Kapitel 69: Ch. 69: Heading Back to Bodach Palace
It took a good solid two weeks, but we persevered and overcame the Grimmheim forces. They were every bit as deadly as we had anticipated, but I'm pretty sure Lendale's unmerciful demise and their Leader's quick defeat caused the battle to tilt in our favor. We were more fevered and bloodthirsty than ever, and I don't think the Grimmheim forces were prepared for that.
Even though Grimmheim refused to make an alliance, their war council decided to actually admit defeat and agree not to cross on Bodach or any of its allies territory. They also agreed not to cause any more disturbances. I suppose this would have to suffice since we wiped out two-thirds of their race and quite a few of our own men were gone as well.
I hated having to kill such strong, willful people but when I remembered how their leader killed Lendale so unmercifully, my remorse was short-lived. We kept any who surrendered alive, but there weren't that many who would on the field of battle. It wasn't until their war council realized that their whole race could be wiped away did they concede.
It strangely reminded me of my own race, however I placed that to the back of my mind. My race didn't kill the innocent so the Bodach Empire had no reason to wipe us out. We also didn't cause disturbances or sacrifice people . . . that I know of. I mean, it's possible we could've but I'm sure I would've heard about that, right?
Actually I was more afraid that I'd get in trouble for the amount of deaths that we incurred - It was nowhere near the amount that we wiped out, but still. That was a lot of our men we could never get back . . . It wasn't like I intentionally killed them off though. It's war - right?
However the responsibility of their deaths weighed heavily on my shoulders. Kovin didn't say anything about it, but I felt like he would report that I initiated the attack by killing their leader without any sort of negotiating. I suppose I could've handled the situation better . . . But seeing that man kill Lendale like that - I didn't think about the consequences. Perhaps that's what Baymun ment that time in the tent, to stop thinking like a soldier and to think like a leader instead. Surprisingly, Iren thought that my actions weren't wrong; he thought that me cutting off the Grimmheim leader's privates was 'justifiable'.
The worst part of the whole battle was Richie. He was absolutely devastated the first week after hearing of Lendale's death, which made me fight every day with even more fervor. Luckily Richie quickly overcame his sadness . . . I mean we were used to people dying, and he was pleased that we held a small ceremony in Lendale's honor.
Viktor seemed to be feeling some survivor's guilt, since he was the one who should've been on the field that day, so I left him alone. I didn't care for Viktor, but I also didn't like to see people suffer. I would've tried talking to him . . . but . . . I dunno, I felt like he wouldn't think I'm sincere. Or maybe I wouldn't be sincere. It was just too tricky a situation to make sure I showed enough compassion to a guy I didn't like.
After the two week long battle, we received a report to come back to the Bodach palace, which caused my anxiety to spark all over again. I recalled Baymun saying not to 'kill off his men' . . . We lost about one fourth of our army. That was more losses than we had in any other battle - Granted the Grimmheim soldiers were extremely barbaric, sadistic, and overall dispassionate. They were a very hardy race - Defeating them was difficult.
Even though Iren and Toval went on and on about how quickly we were able to defeat Grimmheim and that I led our forces with such gusto, I was still feeling very burdened and anxious. A lot of good men died at my command. Could I have prevented that? Was I being too rash initially?
I didn't know the answers, but I did know that I had a little over a month to accept my fate; it would take us that long to make it back to the Bodach palace. In the meantime, I would just have to bear down and deal with whatever comes my way.
I'd made my decision to kill the Grimmheim leader, I was the one who led our forces, I was the one responsible for the deaths of our troops, and I would accept whatever consequence came with my actions.
The travel back felt rather rushed. All of our men wanted to get back 'home' as soon as possible, so we didn't stop often. There was one night where everyone decided to take a much needed rest, which I was very grateful for. I know I wasn't walking like the rest of them, but my rump was feeling the effects of riding hours on end.
As our little group circled around a campfire, Iren asked me about my little companion, "Hey Ezzie, are you ever going to give that little whelp a name? Don't you think it's about time? Heck it's been like, what, about a month or so since you got her. She deserves a name."
My eyes widened a little in shock. It has been over a month. Huh, I completely forgot to give her a name. "Wow, I guess you're right Iren. I've never had a pet before - I guess I just didn't think about it too much."
"It's okay Ezran. Iren just likes thinking about Weemason since he left his 'love' there." Toval winked at Iren.
Iren gave a deadpan expression, "Oh yeah, cause wart-filled buck toothed women are what I find irresistible."
I bit my lip from laughing as Richie burst out, "Hahaa! If that's not what you're into little tike, what WOULD you find attractive? I've not seen women lining up to get in your bed ya know . . . Perhaps that IS the type of woman you'd prefer."
Iren gave a small pout at the insult, but he said, "Well since you ask, I find tall, blonde women to be really pretty. You know, she's gotta have big hips, a big chest -"
"Whoa there kid! We don't need a list of your sexual preferences, just what you find attractive." I interjected. I've heard PLENTY of lude conversations in my day, but I sure as heck didn't want to hear it from a little boy. Good heavens, it'd be like hearing it from a little brother, blech!
Toval and Richie rolled their eyes, but Iren continued, "I apologize Ezzie. I didn't mean to be crass in front of you and Illana. I just think a woman who is physically fit, tall and blonde is very attractive."
"See, I think you're looking in the wrong direction my friend. Redheads are the way to go." Richie gave a seductive wink, "They're like little balls of fire," He added with a waggle of his eyebrows.
"Pushaw! You men are sexist. You only find people attractive if you can mate with them." Illana waved her hand disappointedly.
"What do you mean?" Toval asked.
"I mean how about the question: what do you find attractive? No gender, no mating preference, just what is attractive on a person. What physicality draws you to a conclusion that a person is attractive. Not sexual, not arousing, but what defines attractiveness to you."
"They're not talking philosophy Illana. They're men - They're talking sex." Kovin interjected.
Iren waved his hand, "No, no. I get it!" He turned to look seriously at Illana, "You mean what makes a person look good, no matter who it is? What we actually look at first and think, wow that's a good looking person! Right?"
Illana nodded her head, "Exactly. Like I think a person's smile is a very eye-catching feature."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein