Book 10: Chapter 30


    What are they doing?


    Digging a hole to bury our fallen soldiers, it seems.


    Marvel narrowed his eyes. The panther, who had no trouble in snow, watched the three vague silhouettes on the other side. In a bewildered tone, he said, I dont understand what humanity wants. Theyre burying our men? I thought I would see our fallen soldiers on their wooden fortress. We dont value burials, but it is humanitys respect for us. Soldiers, we must show the human soldiers respect, as well, if we clear the battlefield in the future.


    Do we still have a chance to?


    Marvel didnt answer the question, because he didnt know the answer; or rather, he knew the answer to the question, but didnt want to acknowledge it. Yesterdays attack was a sess. They didnt suffer too many casualties and managed to shock the enemy, but he could only seed that once. Further, the sess was pointless.


    The difference in numbers was too big. Despiteing here with the determination to face an inevitable death, he still left a team at his territory. He had a pregnant wife, so he had to protect his family. He could die for this continent, but he didnt wish for his family to die as a consequence of his decisions.


    Theres still a chance. Our victory this time will definitely be able to move everyone. Their confusion at present is surely because they dont know if we can defeat humanity, but Ive proved it. Humanity isnt invincible. We can defeat them so long as we unite.


    Despite not being convinced of his own words, Marvel still needed to say that to his men. He spoke with his usual determined and optimistic tone,bined with his gaze, which gave his soldier confidence and courage. His soldiers didntpletely believe him, but they had no right to be worried when they saw theirmander so confident. After all, theirmander was with them in sess and defeat.


    Marvel looked at his soldier. He knew that thisnd no longer had any opportunity and humanity was unlikely to give them another chance tounch an attack on them. shing with humanitys army head on with his own army was a death wish. Thus, his only option was to walk thest path, which was also hisst hope. And that was to defend the valley with his life.


    There was a defence structure in front of the area in between the valley. A city wall was built there with a small stronghold behind it. Humanity has cannons, but they could defend at the stronghold for a while. He knew that he, alone, couldnt defeat humanitys army. If the other tribes didnt send reinforcements, his only option would be to negotiate with humanity.


    If they lost the valley, it would be hard to defend the area to the rear. If it came to that, humanity would be a horse on a t stretch ofnd, and capturing the entire North would just be a matter of time. If he surrendered, then it would mean joining the strongest faction the same way he joined the alliance of the four tribes back then.


    There was no right or wrong. If the three tribes in the North still refuse toe after this, then the North will be doomed sooner orter under their rule. Marvel loved thisnd and his family here. However, he didnt love those three tribes. It was better to pass the leadership to someone smarter than protecting the three tribes.


    Furthermore, he had lost his love because of the three tribes.


    If it wasnt for them, his wife wouldnt be his current elven wife. He loved his current wife, but Marvel yearned for the fiery red girl most.


    =================


    I was once engaged


    Huh?


    I sat down to the side and panted. Ling Yue, who sat next to me, suddenly spoke. I wiped my sweat off my forehead and looked at her with puzzlement.


    I said that I was once engaged to the eldest son of the panther tribe, which should be the tribe leader andmander of the panthers ahead of us I really liked him. We never met until after I came of age. I was worried that we wouldnt love each other, but I was wrong. Marvel was different to the normal nobles. He was gentle, erudite, polite, and had a wide variety of hobbies. Not only was he good at martial arts, but also very good at poetry and music, as well. Moreover, he loved me, too. We soon fell in love. I was very happy at the time. I considered being able to marry the man I loved a gift from the heavens.


    Ling Yue looked at the hole we just filled in front of her. She wrapped her arms around her knees as an infant does, However, I didnt manage to see that daye. My tribe got exterminated. I escaped. I risked my life to go and see Marvel after I escaped, only to discover that he had gotten married, and his wife was pregnant. I found out that things had been discussed and determined a few months before the extermination of my tribe, and he didnt inform me, or protect my family. He even married somebody else without asking me If you ask me what the worst wound I received was, it would be when I looked at his hopeless eyes


    I didnt cut her off. I patiently listened until she finished, not because I was interested in her personal life, but mainly because I waszy to move. In addition, Ling Yues gaze and posture looked pitiful.


    She sniffled, and then went on again, I wanted to bury these people, because they granted me a period of time that was as beautiful as a dream. I wanted to forget that romance, but when I saw them, I couldnt help but recall my blissful and happy life with him. I couldnt steel my heart when I recalled it. I lied to you; I actually wanted to bury them for my selfish reasons


    I looked at her with a smile, Ah, its fine, Ive buried them already. You expect me to dig them back out? That said, dont let others know about this. I can understand, but others might not. Also, Im only helping you this once. There wont be a next time.


    Uhm I know. Thank you


    Ling Yue nodded nicely for the first time. She then looked at me, But Mm Although I got engaged he never touched my tail before


    Didnt we agree to not bring up the past again? I stood up and looked to the Noth, Im very interested in this Marvel you speak of after what you told me. I really want to see him, specifically, after I capture him as a prisoner. I really want to capture him with my own hands. I want to see how this liar and phnderer looks, and then Ill let you give him a few ps the same way you p me. If you cant find it in you to do it, Ill do it.


    Ling Yue giggled. She then lightly stood up, Youre one to talk about others being phnderers. Youre the biggest phnderer Ive ever met.