Lances and Daggers

25. In the Footsteps of Disaster

Stopping briefly at the barracks, I armed myself with new throwing knives, found a more durable sword, and wore pieces of light armor to protect my chest. Simultaneously, Demetrius checked the stables, found two horses, and saddled them for use.

As the dusk fell, we mounted. Our destination was the home of the Exploration Guild, the city of the Sixth Labyrinth, Azuria. A trail of enormous footprints ran through the grasslands and past the hills, and our horses galloped, following this ominous path. I couldn't tell whether we would make it on time. The journey to Azuria was two days by the traders' wagons, but a disciplined horse could cover the same distance in around eight hours. I wondered how fast Belphegor walked and how many stops he would make.

"Don't overthink it, Lance," Demetrius said as if he had read my mind. "The road ahead is long. We were too late in Ashenbrook, but that won't happen again."

"How are you so sure? My friends, the guild... Azuria is my hometown. I want to believe everything will be fine, but I just can't."

"If you let the situation pull you down, you'll always be late."

"But—"

"Your spirit promises a dazzling performance. Don't let anxiety ruin it."

It seemed that Demetrius was trying to help in his own way. I understood his good intentions, but the way he spoke didn't lend credence to his words. In the end, I managed to force a silly grin.

"How's this, Demetrius? Are you satisfied?"

"Yes, nothing suits you better than this annoying grin."

"You know, I hate you."

"I love you too, dear Lance," he smiled.

I sighed.

"Why don't you call your friend again?" he added after a moment of silence. "He can update us on the situation in Azuria. It's better than worrying."

"I don't know. If we stop for a call, we'll be wasting more time."

"Well, the horses could use a short break. We've been galloping for an hour."

I looked at my horse, and it seemed slightly exhausted. The empire's horses were a special breed that could gallop for long hours, but it was a self-evident truth that an eight-hour trip couldn't be completed in one sprint. As the horses decelerated to a trot, I took out my badge, infused it with the little magic that it needed, and called to Rick, "Are you there?"

There was no response. It seemed that the connection was never established, and I feared that something might have happened. After a few moments, however, Rick's voice came loud and clear: "Lance, you called at the right time."

His image formed on the device, but the background wasn't Azuria. He was standing next to a tent in a grassy plain. There were people behind him—city guards, mages, and adventurers—carrying torches and lanterns.

"What's going on? Did you evacuate the city?"

"About that..." Rick averted his eyes. "It wasn't feasible. Even Master Azemir wasn't convinced."

"What? Then..."

"Don't worry. The City Hall has acknowledged that the threat is real. That's why we're here." Rick waved his arm as if to welcome me wherever he was. "The city dispatched a legion of guards. Many adventurers tagged along to help, and we have a group of formidable mages on our side."

"I told you to evacuate, not plan a fight. You don't understand the threat."

"Lance, the decision was out of my hand. These people won't retreat even if I asked them to. I'm not in command."