Chapter 33 - The Next Battle is in Brinas
POV: Haliel
Today we are leaving Glaciem and are about to head towards the Oulene Kingdom on the search for dad and the Shade who made him into a puppet of destruction.
Right now everyone is gathered in front of the Frostshield Mountain and in front of us is Symond.
“Alright everyone, we will be entering the Oulene Kingdom through this tunnel that me and my previous troop dug on my first visit. It’s a lot more convenient than climbing the mountain. No one else knows about it and I plan to keep it that way.” [Symond]
After saying that short announcement, we proceed inside this tunnel that goes right through the entire Frostshield Mountain.
This tunnel only takes a day or two to get to Oulene when it usually takes weeks to pass over this mountain and many would die, either from the cold, avalanches, monster attacks, or other mishaps that happens when you climb a mountain.
Along the side of the tunnel were light crystals that lights up when Symond walks by and turns dark again the moment he is too far away.
How this works is that he had previously infused his mana into them to recognize him so that there won't be light when it’s unnecessary, and also so that the light won’t attract unwanted monsters and people.
“Wow, is that the Elven Empress? Dude I can’t believe she’s coming with us!” [Magician]
Suddenly from behind us I heard a magician said to a nearby knight who had been with Yoichi since his visit to Glaswen.
“Ah, right you’ve never been to Glaswen with Yoichi huh? That is her, and I was also surprised when she wanted to come too. Something about finding someone important?” [Knight]
It's been like this since the arrival of the remaining troop, everyone has had their attention on mom and me but especially mom.
It seems like it is very rare for Elves of noble background to leave Glaswen, especially the Royal Family and everyone is gawking at mom.
Well, this was pretty much all that went on as we walked towards Oulene, everyone having their own little side conversation.
Soon we were so far in the tunnel that nothing could be seen in front or behind us, good thing the tunnel is just a straight line.
At noon, we stopped to eat and rest a bit before continuing on, with the light crystals changing the color of their glow depending on the time it is outside.
With this we knew it took us a whole day before we reached the other side and it was already starting to get sunny again.
“Alright, everyone can have a rest. You must all be tired after walking non stop. In four hours we’ll be leaving so sleep or do whatever you want till then.” [Yoichi]
Soon many people made their tents and fell asleep while others began training, each doing their own things so me and my group went to the tent that Yoichi and Symond were staying in.
In the room there were the remnant of Symond’s troop and a few of Yoichi’s men with them as everyone stared at Symond holding a crystal ball.
It seems that Symond is using that crystal ball to search for the Shade since that crystal ball was what the Slodidal Kingdom and Elves used to locate corrupted mana.
They have an extremely high search radius and is extremely hard to craft so to have one here just shows how serious this situation really is.
“They move fast… but I can still sense the trails of the corruption. It looks like they are already nearing Oulene’s capital, they’re about a few days away now. We need to hurry up if we want to make it there before them. Luckily Oulene’s knights are slowing their progress even if it’s just a bit.” [Symond]
“Looks like we’ll have to cut short our break then. Lilith go tell everyone to meet up here, I have something to say.” [Yoichi]
“It seems the Shade wants the humans fist huh? The capital of the Beastmen Kingdom is a lot closer to where your battle took place Symond.” [Eril]
“I guess that could be said to be a good thing then. If they did head for the Beastmen Kingdom, it may have fallen by now.” [Symond]
“Huh. Looks like we were late to the meeting?” [Blaze]
“There was nothing to talk about, don’t worry. It was all you saw, Master searching for the whereabouts of the Shade.” [Nari]
“We could use [Shadow Stride] to the capital, but with morning coming soon we’ll have to wait for night to do that. It also requires everyone to know where they are going so when everyone gets here I need them to memorize the route to Brinas.” [Yoichi]
“Then it’s a good thing I still have the maps of Oulene with me. Nari and Tiffany can you please get the other maps out? Oh and here you go Haliel, a map for you too.” [Symond]
“Thanks, so where will we be meeting up? I don’t imagine us just appearing inside the castle now do we?”
“Ah, right about that. We will all gather at this field here, just a bit out of Brinas. Once everyone is there we’ll go meet the King and prepare for the Shade.” [Yoichi]
Now knowing where to go, I scrutinized the map carefully so that I won’t get lost soon the other soldiers were also briefed on the location.
“Heh, meeting with Oulene’s King huh? I bet he wishes he had signed the Alliance now that his own Kingdom is being attacked. A lot more direct too.” [Soldier1]
“Well, it doesn’t matter if we’re enemies at this point. If they fall, it will only lower our moral in fighting against the Shades. After all we’re both humans.” [Soldier2]
Hearing what many said while they studied the map showed the bad relation between Slodidal and Oulene, making me wonder if their King will stay ignorant and ignore our help.
Either ways, even without the approval of Oulene’s king, we’ll still fight since the Shades will also be a threat to us.
The activities for the rest of the day is set now, first will be memorizing the route to Brinas, then training, lunch, and lastly [Shadow Stride] to meet with King Lener.
Following the schedule, it became night and Nox called for his Alpha Shadow Wolf.
Other’s with familiars similar to the Shadow Wolves were gathered together, and Nox’s Alpha called Shadow Wolves for the rest.
With my mana and the distance we need to cover, I could bring along two other with me and they were obviously mom and Blaze, the others had to go with Alpha Shadow Wolves since those are the only other things that can take more than one people along.
“Okay, everyone it’s time.” [Yoichi]
“Okie then, I’ll see you guys there. [Shadow Stride].”
In an instant I disappeared into the darkness of night and appeared besides a tree in the field.
I checked my status while I waited for everyone else to appear and found out that this one trip used up 3,500 mana.
“Wow, that’s nearly half of my mana. Hmm, well, it should be much less if the Shadow Wolves are only carrying one person wit them.”
“This truly is convenient Haliel.” [Blaze]
“Ah, as expected. You’re here first.” [Yoichi]
“Really, and you also had two other people with you. Well, once everyone is here we’ll head over to the castle.” [Symond]
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Following the arrival of Yoichi and Symond, the rest of the troops began showing up, each time the look of the familiars and Shadow Wolves showed exhaustion.
“It seems the distance is far enough to drain much of their mana too, so we need to keep them from attack the nearby cities until they regain their mana to go back. Where is Nox?”
“He should be here soon, since him and other Alpha owners are going to be last to leave in case more people need Shadow Wolves.” [Yoichi]
“I see. I’ll go find him and others to keep their Alphas out to make sure all these Shadow Wolves don’t go crazy attack people.”
After a few minutes, the Alpha owners finally appeared and I found Nox in the back of that group.
“Hey, Nox!”
“Oh, Haliel, what is it?” [Nox]
“Well actually this is for all of you Alpha owners. Can you keep your familiar out to keep the rest of the Shadow Wolves in control. Until they have enough mana to go back, that way they won’t go attacking people.”
“Ah, I see. Alrighty then, don’t worry about it. Now we should go meet up with Yoichi and [Hero] Symond.” [Nox]
The others nodded their head before giving to order tto their familiar and went to join the rest.
When we got there, everyone finally showed up and were already beginning to march the moment they saw us coming.
“Did we miss anything Yoichi?”
“No, we just did a head count.” [Yoichi]
While walking to the city wall, I could hear the people who had just experience [Shadow Stride] talking around us.
“That was such a weird feeling, but to have traveled all the way to the capital in an instance from the edge of the kingdom… wow.” [Soldier1]
“I know right! It’s so cool, even though it’s already my second time it is still exciting. I wish I have a Shadow Wolf man.” [Soldier]
“I never thought that my Shadow Wolf could do such a thing. Even though I knew about [Shadow Stride], I would’ve never thought about using it this way. It is so convenient.” [Soldier3]
“Hehe, looks like I wasn’t the only one to enjoy it.” [Laurel]
“Princess really is a genius.” [Alissa]
“Hmm… I could use this information.” [Nym]
The chattering suddenly quieted down as we neared the gates with Yoichi and Symond standing in front of everyone.
“Who goes there! Why have you brought an army? Turn back now!” [Guard]
“Worry not, I am [Hero] Yoichi and this is [Hero] Symond.” [Yoichi]
“Huh? Why would [Hero]s be doing here and not protecting your Kingdom?” [Guard]
“Well, at the moment your Kingdom is in a more dire situation, seeing as the Shades are heading straight for Brinas. We simply came here to exterminate them and was hoping for your King’s assistance. Afterall we are fighting the same enemy and any help we can garner is needed considering the enemy is a Shade.” [Yoichi]
“We shall contact his Highness King Lener and see what he thinks. Don’t move from that spot.” [Guard]
Saying so he rushed over to have what he just heard transmitted to King Lener.
After a while he came back and opened the gate for us to enter.
“His Highness would like to meet you and talk in person. Please come on in.” [Guard]
“Thank you.” [Symond]
When we were in front of the castle, everyone stopped on the spot and only me and mom as well as Yoichi and Symond went inside.
Yoichi and Symond knelt down and lowered their head while I stood beside mom.
“Greetings King Lener of Oulene. It is a great honor to finally meet you in person.” [Yoichi]
“Greetings King Lener of Oulene.” [Symond]
“Greetings [Hero]s. Who is that Elven woman and child besides you?” [Lener]
“Your Highness this is Empress Eril of Glaswen and her daughter Princess Haliel.” [Yoichi]
“Greetings, King Lener Oulene. ” [Eril]
Mom slightly bowed as she said her that and I followed suit.
“Greetings.”
“Oh? Is there a reason you have blessed me with your presence Empress? I don’t suppose it has something to do with the Shade? Or...” [Lener]
“Please I am not here to ask for anything political. I am only here to search for someone important and assist the [Hero] who had been teaching my children.” [Eril]
“I see… so [Hero]s you said you wanted my assistance?” [Lener]
“Yes, it would be much appreciated. We would like to have your men fight besides us, this upcoming fight is like nothing you’ve seen before. It is unlike any human wars that have happened before, and if your country were to fall it would bring devastation to the world. I have fought this thing before and lost thus I called for [Hero] Yoichi’s assistance and now yours. Alone there is no way either of us can make it through this, but together we have a chance at victory.” [Symond]
“You say you have fought it and lost? What makes you think things will be different this time around?” [Lener]
“Before I was unprepared, but now I know what I’m up against and have to backing of another [Hero]. Besides there is nothing left for you to lose right? You can only benefit from this your Highness.” [Symond]
“Huff, it looks I don’t really have a choice either ways but if you’re so confident in victory then I’ll support you.” [Lener]
“You won’t regret this. But we only want your best men, anyone not strong enough will needlessly die. This is afterall a battle that may be decided on in one fight. We are up against savage monsters who will not retreat nor wait for us the collect ourselves. Also I’m sure words have already reached you but the Shade is upon you, the battle may as well be in Brinas so I suggest you evacuate your citizens now and move to a safer location.” [Yoichi]
“Huff… I too agree with that and have already made plans to evacuate my people. I will be beginning tomorrow.” [Lener]
“Highness, sorry to rush you but I suggest doing it now, with this many people in Brinas it would takes at least two days to get everyone out and far away enough to be safe. On our way here we judge the Shade will arrive here tomorrow or the following day depending on how your soldiers hold up in Rotperd.” [Yoichi]
“T-they be here that fast?” [Lener]
“They were strong enough to wipe out my whole troop especially the Shade’s puppet.” [Symond]
“Tch.” [Eril]
“I-I’ll trust your words then. Luke gather everyone! Begin evacuation immediately! Go and gather our best Paladins and Archmages!” [Lener]
In a few moment the castle and Brinas was bustling with activity as the knights and guards began evacuating the citizens while the army and its elite members prepared for battle with the Shade.
***
PS. Sorry for being late again.... I kind of forgot. Been playing BnS and League with my friends. I'll try to get 2 chapters in tomorrow.