Chapter 802 Natural Friction

Informing the kingdom was quite simple. Eldrian simply messaged Elizabeth to inform her of the army forming in the chaos lands. Warning that the North should prepare, though this would not be on the same scale as the orc invasion. It would still devastate the kingdom if they failed to stop the army's initial momentum.

Especially since the North was far more exposed than the South. Far removed from the normal dangers, towns and villages were far more populated and less protected. Losing the North would not just lead to a massive loss of life, but also cripple the kingdom's food supply.

"Are you sure about this?" Ceph asked, the two leaving Avgi after a short meeting with the Alicorns.

"Yes, I'm sure. I hope your parents will give what I asked some thought. But I do not expect them to act anytime soon."

"I'm sure they will give it some thought, but..." Ceph glanced back towards the glade, saddened by the inactivity of his family. "Perhaps we should stay to convince them."

A part of Ceph was glad that his family prioritized their safety. It would have been terrible if he had returned only to learn that more had died, such as in the time when Eldrian had first arrived and Milgoroth, then Andreas, had run wild.

"I doubt we can." Eldrian paused and looked around. Compared to when he first arrived at Avgi, the forest was devoid of life. "After all, most of your family left for safer lands..."

"I get that we have to protect the forest, but I can't understand why we don't..." Ceph's words disappeared into the air as his mind trailed.

Realizing how few remained to protect the forest, it was not possible to think about expanding their borders. Heck, he doubted they would actually be able to protect themselves when the time truly came. 'Perhaps we should just abandon Avgi?', "Nevermind."

As the two reached the border of the forest, they watched the stragglers moving to catch up to the army. Eldrian, of course, had confirmed their numbers before reporting it to Elizabeth. So the kingdom should be able to deal with everything without issue.

If the armies did not stray, then the majority should enter Taurus around Blenar and Elomir. Eldrian wasn't sure if these armies knew of the geography of the kingdom, but it appeared that most were heading towards the forested area surrounding Elomir.

He wasn't sure if this was better than them entering through the plains. Regardless, he could not change what was happening. He could only inform the kingdom.

Ultimately, Eldrian merely wanted to return to Kynigo and finish the construction of the political fort. This, however, could wait a little longer. For now, it did not appear that the vampires were trying to move in secret.

'By the way, are you sure about visiting your sister?' Ceph asked, using telepathy to ensure that their conversation would not be overheard. During their talk earlier, the two realized they should not talk candidly about everything. Some things were better not spoken aloud.

'I think I must. I can't continue to live as I am. Besides, I do have Zaphreal's word and the contract binding him to protect me and my family. I will have to determine eventually how much that means.'

'But isn't this going to be something rushed yet again?'

'Perhaps, but I've realized that I can't prepare properly for things regarding Miracle. They are simply too far ahead of me. I have but a candle's light to guide me, while they have the sun.'

"Alright, enough of that." Ceph was itching to stretch his wings, shifting back into his alicorn form -which had grown a little larger, though he was still much, much smaller than his father- "Let's go enjoy some hunting."

"Are you sure?" Eldrian asked, recalling that the last time the two had gone hunting, things had gone terribly wrong.

"You're much stronger than before, and the same is true for me. We'll maintain our distance and attack with magic only. Hop on!" Ceph countered, summoning the words through wind magic as he flapped his wings and caused a gust of wind, causing the nearby leaves to rustle.

"Alright, fine. Let's go." Eldrian relented, jumping onto Ceph's back as his old friend took off into the sky.

—

"You still have not left." Myropsis forced a smile onto her face as she joined the vampire atop the walls.

Little Phoenix was resting next to her on the crenellations of the wall. The bird seemed quite attached to the vampire, though that was certainly because of the plethora of crystal treats she always offered it.

"Why would I leave?" Levana asked, turning to greet the centaurette. Little Phoenix, noticing that the petting had stopped, turned to look at what was going on. But quickly lost interest and took flight as the two entered conversation.

"Do you not have any tasks you must fulfill at home?"

"Alec has gone ahead to inform my father. My duties were to ensure the function of the fort. That has not changed."

​ "Can we truly consider that you have handed over the control of the fort to us if you refuse to leave?"

"And why would you ever doubt that? I'm but a single person—alright, vampire. Everyone else left. What's wrong if I stay?"

Myropsis sighed. She couldn't argue with that. But it still put her ill at ease knowing that a potential enemy was within the walls. "Perhaps what you say is true. But still, I can't rest at ease knowing what you are."

"We aren't monsters... Well, most of..." Levana faltered, failing to keep a straight face with the previous claims. She went with the truth, knowing that falsehoods would trick no one. "Some of us aren't."

"You say that, but yet you have—" Myropsis swallowed her words and groaned, turning her sights to the blazing flame dashing over the plains to distract herself from whom she was standing next to.

"Magnificent, isn't he?" Levana asked, also wishing to drop the subject. It was easy to agree not to kill one another, but to live together. That was entirely a different beast.

"That he is." Myropsis agreed, watching the firebird while thinking of Eldrian and all the wonders he had introduced to her. Recently, she had started conversing with the players when she could. She was astonished just by how unique they all were.

Eldrian shone perhaps the brightest, but none of them were dull. Ilmadia, in particular, held great insight in magic. On more than one occasion, the two had talked the night away. Recently, Ilmadia had even theorized an entirely new field to runic magic. So far, it was all just in the concept phase, but she was preparing to test it out in the near future.

And then there were those who worked on the cannons and vertical farms, and many others who were introducing small wonders everywhere they went.

"Are you thinking of Eldrian?" Levana asked, pulling Myropsis out her thoughts.

"Not just him, all the Chosen are amazing. I'm sure that soon this place will become a central location for our two kingdoms and the Chosen."

"Do you really think so?" Levana asked. Of course, she could see that happening in times of peace. But honestly, she doubted Taurus would survive for long. A year or two more at the most. After all, so far, only a fraction of the invasion had shown its fangs.

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