The battlefield was much quieter than it had been a few hours earlier.
There was still activity everywhere, but now the scene was different. The cries of war had been replaced by orders to reorganize. Healers walked among the wounded. Soldiers transported equipment. Some groups gathered weapons scattered across the battlefield.
I was sitting on a supply crate near the main camp while watching all of it.
My body was exhausted.
That day's battle had been long.
Much longer than I would have liked.
Scarlett was sitting beside me.
Vespera was checking her arrows.
Liriel was helping some healers.
Elara was talking with soldiers who had fought on the front lines.
Lyannis was analyzing reports arriving from the rest of the battlefield.
Rai'kanna was silently watching the horizon.
It was a rare moment of peace.
But it didn't last long.
One of the camp's lookouts raised his voice.
"Knights approaching!"
Immediately, several soldiers looked in the indicated direction.
So did I.
A column of knights was advancing along the main road.
Banners fluttered above them.
As soon as I saw that emblem, I recognized it immediately.
It was the crest of the Demi-Dragon Kingdom.
The soldiers around us began murmuring among themselves.
The news spread quickly.
Reinforcements.
That single word was enough to lift many people's spirits.
As the group drew closer, more details became visible.
Their armor was adorned with metallic scales.
Their horses were exceptionally well-equipped.
Their formation was organized.
Absolute discipline.
At the center of that formation was someone I knew.
King Drakarion.
Rai'kanna's eyes widened slightly.
"Father?"
She looked genuinely surprised.
That caught my attention.
Normally, she was very difficult to impress.
The column finally reached the camp.
The soldiers made way.
Drakarion dismounted calmly.
Even wearing battle armor, he maintained the dignified bearing he always displayed.
He surveyed the battlefield for a few seconds.
Then he walked straight toward us.
"Takumi."
"Your Majesty."
He smiled.
"I see you're still in one piece."
"So far."
That drew a small laugh from him.
But before we could continue, Rai'kanna stepped forward.
She crossed her arms.
"What are you doing here?"
Drakarion turned toward her.
"It seems I won't even get a hello."
"Father."
"There we go."
She sighed.
"What are you doing here?"
Drakarion became serious.
"I came to help."
"You're a king."
"Exactly."
Rai'kanna didn't seem to like that answer.
"Precisely because you're a king, you should be protected."
Drakarion shook his head.
"I disagree."
She remained silent.
The king continued.
"If Vailor falls, the Human Kingdom will become vulnerable."
No one answered.
Because everyone knew it was true.
He went on.
"If the Human Kingdom falls, the demons will inevitably march against the other nations."
His eyes met Rai'kanna's.
"And the Demi-Dragon Kingdom will be one of the next."
Her expression softened slightly.
Even so, she still looked worried.
"Even so..."
Drakarion placed a hand on her shoulder.
"A king must also fight when necessary."
She didn't answer.
But she didn't argue anymore.
After that, the king turned his attention back to me.
"Besides, I owe a debt."
"A debt?"
"The King of Vailor has helped my kingdom many times."
He looked toward the horizon.
"When an allied nation is in danger, you do not turn your back on it."
I nodded.
It was a simple thought.
But it carried great meaning.
While we talked, the demi-dragon soldiers began integrating with the rest of the army.
It was easy to see the relief their arrival brought.
More men.
More resources.
More strength.
All of it made a difference.
Especially in a war.
Shortly afterward, we were invited to an improvised meeting inside a large military tent.
Several commanders were present.
Some battalion leaders.
Representatives of the adventurers.
Officers responsible for logistics.
And now Drakarion as well.
A large map was spread across a table.
Markers indicated enemy and allied positions.
The discussions began immediately.
Reports arrived constantly.
The information was troubling.
Although we had managed to push the demons back that day, they still greatly outnumbered us.
Furthermore, there was still no sign of the First General.
That bothered me.
A lot.
One commander pointed to the map.
"The enemy is retreating toward this region."
Another replied.
"And they continue receiving reinforcements."
Drakarion observed everything carefully.
So did Lyannis.
At one point, she pointed to a specific area.
"If they continue retreating in this direction, there's a strong chance they're luring our forces."
Some officers agreed.
Others fell into thought.
It was a real possibility.
War was rarely simple.
After nearly an hour of discussion, the meeting ended.
New orders were issued.
New positions assigned.
New groups organized.
When we left the tent, the sun was already beginning to disappear beyond the horizon.
The sky had taken on orange hues.
Campfires were beginning to appear throughout the camp.
The soldiers took advantage of the moment to rest.
Some ate.
Others simply sat in silence.
The exhaustion was visible.
Not only physical.
Mental as well.
I walked through the camp with the girls.
Along the way, several soldiers approached us.
Some thanked us for our help during the battle.
Others simply showed their respect.
It still felt strange to me.
I had never fully gotten used to that kind of attention.
When we finally reached the area reserved for the adventurers, we found many of them gathered around a campfire.
They were talking about the day's events.
As soon as they saw me, they made room.
I ended up sitting with them.
For a few minutes, no one talked about the war.
Just stories.
Old missions.
Dungeons.
Strange monsters.
Small, ordinary moments.
It was strange to realize how much people valued those simple conversations when they were surrounded by the possibility of death.
Perhaps because of that very reason.
After a while, the adventurers began to disperse.
Exhaustion was finally overcoming everyone.
The girls also returned to their tents.
But I still wasn't ready to sleep.
So I walked alone to a more secluded area of the camp.
The cold wind swept across the fields.
In the distance, the watch lines could be seen.
Small lights shone in the darkness.
I gazed at the horizon for several minutes.
Thinking.
Reflecting.
The war had begun only a short time ago.
Yet it already felt much longer.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
When I turned around, I found Drakarion.
The king walked over until he stopped beside me.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
We simply watched the horizon.
Then he broke the silence.
"You're carrying too much weight."
I smiled faintly.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"Because it's true."
I kept looking ahead.
Drakarion crossed his arms.
"I've taken part in wars before."
That caught my attention.
I looked at him.
The king kept his eyes fixed on the horizon.
"When I was young."
"That sounds like a long time ago."
"It was."
He let out a quiet laugh.
Then he became serious again.
"I learned something important back then."
"What?"
"A leader does not win a war alone."
I remained silent.
He continued.
"You trust the girls by your side."
"I do."
"Then keep trusting them."
His words stayed in my mind.
Because they were true.
I had made it this far thanks to their help.
Thanks to the companions who fought beside me.
Thanks to the people who believed in me.
Drakarion then stepped away.
"Get some rest tonight."
"The army is still moving."
"Even so."
He pointed toward the camp.
"If you keep fighting without stopping, you'll collapse before the enemy does."
I couldn't argue with that.
The king smiled.
"Sleep."
Then he turned his back and began walking toward the camp.
I watched his figure disappear into the distance.
That conversation had been simple.
But useful.
I took a deep breath.
Perhaps he was right.
Perhaps I really did need to rest.
I looked north one last time.
Somewhere beyond that darkness.
Beyond the mountains.
Beyond the demon troops.
The First General was still waiting.
But that battle would not happen today.
With that thought, I returned to the camp.
The campfires illuminated the night.
The soldiers rested.
The girls had already retired to their tents.
And for the first time since the campaign began, I decided to follow Drakarion's advice.
That night, I would rest.
Because the war was still far from over.
And I would need all my strength for what was yet to come.
Thus, beneath the starry northern sky, another day of the campaign against the demon army came to an end.