A few hours later. The sun was already setting in the World of Carrying Winds when Tepo and his friends arrived.
Luckily, there was no surprise in the dungeon passage this time. Especially since four soldiers were leading their group, deterring any evildoers.
But this already showed the tense atmosphere caused by the war. It could be felt on the plaza as well.
Although the never tiring storyteller continuously told stories of heroes, the constantly arriving refugees weren't in the mood to listen.
Many families had packed all their belongings and either hoped to stay in the hub city or travel to other worlds.
Children cried as they had to separate from their parents, not knowing if they would ever see them again.
Some people tried to plead to the Hub City Alliance to stop the war, but this wasn't something they could decide in one or two weeks.
However, to everyone's delight, a decree came from the Sword Demon Lord stationed in the hub city a few days ago.
The mighty warrior declared that he will personally come to judge everyone committing atrocities against innocents in this world.
This was a powerful deterrent for all the warring parties.
After gathering information, the group around Tepo went to a small inn to figure out how to proceed.
"The Sword Demon Lord is really impressive. A few words from him can influence the entire war."
Yerive sighed with admiration in his eyes.
"Right. That's the might of a World Lord, especially if they belong to the Hub City Alliance.
If it weren't for the rumors that the backers of both kingdoms are controlling this war from behind, the Sword Demon Lord wouldn't have any scruples to stop everything directly."
"I don't get it. Why would two empires suddenly push for a war? Growing up in the Hurricane Kingdom, I never even heard of their existence."
"Who knows? It is just a proxy war. The empires might not think much about it but for the kingdoms it is a tragedy."
Suddenly Lao De impatiently interrupted the discussion:
"Hey, guys! What has any of this to do with us? We are not here to end the war, are we?"
The burly man turned towards Tepo, who answered promptly:
"No, we are not. We are here to bring someone out."
"Your families?"
"No. They should be safe. We are looking for our best friend Parton."
"Parton? Where can we find him?"
"In our hometown, Floating Rain City.", explained Yerive. But Tepo shook his head.
"We can't be sure. Parton joined the guards. Now that a war has broken out, there will be largescale troop movements.
The army could have ordered him to gather in some camp or sent him to the front."
Tepo had more experience with wars, knowing that Parton didn't necessarily stay in their hometown.
But for Yerive it was the first time he thought about it. Suddenly his eyes went wide and his skin pale.
"N… no… Doesn't this mean Parton is in danger? F*ck! We need to move!
How can we sit here all relaxed if Parton might fight for his life?!"
Tepo quickly patted his best friend's shoulder.
"We need to keep a cool head now, Yerive! Don't act blindly. We should make a plan before striking fast and precisely. Don't get entangled with the army.
Right now, both kingdoms have declared martial rules. They won't let Parton go just because we ask nicely."
"You mean we will have to free Parton from the army?"
Only at this point did reality settle in for Yerive. So far, the young man didn't think too deeply about it.
Droa'va saw the distress on her boyfriend's face, holding his hand and speaking in a soothing voice:
"Don't worry babe. We got this."
Yerive took a deep breath, smiling guilty.
"Sorry guys."
"Don't fret it. It's normal to be afraid in the face of a war."
Lao Ru spoke in a calm voice, but his brother had a different opinion:
"Hmpf. A warrior shouldn't fear any fight! With this mindset you won't make it far!"
"Ok, ok. Let's get back on topic!", interrupted Tepo hastily.
As he spoke Tepo eyed Varei, surprised as the spirit had a confused look in his eyes.
He quickly spoke via [Telepathic Communication].
"Varei? You ok?"
"Ah? Yes, yes."
"But you don't look like it."
"Well, it's just…"
"… this is the first time I'm involved in a war."
"So, are you afraid?"
"I don't think so. It just feels strange. In the World of Spirits war is normal, but it would never affect us noble dragon spirits.
Now, looking around I… I think… I almost feel pity…"
Tepo couldn't help but raise his brows in surprise.
"Isn't this a good thing?"
"I don't know…"
At this point the conversation was interrupted as Yerive asked a question:
"Do we have a plan?"
"Yes.", nodded Tepo. "I have a way to gather information quickly."
"Oh? Great. Then let's do this first and base our subsequent actions on the information you get."
Seeing everyone agree with Yerive's words, Tepo stood up from the table.
"Ok guys. Then let's not waste any more time. Let's go."
"Go? Where?"
"Sorry, but I can't tell you directly. But it's not too far from the hub city. We should still be mostly in safe territory."
Tepo's friends threw him sceptic glances but decided not to question further. If Tepo didn't want to say anything, he had to have his reasons.
Thus, the group left the hub city under the young man's lead.
Tepo, Droa'va, and Lao Ru took out their own ships, letting everyone travel in teams of two.
The wind channels were still busy as the warriors left the hub city. Many refugees arrived and heavily protected merchants fearlessly traveled between the different hub cities.
But after more than an hour the wind channels gradually emptied.
A bleak atmosphere seemed to engulf the entire world. Although the World of Carrying Winds consisted of more than two kingdoms, the war could be felt in all corners of the world.
Even the other kingdoms were on high alert. Since the fire of war was already burning, they had to do everything to prevent it from spreading to their territories.
Thus, many scouts could be spotted even in the unoccupied domains around the hub city.
Tepo frowned faintly, contemplating how to reach the Web's tower undetected.
A few minutes ago, he had separated from the group, letting them wait at an inn close to a small treasure zone.
Now he was traversing a narrow wind channel which wasn't far from the tower. But from time to time, he spotted inconspicuous ships in the storms around him.
Those should all be scouts. If I want to travel through the storms as well, they will surely report it. So, what can I do?
However, while Tepo was still pondering, he suddenly encountered a surprising scene as the road ahead was blocked.
The young man left his ship in confusion looking at the fine-quality ship barring his way.
Obviously Tepo was detected immediately as a short man in silver armor got out of one of the ships, looking sternly at Tepo.
"Turn around! This path is blocked!"
Tepo didn't understand the situation, his thoughts moving quickly:
"Blocked? But sir soldier, I need to reach the Winged Border City…"
Suddenly there was a swoosh. The soldier vanished from his place, arriving before Tepo.
The young man suppressed his instincts as a cold blade instantly pressed against his throat.
"Do you still want to argue?"
"N… no. I'm leaving, I'm leaving."
"Good."
The soldier turned around, not wasting any more time on Tepo.
Despite his many suspicions the young man entered his ship for now, driving until he left the soldier's view.
What was this just now? Silver armor? Hurricane Kingdom?
But this soldier was not weak. Could some captain or commander be so leisurely and block the road here? I don't understand it…
No, wait! The insignia on his chest! Although I didn't see it clearly, it should resemble a shield…
Silver? And shield? No, it can't be the Silver Shield Alliance, right? There shouldn't be such a coincidence…
Tepo's body trembled as many guesses shot through his head.
I have to confirm it…
With determined eyes the young man put away his ship, standing stably in the wind channel.
If the easy way is blocked, I have to endure some hardships…
Suddenly Tepo's body turned invisible as he used Varei's [Spirit Form].
"Whoah!"
Tepo involuntarily let out a shout beginning to plummet downwards, the carrying winds directly passing through his body.
The young man was forced to immediately deactivate the spell.
Why…?
Tepo was confused but he didn't give up after a single failure.
Normally one doesn't fall through the floor when using [Spirit Form]. Is this something instinctual or the spell's effect?
For the next hour Tepo carefully experimented. Eventually he managed to control the spell, taking the winds below his feet as 'floor' to step on.
The young man showed a confident grin as he was ready to enter the storms.