Arthur POV:
"How many troops do you need?" King Blaine asked as we all looked down at the detailed map spread across the round table.
"Three—no—two divisions should suffice," I answered.
"General Arthur. The western coast is where we need to be allocating most of our forces," Rahdeas countered, placing his finger near Etistin and Telmore City. "Sending nearly twenty-thousand troops up north will make this area too vulnerable."
"I have to agree with Elder Rahdeas," King Alduin added. "There are several battles near the coast that have been going on for days. Withdrawing even a single division would tip the balance in their favor."
Queen Priscilla, rolled the transmission scroll she'd been reading. "We are still evacuating civilians from both Telmore and Etistin. If forces on the coast are withdrawn, our troops will be pushed back and the battles will take place in the cities."
"Commander, we can perhaps send some elven troops stationed near Asyphin City down toward the edge of the border, but two divisions seem feasible," Queen Merial advised, brows knitted in concern.
Virion, seated in front of me, lifted his gaze to all the lances standing upright behind their respective artifact holders. "Generals? What do you think?"
"General Arthur's vague suspicion based on loose evidence of what 'he saw' doesn't justify sacrificing a city or two," General Bairon spat out.
"Bairon's nasty tone aside, he makes a good point," said Mica, the female dwarven lance that looked no older than my sister. "Moving that many troops a few hundred miles will take time, even with the help of teleportation gates."
"General Aya? General Varay? General Olfred?" Virion asked. "Do you all agree?"
General Olfred, the oldest of the lances, nodded. "It is too much of a risk."
"Sorry, General," the elven lance whispered beside me before speaking up. "I also agree that it isn't wise."
We all looked to Varay, the only other lance that I wouldn't be confident in defeating.
"If General Arthur's claim is true, it'd be the right choice to send that many troops—if not more—up north," the lance answered curtly.
It was surprising to have General Varay's support, but it worked against me in this case. However, Jude took advantage of her words to bring along the idea that I really wanted to go with.
"General Varay is right in that, if what General Arthur claims is true, troops need to be sent. After all, there has only been one true sighting of a retainer since the war started—if retainer and a scythe were leading this next attack, the damages would be catastrophic without appropriate measures," Jude said calmly.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Therefore," Virion paused, shifting his eyes from one lance to another, "I propose we send a lance along with Commander Jude to investigate whether or not there really is going to be a major attack led by a retainer and a scythe up north."
The rest of the council immediately glanced at one another, waiting for someone to come up with a reason against it.
After a brief pause of silence, they slowly nodded in agreement.
Virion clasped his hands together with a smile. "Good, now which lance will accompany him on this investigation up north?"
A thin hand rose from across the table. "While Lord Aldir is the artifact holder for my two lances, since he is not here I think it's safe to assume that I can volunteer to send one of them with Jude."
I resisted the urge to smile at the turn of events. Everything was going as we had planned.
Virion and Jude played it cool as well, appearing as though they were pondering Rahdeas' decision.
"Indeed! Since Lord Aldir is not present, I think it's only natural to have the dwarven lances under Elder Rahdeas' command," King Blaine seconded.
"The battles are occurring in Sapin so I agree that sending either General Olfred or General Mica would be an ideal option," Queen Merial added.
Virion slowly nodded, as if almost reluctant. "Very well, General Olfred shall be temporarily under Elder Rahdeas' command and shall head up north with Commander Jude to investigate the possibility a retainer and scythe are planning an attack."
The dwarven lance respectfully bowed.
"This is a reconnaissance mission, but I leave the situation to your best judgement. Priority is to not alert enemies, especially if a retainer or scythe is present. If circumstances permit a realistic chance in averting a full-scale battle, you may engage. Remember, our priority is to keep the battle away from civilians," Virion added. "Prepare to leave tomorrow, sunrise. Rest of the lances, dismissed."
Walking through the dim hall outside of the meeting room, I let out a deep breath. I had always hated meetings like these, always tense and full of roundabout ways to say no or give a reason not to do something that'd hinder your own gains. While the Council appeared to be a unified front of leaders from all three races, deep-rooted ideals and selfishness toward their own kingdom were more apparent than anything else. King Glayder, who had been too afraid to act out since Aldir had threatened him after killing the Greysunders for their betrayal, had become more outspoken. Only with Virion there did the Council function even remotely well.
While the three of us got the end result we had wanted, this was just the beginning. I scratched at my neck; Gideon's concealing bandage made my skin itch profusely but I couldn't take it off until I was alone.
"Well, if you'll excuse me. " I dipped my head before turning back to the main staircase.
Walking up to the residential floors, I probed Sylvie's mind to see whether she was awake. Seeing that my bond was deep in slumber, I took a small detour.
Reaching the room at the end of the hall, I knocked on the thick wooden door.
"Coming," Tessia' voice called out.
The door slid open without a single creak and on the other side was Tess. She was dressed in sleepwear but her hair still dripping with water.
"You're la—Arthur?" Tess gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"Sorry," I smiled. "Were you expecting someone?"
"Y-Yeah, Caria was supposed to come over. Arthur, what's wrong?" she asked, noticing my blank gaze.
"Nothing. You just look different from when you were at the event."
Tess wrapped a towel around her head as she scowled at me. "Wow! Thanks for pointing that out!"
Realizing my mistake, I quickly shook my head. "No, I meant that in a good way. You look more like the Tessia I spent three years with back then."
"You need to work on your flattery skills," she sighed. "Wait no, actually. Don't work on them."
I let out a chuckle. "Do you want to take a little walk with me?"
After putting on a thin robe over her sleepwear, she followed me down the hall toward the balcony where my sister had set up her target planks. Neither of us talked on the way there as we stood side by side. Unlike at the event, our arms weren't linked but it somehow felt more intimate.
We reached the grassy terrace surrounded by trees but continued walking until we were at the very edge. Sitting against the thick trunk of a nearby tree, I stared out at the night sky. The clouds below us moved slowly, dimly lit by the large moon overhead.
"The stars are beautiful," I admired. Coming from a world where brightly lit cities masked the stars, being able to see such a serene spectacle was a blessing I had come to appreciate.
"It's quiet nights like these that I sometimes wonder if there really is a war happening down below us," Tess said softly. "I sometimes come out here and imagine that the clouds below us are the ocean and I'm floating aimlessly on a boat. Childish, right?"
"I think you have the right to be a little childish at times," I said. "You're a head of an entire unit now. You're responsible for the lives that you lead and that'll never be an easy burden to carry, no matter how much experience you gain."
"You say that as if you've been one," she replied, bringing her knees close to her chest. "You're technically a general but the lances don't really lead the soldiers."
"You're right, and in that regard I have it much easier. The main duty of a lance is to single-handedly overpower an opposing enemy of their caliber." I turned to my childhood friend. "Which brings me to why I wanted to see you."
"Does it have something to do with what you talked about with Grandpa and Gideon?"
"Was it that obvious?"
"You're not the type to do something as sentimental as this without reason. You either have to go away for a long time, do something dangerous again, or both," she pointed out.
I let out a chuckle. "Am I that much of an open book?"
"You're more like an open chapter," Tess smiled. "There are some parts that are so obvious yet there are times when I feel like I don't know you at all."
"Such as?"
She shook her head. "Well, for one thing, I want to know how you're such an expert at everything you choose to do—what's your secret?"
"Secret?"
"Magic, fighting, artificing, giving speeches—hell, even espionage and military strategy," she listed off. "I know complaining how it's unfair won't do anything. I'm just curious."
"Well, Jude is better than me in all of these aspects you know," I tried to distract her by mentioning Jude.
"He is a complete monster," she sighed as she lied back.
"Tess. I don't know why you're in such a hurry, but you're doing fine," I comforted.
"It's just frustrating," she smiled wearily.
"Frustrating?"
"I try my best to catch up to you. My mana core is a white core like yours, I'm a beast tamer just like you and I've studied under some of the best teachers in the continent as well as an asura—just like you. Yet, I feel like the closer I am to reaching you, the farther you slip away from my grasp."
"Tess... Why is it so important for you to catch up to me?"
For a moment, the world around us was quiet as she stared off into the night sky. "Because only then will I have the confidence to tell you that I love you again."
Before I could even process her words, Tess turned to face me once more. Her gaze softened as she gave me a smile so genuinely sweet, with a tinge of shyness that a sudden warmth rushed through me.
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Jude POV:
I sat down at the edge of my bed, looking at Kathy as she rolled over while sleeping, leaving me to the silent peace of the night.
I had trouble fighting the temptation to throw everything away. There were times when I wanted to just escape to the edge of the Beast Glades with my friends and family.
Greed constantly questioned my every move.
This isn't your war, Jude.
You have killed a retainer already; haven't you done enough?
You're fighting for your people again. You did that in your last life and look where that got you?
Everyone became too weak to defend themselves and left all the responsibilities on Cordelia and me.
I was afraid.
I was afraid that my greed would become uncontrollable—that I would throw away Dicathen to save the few I truly loved.
Time trickled by while I was lost in my thoughts and by the time I realized, the rising sun, covered beneath the clouds, had given the sky an orange tint.
Removing the luxurious attire I had been wearing since the event last night, I slipped into a comfortable shirt and vest, tucking in the ends of my pants into my boots before draping a thick cloak over my shoulders. "I need to go now, Kathy"
Kathy's mesmerising black eyes fluttered open. Once again, I doubted myself. Must I go away from my fiancée within just two days? However, I knew that I must carry this burden. The burden I had carried in my previous life as well. The burden of being the strongest.
Kathyln got up from the bed, not bothering to cover up her pale body littered with dark red patches from our intense night. She rubbed her eyes as she said, "You need to go already?"
I pushed back my dark thoughts as I hugged and kissed Kathy. "I'm sorry for not spending time with you," I muttered under my breath before leaving the room, afraid to stay any longer else I may just be tempted to opt out of the mission and send Arthur instead.
Before heading toward the stairs, I stopped by my sister's room and knocked on her door. "Ellie, it's your brother."
The door slid open, revealing my sister in mid-yawn, her hair frizzy on one side and flat on the other. Behind her, laying on his belly beside the bed, was Boo. He peeked at us with one eye before going back to sleep. "Brother? What's wro—"
She stopped mid-sentence, staring at my clothes. "You're leaving?"
I forced a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'll be back soon." I pulled my sister into my arms.
"You don't have to come back soon, just come back alive." She squeezed me tight before pulling herself away. Ellie kneeled down and smiled widely but tears had already begun welling up in the corners of her eyes.
I tousled her nest of ash-brown hair. "I promise."
Making our way down the stairs, I was greeted by a stern-faced Olfred at the front of the corridor leading to the teleportation room.
The gruff, elderly dwarf, who came up to my chest despite his ramrod straight posture, immediately bowed to me upon my arrival before heading down the hall.
"We'll be traveling by flight rather than through the gates," I ordered him as we went on our way.
The artificers and workers inside dropped whatever it was they were doing and saluted upon our arrival. One person, however, walked toward us with an innocent smile.
"Elder Rahdeas," General Olfred greeted, bowing deeply while I simply stood straight.
"Commander Jude and Lance Olfred." Rahdeas's smile deepened, the scar running through his left eye curving. "Excuse my intrusion; I merely wanted to send you all off in person."
"It's an honour," General Olfred replied.
Rahdeas walked to me, staring at me silently with his weary eyes. When he smiled at me, I couldn't help but wish this person wasn't a traitor—that I had suspected him wrongly.
Rahdeas placed a large hand gently on my arm. "By the asuras, let's hope that your suspicions turn out to be false so that you may hurry back and get some proper rest."
While his expression and gesture seemed genuine, Rahdeas's words seemed carefully picked. Nonetheless, I replied with a smile. "Yes, let's hope."
Olfred led the way to the port on the other side of the large room. "We're ready to depart."
The wall in front of us lowered in a drawbridge mechanism as the floor beneath us extended into a large skydock.
The roof and the multiple terraces were protected by a transparent barrier of mana, however we were still hit with the full force of the winds at an altitude of more than twenty-thousand feet.
Our voices lost in the wind, Olfred merely pointed in the direction we were supposed to head. Immediately, we took off into clouds.
After flying for a full day, we descended to set up camp for the night. Olfred dug up a cave for his camp while I conjured up a soft ice bed for myself.
A haze of magenta and orange spread throughout the horizon, giving life to the tranquil ocean in the distance. We were still several miles away from the northern coast but we couldn't afford flying any closer. assuming the worst, a scythe might be able to sense substantial mana fluctuations even from this distance.
There we slowly descended, close enough to the massive mountain range to avoid any unwanted attention. We landed at the base of the Grand Mountains, on a field of dry grass and boulders where frigid winds whistled around us.
"Mana from this point on should be kept to a minimum, Commander," Olfred said as he scanned our surroundings for anyone nearby.
I nodded in agreement. I was able to use aether as naturally as mana, but that was information better kept to myself.
"I presume you have a plan in order to find the retainer and scythe in question?" the gruff lance remarked.
"Yes." I fished out a thick cloak from my dimension ring and draped it over my shoulders. I also took out Arthur's mask from his adventurer days. "We'll need to head toward the main road so take out your cloaks and put up the hoods."
Olfred studied my black coat with a curious gaze. "An intriguing effect. Were you once an assassin or thief Commander?"
"No," I chuckled, looking down at my outfit. "This is Arthur's. Take out your own coat to wear," I ordered in a low voice.
Olfred followed my order and took out a lavish cloak of rich mana beast fur.
Bending down, I dipped my finger on a muddy patch of dirt.
"I am going to be a slave that has been traveling a fair distance. It'd only be natural to be dirty, and it'd be a good way to get by unnoticed." I smeared the moist dirt on my face.
I dipped my head down and tousled my black hair until it became disheveled and covered most of my face. After putting on the hood of my cloak, I handed the mask that I was holding to Olfred. "Wear this along with your cloak and if anyone asks, it's to hide a gruesome scar you received years back."
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(A/N: Going to skip most of the details of this mission.)
A thin, scraggly man uniformed in overalls and a dirty apron came running out from one of the dimly-lit aisles of cells. "Sir! My apologies for the smell. I was just cleaning up!"
Sebastian finally pried himself away from me, standing on his own with the wooden cane that the portly woman had been carrying for him. "What's happened?"
The beady-eyed conjurer began limping down the center aisle, checking on each of the prison cells that I assumed had slaves inside. It was eerie how silent this place was. There were no wails of sorrow or cries for help. I studied every one of them as I followed behind Sebastian with Olfred. Every one of them was clothed in rags, huddled in the far corner of their cell. When they looked over at us, I got shivers from the dark, vacant eyes they all shared.
"It was one of the pregnant woman," the cleaner replied as he put down the mop that he had been holding before following after his boss. "She died giving birth."
"The baby. Did it live?" Sebastian asked, unfazed.
"We'll have to wait a few more days to know for sure, but the newborn girl seems healthy as of now."
Sebastian nodded in approval. "Excellent. The newborn will be worth more than that tramp anyway."
As the conjurer slowly hobbled through the aisles, I noticed the different reactions from each of the slaves. A few shivered uncontrollably as Sebastian passed by, others had spiteful glares, some just had distant, hollow gazes.
"The dwarves and elves are held further down, but"— Sebastian spun around to face Olfred, a lewd smirk on his thin pasty face— "do you see anyone you're just dying to get your hands on?"
The masked lance raised a hand. "As a matter of fact..."
Before I could even react, the earth beneath Sebastian began enveloping, covering his feet and creeping up his legs.
"Huh?" Sebastian let out as he tried to pry himself from the rising earth.
I whipped my head toward the masked lance. "What are you doing?"
The lance remained silent as he continued his spell. It was slow, but he was doing it on purpose. I could see the conjurer wide-eyed with fear and confusion.
"W-What are you idiots doing! Get them!" the conjurer readied his wooden cane to fire at Olfred when he let out a shrill scream of agony. The earth that had consumed his legs and was continuing to rise up his body began turning a dark red. A faint sizzle could be heard amidst his screams as the smell of burning flesh reached my nose.
The spell that Olfred had cast on Sebastian wasn't to trap him—it was to slowly torture him.
I shot two wind blades at the two subordinates to instantly kill them. I used the bare minimum amount of mana needed.
I looked over my shoulder to see how Sebastian had fared against the lance, but all I saw was a statue of molten lava in the shape of the thin conjurer. He was dead, encased in a tomb of hardened magma.
I activated All-seeing Eyes to see just how much mana fluctuation was caused by the lance's spell, and if it was possible that we could remain hidden despite this setback.
However, what I saw baffled me even more. There were particles of mana erratically moving around Sebastian's corpse, but there were also fluctuations of mana all around us. Either a wide-scale spell had been used or a battle took place here recently.
My instincts had already sensed what was happening even before I saw the Vritra approaching me.