"Well, if that happens..." - Cloud said neutrally - "They will have to accept the consequences of their decisions."
Altina remained silent while Arty started to sweat because the blond's tone was a rather cold one.
Tio raised an eyebrow before shaking her head. She understood what Altina was trying to express, after all, she too lost her home along with her parents, but that didn't mean she didn't understand Cloud's point of saving the inhabitants.
She had seen what it was like to fight to the death for your home, only to have your efforts destroyed, leaving a few survivors, which could have been many more if they had seized the moment to escape.
Tio even thought that if she had escaped when her father first asked her to, instead of staying to try to help her, she and her mother might have perhaps used some opportunity to be able to escape and be reunited elsewhere, though it wasn't as if that would make a difference.
"I'm going to make you a recommendation" - Tio said as she threw one last glance at the elf clan princess and the harpy squad - "Follow Cloud's instructions, I'm telling you from someone who went through something like this."
"I don't understand" - Altina said as she noticed how the dragon girl stopped when she heard her words - "If you were in our situation, you should understand our desire to save our home"
"I understand" - Tio replied as she clenched her fists - "That's why I can tell you that the consequences of not saving your people when you have the chance, is catastrophic."
Altina was silent before watching as Tio had disappeared from her range of vision.
"What do you think, Arty?" - Altina asked with a frown.
"Honestly, my will is beginning to waver" - replied Arty regretfully - "Are we making a grave mistake?"
The harpies shook their heads.
"Let's wait for my grandfather to return" - said Altina regretfully - "I'm sure he'll know what to do."
"How do you know he will return, Princess Altina?" - Arty asked while raising an eyebrow.
"Because my grandfather is the only person who can deactivate the barrier that covered Verbergen" - answered Altina with a small smile - "That means he is safe."
* * * * *
"I'm sorry I didn't notice your discomfort, Tio" - said Cloud while waiting for the dragon girl's return - "I forgot that you also went through like something like this."
"You don't have to apologize" - said Tio as she shook her head - "Leaving that aside, what are we going to do now?"
"I already said it, I'm going to defend the people, not the city" - Cloud replied as he started to think - "Although I'm not going to risk us more than that if they don't want to be saved"
"Ok" - nodded Tio as the two walked back to a nearby rooftop so they could observe the whole situation - "Will you contact the Haulia clan members?"
"Yes" - nodded Cloud as he took the communicator and tried to contact the squad leaders.
* * * * *
"The situation is strange" - said the general of the first company while frowning - "The attacks have abruptly desisted."
"That's good, now we can fortify our defenses and make a strategic retreat" - replied another general. The other leaders of the group were recovering from the wounds they had received during the rabbits' attack - "I swear I'm going to kill those scum."
"When you can defeat one, maybe I'll believe you" - replied the first general disdainfully before concentrating on the current status of his group - "Situation report"
The soldiers looked at each other before announcing all the damage received.
The first general frowned before nodding after seeing how the soldiers seemed to have stopped doing their shit and were now acting like what they should be, the military force of the demonic clan.
"I see" - nodded the general before starting with the preparations for defense.
The second general tried to intervene, only to be met by an icy stare from his colleague.
* * * * *
"Why did we stop?" - asked a warrior rabbit who had his face covered by a mask - "We were about to eliminate the generals of this company."
"Cloud-sama's orders" - answered the squadron leader seriously - "He said that our attacks have to end, and that we have to return to the base to receive our new orders."
"Really?" - said the warrior rabbit while blinking in puzzlement - "I understand, do you want me to inform the others?"
"No need, I already did, now we're just waiting for them to return" - replied the squad leader as he folded his arms.
"Why did we stop when we were about to finish the job, leader?" - A woman asked as she removed her mask, revealing her cold expression.
"I'm going to wait for the others to arrive, because I don't want to answer the same question 8 more times" - said the squad leader while snorting with disdain.
The rabbit woman raised an eyebrow before noticing her partner and connecting the dots - "Oh, I understand."
The group waited a few minutes before everyone arrived, at which point the squad leader began to say everything he knew.
The warrior rabbits looked at each other before nodding and following their leader back to camp, only to see the other squads appear beside them.
"I see they got the message too" - said the leader of the fourth squadron.
"You have a point" - nodded the newly arrived second squadron leader - "Hello".
"Hello" - replied the two squad leaders as they shook their heads.
"Do either of you have any more information other than the fact that we have to go back?" - Asked the second squadron leader.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't the slightest idea" - replied the leader of the fourth squadron while the one of the third squadron was shaking his head.
"I see, it's a pity" - muttered the leader of the second squadron before continuing the journey in silence.
* * * * *
"What was that all about?" - Ulfric asked after reaching the place where his granddaughter and the other sages were still unconscious.
"Grandfather!" - Altina exclaimed with a huge smile as she jumped into the arms of her grandfather, who quickly fell to the ground because his body was still weak - "I'm sorry!"
"Don't worry, I'm just tired from my fight with Sif" - said Ulfric with a smile.
"Well, if that's all, I have to get back to my people" - Kam said calmly as he disappeared from the place.
"I would have liked to thank you for protecting me one last time" - said Ulfric as he shook his head, then focused on his granddaughter - "Now yes, could someone tell me what happened, and why do they have those expressions?"
Altina quickly told her grandfather what had happened.
Ulfric was silent for a few seconds before nodding - "I see, I understand both points of view."
"What should we do, grandfather?" - Altina asked while frowning - "Should we evacuate our people, or fight to the bitter end?"
"Honestly, I would like to fight, but as it is, I don't think we can do anything in this situation" - answered Ulfric with a serious look - "We don't know if there are any more traitors in our ranks, or if the lion clan are not deceiving us."
"You say we should evacuate?" - Arty asked as he looked with surprise at Ulfric.
"Yes, we can't put our people at risk because of our pride" - answered Ulfric as he shook his head - "That's why we better help Cloud to protect our people, besides building a new city near the great tree, might be an excellent idea, after all, the closer we are to the great labyrinth, the lesser the influence of the gods"
"Then shall we wait for the other sages to awaken, lord Ulfric?" - Arty asked as he looked at the only one of the Verbergen leaders who was conscious.
"No, I want half of you to escort them along with the civilians" - said Ulfric seriously, then looking at his granddaughter - "And I want you to escort her as well."
"Grandfather!" - Altina exclaimed in surprise - "Wait, aren't you coming with us!"
"No, I still have some things to do" - Ulfric replied as he shook his head - "Besides, our warriors need a leader to give them confidence, and that has to be one of the wise ones."
"Why!" - Altina exclaimed in terror - "That doesn't make sense!"
"Altina, you know it, we sages are not only the leaders of the most important clans of Verbergen" - said Ulfric while shaking his head, though he quickly changed to a cold expression - "But also some of the most powerful inhabitants of the kingdom..."
-
NEW WORLD - ARIFURETA
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