Editing Interlude – Hectval (Pt. 1)

{{Infobox_episode|title=Interlude – Hectval (Pt.&nbsp;1)|published=February 9, 2022|previousChapter=[[Chapter 8.65]]|wordcount=35,515|nextChapter=[[Interlude – Hectval (Pt. 2)]]|link=[https://wanderinginn.com/2022/02/09/interlude-hectval-pt-1/ Interlude – Hectval (Pt. 1)]|image=Artur.jpg|imagecaption=Artur by [[Fanworks/Lanrae|Lanrae]]}}

'''Interlude – Hectval (Pt. 1)''' is the 79th chapter of [[Volume 8]].

== Synopsis ==
Olesm leads a campaign against Hectval. The inclusion of the Antinium makes the soldiers involved very uneasy, especially Embria and other officers. Olesm gains levels in a new [Leader] Skill and allows Belgrade to lead a larger contingent that includes Antinium, Drakes, Gnolls, and Humans because of his relatively high level. 

We are introduced to Antinium like Crusader 51, 53, 57, and Artur. Calruz is given permission to train the new [Crusaders] and often advises Tersk and Dekass of their faulty leadership skills. Artur is noticed by Calruz as being really, really horrible at fighting and given the responsibility of [Flag Bearer] instead. 

The Antinium squads are legitimately decimating the Hectval alliance and are given cute nicknames as a way to distinguish themselves (i.e. Crab Battalion, Acid Jars, etc.) and also given special food rations for a job well done. Crusader 51 (basically the main character of this arc) experiences jealousy for the first time since he was not permitted the food. He is also very skilled. He and Crusader 53 have had notable strides in leveling. Crusader 53, in particular, is very proficient with a mace. 

Things go downhill as Manus secretly gets involved in the war effort. The involvement of Antinium in a war like this worries the Walled Cities and Manus is the first to get themselves involved with Lulv the [Spearmaster] whose Skills are very much reminiscent of Skinner's [Terror] condition. The Manus troops specifically target the Antinium squads and wipe a third of them out. 

Belgrade is severely injured and recalls the Chess Club's stand against Skinner. Belgrade is shot but then levels and gains a new class: [Combined Arms Strategist] and creates a new Skill: [The Chess Club's Stand]. 

The Free Queen is notified of the losses and still continues the war effort, seeing the losses as acceptable. Pawn sends three of his [Acolytes] (Theophilus, Zimrah (notably female), and Jerimy) as reinforcements. Zevara gives permission for Calruz to join the battle. The war progresses.

== Characters ==
( * = ''First Appearance'')

* [[Pawn]]
* [[Crusader 51]] *
* [[Tersk]]
* [[Dekass]]
* [[Crusader 53]] *
* [[Olesm Swifttail]]
* [[Selys Shivertail]]
* [[Palt Fenrisol]]
* [[Imani]]
* [[Timbor Parithad]]
* [[Liscor’s Volunteer Army]] (3,000 Antinium + 5,000 Gnoll-Drake-Human soldiers)
**[[Olesm Swifttail|''Olesm Swifttail'']]
** [[Liscorian Army|Liscorian Army’s]] 4th Company / Skywalker’s Company
***[[Embria Grasstongue]]
*** [[Vell]]
*** [[Pielt]]
*** Barkhus / Barkus (''First Official Appearance'') *
*** [[Maksie]] (''First Official Appearance'') *
*** [[Wikir]]
*** [[Kesa]]
*** [[Igissi]]
** Antinium Divisions (x3,000 = 938 ''Deceased'')
***[[Belgrade]]
***''[[Tersk]]''
***''[[Dekass]]''
***[[Artur]] *
*** Battalion 1 - Acid Jars (''Named'') (''Most Deceased'') *
**** Squad 5 (Crusaders 50 to 59 = 7 ''Deceased'')
*****''[[Crusader 51]]''
*****''[[Crusader 53]]''
***** Crusader 50 (''Deceased'')
***** Crusader 58 (''Deceased'')
***** Crusader 52 (''Deceased'')
*** Battalion 2 *
*** Battalion 3 - Crab Battalion (''Named'') (''Most Deceased'') *
*** Battalion 4 - Razorbeaks (''Named'') *
**** Squad 1
***** [[Archer B12]]
*** Battalion 5 (''Most Deceased'') *
** ? Squad
*** ? - Drake with dark scales *
*** ? - Gnoll *
*** Uell *
*** 2 Humans *
** [[Bepol]] *
** [[Ramia]] *
** Holls *
** Joit (''First Time Mentioned'')
** ? - [Quartermaster] *
** [[Kerone]] *
** Messk *
** Itr *
** ''[[Jerimy]] *''
** ''[[Zimrah|? - Antinium Worker [Acolyte]]] *''
** ''? - Antinium Worker [Acolyte] *''
** ''[[Calruz]]''
* [[Calruz]]
* Liscor’s Council
**[[Lism Swifttail]]
** [[Elirr Fultpar]]
** [[Alonna Swiftwing]]
** [[Tismel Lischscale]]
** [[Zalaiss Holmfyre]]
** [[Jeiss Sielmark]]
* [[Rhata]]
* [[Maviola El]] (''Flashback'')
* Hectval-Drisshia-Luldem Alliance
** Miuss *
* Durrell (''First Time Mentioned'')
* Manus Council
** [[Lulv]]
** [[Milka]]
** [[Luciva Skybreath]]
* Manus’ forces (x400 Drakes and Gnolls = 6 ''Deceased'') *
** ? - Female Gnoll
** ? - Spear-wielding Drake
** [[Sokkel]] *
* [[Relc Grasstongue]] (''Flashback'')
*[[Free Queen]] (''Only as a Missive'')
* [[Xrn]] (''Only as a Missive'')
* ? - Human antidote specialist *
* [[Jerimy]] *
* [[Zimrah|? - Antinium Worker [Acolyte]]] *
* ? - Antinium Worker [Acolyte] *

== Locations ==

* [[Izril]]
**[[Floodplains]]
***[[Liscor]]
****[[The Wandering Inn]]
***** Altar Room
**** [[Liscor's Antinium Hive|Free Antinium Hive]]
**** The Drunken Gnoll
**** City Hall
** Foothills south of the [[Floodplains]]
** [[Manus]]

== Creatures ==

* Big, Black Ants (''Normal Ants''?)
* [[Wyverns]]

== Items ==

* [[Kaalblades|Kaalblade]]
* ??? - Enchanted Bronze Cube, with different symbols, like fire, a bolt of lightning, an arrow, etc on it. Each symbol is one attack it’ll eat or block.
* Speaking stones
* Lulv's Adamantium-tipped Spear
* Fang of Manus / ''Parentkiller''
* [[??? - Gelatin Food]] (Spam Food)
* [[Magical Door]]
* Enchanted Sword
* [[Amentus]] wine (''Alcohol'')

== Songs ==

* ''My Broomstick’ll Level Faster Than Me''

== Statistics Obtained ==

==== [[Crusader 51]] ====

* Classes/Levels = [Crusader] Lv. ? (+?) / 4 (+?) → 5 (+1) → 9 (+4) → 13 (+4)
* Skills = [Lesser Endurance] + [Enhanced Edge] + [Resistance: Sleep] + [Blinding Flash (Sword)] + [Faith is My Strength]
* Classes/Levels = [Swordsman] Lv. 8 (+8)
* Skills = [Feint Slash]

==== [[Artur]] ====

* Classes/Levels = [Flag Bearer] Lv. 7 (+7) → 10 (+3)
* Skills = [Repair Fabric (Minor)] + [Flag: Inspiring Sight] + [Stainless Fabric] + [Basic Drawing]

==== [[Olesm Swifttail]] ====

* Classes/Levels = [Leader] Lv. 6 (+6) → 9 (+3) → <u>? (+?) (''Not Shown'')</u>
* Skills = <u>[Soothe Ego] (''Not Shown'')</u> + [Bird's Eye View] + [Boosted Morale (Unit)]

==== [[Belgrade]] ====

* Classes/Levels = [Trapsetter Strategist] Lv. 33 (+?)
* Conditions Met: [Trapsetter Strategist] → [Combined Arms Strategist]
* Classes/Levels = [Combined Arms Strategist] Lv. 33
* Skills = [Antinium-Expertise Command] + [Prepared Battleground: One Hour] + [Army: Springwood Supplies] + {{Color|#99CC00|[Squad: The Chess Club’s Stand]}}

== Trivia ==

=== Referbacks ===

* To [[Chapter 8.20]], in which [[Calruz]] was training the Antinium.
* To [[Chapter 8.35]], in which the Antinium [Crusaders] used [Combined Skill: Wrath of the Righteous].

[[Category:Chapters]]
[[Category:Chapters with Colored Text]]
[[Category:Volume 8]]
[[Category:Interludes]]