Chapter 178 (2/2)

“Three deaths and four injured, all of ere roup,” Merial read aloud

“darily “As if the Alacyrans weren’t a pain in the ass to begin with! Because of theround network that leads to who kno far up the southern border ofcrept in at the s considered, the dae could’ve been worse “Well, thankfully they were able to get back up in time”

Merial looked up at me and paused for a beat “Yes It also helped that the party tasked with protecting the carriage had an e on ReadReadNovelFullonlinecoht I had azes of those around me, I knew I hadn’t

Virion spoke first in a reassuring tone “Like the report said, none of the Twin Horns were killed”

The only thing I was able to muster at that point was a weary nod The old elf’s voice soundedto my head Virion had just said my parents and the Twin Horns were alive, but it felt like I was overco death Suddenly, those three deaths that Merial had read aloud sounded much more real It could’ve been the about it

“Arthur?” a concerned voice rang

Snapping out of my daze, I looked back at the commander “Sorry, I’m okay Please continue”

I had a thousand questions but they were all personal My parents and I had had a less-than-ideal parting My selfishness of wanting them hidden safely within the castle hadn’t helped torelationshi+p after I had revealed my secret They had told ht of theer had never resurfaced until now

The te down to the surface to rew, but I knew they would disapprove ofmy duties to just check in on them Reluctantly, I focused my attention back on thea better way to optimize the supply routes from Blackbend, the major city near the southeast corner of Sapin, to the Wall

“How about an underground route?” King Alduin suggested, pointing near the center of theBlaine shook his head, leaning forward and pointing below the area where Blackbend was located “The city is too close to the Kingdoround passages that the dwarves have dug in over tierous to try that until we secure our alliance with them”

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“What’s Blackbend like?” I asked, taking a close look at the map

“The economy in Blackbend centers around potato fares and adventurers because of how close it is to the Beast Glades The city is currently responsible for the supply of rations as well as theof weapons—mainly arrows—for the soldiers, which is why it’s crucial for there to be a secure mode of transport to the Wall,” Queen Priscilla answered seriously

“The terrain around it is es carrying supplies to go unnoticed,” Bairon added, speaking for the first ti

“Thank you,” I said to thee was inforue Bairon’s anshat I needed to know

As the Council discussed more ideas on how to better secure the supply route, my mind drifted to ways the people of this world wouldn’t be able to consider Thinking back to the shi+p that I had helped Gideon design a few years back, I looked at the map Unfortunately, there was no river near the Wall or Blackbend City but it gaveBlaine,” I called out, interrupting their discussion “How many dwarves adept in metal manipulation do you have that can help us?”

“There are nues—orthe dwarves, but ones that are trustworthy enough for a large task”—the king paused to think for a second—“a handful, ree Alduin, how ather?”

The elven king looked at his wife as he rubbed his cleanly-shaven chin

Merial began looking through another pile of papers when Aya spoke up “Four, currently on standby The rest are currently on missions”

“What’s this about?” Virion asked

“Let istics of this idea with Gideon,” I said absent furiously as I reasoned how this plan would ulti supplies as well as keep the passengers and workers—mainlyconcluded soon after and I got up to leave the stifling room when Virion held ”

I stood silently waiting for hi times of war, it’s impossible to reward every deed acco not one, but two retainers”—the coaze froerous traitor and subduing a scheme that could’ve potentially killed thousands of civilians, calls for a reward of some kind”

“Thank you, Commander Virion,” Aya said politely “But what I did was to help us win this war, not for a personal reward”

Virion nodded “General Arthur? What about you?”

I’d learned from my past life that, in situations like this, it’s best to dismiss the reward and just thank him for his kindness, but this was also the perfect opportunity to address so on ainst Uto

“Actually, there is sos,” I said innocently

The two kings and queens looked at me in surprise, but Virion simply let out a chuckle “Very well, let me hear them!”

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I ether, feeling ht-hearted—happy, even

Even Virion was stunned at first when I told hi on missions for the near future I didn’t bla another one saying he wanted a break would take a huge toll on our side

However, I needed so that, with the war escalating at the pace it was, I wouldn’t have reed… somewhat

“Two months is the most I can offer, and even then I can’t prouous but it was fair

“In addition, since you won’t be going on missions, you’ll be required to take part in the Council s,” he had added “If the past is any indication, I know having you here—weighing in your thoughts—will prove useful”

This was a bit harder to s One of the few things I dreaded now and in s like the one today However, I needed time to study and absorb Uto’s horns that the scythe had referred to as an ‘invaluable resource’

“Out of curiosity, how do you plan on training here in the castle?” Alduin had asked before I left

“It’s part of what I need next as ers “I need four conjurers, each of different elemental affinity”

“Four?” Virion had repeated The members of the Council were obviously confused but I knew by the glimmer in the lances’ eyes that they understood what I had planned

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The halls were eht of how to greetforthe considerate brother that I ae wooden door that had been remodeled to fit her bond, and in a shrill breathy voice, I wailed, “Ellie… It is the ghost of your brother I have coenius to deduce that my sister was less than amused when she coldly muttered from the other side of the door, “Boo, attack”

Unfortunately, it was only after a 700-pound bear ca at me that I realized that perhaps my sister’s sense of humor more resembled that of our mother

My body flew back to the other end of the hall as Boo’s body slaainst me More impressed that the walls hadn’t cru th

“Good to see you too, buddy,” I chuckled wearily, avoiding the pool of drool forrunt, spraying a mixture of saliva and froth on ruer

I pushed aside Boo and wipedface with a sleeve “Haha, I can’t say I didn’t deserve that”

It didn’t take long for Ellie’s stern scowl to soften She walked up and wrapped her arently patted my sister’s head and I could feel the tension inat the castle “It’s good to be back”