Chapter 81 - Speech (Thank you, Christian.)

“They are pretty troublesome and I don’t think that tactics can work with them that well. They have solid defenses and their offensives are as powerful as they can be when they don’t care about dying at all. They have this crazy look in their eyes. It makes me feel like I killed their families by accident.”

“I see… don’t you have nothing else to report?”

“About the battle, no.”

“I thought that you would be able to give us some more insight.”

“There is no insight to give when the enemies are plain insane.”

“Anyway, Captain Loan came here with that offer. Are you willing to fight with them?” 

“As long as that makes the battle end faster, I don’t mind.”

“Our scouts reported that all the enemy camps are heading in this direction. With their numbers and their usual behavior, they will probably use all of their forces to crush us at once.”

“Can’t let them unattended, then. I will show the type of hospitality that I learned over the years.”

“All right then, you can fight alongside them, but his unit will report directly to me. I will call you guys to retreat if something happens or I want to hear things from you all directly.”

“I am sure you will do that for a good reason when the time comes.”

“All right then, you are dismissed. Treat your wounds properly.”

Zelos nodded, and then he left the tent. Heirina felt like a vein in her head was about to burst out of sheer anger. Zelos was just impossible.

For the others, things were relatively calm. Their primary responsibility was to guard Liry, which afforded them plenty of time to talk and think. Unlike Zelos, they hadn’t yet been thrust into the chaos of the front lines.

This relative calm allowed them the luxury of discussing strategies and reflecting on their experiences. They were content with their role, knowing that Liry was undoubtedly their trump card.

While they hadn’t experienced the intensity of battle firsthand, they understood the importance of their task. Guarding Liry meant safeguarding their most powerful asset, and they took their duty seriously.

“I am sorry about that, Heirina and everyone. But it is probably best to let him fight in the front lines. You all told me about his origin, so I can understand his way of thinking and his goals a bit. The usual path of a clan isn’t enough for him.”

Edea frowned when she heard of that, since she couldn’t understand the meaning behind those words.

“What other path was available to him when he decided to fight and defend this country, then?”

“He is still thinking about a solution to that question. Down to his core, Zelos doesn’t like the authorities of this country or any other for that matter, so he probably won’t follow the usual path and try to become important in a clan or make a clan for himself. Soon, someone will probably create the path that he wants, but that could be a problem for all of us…”

It seemed that Liry knew something troublesome that she didn’t want to share with the others yet, so they decided to press the issue further. In any case, Edea, Heirina and Liry seemed worried about Zelos since he was charging toward some tough battlefields, but he didn’t look like he cared. Kaitrine seems unconcerned, but Irlan has a lot of faith in him since he saw Zelos recovering from some crazy wounds.

In the end, Zelos raised his tent close to the front lines to act fast in case something happened, but nothing happened. He went to sleep feeling a bit grumpy since the rations, as usual, didn’t fill him that much. He had bought some condensed milk for the trip, but he ended up sharing it with the others, and it ended in no time. Zelos will probably have to hunt something soon if the battle doesn’t end in the next few days.

When morning came, Zelos woke up when the sun was rising, and after checking that his body had recovered enough, he decided to practice the thrust attacks again. Still, soon, he confirmed that his stamina began to drop faster than usual. He frowned when he realized that until he saw his body.

“I haven’t eaten enough yesterday. The amount of fat in my body is slow. That is why my stamina is dropping faster.”

When Zelos’s body fat decreases below certain necessary levels, several changes occurred both in terms of appearance and functionality. Zelos’s body appeared a bit thinner, with prominent bones becoming more visible, especially around the ribs, collarbones, and spine. Despite the loss of fat, Zelos’s muscles have become more defined and pronounced, giving him a lean and sinewy appearance.

Still, Zelos could experience feelings of weakness and fatigue as his body lacks the reserves needed for sustained energy. Fat is involved in hormone production and regulation. Insufficient fat stores can lead to hormonal imbalances, affecting various bodily functions such as metabolism, growth, and reproductive health. He didn't have to worry about some of them, but he had to worry about some others.

Adequate fat stores are necessary for a healthy immune system. With decreased fat, Zelos’s immune response may weaken, making him more susceptible to infections and illness.

“I guess I will have to eat some insects once again…”

Zelos went to receive his rations, but those didn’t help that much. In the end, he learned his lesson and made a mental note to find a way to make someone bring food from the farm every week. That much would improve his fighting efficiency a lot.

Still, he made it work somehow, hitting some birds in the sky with stones. People around him frowned when they saw that weird method of hunting. In any case, at least he didn’t have to eat insects, and he had enough time to cook the birds by the bonfire.

“It seems that your friends were right. The rations aren’t enough for you.”

Loan appeared and then passed some pieces of jerky for Zelos to warm by the bonfire. While Zelos raised his eyebrows, he didn’t deny it. The more food, the better.

“They seemed worried about you, and they also told me that you are only around thirteen. That is surprising since it looks like you have been carrying weights for ten years to gain muscles.”

Zelos was already 1.7 meters tall, and since he was always eating, he always had enough energy to do his work and train. He also had enough nutrients to keep growing his muscles. He felt that working as much as he did would hinder his growth, but it didn’t look like that was actually happening.

“Their worries have been already noted.”

“Her Majesty also seemed fond of your friendship and presence. I will try my best not to let her down and let you fall when the battle happens.”

“You worry too much. She just doesn’t have many friends.”

Saying any more than that would be a hassle, so Zelos decided to keep his mouth shut. Still, he wondered for how long those guys would keep acting like that. They were letting their emotions even be noticed by others… their young age was already a problem since that would make most people make light of them. Getting all emotional wouldn’t help.

After eating the rations, Zelos decided to hunt some frogs or something in the area since he was planning to resume his training, but soon he saw a lot of people looking to North and then some riders appeared in a hurry, which could only mean one thing.

“Let’s go, they are definitely coming.”

Zelos nodded after hearing Loan. He thought of going to the front lines without thinking, but soon, he recalled that he had to follow him. Fortunately, they only passed nearby some tents, and then some people joined them. These soldiers didn’t look like they came from the same area since their tents were all far away from each other, but they passed a certain of confidence to Zelos.

“I guess I can learn a thing or two from them,” 

The group to the very front and stood there together a bit ahead of the closest line of soldiers. Loan wanted to show all the others them fighting in order to improve morale. Those seven people just by staying there without being fazed by the atmosphere made some people feel less nervous. Even though the ground soon began to shake… eventually, the silhouette of the enemies appeared in the distance and they approaching looked like a sea of enemies approaching them. In the end, the commander stepped forward and then began to speak.

“Soldiers of Hillania. We find ourselves facing an enemy unlike any we have encountered before. They may be crazier, almost immune to pain, but let me remind you of who they are: invaders who have targeted innocent people, who have ravaged our lands and threatened our way of life. Yes, they may seem like formidable opponents, but make no mistake, they are nothing but mad dogs, vicious, ruthless, and deserving of nothing less than our full fury and our blades. They may have strength, but we have something far more powerful: the righteousness of our cause. We fight not just for ourselves but for our families, our homes, and our friends. We fight to protect the innocent, to defend our land from those who would seek to conquer and destroy it. We fight because it is our duty, our desire, and our legacy. Do not be swayed by their apparent fearlessness or their twisted tactics. Remember who we are fighting for and what we are fighting against. These invaders have shown no mercy, and they deserve none in return. Let us show them the strength of our will, the power of our unity, and the ferocity of our spirit. Soldiers of Hillania! Let us dispose of these invaders like the dirty dogs they are!”

It sounded like a speech that had been prepared beforehand, but the soldiers around the area began to shout in response to those words like their bodies were burning with energy. Their fear and hesitation had been dispelled completely. Zelos was impressed… while not like Liry song, that simply motivated the troops to their limits, they certainly would be able to fight much better than before.

“Let’s kill them all! Chaaaarge!”