The Demon Saint is Missing, so I Ran to Another World

Soulmates (Part 2)

We spent several days among the Tambaras, enough for us to regain our strength for the next part of our journey—the rendezvous at the city of Goblinhom. As it was the main base of the Goblin Legion, it was decided in the war council before that the armies fighting the Biornos would join forces in that city. Not only did it possess the industries needed by the allied clans to continue their war efforts, its relative distance from the Saint's Tower would make an attack from the enemy less likely.

However, the issue was, Goblinhom lay to the extreme southwest of Fangborough. The usual 'peacetime' route would have us march back to the Saint's Tower, pick up provisions there to continue to the city of Orcdwelt, and finally, after resupplying, walk the last leg to Goblinhom. For our situation, it was an absurd option. Taking that path would have us head right into our enemies' jaws, and with our few soldiers and equipment, it was sure annihilation.

An alternate route was available. But then, looking at our maps, this one was definitely longer and dangerous, for it would have us cross into the supposedly 'unnavigable' desert of the Sea of Sand. Well, it's not like it's an impossible feat; a properly-supplied army could march over it from end to end. Nevertheless, with our logistics in a mess, crossing the Sea of Sand meant certain death.

And I don't want to risk it. I still got to return to Chersea and the Lady Madelaine's side, after all.

"..."

As I lie awake on my sleeping mat, I pondered on my options. Of course, the road via the Saint's Tower was impossible, as well the as the Sea of Sand route. Also, I guess we're about to overstay with the Tambaras. Even if they say that it's fine, feeding a large group of people would still put a strain on their supplies, and I don't want to earn their anger when I was trying to unite all the demon clans under one banner.

Well, it's not like I was out of viable choices. To the further east, and into the 'night' region of Cherflammen (ironically named Westshore), was the city of the Usarveds, Darkmoor. I already sent some messengers there to update Princess Noir of what's happening at the Conclave, and also ask for provisions and reinforcements, if her forces could afford it. Then, down further south, near the Chersea-Cherflammen crossing, was the region of the Blighted Lands. And the lord of that place, Vitalis, was an ally. I could also ask for his people's help.

"..."

But then again, would the lord of the undead oblige? He swore fealty to the Prince Hurion Devras, and even if he did that, he was notorious for breaking his oath when the demon lord's enemies entered his lands. I also remembered that he wanted his people to 'live peacefully'. With an army following behind me, could he be relied upon?

"Haa...this is really stressing me out..."

"That's a sad sigh, Sir."

"Whoa!" I nearly jumped away when I saw my student, Nari, sitting on the top side of my sleeping mat. I didn't notice her come to my room, which was supposedly my own.

"Scared?" was her curt question, along with her usual poker face. But for some reason, I could tell that Nari was afraid that she might've disturbed me.

I shook my head, "No, I'm just surprised with your sudden appearance."

"I knocked."

"Didn't hear it," I admitted to her as I looked at the sliding wooden door of my room. Indeed, it was ajar.

"Sorry."

"It's fine," I sat up and gave her a head pat. "Don't worry much. It's not like this is my place!"

"You're tired?"

I fell silent by her question. Honestly, I don't know how to answer, for I got this feeling that she was blaming herself for my exhaustion. Well, that's a bit true, though it's also something I decided on my own.