The Milostiv, the soldiers, the residents, the crew, and the civilians had been unafraid of the journey. All because they somehow knew that at least someone cared for them. It might be his job or maybe he’s trying to look good in front of others.

But even false care was sweet no matter what. For many months in the raging seas filled with monsters. There was always a tireless doctor who did not stop caring for the passengers. He was a nosy yet strict doctor who did not rest for their sake.

If their hearts had walls then he broke it down little by little. They accepted him and let him do his job. His role that he had dedicated himself.

The soldiers of the crew knew that as long as the Doctor was behind them. They would be able to return back to the Grand Galleon as long as they were patched up.

But they always say that those who are good dies early. The news shook their hearts, and those soldiers who were willing to fight fought harder for the sake of revenge.

War could not be avoided. They were on their way and they had to force them into opening the mountain gates. It was not about ransacking this place and making it part of Aon. It was about saving the ‘world’ from space anomalies that they do this. War could not be justified and there will be losses.

The Reconnoiter Company was winning because of its superior armaments and brilliant minds. Veterans of war who outclassed the poorly-equipped fiefs and burgs of the Icean Spine.

The Reconnoiter Company is composed of many ships. There are thousands of soldiers who were specifically picked and groomed to join this journey.

Though the Soldiers of Milostiv held ‘vengeance’ on their hearts for what had happened to their good doctor. They remained professional, disciplined, and precise when acting on the field.

But what made the Reconnoiter Company successful was their ability to put the fear of God in the hearts of people. They didn’t lie about their intentions, they didn’t hide what they could do. To them the Elven-kin were part of the sacred races, the blessed ones. So if these foreigners are accompanied by them, then what did it mean for them? Are they the evil ones? No, how could they be evil they are just defending their home from them?

The morale of the families of the Icean Spine were on the bottom. Even in this far from the mainland they had heard of the Son of the Light that walked with those who are blessed. The prophecies that their ancestors had and talked about was happening.

And in those tales they were the ‘group’ who refused passage. Lord Seke, the first one to greet the Reconnoiter Company, had explained to his people and gathered a few of his allies to ‘support’ the Grand Fleet. If the Son of Light and the Elven-kin walked with the company, then wasn’t it natural to let them do so?

However, not everyone shares this train of thought and thus continue the war for the sake. The Milostiv Regiment had always followed in their promises, fighting fiercely, and vigorously.

But that vigor recently died because of a new that came from Robert, who had informed them that the Doctor of Milostiv was alive. It had been months since then, but the name of the Doctor had not been buried and forgotten yet.

So hearing that their good Doctor was alive. They could calm their hearts down and cheer for good times.

Back in the Grand Galleon the gloomy atmosphere had become solemn upon the first knock that had happened in the early morning. A woman who had been observed because of her health opened her door and saw a familiar face. She greeted the doctor with a smile that reached her ears, eyes tearing up, and joy clear in her voice.

The same thing happened to the patients. To the crew who were waiting for the Doctor and to those who enjoyed seeing that tireless man worked for their good health.

It was a please to see the Doctor do his round. He visited the patients, checked on the injured, and gave word to those who were going to war.

On the deck of the Galleon the soldiers of the regiment waited. When he came out of the deck they shouted at the doctor. Clearly startled, he scolded them, and they all gave a hearty laugh at the familiar scolding. Among the ones waiting for them was the Officer of the 1st Milostiv Regiment.

Claudel Serran stood with a grin. “Doctor, when all of us heard of your death we grieved for you. I mean who among us would forget how you would pull us out? Even the lads here had seen you dive towards war without a hesitation. I mean who would patch us up and offer us those liquor candies of yours eh?”

“That’s right.”

“Glad to see you back, Doc!”

“Hey Doc!” One of them shouted. “You going to make those things again?”

The Doctor crossed his arms. “I might. It seems that you bastards are doing fine. How many have we lost?”

“Five,” Claudel answered. “Most of the natives here are frightened by the walking island and the treant knights. The tree-armored Elven-folks would destroy them with cannons and spells that we barely could fire our new rifles these days.”

“I see. Listen here,” Doctor Gabrio trained his eyes on them. “Just because I’m back, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to risk your life. Do what needs to be done, be safe, and remember that as long as your heart’s beating then know that I’d do everything in my power to bring you back alive. Don’t do stupid things and just keep your limbs intact, understand?”

“Understand that, Doc,” Claudel said. “Nonetheless, we’re really happy that you’re back with us, Doctor. These lads were willing to raze the Icean Spine for you.”

“Then they are fools,” Doctor Gabrio said. “They shouldn’t let it go to their heads. I know that they are professionals who had seen war. I trust that they know enough.”

“They do,” Claudel said. “These are good people and it seems our Grand Galleon is filled with them.”

The soldiers returned to their chores and their businesses. Claudel and Doctor Gabrio stood next to the rails with their eyes pinned on the war camp and the smokes rising on the sky.

“It couldn’t be helped, huh.”

“Sadly, Doctor,” Claudel said. “We did try to talk it out, but opening that mountain gate will lead to the destruction of the irrigation and livelihood of the people living near the Thatkean Channel. The Great Brampi River, no, the ocean from the Great Seas will lead to certain and permanent damages. We are opening a dam that contained a sea worth of water. We would create a flood that would drained the dam, and let the whole fleet cross this continent.”

“And that’s not the bad part, isn’t it?”

“The Great Sea, they said it was also the shield of the Icean Spine from the monsters that lives beyond the Icean Spine. Most of these creatures are amphibian, they swim and they crawl the waters. Not only that we would be flooding the Thatkean Channel, we will let the creatures of the in-between to roam these lands. The amount of death we will cause is inexcusable and it makes you wonder if all of this will be worth it.”

“All for the sake of saving the world,” Doctor Gabrio said. “Such beautiful words isn’t it? To save the world by reaching the heart of the world. You could make that as an excuse for all the death and pain we’re going to cause.”

“But the lads don’t know that,” Claudel pointed out. “They all think that they are just tempted by the ‘evil’ that is controlling them. The same evil that threw you and the lady-elf from us.”

“Convenient, but it works wonders. They many reasons to prevent us from opening those damn gates. But if conversation doesn’t work then we can only fight.”

“Open the gates so that a great flood would destroy your homes and let loose monsters!” Claudel said tiredly. “It isn’t hard to understand why there are many of them are so eager to defend their homes from us. Hard to believe foreigners who comes armed to the teeth and accompanied by a powerful race. It’s like we’re pointing a gun on their foreheads while telling them that we’ve come here peacefully. It wouldn’t work at all.”

“Saving the world is important,” Doctor Gabrio said. “But to these people, why would that matter? Hell, do the natives even know why there is an army of foreigners invading their land? Back in the mainland we’ve become educated. We could read and write and information travels through the printing presses. We are aware of what is happening to the mainland. But in these undeveloped lands they do not know anything other than we are just another fleet of raiders who’ve become to ransack their lands. We are creating death, we are tormenting the lives of others to achieve our goals. But you can all just excuse it as a price to save the world from harm.”

“So much for saying that we are the good ones. Doctor, when you were lost alongside the lady-elf. What did you saw? Do you think that they hate us?”

“When I was in a village they welcomed us with wariness. We had to take one of their mounts to get back here. They were just simple people who have no developed. Like I said, they are still ignorant of the affairs of the land. That reminds me, what happened to the raiding bands of creatures on the west?”

“They are still fighting, but it seems that they have managed to push them back. Unlike them, they could not compete with the natives here and their ways. They are used to fighting them that it is not surprising that the forces there would win.”

“It had been really long,” Doctor Gabrio shook his head. “I’m clueless to what is happening, but I assume that the attack still continues?”

“The Island has started climbing the small mountains leading to this place called Gamerden. Most of the fight is going to happen in that place, and we have secured a supply line, outposts, and even forts.”

“We work fast. Just in a few months.”

“Guns and explosives makes our work faster. It also helps that we have the elven-kin doing the heavy work with their tree-armor and Treants carrying supplies and ammunition for us. If you’ve seen the four-legged ones then you’d be surprised, Doctor. Hell, it still makes me wonder how anyone could have won with their magic back then.”

“That reminds me, Claudel,” Doctor Gabrio said to him. “Whatever happened to Terin Gaspar and Caldor Ando’s crew?”

“The son of light?” Claudel frowned. “They have separated from the main group. It seems that Lady Rosalve needs something in the ruins of Treton.”

“They told everyone their location?”

“Captain Malfor informed the officers and heads of the Galleon. It’s confidential so it’s best that we keep the lads from knowing where they are.”

“Are their spies?”

“Who knows? But it’s best that we keep it safe. Lady Eletha of Roan told the Captain about it. Still, that group must be doing something that would decide our fate here.”

“How so?”

“I don’t know either,” Claudel said. “Sir Caldor and Lady Rosalve have always been secretive, even the people here have started disliking them especially to what happened here.”

“I’m alive.”

“We know, but it doesn’t excuse them from not trying to save people from our crew. Terin Gaspar plays a huge role in this voyage. We understand what it means to lose people and how important he is. But it just doesn’t feel right that they didn’t try hard enough. They’re losing the trust of our brothers and sisters here.”

“Don’t be harsh on them, I’m sure they have reasons.”

“I hope they do,” Claudel said. “We trust them, but it doesn’t mean that we have to like them.”

Doctor Gabrio stayed silent. Claudel was about to reached out for a roll of cigar when he saw the Doctor take a glance at him. “Fine, I’ll do it later when I’m out of your sight. It’s not like you don’t smoke.”

“Do it here and there.”

Claudel sighed, then he laughed. “It’s nice to have you back, Doc. Now Dom doesn’t have to mess around with me.”

Doctor Gabrio nodded. He looked at the coastline and said. “I hope we continue our journey soon.”

“I sure hope so Doc, I really do.”

Who knows what monsters are waiting for them? They couldn’t afford to sit here and wait for things to get worse. They were running out of time, and everyday the light of the sun dims.