Somewhere near on Rad 30 minutes later.

Henderson led his platoon once more with the escort from Major Ven'di of the Recon company.

Currently, they are walking in an abandoned village like what they should expect it's medieval except they are a size fit for children.

"LT, do you think that these Halflings that the higher ups called are a female exclusive race? Human childlike appearance but with animal traits is what I've heard is correct, sir?" Said Sgt Dima Chernyshenko (Дима Чернышенко).

"That's what they have said Sgt.," Henderson said as he was looking around the area, his weapon of choice is Mossberg 590 for firepower against Orcs and Ogres. He also brings some Machinegun squads.

"Would that mean be that they're legal," Said the Chernyshenko.

Everyone looked at him weirdly, "Dude, are you for real?" Said Corporal Dunn.

"I'm just saying man, I mean we may not be called pedophile if they know of their age," Said the Chernyshenko.

"If they would believe you of course, and also unless said Halflings are ready to defend and what I've heard they are stronger than normal humans, so you won't have a problem if she loves you." Henderson said as they looked at the abandoned village and saw some burned houses.

After some walking they rested for a while in the fountain with the shape of a beautiful elf woman.

Many of them admired the statue.

"Break it up men, you do know she's an elf, right?" Said Henderson as he puffs his smoke.

"Yeah, but I mean she looks very beautiful." Said a Private.

Some of them snickered at the private, "And if you haven't remembered private, us elves are a long living race, so that elf will outlive you and probably worst of all she might ditch you when you are old or on your deathbed and chase young people." Said one Australian elf soldier.

Saying that made the private turn red as they laugh at the mistake from the private.

After that they continued their scouting until they arrived where another siege was.

"Well, it appears a second siege has yet to start," Henderson said as he gestures to the Radiomen for the phone.

Back with the main force.

<"Command, I found the City of Rad. I say again, I found the city, over."> Henderson spoke.

"We read you Henderson," Said Henry. "Does the prisoners' information accurate?"

<"Yes, LT. It is accurate. The map is accurate too, and the way they are encampment means they may be planning to besiege the city tomorrow, over.">

"And can you tell us the fortress city?" Asked Anthony.

<"Well, just you would expect for a childlike race. Their walls are short and yes, the Halflings are indeed looking like children, sir. If we weren't briefed of this, we may have mistaken them as child soldiers, over.">

Anthony looked at his fellow officers. Henderson was right. If they weren't told about this, they would've mistake the Halflings as child soldiers and may insult them.

"Keep us posted LT. We'll be sending some forces there, look for anything that may change the Black Dogs course of action, over." Anthony said.

<"Yes, general. Out.">

"Well, we now know where we are going for our troops" David said as they looked at the map.

"Indeed, how many troops and vehicles should we send, Father?" Benjamin asked.

"Send the entire expedition force. We may not have the time to properly position our artillery or tanks, but we may use our mortars and anti-tank teams." Said Anthony as he began to grab ammunition and for a M27A2.

"Should we send M142 HIMARs?" Asked David doing the same.

Anthony nodded, "Yeah, bring them each with only Beehive HE rocket rounds in them, not for overkill but to save more ammo. Any more questions?" He asks. None spoke, "Good, prepare for sunrise people. I want everyone to be ready in that time to show these Black Dogs some good old Fuck Around and Find Out,"

He then heard the radio, "What is it?"

<"General, the enemy forces have left their camp and would begin their siege sooner then later, over."> Said Henderson.

"Damn, by the time our forces arrive, it would be too late for them." Said Anthony as everyone started moving on the double. "Make sure none of those bastards know that we are coming."

<"Understood General, out.">

"Well, the pieces are now in place Ant," Said David as he crosses his arms. "the battle will start and end shortly, the moment the siege starts it would be far too late for them to know of our arrival."

"As long as we are not spotted of course," Said Aleksandr. "We have the element of surprise and the firepower we should deal the maximum damage to our enemies without them knowing of our coming."

"Still, we have to make sure that this fortress city doesn't get hit," Said Ryoko.

"Then we should move fast and be in position before the enemy could breach the gate and walls." Anthony said, "The lesser ammo we spend the better, especially on our cannons of all types, we can salvage bullets but not shells."

Once again, he has to remind them about their situation and Anthony wants to converse as much ammunition as possible.

Not only that, but damaging the city and worse collateral damage like death of innocent civilians would make diplomatic talks complicated. They have to be careful of where they are aiming at and their spotters ready to convey target once the HIMARs are in position to fire.

Sending one battalion should be enough at the same time Ronan needed wider area of influence to project their power in this new land, though as much as possible they may not take any refugees as it might dwindle their supply without guarantee of replenishment, he will talk with Stepan and other generals outside the continent to deploy some of their units as Anthony already saw Rad would be where his personal Expedition to be based at.

———

Meanwhile in Rad

On the top of the Wall there was the Halfling with an pole-axe bigger than her with ginger hair and ruby eyes, she is almost naked save for a covering her groin, a top oversize hat and a cloak the only thing that covers her body and long socks that reach to her thigh and like the Dwarfs or Halflings as some they are called have the appearance of a 12 year old girl that could fool anyone that wasn't familiar with the Halflings, and despite their appearance they are deceptively stronger than even a normal human and have comparable life span of the Elves.

This is Luu-Luu Shield Princess of Rad and it's current leader.

Luu-Luu is 300 year old half-ling and she had been loyal to Celestine and the Shield alliance for centuries since her race along with the other Fortress cities band together 1,000 years ago when Olga Discordia invaded Eostia with an army of monsters against the south and they banded together thanks to Celestine directly intervened and formed the shield alliance to face off against the legions of monsters.

As years went on, during their failed invasion to the Dark Land of Garan led by the bitch Princess Father of the Kingdom of Feoh when he launched an invasion against the Dark Land leading a massive invasion force consisting of hundred thousand troops added by fifthteen thousand by the Holy Aurailian Empire ten years ago but the Invasion proven to be a failure since so few have returned and the Kingdom of Garan do a counter invasion which almost Ravage Eostia but thanks to the Effort of Grave Laventine along with the Mercenary Volt they are able to push back the forces of Garan.

Because of the devastation and failure of the invasion, the Eostian kingdoms became weak and had to rely for defensive tactics instead of an invasion as they could not be able to mount another offensive.

Which made them desperate and become over-relied to the mercenary which Luu-Luu began to feel uncomfortable due to their size of their army growing larger and stronger of each victory they took?

When another invasion of Garan occurred she tried to propose for a join invasion along with the Black Dogs with other kingdoms, of course the bitch princess Alicia and Grave whom for some reason didn't approve which made her angry as he brush it off and she feels like something was off to Grave but she shrugged it off for now.

Then tragic happens when the Black Dogs finally defeat and capture Olga, instead of returning as heroes and bringing Olga to Justice. Instead, they betrayed them and violate Olga and every Dark Elf Female in Garan in their heart's desire and most of all begun to attack the seven kingdoms of Eostia.

Because of their sudden betrayal and the message, they sent, Eostian kingdoms are still weak, and they are all shocked by it due to their betrayal and they are not prepared for the coming war against the Black Dogs suddenly onslaught.

Thanks to the western knights they have fewer troops and especially fewer battle hardened veterans that could fight against the more numerous Black Dogs, and most of the Esotian troops especially in the western kingdoms are arrogant brats whom either have little combat experience or none at all since they mostly fought small scale fight rather than full scale battle.

They're also very stupid believing in honor and fairness in battle, which would even made Claudia to sweat drop of such a notion of the Western Kingdoms especially in Feoh as they believe that even their enemies would fight fair, which Luu-Luu scoff at it like hell their enemies would fight fare and they are do not care about the rules. Raping young girls already shows they've got no honor.

While the eastern, more specifically Thorn are the only ones who believe in honor though not as stupid as the western knights but still frowned upon those who fought dishonorably.

In front of her City, her home is a large number of Black Dogs and monsters waiting to take over their city and rape every single half-ling in it and they are only female exclusive race, whatever available left in her army they are inside the city wall, all the Half-ling soldiers carried light armor, as they carried either spear, poleaxe or crossbow thanks to their short height no bows they could properly use and have to resort to crossbows, thanks to them being master in blacksmith they have the best weapons and armor in Eostia and they are highly sought after.

As she looks at her enemies, her face is a mixture of anger and excitement. Excitement because Luu-Luu relished during combat and she would have a good fight on this day. Anger because of how the bastards made her people suffer as they violated her race without remorse, the monsters whose size are large their genitals in return are massive that would destroy the innocents womb and kill them instantly and it didn't help of their child like appearance and stature which they could not be able to handle such size and she would be dammed if she could not able to defend her people until she dies.

She then looked at her troops. "Alright ladies the time has come... those bastards of the fucked up Black Dogs are here, they are not here to siege us but to rape us all! You want it to happen to you and your family!" Shouted Luu-Luu which the Half-lings' cries in outrage, "We will never surrender, in doing so is a fate worse than death. They have raped and violate our kind without such mercy, and we shall show them none! We will make sure every inch in this city they take would be paid for in blood—"

Before Luu-Luu could finish her sentence, she heard an explosion several kilometers away from the city, she swore she heard 3 explosions despite at the coming siege everyone even the Black Dogs halt their march appeared to be just as confused and looking at the sound of that explosion.

Within a few moments that question was answered as 12 explosions hit the area where the Black Dogs are at and caused massive damage to them as the shockwave along with the sheer force of the explosion had made many of the Black Dogs fly and not only that, but limbs and other body parts and organs are sent flying too.

As soon as the dust settled the Black Dogs looked terrified as they saw their comrades to be killed in such a way and such a large number with just 12 shots from 20,000 to 6,000 are left in the siege as burned mark circled in the area where it hit. Many of them vomit.

The Black Dogs began to flee in terror as they lost all of their morale and fled whatever magic that came to them as they were fleeing some of them got near the range of the landmines which detected them near to their location.

"What the—" Before he could finish, he and his cronies are engulf in an explosion killing them.

Some of the Black dogs are about to reach the tree line... only to tale to realize their doom.

"What's up, bitches!" Said Aiden "Light em' the fuck up!" he and the others then fired their weapons at the Black Dogs as they are being gun down as each bullets pierce several Black Dogs with ease which reducing their numbers even quicker.

Some of the riflemen with underbarrel grenade launchers began sending 40mm down range killing dozens of Black dogs. All of them shot in a converse, single-shot/3-round burst, and focus manner not wanting to waste ammo just like what their general had said.

"Faster we're getting near to the trees!" Said one of the Black Dog as they are near to the tree line.

Too bad for them as a small group of troops armed with flamethrowers and Dragon demi-humans are waiting for them. "Entrance of hell is open, so welcome to your free 1st class ticket!" Said the lead Dragon demi-human as they then fired their weapons and breath.

The Black Dogs scream in agonizing pain before dying in seconds as they are burned by the dozens as the flame is slowly advancing forward towards the Black Dogs.

Several troops with rocket launchers fired their High explosive rounds with careful shots as if they were targeting a tank's or fortifications' weak spot.

<"Dad, this battle would end shortly, you can now move and meet with whoever is in charge here."> Said Jackson.

<"Understood moving there now."> Said Anthony.

Luu-Luu look at the devastation that have been wrought upon the Black Dogs which horrified her as she would never had seen this in her life as her body shook so much due to the mysterious army's power that she didn't notice that she wet herself and she was not alone of doing that, even her troops did so too.

Regardless, she snapped from her fearful mindset and became curious at the weapons that the mysterious army used as she was a maze of it. It might be cowardly to other kingdoms but not to her, and it was these weapons that save her people, she is interested in their technology, and it was a sign of a miracle that they have been saved to this day.

She narrowed her eyes as she looked at the new arrivals, she noticed that they were wearing uniquely colored uniforms, flags, and appeared to be not wearing some armor others though if she could call it an armor wearing it to their chest. And they were highly diverse given the number of different races.

Though not so intimidating to her opinion until she saw the metal beast, "What in the gods names are those!" Luu-Luu screamed as she saw the various metal beasts' sizes. She looked at the LAV-25A7 and she saw a man on its head, and she made a conclusion. 'That's some strange contraption...' Thought Luu-Luu.

Being old and has travelled far and wide she is familiar with that kind of vehicle from one in the south called steam tank which she has tried to purchase but the cost was atrocious and not to mention the maintenance.

"They look way more armored than the steam tanks..." Luu-Luu commented as she looked at the vehicles, "They don't need steam or magic and yet appeared to be moving without problem and have faster speed too." It still got her curious at the amount of armor that they have, even the smaller ones appeared to be more armored than the steam tank.

And not only that they look way more advanced.

Still, they saved them and so she made her decision, "Open the gates! I wish to talk to whoever is leading this army!" As she ordered her guards, they move quickly she then noticed the fluids between her legs as she blushed at that, her servants quickly noticed it too and move to wipe it off as she wants to present herself to the mysterious army's leader, she quickly run down the stairs towards the gate and proudly carried her pole-axe.

Meanwhile with the joint MEF forces~

Anthony was on the LAV-25A7 hearing reports from various companies and in turn platoons and squads confirming that all enemies had been eliminated. He was also glad to be on the frontlines and fought alongside his fellow Marines and soldiers. Sure, generals typically do not fight on the frontlines in modern warfare due to the need for strategic oversight, but historical examples show they can lead from the front, though it is a risky and uncommon practice that has largely disappeared due to advancements in communication and the evolving nature of conflict. Generals are responsible for coordinating large forces, complex logistics, and strategic movements, tasks that require them to remain in rear areas to maintain command and control over the entire battlefield.

But fuck it. If troops see their general fighting and getting dirty alongside them, then morale would be boosted to a high degree.

"Um sir, you should see this...," Said the driver.

"What is it?" Anthony said with annoyance as he looked in front of him and his eyes widened at what he saw. 'Is she fuckin' nearly naked?' Thought Anthony as his right eye twitched at her choice of clothes. He halts the IFV as the half-ling approaches him. "So... are you the one in charge here?" Anthony said, masking his tone with skepticism.

Luu-Luu noticed his dark skin and thought he was a dark elf, due to the lack of pointy ears and older like features of his skin proved that he is human. She nodded at Anthony's question. "Yep! I am Luu-Luu, leader of the Halfling tribes! Or dwarves." Luu-Luu spoke, "So, who are you human?" she asked.

Anthony jumped off the vehicle and saluted her. "Lieutenant General Anthony Spain Towson of the United States Marine Corps and leader of this Joint Marine/Army Expeditionary Force." He spoke, but not looking directly at her due to her... wardrobe. "Let's talk more after we clean up this mess."

"Say uh... Town-son... are you familiar with our race?" Luu-Luu said being the open minded she is, she quickly deduces that they may be familiar with her race, but his accent is highly different.

"Yes, ma'am. We are."

"Just as much as I thought." Luu-Luu said with a sigh, "Well you can have your troops inside for some rest, while you and I have a diplomatic talk."

Despite her childish appearance, she appeared to know her duty as a leader. "And if you think I'm a child. I'm 300 years old, and we Halflings just appeared this way."

'Lady, a 7-Eleven employee wouldn't sell you a lighter even if you had ID.' Anthony thought.

"If you want to know more... we the Halflings age comparable to the elves. Living thousands of years to near immortal, unlike other races we grow only into childlike appearance but with animal ears and tails." Luu-Luu explained, "And we are an only female exclusive race."

"What?" Said Anthony along with the other troops who heard it. "How would your race be able to reproduce then?" He asks not to believe that this little girl doesn't have a father. But she did say tribes, meaning they aren't linked to the other Halflings he met in other countries and kingdoms.

But before Anthony could ask more, he sniffed something before he covered his nose in disgusted. "Oh goddamn! What in the R. Kelly is that piss smell?!"

Luu-Luu's face turned red in embarrassment. "Well, we accidentally wet ourselves due to your destructive magic to the Black Dogs..." Luu-Luu admitted in a bit of shame.

Anthony then handedLuu-Luu one of the spare camo jackets as he couldn't look directly at her dueto her choice of clothes.

Anthony didn't look straight at her—he'd seen plenty of weird on deployments, but "nearly-naked poleaxe princess who looks twelve" was a new category. He shrugged out of a spare field jacket, held it out without ceremony.

"Ma'am—throw this on. Wind's kicking up."

Luu-Luu blinked, cheeks coloring. She slipped into the oversized camo like a kid into her dad's coat, but kept her chin high and the poleaxe steady.

He thumbed his radio. "All callsigns, this net—SECURE THE SCENE. No one crosses the line of departure without a buddy and a purpose. FET, Mercy Teams, you own survivor lanes. MPs, cordon and evidence. Engrs, make safe—mines marked, demo cold inside 500 meters of the wall. HIMARS goes cold unless I say otherwise. Let's be the adults."

A steady stream of "Copy"s came back.

Winged-Demi Marines circled overhead, then traded altitude for overwatch perches on rooftops. Rangers pushed a skirmish line through the field, double-tapping the last pockets trying to play dead. Armor angled to mask the city gate from any last dumb charge, dozer blades down like iron smiles.

At the gate, Aiden and Henry ran the corridor—helmets on, visors down, voices low and steady.

"Water first. Then blanket. Then out of sight," Aiden told a Maid/Butler Corps pair as they guided a shaking halfling into a privacy screen. "You're safe. You're safe."

Henry slid a squad to relief. "Rotate every fifteen. Nobody white-knuckles it alone."

On the wall above, halfling crossbow captains stared—faces like children, eyes like veterans. A couple had tears drying to salt. Most had hands that didn't shake.

"Open the gates," Luu-Luu called. "They are under my protection."

The heavy timbers creaked. Anthony stepped through with a small escort—David, Ven'di, Capt. Yamada from Civil Affairs, the Maid/Butler liaison, and an MP team leader. He kept his hands visible, rifle slung, sidearm snapped, posture respectful.

Rad smelled like hot metal and bread. Inside the courtyard, halfling smiths paused at their forges; a dozen tiny helmets turned, measuring. Nobody looked away.

"Princess," Capt. Yamada bowed. "We come to coordinate relief and defense."

Luu-Luu nodded once. "We speak in council."

—

Council Hall, City of Rad

The hall was stone, close-set and clean. Banners hung—hammer and leaf; shield and grain. Luu-Luu climbed a low dais and planted her poleaxe. Two elders flanked her, all lines and iron.

Anthony kept it simple.

"We're Joint Expeditionary—humans and demi-folk, multiple flags under one mission. We didn't come to take your city. We came because monsters were marching. We'll leave you stronger than we found you."

Luu-Luu's ruby eyes flicked to a runner delivering a report—short whispers, a quick nod. She looked back.

"What is your thunder?" she asked. "The dozen blows. The metal rain."

"HIMARS rockets," Anthony said. "Big arrows with bad tempers. We aim them way from your walls. We'll keep them that way."

"You killed many," one elder said flatly.

"We killed the right ones," David answered, voice low. "And we'll bury ours clean and yours with honor if the day ever comes."

Silence. Then Luu-Luu squared her shoulders.

"Terms," she said. "Rad grants you quartering for one week—water, forge time, market access. In return, you keep predators from our gates, you teach my guard captains your signals, and you treat our wounded first."

Anthony nodded. "Done, done, and done. Add two more: we set a joint watch—your scouts with our recon—and our medics train your healers on triage and infection control. We also need a place to hold and question captured leaders—not in your sight lines. We keep that filth outside your walls."

"Agreed." Luu-Luu glanced down at the too-big jacket, then back up with a ghost of a smile. "And... clothes for me that do not scandalize your soldiers."

"Working it," the Maid/Butler liaison said, already scribbling. "We'll have a respectable wardrobe in an hour."

The elder on Luu-Luu's right grunted. "We owe you a debt."

"You owe us nothing," Anthony said. "But if you want to help pay it forward—maps, trails, where the Black Dogs eat and sleep. We cut off their feet before they find new boots."

Luu-Luu signaled. A young smith's runner came with a wrapped bundle—vellum, charcoal marks. River crossings and goat paths. A stamp where the siege engines had staged.

"We watch everything," she said. "We are small. We are not blind."

Anthony slid the maps to David. "RAVEN'll love these."

David's radio crackled. "Raven to Towson—battlefield is cold. No runners beyond our perimeter. Mercy convoy rolling with survivors. We've got capacity for a hundred in the first lift."

"Copy," Anthony said, then to Luu-Luu, "We'll bring your people home or to safety, your call."

"Home," she said at once. Then, softer: "Then we talk about the rest of the world."

"We will," Anthony said. "When the screaming stops."

—

Outside the walls – Consolidation

"Ammo check," Henderson called, voice clipped. "Three mags average, smoke is good, frags steady. Save your 40 mike-mike unless you've got a clump."

"Copy," Dunn said, thumbing a safety. "LT—false surrender on the left. We handled it."

"Good," Henderson replied. "Keep your humanity. But don't lose your head."

Ven'di's mech column settled into a lazy L facing the fields, Bradleys idling, thermal sights painting the ground for anything with a pulse and bad ideas. Tanks parked to keep cannon arcs well outside Rad's walls—no one inside would ever mistake who the guns were for.

Aiden jogged past a mortar tube, clapped the section lead. "Nice restraint on those HE drops."

"Rockets did the heavy lifting," the Marine replied. "We're just the punctuation."

Henry and an MP sergeant walked three detainees—cuffed, hoods on, paperwork clipped to their bindings—toward a waiting MRAP surrounded by a Privacy Wall kit. The sergeant's tone was ice.

"They get water, a look from medic, and then a box with bars. Any swinging dick tries a boot selfie, I'll bounce him off a bumper. Tracking?"

"Tracking," Henry said.

On the far side, Maid/Butler teams moved like a practiced ballet—erecting green screens, sliding blankets into small hands, passing broth cups, logging names carefully without faces. One maid paused, thumbed a tiny charm, and matched a halfling girl's braid ribbon to another's in the ledger.

"Found her sister," she told a butler, who nodded and moved, gentle as rain.

—

Nightfall – Rad's Ramparts

Lanterns bobbed along the parapet as the sun died orange. From here the field looked like a storm had passed and left only blackened timber and bad memories.

Luu-Luu stood with her council, Anthony beside her, helmets off for both. She wore a sensible tunic now, belt cinched, jacket folded over an arm. The poleaxe still within reach. Of course it was.

"My people will sing of this day," she said quietly. "They will not sing of me. They will sing of thunder with a conscience."

Anthony followed her gaze. "Tomorrow, we'll take long walks on short supply lines," he said. "Hit their depots. Burn their rope. Find the ones giving orders and end their careers."

"Good," Luu-Luu said. "I want more days like this and fewer like the last year."

"You'll get them," Anthony said. "But hear me out: our folks are tired, and yours are carrying a mountain. We'll rotate and rest. We'll teach and learn. No cowboy shit. No hero ball."

She tilted her head. "You swear much."

"Occupational hazard," he said. "We swear so we don't scream."

She laughed once—short, surprised, honest.

Below them, Aiden and Henry leaned on a parapet, cups of something hot steaming in the dark. Aiden bumped Henry's shoulder.

"First deployment," he said. "Not how we pictured it."

"Yeah," Henry said, eyes on the city, the people, the strange little lives they'd just kept from ending. "Better than the alternative."

They fell quiet. Out beyond the walls, the perimeter IR strobes winked, a neat invisible ring. Overhead, a winged-Demi team sliced a lazy figure eight against the stars.

Inside Rad, hammers started up again—soft, rhythmic, comforting. The sound of a place repairing itself.

Anthony keyed a private net to David. "Tomorrow we brief the pursuit," he said. "Tonight—no more rockets, no more speeches. Just food, guard shifts, and sleep."

"Roger," David said. "And boss... good call on coming forward."

"Had to," Anthony replied, eyes still on the city. "Morale's a force multiplier. So is showing up."

He clicked off, breathed in the smell of bread and forge again, and let the quiet sit.

They hadn't come to conquer. They'd come to draw a line.

On their side of it, people lived.