Book 7: Chapter 44


    This charge felt too easy. Perhaps it was because we had defeated their main forces already. The remainder mustve been bandits of the desert and some slypany who were powerless before our attacking cavalry. There were some elites who held their weapons and tried to counterattack but they were all cut down by us.


    We swiftly crossed through the sea of fire and the sand swept up by a fierce gust of wind hit us. The fire was bending due to the strong wind. But at the same time, we didnt have to hold our breath thanks to the strong wind.


    We crossed through the fire and corpses simrly to phantoms and headed toward our final destination. We didnt face any strong resistance on the entire way. I was a little nervous to the point I had a sad and dreary feeling, but I now had an odd type of feeling. I lost as if I had juste to the desert. I never expected it to be so simple.


    <em>If I knew it was going to be this simple, what the heck was I fretting about earlier?</em>


    It was just that the fire on the ground and the ruins slowed our horses down. We had to take some detours while heading to the centre. Despite the road being long, the twists and turns couldnt put out the confidence andposure rising in my chest. I truly felt that my dream was going to be realised just like that.


    <em>But, is the wind thats blowing right now getting stronger and stronger or what?</em>


    Your Majesty, do you feel that this wind is a little too strong?


    Lorana, who was next to me, frowned. I felt the same way. I didnt think it was strong at first, but it had not gotten so strong that we couldnt open our eyes. I initially thought it was strong due to our speed, but it now felt rough even when we stood still.


    Lorana looked at me with a serious look as she covered her nose and mouth with her mask. She looked at me and in a tense tone said, I feel that its a little dangerous. Your Majesty, this might be a sandstorm. If its a sandstorm, well bepletely split up. We must find those people as soon as possible, and then swiftly return to our camp. Well be done for if we get caught in a sandstorm out here.


    Ah


    <em>Ive only seen sandstorms in the past, but the sandstorms in the city cantpare at all. After I grew up, forests were formed to guard against natural disasters and to protect the environment so I never saw sandstorms again. However, I often heard about how scary sandstorms in the desert were. Compared to bandits and jackals of the desert, the most frightening thing in the desert was sandstorms that could hit at any moment. They could suck up an entire teams things.</em>


    <em>I cant believe were faced with a sandstorm now. But that wasnt all. We still had groups of enemies ahead. Wed be considered lucky if we could stay on the ground when it starts blowing fiercely. We need to cut open a path. The scariest part was that we cant possibly see ourrades when the storm hits.</em>


    I had split the team into three teams! Under normal circumstances, we shouldve stopped at the centre and waited for all three teams to regroup, but we were out of time to wait for them. We could only pray that they had already arrived and were waiting for us. If were not together then the sandstorm willpletely separate us.


    We cant support each other if we get swallowed up by the sandstorm. Even those next to you will be blown away. When that happens, not only will our vision be impaired. but well also be right in among our enemies. We wont be able to tell if the team we suddenly run into is our team or not. By the time we can see, wed be only five or six steps away from each other. The enemies sword will already be poised and ready to strike me by then.


    <em>Sandstorms are extremely scary. Im not afraid of anything right now, but a sandstorm could truly blow away my dream right in front of me.</em>


    Everyone, take down the enemy and reach our destination as fast as possible! Once we get there, well grab the people and leave immediately. Dont wait any longer. If we wait and run into a sandstorm, well be in danger. Take the people straight back to our campsite! You,e here! Yes, you!


    I pulled a soldier over. I honestly didnt care who it was. He looked at me with a stunned look,pletely clueless as to what I wanted. I pulled down the reins on my horse. Lorana read my mind and suddenly passed Luna into his arms. Luna cried out. Before she realised it, I had firmly strapped her to the horse saddle.


    The buckle was originally intended to be used to hang swords or other weapons from, but Luna was now hanging from it. Luna couldnt resist against Loranas strength, while I didnt show any signs of rxing on my face.


    <em>If theres danger, I must send Luna out.</em>


    Take Luna back to our camp. Do note out until the sandstorm blows over. Its a blind spot over there, so I dont think anybody is likely toe over. You must keep Luna safe.


    I pat him on his shoulder and then stroked Lunas face. Luna yelled loudly and tightly grabbed onto my hand. I looked at her face and pulled her hand off. Separations during these moments should be tender and painfully decisive. Our tension had been reduced by a lot and I believed that we would win for sure when I brought Luna along, but this sandstorm that came out of nowhere has messed up all of my ns.


    <em>I cant put Luna in danger.</em>


    I dont have any time for lovey-dovey words nor is there time for us to show our affection for each other. I just want to get her out, right now. I want to get her to safety. All the affectionate stuff, love and whatever can wait until after she gets out alive. I can only stay by her side if she makes it out alive.


    Goodbye, Luna.


    I turned around. If I took another glimpse at her, I might feel a little sorrow. The strong wind continued to get stronger and stronger, to the point where I couldnt hear the sound of the horse behind me leaving. In fact, I could barely hear Loranas voice when she was right next to me. The strong winds got stronger and stronger simrly to a tsunami of sand. Even my elite battle steeds were neighing and trembling in the fierce wind.


    We felt we were a littlete. Despite having done our best to move forward, we were now at the border of the sandstorm.


    <em>I dont know what well be faced with next but I dont have any intention of retreating now. Ive already considered the question. Everybodys hope rests on my shoulders. Ivee here, so I wont retreat!</em>


    Tie everybody together with a rope. I might not have any means of contacting the others, but we cant let ourselves be separated. If were separated any more, well be done for. I can still remember the route. Can you see the me over there? The three clusters of fire is the signal we agreed on


    Honestly, I felt like the signal was just garbage now. I have no way of telling if its a cluster of fire inside of a huge fire, but that must be the real thing because I could vaguely see the tent nearby. If there arent any problems, we might be able to leave with everyone when the sandstorm covers the entire ce


    We tied ourselves together and galloped in that direction. This time, however, we were moving slower. Our horses were slowed by the fierce wind.


    Your Majesty, advancing with the wind blowing against us is going to be a little hard.


    Thats fine The wind will be behind us when we leave.


    I chuckled and then tightened up my hoodie before leading my men over.


    Uhm.


    I dont think Ill be able to leave before the sandstormes, as this tent was, indeed, what we were searching for. Those were, indeed, the people we needed to rescue.


    Outside right now, though, is arge group of people whoveid siege. If we dont kill them then we have no way of entering.


    Brothers. Lets try it out today. Wellunch a night raid using the Earth Dragon for the first time. Itll be our first assault after weve used up all of our bullets and ran out of provisions. Were going to start a ughter in the desert next! Everyone, our targets are everyone but those in the tent! y them all!! Charge!