Days passed without incident within Ulrum. Close to a week it had been since the kingdom’s army had stopped their advance. From what the Lavan scouts had told Henry, ever since the army found out about Henry’s massacre of their complementary forces, the army had completely halted their movements, staying on the fringe of the woods just outside of Ulrum.

  The army was scared and unconfident about their victory should their masters choose to proceed with the assault. In terms of numbers and raw strength alone, they were enough to take on the Lavans. However, the terrains near the Lavans’ territory were treacherous, leaving the army at a huge disadvantage. They sent scouts ahead but they didn’t make it far before being shot down by the Lavans.

  The soldiers wanted to retreat. That much was evident even if Henry hadn’t seen their faces personally but it was the most logical conclusion. Sadly for the soldiers, they didn’t have the final say or even a say at all. Therefore, they could only make camps at their current position and await reinforcements from the capital.

  “They’re not giving up?” Henry muttered out loud as if reaffirming what he had just read on the report. He knew the letters of this world despite having not read a single word of this world since his reincarnation, he realised.

  Walking alongside Henry on the newly constructed battlement across the mountains were Mika and also Riva. The tter was someone he had been acquainted with in the great desert further west of Augru’s territory, the Scorching Sands. Though Riva looked like an Augru, she was a Lavan native. Her forefathers were from Augru. For unknown reasons, they settled down amongst the Lavans. Riva was there as an escort for the two, even though they didn’t need one.

  “Humans are a persistent bunch,” Mika nodded to Henry’s mutterings. “Though it remains unconfirmed, the scouts believe the reinforcements may be a whole new battalion of war machines, ones that are capable of crossing the difficult terrains.”

  “What about Syers?”

  “There’s no mention of Syers except the ones that are already there, protecting the high officers. However, there was a mention of Dregs.”

  “Dregs?”

  “Automated killing machines like the Syers but weaker. In return, they can be… constructed faster. Being no different than puppet golems, the Dregs can be a huge problem if their numbers are as high as the humans cimed. We must be the first to strike.”

  “That will mean leaving our field of advantage.”

  “Reinforcements from the Kivus and Augrus are here. The Augrus excelled in an even or open field. The Kivus are adept at striking from the shadows. We can attack them during the night with the Kivus in the lead. After they are alerted, the Lavans and Augrus will follow. Victory is likelier than not.”

  “What about casualties?”

  “Casualties are inevitable in war. We will likely be incurring more casualties if we wait for the enemy to attack after they have gathered their strength.”

  “I have a better idea. Allow me to go, alone.”

  Mika chuckled. “Lord Henry, we truly appreciate your help but we have our pride. We can’t rely on you for everything, Lord Henry. As much as I hate to say this, Leon is right. Ulrum must show its might every once in a while.”

  “I agree with Mika,” said Riva. “We are not your children, Lord Henry. We are your subjects.”

  Henry frowned. “I consider you all my neighbours.”

  “Treat us as you wish, Lord Henry, but you will always be our overlord and guardian, our god.”

  Henry grunted inwardly and said nothing. This wasn’t the first time he had dissuaded them and it certainly wouldn’t be the st.

  As they walked, Henry gazed at the fortress that was rapidly approaching completion from atop the battlements. Yu, with her shadows, had helped tremendously in the fortress construction. Heavy loads that would take hours to move around were done so in just minutes. As the Azure Serpent, Sarynn, was now an ally, the use of the waterways also made things easier for the Lavans in transporting the materials. Rayne and Ani also helped in the construction by doing simple chores.

  Still, it would be some time before the fortress could be completed. In the meantime, there was no telling when the humans would sortie.

  “We will strike in two days,” Mika said. “It has been decided by the Priestess under the advice of Leon.”

  Henry nodded without a word. Whatever he had in mind about the retaliation had already been said. He saw no use in continuing the argument.

  “As for the Magus you told us about, albeit betedly, we found no traces of her in Ulrum. Either she’s not in Ulrum or she’s good enough to hide from our best seekers. And as you have instructed, we have kept her existence known to a selected few for now. The Kivus and Augrus are still in the dark. However, I strongly suggest that we should reveal the Magus’ existence to everyone as soon as possible.”

  “Soon,” Henry answered dryly. He wasn’t suspicious of the other tribes’ greed. Or rather, he was afraid of the opposite. Sarynn, and also Iluna, had told him plenty about Ulrum’s history with Magi. He didn’t want to cause a panic.

  Henry arrived at the peak of the mountain range in the midst of his walk. Mika and Riva had left his side some time ago, returning to their duties. From this high up, Henry could see far into the distance, where the kingdom army id camp. He thought about taking the initiative to destroy the army but he held back his battle lust. The main reason was his respect towards the tribes’ resolve and the other reason was the unknown that now awaited him amidst the army.

  After knowing about the other forces' downfall, there was no way the army wouldn’t set up some additional defences around their camp. Henry doubted he could approach them without being discovered. If he wished to attack the camp, the best time would be alongside the Lavans and the other two tribes.

  As Henry began descending from the battlements, a Lavan soldier walked hastily up to him. He recognised the Lavan as Rex, one of Iluna’s guards. From what Henry remembered vaguely about Rex, the soldier seemed to be infatuated with Iora as the tter had snuck a few gnces at Iora whenever they stood side by side.

  “Lord Henry, Captain Iora has requested your presence at the barracks,” said Rex with a straight posture and an indifferent expression.

  “What’s the reason?”

  “She didn’t say, my lord. But she did say it was urgent and it has something to with your sudden request three days ago.”

  Henry widened his eyes. “Take me there,” he said promptly.

  With Rex leading the way, they made their way swiftly to the barracks, which was located in a cavern within the mountain. There, Iora stood outside a small hut that was quite distant from the other buildings in the vicinity.

  Once Henry had arrived, Iora stepped close to him.

  “A scout found her at the foot of the mountain. She came to us on her own. She had surrendered or so she cimed. She had no weapons on her only tools, which we have confiscated. She’s now in the hut. There are seals on it that prevent her from using any spells but I cannot guarantee how effective they are against her kind. Whatever business you have with her, I implore you to be quiet about it, at least until you are sure of her… allegiance.”

  “I understand. Thank you, Iora.”

  Iora nodded. “I would have loved to accompany you in the interrogation but my duty compels me to return. I’ll be taking my leave, Lord Henry,” she said and took her leave, bringing along the stupefied Rex with her.

  After watching the two disappear through the door they came through, Henry approached the hut. There was nobody else in the barracks as it was some time after midday. Everyone was working.

  “I know you’re out there. Just come in,” a voice came from within the hut.

  Scoffing, Henry entered the hut without much hesitation. The interior of the hut was a simple one. There was a cupboard, a table, and a few chairs. That was it. Henry questioned the point of this hut but he didn’t pursue it further.

  Kiera, the Magus, was sitting at the table facing the sole entrance of the hut, where Henry had just come in through. She was neither chained nor bound. She was just sitting there with a calm and composed expression as if she wasn’t afraid of anything. “So… you the lord of Ulrum?”

  Henry smiled wryly. “Somehow, it just came to that, though I’m only a lord in name. In truth, I am merely a… neighbour. Regardless, it’s good to see you again too.”

  “There’s no ‘too’. If the circumstances were avoidable, I wouldn't have come to you.”

  Henry raised an eyebrow. “How did you know I’m here?”

  “You are like the sun to all those who are sensitive to Murux.”

  “Is that so? Well, why are you here?”

  Kiera sighed. “Because after some contemption, I came to realise your offer may be my best course of action.”

  “May be?”

  Kiera clenched her fists, her knuckles crackling from the amount of strength she was using. “I returned to the institution. Unsurprisingly, I was immediately branded a deserter and a traitor.”

  “Truly unsurprising,” Henry said and took a seat in front of Kiera.

  “Are you aware of just how great of a damage you have dealt to the kingdom?”

  “Quite a great amount, I reckoned.”

  “Enough to make the other nations and factions to retract their support. The kingdom is in turmoil. What’s more, they intend to y all the bme on me.”

  “Why do you sound surprised?”

  There was an anguished look on Kiera’s face. “The ones that I called friends… they didn’t even try to defend me. They were quick to turn me over when the court came demanding my submission. So, I ran. I escaped the capital in haste. And now, I’m here. Right back where it all started.”

  “Are you bming me?”

  “You are the catalyst of my fall.”

  “A catalyst, not the cause. The kingdom would have destroyed itself even without my intervention.”

  “You are still responsible for the sad state that I’m in.”

  “Sad state?”

  “I am now a fugitive. I have no friends. I have no home. If this isn’t sad, then I do not know what is.”

  “I still don’t know why you came to me. Do you want a family? A friend? A home? What do you want?”

  “A home for a start. A pce where I would not be persecuted for what I truly am. A pce where I do not need to live in constant fear of my secrets being discovered. A pce where I can sleep easily without worrying so much about what tomorrow holds. Can you provide that for me?”

  “What can you give me in return?”

  “What you so desperately want from me. My body and my knowledge.”

  Henry sighed. “Don’t make it sound like I want your body more than your knowledge.”

  “Isn’t that the truth? Would you have spared me if I didn’t have such a desirable body?”

  “...I suppose so. I would still spare you but I wouldn’t have been so… lenient.”

  “There you have it. So, are we in an agreement?”

  Henry snickered. “No, not yet.”

  Kiera’s face turned gloom. “Not yet?”

  “As I said, I’m no lord of Ulrum. I don’t rule over the tribes here. Although the tribes may not argue with my decision, I don’t wish to make a decision on their behalf especially if it concerns the Magi who had a history with Ulrum. Are you aware of that?”

  “Of course, I am aware. But I have no part in it. Magi aren’t even reted to one another. Magi have no family.”

  “That’s not all, Kiera. You were a court mage of the Argon Kingdom. Many would believe you are here as a spy.”

  “What about you? Do you think I’m a spy?”

  Henry smiled. “Sweetheart, if I think you were a spy, you would be screaming at the top of your lungs and begging for mercy by now and not in a good way.”