Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 91

"Sire! We have a problem!"

Ali clenched his teeth as he stare at the battlefield just outside the kingdom walls. He's already aware of the sudden conflict that occured. They need to deal with it as fast as possible. It really made a bad turn. Has the plan been anticipated by the other side?

Kanina lamang, noong makumpleto na ni Uriah ang lagusan na kanilang kailangan upang makarating sa Centrio, bigla na lamang sumugod ang mga Hellions. Marami ang nakatawid sa malaking lagusan at wala pang kasiguraduhan kung ano ang eksaktong dami ng mga ito but if he'll guess, there are hundreds of Hellions that suddenly crossed the portal. He can see how much land the Hellions are occupying while they're continuously going through the entrance. They look like waves that won't stop moving.

The soldiers are currently preventing the demons from reaching the kingdom walls pero may malaking posibilidad na makakalusot rin ang ma ito sa pagdaan ng ilang minuto. Lalo na at parami ng parami ang mga ito. Ali clenched his teeth tighter. At this rate, we won't be able to give Centrio some aid!

Lumingon siya sa isang kawal na nasa ilalim ng isang tent, abala ito sa mga bagay-bagay. Ali caught his attention, causing for him to focus on the king. Ali questioned, "Are there any status reports from the other nations?"

It'll be a huge problem if all of us has the same situation. If we do, no one can lend Centrio the necessary assistance they need. Many will perish at this point.

The soldier looked at him with a problematic expression after he spoke to the witch who's communicating with all the other witches from different countries. The soldier reported, "Sir! We have another problem!"

With that, he already knew the answer to his question. Ali gritted his teeth then he looked back at the huge portal from afar. He can see Centrio's cloudy ambiance and he can clearly see that their current situation is worse than their's. Hellions are running around in their grounds habang patuloy rin ang pagpasok ng mga ito sa kanilang teritoryo.

Ali clenched his fists. He knows that he has to issue an order of closing the portal but if he does that, the citizens of Centrio will be confused. Currently, the people of the center kingdom are only hanging on the fact that the neighboring countries are willing to help and they can see that by seeing the lights of four portals. If one portal closes, their hope could deteriorate.

One of his advisors walked to him when he saw that the king is having a hard time on making a decision. He stood behind the king's right arm, "Your highness," he called. Even if the royalty didn't response, he knows that he's listening. "If our situation remains the same, we could expose the citizens' lives to danger. Please, give us the order."

Sumang-ayon naman ang ilang mga kawal at tagapayo rito.

"Your highness, please make a decision!"

"Our nation would fall if the demons' number continue to escalate!"

"We need your order, your highness!"

"Your highness!"

"Your decision, our king!"

Ali looked at the citizens who are standing with him on the elevated land where the palace is standing. Mula rito ay kitang-kita ang lugar kung saan nagaganap ang digmaan. Ali could see their worried faces as they watch the scene afar. Wondering if one of those dead soldiers are their husbands, brother, or father. Ali could see how tight their hands are clenching as they pray silently with tears dropping on their hands.

Ali slowly breathed out as he clench his fists tighter. Muli niyang ibinalik ang kaniyang tingin sa malaking lagusan. His eyes softened as he stare at the view on the other side of that portal. He wants to keep the portal open as a reassuring symbol for the residents of the other side but he has to deal with the problem they have in hand first. He has to apologize.