Heavy is the Head that Wears the Solemn Crown

Forty-One - The Veiled One

Techno

Techno lifts his arm to point towards the left. The soldiers carrying crates immediately start marching in the direction he pointed towards. Techno watches them for a second before another group presents themselves to him. He ushers them into a different direction with orders to start mobilizing the cavalry units. They follow orders like water flows through cracks, and Techno finds himself at least somewhat grateful for his legendary title. These soldiers from another land would not have listened to him easily if he hadn't proved himself in battle several times. The medallion pinned to his coat representing L'Manberg was also helpful, but Techno preferred not to think that Wilbur had helped him do anything. He couldn't let his brother get a big head, after all.

"What should we do?" Techno turned to his side to issue another order. The words fell silent against his tongue when he saw the bright eyes of Tubbo. Ranboo was hunched down right beside him, his eyes equally hopeful as they peered up at Techno. Tubbo had gotten into some armor that was too big for him, and the sword he was borrowing was mainly pinned to the ground. Ranboo, at least, wasn't wearing anything, but Techno was sure that wasn't so much out of choice as it was the simple fact that nothing Pogtopia had to offer would fit Ranboo's lanky figure.

"Nothing. Get out of my way," Techno informed them both sharply. Ranboo's face immediately deflated, but it didn't show much traces of disappointment. Ranboo expected that Techno would refuse them, and he wisely hadn't allowed his hopes to rise.

Tubbo, on the other hand, seemed all the more determined as an angry expression overtook his face. His fists clenched at his side, and his eyebrows narrowed. Alex wrapped her arms around his shoulders, putting her face right next to his. For a moment, the soft shades of green in both of their eyes seemed to match each other. Techno didn't know if that was on purpose, but he didn't like Alex getting so close to someone. She reached a hand towards Techno from over Tubbo's shoulder as she spoke, "Come on, Blade. Let them help. War is what turns boys into men. You wouldn't want them to remain oblivious to the way of the world forever, would you?"

Steve came to stand next to Techno. His blue eyes gazed at Techno for a brief moment before he turned his attention to the boys. "It would be best for them to get some experience. They cannot remain ignorant. That will only serve to hurt them in the end. They must be given a purpose. Only then will they find themselves."

"They do have a purpose," Techno informed the gods. They both gave him a skeptical look, but Techno focused on the confused expression on Ranboo and Tubbo's faces. Techno inhaled through his nose and exhaled through his mouth. He needed to remember that he was the only one who could see Alex and Steve. The only other people at the camp who could see them were Puffy, Tommy, and Kristin. The first two were helping Wilbur, Philza, Niki, and Shubble with some project that gave Techno a bad feeling. Kristin was helping with the soldiers somewhere else, and while she promised she would return, she had not yet. Techno was alone with the two gods.

"You do have a purpose," Techno amended his statement. Ranboo nodded slowly, but Tubbo remained unconvinced. Techno rolled his eyes. "You have to stay here to finish modifying weapons with Marriott."

"But I'm almost finished with it! I can go to the battle with you, and I'll be back in time to finish it before our expedition to the Greater mountains to stop their descent," Tubbo argued. Alex tilted her head, raising an eyebrow at him. She was smiling, but it wasn't the nice kind of smile. She was planning something in her head, or she was imagining all the destruction that would come from two brilliant minds such as Tubbo and Marriott creating a terrible weapon.

"Get finished with it now. The sooner you're done, the sooner we can get to the mountains, and the sooner we can end this war. Injuring yourself on the battlefield or dying isn't helping anyone. You would cause more problems than you would solve," Techno told Tubbo. The teenager sucked in a tight breath, his cheeks puffing as he tried to retain some semblance of anger. He deflated after a few moments of suffering beneath Techno's sharp gaze.