The sun set, casting the warship in dim light. On deck, the tired crew gathered after a near battle earlier. General Mustafa, at the front, had a strong presence, scanning the ships around them and weighing the potential dangers.
"Listen" General Mustafa began, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "Today's skirmish was a close call, and it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in these treacherous waters. We cannot afford to let our guard down."
The crew listened attentively, their ears tuned to his every word.
"To ensure our safety, I advise that we put more guards in place at night," General Mustafa continued, his voice firm. "When you are tired and unaware at nighttime, that's when the devil attacks."
Nods of agreement rippled through the crew. They understood the gravity of the situation and were willing to do whatever it took to secure their ship and their lives.
That night, sleep eluded everyone as thoughts of Malevoloria's soldiers and their king haunted their minds, leaving them with an eerie sense of facing otherworldly evil presence.
Outside, the sentries maintained their watch, their eyes darting into the darkness, half-expecting the enemy to materialize out of thin air. The campfires crackled, casting dancing shadows that played tricks on their weary minds.
A couple of days passed, fatigue weighed heavily on the minds and bodies of everyone involved. Yet, they persevered, knowing that the completion of their plans was within reach.
At the peak of the day, the six ships made their move. They parted ways, each group heading in a different direction to execute their part of the strategy.
Two ships, proudly bearing the banner of General Mustafa, sailed steadfastly to the north.
Meanwhile, three other ships, under the capable command of Mansoor and Mehboob, ventured westward, navigating the choppy waters with precision and purpose. Their synchronized movements demonstrated the synergy of their leadership.
The synchronized movement of the ships as they parted ways can be likened to a school of fish swims together, seemingly as one entity, the ships navigated the ocean's expanse, turning and shifting as if they were interconnected. It was as though an unspoken communication flowed between them, much like the silent signals exchanged among members of a tight-knit animal group.
To the east, a lone ship sailed confidently under the command of Robert, its pace noticeably swifter than the others. Their strategy was clear, to mislead: create the illusion that they were transporting the family of Albert.
Amidst the preparations, Martha, a member of General Mustafa's crew, approached the seasoned warrior. She wore a concerned expression, her eyes reflecting the weariness they all felt.
"General," she began hesitantly, "do you think everyone will be okay?"
"Being a warrior means that we are always prepared to face the possibility of death at any moment," he replied.
"Do not worry about any of us," Mustafa reassured with a warm smile. "We embraced our destiny the very moment we accepted the life of a warrior."
Sometimes, it made you ponder how the gentlest souls could conceal within them the fiercest warriors the world had ever known.
After a couple of hours, a raven suddenly swooped into the cabin, bearing a sealed letter in its beak.
General Mustafa carefully unfurled the parchment and read its contents. A subtle nod of satisfaction crossed his face, and he spoke in a hushed tone, "The diversion was a success."
The letter revealed that Robert and his crew had indeed attracted the attention of multiple pursuing ships, effectively diverting the enemy's focus away from their main objectives.
The journey through the night went well, their worries were elevated, however, with the arrival of morning, a bone-chilling cold settled in, seeping into the cabin where Bennet and his family are. The frigid air had him contemplating a peek outside the door wondering what the view outside was.
Before he could act on his impulse, General Mustafa, ever vigilant, greeted him with a warm "Good morning."
He handed Bennet a thick coat, recognizing the discomfort caused by the plummeting temperatures.
It's cold, isn't it?" General Mustafa remarked, offering Bennet a coat as a shield against the biting chill.
As he accepted the coat, Bennet couldn't help but reminisce about his past journey to East Hokkaido though this cold is nothing compared to that part of Japan as it was a bone-numbing temperature despite having multiple layers of thick coats.
"The cold in the air here is nothing but a gentle greeting from Alfiro, the land where monsters are far colder than the weather." General Mustafa chuckled.
"You can step outside this cabin now, it is safe" he continued.
Bennet hesitated for a moment, his thoughts filled with caution.
"But what if there are enemies lurking from afar, watching our every move?" he asked, concerned about the potential risks.
"Fear not," he reassured Bennet. "I can confirm that any spying enemies would be following the watcher's ship. Besides, with your head tucked snugly inside this thick coat, no one can see your face."
Bennet couldn't stop his smile, he turned the door's handle, allowing it to creak open. A rush of fresh ocean air immediately met his face, tingling his senses and bringing a sense of freedom.
How long had they been confined within the cabin, six days? It felt like an eternity, a period of time that had felt like imprisonment. Finally, stepping outside, he relished the invigorating feeling of the salty breeze on his skin.
Hugo and their mother soon joined him outside. As they stood by the edge of the ship, they all began to relish the soothing embrace of the ocean breeze. For a brief moment, they let go of their worries and problems, allowing themselves to be swept away by the serenity of the open sea, finding solace in the simple pleasure of the moment.
The three of them were looking forward to a better day ahead. But they had no idea that the next day would bring surprising and sad news. It would be about something very bad that happened in the east which will remind them that they can never be too careful.