Chapter 36: New orders

Theo continued to serve as the elite water porter in the mornings and work as Edward's assistant after it. In such a way, several weeks passed while Theo spent this time, serving, earning merit points, surviving on Edward's crazy trials, and training in his free time. Though he didn't make significant progress in his training, Theo succeeded in strengthening his current level of powers.

Besides, Theo didn't forget to observe after the camp and the overall situation around the expedition army. It was already obvious that their forces succeded in returning territories located on the fields and forests because Theo, Leonardo, and everyone else who had eyes could easily see how thousands of knights and squads of mages started to march out towards to north-east, and the number of marching units increased with each passing day. Some support units like water porters and blacksmiths also followed after moving out forces.

So, it was just a time question till the "Red horses" would be sent together with a squad of knights that would march out towards one of the returned forts.

***

It was an ordinary day, the weather was sunny, it was a bit windy though. All members of the "Redhorse" lined up on their ordinary place for morning gatherings, waiting for the appearance of their leader - Paul.

Unlike usual, the gathering should have already started, but now Theo and others were waiting for already 15 minutes, dumbfounded with such a long delay.

Many were dissatisfied with it because their leader forced them to waste their time here, which would inevitably affect their final results during today's competition, but nobody showed it on their faces. However, some people already guessed what was happening and were looking seriously at the direction of the platform.

At the same time, some water porters used this moment to talk with each other.

"Do you know why we are here?" asked one of the members,

"Maybe, the leader wants to announce something to us,"

"Ahh, it's your 1st time on such gatherings," said another member, "It's usual gathering when our leader raises someone's rank and give new authority,"

"That's right, I heard that the last time leader appointed new people and raised their ranks happened several months ago,"

"It's high time for that,"

However, their wishful thinking was bound to be shattered when Paul appeared in his brown uniform with a deadpan expression on his face together with several knights with Freinos family insignia behind him.

The sudden appearance of those knights changed the atmosphere, and all the members concentrated their attention on Paul that stepped at the platform, clearing his throat in the process.

"Frankly, the "Red horses" will march out tomorrow," said Paul with a deadpan expression on his face, "We, and several other squads of water porters will follow after the 1st batch of main forces sent to the battlefield. In short, all of you have a day off and should spend it, preparing yourselves. We will be entering the battlefield, and anything might happen there. We will be serving in a dangerous area, filled with monsters and unknown dangers, so I am sure that your battle skills will be tested there. So, I repeat, think about things you might need and spend your merit points to get them,"

Finishing telling them his words, Paul spent several moments, letting them process his words before looking at one of the knights that followed after him.

Exchanging his glance with Paul, the knight stepped at the platform, clearing his throat in the process.

A moment later, a wide man in the knight's armor appeared before them. He was fully dressed in armor except for the head. He had grey hair, aged face, but his outer appearance cried that he was a strong warrior while many scars only intensified that fact.

Throwing his glance at the groups of water porters below him, the knight released a sigh before taking a scroll.

"I am here to inform you of your new orders," said the knight before starting to read the scroll, "Beginning tomorrow, the elite water porters unit called the "Red horses" will be transferred to the 5th special squad, and continue to serve under them,"

Finishing reading the short order, the knight put away the scroll before looking at the water porters below him.

At the same time as the knight started reading, many expressions changed, becoming serious and concentrated, and when he finished reading, almost immediately all water porters, including Theo, Leonardo, Nora, and even officers and Paul adjusted their postures before hitting their heart area with a right hand.

It was a common sign, used in the army.

Seeing such reactions and faces that were ready for the incoming hardships, the knight nodded before leaving the platform and the field with Paul and other knights.

***

After the gathering, all the members dispersed in different directions to finish preparations for tomorrow, so Theo and Leonardo also left to their bosses to inform them about their transfer.

A short time later, Theo was standing in front of Edward that was busy, working on several small objects in front of him while Maul was standing nearby with a shield in his hands.

It took around half an hour when Edward finished his work and noticed Theo, watching him.

"It's you," said Edward, raising his brows in surprise, "Shouldn't you come after the afternoon?"

"That's true, but my squad got new orders today, and we will be transferred to the battle unit that would move out tomorrow," explained Theo, looking at Edward, "I am here to bid farewell,"

"Which squad you have been assigned to?" asked Edward, looking at him.

"5th special squad,"

A smile appeared on his lips when he heard him.

"I was also assigned to the 5th squad as one of their battle-alchemists,"

Theo's brows rose when he heard him.

"Looks like it's a bit early for the farewell, see you there, kid," said Edward before returning to the objects he was working on.

Seeing that Edward has already concentrated on the work, and would most likely ignore him, Theo approached Maul that was holding a shield several meters away from the alchemist.

"What is he doing?"

"Clay bombs," said Maul without moving his glance from the several small objects.

"Bombs?"

"Yes, Theo, you better go or you will be pulled in into another of his trials,"

Just as Maul finished speaking, something happened with those objects, and Maul immediately pushed Theo away.

"Go, or you will regret, coming here," said Maul before grabbing Edward and protecting him with a shield.

Understanding why Maul pushed him, Theo used the "Bursting step" to increase his speed and quickly left the lab right at the moment when several small bangs resounded from the inside.

Almost immediately he heard Edward's voice.

"Damn it, Maul prepare for the next trial, I have to improve these babies till tomorrow!"

Hearing those words, several scenes appeared in his mind. Releasing a relieved sigh, and wiping several beads of sweat, Theo left this place.

***

The next morning, the 5th special squad together with the "Red horses" marched out towards the northeast.

The squad consisted of 1800 knights, 200 archer knights, 400 mages, 300 scouts and light infantry, 100 tamers together with their pets, and 200 battle-ready craftsmen like enchanters, alchemists, and blacksmiths. In total, there were around 3200 people together with water porters that joined them.

The 5th special squad was an elite unit, consisting mainly of people loyal to Freinos family. So, there was nothing strange that they wished to reach the battlefield as soon as possible.

So, water porters were ordered to sit in the carriages and just follow after the squad that continued to move without any halts.

Theo, Leonardo, and other water porters could only enjoy the view from their carriages as they passed through farms, fields, and other places.

Only when it was already the start of the evening when even elite warriors were exhausted, the long line of trees appeared before them together with several forts on their edges.

In short, they passed half of the distance they needed, moving at such a rate, and reached the beginning of the dangerous area.

As if to support that thought, there were 4-meter walls, towers, and peaks around the forts that were near the forest. Scouts and patrol units could be seen in different positions, vigilantly looking in the direction of the forest.

The squad was ordered to enter the forts and rest, prepare for tomorrow's march throw.

***

Several hours later, several high officers of the 5th special squad gathered inside the commander's tent.

All of them were looking at their commander that was looking at several maps on her table.

Finishing analyzing the situation on the territory her force would be entering, Stella raised her glance and looked at the officers in front of her.

When her glance landed on several officers, almost immediately many noticed strange flames in her eyes as she smiled.

"This is our 1st gathering since the end of the army training," said Stella with a smile on her lips, "We are the 1st batch of elite forces, headquarters sent towards the battlefield, and they want us to make sure there are no hidden enemies out there that would harass our rear,"

"So, beginning from tomorrow, make sure your scouts, tamers, and other units work as much as possible, I want the roads, connecting this territory covered with the blood of any naga and monsters that would have the slightest threat for us and future villagers that move here," said Stella, releasing a threatening vibe from her body, "You can take more than half of the knights, mages, archers and other units to get rid of them, leaving an only small portion to accompany our support units towards our final destination.

"It will be done, commander," said all the officers in unison.

Several moments later, one of the officers looked at Stella.

"Commander, do you have any fresh news from the main battlefield?"

"Nothing special, our vanguard and other forces reached territories of swamps, we have strengthened our footholds and wait till the arrival of the main forces to continue the attack,"

"What about the tactics and strategies our enemy use?" asked another officer.

"Nothing special, till now nagas preferred escaping direct battles, and only organized ambushes, using forests. So, it wasn't difficult for our forces to push them to the swamps where they showed strong resistance," explained Stella, "However, I read several reports, indicating the casualties suffered from local monsters. Though, scouts of expedition army and tamers control forests now, you never know who would attack us if we let our guard down,"

Hearing her words, all officers agreed, nodding.

"Since we are done with that, let's decide who will be in charge of clearing territories around the roads," said Stella, starting another conversation.

***

At the same time as Stella and her officers were discussing their plans, there was another gathering, happening inside the hut in the deepest part of the forest.

There was a sipping naga whose height almost reached the ceiling, sitting in front of the green creature that had a crown made of bones on his head.

The creature snorted before looking up at the naga.

"I would ask you again, why should we goblins participate in your war?" asked the goblin chief, "This isn't our war, humans haven't even reached our territories, and have no idea that our races groups are hidden here,"

"You are erring on that part. Though, their forces passed by the forests you control and concentrated on pushing us and returning control to their hands, it doesn't mean that their scouts haven't found your traces," said naga, sipping in the process, "Right now, they might prefer not to touch you, but don't you think that you would be next when they finish dealing with us just to get rid of a potential threat at their rear,"

Hearing the words of the naga, the goblin touched his chin, pondering about his words.

"Ambassador, I need to discuss this topic with other group leaders, you will have to wait for our answer," said the goblin, looking at the naga.

The naga smiled and made a gesture resembling a bow before looking at the goblin.

"Fine, but I and my people will stay here only for the next 3 days before we would return," said, naga, sipping in the process.

The goblin nodded, signaling to his guard and standing from his simply-looking throne.