The wind pulled dust and sand along its path. Francis the cloth over his head tight. Though not a desert outright, the canyons weren’t anything like what he was used to. For one, the lack of plants.

“Allegedly, it hasn’t rained here in years,” Benjamin Wynt said, as if he read his mind.

“Is that so?”

Francis squinted against the glare of the sun. The drum of the musicians. The gears of war, and the soldier’s march. Everything beat in sync.

“If I may speak my mind, My Lord,” Benjamin started.

“Go ahead. I’m not the type that can’t take an insult.”

“Well, this might be offensive, but you really are a heartless man.”

“Not the first time I heard it.”

“You sound used to it.”

“Of course I am. After I allowed freedom of internal speech, so many people have thrown insults and complaints right at my face.”

Benjamin stayed silent. He was one of the few people that did that, so of course he would know. A system like that was revolutionary, so to speak. Every morning, a list of 10 names were picked. Benjamin Wynt was one of the lucky few that got to exchange words with the emperor in an environment for free talk. It was an idea to get the public to be satisfied, to let them think that they did something. Of course, public opinion did not really matter. What did the people know.

“I see that you’ve taken my advice.”

“Well, I am here partially because of that.”

“And the people are thankful. Your presence has increased morale. Though, uh- What they say about you might not be savoury.”

“Feel free.”

“It's just that the soldiers don’t care about your rank and status. No, maybe it's better to say that they love your status.”

“That’s strange. Why?”

“Your Majesty.”

“For real, feel free. I won’t execute you or them.”

“Fine. The soldiers here want to... To put it tactfully, they want to take their stress out on you.”

“I have an inkling of what that means, but could you elaborate a little bit in order to confirm my hypothesis.”

Benjamin Wynt twisted his lip like it was a difficult situation. He pressed up against the emperor, and quietly whispered in his ear. That was confirmation enough. Francis didn’t even flinch at the rather unsavoury words that left the minister’s mouth.

“I see.”

“They are tired men. You must put yourself in their shoes.”

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“I know. You don’t need to defend them. I’m grateful that they’re looking at me for their relief rather than my other companions instead.”

“You’re a strange one,” Benjamin commented.

“Yes, I am. Now quieten down. It's starting.”

Off in the distance, the swarm of Loyran soldiers charged into the valley. That was their mistake. A few soldiers, no more than 100, were left at the end. They were bait. Francis looked at the glint coming from the left wall of the valley. His trusty mage.

They numbered maybe in the thousands. Good. Their crushed bodies would be the foundation to peace on the southern end of the continent.

“Hold it. Not yet, wait until more of them are stuck in the valley. Katalina, are you in position?”

“Yes, My Lord. The exit of the valley is secured. No one will make it past me.”

“Hye-Sung? Is your magic ready?”

“What do you take me for?”

All the pieces were in place. All they needed to do was to wait. Far below him, in the valley, the marching of soldiers sent vibrations up.

There was only one reason why Francis Rayleigh desired to fight in the valley. Perhaps not really in the valley, but above the valley. The cruel sun beat down on their tired and sweaty bodies. Cracked ground and sand ruled. A prolonged fight in a desert, especially against the Loyrans, was a one way trip to disaster. Much like invading the jungles of Vietnam, the mountains of Afghanistan, or the wintery hellscapes of Russia.

If the soldiers marched harder, stamped their feet more, then perhaps the battle wouldn’t even take place. It was a blessing that there were no recent earthquakes in the area. Due to the circumstances surrounding the environment, the rocks above were loose.

“Now?”Benjamin asked.

“Soon.”

The screams of allied soldiers echoed upwards. As expected. If there was one thing about Loyra, it was that they didn’t take prisoners. On one hand, that meant the loss of soldiers. And on the other, no information could be leaked.

The soldiers stationed below as bait didn’t know they were bait. A sweet lie. They were told that they were scouts, and that this was to be their final mission before getting honourably discharged. Somewhat experienced, but without any significant achievements. It was unlikely that they would go further than that.

Spears plunged through the chainmail armour. Benjamin’s hand gripped around his wrist and pressed hard.

“Now?” Benjamin nearly shouted.

“Yes, now.”

The minister stood up and fired a flare. Thousands of eyes looked up at the bright clear sky, at the red mist rising from the plateau above. In a rehearsed manner, explosions went off.

“Dear god.”

“Hahaha!”

Screams, drowned out by the falling rocks. Countless last words. Final thoughts, desires, regret. All lost.

“Wait! We’re too close!” Benjamin backed away from the edge.

The ground beneath them rumbled. Francis stood up, and fled slowly. Even after the killing, rocks continued to slide down. It was a cruel sight, no doubt about that. As if to mock them, the world sent a gust of wind once the chaos settled down.

“Was... Was this really needed?” Katalina asked.

The Dust Ring Valley stretched out before Francis, disappearing into the hazy horizon clouded with sand and dust. The peak of the mountain at the far end of the valley towered menacingly over him. Like Everest, snow covered the summit. Long ago, a river ran through the valley, fueled by snowmelt. But as time marched on, the once lush and beautiful lands gradually turned into desert.

“This was the best case scenario.”