I cannot stop myself from letting out a sigh. That tengu bastard, he really did forget about what I had requested of him. Are things really going to be okay? Maybe I am just too serious? I can understand Aurelya's attitude since from the start she acted completely out of pure unbridled emotion, but that tengu seems to just go at his own pace for everything, as if he doesn't have a care in the world. When war breaks out can we really win? Oh, what am I saying? What other result would Aurelya allow? Who could stop her? I guess I remember feeling slightly like I do now in the war against Teldarion.

Back then it also felt like I was the only one taking the war seriously. The bickering between the other generals, looking more for glory and fame than to win the war was way worse than the present situation. I am sole commander of the army, that is the position that was given to me, because Aurelya trusts my ability. Having pledged my loyalty to her, it's not up to me to question her decisions. I guess the solution is that I am going to have to account for the possibility that the tengu won't complete a portal for me in time.

How would I go about things then? Invading Meridia from the north would make it that much harder to avoid the mustering royal army. The idea of the attack was to cut on their morale without the assistance of Aurelya, at the same time making it good motivation for the army of Greshe Khaaran. If we have a pitched battle against the royal army... It feels like both results would be bad. If we defeat the royal army, they will probably change their strategy completely, making a mess of my plans. If we are defeated, then it will likely crush the morale of the Khaaranian army, we would be completely dependent on both Aurelya and the tengu. Where then would be our promise to elevate Greshe Khaaran? That's a completely unacceptable result.

Should I completely call off the attack then? No, this carries its own host of negative consequences. Then, maybe, I should target Tharaz Eron then? They would likely avoid a decisive confrontation, which would allow me the small victories that I am going after. At the same time, in the opening movements of the war, it's unlikely that they would ask Meridia for assistance or that Meridia would give it to them. It's decided then, I will draw up plans for an attack on Tharaz Eron on foot, as well as a possible attack on Meridia, utilizing a portal that the tengu might or might not have ready in time. Good thing at least someone cares about fighting this war in the optimal way.

The days passed and unfortunately, as a result of no contact by that tengu, I had to train the troops accounting for both scenarios, which did decrease its effectiveness, but was something that I felt I had to do. I still favor an attack on Meridia. Unfortunately, even more days passed without me being informed that perhaps finally that tengu had come through, so I decided to completely drop the possibility of attacking Meridia and focused training completely on a regular raid of Tharaz Eron's more vulnerable region.

But of course, why wouldn't that stupid tengu screw things up for me at the last second?

“Ah, hey, hey! Bereul, my great friend! I have great new for you!” I want nothing more than to ignore him. Even though he is using a mask, I just know from his tone and mannerisms that he is just oh so happy and satisfied. “Are you ignoring me? Don't you want to hear the good news?”

This tone, this light tone irritates me so much. I don't know why Aurelya finds it so amusing. It's like he is making light of this whole thing. The whole world.

“Fine, tell me, what are these good news? Do you have a way for me to quickly transport an army into the southern part of Meridia? Since you said it was easy and uninteresting I thought you should have been able to do it by now, since today's the day I start the attack.”

He shook his head. What? He hasn't done it? How stupid. But of course, he is just being facetious, I think.

“By now? What are you talking about? I've finished it long ago, although I just recently made it completely safe...”

Long ago? Of course. It was stupid of me not to keep pestering him. Of course, if I don't ask him anything, why should he tell me? It's almost like he is deliberately trying to irritate me.

“So, you have completed my request for a while now and you haven't told me yet. Why?”

It is quite difficult to hide my hostility to him, but it seems like he just completely ignores it.

“Why you ask? No particular reason really. I just thought you would come ask me again if it was done, since when you reminded me of it, it seemed like it was quite important. Don't tell me you don't need it anymore! I was really looking forward to seeing the results actually. I didn't test it with so many people.”

I opened my mouth and closed it. It was hard to speak. What can I say? What should I say? Is he doing it on purpose? I'm not sure. But let's just calm down. I can do this. Breathe in, breathe out.

“Don't worry, your efforts will not go to waste. As prepared, I will go ahead with a strike on the south of Meridia, raiding cities before the royal army mustered in the north can react to it.”

Looks like I will just have to take out some of my anger on the Meridians.