The carriage carried the five people from the glittering, lavish Sanctuary to the dusty lands, thick layers of smoke obscured the road stretching under the horse's feet.
Leaning back on the chair, I relaxed myself, absentmindedly looking at nothing.
This feeling of relaxation will eventually disappear, and the regret makes me a bit depressed.
Beside me, Duke Ress was taking notes in a small notebook.
He glanced over and placed the notebook in my hand.
"Ray, this notebook will keep your memories from now on, the person you are. They, the brave scouts who sacrificed themselves for His cause, just as you and I. We may be experiencing this cruel beauty of life, and with just a blink of an eye is enough to deprive us of everything."
The road to the suburbs was still far away, and everyone gradually fell asleep.
S hugged the other two in her arms.
They seemed to like it, maybe her false affection convinced the poor people to fall into the trap.
I believe in no pure goodness, and just how ironic if it blooms again in a world set aside humanity?
It was easy to see through that, for me such a one-sided drama was not worth worrying about.
"You're still a Scottfield, aren't you?"
Her voice echoed in my head...
"We've arrived, sir!"
It was getting dark and we had been out of the Kingdom for a long time.
The wind blew thick dust like in the middle of a desert.
Not a single sign of human civilization on this barren land.
I stepped out of the carriage, and with the others set up the tent as planned.
They carried wood and tools, the Duke and Rolas sawing large pieces of wood into small pillars.
We spread large pieces of wood on the ground.
Securing the pylon with layers of nails, Lair stretched around several windscreens. Me and S went to light a fire.
The two newcomers asked permission to carry torches, wandering around looking for traces of wild animals and surveying the area.
After a while, the group finished setting up the campsite for tonight.
This isn't the first time for them, but their agility and sharpness in handling situations surprised me quite a bit.
Entering the hut, I lay down my back. It's been a long trip, but come here just to camp and then come back? It can't be...
Opening the notebook Ress gave me, the lines imprinted on my eyes even for a moment. The line and that name, "From Cecile," it made me dizzy.
So in the end, should I believe him not involved...
Standing up, I rolled my eyes at Ress. He just smiled and gently placed the water bottle next to my hand.
"Did you read it?"
I looked at him, but this time was too tired.
What is real and what is virtual?
Who should I trust, who is just taking advantage of me?
Where is the only way out?
It's funny, when people say "Lost on the straight road", I thought it was just a joke. But now I don't even know if that "straight" path is going in the wrong direction...
That night, Ress gathered everyone.
"Now the plan is as follows. We will camp here for about a week, with enough food and water. Our intelligence has identified a troop of demons heading towards the Kingdom along this route. It will take a week at most for them to arrive here. During that one week, we will set up traps, wait for troops to bring weapons and necessary supplies, prepare for the landing. Starting tomorrow, the pits will be dug. Clearly?"
We all shouted with great enthusiasm.
This time with careful preparation, we knew the enemy's plan, and surely, those crazy demons are not smart enough to break through a layer of prepared defenses.
But what I'm worried about is still unresolved. Who?
The one who led them to attack Éclairer citadel in the night.
Such a large army could not have infiltrated the Capital without being detected by the guards…
Maybe someone has betrayed us?!
That person had control of the demons and was looking for the right time to attack.
But the landing there was too hasty. With such preparation, is their true purpose to cause anxiety and fear for the people?
The wave influence will spread and cause the Kingdom to lose credibility.
Although they did not affect the overall situation, their intention to attack could not be ignored.
But in the end, who can control those demons, by what method?
Who leaked such information that S was at the Sanctuary? Time for me to ask her directly…
It was dawn.
Without a single nap, I was exhausted in fatigue.
S leaned back against me, hand on hand. The warmth of the body recedes, leaving the last bit of trust lingering.
Her hairs threaded behind the shirt, lightly touching my neck.
The spiritual support I needed, was the girl I rejected.
Pondering in silence, the rays of the sun shine through the crevices of the nets.
"Why? For what purpose? I do not accept you, I despise you. And yet you are still here, willing to be the back of this lousy man. I don't understand…"
S grabbed my hand tightly, leaning her head back.
Outside the tent, the Duke was heating tea, some bread in hand.
The morning here is depressing, gloomy, only dust and dry hot winds.
I stood up, the question was still there, but now might not be the time.
The other two were grabbed by the hair and jumped up, grumbling in annoyance with me.
Voices came from outside.
"Breakfast is ready! It's going to be a long day, there's no time to be lazy."
Small pieces of bread with a little milk, sweet taste with a slight aroma, that's all we have, and need to prepare for this long day.
After breakfast, we began to work.