Chapter 23:

Duty calls.

My will shall resonate in this stormy game


The promotion of the kingdom of Lasha to empire, I wished that time was running out, no matter how far back the topic of war had been, the tutorial was already half over and I had to hurry, in the commitment if I wanted to return with something more than a mine to my name.

“The messenger will arrive in eight days. If I don't have the peace treaty by then, only war will save us from a minor invasion problem.” Suddenly, my appetite was quenched, and I stuffed everything I'd already cut into my chest and quickly went to the small chapel everyone had helped build in my absence. “Let's get to work.” I quickly grabbed my pencil and notebook. “I'll miss the products of the cursed kingdom.”

Sleep overcame me a few minutes after finishing the basic problem of displaying power, and I went to sleep in what was clearly just a pile of winged chaff, and by morning I felt a little less sore than usual.

Shortly after seeing how it was a mess outside, I rang the small bell I brought with me and most found the tone irritating, while I greeted Alba and the few who were aware rushed to follow my example, we proceeded to wake the rest, with the closest thing we had to touch.

“PRAY FOR LIFE, PRAY FOR FOOD, AND PRAY FOR SALVATION.” We all shouted in unison, noting to my relief that most people avoided profanity in favor of noticing the person to whom they owed their lack of sleep.

After a while, we put an end to the celebration that any follower of the Holy Faith would have declared heresy, and we proceeded to restore order. Everyone had work to do, and finally, the warriors would be ready for their own mission. At best, at worst, they would be marching to certain death.

“Damn, my head hurts.” I line up with the rest, while I do a more thorough inspection of their condition, confirming that everyone is there. “Everyone’s here, kid.”

“It’s nice to know it’s doing its job, it’s time for us to leave.”

“Where to?” I ask, very grumpy at his expression.

“To the Sunken tribe,” I explained, giving the signal and everyone following me.

“What a name, you have to look for better ones.”

"It's not our place to question the names of tribes that don't even follow the holy faith; besides, their numbers are much larger than you might imagine."

"Ho," for a moment there was astonishment in her mild statement. "Will there be war?" She withdrew the axe from her waist, somewhat more animated than she had been for a while.

“Yes and no,” I clarified, confused, since I was never good at the diplomacy tutorial; I was better at siege and precise strikes in combat.

“Speak well or don’t speak at all, kid,” I answer, annoyed at not understanding.

“I’m just answering your questions,” it was partly true that it was the tutorial and no matter how difficult I had chosen the difficulty it doesn’t change that I know more or less how to deal with the tribe.

"So, will there be war or not?" Now calmer, she began to dodge the fallen trees around her, with the closest thing she could muster to seriousness.

“There will be, but it is uncertain whether they will decide to follow me, which would limit the conflict to two against one or all against all.”

“I like the latter,” I mention with considerable confidence.

"I repeat; their numbers are nothing to be underestimated. Besides, it won't take long for us to arrive, and our most pressing issue is whether we can quickly take sides." Aclare, as he circled around a fallen log and climbed up the slope, beginning to gain strength.

“I guess you already know who will win,” I said hesitantly, but I didn’t show any sign of asking a question.

"Of course, if we join, don't doubt that the hand of dawn favors us in this battle," he clarified, because it was certainly that simple.

“Not for a minute,” I mention with the arrogance I have learned to tolerate.

“So I hope you're up to the challenge.”

“Of course, in the name of Alba we will win this contest.”

His happy face continued between chats and some jokes, while he continued leading the march and I constantly wondered if they weren't too confident, since he didn't have even the closest thing to an escort nearby, but I decided to take cover at the slightest sign of any danger.

By the time we reached the clearing we saw it and just like in the game, we were in the middle of the battle, there were enough bodies on the ground, close and deeper than anyone liked, being more troops intended to intimidate it was no surprise that some vomited.

“There are many,” I mention, more seriously than I’ve ever seen her speak.

“I’ve been warning you all the way, Miss Ari.”

“Whatever happens, we are not ready to participate; withdrawal is the best choice.”

"As you wish, you may go." I took the first steps toward conflict.

“Kid, don’t act so brave.” He quickened his pace.

He grabbed my shoulder before I could react. "It's our duty to participate," I clarified, taking his hand and pulling it away, while giving him the proper attention.

“Yes, but not die, we can't win this battle, no matter how much we want to,” I clarified, barely noticing her hostility or annoyance.

“Look over there, at least tell me if you can count them so I know you understand what you’re trying to confront me with.”

“76 defenders, 158 attackers, and the numbers are starting to drop.”

"Fine, we'll join the attack then. At least we'll win something, or at least wait for it to end and see what we get."

Everyone looked at this with great enthusiasm, but I shook my head as I walked towards the defenders from the back.

“Damn reckless.” She leaned her strength into the spear, noticing another advancing ahead of her. “Hey, where are you going?”

“W… well, if victory is assured, isn’t it better to participate and claim some of that glory?” The young man didn’t dwell much further than his reply and caught up with Abaddon.

“Sure, we're going to win anyway.”

With those words the majority took the lead, while the girl got bored and waited with little more than half of the troops present and when they finally saw them arrive she began to wonder what she was thinking.

"You're crazy, that's suicide, there are only about twelve of you," explained the one who was beginning to sharpen his axe with the other, the sound of the stone becoming more constant.

“I've heard it called the value of stupidity,” another mentioned as the large piece of sharpened stone reinforced its handle. “Besides, the guys were new, remember?”

“Yes, you'll see what awaits you.”

“Damn, they're almost there,” I mention half-heartedly. “Get ready for us to come to your rescue.”

"Boss, that would be suicide," almost everyone demanded, to their complete ignorance.

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