“Everyone is here,” Phalanx said, patting his chest. “Now just wait for you to signal!”

Jon glanced at the army with only a hundred and fifty-one men in his heart with a little worry. But their boiling wills gave him some reassurance in return. The shores were still churning, and the black ocean was about to roll with ferocious tides. The sea breeze blew like a storm, the weather was still like a god of death in a hurry to claim someone's life. Jon stepped out into the center so that all one hundred and fifty-one people could see him, including the thirteen leading warriors. Jon is only eight years old this year, but right now, he is not small at all. His expression looked experienced and mature, perhaps inherited from Reind, which made what he was about to say all the more formal. Before he spoke, he wanted to close his eyes to concentrate. In both his ears, the sound of the sea waves rumbling, along with the sound of the wind, all were chaotic. He could not stop his mind from looking over the fragments of the future. Just one mistake, the whole future will be changed. This was no longer a training exercise like the times his father had directed. This is war, there will only be one of two outcomes: they win, Lapunta dies; or vice versa, Lapunta still sits firmly on the iron throne, and they all rot underground.

Jon drew in a long breath, his mother had told him. Just by doing that, he will have more courage to do something big. The raindrops fell again, created circles on the surface of the water that interfered with each other. The wind was getting stronger and the sky was getting darker. The waves of the sea rushed into the sand and washed away the hesitation. Jon clenched his fists. With all his might, he shouted loudly:

“From this moment on, we will fight for real. There will be no more drills like my father directed. There will be people who will stay, and those who will die. I want to ask again, are you all willing to die for this battle?"

There was no need to wait long, everyone here expected this day to come, and death was no longer a scary thing. If they do not go to battle today, they do not sacrifice themselves, then one day not far, Lapunta will also invade and suppress them all, that is worse than dying but still holding the weapon firmly in hand with the enemy's blood on it. It's just a pity that Lapunta's henchmen have no flesh and blood left!

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

They all said in unison:

"We are ready!"

The shouts resounded throughout the land, overpowering the thunder rumbling in the sky. Jon continued:

“No matter what, today we must win. The future of Arglohandre is in our hands,” Jon paused, taking another long breath. When he was stable again, he continued. “Alright, everyone, keep your weapons in hand. We will sail to the other side of the Black Sea!”

Weapons they already have on hand. They had not let go of their weapons since being summoned. But the problem is they do not have a boat. Even if they did, their boat would not be able to make it through the deep black holes in the middle of the Black Sea on the line connecting the two shores. As soon as a boat passes by, or rides an animal flying past it, it will immediately be torn to pieces by the sea demon Xoncenork in the whirlpool. Ever since Lapunta broke the Arglohandre in half, Xoncenork has been awakened. No one has ever been able to cross the shore to this shore and vice versa. Everyone is stuck here, or the other side. Even Lapunta is somewhat wary of this beast. Many of those who volunteered in the battle had their families stranded on the other side of the river, hoping day and night for them to be fine. But all of them were mentally prepared that they were dead. And if so, today is also a day for them to close their eyes.

Hargnes stepped in front of him and asked:

“All of them are ready. But Jon… we don't have a boat?"

"It's you," he replied shortly. “You are the one who will build for them a ship big enough to cross the Black Sea and Xoncenork.”

"What?" Hargnes still didn't understand.

“Trikestion,” he pointed to the trident she was holding. “But first, I need you to do one thing…”

"What?" Hargnes's face turned a little gray.

“You must die… by the sea!”