I look out the room's window. It is the day that we will march through the city's gates and hunt monsters, putting our very live on the line in a way that we haven't really done before. Although, I guess Kardenon and Alexius did it back in that pass. Melancholy and sorrow grips my heart. I just don't want him to die, is that so wrong? Is it wrong to be in pain and worry for him? I want to be by his side because if I am left behind I can only see tragedies in my mind.

Matching my state of mind, a miserable and constant drizzle keeps falling outside. Just enough to chill you, but not enough to compel you to take cover somewhere. Good thing that, mysteriously, what I feel is the heat of summer instead of the expected cold of the winter. I put on the same equipment that I did back in Probium, which somehow helps soothe me, as I can somewhat trick myself into feeling that it must be the same kind of situation. If things get too dangerous we can just run away, something that I know is a lie. Alexius is also using the same equipment as back then. All dents on the armor were repaired back in Toragan. Kardenon and Garesade are wearing simple padded armor. Garesade says he doesn't need to start a fight wearing it and if he needs any additional armor he can just take it out of his Treasury Ring.

“It seems that we are all ready. Then, let's go!”

After waiting a short while for Kardenon to form his armor around himself, we left for the city's gates. Many other groups of people similarly dressed and equipped could be seen converging to the same place. Auxiliary troop of mercenaries, huh. I should be feeling lowered, perhaps humiliated, at least irritated, but ever since we stepped into this land I realized something: We are far away from home and here our ranking in Meridia is worthless. It's time for us to prove that it's not just our birth that gives us the position of nobles. That goes for me, that goes for Alexius and it goes for Kardenon.

Once we arrived at the gates, I realized that the walls were filled with many more soldiers than before. In front of all the mercenaries, facing the gate, was a company of minotaurs wearing similar armor to each other, probably an elite force of this city's army. At the very front was a single minotaur with a different, much more impressive armor. It can't be, can it?

“Hear me, citizens of Tarkatore! This week, once again, I will lead the charge against our enemies once they have been weakened by my loyal mages' company! Following that, the courageous mercenary auxiliary force will hunt for the ent and drake leaders inside of the jungle. We will regain peace in our lands once again! Now, start it!”

The people watching as well as the soldiers roared in response to the minotaur.

“Long live king Tarkeran! Tarkeran! Tarkeran!”

So he puts himself in the front line. Even if that gives a morale boost, isn't it too risky? I've heard that in the past, some of Meridia's kings have led from the front, but most of those met an untimely end in the battlefield and ended up causing a disaster for the kingdom. It seems to me like quite an irresponsible action to take.

A chant could be heard all over the walls. Multiple mages were coordinating a single spell. It will probably be huge. But what are they going to do in this damned rain? Fire might not be all that effective in these conditions. As I wondered about that, I realized there was a strange cloud forming above the plains around the city. What exactly are they doing? Oh, I see. I should have worn something thicker...

An unnatural blizzard formed around the city, mercilessly pelting the besieging monsters with frost and cold, so much cold that even those inside the city started feeling a chill. The blizzard raged on for more than an hour, killing or coming close to killing most of the monsters. After it was finally done, the king raised his sword and gave the order.

“Open the gates!” Then, once the gates were completely open. “Charge!”

I had thought that most of the enemies must have been killed, but perhaps I might have underestimated their resilience. As the king charged outside the gates, I could clearly hear the sounds of battle, especially the crunching of cracking wood, that was probably produced by ents being attacked. As us mercenaries followed after the organized army, our charge, if it could be called that, was much more haphazard. Like us, most of the other mercenaries were organized in similarly, small sized groups, ranging from three to ten people.

“It seems the city's army is going to be dealing with the enemies around here, let's head to the jungle.”

And do what? Was what I'd like to ask, but the answer is obvious, Alexius probably wants to try and kill one of the leaders, not for the reward, but for the challenge I suppose. Unable to convince him not to needlessly put himself in danger, I guess the best that I can do is protect him the best that I can.