Chapter 45 – Wild Animals.

[Selinah]: Would say my “thanks” to her?

I looked at the girl with armor for a moment. Our eyes met. Distrust in her eyes, Mariah had an aggressive aura around her.

[Me]: I will! Now if you will excuse me!

I did teleport back to Wallington House.

[Luna]: Teleporting is useful.

[Me]: It is. There was a girl called Mariah besides Marquis Lucchi.

[Luna]: She is her familiar.

[Me]: I thought I am the only human familiar?!

[Luna]: Mariah is a shape shifter. She is a sword master.

In the morning, a messenger from king arrived hastily. Mobilization of local forces was declared and army lead by Luna had to be ready in a week’s time to join King Bartholomew near capital city to leave to Cursed Lands. Crusade was on way, and we were going to take part in it. I was more interested in it because of the portal that could take me back to my world. I had to go to Cursed Lands no matter what.

Having a ready-to-go, trained off the shelf army was an advantage. Luna was overall leader of the army though Marquis Lucchi,  Count Jülicher and Count Darwin were leading three main battalions that made up the army. Nobles still were main force within the army, as they had familiars and could use magic. Army of 4000 departed to capital city on time and reached Prissé in 10 days of travel.

There were 6 armies of total twenty five thousand camping around Prissé by the time we reached it. We met other dukes. The only one I remember is Duke Benjamin Hassan’s son Rakim. He was hanging around Luna a lot. I think he had romantic interest in her but didn’t get what he wanted. He was a year or two older than Luna. King Bartholomew took command of the 7 armies and we began to march towards Cursed Lands. On the third night of the march at king’s headquarters…

[Bartholomew]: We will be joining Artarian army and both our armies will attack from Artarian front. Kingdom of Barmin, Kingdom of Vandall and Kingdom of Jorm will invade from Jormian front.

[Duke_Benjamin]: We should have sent spies ahead of invasion to gather information.

[Bartholomew]: We will send a day before we reach Artarian front.

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[Luna]: What if monsters are…

The other dukes began to laugh at her words even before she could begin whatever she was going to tell.

[Duke_Erasmus]: No “if”s Duchess. King’s plan is flawless.

I didn’t care much about their plans but other dukes were sucking up to king in every possible way. Politicians are same everywhere. Power is sweet, once you taste it, you do not want to let go of it. Our forces joined with Artarian army and again Bartholomew took over the control of both armies. He was old but a powerful person with an intense aura surrounding him.

Gron had grown in size. It was larger than most of the dragon’s or lizard type familiars. His height was almost as big as two-story building. Luna was riding Gorn, instead of a horse. Sometimes he was flying and I could sense Luna getting pleasure from the flight. They were becoming friends.

Mountains were like natural borders between Cursed Lands and the rest of the world. There were only two locations from where an army could pass easily to march to Cursed Lands. The first one was called Arthur’s pass and was on northwest of Artarian Kingdom. The second one was named after some old-dead hero and was in southwest Jormian Kingdom.

Army camped near Arthur’s pass for 2 days as spies were sent into Cursed Lands after information. 4 spies were sent to retrieve intelligence on monsters that we were going to fight.  In the morning of 2nd day Luna was asked to join king on his headquarters. I was with her in king’s tent. Rest of the dukes were there as we arrived into the tent.

[Bartholomew]: Report!

[Spy]: Nothing my king. Only wild animals.

2nd spy told same things. It was as if monsters had vanished out of Cursed Lands. Everyone was curious about the situation. Nobody expected all of the monsters to be at Arthur’s pass but there had to be some.

The only thing was to wait for the other two spies to arrive. They had to be in king’s presence by tonight.

No good news arrived that night. Intel from both of the spies had same implications as the other two. No monsters were in sight but wild animals.

Next: Chapter 46 - Into two.