Land Ahoy (Part III)

"I'm not a suspicious character. I live here in this village, and the village chief, Merilyn, knows me well," I asserted, attempting to verify. However, I suspected the guard wouldn't allow me entry without confirmation from Merilyn.

"Roy!" Janis's voice called out, and to my relief, she appeared, confirming my identity as a friend of a respected villager. With Janis vouching for me, the guard relented and allowed me to enter.

"Has Merilyn said anything about the warship situation?" I inquired as we made our way into the village. I already had a hunch about Merilyn's stance, and the earlier encounter with the guard confirmed it. However, just to ensure it was correct, Janis was the best person to ask.

"Merilyn has called for the village guardians to protect the village. If the operator of the warship comes in, she will try her best to discuss and try to learn their goals."

"It's now night. I bet that group wouldn't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest." She had a point. There was still a chance this village could be attacked at night, though I don't say that out loud.

"You still remember that you will do whatever I want after we return, right?" Taking what I had said earlier, Janis triumphantly looked at me like it was her victory. I didn't think we were competing for anything, but my face couldn't help but twist in displeasure at knowing what was to come.

"Why don't we do it starting tomorrow? Last night, you kind of drained me, and now with the possible invasion, I think it would be better if we rested." I tried my best to wiggle around this, and once I tried, Janis got closer and smiled with her eyes closed, not listening to my plea.

Sadly, pleading with someone with immense lust only excited this monster even more. Taken against my will, this might be the last day I even opened my eyes.

~

"Tsk..." The sound of a woman's irritated tongue clicking resonated through the air.

As she trailed her two targets, the looming presence of the battleship captured her attention. Unlike her two targets, she was privy to the identities of these vessels.

"The Empire shouldn't have any affiliations with those two. What could the Empire's representatives possibly seek?" The researcher was keen on uncovering the intentions of the Spring Empire's envoys.

Her crimson iris shimmered as she nibbled on her thumbnail, recognizing the gravity of the situation. This matter held far greater significance than most would perceive. The researcher could have remained concealed until the Empire's representatives departed, but a nagging intuition warned her of impending catastrophe should she choose such passivity.

As a sworn adversary of the Empire, the Island of Peace was an unlikely destination for their incursion. It lacked resources of interest to the Empire, and diplomatic relations between the two factions were strained at best. Hence, the researcher sought refuge on a secluded island like this.

"Is that meddling seer attempting to rid me of the equation?" While numerous possibilities lay before her regarding the Empire's intentions, the researcher deemed this scenario the most plausible.

"Only time will reveal the Empire's true intentions." She refused to act impulsively until she could ascertain the Empire's objectives. Rather than allowing the Empire to dictate the course of events, she resolved to prepare herself for whatever lay ahead.

~

"Imperial Commander! We are set to land in three hours. Our mission entails advancing through the elven village. Commander, when do we initiate our march? If we wait until nightfall, locating the hero within the village will prove exceedingly challenging without conducting a thorough search. Moreover, our relations with the elves are already tenuous. Should we resort to such measures, a declaration of war is inevitable." The intelligence officer articulated the pressing concerns.

As the ultimate authority in this retrieval operation, the Imperial Commander held sway over the final decision. Regardless of the audacity of the proposal, her directives were absolute.

"We will set off early in the morning. Engaging in combat is unnecessary when the hero can be retrieved with minimal effort," declared the commander. Understanding that leadership extended beyond mere displays of strength, she prioritized efficiency and the preservation of manpower. Avoiding needless conflict was crucial.

"Under Her Highness's banner, we face combat without fear," she emphasized, instilling in her comrades the resolve to confront any challenges.

"The elves of the village ought to recognize the significance of a hero emerging from their midst. Should the village refuse to surrender the hero willingly, we will not hesitate to take drastic measures, even if it means razing their village," she asserted, illustrating the consequences of defiance.

Listening to the commander's orders, the assembled troops braced themselves for the impending challenges. They understood that this mission bore the weight of the Empress's decree, and failure was inconceivable.

Failing to complete such a task was like being labeled a sinner. The hero represented a formidable power crucial for the stability of cities and nations. Despite their inability to vanquish the demon lords, the hero's existence alone sustained hope for countless realms.

With time to spare before the ship's arrival, the commander instructed those with idle tasks to rest. Maintaining peak physical and mental condition was imperative should a conflict arise.

As the vessel drew closer to the island, anticipation gleamed in the commander's eyes. She was positioned at the pinnacle of authority and harbored a keen interest in the hero's retrieval. Having been acquainted with the previous hero, she was eager to compare their potential successor. This curiosity granted her deeper insights into the true essence of what a hero could do.

~

"The stage is set, Hero of the New Age. Despite your aspirations for peace, the reality unfolding before you offers little solace. This new journey may not align with your desires, yet it represents the optimal path forward. Embrace the opportunity to usher this stagnant world into a new era. For this will mark merely the beginning of your monumental task."