Narrator's POV:
"Mistress Margarette... are you against my plan in finishing our mission quick?"
- Terence said as he smiles but her menacing aura is great.
". . ."
- Margarette remained quiet.
"Please mistress, I wanna know your answer regarding this matter. Are you against it?"
- Terence said while giving a heart-warming look but still menacing.
At that moment, Margarette is having a hard time uttering the words in her thoughts. All she ever did is remained speechless towards Terence.
"I assume that your answer is yes, mistress. Well, anyway, since I don't have any ability to control one's will, of course there'll always be someone who's obviously against my plan."
- Terence said in a heart-warming tone.
"So, everyone! Let's make a voting poll! Whoever agreed to follow my plan, go to the right side. If some of you disagrees, stay where you are. And remember, majority wins, so deal?"
- Terence said.
"At the count of 3, all of you must start to position. Now, in 3, 2, 1, go!"
- Terence signals.
So, all members of the second regiment started to make their choices.
- - - - - Meanwhile - - - - - -
( After the voting and results )
"Alright! It seems most of you agreed to my plan! Good job! Good job! It seems you all wanted to end this mission quick! Well, who says 'no' anyway?"
- Terence cheerfully said.
". . ."
- Zemislav's quiet.
"Alright! Buckle up everyone, it's time for us to move. We wasted too much time blabbering here."
- Terence said.
"You heard him lads!... ONWARDS TO THE BARREN LANDS!"
- Orphium cheerfully said.
The second regiment started to move.
Margarette POV:
*tch!*
I can't believe what I just witnessed. Him? Changing the main mission's goal and insert his 'plan'? Like, what the hell??! Is he an higher official or what?!
*grit*
And also, why didn't Zemi say anything? He's supposedly the leader of this regiment not that sc*m!?
*Margarette stares at her quiet husband ahead*
How come he didn't respond or making a slight reaction? What happened to him?! This isn't the Zemi I know. What happened why he acted like this?
Geez!
*a moment of silence*
*marching continues*
I know we all wanted to finish this mission quick. Well, who's warrior doesn't want to end their task immediately? Of course they'll try their hardest to finish it as soon as possible.
. . .
Most of the warriors couldn't hide their feeling of yearning or in order words, missing someone. Each of us possess those kind of feeling because we cannot avoid that sort of emotion.
Missing something which you hold dear does not only limit about your family, it could also came out with a form of;
(1) affection of one's home
(2) missing dearly to their domesticated animals
(3) longing for their personal things, and
(4) etc.
That's why, when you were separated from what you hold dear, will experience yearning. That's the reason why every warriors' hope and determination were boosted because of that certain feeling.
. . .
I'm pretty sure Zemi is not an exception, and also do I too. Probably the reason why he didn't utter anything regarding that sc*m's plan.
*marching intensifies*
. . .
Zemi may look calm all the time, like he doesn't even care if the mission's progress runs slower.
*hmph!*
That's Zemislav for ya.
Ahahahahahha!
. . .
Either way, behind those chill behaviour of his, I am pretty sure that he also wants to finish the mission quickly.
*Margarette's closely observing Zemislav*
I don't know much about Zemi's way of handling every people in his lead which was assigned to him by the high officials at all, all I ever heard is that, he is great leader.
. . .
I may be his wife but... Heh! It's not like we are always teaming up in times of mission ya know? We are dispatch to different squads, troops or whatsoever is it called though.
My first mission collaboration with him is in times of waging war against the Necrokeep. Since I am mostly assigned to mission about dealing with undeads.
Heheheheheh!
Don't touch me, I'm an Undead Slayer!
Wahahahahahaha!
Well, just kidding.
. . .
It was...
well...
One of the difficult battle I went so far, since your enemies were undead, and by the time you slain them, they kept on rising from the surface, like there's no end to them. But somehow, the outcome of that battle is a truce on both sides.
If you were going to ask me what the heck happened why it resulted to a truce, I'm so sorry but I, too, is not aware of how it ended that way. So, don't you dare bother me on that kind of matter, brain. I have no need to recall the past events which does not even helped me a bit.
Heheheheheheh!
Okay, step that topic aside for now. So, uum... What should I do to make my thoughts occupied and not focusing to those detestable sc*ms ahead of me?
Hmm...
Well, brainstorming is a hassle!
*pft!*
. . .
Hehehehe!
Just kidding.
. . .
*Margarette's attention gotten seriously focused towards her quiet husband*
Zemi's way of mission's workflow is step-by-step. It is indeed a slow progress but despite of having a slow progress, the flow its making is incredibly unique.
Zemi's way lessens the death's door of everyone. It's slow yet, the flow is just like a running water from the streams. That's why I love his way of managing things back at Azyrya. His actions were remarkable, and worthy to be called a leader.
Heh! Really though? He charges the enemy madly. And he even deal great damage to it in his recoiled state! Such recklessness.
Wahahahaha!
. . .
*clears throat*
Well, I didn't mean about those recklessness actions though, what I mean by that were, Uum... His way of handling his men. He did knows when or what to do do.
Hehehehehehe!
. . .
*deep exhale*
*gentle smile*
. . .
*Margarette glares at Terence and Orphium*
Those sc*ms, I'm pretty much aware of their capabilities as leaders. They are rush and harsh. They don't even cared what's going to happen to the rest of their men. What matters to them is accomplishing their assigned mission early.
Those two were known that way, there's nothing to debate about it. But most of the time, Zemi kept being ahead of them.
What I mean by that is, most of the time, Zemi accomplished his mission way faster than them and have a lesser number of casualties in his team.
Hmph! Serves them right to be shamed.
Wahahahahahah!
. . .
But why though? Why didn't he say something? He's supposedly incharge of this regiment, not them. Why didn't he fight?
- - - - - Flashback - - - - -
( about the scene earlier )
"You may have achieved countless of achievements but you are still a f*ck*ng commoner who persistently begs for high officials promotion, for a sole purpose of feeding his pathetic, sullied stale tribe of yours."
- Terence said as he gnawed.
- - - - Flashback Ends - - - -
. . .
Could it be they've caused Zemi's esteem dragged low because of them in the past? The time where he first became a knight?
*pity stare*
I didn't know much about Zemi's background but, if he upheld those people's decision without any slight of resistance, that certainly means they've caused him traumatic experience in his early years of Knighthood.
. . .
Zemi... Why?
*Margarette lets out a pity stare to her husband*
Narrator's POV:
As they continue to move forward towards the Lantis Mountain, Margarette's sympathy towards her husband only rises.
On that whole day long, the second regiment kept moving forward towards the Lantis Mountain.
- - Two days have passed - -
After a never-ending journey towards the great mountain range, the second regiment finally glimpsed the mountain's image and they finally stepped foot to its premises.
Every knight were not completely amazed by the mountain's superiority but young Tigreal couldn't hide his awe in seeing an actual mountain, which acted as a barrier that cast away the corrosion of the Abyss from the Empire he lived.
As they kept on moving, Terence halts and scanned his surroundings.
"Hmm... I don't seem to see any path that is accessable around here."
- Terence said.
"Wait, don't tell me, after all the restless journey we had, we need to detour? Like man! My legs are already killing me!"
- Orphium whined.
*Terence faces Orphium and pat his shoulders*
"Don't worry my friend, we'll take this chance to rest once I finally found an access here. Will you patiently wait for that?"
- Terence said in a calm tone.
"*ugh!* Fine! Fine! Geez! What a drag."
- Orphium said.
"Anyway, let's scan our surroundings for now, if you find anything like ruins, buildings, or anything that look different in this place, please remind me. Understood?"
- Terence said.
"Yes sir!"
- all replied.
All start diverging and start scanning the place. Everyone's busy searching, same goes with Tigreal and his mentors.
. . .
Tigreal's POV:
*searching intensely*
Hmm... Buildings.....
Strange....?
Sir Terence told us to scan the surroundings and look something that can access to the Barren Lands.
But....
*slight despair look of Tigreal*
All I ever see in this desolated place is only that towering mountain. There's nothing else worth sighting here.
*sigh*
Such a waste of time. This mission already last for 6 days. It is almost a week yet, all we ever did is just strolling mindlessly.
*frowns*
Unlike mentor Zemislav, within one day or one day and half after the dispatch, we already encountered our e enemy at the Azrya Territory and we exited that place for a mere couple of hours.
Geez!
I didn't mean to disrespect Sir Terence but wasting our time here searching for path towards the Barren Lands is a total waste of time. If we just follow the path towards the Agelta, we could have detoured and we can enter the land with just slight obstacles to face.
. . .
I heard that Sir Barry lives in Rantha Mountains. Rantha Village resides in Lantis Mountain and The Barren Lands. Sir Terence should've ask Sir Barry about the route on that place.
But....
- - - - - Flashback - - - -
( 1 1/2 days ago )
"Sir Terence, may I get your attention please?"
- Sir Barry ask.
"Sir, since we are heading towards the Barren Lands, maybe I can lead you to my village, the Rantha Village."
- Sir Barry said.
". . ."
- Sir Terence didn't say anything.
"And beyond the Rantha Village is the Barren Lands Territory. So I-"
- Sir Barry said.
Sir Terence get closer to Sir Barry. I don't know why though but....
"F*ck off! I don't need any help towards a Commoner like you."
- Sir Terence rudely said.
*Barry's surprised*
"By the tone of your voice, are you, perhaps looking down on me, you f*ck*ng commoner?"
- Sir Terence rudely said.
"N.. no sir. I.... I was just suggesting whether to take Rantha's route in order to gain access the Barren Lands and spend less days to our journey."
- Sir Barry replied.
"Are you telling me, I do not know where I am heading? Is that what you are trying to imply?"
- Sir Terence said in a cold way.
". . ."
- Sir Barry couldn't say anything due to confusion.
"Does that mean you don't trust me??"
- Sir Terence said as he closes his distance to sir Barry.
". . ."
- Sir Barry's speechless.
. . .
"No, sir."
- Sir Barry replied in a low tone.
"Then, stop complaining and follow me you *ssh*l*!"
- Sir Terence coldly said.
- - - - - Flashback ends - - - - -
*sigh*
That's what happened. If only Sir Terence took Sir Barry's suggestion, we could've arrived at the Barren Lands now.
*sigh*
So, I pretend to look for anything suspicious in this place. I keep on disgracing Sir Terence after denying Sir Barry's suggestion.
Now, we wasted more time searching for nothing.
. . .
While I was frowning and sighing disappointingly in my thoughts, I suddenly felt an ominous grin sensation surrounding the place.
I don't know but I did feel that someone's grinning at us at this moment. Like....
*Tigreal looks up the sky with anxiousness*
It's observing us from above.
. . .
I don't think this is gracious and the Lord of Light was watching us but... This ominous feeling is filled with sinistrous sensation.
. . .
*sighs*
Probably I'm starting to hallucinate things. After all, that restless journey, my mind's starting to feel hazy.
*sigh*
So, this is what it truly feels being restless and lack of sleep.
Wow!
I can't believe this. I should start searching, maybe I can cope up with this hazy sensation I felt.
Narrator's POV:
Tigreal continues searching and tried to occupy his hazy thoughts from searching in this desolated land. But Tigreal didn't know, that his instincts were right. Someone has been observing and closely monitors them for their next actions.
- - Hours have passed - -
Tigreal started to get drowsy and he can no longer focus, and bear to remain awake any longer, as his eyelids are getting heavier due to sleep yearning.
He wanted to sleep, he badly want to take a rest, even just for a mere minute but he didn't know, despite being drowsy, he managed to take a glimpse on a weird looking ruin's entrance ahead, which made him confused.
Tigreal's POV:
? ? ?
I know I'm so tired and wanted to take a nap, just for a mere seconds but...
I did saw a ruin ahead of us. I saw that it's materializing but I... Well, I dunno. Probably because of my drowsiness, it made me see things which is unfathomable in man's perspective.
*sigh*
I can't believe that my drowsiness made my mind create some mere illusion. But anyway, I just have to ignore it. Probably it's just a materialization of my drowsy mind.
. . .
I tried to ignore it for minutes but when I look at it again, I slowly realize that it's not a mere projection anymore.
I tried to rub my eyes and confirmed it.
*gasps*
No way....
It's.... real?
I was stunned for a moment there and I talked to my thoughts about it.
I've been looking at that area for hours but now, there's a ruin. How come did that happened?
I know I'm so frigging sleepy but my consciousness is still intact. There's no way I'm mistaking it right now. Or perhaps, I just failed to see that?
. . .
No! That's impossible! I've been searching that area for hours and I didn't see anything like that before....
Hmmmm...
This sounds fishy.
. . .
Or probably, I sounded fishy?
Hmm....
Anyway, I gotta tell Sir Terence about it.
Narrator's POV:
Tigreal tightened his pace and head towards Terence.
"Sir Terence, pardon sir."
- Tigreal said.
"Oh? If it isn't Tigreal, the Wertz's prodigy! What is it you want Tigreal?"
- Terence said blissfully.
"Sir, I have some reports which is worth hearing and your attention."
- Tigreal said.
"Okay, speak up Tigreal. I'm all ears."
- Terence said in a cheerfully.
*Tigreal points the Ruin's location*
"Sir, I found a ruin ahead."
- Tigreal said.
Terence looks where Tigreal's pointing at. He tried to look and he did saw a ruin. Terence lets out a great smile and pat Tigreal.
"Job well done! As expected of Wertz!"
- Terence said excitedly.
*Tigreal's confused*
"Everyone, buckle up! We have found a ruin that could lead us to the Barren Lands!"
- Terence said.
"Ruins? Ruins as in real??!"
- Orphium said in shock.
"I said ruins out loud. Are you deaf?"
- Terence said in a funny, disappointed way.
"Heheheh! Sorry about that."
- Orphium apologize funnily.
. . .
"Anyway, what's with your sudden reaction just now Orphium? Its not so like you."
- Terence ask.
"Well, are you serious man? You forgot my title?"
- Orphium said as he shrug.
"Title? What?"
- Terence ask comically.
. . .
*Terence is brainstorming*
*light bulb appeared, funnily*
"Oh! Oh! I see! I see! I get it! You are known as goat's sh*t *ss licker!"
- Terence said innocently.
*crow of awkwardness*
"F*CK DUDE! That's not what I meant! And by the way, I'm not a sh*t *ss licker you s*ck*r!"
- Orphium rants comically.
. . .
"Anyway, I am known as Ruin Explorer and a Treasure Hunter bruh!"
- Orphium explains comically.
"Base in my previous experience in ruin exploring, there's no ruin where you can't find any sort of treasures! If by any chance you get to find an ancient artifacts dude, *tch!* D*MN! You are friggin' rich!"
- Orphium said as his obsession with money is showing funnily.
"Well, you did have a point my friend."
- Terence said while putting his hand to his chin, like he is thinking.
"What do you say? Should we explore more about it while heading to the Barren Lands? You know, it would we be so awesome."
- Orphium excitedly said.
"Hmm... That's certainly awesome but what if that ruin won't lead us to the Barren Lands? Could it be that we'll be back again to square one?"
- Terence ask as he put his hand to his chin.
"*pft!* Don't be such an ignorant man Terence. Haven't you heard from the rest of our pals that explores the ruins in these alps? They said that every ruins here in Lantis Mountains will surely lead us to the Barren Lands in no time."
- Orphium said in with a smug on his face.
"Ruins in this alps sorta acted as shortcuts. Many explorers went to confirm whether the rumors were true or not, and it turns out that the rumors was indeed a fact."
- Orphium said seriously.
*Terence got shivers all of a sudden*