The horse ran under the reins of the saddle rope. Along the way, people watched Sansega enthusiastically. The steel armor as well as the iron headgear created an overwhelming impression of bravado. At least, that was how Sansega felt.
News of the rebel-held capital had reached Pyalpe. Everyone must have hoped that the warriors would return and bring victory to the country.
Although Sansega knew, in fact, the rebels existed because of the dissatisfaction of some people with the performance of the king and his staff. Plus, outside parties were also adding to the confusion.
"Our base is in the west." Keroppo said. He did not answer. He focused on the horse he was riding.
When Bika didn't come, Sansega told him to look after Osie. He complied, although he was not sincere and protested loudly. Along the way, Keroppo explained about the rebellion by the Sokrit, a rebel group from the south. They had been around for two decades and were still determined to coup the royal family and its ranks.
Sometimes Sansega wondered why the rebel groups didn't just make an alliance, that way, the Jegedi would be easy to conquer? That might sound like a radical thought from a doctor and warrior on the royal side.
However, Sansega was really asking that question in his mind.
Pyalpe City's distance to the capital was quite close. It only took three hours to reach the border. Sansega's horse followed Keroppo's flight path. Keroppo did not use a horse, but he could fly using pale white wings with intricate patterns.
Keroppo didn't get those wings from his fairy blood, because elves don't have wings. The two objects on his back came from the wind element united with the element of nature, where Keroppo, who was good at modifying things using magic, made himself have wings.
The fibers of the wings come from trees and leaves. While he implanted them on his back by utilizing the attracting energy generated by the fire element in his body. The reason why it can fly is of course that the wind element helps the control process.
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Soon, several warriors filled a row of tents at the edge of the forest. The knights sent by the nobles also mingled happily. One was checking his horse, another was busy practicing, while another seemed to be preparing food—Sansega was sure they were palace chefs. They all looked busy. Suddenly he remembered the atmosphere of the monster war.
The monster war happened about two years ago. Monsters that were the demons' subordinates attacked suddenly. However, it did not last long as the Jegedi warriors and soldiers were able to handle it.
"Hi, Doctor! Long time no see after the monster war a few years ago! You look old," greeted the blonde—haired man with the ever—sharpening black eyes. As far as Sansega knew, the warrior before him was the most easy-going and jovial, but when on the battlefield, he was one of the fiercest.
In the end, Sansega greeted almost all the warriors who had gathered one by one. They had known each other for some time. Maybe it's because some of us like to go on adventures and those adventures lead to meeting each other. The monster war also contributed to the familiarity.
"Are you planning to be like us, Mr. Doctor?" asked Alegro still with his blonde hair blowing in the wind.
Sansega put his battle equipment in the weapons tent. Then, he looked at Alegro with raised eyebrows. Confused by his question.
"Most of us are adventurers, while you work in the palace. Don't you want to be like us?"
Alegro's statement and question received unreadable stares from the people. He smiled wryly as usual.
"You guys are looking at me strangely. What's wrong? Did I ask the wrong question?"
"You're asking as if the kingdom 'will' not need Sansega anymore. Ah, no, I mean as if Sansega has no hope of living in the palace." Gen said.
Sansega didn't want to bother and chose to land next to Yurispe, the wisest warrior he had ever known. Yurispe smiled and asked how things were going.
The two exchanged pleasantries until the voice of a tall, burly man with piercing blue eyes broke in. He was General Pollygampus. The supreme general of the kingdom. A man who always received admiring glances from the ladies of the palace.
"We must strategize immediately. The rebels plan to sacrifice some of the people of the capital to be offered as gifts. They will be made slaves in the Sorro Kingdom that has helped them."
There was a moment of silence. Sansega's hands unconsciously clenched into fists. Slavery was the thing he hated the most in his entire life. Let alone slavery, the kind of oppression that the gold-toothed man did to Osie in Pyalpe made him want to kill that man.
"It's not good to linger. I even have a good plan for them if they lose." Sansega said, breaking the silence. The grin he showed drew snickers from some of the warriors. They knew very well Sansega disliked slavery and oppression.
"Alright. Everyone, let's gather in the main tent. We need to have a discussion soon!" Pollygampus instructed with his usual flat eyes.
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"Oh my, Osie! Don't you ever cook? What kind of woman are you!" Bika grumbled in annoyance.
Osie took a few steps back as Bika took over the burnt food that was giving off a bad odor. The man threw the food away. Then he glanced at Osie sharply.
"If it wasn't for that overly kind cousin of mine, I wouldn't want to live with a strange woman like you!"
As usual, Osie didn't say anything. Her hand started to reach for the clean pot which Bika brushed away. Bika felt that he didn't need Osie's help with the cooking as it was certain that the girl would only make a mess.
He told Osie to pay attention to how he cooked. The well—washed vegetables were put into the pot of spice—boiled water with the fire still burning. The furnace made of bricks looked blackened on the side directly facing the fire. Osie looked at it flatly. Didn't know what expression to put on.
"Do you understand, Girl?" Bika pressed the word 'girl' to clarify Osie's gender status. A girl was synonymous with cooking, but Osie was the opposite.
Feeling ignored, Bika looked at Osie flatly.
"Did you lose your voice after Sansega left?" He quipped.
Now Osie's gaze changed. Bika saw it as a look that held resentment.
"What? You don't get it?" He chuckled.
"You're like a palace chef, nagging and fierce! You're not at all friendly like that blue-eyed guy, Pollygampus damn it!"
Bika widened his eyes in astonishment.
"How do you know about them?!"
Osie blinked her eyes. Then, turned around to leave Bika who was still demanding an answer. Of course Bika didn't let her, he pulled Osie's collar.
"Don't run away! Explain why you know all that as if you've seen them in person!"
Silence. Osie continued to remain silent even though Bika was looking at her very, very sharply. Really sharp like a sword that was ready to cut Osie at any moment.
"You... spy!"
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The look on his face was really bad. The clenched hand displayed thick veins on the back of the hand. Sansega's upper and lower teeth ached as they continued to press against each other.
How could it not be, everyone agreed that Sansega should not join the attack and focus on organizing the remaining medics—most of them his subordinates at the Palace. The warriors said he could be relied upon in terms of healing.
However, Sansega claimed that was nonsense! He had prepared armor, swords, and spears, but they had simply told Sansega to stay in camp.
"Doctor San, where should we store these medicines? All the boxes are full."
Sansega snorted softly.
"Come with me!"