Chapter 220

The energetic, upbeat drumming grows louder and after a couple of minutes, I really feel the beginnings of a throbbing headache. Sighing, I ask out loud, Whats taking so lengthy? Theyre already late to the defence of their very own metropolis and nonetheless dragging their toes. Why all of the grand spectacle? Im grateful for the reinforcements, however our folks want relaxation.

To my left, XinYue shrugs in apology however doesnt communicate, his expression one in all resigned sympathy. A rotund, armoured man standing to XinYues left snorts loudly, not bothering to even have a look at me whereas retorting, The Golden Highlands Coalition will arrive exactly after they intend to and never a minute earlier. When you lack the endurance and manners to attend gracefully, then begone. Your presence is neither required nor requested.Up to date from novelbIn.(c)om

Huh. Theres gratitude for you. In a uncommon second of forethought, I examine the speaker earlier than answering. His fancy armour and flapping cloak mark him as a person of wealth or rank, most likely each, whereas his angle screams haughty conceit. Together with his palms behind his again, chest puffed out, and nostril pointed comically excessive, hes nearly a caricature of an boastful noble. I would as properly be well mannered although, courtesy prices nothing, proper? With a navy salute, I greet the fatty with my most successful smile. Im sorry, we have but to be launched. I’m Warrant Officer Falling Rain of the Bekhai, and you’re?

I mustn’t have achieved that. My well mannered question earns me a venomous glare, not helped by the snickers from Argat and Jochi standing behind me. With eyes large and moustache a quiver, the fatty inhales slowly, and exhales noisily, his face turning a number of totally different shades of crimson. Awkwardly frozen in place, I ponder over precisely what social blunder I dedicated whereas attempting to silently will the 2 idiots into silence.

Coming to my rescue, XinYue steps ahead, not fairly standing between me and fatty however close to sufficient. Ah, my most humble apologies for the delayed introductions. Warrant Officer Falling Rain, would possibly I’ve the pleasure of introducing Main Chun Yimu, the commanding officer. A follow-up arrives through silent Sending. Please don’t antagonize him any additional.

It takes a second for me to know why fatty is so upset. I suppose my query should appear mocking, what with having saved the day and all. I most likely ought to have guessed he was in cost, however in my defence, I left all of the communications to Tenjin and XinYue and I did not see him on the market preventing. Attempting to not die of disgrace, I squeak out, Pleasure to lastly meet you.

Once more, apparently the mistaken factor to say. I ought to by no means open my mouth. Chun Yimus crimson face darkens to purple, his eyes straining of their sockets whereas XinYue nearly bodily face-palms and Sends, What acquire might there probably be in criticizing his absence throughout the battle?

Why does everybody at all times assume Im being sarcastic? Is it my tone or my expression? Possibly my smile isnt as successful as I used to be led to consider. The blood drains from my face whereas Argat and Jochi choke on their laughter. I ought to have left them within the barracks and are available alone, their tittering is gonna get me crushed or worse. I needed an honour guard with me to greet the reinforcements, and whereas theyre nowhere near Tenjin and Tursinai ranges of superior, I used to be suitably impressed with their expertise, figuring theyd be higher than nothing.

Unsuitable once more.

Timidly retreating from the awkward standoff, I return to ready for the reinforcements in silence, hoping my actions arent taken as one other insult. Id apologize, however I dont wanna give him a present, the following fancy watch I steal is mine. Tense seconds tick by as I stare out the plaza gate, wholly conscious of Chun Yimus heated glower targeted upon me. Fortunately, nothing comes of it and the Main growls beneath his breath earlier than turning away, resuming his heroic bearing. XinYue Sends, Thank the Mom he has extra urgent issues to take care of. Whereas I applaud your braveness, I’d warning you to choose your battles properly. We nonetheless have want of the Main, if solely as a buffer between us and the Coalition. Studying my confusion, XinYue patiently explains the scenario by way of Sendings.

Ugh. Politics. As a sitting member of the Union and free relation to their Chief Councilman, Main Yimu is true to be apprehensive about his destiny, particularly contemplating the overall propensity for plucking issues out by the foundation. Finest case state of affairs, Yimu convinces the newly empowered Coalition he has completely no need for revenge and will get to reside his life out in another metropolis, removed from right here. Worst case, he winds up buried beneath the pile of corpses stacked up simply out of sight.

Seems, Tongzu has much less energy in Sanshu than I anticipated. 15,000 mercenaries from the Coalition alone, and assuming the Union and Alliance might name upon roughly the identical quantity, this implies there have been near 45,000 warriors sitting on their asses for the previous few days whereas Sanshu teetered getting ready to destruction. The one motive the Coalition is popping out to assist is as a result of with their enemies lifeless or gone, they now have extra to realize by staying in Sanshu. Its asinine, particularly contemplating all of the lifeless we left in our wake whereas driving to Sanshus support. As a substitute of working collectively from the onset to defend their metropolis and fellow residents, all three faction had been prepared to chop their losses and run, waging battle amongst themselves whereas Defiled ran rampant by way of their metropolis.

These are the folks my Sentinels died to save lots of.

Struggling to regulate my anger, I shut my eyes and clench my fists. I cant give it some thought like that. The Council is in energy right here, however I got here to assist those that can’t defend themselves. Ive achieved my half although, so its the Coalitions flip to bleed for Sanshu. Its an attractive metropolis, however rotten to the core, and Unwell not threat anymore of my folks to assist pad the Coalitions backside line. My resolution made, I open my eyes and wait, counting the seconds earlier than I can go away.

The reinforcements take their candy time arriving, lastly shifting by way of the plaza gates after half an hour of parading. Trying resplendent of their gold and inexperienced armour and sporting quite a few Religious Weapons, these mercenaries look nothing just like the rag-tag group of misfits I used to be anticipating. Private safety is what XinYue referred to as them, supposedly caravan and manor guards, however these warriors conduct themselves like skilled troopers. With out audible orders, the mercenaries file into the plaza and unfold out in formation, two, neat, orderly squares on both facet of the highway, their actions practised to perfection. No whispering or gawking, every mercenary stares straight forward whereas standing at full consideration, weapons on the prepared. Their self-discipline is spectacular, if not overkill for what are primarily glorified bodyguards, but when they will combat half in addition to they parade, then Sanshus victory is a achieved deal.

A dozen males carrying a large palanquin makes its approach the entrance, the poor souls sweating with the hassle of preserving the car stage. Slaves most likely, and my jaw tightens on the thought, hand itching to attract Peace and act. Dont be silly, Rain. You cant save them. Even should you did, theyd get replaced in a matter of minutes. That is the world you reside in. Settle for it. Give attention to one thing else, just like the lined wagons coming in behind all these mercenaries. Please let there be meals and medical provides, weve been consuming dried jerky and off bread for days now, other than the odd, guilt-inducing meal of slaughtered horse.

Whereas Mister Rustrams report was criminally in need of particulars, Yo Lings actions made little sense to her or Jukai, neither of them capable of motive out his objectives. Fear gnawing at her stomach your entire experience, Yuzhen barely stored her nerves about her, the gravity of the scenario lastly dawning on her. The Spectre Yo Ling, legendary bandit chief turned Defiled warlord, was rampaging inside Sanshu and it was her job to cease him. Succeed, and her bid for Marshal was all however unassailable, the heroic Main who defeated Yo Ling. Fail… properly, higher to focus on not failing. Higher to die in Sanshus defence than to outlive and turn into the scapegoat for its fall.

Earlier than exiting the woods, she got here throughout the remnants of Falling Rains retinue and two of Chu XinYues officers, and their report left her shaking with fright. Keep exterior and guard the South-West gate? This was insanity. Whats extra, the attainable betrayal of a Employees Sergeant was disturbing sufficient, however for a bleeding Guard Captain turned Defiled… This was a place that required verification of Purity as soon as each decade. All of a sudden, the Shrikes insistence that Purity was not proof appeared much less loopy than earlier than. Did Mao Jianghong flip Defiled after taking his final check or did he flip earlier than? If the Shrike was to be believed, then nobody might be trusted. What if Falling Rain was Defiled and mendacity about Mao Jianghong? What if he was feeding her the reality, however luring her right into a entice by instructing her to stay right here? What if he was tricked by the guards on the East gate and slaughtered upon entry? Who might she belief to confirm these orders? If Falling Rain was Defiled, its attainable Gerel can also be Defiled…

No. Cease playing around lady. Work with what to be true, not what is likely to be.

Setting her troopers to dig in and scout the realm, she despatched a number of consultants out to contact Sanshu in each instructions, able to act accordingly to any new info because it arrived. On Jukais recommendation, she made a circuit across the camp, stopping to talk with the troopers and examine for flaws of their defences. Weary and worn, her troopers required extra supervision than anticipated, this military of elites used to having menial chores achieved for them. What she wouldnt give to have the five-thousand troopers shed introduced from the Bridge, a well-disciplined military of strong infantry. Sadly, shed been pressured to depart most of them behind, her infantry unable to maintain up. Itd nonetheless be a handful of days earlier than they arrived and till then, she was caught with these pampered elites who couldnt be bothered to arrange a line of stakes.

Not all had been pampered elites, some had been actually youngsters. Stationed with younger Justice of the Peace Fung on the fringe of the southern flank, the Bekhai rested their weary mounts whereas Rains rabbit-eared betrothed performed. Dragging a string with a rock and three feathers tied to it, Mei Lin skipped and laughed round in circles. A wildcat adopted carefully behind, batting on the string like a standard kitten. What was Rain even considering, bringing an untrained civilian and his pets with him on this operation? The Bekhai had been a tenacious folks; Yuzhen anticipated the poor woman to be terrified, however Mei Lin appeared energetic and carefree regardless of their perilous circumstances.

Inwardly sighing, she idly questioned if Gerel anticipated to take a number of wives. Almost certainly, a proficient, good-looking man like him would have girls throwing themselves at him, wide-eyed ladies like little Lin. So lovable, along with her charming spherical cheeks and smooth, brown pores and skin, although she was betrothed to Rain, how was Yuzhen to compete with a whole lot identical to her, all vying to win Demon Reaper Gerels affection? Not solely did Yuzhen lack their youthful vigour, as a half-beast, she was cursed by the Mom and unable to bear youngsters.

All nice males wished to see their descendants prosper, it was solely primary intuition. How lengthy earlier than Gerel succumbed to his?

Hello Yu-, ah, sorry. Main Yuzhen. Beaming cutely, Mei Lin left out to Yuzhen, whereas the cats physique language went from playful to guarded within the blink of a watch, tooth bared and again arched. Gently stroking the cats nostril, Mei Lin mentioned, No teefies Jimjam. Be good, ya?

Jimjams transformation was instantaneous, the ferocious wildcat nearly showing remorseful because it sat down and rubbed towards Mei Lins palm. Blinking in shock, Yuzhen smiled on the candy sight, although nonetheless cautious of the ferocious predator. You and Rain are properly fitted to each other. The praise made Mei Lin smile so laborious her eyes nearly disappeared, the candy woman standing taller on the reward. I used to be considering, maybe youd be extra snug within the centre of camp? You may set your tent up subsequent to mine, as an alternative of out right here with all these troopers.

Tent? For the primary time, Mei Lin confirmed concern. Weren’t going into the town?

Not right now. Except one thing modifications. Come, youll be safer with me, go away the soldiering to the soldiers like Mister Rustram and younger Justice of the Peace Fung.

Vehemently shaking her head, Mei Lin answered, No thanks. Turning to the facet, the lovable woman spoke to empty air. Are you able to deliver me inside? And the pets too, I wanna go stick with Wet. So courageous, marching into hazard for love. No reply got here, however Mei Lin scrunched her nostril, pouted, and stamped her foot. Why not? Once more, no reply, however Mei Lin responded to her unseen companion, pleading to enter the town.

Straining her eyes and ears, Yuzhen nonetheless couldnt spot Mei Lins companion. What number of consultants did the Bekhai have? Shaking her head, she left with out one other phrase, leaving Mei Lin nonetheless attempting to persuade the shadows. Wandering into Dastans camp, she was delighted to see a unit of elites who carried out their duties with out nagging, a trench dug out and stakes set, able to defend towards any garo raids. Officer Zhandos dug alongside his males, a warrior with an impressive work ethic. seed, he confirmed promising management qualities. The military wanted males like him, an empathetic younger hero of widespread origin, although sadly he was locked in service to the Golden Highland Coalition.

Leaving him be to work, she continued her circuit across the camp, ready for information from inside Sanshu. Hours later, her scouts returned with a scroll sealed by the Justice of the Peace himself, reaffirming Rains directions to dig in and reduce off the Defiled retreat, and an accounting of every part that transpired inside Sanshu, simply in case the town ought to fall. A second letter got here shortly after, a succinct message from Gerel that learn, Engaged on my promise. Wait a number of days extra.

Clutching the letter to her chest, Yuzhen stared out at Sanshu, attempting to will her eyes to see previous its partitions. Silly man, what did she care of fame or glory? He was an fool to try to assassinate Yo Ling by himself, how was she to marry a corpse? Identical to that, her resolution was made. As long as Gerel would have her, then Yuzhen can be his bride.

All he wanted to do was survive.

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