章 108: Fear, Death, and Awe (II)
"So, anything else?" I asked curiously what else Phil got up his sleeve.
"Yes, I'm going to leave for a while," said Phil nonchalantly.
"Wait, why?" Duke Jeremy's voice was alarmed at him suddenly leaving. "Are you abandoning this city?"
"No, uncle," Phil replied, a bit stunned at what Duke had just said. Then a smirk on Phil's face appeared as he chuckled. "I'm going to go get us some allies."
"Who do you have in mind?" said Duke, a bit worried about Phil's smirk.
"The Beast-kin, of course."
"Why them?"
Phil grinned and became sinister. "I'll be spreading out some interesting information that they can't refuse."
I couldn't help but feel a bit scared about what he has in mind, making me quite antsy.
"Why don't you take Seth. He should know more about them." I suggested.
"No. I already know where I will be going. Plus, he needed to be here."
Duke Jeremy was calculating in his head for all the things to happen. "How long will it take for you to bring them over?"
"The minimum time is about a week. If not at max two weeks and a couple days."
"That's going to bring two out of three Great Generals to our footsteps." Duke Jeremey wasn't pleased with how long it would take.
"It's the best I can do."
Duke Jeremy sighed. "That's better than Nothing. Are you sure you can bring them over?"
"Absolutely." Phil didn't budge on his answer.
I wondered where his confidence came from. One needed to consider so many things in a war that it was slightly making my head hurt, but I was glad that Phil was on our side.
"So, our window of opportunity to fight will be in the next two weeks, when they least expected it."
"Yes," said Phil.
" I'll get the soldiers and citizens ready. I'll leave the rest to you." Duke Jeremy clasped his hand on Phil's shoulder. "Your grandfather would've been proud."
Phil didn't say anything, but I could tell that he was thinking about what Duke Jeremy had said. Duke Jeremy let go and left the room, leaving us behind.
"So, is there anything else you wanted to say?" I nervously asked. Sometimes being in the same room with him makes me conscious and uncomfortable. I'm not exactly sure why, though it seems that it has been happening more recently.
"Nothing really. Just finished at least three of the prototypes." Phil pointed at the rolled-up paper that I had tucked away. "Other than that. Stay alive."
I snorted. I didn't plan on dying anytime soon. My job to discipline and change Phil from being a tyrannical demon lord to a normal half-elf was still in the back of my mind. Even though they are times that I forget, I made sure to be there at times where he needed good advice towards the right direction in life. I made this my life goal, and I wasn't backing out anytime soon.
"You stay alive. You're going out into enemy territory when you leave the Forgotten Forest." I replied sternly, trying to act cool, but failing.
"I'll be fine. I have a couple of ways out of this forest."
"Make sure you make it back."
Phil chuckled. "You sound like a wife, sending off her husband to war."
I completely blushed scarlet when I heard what Phil had just said. He lifted up his hand and brushed my hair back, making me completely freeze. For some reason, my heart was beating fast from his soft touch. What the heck was even wrong with me? Was this a sign of nervousness and an early sign of a heart attack?
My eyebrows furrowed. Phil flicked my forehead at my scowling face and chuckled.
"Why are you thinking so hard? It's not like you're worried about me, are you?"
"W-what? Absolutely not!" I rebuttal, completely taken off guard.
"It's okay. Your husband will come back safely."
"You're not my husband!" I screeched as my voice cracked.
"Yes. Yes. Yes. I know." Phil patted my head as if not even bothered by what I had said. Instead, he chuckled to himself as I scowled even harder.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing really. I just thought you look cute."
"Huh?" My mouth dropped open from the unsuspecting words. Did I just hear, right? "A-are you okay?"
"Hm? Yep. Now then, why don't you give me a good luck hug."
"Why in the world would I do that?" I look at him funny.
"Because it is custom for females to hug males when they send their friends and loved ones to battle. It brings good luck so that the soldiers will come back alive."
"Really?" I was having a bit of a difficult time believing in what he had to say.
"Yes." Phil opened up his arm for me to fall in. "I don't want to die, and having someone hug me
and giving me good luck will increase my chance to survive. Do you want me to die?"
I was silent, and my lips were twitching in annoyance. "Um.."
"I knew it. You don't like me at all and want me to die early."
"I didn't say that." Plus, if he died early, the chance of me dying increases.
"Then why don't you send me off with good fortune?"
"Well...that's because…." I gazed up at him, and he was giving me the most pitiful pout I have ever seen on Phil's face. Is that a teardrop that I see running down his cheek? Such a sad face struck my heart, and my feet unconsciously shuffled forward. Why must he do this to me? I cried silently in my head. Beautiful things being so heartbroken is too painful for my heart, especially bishounen. Ugh!
Suddenly, Phil's arm reached over as he wrapped around me into a tight hug. My head reached up to his chin, and I sunk into his chest. What the heck? Was a hug usually this comfortable? Wow~ It's so soft.
The sweet but slight scent of the pine forest wafted in my nose. I didn't expect such a calming smell and warm embrace could make me feel so comfortable. Who would've thought that a man's arm would give off a sweet feeling of safety? My last boyfriend didn't give the same feeling, but instead of coldness and indifference.
My hands slightly moved up towards his back, giving him a light hug. Phil grip his hands around me tighter, pulling me in closer. His chin tickled my head, and he leaned down, whispering into my ears.
"Thanks, Berry."
Those two words were enough to create a sudden shiver running up and down my spine. I pushed back in startlement but was held from escaping.
"I gave you your good luck, hug. Now let me go." I squirmed.
"Just a little longer." Phil snuggled, even more, putting his head into my hair.
"You're taking advantage of me!"
"So?"
"So?" I squirmed even harder and stared at him with wide eyes. My nose wiggled. "What do you mean so?"
"You look like an adorable bunny when you get angry. Your nose does the same thing." Suddenly Phil leaned over and pecked me on my nose.
Alarmed, I froze. Did he just? Yep. He did.
Phil finally let me go and patted me on my head. "Be a good bunny and stay safe."
He just called me a bunny. Me. A dragon. I was speechless that I couldn't say anything. Phil just up and left like a storm, before I could even retort back.
Such memories made my head hurt, wondering why Phil had done all that. I made it sure to remind myself to stay a good distance away from Phil from now on. There were too many instances where he invaded my space too often.
I sighed and shook my head. I turned around and headed out of the castle. Instead, I went towards the south district, where the Wonder Shop was located. I need to see if they have completed the task that I have given them.
Opening up the door, I stepped through. A bell rang through the shop as a middle-aged Beast-kin with dog ears stepped forward. It was an older version of Siva. Her cute face was still present, but she had gained a bit more weight and obnoxious large breasts and hips. My eyes twitched, looked down at mine, and sighed as I looked away. The only word that stuck to my mind was defeat.
Wonder Shop was a big ten-story mall in the middle of the South District. Each floor sold different types of items and appliances for the people. Different varieties of potions, herbs, and inventions were displayed for the people to see. On each corner of the shop were sturdy Beast-kin, wearing armor with a silver dragon logo on their sleeves. Since the beginning, they were from Seth's Mercenary group that has been working with protecting the Wonder Shop.
One could say that the shop had a 'homely' feel to it rather than a licensed commercial mall back on Earth. Not a single thing was out of place, and comfy chairs and sofa were placed in the middle. A sweet smell of gingerbread could be smelled, lingering in the air. I couldn't help but wonder who was cooking.
I have visited this shop quite a bit of time, but I couldn't help but crack a smile every time I come by. Siva has been doing a spectacular job of keeping this place flourish. Even though right now they were barely any customers, usually this shop was jammed pack day and night.
"My lady." Siva gave a brilliant smile. "I am glad that you have come to visit. The order for the monster repulsion tonic to place around the city wall has been completed. The Adventurer's had already come and taken it outside to place around the wall."
"That's good to hear." I nodded. "What about the High Blue and Red Potion? How many were you able to create?"
"We have over ten thousand ready to be used if necessary."
"Wonderful."
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