I had nothing to do but wait for the right time, wait for kyle to get well, wait for the girl to wake up, and wait for rain.
There was a reason I brought extra supplies other than to support the new refugees.
In this period was when the reality of a siege was first showcased first of the destruction of an entire city and then now in the period of scarce supplies and injured people.
The war arc is literally just a series of battles that make the main character stronger and then in the last book I actually read it became much more about survival.
I actually didn't feel fear for my own life right now theoretically I could make Oz 'teleport' me however I am unsure of if I would die from the aftermath and even if I didn't it would be reductive.
After all I just had to wait to leave... wait, wait and wait some more... fuck I'm so bored!
I looked over some documents and did some simple paperwork lamenting my boredom and the constant logistical work.
Time flowed slowly in my isolated area people only coming in and out to receive orders and bring rations, for days this monotony continued.
Then suddenly someone appeared to save me from my boredom or at least I hoped so.
Jeremy in his usual timid and disorganised manner came inside my personal warded off area and started talking.
"Hey, ummmm about kyle...-"
I cut him off and asked a question.
"Is he okay?!"
Jeremy replied in an almost defeated tone.
"He is awake and attentive but he is asking for you"
I sighed in relief and made my way to kyle.
Honestly the wound itself wasn't that bad the demon must have not been that good at stabbing, however a stab wound is a stab wound, severe bleeding and unconsciousness is just standard.
Kyle was lying down but obviously awake so I kneeled next to him, he turned his head slowly looked at me and spoke.
"I'm sorry that I failed"
I replied confused.
"How so? You saved many civilians, aided our allies and keep our people safe"
He shook his head violently.
"No! I did fail he died!"
My mind went back to the body bag we already confirmed who it was, a foot soldier from our army.
I took a breathe and spoke.
"But how many are alive? Entire armies of great powerful nations lost droves in the battle, but we lost one, we saved hundreds, you led the rest of your soldiers to survival.
It's sad that we lost him but everyone here came of their own accord I made sure of that"
Kyle looked to be shadowed as if happiness and joy had left his soul i sighed and spoke again.
"We can mourn later, but right now I need you to get better"
Suddenly a loud explosive sound reverberated through the mine, it had finally begun, the iron empire had started their assault on the mountain.
Constant explosions and vibrations, this it what I was waiting for as the assault from the empire damages and tears away at the soil aboveground.
Part 1 was completed now it just needed to rain, the barriers the great empire put up should hold as they did In the story.
However this time there won't be as many people dying as I brought,more than enough for my troops, the refuges and to supplement the empires supplies.
They had lost over 10'000 men a large number even to their massive military forces and considering how many people we saved I think we did well.
I just had to...
I just have...
I just...
I...
Can't.
I felt my body hit the cold hard ground and my mind ache deeply I forced myself up but then fell back down harder.
My soldiers were surrounding me and helping me to a bed with looks of horror on their faces.
I thought I was taking it easy why am I collapsing?
Then Oz spoke.
"Easy? Are you insane you're doing logistics and planning all day and night for the last few days, you've been complaining about having nothing to do but wait.
While simultaneously working effectively 24 hours a day for two days, you are such a fucking idiot"
Oz hadn't been very... kind lately but he did have a pretty big point, I laid back into the hard military bed slowly being cradled to sleep by explosions.
The last thought before my consciousness left wasn't about work or anything it was simply relief at the embrace of sleep.
I opened my eyes to the sight of stone and the smell of stagnant air, it must have been the first time in a while Oz hadn't interrupted my sleep.
I got up and stretched I looked around and I was in my private area I peeked outside to see what was happening.
I saw the carrages we brought the supplies in but in a different form they were all cut in half and being fortified to create makeshift boats.
I saw the extra rope we had brought being attached to the boats and I knew that my plans were being followed however I hadn't started working on any of this yet because it was early.
That also means I must have been sleeping for long enough that the carriages were made into boats.
I left my area and walked out but to my surprise I saw kyle standing there giving orders seemingly in good health.
He noticed me and his face went pale as he spoke.
"Thank fuck you're awake any longer and I think we would be starving without knowing what to do next"
Starving? I brought 3 weeks worth of extra food plus enough to ease the empires food stores.
Wait three weeks?!
Oz replied.
"Yep"