*AUTHOR NOTE: This is the reupload of the previous chapter. It won’t substitute as a new chapter, so don’t worry about that.

Also, if you feel like the writing and schedule has been lackluster or messed up as of lately, I apologize. A ceremony was held at my place for over a week so I’ve been extremely busy. In the next several days the chapters will be of much greater quality, and the publishing time will be fixed. Thanks for understanding!

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As they neared where Reana told them the city’s lrax was, the members of the group couldn’t help but notice the guard presence increase exponentially.

Unlike what Tyr imagined, the base of operations of the lrax wasn’t embedded deep in the center of the city, away from all danger.

They had to exit the spike walls toward the right side and were joined by a random guard all the way to the base which was over an hour away after already leaving the walls.

There was a dirt path or torches that led the way. It was a pure forest. Most would get utterly lost just by venturing a few feet in.

“I’ve heard of explorers getting lost for days and dying of dehydration or mental trauma while being minutes away from society. Jungles aren’t anything to underestimate.” Malon said, slightly freaked out by the idea.

“You’re right.” Reana replied, “Mycopolis isn’t so dense. The mushroom trees are also much bigger compared to these, so it’s easier to tell where you came from and where you go. But… that’s why a Zasean native had to join us.”

Tyr squinted his eyes, looking at the guard that was running in front of them.

Although Rudra wasn’t moving at full speed or anything, he still found it impressive that the guard could keep up with his pace.

‘They are smarter than they look.’ He thought to himself.

Finally, a few spikes in the distance revealed the fact that they had almost arrived at the base.

As they neared it, they noticed that the place was quite small. There were guards walking around, patrolling the premises.

As they made their way inside the spikes, Tyr questioned: “It’s funny how they let us in so easily, despite not knowing our intention.”

“No, that’s not it. This is a relief center as much as it is a base of operations. Although citizens aren’t allowed in any buildings, those who wish to come and ask questions are free to do so.”

Tyr was taken aback by this, “Ask questions? Freely? The lord of the city of all people? What a super weird system…”

“Its the only way to gain the trust of people slowly, while still continuing to work as hard as possible to stop this establishment.”

They were ordered to get off of their mounts and walk whilst inside. Led by Reana, Tyr and the others approached a small group of Zasean natives standing before a slightly elevated platform.

On the platform, behind a small podium, stood a tall Zasean native. He had a single feather poking out from his hair, his body bulging with muscles, and his stature no less than Tyr’s.

They joined the small group listening to him as he continued to seemingly pour his heart out.

“So hear me, my people! I will continue to stay here until my bones rot if that is what it takes, in order to help keep this city alive! I want this city to return to its roots! To its glory and strength!”

Tyr instantly understood the passion the man had for his city as he heard this. Of course, the others couldn’t understand a lick of what they were saying except for Reana who had studied the language before.

She was also less in touch compared to Tyr, however, who could fully hear the emotion behind the words.

“Lrax! Why have you not launched an infiltration mission in so long!?” A young Zasean native said, standing right next to Tyr.

He was a couple inches shorter, but looked healthy and optimistic.

“Well… that is…” The lrax paused, “I’ll tell you what I can! We are preparing,” The lrax smiled, “And when we hit, its going to work this time! This time for sure!”

Tyr’s eyes waved through the crowd as everyone cheered. There were only about 15 people there in total.

Something caught his attention. A single old woman who wasn’t cheering, or even appeared to be happy.

After the cheers died down, she was the one to speak: “Lrax! My three sons died during your last mission… and with that too, you promised victory! What do you have to say? Why do you insist on lying, and throwing lives into the gutter.” She suddenly screamed, breaking down into tears in the middle of her speech.

The crowds excitement was instantly sapped away from them, as dread once again filled their eyes–similar to the Zasean natives walking around in the city.

They all looked at her, whispering slightly with a somber tone. Tyr and his group also observed this situation, Tyr’s brows furrowed as he stared at what the lrax’ reply was going to be.

After a long pause, the old woman walked forward, reaching into her robe and pulling out something wrapped in cloth.

She placed it on the platform, next to the lrax’ feet, before opening it up to reveal a severed arm that was rotting.

Its putrid smell quickly blasted out and filled the air, its aroma making everyone cringe with disgust.

“That…” The old woman cried, “That was what you personally gave me after your last mission. The arm of my oldest son Hermiel.” She paused, crying uncontrollably.

“He was a good boy… my oldest, who listened to everything I said and never doubted the feeling of hope, and faith that he had in his heart. Not for God, not even in himself nor you, the lrax… but the hope that he had for a good future!”

As she paused, everyone gasped slightly, hit with the reality of the situation.

“Now, I will never see him again. I will never have a conversation, never cry or laugh with him… never get to embrace my baby again.”

The lrax picked the arm up with a sincere look on his face, as the crowd began to tear up slightly despite wanting to hold it in.

“I can only describe Hermial from what I know of him.” The lrax started off by saying this, making the old woman snarl with anger.

“He was an amazing soldier. Never did he turn his back… and never did he doubt that we would win. And maybe that was why he died.” He spoke in a very low tone, calm and almost silent.

The crowd was even more quiet, so much so that one could hear a pin drop from several meters away.

“But… what he did was not throw his life in vain. Far from it. What he did, and what the rest of the soldiers that died that day did for us, was not comparable to being in vain… no, what they did was show us that we still have something left to fight for.”

His tone increased slightly, his eyes widening.

“The deaths of those before us… show us who continues to fight what exactly we are fighting for. Their lives are not meaningless, because we the living will fight until whatever they fought for is achieved!” His tone became even louder as people began to get goosebumps on their skin.

“Each day we strive to fight, so that we may not forget what our previous soldiers did for us! We storm into the battlefield, maybe not even for our goal anymore… but because we refuse to forget them who died for us! Who… THE HELL ARE WE, TO DISHONOR THEM BY FORGETTING THEIR SACRIFICE!?” He suddenly roared with passion.

“We may die as well, entering that horrible battlefield… but those after us will not forget our sacrifice, and fight for us as well! We will not stop until we achieve victory!”

The lrax looked at the old woman, “Ma’am… place your hopes and wants in accordance with your son if you wish to find peace. Pray each day, not for your son to not die–that option is no longer available–but rather, that what he wanted is achieved. Only then may you find some semblance of hope.”

With that, the lrax turned and walked away from the podium.

“I guess he’s taking a break. Must be hard to do this each day…” Tyr said in a low tone as the small crowd around him dispersed.

The old lady grabbed her son’s arm, which the lrax left on the cloth that it was wrapped it, and walked away with tears still flowing from her eyes.

Only one person from the previous crowd still stood there. It was the young man beside Tyr.

Reana followed the lrax, “Break? If you think the lrax would take a break, you must still not have understood who he is.” She quipped as Tyr and the others followed her into a large marquee.

Inside, there were dozens of guards all standing around a single table.

Sitting down at the table was only one man, the lrax.

Tyr raised his chin, looking over the guards and noticing a large map stretched across the surface.

“Tomorrow, we attack. We may all die, but we will serve as a reason for the future to continue fighting. Is that understood!?”

“YES!” A resounding cry suddenly sounded at once without any delay.

“Lrax Helas!” Reana suddenly spoke up, capturing the attention of a few, “I would like to introduce you to some people I think may be of help…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep