Chapter 414: Who’s fault?
Monica stood there listening to the plan, strategy, risk, and threat. The mountains around them were going to be danger zones because the demons might use that route rather than the convenient one. After all, they were demons, not humans, and they could choose any route they wanted.
It was Monica who lent them the Paladins before they all marched toward the valley. Lazarus planned to deploy the Paladins to the mountains and kept an eye there. However, it wasn’t enough, nowhere near enough because it would be too late for anyone to assist them if the enemy did use both mountains path and route rather than using the valley.
The people had been evacuated the moment they received the report. Knowing that there wouldn’t be any civilians, the demons wouldn’t be able to kidnap and turn the humans into their minions or feed them to the demons.
"If we split the force we have into three, that would only make things worse because a third of an army against a demon force is similar to giving them a feast to enjoy," Arthor said as he looked at the map. "We can’t risk it. We need the whole force to stay together, but the consequences are that we might let the demons through if we fail to block them all. That’s worse," he added.
"It’s not entirely a problem," Sanya pointed out as she pointed at the two mountains that squeezed the valley. "I’ll go to the first mountain on my own while Ena will go to the second mountain. The two of us are enough to prevent any demons from advancing or even get through," she suggested.
Everyone looked at Sanya with their expressions and gazes filled with gratification. They knew how powerful Sanya was, and there was no need for her to prove it. However, Ena was a different case, a single Orthias other than Sanya or an Aristoria to handle such force, they were unconvinced.
"I don’t mean no harm or being disrespectful to the Orthias, Lady Sanya, but is it really enough for Lord Ena to hold the second mountain on his own?" Lazarus asked, and he was the only one who could speak of this matter.
"Ena is one of the few warriors that the elders have recognized of his abilities. Even with a hundred people like you, Lord Lazarus, he could easily kill all of them in just a matter of seconds," Sanya answered with confidence as she stared at Lazarus with a soft gaze.
Arthor looked at Ena with a stern look for a moment before he averted his gaze to look at Sanya.
"Lady Sanya, are you not afraid that the Orthias would lose another warrior? We saw it, we remembered it during the expedition where we met Lady Aristoria and how she was furious when she lost Illidan," Arthor said with concern in his voice.
Sanya’s smile turned cold and suddenly all the campfires, torches, and candles got extinguished in an instant. The darkness brought a heavy atmosphere into the tent and everyone felt like they were out of breath and suffocating. They saw Sanya’s glowing blue eyes, so cold that they could feel their bones froze.
"And who’s fault it was, Lord Arthor? Who’s fault it was that I couldn’t be there on time? Who’s fault it was that we had to delay for another two days because the team needed to prepare?" Sanya asked as she stared into Arthor’s eyes. "You dare speak of that moment knowing that it was you and the others who gave the demons the opportunity to take away one of the Orthias," she stared into Arthor’s soul.
There was only silence, and everyone’s head lowered as if nature itself had forced them to cower in fear. However, there were only two people who could keep their heads high, Lazarus and Moriganne.
Sanya glanced at those two and turned her cold smile into a soft and gentle one. The fire came back, bringing back the light and pushing away the heavy atmosphere in almost an instant. Everyone could finally breathe and they all took a deep breath while they tried to grab onto the table because their knees became weak.
"But that’s in the past, and we all learn our mistakes," Sanya said, crossing her arms and staring at the map. "They have taken an Orthias, and so they’ll pay the price... the price that even their lives wouldn’t even suffice to pay for what they have done," she added in a cold tone.
Everyone could tell how furious she was, and this battle would be more than a massacre. Suddenly, Aluca and Nior came into the tent to ask about what had happened earlier until they saw Sanya and that cold gaze in her eyes. Arthor nodded, signaling to them that it was all Sanya’s doing, and there was nothing to worry about. Aluca and Nior nodded with understanding and left the tent to assure the soldiers.
"Now, just focus on defending the valley. I’ll personally check the surrounding area, see if there’s any movements," Sanya said as she walked out of the tent with Ena following behind her.
Everyone stood still, staring at the entrance until Sanya completely disappeared from their sights. They turned to look at each other, not knowing what to say or what to do. Monica cleared her throat and decided to point at the valley, trying to bring everyone back to the matter.
"I’ll be joining the battle, and can anyone help me where I should be that won’t cause a distraction to the soldiers? I know that my presence here is both a blessing and a burden, and I don’t want to become a burden," Monica said as she looked everyone in the eyes. "I know that I need protection, and I’m ashamed of being protected. But please, don’t let them waste their lives for whatever reason, especially when the reason is to protect me," she added.
Everyone looked at Monica and considered her wish. However, it would be hard when the demons knew that she would be their priority to kill.
"Assign five people you want to become your guardian, Lady Monica," Lazarus said and looked into Monica’s eyes.
"I don’t need that many, just give me two, someone that you believe can protect my life without having to sacrifice themselves unnecessarily. Someone who knows their worth," Monica answered, staring back at Lazarus with a serious expression.
"Then Aluca and Nior will become your guardians, Lady Monica. Those two fit with your description," Lazarus answered, nodding with understanding. "Arthor, you will lead the Wolffein army and appoint someone you trust to become your right-hand man," he looked at his son and gave him a nod.
Arthor nodded with understanding.
After an hour of full discussion of the plan and strategy, everyone left the tent to go back to their own banners to brief their soldiers. The only ones that stayed in the tent were Lazarus and Monica. There was only silence in the tent, only the background noises of people chattering and walking near the tent.
"You should sit down, elder," Monica looked at Lazarus, who was still staring at the map on the table. "You can’t hide your exhaustion anymore, and there’s nobody in the tent but us," she added.
Lazarus wanted to argue, but he knew himself better that arguing was pointless. He slowly settled into the chair, his eyes closed and shoulders relaxed. He could easily drift off to sleep, but he didn’t have the luxury of resting, not in that way. He suddenly felt cold hands gripping his right hand, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Monica using her divine energy to remove his fatigue.
"If you’re telling me to stop, that means you want us to lose this battle," Monica said, her eyes focused on Lazarus’ rough hand.
"I’m not saying a word yet, Lady Monica," Lazarus answered with a bit of a smile on his face. "Thank you, this is what I needed right now," he said in a gentle voice.
Monica knew that she had just lifted the exhaustion and fatigue in Lazarus’ body. She tried to ease Lazarus’ mind with her power, but Lazarus immediately raised his right hand and shook his head.
"I need my mind to be sharp, Lady Monica. I can’t let my mind to be at ease at the moment," Lazarus said as he grabbed his sword. "I know that you can see the exhaustion in my head, but that will help me fight in a dire situation because my mind is still there, in the dark and ready," he explained as he unsheathed his sword and stared at his reflection on the blade.
Monica nodded with understanding as she pulled away from Lazarus. Not long after that, Arthor came back, his expression stiffened and his breath heavy.
"Lady Sanya has come back, and she said the demon army will be here soon, father," Arthor said, his voice deep and filled with anxiety.
Lazarus hummed as he slowly got up from his chair and sheathed his sword, tying it around his waist.
"Ready the soldiers, we are marching now," Lazarus said and walked out of the tent.