Chapter 20: The Siege of Solmaris
Farhan stood in his study, eyes locked on the map sprawled across the table before him. The edges of the parchment were charred from the heat of countless battles and diplomatic upheavals, yet the ink still held. His fingers traced the familiar lines, mapping out the trade routes, the defenses, and now — the most critical part — the siege points. The Unseen Hand had declared war, and Farhan was about to meet them head-on.
"There's no going back now," he muttered to himself, lifting his gaze toward the wide window that overlooked the city. Below, the Trade Titans rolled through the streets, their heavy wheels rumbling over the cobblestones, their enchanted crystals glowing faintly. The people of Solmaris had learned to trust these mechanical marvels, and Farhan wasn't about to let them fall now.
Lyssa entered the room, her expression tight with urgency. "They're coming," she said, voice low, betraying none of the fear that surely resided in her heart.
Farhan didn't need to ask who "they" were. The Unseen Hand had gathered its forces — spies, warlocks, and mercenaries — all converging on Solmaris, drawn to the heart of the merchant empire that Farhan had built. This would be the final confrontation.
"We need to activate the defense grid," Lyssa continued, spreading out a set of arcane crystals. "This will delay them, but we'll need time to fortify the eastern walls."
Farhan looked at the stones in front of her. He could feel the hum of magic in the air — these crystals were far more advanced than anything Solmaris had ever seen. The combination of his technology and the Radiant Order's magic was proving to be more effective than anyone had anticipated.
"It won't be enough," he said, turning his back to the map and meeting her gaze. "We need more than just defenses. We need a full assault strategy."
Lyssa's brow furrowed. "Are you suggesting we take the fight to them?"
"Exactly," Farhan said, walking over to a hidden compartment in the wall. He retrieved a small, intricately carved box. Opening it, he revealed a set of maps and a strange device with glowing blue runes etched into its surface.
"This," he said, holding it up for her to see, "is a prototype of something I've been working on. It's a portable siege cannon, powered by a hybrid of my tech and enchanted runes. With this, we'll break through their frontlines."
Lyssa's eyes widened as she took the device from his hands. "This is… brilliant."
"I don't want brilliance," Farhan said, his tone hard. "I want victory. And we're going to need everything we have to achieve it."
—
The sun was just setting as the first rumblings of the enemy forces could be felt on the outskirts of Solmaris. Farhan stood on the battlements, watching as columns of smoke rose into the sky. The Unseen Hand was coming. And they were bringing everything they had.
The Trade Titans were lined up in formation, their armor gleaming under the fading light. Farhan had organized his own forces — a mix of merchants, mages, and soldiers from every corner of the realm. The common folk who had benefited from his products now stood with him in defense of the city. And, more importantly, they stood for the future he promised them.
Arlin approached, his armor rattling as he walked. He nodded at Farhan. "All set. The Trade Titans are ready. The defense crystals are primed. And Denel's team is in position."
Farhan nodded. "Good. We'll need to buy as much time as possible. Lyssa, how are the siege cannons?"
Lyssa appeared beside him, her hand resting on one of the larger cannons that had been set up along the eastern wall. "Ready. But we'll need to be strategic with their deployment. These weapons pack a punch, but they're slow to reload."
"Make them count," Farhan said. "We don't get a second chance."
The ground shook again, and this time, the enemy's presence was undeniable. A black cloud of smoke, shrouded in magic and hate, rose from the horizon. The Unseen Hand had arrived, and with them, a host of warlocks, assassins, and their deadly leader, the Smokebinder.
"They're close," Lyssa said, her voice tight.
Farhan turned to Arlin. "Take command of the Titans. I'll lead the assault."
"You're insane," Arlin muttered, though there was a glint of respect in his eyes. "You can't lead a full-on charge in person. The Smokebinder will target you the moment you step outside."
"I know," Farhan said, his voice cold. "But I've been preparing for this. I have a few tricks up my sleeve."
—
The first wave of the Unseen Hand's forces hit the walls at dawn. They came in a surge of shadow magic, fireballs, and dark creatures conjured from the abyss. The Trade Titans rolled into position, their cannons firing at will, sending blasts of energy and steel toward the advancing enemy.
But Farhan wasn't just relying on brute force.
He stood at the rear of the battlements, his hands moving in complex gestures as he tapped into the power of his Online Shopping skill. The air around him shimmered, and before the enemy could even react, dozens of magical barriers sprang into existence, reinforcing the walls. The air buzzed with the intensity of the spell.
"Get ready," he muttered, and the ground beneath the city trembled as the Trade Titans began to fire again, this time with devastating precision.
For every enemy soldier that fell, Farhan's forces pressed forward, pushing them back from the walls. But the Smokebinder was not so easily deterred.
Farhan watched as the dark mage, cloaked in shadow, approached the frontlines. His eyes gleamed with malice, and with a flick of his wrist, the air around him grew thick with smoke. The siege cannons fell silent, their magic unable to pierce the dark clouds that now enveloped the battlefield.
"Not today," Farhan said under his breath, tapping once more into his cheat skill. He pressed a button on his tablet, and the ground shook as a new weapon was deployed — a massive airship, rising from a hidden dock just beyond the city walls. Its sails shimmered with enchanted runes, and its guns were charged with magical energy.
The airship opened fire, cutting through the smoke and blasting a hole straight through the Unseen Hand's ranks. The shockwave sent enemy soldiers scattering, and the Smokebinder's eyes widened in surprise.
Farhan smirked. "Got you."
The final push was underway. The enemy forces were on the retreat. The battle was still fierce, but Farhan could feel the tide turning. The Unseen Hand's dark magic had met its match in the combination of Earth-tech and magic that Farhan had forged.
But even as the city celebrated the victory, a nagging thought gnawed at him. The Smokebinder had retreated, yes, but the war wasn't over. Not by a long shot. Farhan knew that the Unseen Hand had more in store. And this victory — though hard-won — was only the beginning.
He turned to Lyssa, who stood beside him, her expression hardening.
"Prepare for the next phase," he said. "We're not done yet. Not until this realm is ours."
And as the city's bells rang out in triumph, Farhan Rahman, the merchant from another world, steeled himself for the war that was far from over.