Everyone's Choice

"Lord Stromm..." Jay was about to ask Stromm something because the blue dragon they were riding on were heading away from the Sacred Song Isles.

"We're going to Darkhaven. If I am going to train you, I might as well let you clean up some of the mess back there." Stromm said as he patted the back of his blue dragon, to signal it to move faster.

...

--- Izumi's Garden

"Roxanne, are you really sticking around with these people?"

"Who knows. What about you though? Still having thoughts about that red-haired girl?"

Aaron, the guild master of the Flaming Spears, and Roxanne, the guild master of the Crimson Valkyrie were currently wandering around the garden.

The both of them were having second thoughts about joining Jay ever since they learned about the enemies they will face if they continue to stick around.

"Well, the benefits of joining this so called kingdom of theirs is actually really good. Just look at this equipment. I still haven't done anything for them but they just handed it over." Roxanne said while she unsheathed a silver sword hanging on her belt. She even moved around to show how nice it was wearing the lightweight armor she had on.

"Don't forget the free breakfast, lunch, and dinner." Aaron said as he chuckled.

"About leaving this guild... I mean kingdom... I'm not really sure about it though. Everyone in the Crimson Valkyrie are enjoying the place and some even handed over their guild emblems to me already. I suppose it is the same for you guys though." Roxanne said and sheathed her silver sword after playing with it for a while.

"My guild members are a bit conflicted. Just like what you said, the benefits are great, but the risk of fighting those demons or planar invaders... I don't know what to make of it. The only ones I see who are really serious about this planar thingy Jay and that Fatelord was talking about are the so called core members, that old man Horace, the weird guy in full plate armor, and the old man taking care of a talking tree." Aaron said as he pointed at the people he talked about who were busy doing something else at the garden.

...

Golden Phoenix Guild Hall's Courtyard...

"Hey old man! Are you really joining these crazy people deal with those things?!" A blond haired guy who was in his forties said loudly as he approached Horace. Together with him was a few other men and two women.

"Who knows... it's been a while since I've been to the outside world. Besides, if Fatelords are involved in this matter, I might meet my benefactor again, the Fatelord of Courage." Horace said with his eyes closed since he was in a meditative stance.

"Old man, we are plotting to..." The blond haired guy said but Horace continued what he was suppsoed to say.

"Take over this guild, or kingdom. Don't be that foolish Beckman. You may be the strongest one of us inside the Ironblood Prison, but that power of yours is useless against these people!" Horace said as he opened his eyes, showing killing intent towards the blond haired guy and his companions.

"Come on! There are around 800 of us that enjoyed our escape from those dwarves!"

"Those people from Flaming Spears and Crimson Valkyrie are cowards!"

The blond haired guy's companions said and tried to persuade Horace to join them.

"Then go die by yourselves. Starting from this day on, you can forget about me being part of your lovely family." Horace said as he stood up and walked away.

...

Somewhere else in Izumi's Garden...

"Old Bear, please talk to our lord. We are just simple farmers and fishermen. Why do we have to fight those monsters?" A farmer pleaded to the one they called as Grandpa Bear. For some reason, Grandpa Bear was some kind of leading figure among the farmers and fishermen working for the Golden Phoenix.

"But didn't our lord say that we are going to be trained by that chicken guy? Just imagine it if we simple fellows suddenly became strong and capable warriors!" A muscular guy who looked like a fisherman said happily.

"I know everyone has their own opinion about it, but our lord already gave his order. I only hope Mister Boar or Miss Heda changes our lord's mind..." Grandpa Bear said as he looked at the large group of farmers and fishermen in front of him. If his estimations were correct, there were around at least a thousand of them.

...

Somewhere near Fraxinus, the Giant Treant...

"Should I gather everyone now so I can start training them?" The Chicken Lord asked Roasted Boar who was looking around the place, watching everyone do their own thing.

"No. Jay didn't exactly say that everyone of us will be the ones fighting the demons directly. If we just go and force everyone, it might leave a negative effect on their morale and may cause a lot of failures in the future. So I have been thinking of letting everyone choose what they want to do. Besides, not everyone here has fighting or support classes." Roasted Boar said and asked the core members of the guild to gather everyone around Fraxinus.

...

A few moments later, when everyone was gathered.

"I know everyone has their own thoughts about fighting the demons. I even heard some of you saying that you want no part of this and wants to leave the kingdom. So I am going to let everyone make their own choice. Will you really join us or not?"

Before anyone could even speak, Roasted Boar spoke up again.

"Make sure to think about it carefully. I believe everyone saw the power the demons possess when Jay and Nuggets got mercilessly got defeated by one of their generals. What if that happens again or to someone important to you? Will you have the power to save them or just watch at the sidelines? We got a Divine Being here to train us! There are more than a thousand of us here! Now, raise your right hand if you want to join us in the fight!"

Sadly though, even if there were more than a thousand people gathered, only a few people raised their hands.

These people were the Golden Phoenix's core members; Abyssal Angel, Hot Buns, Boras, Bloody Harvest, Roselia, Abby, Annie, and Heda.

The others who raised their hands were Horace, Kokori, the tree guy Thorn, Laelette, five people from the farmer's side, a chubby guy who probably worked at the trading centers.

The kid from the farming villages, Ash, also tried to raise his hand but was slapped away by his uncle.

"So few?" Roasted Boar and the Chicken Lord thought to themselves. There was even a hint of disappointment in Roasted Boar's eyes as he looked at everyone.

"Alright then. Everyone who does not want to join may disperse and do whatever you want for now." Roasted Boar said unhappily, not even trying to fake a smile.

...

After everyone dispersed and the only ones who were left are the people who decided to join the fight against the planar invaders, the Chicken Lord immediately led them somewhere else.

Just as Roasted Boar was about to follow, Aaron and Roxanne approached him.

"Hey, can you give us a few more days to decide?" Aaron asked since he was really not sure if he and the Flaming Spears should join the fight or not.

Roasted Boar just nodded at him and walked away as he followed the Chicken Lord.