He went to the nearest park near the Chief's house. Coincidentally, it's the place where the three of them first met.

Just as he predicted, Deas and Laoch were there, sitting on the bench.

They were sitting beside each other with Laoch lending his shoulder to Deas. They really looked like a couple right now,

Aonair wanted to see how's Deas condition now, but it seems he would only ruined their mood right now.

Thus, he decided to went back to his house alone.

...

......

The next morning,

Everyone were sending off the people who will go to war.

Many were crying, some were hugging as if won't let them go, and the rest were had sadness on their face.

Sending their husbands and children to a war is akin to sending them to die.

Almost every male in the village wearing soldier's armor. Only plenty of the men were left in the village to protect it and some of the official like Laoch's father.

Aonair too was preparing himself for the battle. He wore a big armor that weight more than his weight.

The soldiers were given spears and swords for their weapon. Aonair was given spear and he's holding it tightly right now.

From now on, that spear will be his only thing that will keep him safe. The moment he let go the spear is the moment he will die.

Suddenly, he remembered his past when he was stabbed and he gulped heavily.

(The next time something stabs me will be the end.)

He rubs his stomach and reminds himself to be careful.

Then, a big hand came from Aonair's behind, scrambling his hair away.

"So, how are you feeling now, lad?"

"Oh, it's just you."

It was Zel. As the strongest person in the village, he was told to stay in the village as its protector, but he persistently demanded to join the war.

"Where are you last night? I didn't see you anywhere."

There's one thing that Aonair couldn't understand. The strongest person was absent when Oscar announced the King's order.

"I was there when you kids were sleeping. We discussed the strategy for war and something like that with the people over there all night long."

Zel complainted and pointed at the group of people. Those people were using way moee fancy armor and weapon.

While the other soldiers will walk to the designated place, they will leisurely riding horses.

Everyone knows they are the big shot from the capital. From what Zel said, it was clear they will command the entire army.

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Aonair nodded at Zel and looked around. He was looking for Laoch. After a while, he finally found Laoch and Deas.

Deas was there with tears in her eyes while Laoch patting her head. The chief and his wife were there too to send him off.

Looking at them, Aonair had a mixed feeling about it. Zel who noticed it, pat Aonair's shoulder.

"Don't be sad, lad. You still have me!"

He told it with a great smile, but unfortunately, Aonair didn't take it in a good way.

"Since when we're family?"

"You're hurting my old heart, lad."

"Geez..."

Zel exaggerating his words and acted as if he was in pain. Even though it was a sore for his eyes, Aonair didn't feel the weird feeling anymoee because of it.

"... Thanks."

"Yeah."

Even if he denying about it, it was true that Zel is the one who practically raised him.

What happened just now is the only moment where Aonair tells him his honest feeling toward Zel.

But that heartwarming scene didn't last long.

The horn was sounded through the army. Everyone averts their look toward the source and saw a man with a golden armor.

Holding his shiny sword, he shouted to the crowd.

"My fellow countrymen! At last, we will start our advance to the filthy beast place! Don't you all worry, for I, the Great Klann, will guide you to victory!"

He brandished his sword to the air and the soldier under his direct command shouted with him.

"For victory!"

"Praise Lord Klann!"

The villager didn't have any motivation to do it, but the soldiers were glaring toward them, so they have no choice but to follow their suit.

"Honestly, this is useless."

Zel stroked his chin while mumbling with a low voice. His eyes were looking at Klann and his men sharply.

"That Klann, he is a [level 4] user. And if I'm not mistaken, his skill was ."

"What about it?"

Aonair heard Zel's assessment toward Klann, but he didn't get what he meant.

"Well, it's really bugging me that the strongest person in this expedition has a defensive skill."

"...?"

Aonair still couldn't understand, even though Zel already explained the weird point.

He decided to not think it too deeply. Rather, he was paying attention at the soldier who came from capital.

Their appearance was strikingly different compared the villagers.

They wore a complete set of armor with good swords and spears. Meanwhile, the villagers only using breastplate and elbow guards.

(Isn't this called discrimination?)

Aonair thought, but he didn't say it out loud.

Then, the cheers stopped and Klann continued his speech.

"I thank you all for the support. We have no time left, let's go to the battlefield! Only victory awaiting for us!"

With that, the army consists of capital's soldiers and villagers were walking toward the nearest Beastmen settlement.

Even though it's called as an army, Aonair never thought them as one.

After all, what kind of army that look this messed up? Everyone moving as they please. There's no order in their line.

The villagers who have no motivation were moving very slowly. They were never want to do this.

The capital soldiers noticed and some of them went to our back. Then, they pushed us if we walked too slow.

"Hey, old man. How long until we reached their place?"

"From our movement, I think it would be 6 days, more or less."

Even to the nearest place, we have to walk and camp for 6 days.

(... I don't know why, but I couldn't help but feel something bad will happen...)

Aonair sealed his bad thought and tries to be positive. He has to survive, no matter what.

For that, he steeled his heart.

"... Whatever it is, I won't hesitate to do what I must."

"..."

Zel looked at Aonair silently.

(Geez, I hope Aonair doesn't become what I'm thinking now...)

...

......