We were riding speedily out of the city. It wasn't just me, Keira and somewhat significant others who rode horses, but the whole three thousand soldiers with us rode horses as well.
In short, the city only had the cavalry group left behind and fortunately they were just the unit I needed for us to speed up and not get delayed by walking troops.
"What did Oricon say exactly?" Keira asked me, she was the only one who rode the closest to me.
Lucian didn't want to and Jacob wasn't that proficient with horses so he was just trying to stay on.
"You know the plan Seman cooked up about spreading the group in three and attacking the spots?" Keira nodded, "Oricon knew about it, out of the three spots, two were hollow."
"Yeah, they are both decoys and anyone isn't actually there. The one that has people is actually filled with the whole fifty thousand of them." My words made her eyes widen, "Oricon couldn't tell us which one it was, but whoever lucks out on it is truly about to get fucked!"
It wasn't just Keira who was shocked learning this, Lucian was too.
"So they were already aware of the plan?" Lucian asked, "How is that possible? Only specific people knew of it."
"Yes" Keira nods as she thought carefully, "From my knowledge, only the captains, Lord Seman, Peter, Miss Velma, Marva, you and me were the only ones. How could the enemy have known?"
"Do you want to know?" I say as both of them looked attentively at me. "We have a spy."
"Bullshit!" Lucian was the one who spoke, "That is absolutely not true! I've worked with every single one of those people and they are all loyal to their core. It can't be true."
"Not everything you see always is." Jacob murmured just enough for Lucian to hear. "Don't think the brothers that you've been with are all good and shit!"
"The moment they find you at your weakest, they will prowl on you and rip you out."
"I don't know what is wrong with you, Jacob." Lucian said, "But I for sure know, that the captains don't have anything to do with this."
"Lord Tax, you know who did it, right? Can you tell us." Keira asked me.
"It has something to do with a captain." I say as Lucian looked sharply at me, "One of them blurted out the plan."
"What? Who?" Lucian asked.
Before Lucian could get an answer, I stop Reverence and order, "STOP!!"
With my roar, the other soldiers all came to a full stop.
In front of me was two roads that were divided by a forest in the middle.
"What happened?" Lucian asked, "Why are we stopping?"
I gesture ahead, "I believe it's time to make a decision."
Lucian became quiet and looked ahead.
"In front of us are two roads leading to different people." I say, "One leads straight to Lord Seman and Peter's troops and the other leads towards the Valkyries." Thɪs chapter is updated by novel·fıre·net
I feel both Keira and Lucian's eyes bore into my back as Keira spoke first, "I know how it sounds like, but we should take the road leading to the Valkyries."
"NO!" Lucian denied, "We should take the first road to Lord Seman!"
"It's not the correct judgement. The Valkyries path is; they can help us out."
"You have to say that, they're your comrades. But we're working under Lord Seman, it is our duty to look for our Lord first and foremost." Lucian turned to me, "I know that we have our differences Henry, but Lord Seman is your Father-in-law, it is as your familial responsibility to save him."
"That's true." I say as Keira's face darkens, "As I am about to build a relationship with him, it is indeed my responsibility to save him."
"But that doesn't mean I would make a hasty decision." My words confuse Lucian, "Right now, I have the responsibility of the whole combined army's safety ahead of me, I can't just choose Lord Seman because he's family."
"I have to look out for the other 49 thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine lives too."
Keira smiled and said, "So we will take the road to Miss Velma!"
Instead of answering, I ask, "Why do you think I should choose them?"
Keira saw my serious look and carefully answered, "We Valkyries are known for our speed, combat and technical abilities… and even though I might lack in all three, Miss Velma and Marva are one of the best."
"And there's Miss Velma's strength too. Out of the whole force, she is the strongest soldier and the highest ranked after Lord Seman. She would have a way to convey the message quickly to the others."
"Yes, that's a good idea." I turn around, "And what do you think Jacob?"
Jacob pulled out a long piece of grass and started chewing on it, "What does it matter? You already chose what you will do."
Hearing his words, both person look at me as I smile, "Indeed I have."
"So what is it?" Lucian asked.
"Who did you choose?" Keira asked.
"I choose… no one." My words confuse them even further, "The goddess will choose for me."
I bring out my large block of a sword from the back and point it ahead, "We'll be taking the route through the forest."
Lucian looked at the forest ahead and frowned, "We can't, we don't even know where we'll be going."
"That is true, but we are already quite late and the roads would take us too long to arrive at one of the target while the other two might already get caught by then." I say, "So we'll be taking the forest, it will be shorter and we don't even have to choose who we get."
Keira, even though still felt a bit reluctant, nodded at idea, "Alright, if it's the goddess then I can understand the choice."
"But… but…" Lucian stammered, "The forest ahead is out of the boundaries of the Religias. Unknown, dangerous forces are stationed there, it's not the correct choice."
"Lucian, we're about to face one of the army that could very well get caught by fifty thousand soldiers… and you're worried about foreign forces?" I ask him.
"But, Lord Seman ordered us not to ventu-"
"Damn his order!" I bellow, "This is a fucking emergency, I'm sure he'll understand when I save his ass, isn't that right, Keira?"
"Hah?... yes." Keira nodded awkwardly.
Jacob asked as he got up on his horse, "Do you actually believe in the goddess?"
"Of course I do." I tell him seriously, "Out of every belief I have, the Goddess is the only thing that'll stay resolute in me."
"It's almost comedic hearing you say that."
"Jacob… do you want divine punishment blasting on you?"
"Alright then, EVERYONE LISTEN UP!" My words scream out, "We are going to take the scenic route, so if you see someone taking a whizz or doing their own business, do mind your own business and do not… I repeat DO NOT ask them about it."
"YES!" The soldiers smiled.
"Okay then," I swing my sword towards the forest, "Let's Go!"
"RRNGH!" Reverence reared up and neighed loudly as he ran forward.
"HOO!" The screams of the soldier's chorus out and they ran behind me.
The wind clashes against my face as I smile at the rush.
'Let's see who the Goddess has in store for me.'