Chapter 30.
"Right… here's the deal," Drufas said to his team, all wearing newly forged, uniformed armor deep within the forest. Each soldier's gear varied slightly in design, yet all bore the same blue and white colors that marked them as one except the Archers.
"This," he said, pointing at a map spread across the forest floor, "is where the first one thousand beasts will pass through. The village of Eldervale."
He rose, brushing off the dirt from his gloves. "We'll split into two groups: the evacuation team and the attack team."
"But what if they take a different route?" the archer asked, adjusting the strap of his quiver. His light forest-green armor and black cloak helped him blend easily with the woods.
"That's nothing to worry about for now," Drufas replied with a smirk. "Lily... You'll gather all the materials listed on this page before dawn."
He handed the blonde-haired healer a parchment. Her soft blue eyes scanned it briefly before she nodded.
"Sir Drufas," the executioner called, his voice deep and steady.
"What is it?"
"The rescue team… who'll lead it?"
"Oh, that's easy... Lily," Drufas said, looking her way.
Lily smiled faintly as she turned to leave.
"I'll join her," said a female knight, her short crimson hair barely covering a thin scar across her left eye. Her green eyes burned with quiet determination.
"I guess that means I'm in too," the archer added, rising to follow.
Soon, the shield-bearer, dark mage, newly recruited thief, and a spear user joined them.
"I suppose those are all willing to follow the rescue team for now, right?" Drufas asked.
The rest nodded.
"Good. While they gather what I asked for, the rest of you will rest and prepare for tomorrow. We take out the first threat here." His lips curved into a grin as he disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
In the Kingdom of Slums
"Our first monsters and controllers will reach the village of Eldervale by dawn." said the messenger, bowing before the king who sat upon a cracked stone throne.
"Eldervale…" the king repeated, rising slowly. "That village lies near the border of Soulburn, doesn't it?"
"Yes, my lord."
"You may rise, brother," the king said softly. "We're in this together, after all."
He turned to the tall, arched window beside the throne. Outside, the lands stretched barren and lifeless cracked soil, broken markets, and silent homes. The air hung heavy with dust, and the laughter of children was long forgotten.
"When that village falls, we'll be one step closer to victory," the king muttered. "Tell me, have you sent the other thousands to the regions I ordered?"
"Yes, my lord. They're en route, though it will take time for them to reach their targets."
"And the mage?"
The messenger hesitated, lowering his gaze. "The mage, my lord… he still hasn't been found. It's been ten years since his disappearance. No word has surfaced since."
The king's eyes narrowed. "Then stop searching. He's not part of this world anymore."
The man bowed deeply. "As you command."
"You are dismissed."
That Evening — Eldervale Village
By nightfall, the villagers had been safely evacuated. Drufas's teams set up camp near the village square, their tents surrounding a blazing fire.
"So… this is it, huh?" the archer said, running a cloth across his bowstring.
"I'm afraid so," Lily replied, turning a roasting fish over the fire. The flames danced in her eyes. "It's scary, isn't it? C-ranked adventurers fighting in capital-scale battles…"
"I know, right," the executioner added, sharpening his axe against a stone.
"But we have to," Drufas said, emerging from the shadows. He crouched near the fire, his eyes glinting beneath his hood. "I've studied the entire layout of Eldervale. Here's how it'll go."
The others leaned closer as he spoke.
"For this mission, we'll split into teams of four again. Team One. You're the frontline. Strike as soon as the beast's hit the first trap."
The first team nodded firmly.
"The only change is... Lily, you'll switch places with Team Four's strategist," Drufas added.
Lily and the dark mage exchanged glances, then nodded.
"Team Two and Three. Your job is to stop any beasts from escaping through the sidelines. Team Four... you'll handle everything else. Combat, healing, support. Where we stand now is where we finish them all."
The air turned still. Everyone met each other's eyes, resolve flashing in the firelight. Then, together, they nodded.
"Good," Drufas said, raising his hand. One by one, the others placed theirs on top of his.
"All for Soulburn," he said.
And together they echoed, voices strong and clear:
"Its flames shall bring warmth to the good and burn the evil.
Its light shall bring joy to the innocent and banish the darkness.
Soulburn!"
Their voices rose into the cold night, sparks of fire flickering upward the first embers of a new war.
To be continued...