章節 110: Fear, Death, and Awe
"Berry." Seth bowed.
"Seth, glad to see you. Is everything ready?"
"Yes. We got reports that Moca and her group had successfully pulled a good portion of the army away."
"What about the second half of the army?"
"They entered into the Forgotten Forest a couple hours ago. So far, we expect them to be coming here soon in the next hour."
"I see," I said, "I brought over the high Red and Blue potions. I need you to quickly give it out to each person."
"Yes, mamn." Seth saluted. He then called over the others to take the items on the wagon. Swarms of soldiers, mercenaries, civilians, and even Adventurers excitedly took the presents graciously given away by the Wonder Shop.
I knew that the income from the inventions and the Potions brought in a considerable amount of profit, and giving it out to the people for free in times of war made the Wonder Shop's reputation skyrocket. The Wonder Shop had the budget to compensate for the loss and knew that if we lost this war, the secret formula would be taken away from the enemy by force. I couldn't afford that, especially Siva, who worked hard on making the shop grow to what it is today.
With that, both Siva and I knew that this was more profitable in the long run. If we win, the shop reputation will dramatically rise, solidifying the citizens' trust. Even more, word of mouth will flourish further.
I was also helping out in handing out as many potions as possible. Each person had at least one, but for the magicians, they had at least two blue potions. With the distribution of the potion over, I broke away from the busy group and headed towards the walls. Climbing up the long stairs, I made my way to the top.
Out before me were the dense trees that blocked my view. I realized that the trees around the city walls were getting a little too close, and made a note to myself to send in a commission to the lumbers to cut down the trees around the walls and replant new offspring to take place the ones we cut.
I squinted to see if there were any noticeable movements, but I didn't find anything. Seth came up and stood next to me. He didn't say anything as he silently stood there, watching off in the distance.
"So, how often did you go into battle?" I just randomly threw out a question. I know it was a pathetic attempt to calm my nerves, but it was better than not talking. The stifling silence was making me even more nervous, and I needed something to occupy my mind.
"Quite often." Seth's voice was low but strong. "Sometimes we would be ambushed at night during our transport. It wasn't pretty, but we pushed through to make sure that the merchandise and the people were safe.
"Just out of curiosity, how do you stay sane without getting scared?"
"A strong resolution to live."
"That's it?" I thought of having amazing martial art skills or sword skills. Was the answer, but it was far from it.
"Yes. Even if one knows how to fight, it becomes useless if they freeze up. A person changes when their life is on the line."
I nodded my head in understanding what he meant.
"A master swordsman without a single battle experience has an equal chance to die on the field, but their sword skill can give them the edge to survive another day."
It made me wonder, Seth been doing this his whole life, meaning the majority of his life he saw war. "Seth, when are you stop going to be a mercenary and settle down?" I curiously asked. I never saw him with any other females.
"When this war is over."
"So, you have someone in mind?" My eyes lit up with interest in what he has to say. This was the first time I would hear any juicy information about the relationship on Seth.
"Yes, my fiance is waiting for my return."
"You're fiance?!" I blurted out in shock. Turning towards him, I tilt my head to the side.
"She 's eight months pregnant."
"Wow."
This was definitely an exciting tidbit of information that I couldn't stop from smiling.
"Congratulations!" I threw up my arms and reached over to pat his back. "I didn't know you had it in you."
"What do you mean had it in me?"
"I just thought you would live a lonely old man's life."
Seth snorted. "I would not."
"Either way, this is truly a celebration. During the twenty-seven years, a lot of things must've happened for you to have finance. How did you meet her?"
"We met on the job, while we were escorting Duke Jeremy from the city to the nearest human establishment. We ran into a large group of goblins attacking a band of Adventurers. Duke Jeremy ordered us to help them out, and we pushed the goblins back. Honestly, I believed that they could've won even without our help."
"So, that's when you guys hit it off?"
"No. It didn't happen until she threw a punch at my face in the bar."
"You got punched?" My mouth dropped open in surprise. Seth was one of that beast-kin that you don't want to mess with, but someone actually had the balls hit him. Wow.
"Why did she hit you?"
"Just a misunderstanding. She thought I touched her butt, but actually, it was the human male next to me that did it."
Things happen. "Her name?"
"Jasmine. She's human."
Yep. Hands down. Jasmine has now become one of my favorite humans. She has the balls to hit THE Seth in his place. I nodded, just thinking about what her character would be like if I ever met her.
"So, she's an Adventure as well?"
"Yes, she's taking part in this war."
"What?!" I shouted in complete disbelief. "She's eight-month pregnant!"
"I know."
I stared stunned at his answer. Was he right in the head? The last two months were a serious time
for a woman during her pregnancy. It could be really dangerous for her health and child as well.
"She wouldn't even listen even if I stopped her." Seth sighed with defeat. His shoulders slumped at the thought of his fiance hurt.
Yep, someone as strong-minded as her would be trouble in her own way. If someone like Seth can't stop her, who could?
"She's not fighting in the front lines, right?"
"Of course not."
I gave out a sigh of relief. "Then, where?"
"She's a magician. She'll be on the walls casting spells. Her magic is formidable, and she is considered one of the few rare magicians that can cast a level A high-level magic."
I was surprised. There weren't many magicians that could cast high-level magic. Only a small handful of people were able to cast at least a level B, and a very rare number level A magic. The majority of magicians fell in the lower range.
"She'll be somewhat away from the battle." I knew that wasn't a reassuring answer, but it was the best I could do.
"Yes, I told her not to strain herself. I don't think she will listen." Seth sighed, and he frowned deeply.
I could tell that he cared about his fiance very dearly. The way that he talked and the look on his face told me everything that I needed to know. Honestly, I was glad that he had found someone extraordinary that he held dear in his heart. Just looking at him filled with love made me wonder when I would find someone who I would cherish deeply like him.
Someone who I could spend my life with and share the up and down of life. Someone I could fight side-by-side in battles, and even go on wild adventures together. To laugh, to cry, and also fight and enjoy the simple things in life. Suddenly, Phil's face erupted in my head.
What the heck? I quickly brushed it aside. That was a perilous thought that actually scared me to death. I made sure such thought was eradicated entirely in my mind.
"I know. So, I asked her friend to keep a tab on her. The only one who is able to sway her mind is her friend, Chole."
"Oh." So there was someone out there that could sway the stubborn women.
Boom!
Suddenly a loud explosion is heard throughout the whole forest. Smoke appeared from the south. Birds flew out in panic, and the screams of animals could be heard in fear.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The explosion continued to come towards us in a straight line as the ground shook from the numerous sudden explosion.
"What's going on?" I held on the side of the wall, gripping tightly not to fall.
"The traps that we set have been activated. They're coming!" Seth ran down the stairs and jumped towards his mercenary. "Get ready!" He shouted.
People were scurrying around, climbing up the stairs in a hurry. The magicians, archers, and soldiers all dispersed into formation as they cast their gaze towards the forest with worry creased on their faces.
With a heavy groan, the tree shook back and forth. The sound of more explosions could be heard, going off in front of them. Each sound of the explosion heralds a step closer to the battle to come. What made this difficult was that we couldn't see through the thick trees, making the tension in the air a lot more stressful.
I gulped as I patiently waited for the army that was going to come to invade us. My knuckles were becoming white from gripping the edge of the wall. As worry creased my face.
Suddenly, a piercing sound of an arrow cutting through the air flew past my head, and with a
sickening thunk, an arrow embedded itself into the soldier's eye, right next to me. With a clatter, he fell over dead. The war had started, and my mind quickly dismissed all unnecessary thoughts as I pulled a large amount of magical energy into my hands.
For the death of my people, I was not going to hold back.
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