"That was quite fun." Brendu squeezes my hand a little tighter. We're both walking toward Ritmo's office. "After spending all those days training until exhaustion, I needed something natural, something more real. Resting outside for a few days was nice, but I needed something different. Meeting that small group was truly relaxing."
"Yeah, it felt like we had really returned to everyday life." We both come from worlds completely different from those of "ordinary people."
She's a princess who spent most of her life locked inside a castle, receiving every type of education imaginable, training in every field possible, and surrounded by powerful people.
This body wasn't originally mine; it belonged to a child who only had vague memories. Most of the time I've lived in this world has been spent training alone or with my grandmother, trapped inside dungeons or fighting monsters.
Even school was special. Most of the students come from wealthy families, and the few scholarship students live very differently from the rest of their classmates.
We've both experienced everyday life in this territory during our breaks. Brendu and the girls used to wander around town a lot out of curiosity and because they liked the climate. They could move around freely thanks to their guardians, although the princess could probably have managed on her own since she's a Ruby rank.
We've been able to understand how the world moves through our own eyes in our daily lives. That ordinary situation was like a pleasant bath that reminded us of reality.
I knock on the door. A second later, I hear my brother's voice telling me to enter. As I step inside, I see his desk covered with even more papers and books than before. It looks like they've simply been piling up during the days I spent training.
"One day, you're going to end up living on top of those papers." I joke as I sit down.
"I've had nightmares about that over the past few weeks. They weren't very motivating." My brother sighs as he relaxes in his chair. "How have you both been? Judging by your smiles, I'm hoping for good news." I can see the dark circles under his eyes. He must not be sleeping well because of all the paperwork in case we manage to defeat the lord of that territory.
"Several officials in my kingdom have had similar nightmares... I'll ask them for some advice and let you know." Brendu seems a little concerned.
"I'd appreciate that very much." Ritmo bows his head slightly. He genuinely seems hopeful after hearing the princess's words. Then my brother's eyes turn toward me.
"I've improved as much as possible during this time, even more than I originally planned." My smile quickly disappears. "If I can't defeat it now, then maybe we should ask Uncle Camux for help or wait for one of our territory's Ruby ranks to take the final step." I'm honest from the beginning.
My father, mother, Cokue, or any other Ruby rank could break through at any moment if they're lucky enough to find the final step needed to reach the next level.
"Uncle Camux is really busy these days. His schedule must be full for many months ahead. Also, remember the risks of fighting grade 5 monsters. He could end up seriously injured for a long time or even die, and that's something the Solar territory can't afford." Ritmo rubs his head gently.
We're taking this risk because it's part of our territory. Uncle Camux is family, but he has other responsibilities. In the end, we know people will die; we just have to do everything possible to minimize the losses. I'm also at great risk of dying. If things become too dangerous, I'll escape without hesitation.
In the end, there are two guarantees waiting behind the scenes. Samo and the other elder will be on the battlefield to prevent Brendu from dying. They'll allow her to reach a certain limit, but if they see her in danger, they won't hesitate to act.
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From what I understand, the elders have also offered to support this mission, but my family doesn't want to owe favors to another family, even if they are the parents of my future wives.
There have been many cases where families have gone to war over similar situations, borrowing favors and failing to repay them. It's better to avoid that as much as possible, but if we reach a point where we have no other option, we'll do it.
Both elders have more than enough experience. They'll realize immediately if we need their help. They've also grown fond of this small territory. No one bothers them, everyone respects them, and they can relax in their large retirement home.
"Then that's the last thing we needed. We can move the selected troops and mobilize tomorrow." Ritmo looks a little anxious.
"I'm fine with that. The sooner we move, the better. I don't want to keep Eisty waiting any longer. She'll beat me up if I make her wait for more months. I don't want to end up as an ice statue outside her house." I say the last part as a joke, but it could actually happen.
"We'll bring troops only to hold the line. We'll try to reduce their numbers as much as possible during the attack, but we also can't deploy all of our defenses and leave the territory unprotected." Ritmo bites his thumbnail, one of his habits whenever he's thinking.
"We should be fine. Sers came up with the idea of creating missions to hunt Escamus. Several adventurers have been doing part of the dirty work for us these past few days." My brother has read the expression on my face. I was worried about whether they could contain the monsters.
"Sometimes Sers has decent ideas." I joke to lighten the mood.
"He's always been smart. He just prefers using his fists." Ritmo jokes even more.
"He's not the only one in this family who prefers punching things instead of using that big brain of his." Brendu looks at me with a mischievous smile.
"I'm not looking for fights. Life just keeps throwing situations at me where I have to use physical force. I could be peacefully staying at home." I try my best to defend myself.
"Says the child who spent his entire childhood locked in a room training from sunrise to sunset by his own choice. That doesn't sound like someone who prefers staying at home." The princess always has a quick response.
"Technically, I was still at home, just training. I'm a very home-oriented person." I shrug, trying to use her own argument against her.
"Ritmo, do you think your brother was a weirdo as a child?" Brendu turns to ask him.
I'm sure he'll be on my side. He's my brother.
"Yes, definitely. Not only can I confirm it, but the whole family can. He preferred training all the time, and if he could fight, he would. He's not as wild as Sers used to be, but I don't think he's that far behind."
I can't say anything. I simply stay silent. I can see Brendu smiling. I'm sure any response I give would be instantly refuted by her. I do the smartest thing possible in these situations: I ignore her comments.
We continue coordinating tomorrow's movements. Ritmo has already taken care of everything possible. It was only a matter of my return and finalizing the last details.
Cokue will act as the spearhead of the mission, eliminating the strongest grade 4 monsters and wiping out the smaller threats. If everything is under control, he'll come to help me if I need it.
"Then you'll depart tomorrow at dusk. I'll see you tomorrow." Ritmo dismisses us from his office. I can feel the slight nervousness in his Imra.
We'll leave at night because we'll establish a small camp in an excellent location discovered by several scouts. We've acquired a device that we can use in situations like this. It will conceal our location from every possible sense, similar to the devices used by many criminal organizations.
It's not perfect, but it will help keep grade 3 and grade 4 monsters away. Another special group will be responsible for exterminating all monsters as quickly as possible, and another group will patrol during the night. Finally, at dawn, we'll launch a surprise attack to gain the advantage.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" Brendu asks while stroking my hair. We've already showered and are lying down, ready to get the best rest possible.
"I know you're strong. I know you're probably the person in this territory who can keep up with me the best, but I can't risk your life that way. I couldn't fight without fear if you were beside me. I'd always be worried about you, and I wouldn't be able to fight as fiercely as I do when I'm alone or with people who are less important to me." I refuse again.
"I know you'll run away if everything goes wrong. Even Samo will come to help us if necessary, but... I'm still afraid of losing you. I don't know what I'd do if I could never see you again." Her eyes are slightly watery.
"You won't lose me. I've promised you that many times already. We've trained until we nearly collapsed, and we have backup plans. We'll emerge victorious." I kiss her forehead to calm her down.
Honestly, I didn't want Brendu to come from the very beginning because I was afraid something might happen to her, but I simply can't leave her behind for many reasons. That doesn't mean I'll risk her by placing her on the front lines with me.
"Tomorrow will be a huge step for your family's territory." She gently closes her eyes.
"We'll make it happen. I'll give every last bit of strength I have to make it happen." Through our Imra, we both express the trust we have in each other.