Chapter 1397: Refugee Caravan ( 1397 )
Chapter 1397: Refugee Caravan ( 1397 )
"Yes, Father." Javier nodded. "Celine also expressed her urgency for the meeting, as the information she holds is time-sensitive and crucial for establishing communication and trust between our nations.
"Mmm..." Garius leaned back slightly. "You should inform her of the change in venue. Tell her we will meet in the meeting room. I will be there shortly, along with Alf, Hesbeirn, and the royal advisor. We will wait for her there."
"Yes, Father." Javier gave a slight bow. "I will take my leave now."
Just as Javier was about to turn and leave, Garius called him again.
"Javier?"
Javier turned, tilting his head. "Yes, Father?"
"Are you still monitoring the people leaving the Jambar and Lugrak regions in the Human Nation?"
"Yes, Father. My puppet knights are still deployed there, disguised as adventurers. They’ve been escorting refugee caravans through the forest paths, avoiding the main roads where the civil war is raging. The invisible battle drones are also patrolling the perimeter, diverting monster attacks and enemy patrols away from the escape routes. So far, no major incidents have been reported."
Meanwhile.
Human Nation.
Forest path after Jambar Region.
The carriage creaked softly as it rolled along the uneven forest path. Sophia sat with her three children huddled close, their small bodies pressed against her for warmth and comfort.
"Mommy?"
Sophia glanced down at her youngest daughter.
"Yes, sweetie?"
"When will we arrive at Papa’s cousin’s place?"
Sophia’s heart clenched, but she kept her voice soft and steady. "I don’t know for certain, sweetheart, but it won’t be too long now. Just a little more patience."
The little girl fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her brow furrowing. "But... if we’re late, will the party be over before we get there?"
Sophia’s chest tightened. She forced a gentle smile, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. "No, sweetheart. The feast hasn’t started yet. The host is waiting for us to arrive before they begin. That’s how these things work. The celebration starts when all the special guests are there."
The girl’s eyes brightened slightly, a hint of relief in her small voice. "Really?"
"Really," Sophia whispered, pulling her closer. "So don’t you worry. We’ll be there in time for all the food and fun."
The boy, sitting on the other side, looked up at his mother. "Are there’s really going to be enough food for everyone?"
Sophia nodded, her smile unwavering despite the ache in her heart. "Plenty. More than enough. So rest now, all of you. When you wake up, we’ll be closer to our destination."
"But Mommy... I’m hungry. You said we were going to stop at the market, and you promised to buy food for us."
Sophia forced her smile to remain, her voice light despite the knot in her stomach. "We haven’t passed any town or village yet, sweetheart. But I’m sure there will be something to eat before lunch. Don’t worry."
"But..." The youngest daughter’s lips pursed, her eyes glistening. "I can’t sleep if I’m this hungry."
Sophia’s husband, sitting across from her, forced himself to remain calm despite the worry etched into his features. He reached over and gently squeezed his daughter’s hand.
Just as Sophia was about to speak again, a full helm in silver armor riding alongside the carriage leaned down, handing over a bundle wrapped in cloth.
"Here. Eat, and then be silent. Don’t talk too much. We don’t want to attract unnecessary attention."
Sophia’s eyes widened as she took the bundle, her fingers trembling slightly as she unwrapped it. The warm, savory aroma of a huge slab of roasted meat filled the small carriage space. Her children’s eyes lit up.
The husband removed his hat, bowing his head toward the knight. "Thank you."
The silver-armored figure gave a silent nod before moving ahead, his armor blending into the shadows of the forest path.
The boy leaned, resting his chin on the carriage window sill, his eyes fixed on the silver-armored figure riding ahead.
The creature was unlike any horse he’d ever seen. It moved with a silent, fluid grace, its body sleek and gleaming with dark metal, striped with faint silver lines that caught the morning light. Its eyes glowed faintly in the dim forest light, casting an eerie but captivating gleam with curved fangs gleamed even when its mouth was closed.
"Mommy?"
Sophia, who was carefully tearing pieces of roasted meat for her youngest daughter, glanced up. "Hmm? Yes, sweetie?"
"The beast they’re riding... it’s different, Mommy."
Sophia smiled softly, glancing out the window at the creature. Before she could respond, her husband leaned forward, his voice calm and reassuring.
"They’re adventurers, son. Some high-ranking adventurers have their own unique mounts. I once saw a man riding a Bikar. A huge, scaled creature from the southern swamps through the market square. So it’s not unusual."
"But they look cool!" The boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement, his gaze locked onto the mechanical beast.
He kept his gaze fixed on the creature, his curiosity growing. "Mommy... do they eat humans?"
Sophia quickly hushed him, her voice gentle but firm. "No, sweetheart. A tame beast doesn’t hurt humans, especially one that belongs to an adventurer. They’re trained to protect, not to harm."
She tore off a piece of the warm meat and handed it to him. "Now, eat. You need your strength. After that, rest. We still have a long way to go."
The boy took the meat, his eyes still lingering on the mechanical beast for a moment longer before he nodded. "Okay, Mommy."
Meanwhile.
In the distance.
A squad of puppet knights stood in a loose formation. Several raised sleek, metallic mana rifles, their barrels glowing with a soft blue light before releasing silent, precise bursts of energy, dropping a massive, corrupted beast that had been blocking the forest passage. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing.
Two other knights moved forward, one pulling a small, flat device from its belt. It activated the device, and a shimmering portal-like field opened near the monster’s carcass. With practiced efficiency, they dragged the massive body into the dimensional storage box, where it vanished without a trace.
A soft, synthesized voice echoed through their internal communication link.
[ Enemy neutralized. Threat level: Minimal. Proceeding forward. Maintain formation. ]
High above, invisible battle drones hovered silently, their sensors sweeping the surrounding forest. They released a series of low-frequency soundwaves to deter low and mid-tier monsters from approaching the refugee route. The creatures lurking in the shadows paused, then turned and retreated deeper into the woods.
( End Of Chapter )