“Xante is currently under siege by the demons. If the capital falls, then it will be the end of all humans! Therefore, we cannot stay and do nothing. We must rise up to defend the capital at all costs. We must ensure the Purificator is protected until it is ready to save humanity from the demonic invasion. For the sake of our race. For the sake of our kingdom. We must join the capital’s garrison and hold the walls. We must ensure our descendants will continue thriving in the kingdom.

We implore all able bodied men and women to join in the fight for humanity! Gather at the courtyard by noon so you can change history. For humanity! For the king! For Xemir!”

Jon did his best impression of the announcement and got the attention of everyone in the mess hall. Dreu could see the determined look in the man’s eyes when he spoke. The call to arms not only empowered him but all those in the mess hall. After all, defending the capital was basically defending the human race from extinction. What greater goals can one achieve in life? Following a short silence after Jon’s announcement, the people were in an uproar in the mess hall. Dreu noticed that even the cooks were cheering as everyone was ready to answer the call. The atmosphere felt overwhelming for the next couple of minutes.

With renewed purpose, the adventurers, like many others in the mess hall, went to their rooms in preparation for the journey to the capital. Dreu packed his things knowing to refuse would likely end in his execution. At the same time, he was curious about what the capital was like. He had never been to the place but he heard so many stories about it. As he was packing up his items, Bayard stood in the doorway.

Is there something on your mind? Maybe it’s related to the demoness?

At the mention of the demoness, Dreu recalled all the questions he wanted to ask Bayard. However, he couldn’t dawdle too long so he picked the burning questions on his mind.

What is the relationship between you and Eglallin? And her relationship with Xyheia?

We both served under Xyheia so we both fought side by side against Xemir until our defeat. Since that battle, we lost contact due to the former emperor’s death. It would appear that she is still fighting Xemir despite the odds stacked against her.

Odds stacked against her? The demon invasion has yet to be slowed down.

As long as the Right Arm of Xemir hasn’t been defeated, the demons haven’t won. As for why the kingdom is allowing so many people to die, that is something I have no answer to.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Is the Right Arm of Xemir really that powerful? You make him sound godlike.

Given that he was blessed by Xemir himself and is said to be immortal, godlike is a pretty accurate description.

Sensing the pain in Bayard’s voice, Dreu stopped with his questions. He also didn’t want to delay his packing further. Once he was finished and was about to leave the room, Bayard stood in his way.

Please be careful in the capital! There are those who wish you dead. Don’t trust anyone and always be on your guard. We will try our best but Xemir is a sly god.

Bayard stepped aside to allow Dreu to walk through the doorway. With a sigh, Dreu walked towards the courtyard with Bayard and Rohese in tow. He now had dread within him but he still forced a smile on his face. Joining the adventurers, he couldn’t help but wonder what awaited him at the capital. With a demon army sieging the city on the outside and threats from within, he was making a terrible decision.

But what choice do I have?

When Dreu joined the adventurers, Jeane and Sadon were excitedly asking Jon about the capital as neither of them had been there before. While Jon described the five layers of walls and the great castle in the center where the king resided, Dreu listened to gather any information that could prove to be of use to him. Even a general map of Xante could aid him should he be separated from the others. After Jon finished his description, Dreu turned his attention to the extremely crowded courtyard. From the reaction of the fortress' denizens in the mess hall, he got the impression many of the denizens in the fortress were heading to the capital. He and Bayard both agreed that, with the destruction of the Amplifier, there was little value in the fortress for either the humans or the demons. Xante would become the final stage for the demon invasion.

Going over what Jon said, Dreu realized the man only described the capital during time of peace. The cleric spoke of the busy marketplaces and the many attractions the capital had to offer. Time of war was completely different. They were about to enter a city caught up in a siege filled with death and despair. The idea of willingly entering such a city made Dreu shake his head. As he pondered about his uncertain future, a shout got his attention. Above the main gate, a holy knight on a Pegasus got the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

“Denizens of the Cleric Fortress of Ujun! You have answered the call to arms for humanity! I, like many of you, will soon be taking part in the most crucial battle in the history of humanity. While many of us will perish, our descendants will remember our sacrifices. The bards will sing of our great battles with the demons who wish for nothing but destruction and death. They will sing of our battles where we fight side by side with the strongest human heroes to achieve victory. Many of us will also have the great honor of fighting alongside the Right Arm of Xemir. Remember what you are fighting for. For humanity! For Xemir! For the kingdom!”

“For humanity! For Xemir! For the kingdom!” chanted everyone in the courtyard.

With the people’s spirits raised, the holy knight brought out a crystal the size of a human skull and activated it. Dreu watched as a light similar to that of a teleport crystal engulfed the entire courtyard.