to turn to jelly, the forest erupted with animalkin who came racing out at full tilt.

“Defend!” Terra called out in a booming voice.

It had now begun.