Ferland is vast and expansive.
From the Eastern Sea to the central Meng''en Plains, it took the Winged Ones, flying at their maximum speed, more than a month to reach the plains and join the other allied races for the meeting.
It couldn''t be helped. In terms of distance, only the merfolk from the western coast could match the speed of the Winged Ones.
Along the way, they encountered no resistance from beasts or other races.
With an army of 10,000 winged warriors soaring through the sky, the sheer scale of their presence was terrifying, like a massive storm cloud advancing steadily. No one dared challenge them.
Moreover, with their bows at the ready, a single command from Jano would unleash a barrage of arrows that no enemy could withstand.
Along their journey, Jano also led his winged army in destroying several beasts that dared cross their path, showcasing their military prowess and further boosting his confidence for the upcoming war.
When they reached the skies over Meng''en Plains, they saw nearly a million soldiers from various races already encamped on the vast plains.
Jano observed them from above, noting the diversity:
Minotaurs, towering and wielding massive stone axes, unleashed their untamed strength in their camps.
Dwarven warriors, stocky but incredibly strong, armed with bronze weapons, even forging new ones on-site.
Centaur cavalry, swift as the wind, wielding unmatched archery skills, one of the most powerful mounted forces in all of Ferland.
Troll clans, who had also turned their backs on the Titans, and were numerous—second only to the goblins in population.
Merfolk, with their innate water magic, a smaller force that had traveled from the western seas, reportedly because of a great love story between a goblin prince and a mermaid princess.
Gnomes, the goblin''s close allies, were less warrior-like but had a rich legacy of magical professions.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Fairies, representing different elemental types, had come to the plains as well. Led by their protector, a powerful Forest Fairy, a legendary figure among them, they were not to be taken lightly.
Treants, known as ancient tanks, numbering in the hundreds, formed an almost impenetrable wall wherever they stood. Their strong bond with the trolls made them a reliable force in battle.
Beastmen, including Gnolls and Boar Men, once subjugated by the ancient dragons, had now joined the fray.
And, of course, the ever-present goblin legions, whose armies stretched as far as the eye could see.
The goblins were the dominant military force of this age. Clad in iron armor and wielding advanced steam-powered weapons, they were a sight to behold. Jano couldn''t help but feel a mixture of envy and admiration.
In his mind, he thought: "The second chapter of this war is approaching. This is the era of the goblins, but our Winged Ones are still not strong enough. We will wait for the future to show our might!"
Across the plains, hundreds of intelligent races had gathered, their army sizes ranging from tens of thousands to mere hundreds.
For example, the Trolls were one of the largest factions, having joined either the Titans'' or their own side, but those who chose the Titans were fewer.
The fairies, with their songs and light hearts, appeared more like spectators than warriors, even as the battle loomed ahead.
Caravans of supplies and food were sent by the goblins from all directions, further strengthening their position.
As Jano and his army approached the Meng''en Plains, their presence darkened the sky like a sea of clouds, overshadowing the sun with their sheer number.
This massive airborne army of winged warriors, armed with longbows and bronze swords, was an awe-inspiring sight.
For many of the races on the plains, the Winged Ones were still a relatively unknown force.
At first, there was confusion.
"Didn''t the Hawkmen King''s Court reject our alliance to overthrow their great lord, the Thunder Titan?"
"This army... They look like the Hawkmen tribe, but is their king really so two-faced?"
At this point, one of the more well-informed races, a member of the Trolls, scoffed,
"You''re all out of date. The winged ones aren''t like the Hawkmens at all. They''re our allies. Though they may look similar, they''re an entirely different race!"
"My family''s leader once said, ''One Winged One is worth five Hawkmens!''"
"One Winged One equals five Hawkmens? Wow, then these Winged Ones could challenge the Hawkmens, Griffins, Hydra-headed Dragons, and all the flying species for dominance of the skies!"
"Don''t worry, with them on our side, we''ll have no trouble dealing with any enemies from the sky!"
At that moment, a group of goblin knights, dressed in armor and carrying massive swords or chain maces, rose into the air, heading straight for Jano.
Their bodies were surrounded by wind energy, which allowed them to fly.
Jano sensed that these goblins were not yet legendary, so they must be Wind Knights—an advanced form of the Goblins'' Knight class.
It might sound a bit absurd, but in ancient times, the Goblins'' Knight class had been one of the foundations of the modern Four Knight Classes—Wind Knights, Earth Knights, Water Knights, and Fire Knights. These knights had spread across the world, creating a lasting legacy.