Chapter 29 : So I March toward War

Eriei says with confusion, "My lord, you expected that the Elora Kingdom would attack us?" I say, "Yes, Eriei. Since the arrival of Rodior Nevious. Actually, they decided to attack from the very beginning. If Rodior found Norheim, they would have attacked us, saying we captured their respected citizen. And if Rodior didn't find Norheim after I showed all the cells, he would have said that I killed him, and they would have attacked us." Eriei says, "So what will you do now, my lord?" "I'll defend my kingdom." I say with a smile. 

Everyone is presented in the royal court with a short notice. I say loudly, "As all of you are informed, Elora Kingdom has decided to attack us with an army of eighty thousand. They are coming towards the south gate as we speak. Now we have to defend our kingdom from these uninvited guests. And set an example of what would happen to anyone who dares to look at Alnovir with bad intentions."

Everyone shouts in unison, "YES!"

Elyar starts preparation. Twenty carriages filled with weapons, tools for medical treatments, foods and other necessary items. Two thousand horses for high-rank warriors. Twenty-eight thousand archers and seventy-four thousand swordsmen. 

I am counted as a high-rank warrior. But I can't ride a horse despite four months of training. So Elyar once suggested that I should use a carriage if I ever need to go to the battleground. Then I told him one of my deepest desires. 

The carriage maker made an Indian war chariot according to my description. And it turned out awesome. 

This golden war A chariot has four wheels. The chariot is pulled by two horses. There is an umbrella-shaped structure above the chariot. The platform has enough space for me and the Charioteer. There is a seat for me at the corner of the chariot. I can also stand. In front of me, there is a seat for the charioteer. The charioteer can sit there and manage the horses. 

Everyone was complimenting me, saying they never saw anything amazing like this. I told them my ancestors fought great wars like Mahabharat, riding these types of war chariots. I showered compliments on the carriage maker for his marvelous work.

I didn't think I would get any chance to use the war chariot. But here it is.

I am standing and looking at the preparation. Vaelya comes to me and says, "Agni, where is my horse?" I turn to her and say, "You aren't going to war, Vaelya." Vaelya says, "What! Why?"

- "Someone needs to stay here. There are people in the palace. Who will protect them if everyone goes to the war?"

- "Then you stay, and I go."

- "No, Vaelya. I am their king. I have to go with them. And this is my fight."

- "But Agni, what if something happens to you?"

- "Then you will sit on the throne of Alnovir."

Vaelya tries to punch me in the face; I catch her hand. I laugh and say, "I am just kidding, Vaelya. I will be just fine. You know me. And I won't go anywhere if I think there is a certainty of my death. Because suicide is the greatest sin for this life, as well as this body being a gift from God. And protecting my own life is a duty of mine. Because only when I am alive, I can fulfill my other responsibilities. So, don't worry, I will be just fine." 

Vaelya looks at Elyar and shouts, "General! Remember, don't return home without your king, otherwise there won't be any home for you to return to." I shout, "Vaelya!" Elyar kneels and says, "My lady, if I fail to return home with his majesty, my soldier will bring my head to you." Vaelya says, "I have no need for your head, General. So make sure your king returns home with you." Elyar says, "Yes, my lady."

I turn to Vaelya; her eyes are filled with tears. I hold her hand and say, "I will return to you, Vaelya." Vaelya holds my hand tightly and says, "You better." 

I notice Eriei, Emelin, and Ferminaka standing a few meters away from us. I say, "Eriei, please look after Vaelya while I am gone." Eriei bows and says, "As you wish, my lord." I say, "Ferminaka, look after my sister." Ferminaka says, "Of course, your majesty." 

Nordial comes to me and kneels. He says, "What are my orders, your majesty?" I say, "Defend my home." Nordial says, "It's my duty, your majesty. I'll give my life for that, if I need to." I smile and say, "And stay alive."

Elyar says, "We are ready, your majesty." I say, "Alright then." 

I take a deep breath and say loudly, "Children of Alnovir. I was a foreigner to you. But you accepted me and supported me in every action. You changed this kingdom into a better place. For you, I think of Alnovir as my home. And every one of you is my family member. We have a duty to protect our home. Today, a swarm of insects is coming this way to harm our home. Those insects don't know our strengths." 

I raise my right hand and clench my fist. The blue flame ignites. I say loudly, "Let's burn those insects into ashes."

Every soldier shouts, "YEAH!"

I turn to Vaelya. Vaelya says, "I could have given a better speech." I smile and say, "You know, it's not on my strong side." Ferminaka gives me a glass of water. I drink it and say, "Thank you, Ferminaka, I needed that." Ferminaka says, "It's my duty to understand your needs, your majesty." 

I notice Eriei coming towards me with a glass of water. I look sideways at Vaelya and smile. Eriei gives me the glass of water with a smile. Ferminaka says, "His majesty already had some water." Eriei's smile fades away. I take the glass and drink it. Eriei's smile returns. I say, "Thank you, Eriei." Eriei bows and says, "It's my pleasure, my lord." I smile. 

Emelin says, "Wait, brother." Vaelya says, "Yes, wait, Agni." I say, "Alright. But why?"

After drinking another two glasses of water from Vaelya and Emelin, I sit on my chariot. Seems like there is a pond in my belly. I can hear sounds of water inside of my belly. Someone once said, "Love hurts." Yeah! In the tummy.

Darknia turns to me and says, "Will you be alright, your majesty?" I smile and say, "Yes, Darknia. But Darknia, this is war; you don't have to be my charioteer." Darknia says, "It's my honor to be your charioteer, your majesty. If it's alright with you, please accept my service." I smile and say, "Alright, Darknia. I am already feeling safe, knowing that a skilled driver like yourself is my charioteer." "Your kind words honored me, your majesty." Darknia says with a smile. 

We depart towards the south gate to protect Alnovir.