Looking over the battlefield, I am overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility for those in my settlement. I brought them here whether they wanted to or not.

It was I who, by using the summoning scrolls, brought to this world to fight for someone they barely know at best or have no idea who I am at worst.

Resting my arms on the battlements, I contemplate what I want to discuss with everyone in the morning. Taking a deep breath, I stand tall.

The familiar flap of wings alerts me to Ritotorous' approach. He lands next to me and looks over the battlefield.

"What are you thinking, Drake?" he inquires.

"Trying to think of what to say tomorrow. People died; I must ensure everyone knows I am willing to take responsibility for the losses."

"Hm, I can understand why you would think that. There is one thing I want to point out: you didn't know who would come through those portals."

"That doesn't absolve me of what happened. Some of those who died looked young."

"Death happens," he becomes very adamant, "No one can guess who might die on the battlefield. Strong leaders can make a battle swing wildly in their favor, but there is a cost to every action on a battlefield."

Looking at him with shock, I ask, "Why are you so calm about this?"

"I know more than you, Drake. No one comes out of a battle unscathed. Don't dig into a coffin that should be left alone."

Taking the hint, I start to walk back to the manor. "Want to come with, or do you have tasks you need to do?" I ask him.

"There are a couple of tasks I will be completing tonight. Leave the window open."

Nodding, I head back alone, still trying to figure things out. My mind is a mess from the conversation with Eleanor and then Ritotorous.

Deep in my thoughts, I surprise myself when I bump into the fence surrounding the manor. The blood here has dried, but it still hurts to see how much was spilled on the manor side of the fence.

Taking a deep breath, I step through the gate and head inside to sleep.

The night passes as I toss and turn, unable to get comfortable with what has happened. My mind is racing, trying to figure out what to say. Finally, unable to take it anymore, I sit up in bed and meditate.

Trying to calm my mind, I delve into my Heart Space. I look at my avatar in this space and find all the veins have receded again. In their quadrants, the five motes of each mana type still swirl. Taking a deep breath, I focus on the swirling mana motes.

I watch as they dance their patterns. The life motes are full of vitality, the nature motes flow effortlessly, the corruption motes have a slow, methodical rhythm, and the death motes stagger like they could stop moving at any moment.

Thinking of my training with Laxreal on the different symbols used for casting spells, I carefully observe the life motes first.

The vitality they provide leaves small trails behind them. There is one point in particular: the trails overlap. Focusing on that point, I don't see anything. Curious, I wonder what this could mean. I stop myself from delving deeper into the problem.

The nature motes don't leave any trails behind them, but they occasionally bump into each other like giving a handshake before moving on.

The corruption motes are the most confusing of the four; they never get near each other, don't overlap trails, and have no specific pattern like they are trying to be separate.

When focused, the death motes are simple. They bump into each other more frequently, using each other as a crutch to keep moving.

Feeling calmer after watching the motes, I leave the space and return to bed. Closing my eyes, I feel more prepared for the new day.

Waking to the sound of footsteps outside my door, I get up. A knock on my door that sounds like a clatter of bones on wood lets me know who is outside my door.

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"Drake," a dry voice sounds, "It is time to prepare. Shall I help you with your speech?"

"No, Laxreal, I think I know what I need to say today."

"That is good. Get ready quickly. I will gather everyone," his footsteps disappeared down the hall.

Gathering my thoughts, I prepare myself.

It takes me ten minutes to be ready to face everyone. Then I head downstairs.

Outside the manor, a small wooden platform was created. Seeing Laxreal and my mother standing beside it, I know I must climb up.

The walk to the platform feels like an eternity. I see everyone has gathered. They all look at me, their eyes full of curiosity.

I quickly find many of the people I know. I step up once I finally reach the edge of the stairs, which leads to a slight rise.

Everyone is dead silent as they watch me. My steps on the wooden planks fill the area.

Reaching the top, I face the crowd. Taking a deep breath, I prepare to start.

"Everyone, I would like to talk about those who have passed," my words are slow at first, "All of these people showed their bravery. Sadly, I didn't know them, but they fought for me, you, and this settlement. In my eyes, they deserve to be treated with the highest regard. Many of them passed while I was incapacitated. My incapacitation was my fault, and for that, I can only beg forgiveness from you all. I put everyone one of our lives in danger by not being available in case there were wounded."

My words get heated and stick in my throat, "If I had not been so curious about the things around me during a time that it wasn't necessary, then maybe some of those people wouldn't have had to pass, but that is not the case. My actions have caused deaths among us. I know it is hard for most of you. You were pulled into a new world without any information, and then once you arrived, we greeted you. You had two 'choices': swear an oath to me or go out and die from the monsters that would spawn in the wave. To this, I once again ask for all of your forgiveness."

Looking down at the crowd, I see people looking up to me, ready to ask questions but holding back for the time being. "Somethings I would like to share with everyone. First, for those who have passed in battle for the settlement, I will ensure that their families know of their heroic deeds and that they will be cared for. Second, please let me or either Laxreal or Madoka know those with special rites for their dead. I will ensure their bodies are treated with the utmost respect based on their home world customs."

Faces in the crowd that were once aggressive towards me slacken, "Third is for all of you. I will do my best to grow stronger so something like this doesn't happen again when I can prevent it. I know this promise is hard to fulfill, but I will strive to get as strong as possible so that more people from our world don't have to fight a harsh battle upon arrival. Lastly, for those who would like to leave the settlement. I want to offer you the option to leave, but at this moment, we are locked in; there are no other places to go from what we know. So, in the meantime, please allow me to show you that it is worth staying here with us and growing with our community until an opportunity to leave arrives for you or you decide to stay with us."

Taking another deep breath, I bow to everyone present. "Thank you, everyone; I know I have forced you all to lead a harsh life for the moment, but for what you have all done and what you will do in the future, whether with this settlement or with another. I want to thank you."

I stay in that position until I feel a hand on my back. It is quite large, and then another large hand on my back. They grab me and straighten me.

Rognar and Narus helped me up.

"Drake," Rognar starts, "You have done well for a youngling. Your experience in battles shows, but those of us who have gotten to know you think highly of what you have done and what you are willing to do."

"Those newcomers around us," Narus picks up, "They will find life hard without the support of someone as understanding as you."

Draemish comes and stands to my left. "While you do stupid things frequently that make me want to bash your skull to knock some sense into you, you have never done anything out of malice, even concerning the new races around you." She gestures to everyone and explicitly places her hand on Laxreal's location.

"When I am in trouble, you will be there to support me. Not sharing your pain, but sharing others." Zul'Zara steps forward.

"You are willing to show that everyone in your settlement has the potential to be treated fairly," Shadow chimes in while moving to my other side.

"It'sss not fair to take all the blame for your ssself. Many of usss were there, and at no point did I sssee where you could have helped sssave sssomeonesss life." Vranjaya reluctantly gives up her spot next to Muiress to slither forward.

Muiress sighed with relief at seeing she was gone.

Seeing the first group of people brought to this world step forward makes me feel less sad about the situation.

"Drake," I hear from the side and see Uxa standing there. "You have done more than anyone could ask for. You are always there to help when needed but hardly ever ask for help in return. While the newcomers don't know this, those who have been here do. Since we stepped foot into this world, you have been trying to help everyone. In my eyes, those who arrive need time to see how this world works and how you handle situations. Either way, anyone from my world would agree that this is a better situation than we had back then. So, thank you for summoning me and those from my world. This gives us all a new life. What's a little fighting?" He quips.

Hearing this from him, I feel better. I once again bow before saying one last thing to everyone. "For those looking for a place to stay tonight, I will go into the fog alone to search for resources as an extension of my apology to you."

Taking everyone by surprise, I hop off the platform and head to the fog wall.