This was the second time flying at night, but the first without the constant threat of someone trying to kill me. Still, I couldn't help but feel uneasy, as if this were some sort of personal trial I had to overcome. If it weren't for the damned collar, I would have likely fled long ago. But the memory of pain kept me under control.

"You're doing great, Nixebus!" Frey shouted without lifting his hands from my neck.

Lieutenant Frey had developed an excellent way to handle me in the air, and without anything painful, just with caresses and light taps on my large neck. However, I hated being yelled at like that; I could perfectly hear whispers with my keen ear. But sometimes I think people shout simply because they can't hear themselves.

Suddenly, snapping me out of my reverie, I received two pats, an unmistakable signal that I needed to slow down. I obeyed and continued flying in the same direction, guided by his previous caresses, but a bit slower.

"I think we're heading in the right direction," the lieutenant said as he took out his notebook and examined it alongside a peculiar compass. "Planes have tools to help pilots navigate, but with you, I have to rely on my intellect and creativity to carry out this mission," he muttered to himself.

It's true, the sky doesn't have marked paths or directional signs, so it's crucial to rely on technological tools like GPS or radio communication from a base of operations to navigate. However, in my case, I didn't have any such devices; just a fitted saddle and two large saddlebags. On the other hand, I noticed he had some sort of compass.

During my time at the airport, I discovered that I had the ability to observe everything around me as if I had a third eye. It was a useful skill that allowed me to be alert, as I could see from both flanks. However, it had one drawback: when using this "third eye," I couldn't see beyond what my real eyes could. For that reason, I dubbed this ability "spatial glimpse," as it encompassed a specific space around my large body.

"According to my compass, we're a couple of hours from the kingdom's border," he said as he stroked me, indicating that I should increase speed, but not too much, as he gave me a gentle tap at the end.

If we're heading towards the kingdom's border, it indicates we're not approaching another state or country, as I've had conversations with an "empress" rather than a "queen." Therefore, following this line of thought, it's likely that the base I was at and heading towards is part of the empire.

At this moment, I feel a lot of fear. Although I had avoided facing the obvious, it now seems clear to me that I'm being led to the battlefield. If they were allies, they wouldn't establish a base near the border of their own country, as there are usually non-aggression agreements between friendly nations.

However, the strategic location of a base near the border could have three possible meanings: it could be a resource-rich point, indicate political tensions with the neighboring country, or worse yet, that they had already invaded and were at war. In that case, the base would be crucial for supplying their troops. However, it would also be vulnerable to bombings due to its proximity to the enemy kingdom. Although, being this a magical world, perhaps they have protective spells or alternative forms of transportation that differ from anything I know.

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Frey stroked me, indicating that I should approach some nearby mountains. Between their peaks, a path opened up that wound its way into the mountain range and disappeared from view kilometers ahead into an extensive forest. I was convinced that this was the way to the base.

"We're close to the small border town of Misiones, the perfect military base for the empire!" he announced loudly as he closed the compass and put it away, aware that he wouldn't need it anymore.

A city as a base? Is the empire using a civilian settlement as a facade to conceal a military base? That implies that the invaders are actually from the empire to the kingdom.

The lieutenant gently tapped my neck, and I accelerated, noticing that we were getting closer and closer to our destination. If I weren't this huge and magnificent creature, I'm sure I would be trembling and dry-mouthed with fear.

I maintained a steady speed for several minutes, flying over vast forests cut by a narrow dirt path that only I could spot from this great height.

Suddenly, something appeared in the distance, and I could already see it. The huge border town rose imposingly, guarded by a large wall that surrounded it, as if it were a medieval city, but of even greater and more imposing dimensions. Several minutes after I noticed it, Frey spoke, and what he said left me frozen.

"We're close. However, there's something I didn't tell you because I wasn't entirely sure how you'd take it," he patted me twice to slow down, and continued, "Our real mission is to attack and secure that city for the empire."

He deceived me from the beginning! I had assumed that the base was from the empire when he mentioned it was the perfect base of the empire, but in reality, he meant it was a good place to establish an empire base. We're invading the kingdom in a surprise attack! The idea of how many civilians are going to die... just thinking about it turns my stomach.

"It's orders from Mibreg, it bothers me too, but there's nothing to be done, after all, we're at war. Besides, they signed a pact with the undead and are the only allies of the demon kingdom, and they're also out of the coalition. Long live the empire!"

It seemed like he was talking to me, but I was one hundred percent sure he was trying to convince himself of the slaughter he was about to participate in. With one hand on his heart and adjusting his glasses with the other, he shouted again:

"Long live the empire!"

Then he proceeded to pat me to speed up. If I was going to do something, it had to be now. Was I in a position to stop the killing? I had to escape! However, a terrible vision presented itself to me. Hidden among some trees away from the wall, with a cigarette between her fingers, was Mibreg. As if we had locked eyes, she returned a smile. Then, she turned and pointed her finger, as if giving an order, and several soldiers appeared.

I couldn't escape. Everything had been planned for a long time. That's why we left at night, that's why I spent months working at that airport/warehouse, that's why I was locked up for several days, that's why that night they were after the egg in which I woke up.

Tears began to fall from my face as I watched a girl walking with her father down the street illuminated by a small lantern. Gradually, the other houses and shops came into view, but none were a military base. They were all civilians.

"Our mission is to distract them from the skies and make sure they open the gates for our army to enter!"

Suddenly, an idea formed in my mind. There was still hope. It depended on me to carry out the mission without causing any casualties! I just needed to offer the best terror show ever seen. I can do it, I know I can do it!

The girl pointed upwards, and her father turned his head to see where she was pointing. The show had begun.