Book 7: Chapter 36


    I dont know what information that team from Socina City revealed to us. I dont know if the information is true or false. As a matter of fact, I dont even know what the mark means, but I feel that theres definitely meaning to us going there. Well get something out of it for sure, regardless of what happens. Were just searching randomly now anyway. Well have to search that location sooner orter, so it matters not if we go there now. We might even find the mine once and for all.


    Im not sure what the risk is, though. However, after this battle, Im full of confidence for my army. I trust that they can win against bandits and thugs. Even if we meet an elite, armed professional team, well be able to defeat them.


    I never thought Id find a clue so soon. This might reduce the amount of time I have to spend in the desert a fair bit. I need to make sure Luna can wake up normally every day, due to her bodys condition. I dont know how long the mana I supplied Luna with can be sustained for. I, therefore, decided to replenish her mana store every night.


    It feels as if Nier is with me Butpared to Nier, Luna is more skilled. We both know that we can only do this in the desert, so Luna tries to enjoy it as much as possible every time. Simrly, I threw myself at her, releasing any restraints on myself. Nothing that takes ce here in the desert will be recorded. We can only love each other here. Once we leave the desert and I get back, Ill be Nier and Lucias husband, and their childrens father whether or not we find what I want. Ill be the prince, and Lunas master.


    Only here can we witness our love. After we leave, we will return to our previous rtionship.


    The city ruins are still some distance away from us. We maintained a normal pace on the way there. I didnt want us to get caught in an ambush on the way. The journey there was peaceful, but we did run into two small-scale attacks. They were after our resources in our Earth Dragon carriages. Nobody can support themselves sufficiently to live in the desert. Our assants entered the desert before us. Theyd all be dead before attacking us if they didnt steal.


    However, we defeated them. They were determined to return with supplies, but they could only relieve themselves of their suffering when faced with true power.


    Your Majesty, we will arrive the day after around roughly noon. We will be entering the area where the oasis is tomorrow, and we may encounter locals there.


    I put my bag of water down then looked at Tarak with a frown. I asked, Didnt you say nobody resided there? What is this about locals?


    Tarak hesitated for a second, before smiling and replying, Strictly speaking, they cannot be considered locals but rather nomads. They have many ces of residence and the oasis is one of them. As there are fewkes in the desert, this is when the water level is best during the year. As such, they will definitely go there. Of course, I cannot say for certain if they did not go there in order to avoid danger, since there are so many people present in the desert at present.


    Whose side are they on?


    None. Tarak hesitated for a moment before exining, At least they do not belong to any side as far as I know. The nomads do not appreciate favours. Nara erm, Lord Nara wanted to offer them a permanent home in Karnashun, but they adamantly refused. They said something about insisting that they wanted to ensure they could pass down their traditions, and therefore, refused to be part of any city. Consequently, they go back and forth between all the oases, and sell us livestock. In reality, we do not need livestock, while the prices they offer are extremely unreasonable. Nara is the only one who epts their offers.


    I chuckled. I never imagined Nara would be a phnthropist, but Im not convinced that she doesnt get anything out of it. Nara isnt that nice. In fact, I wouldnt call her a kind person. Id consider her a realistic person. If she didnt stand to gain anything from them, she would never bother with them. I just dont know what purpose they serve.


    Thats Naras business. Im not a resident of the desert so I dont know the answer.


    So, they could be considered friendly then? They wont open fire after exchanging just a few words, right?


    I cannot say for sure. They are armed. I do not think they will be particrly happy to see us in their pastoral area. However, I do not think that they will open fire without a word. Your Majesty, if you want to guarantee our safety, please allow me to take the badge and heraldry to go ahead. They are somewhat thankful toward Nara. I think that they will not do anything to the people of Karnashun.


    I shook my head and replied Its not good to reveal our identity. While they may not open fire on you, if were noticed, the other people that are honest to themselves will swallow us whole. We must keep our identity well-hidden. I have my own ns for this journey and my ns must be kept secret. Since were here, well need to be more careful. Tarak, have you noticed that the closer we are getting to that location, the more scouts we see returning? There are no longer just one or two teams around us anymore.


    Tarak nodded and responded, In that case, if we see nomads, I shall head over first and talk to them. It would be for the best if we can avoid conflicts.


    Well do that then. I dont know why the number of teams around us is increasing, but I have a feeling that we will encounter them at our destination Of course, thats just my guess. It could also be that were getting deeper and deeper into enemy territory, which would exin why the number of people around us is increasing.


    Whatever the case, please be cautious, Your Majesty.


    Shouldnt you all? I smirked and then stood up. I picked my bag of water up and said, Im returning to my tent. Call me anytime if somethinges up.


    Understood.


    ===================


    Current time at the elven imperial capital


    Lucia!!


    Echte shouted loudly scaring Lucia. She fell onto her bottom on the ground. She quickly picked up her sword, while the soldier practicing with her stood in ce, trembling as he looked at Echte, who came over like a lion. Echte, however, didnt bother with him. He, instead, grabbed Lucias shoulder with one hand. He looked at her face covered in sweat and thundered, My goodness gracious, what are you doing?! Youre pregnant with His Highness child and yet you still dare to spar with a sword?! How are you going to exin yourself if something happens?! How are we going to exin ourselves to Her Highness?!


    Exin what to me?


    Echte quickly turned his head around, adjusted his expression and bowed. He respectfully greeted Vyvyan, Your Highness


    Lucia is still sparring with a sword. Shes very diligent. Despite no longer being the captain of the Shadow Squad, shes not beingx. Vyvyan walked up to Lucias side with a kind smile. She then looked at Echte with a smile and said, Echte, you dont need to be worried. Nothing can destroy the protective barrier I created for Lucias child. The only two people in this world who could cause her to have a miscarriage are myself and her.


    But Lucia doesnt have any self-awareness!


    Thats true. But this level of sparring wont harm her. Nevertheless, Lucia, do you have no other way of entertaining yourself other than sparring?


    Vyvyan stroked Lucias head and chuckled in a soft tone.


    Your Highness I I am sorry.


    Luciaapologetically lowered her head. Vyvyan pursed her lips into a smile and then said, Lets go Lucia its time for you to head up and have your medicine Mm, I know that its very bitter, but its very good for your child. You dont have to be so adverse to it. Havent I always drunk it with you? Lets go. Youre carrying my childs child, after all, arent you?