Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

On August 27th.

Due to receiving orders from Ambiru the previous day, tonight, Rhett and his forces would launch a counterattack against the beastmen! Thus, he had gathered his troops early and waited quietly in the assembly area.

The soldiers stood ready, with the setting sun casting a golden hue over the cool autumn sky. The clouds, increasingly dim in the fading light, appeared old and worn. As the sun dipped below the western mountains and twilight set in, the soldiers' eyes in the assembly area grew even more resolute and determined!

The size of the gathered forces was almost identical to when they had ambushed the Nightcatmen's troops half a month ago.

Under the moonlight, Ambiru approached with a cold expression and said, "The order was given a day in advance.

Now, the temporary battalion and the 10th to 25th squads, follow me.

The rest of the troops, carry out the orders I previously issued!"

"Yes!" A resounding chorus echoed from the mass of soldiers.

Quickly, several fifth-rank Earth Knights and fifth-rank Mages were assigned to the 1st to 10th squads, and they were the first to leave the assembly area.

Then Ambiru continued, "The rest of you, move out!"

At his command, all the soldiers immediately sprang into action, their footsteps drumming like thunder as they marched through the checkpoints, heading north.

Ahead, Rhett saw the shadowy, ocean-like mass of the main battle force, led by the Commander—its scale far larger than Ambiru's troops.

Rhett touched the bulging pouch at his waist and, along with the other Mages at the rear of the formation, mentally prepared himself. Once they reached the front lines, the Poison Serpentmen among the royal bloodlines would replace the Blood Moon Werewolves as the main force.

In large-scale, chaotic battles, the Poison Serpentmen's venom could wreak havoc, causing significant problems for the human forces.

The Blood Moon Werewolves, on the other hand, were better suited for solo combat, small skirmishes, or assassination missions. In large battles, they were too easily targeted and overwhelmed. Unlike the Poison Serpentmen, whose venom could still spread and infect nearby enemies even after death.

Fortunately, Rhett had prepared enough Starlight Potions in advance. Otherwise, even if he could survive, his troops would suffer greatly.

As the counterattack force crossed the battlefield's midline, the atmosphere grew chillingly cold.

By the time the night deepened to its fullest, tiny stars glittered in the sky above. The autumn wind howled mournfully as the troops climbed a slope and arrived at a small lake. They reached the lake's northernmost point, where a narrow path led into the valley's outer edge.

At this point, the main army was still marching in great numbers, but Ambiru halted his forces at the lake's edge.

He stood at the entrance to the narrow path, beside the northern shore of the lake. In the middle of the lake, a strange fish with three tails splashed out of the water before diving back in. Ripples spread outward, their edges darkening in the dim light, casting shadows as they expanded. After a few moments, the bubbling sounds ceased, and the main force had moved on, leaving everything quiet.

Ambiru remained silent for a moment before speaking, "The beastmen are highly mobile. In this attack, the forces of Minotaurs, Nightcatmen, and Blood Moon Werewolves are likely to seek opportunities to flank or launch a surprise attack from the rear.

Therefore, we must set up ambushes on the flanks and rear. I've already positioned scouts to gather intelligence.

If the beastmen attempt a flanking maneuver, this location will be crucial to the right flank. I'll have Amadeo, Mitch, Federi, and Putz, along with the 10th to 20th squads, stay here in ambush.

The rest of you, follow me!"

With new orders issued, Ambiru quickened his pace, and the others hurriedly followed.

They passed through the Ringing Gold Peak, traveled several more kilometers, and arrived at a narrow strip of dry land between two cliffs. The area was only about ten meters wide, littered with rocks and boulders.

Surrounding the cliffs were black shrubs and golden dead trees.

"Earth Mages, carve out spaces within the mountains and cover your tracks.

Darren, Hellman, and Geoffrey, each lead five squads and hide inside the mountains.

Wind Mages and archers, move to the back of the hill a kilometer away and prepare for an ambush," Ambiru ordered, pointing toward a small hill in the distance.

"The temporary battalion and the 1st to 5th squads, patrol within a ten-kilometer radius around the two small hills and draw the beastmen's attention.

Everyone else, continue with me..."

Ambiru's eyes narrowed as he calmly issued orders, and the various units quickly mobilized.

As Rhett concentrated his mental power to hollow out the mountain, he also accessed the system interface to initiate a Real Simulation.

This served as a precaution and helped him get a sense of the beastmen's flanking forces, making it easier to assist Tuck and Relay in harvesting more beastmen and accumulating Destiny Points.

When the simulation ended, a ripple slowly faded, and Rhett's eyes glinted with understanding. He patiently waited.

About an hour passed.

Rhett noticed a distant glimmer of small fire serpents in the sky, a sign of the sixth-rank Fire Spell—Dance of Fire Serpents! Even from here, he could faintly see the firelight in the night.

He sighed inwardly, "The battle on the front lines has begun..."

Half an hour later.

Rhett had long finished carving out the mountain's interior and was now hiding deep within the bloody riverbed with Ambiru's forces. Several Water Mages were stationed underwater, ready to counter any potential poison spread.

After several more minutes, Rhett, wrapped in water plants, suddenly heard the rumbling footsteps coming from the west.

Then, a sharp whistle sounded—Ambiru's prearranged signal with the decoy patrol!

Rhett looked toward Ambiru's position, where the murky water distorted his vision. Through the faint glow of combat energy, he saw the signal—Attack!

Splash, splash, splash

The surface of the bloody river bubbled as a large number of soldiers emerged.

At that moment, the beastmen were pursuing the patrol that had been acting as bait.

Charging at the forefront were over two hundred Minotaurs, followed closely by more than a hundred Nightcatmen.

Further behind, Rhett could see about four hundred Boarmen, slower than the others and trailing at the rear.

The Minotaurs led the way, their iron hooves thundering on the ground.

Among the Minotaurs, their horns change color as they grow stronger—bronze at lower levels, turning golden at mid-levels. High-level Minotaurs' horns even become emerald green, incredibly tough and terrifying!

But high-level Minotaurs rarely appeared on the Canyon Frontline. Among this wave of Minotaurs, about a dozen had golden horns, charging toward the soldiers luring them into the bloody riverbed!

"Moo~" A deep, resonant bellow!

"Meow~" A sharp, ear-piercing screech!

Splash, splash, splash

Ambiru led the charge out of the water, his expression cold.

Without hesitation, he unleashed a brilliant blaze of fire and swung his sword, severely wounding several mid-level Minotaurs at the front.

"Lulalala!"

The Minotaurs let out muffled cries as the scorching flames blackened their front, sending them flying backward, colliding with their comrades who couldn't stop in time.

Fortunately, the Minotaurs behind them were weaker, with only low-level strength, unable to pierce the thick hide of the mid-level Minotaurs.

Whizz, whizz, whizz

At that moment, archers and Wind Mages arrived from several kilometers away, surrounding the beastmen from behind and launching a ranged attack.

Even the soldiers hidden in the rocks emerged one by one.

Thud, thud, thud

Boulders tumbled down the mountains, and knights leaped from the heights!

Mid-level Wind Mages also cast Levitation, floating in the air and slowly moving—among the various types of mages, only Wind Mages could use their powerful control over wind elements to fly before reaching the Saint level. At the Mage level, they could already take to the skies with the fourth-rank spell—Levitation.

At the Grand Mage level, they could even cast Flight, allowing them to fly freely in the sky before reaching the Saint level!

Macoff glanced at the floating Mage with envy but quickly joined in, casting Wind Wall!

Several thick blue-green wind walls howled, and the arrows passing through them gained a second burst of speed, mercilessly striking the relatively fragile Nightcatmen!

"Ambiru, I'll fight you to the death!"

A fifth-rank Nightcatman fearlessly leaped from the beastmen's ranks, seemingly ready for a final showdown with Ambiru.

However, at that moment, a Minotaur, carried by its momentum, also jumped into the air, heading toward the same direction as the Nightcatman.

As it approached, it exposed its broad back, acting as a platform.

The Nightcatman's eyes flashed with cunning as it used the Minotaur's back as a springboard, changing direction in mid-air to charge at the floating fourth-rank Wind Mage!

"Damn it!"

Rhett's face darkened as he cast Falling Rocks to crush the Nightcatman!

He glanced at Ambiru, who remained calm, drawing his longbow and nocking an arrow without a word.

Snap!

Ambiru released the bowstring, and the arrow shot like a streak of light, trailing a long red glow as it pierced through the Nightcatman's head, which had been trying to ambush the Wind Mage.

Boom!

The body exploded in mid-air, turning into a shower of blood as it plummeted to the ground.

With Ambiru holding the line and having verified the outcome through the simulation, Rhett knew the battle was already decided.

But his primary goal was to accumulate Destiny Points!

So, as he fought fiercely, Rhett subtly moved closer to Tuck and Relay.

Before long, he reached their central position, using his Earth Magic to target second and third-rank beastmen, severely wounding them to make it easier for Tuck and Relay to finish them off.

Despite Tuck's large build, he was agile thanks to his Phantom Rewind technique!

"Oww!"

He heard a Boarman's cry and swiftly marked it with a hidden combat energy seal before darting forward like a phantom, plunging his sword into its heart!

Even Relay, benefiting from rigorous magic training, was performing well, using Water Spear to finish off severely wounded beastmen.

Meanwhile, Rhett's vision filled with continuous notifications of increased Destiny Points.

The battle raged for over half an hour.

Although the beastmen were relatively simple-minded, their relentless ferocity was terrifying.

Despite having Ambiru, a sixth-rank peak warrior, leading them, the beastmen's desperate struggle still unleashed tremendous combat power.

In the end, the beastmen suffered heavy losses, with only a few lucky ones escaping. The majority perished in the ambush.

But many human soldiers were also injured or maimed.

Ambiru frowned and sternly ordered, "Bigu, Leda, Offetomi, quickly treat the wounded!"

As soon as the command was given, Light Mages rushed from the rear of the battlefield, gathering soft light to heal the injured.

During this brief respite, Rhett approached Tuck and patted his shoulder, giving Relay a knowing look. Both understood immediately. They seized the opportunity to finish off the beastmen who were still clinging to life but would soon perish without treatment.

This action didn't draw any suspicion.

After all, many soldiers on the Canyon Frontline harbored deep hatred for the beastmen. Some even desecrated the corpses of dead beastmen after the battle to vent their anger.

Rhett also glanced at Taddell, Kulse, and Heline. Although they had some minor injuries, they were generally fine, so he felt relieved.

"Next, we're heading to the front lines for the final assault. Everyone, prepare yourselves!" Ambiru calmly announced after the soldiers had a brief rest.

"Understood!" The soldiers responded with high spirits, showing no fear.

Seasoned soldiers knew that only by confronting war without fear could they hope to avoid it.

Rhett checked his system interface, noting that his Destiny Points had reached 276, and every few minutes, another notification would appear.

He then looked toward the front lines, where "magical fireworks" sparkled in the sky, and wondered, "I wonder if this battle will be enough for me to break through..."