Rotten joy.

For a moment, the confusion was greater than it had been before he felt relief. "No, wasn't it time for him to come back?" He soon felt foolish for thinking it could be something bad and unsolvable. "It must be important, surely, for him to come back so soon."

"The mine will collapse, we must leave as soon as possible," I said simply, having already taken advantage of his goodwill far too much so far.

“My lord, we've been very careful!” I put my hand to my chest before exclaiming defensively. “The old man was careful in choosing the materials for the mine. We've all dedicated time and money to keeping it operational, and we didn't carve into the fragile rock to avoid cracking the place.” For a moment, I noticed the boy's expression sadden.

“Are you done?”

“My lord, I swear, we did nothing wrong in this mine, dep…” He trailed off when he saw the raised hand.

“There is no blame that falls on you or anyone else but me.” I clarified, as I took the next piece of paper on the list. “In my vision, I saw you and a group reach the top of the mine and see the crevice that stretched twice the size of this tribe.” I mentioned the final scenario of the Harvesting tutorial. “The next thing I could see was everyone leaving, behind a wall of rocks that continued to descend to the bottom.”

"Why?" He didn't understand anything, but he knew from the last thing he said that he shouldn't hesitate. "I'll look up, I assure you you're wrong. We would have noticed something this big at the first opportunity."

"The mine was going too well, every good comes without evil, the saying is well-known, young man." I finished reading the transcript, and at the same time the young man hurried off.

Shortly after writing the evacuation notice, I left for the small church that had remodeled its facade with stucco and once again I felt that the hypocrisy of Santa Fe was getting the better of me, but at the same time I felt that it wasn't worth reproaching them, since soon there would be no one left, nor anything to serve as proof.

“Young Abaddon, what brings you to the temple?” The deacon displayed solemnity as well as joy.

"I've come with some bad news. We must evacuate. Here's the announcement." I handed it over almost seamlessly, feeling less guilty.

“I see, I’ll see that the Saint checks it before we begin the evacuation.”

"The tribe will die in your absence. All that's missing is your will, and more importantly, if you don't authorize it, I'm willing to pay the consequences to save all the inhabitants of this tribe." I showed my usual firmness, but feeling weak inside.

“Since it's you, it's understandable. I can authorize a learning trip for the tribe, so we'll have a legitimate reason to save everyone, but I'm afraid we'll have to return even with the collapse.”

“I thank you with all my heart.” I bowed, and before I knew it, there were drops on the floor. I turned around hurriedly and headed outside.

It didn't take long to find the guard arriving, escorting the wagon filled with silver ore and with that I noticed how happy he seemed and after passing inside the third wall we went to the sentry post and left the two escort guards below watching that no one interrupted, it would be high enough so that no one else could hear.

Vlad's arrogance and Haruto's lack of interest had only put Lasha in more danger than she should have. Some things were irreversible, but this was one of the few things I could change and perhaps keep General Roja on my side.

“What's so urgent about calling me boy?” I looked at him with an unnatural, yet calculated, joy as I passed the bottle and uncorked another. “In his name, Abaddon, it's good to see you back.”

"You might not like the content of this conversation." I uncorked the bottle and placed it on the frame overlooking the forest before sitting down on the improvised wooden floor.

"Now I really have expectations." I looked outside, smiling confidently.

"I'm afraid I've made the wrong choice." I look down at the floor, aware that soon that joy will turn to anger.

“Something you imagine or can be improved upon when something happens.” I finished the contents of the bottle, aware that I was once again speaking to the boss and not a child, but confident in my power to handle anything he wanted to do to irritate her. “Am I wrong?” The joy of dealing with a child’s tantrum brought back memories of her own childhood, and she soon looked at the black glass of the bottle and the worn gold-toned crown, winged faces, and a plant she didn’t recognize underneath.

“An expectation is the hope or anticipated belief that something will happen in the indefinite future, be it an action, an achievement, or an item to be acquired—perhaps all three at once, but situations are rare.” He calmed down a little, feeling that they were finally getting along. “It’s based on assumptions, both objective and subjective, and can be an illusion or a reasonable or irrational possibility.” He noticed from the faint sound that she had switched bottles and was reaching for the one he set aside. “Expectations can be positive or negative, and managing them properly is key to avoiding frustration.”

“Whatever, just spill it, kid, I don’t have much content left.”

"He's already on his second bottle, so I doubt it." I look at the sky on the opposite side, which is a little drenched.

"I don't know what you're talking about. You finished yours first." I looked at the almost full bottle against the sky, while calmly moving it.

“You must return to Rotmit and negotiate with your father to escape to the cursed kingdom.”

"The old man is a real stubborn one." He took the first sip, feeling his spirits sink. "Something I inherited from the old man. After all, we're a warring tribe. We haven't gotten along since the incident with that nobleman." He tried to remember something, but he struggled, not even the way back.

“And yet, it’s their only chance to survive.”

“Ho.” The calm quickly disappeared. “Another of your famous visions, which showed.” Inadvertently, stretching his arms out to his sides, he dropped the empty bottle down. “My homeland burning, or perhaps being aided by the cursed kingdom.” Naiveté and arrogance mingled, as he saw both scenarios as the best of all outcomes.

“He will take his father’s head and offer it to the black-armored warrior…” He was only stopped by the pain in his head and he realized the wood was so close to his face.

“Kid, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” His calm vanished, and he sought to intimidate him, ignoring the waste of content in his outburst of anger. “There’s nothing more precious to my tribe than the blood that unites us.” He sat on the boy’s side, noticing how the bones made his backside ache. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” The itch told him they weren’t bones at all.

"I'm not one to judge Alba's will." I try not to breathe deeply, feeling the shards of glass scraping over the clothes on my right. "Soon everyone will leave, a collapse, and the place will soon cease to exist. We'll pass through your tribe, there you'll have to make the decision." I feel the weight lighten, only to be lifted from my neck by a hand.

Having the boy at his eye level, he glared with barely contained rage. "And I'm the one to judge your delusions." He belatedly realized he'd sat on the liquor and the remains of the bottle from the puncture. "Damn." He stood up and wiped it with his hand, seeing a small cut and a sliver of black glass pierce the hand he used to wipe it. "I apologize, tribal chief. After all, it turns out I made a mistake by coming." He spoke with as much contempt as he could muster and calmly left the boy on the floor and went down the stairs.

"No one can deny that." He stood there a moment longer, taking one last look at that passage leading to his home kingdom, just to better remember the end of the tutorial and the problems of the two disasters.

In the morning, everyone set off in their respective directions. No one stayed in the village, and they tried to dismantle everything they saw useful, except for the mine, which they put a bigger door on, just in case, and thus, the arrival at the Sunken tribe.

“Young man, we have arrived,” the White Guard warrior mentioned. “Forgive me for asking, but shouldn’t we have accompanied the tribe on their excursion?”

“There are more important matters to discuss here.”

“I see.” It didn’t take long for me to see the merchant’s carriage arrive.

Fortunately for everyone, they were close enough to see the products he had traded, and with that, the most direct answer, while the servant went to the front with young Abadon, while the others left at the back on their way to the empire of Lasha.

“Greetings, merchant.” He approached calmly.

I calmly watch as the warriors and other inhabitants brought the plants and exchanged them for boxes and different materials; the varied and slightly mixed sports-type clothing had penetrated broadly and deeply into the culture of the kingdom.

“Young man, it’s been a while.” He greeted, noticing how they told him to continue with his work, still wanting to maintain a minimum of courtesy. “I thought it was the shipment of minerals that was coming.” He finished swapping the red medicinal plant with the metal sword, noting its good quality. “If I had known it was coming with the shipment, I would have prepared something worthy of eating.”

After almost half an hour of quick negotiations, the last problem arrived, and the last thing he considered necessary to complete a half-baked plan.

"Sorry for the delay." He sat down across from his two companions. "I assume it's important, so you should catch up with me." He looked at the dejected boy and knew something big was happening. "What happened to make young Abaddon so dejected?"

“Lasha is lost.” He stared at the center of the empty carriage as he pondered his new decision.

“Lasha, pour red wine into the lady’s glass, while handing the white bottle to your companion to complete his throne.” He took a sip calmly, wondering if he was so naive as to fail to see the consequences of his message. “I wish to make it known that I bear no responsibility for your actions; I am merely a messenger.”

"I'm not referring to the war cult, but to the demons." He smiled bitterly, remembering his recklessness.

“Young man, those of…”.

“The second cell has been opened; the main army will soon arrive in Lasha.” I look at the merchant with the closest thing I could muster to severity, avoiding the thought of so many good people dying. “Tell me, why didn’t your king do anything to take Lasha?” I speak a little more calmly. “Now that you not only have infiltrators so close to the crown, a base here, and a route that would give you the strategic advantage to catch Lasha off guard, with your vast superiority in numbers, aware of the many resources that arrived in Lasha and are now unprotected.”

“Things are complicated, you can’t…”

“I saw it, everyone fleeing. Tomorrow there will be no spy in the crown. No more reports will arrive. The troops in black have retreated. We alone are the last who serve the Lord of Freedom.” He didn’t think much about it as he watched the cloudy sky begin to rain. “The war has begun, and he hasn’t even been informed. Their king has begun to fortify Ritmo because he saw the evil coming. He won’t waste time trying to take something already destined for the demons, but he would take the opportunity to plunder as much as possible. That’s why I’ve come to give you important information.” He sighed, as he praised the achievements of others, but more importantly, looking at the merchant, feeling the rain gain strength. “Behind the mansion of the Lica house, there is a gap. It took me a long time to complete it, but your troops will be able to enter through there, and they won’t attract as much attention as trying to enter through a door.” He raised his hand, and the master’s shackle fell off the girl’s collar. “She's part of a deal I had with someone in the Warriors in Black, please make sure she's delivered to your friend properly.”

“Jove, you must know that your visions are not ab…” The thunder interrupted, as he noticed how things were getting worse with the rain.

"This is it. I've already evacuated everyone from Full." I mentioned, recalling the landslide and the few remaining residents from the disaster in the resource tutorial, and pointed to the necklace. "I estimate that payment is sufficient. Am I wrong?" I looked at the merchant, more serious than I ever thought I would be.

“When we first met, judging by the way he acted, I could tell with certainty that he was feigning innocence, but he was very cheerful, and today I see him as a King whose life and crown have been taken from him.” He finished his tea and threw the cup to the floor as he walked toward the horses. “What do you want in return for your service and cooperation so far?” He spoke lamely, noticing how the lightning had struck in front of them and the floor was emitting smoke from the black area. “I highly doubt it will help combat your delusions.”

"My people need to settle again. I would like you to speak to your king to allow a new tribe within his territory, far from here." He put down his cup of winged tea as he made his way to the wagon's stairs.

"I'll hand over the girl as you request and then I'll go talk, but my deal with the tribe will be greatly delayed." I calmly grasp the straps.

He got off the cart. "Full is close to a landslide. You'll have to go around it if you want to get there, but I'm sure you won't be able to plow through." He wished him a safe journey, merchant, as he walked toward the tribal chief's house.

“The rain is really heavy.” I look at the boy, somewhat bewildered. “You’d better come in. There’s a fire to warm you up if you want.”

“Okay, I’m here to let you know we have a problem.”

“You dealt with the merchant before us, I don’t think it’s a minor thing.”

“War is coming and it won’t be pretty.”

“Your family is powerful, and we swore loyalty, there will surely be no problem.” I looked at the boy, realizing that perhaps he had promised more than he could deliver. “If you need anything else from us.”

“This isn’t about the tribes, it’s about something much bigger. Not even my house or all of Lasha will be able to stand against it. That’s why I came to tell you that and invite you to follow the merchant to the only place where the claws of evil can never reach.”

“Is it that bad?”

He points to the forest, surrounded by darkness. “When they arrive, the animals that live there will only be able to eat meat, and their meat will turn black and inedible.” He lowers his head as he remembers. “The trees will turn black and so easy to cut down that their only use will be firewood.”

“It will be terrible then, but we will overcome it.”

“That is only what will happen to Earth, what will happen to people is worse, beings very similar to us, with wings on their backs will descend and begin to eat everyone they find around, skin hard as steel, varied colors of red and blue and a strength comparable to that of the possessed, but with a lucidity, as only you could have on the battlefield or your late daughter.”

"I'll start putting everything in order so we can go." He wasn't in the same good mood as he had been a few moments ago. "What are you guys doing?"

“The fools are in charge, they have decided to resist and force me to accompany them, my fate is sealed.”

“Better luck next time.” He went inside, noticing his own belongings.

“I’m trying.” He walked toward the forest, only just noticing the cold and rain gaining strength, as he continued his lack of calm, while at the same time avoiding using his mana, for fear of worsening his illness. “I’m really trying.”

The path was followed by many obstacles that he overcame with relative ease, while the roots became lost again and the stones on the path stopped complicating the way, while he reached what seemed to him to be a slightly wilder tribe, only for lacking metallic clothing and still wearing the same skins as always, and he didn't know whether to be happy or worried that they didn't see him as a threat.

The confusion didn't last long, as the warriors placed their spears forward, with the first question coming as anyone would think.

"Who are you?".

“Abaddon, of the House of Sun, I come to make a deal with your tribal chief.”

They didn't give it much thought as they led him in and noticed how the decay was moderate inside, not very different from what the commoners' area once was, while the rain kept everyone sheltered inside their huts or half-built roofs.

"It's here," he explained, as they pointed to the farthest area. A small inner wall surrounded them, and they returned to the entrance to protect it. "If you make it out alive, remember we'll help you."

“I’ll remember that.” I had little to no doubt they didn’t want any survivors, but it was better than nothing.

Once inside, I noticed how the leader was, sitting on his throne, while I noticed the metal weapons and shortly after everyone seemed alert, pointing their weapons.

"Who are you?".

“Abaddon, from the House of Sol, I come to make a deal.”

“I’ve heard of House Sol; they’re a problem for House Lica.” I grip the spear tightly and throw it at the boy’s side, but it grazed his cheek. He didn’t want it, but it made a good impression on him with his courage, as he didn’t run away or burst into tears. “You have courage, and that’s all you have time to speak. Be brief. I have an assault to plan on the Sunken tribe.”

“We have made a pact with the Sunken tribe.” I walked forward, feeling the weapons advance at the first opportunity and the stinging of my cheek. “Just as Lica holds them in high regard, we hold the Sunken tribe in high regard.”

“They can't attack us. The guy who made the pact with us that day told us so. And since you confess to being our enemy, don't expect to get out of here unscathed.”

“Confound my words, leader of the Arbos tribe, our request was simple, the Sunken tribe must flee to the cursed realm or fall alongside us.”

“Yeah, it’s normal that I get confused if you say the opposite of what you express.”

“All of Lasha is facing a mutual enemy; the petty grudges between our houses no longer mean anything.” I bowed slightly, hoping he would take this as an apology and avoid further delaying the explanation. “This problem is settled. I can no longer expect more supplies from your tribe, and that's why I've come to offer you the chance to join House Sol, as we seek as many allies as we can to confront this great problem.” I extended my hand, displaying some well-feigned joy. “Four warring tribes have already agreed to help us in exchange for a generous payment, and 12 have decided to flee.”

“Cowards without a doubt.”

“Whether they were or not is irrelevant to me. Today I extend the same offer to you, in the hope that you will help us as part of the Sol family.”

"I'm not good with this kind of deal." He recalled the irrationality of the deal with the Lica family and how it took them so long to talk and hardly any significant change. "What will I get in return for helping them?"

“Blood makes a pact and unites, food is shared, riches are diluted in both, strength becomes mutual, the pact of your people whenever they seek an alliance, is what I promise to the Arbos tribe, should they choose to accept.”

“Funny, the guy from the Lica house didn’t even know what our customs were like.”

“I’ve studied properly.” He was glad he didn’t have to explain much. “What is your answer, Chief of the Arbos tribe?”

“A box of food my size, for every two hands full.” He spread his fingers, indicating the ten days he would have to deliver the supplies.

“I accept, in the name of the House of Sol.”

“Don't think about it any longer.” I look at the boy and his strange ease in accepting a deal that doubled the one he had with the Lica family. “We had to come to an agreement with the other one after a long time.”

“Desperate times, desperate measures.”

“If you despair, then I want two boxes my size, each hand.”

“As you wish.”

The confusion came at such an immediate response and he saw a much more complicated battle coming than he imagined, but within those walls, it would not be something to worry about, while they attack from above or in the streets well formed,

“Okay, let’s not think about it anymore. Follow me, kid. Let’s complete the union of our tribes.” He continued on his way to his daughter’s room and noticed her sitting there, amidst the books, which until now I couldn’t understand. “I went to Lasha a while ago and saw how amazing the place is.” He waved to the girl, who seemed to be about the boy’s age, at least in height. “Layla, meet your man. From today on, you are no longer a nuisance, but our link to the Sol family.”

I noticed her coming, as dispirited as ever, as she reached out and moved Leon's hand to take it and placed the small knife in between them, while they both squeezed, which was surprising since she didn't have to give the boy any instructions.

"By sacred rites and great truths, the blood of our families is unified, and we will share this time as common." He tugged hard, noticing the gush of blood and the grimace of pain on his daughter's face, and surprised to see no such thing in the boy.

“Anything else?” I asked, avoiding showing disappointment at not seeing a warrior.

"Yes, my daughter will be representing the tribe during this time while we prepare to arrive." I push her with my palm on the back and notice her usual lack of cheerfulness.

"Have it your way, but try not to delay. We don't have much time left before Lasha falls." Rushing them would be the best option among many bad ones.

“I'll wait for that box of food; it'll be good for my people.” He bridled, considering the words an order rather than a suggestion.

"As you wish, I'll arrange for the agreed-upon delivery tomorrow." I bowed in a sign of respect, rather than obedience, hoping not to be misinterpreted. "Ready to go, Miss Layla." I spoke cheerfully, while managing to muster the best smile I could.

“Are we leaving soon?” He looked to the side. “I want to grab a few things before I go.”

“Go ahead, I’ll see that the final details are worked out.” I watched as he hurried inside.

“Don’t worry too much about his safety, as long as he can keep talking by the time we arrive, the deal is still on.”

"I'll keep that in mind." I walked toward the entrance. "When will they arrive, if I may ask?" I saw the furs working at the entrance, as in almost every house, and I remembered the girl's face a little better, seeing a goal I'd given up for lost, accomplished.

"Let the food arrive, and we'll arrive with the next hand." He extended his palm, implying the five days it would take.

"Understood".

Upon arriving outside, I noticed that she was wearing no protection other than the clothes she was wearing inside, and since I had to be polite to the girl, I asked for some of her belongings so I could share the load. My surprise at remembering the Warrior in White better only improved my already low spirits.

“Tell me, why did you accept the deal?” She looked at the boy in front of her, somewhat concerned about the direction they were taking, but at the same time aware that she had no way of resisting without attracting malice from her family. “I don't see him favoring either side.”

“You saw and heard our conversation, what more can I tell you that you haven’t heard before?”

“How did you notice?”

"I thought it was an archer, ready to execute me. Going into enemy territory has that kind of effect on people." We reached the forest, and the silence became awkward.

As we noticed the rain increasing, we headed to a sheltered tree, as it created a little light, and the sparks in the nearby straw created a small bonfire that we soon enlivened with the branches around it.

“My father always complained that we didn't have a kingdom like his.” He continued reading now that the light was somewhat clear. “What is it like there?”

“Large, houses of up to two floors, for the nobles, the commoners, have one floor between things or houses, depending on the accumulated fortune or the livelihood of each one.”

“Our families are bound by our pact. Will we have a home of our own?” She paused, surprised that it was so easy to get an answer. “Or will we just be told where to sleep and that’s it?”

“I will make sure your family finds adequate sustenance and rest.” He placed the meat on the metal rod and anchored it to the floor near the fire. “Tell me, what are you reading?”

“Why do you want to know?” He closed the book, hoping she wasn’t running away, because of the footsteps moving away.

“Just curious.” I grab the knife and the meat he brought with him.

“The title says, Son of Light.” His fear calmed, he looked at the cover of the book.

“Ha, the story is popular among children.”

"Really?" I looked at the boy, who was adding more meat to the cooking, with even more joy. "I mean, how much?" I calmed my excitement, while concealing my interest.

“Yes, and almost every noble has a copy, which they usually read to the children of the house. It tells the story of the Chosen of Light, who brings an end to the Dark Lord.” He added the next bar. “Given how it’s halfway through, it must be in the Kingdom of Sweets. Am I wrong?”

“No.” She leaned closer, smelling the meat cooking and telling herself it was the white powder she was putting on it. “Is that a lot of meat? Will you be able to finish it all?” She surreptitiously glanced at the small sack with the word Salt written on it. She turned around, feeling the warmth of the fire warm her, unlike the chill of the rain as she walked.

"If it were just for me, I wouldn't have cut even half of it; my preference would be for the fruit I have in my backpack." I put down the last one, for a total of six, and sat down. "It's up to you to eat four, and then get ready to rest. Dawn will be leaving soon, and it's dangerous to continue our journey."

“Grace, I’ll be the first guard then.”

“I don’t recommend it, it will be difficult to carry you the rest of the way if you do.”

“I’m not heavy, and my food has always been light.” She looked more closely at the meat, which was beginning to ooze juice, and the rapid turning of it disconcerted her. “Besides, I can always leave some things behind if necessary.”

“That’s not a good idea. What you brought is of value to you, just as you are now of value to me.”

“For the treatment between tribes.”

“Even without that, you would be of more value to me than anything I could give away in the deal.”

“Page 19.” He opened the book almost to the beginning, revealing a small, crude illustration and the same words. “It’s obvious you’ve read the book. Tell me how things go next.”

“Once the princess's promise is delivered, set off with the lead warrior to the red rock region.” I take out a meat brooch and pass it to the front. “After the animals are cooked on the rocks, they eat well and rest before continuing their journey the next day to the evil kingdom of the vestments.”

"Yes, it's not strange. The red rocks could be used to cook meat, just as they could sleep in that place without cooking themselves." She spoke with the joy she'd never felt before about a subject she thought she'd mastered, ready to offer her own theories.

"It's called shadow, miss." The subsequent pout left us speechless.