Now that I think about it, we have yet to even approach the city's walls. I wonder how it looks like under siege by monsters? The city didn't seem that tense so perhaps the word siege is an exaggeration? The alternative is that people put a lot of trust in the army and King Tarkeran. Fortunately, the paperwork we needed to fill to be accepted as mercenaries was nothing compared to the hell we went through to enter the city, so we soon had an opportunity to find out what the siege looks like right now.

“Is this siege really so bad? Everyone is so matter of fact about it, like nothing special is actually going on. If we hadn't been told of it I would never have realized something so grave is going on.”

Kardenon said that as we turned away from the recruitment officer. A soldier close by chuckled.

“I can see from that comment that you're not all that familiar with this city. Of course you're not going to see people panicking. Things are bad, but the king has everything firmly under control. The only ones that benefit from a breakdown in order are the monsters outside. But if you think the siege isn't so bad... Go take a look beyond the wall, since you enlisted as a mercenary you should be allowed up the wall.”

Kardenon nodded.

“Fair enough, we will do that then.”

After asking for directions from that same soldier, we headed to one of the watchtowers, from which we would be able to look at a good part of the plains that surrounded the city. It took us longer than expected. Tarkeran is actually quite a big city. Perhaps it rivals the royal capital? Finally arriving there, we needed only to show them our tags as mercenaries in order to be guided up the tower. I felt some excitement as I walked up those steps, what kind of view would we get? As we walked up, I started to hear the distinctive sounds of someone barking orders and people following them.

“Just don't disrupt the archers' and mages' work please.”

So said the officer who was guiding us the moment we arrived at the top. The moment we opened the door we would be able to see it. As he opened the door and I stepped outside, I couldn't help losing my breath for a moment.

“Well, this looks... bad.”

The first thing I see is a group of drakes being shot down by a group of soldiers. Arrows and spells were both being used with discipline and precision. I wordlessly walk towards the parapet to look at how do things look like like outside the city. It does not look much better. While not exactly swarming, huge amounts of some kind of plant-like monster roamed outside the walls. Sometimes, they tried to climb it, but were always stopped by one of the many groups of soldiers constantly patrolling the wall. Sometimes, they also sometimes brought rocks from beyond the jungle that surrounds the plains around the city and hurled them at the patrolling soldiers. How is it possible for that amount of enemies to be pushed back?

“I really was way off the mark, wasn't I? How the hell is this going to be pushed back?”

The officer next to us let out an audible sigh.

“Why is it that visitors never seem to understand that things are completely under control? Don't worry, we have very skilled mages capable of casting area spells strong enough to take out most of these. You will have your chance at hunting for the leaders in the jungle. Right now, there is only the drake and ent leaders left.”

Massen was pensively stroking his beard looking at the scene before us.

“Hmm, that seems like an interesting challenge, what would be the most efficient way to get rid of all of these pests? Probably a fire based spell would be the most logical choice to start? How do they usually do it?”

His eyes now full of curiosity, he started asking the officer questions. I turned to Helena, who now looked quite timid.

“So... That's it. I can't really deny it anymore after seeing this. We really are seriously risking our lives in this way just to travel the world.”

I looked at her. Looking at her worried eyes, I know what she wants, what she means, but I can't give her that answer.

“Yes, that's why it's worth it.”

It's my sincere feelings about this. We spent quite a while in silence just taking in the busy scenery. Tomorrow we would be outside these walls, fighting against monsters much like these. Suddenly a thought struck me that I didn't bother to ask the recruitment officer about, so I went to speak with the officer on the wall who was finally done with Garesade's many questions.

“What if we get out of the walls and just decide to go on with our journey and just don't come back? Even if we are mercenaries, that's desertion right?”

The officer just shrugged.

“If you can survive out there before the leaders are killed, suit yourself. Personally I think its too dangerous and it's not like you get paid beforehand, besides, the king can hardly afford to send soldiers into the jungle after mercenaries.”

I guess that makes sense. After that we left the tower and went back to the inn where we had stayed the first night. We will have to prepare thoroughly for tomorrow. Kardenon will be our vanguard, while I will either protect his flanks or attack enemies distracted by him. Helena will protect the both of us from ranged attacks, wihile Massen will be responsible for the bulk of our own ranged attacks. Let the monsters come! We will be more than ready.