Wrath's Virtue

The trio rode on horseback along a dirt road under the afternoon sun. The swamp was finally behind them. The Rank 4 potion was doing its work, and though a deep ache still resided in his muscles, Aurelion felt considerably better.

He looked down at the brown horse beneath him. "I will need a proper one in the future," he thought, then turned his gaze forward again.

They were crossing a series of rolling green plains, a gentle wind rustling the tall grass.

"Only two months until the snows return, right, Commander Rolf?" Finn said, breaking the comfortable silence.

Rolf merely nodded. "We are Northerners, Finn. Snow, cold... it is in our nature."

"That's true, but there's a certain beauty when the snow is gone," Finn said cheerfully. He then turned to Aurelion. "Right?"

Aurelion glanced at him, raising a single eyebrow. "I am not a Northerner."

"Yes," Finn replied, "but you were raised in these lands, grew up with our culture. You must be familiar with it."

Rolf, too, turned his head slightly toward Aurelion, curious to hear his answer.

Aurelion let out a small sigh. "You can escape the cold, but you cannot escape the heat. As long as it is not hot, what is on the ground does not matter much to me."

"Hah!" Finn laughed. "You just spoke like a true Northerner."

Aurelion scowled internally. "This is one of my rare common points with that fool from the past. It has nothing to do with this world."

"We're almost back to Ulfgard," Finn said again, his thoughts turning to comfort. "Finally, we can eat something decent. You must be sick of those swamp creatures, too."

"Meat is meat," Aurelion said flatly. "Even that lizard from before."

Then, they finally crested a large hill, and before them, nestled at the foot of a mountain, was Ulfgard.

"I miss this view," Finn said, and they continued their advance.

As they descended the hill toward the city gate, Aurelion noticed the eyes on him. Warriors from several clans, their gazes lingering on him. But he ignored them.

When they neared the gate, the guards recognized Rolf and immediately made way for them. As they entered the city, Rolf's eyes scanned the crowd, noting warriors from Clan Ursine and the Giant-Bone clan.

"Let's take you directly to the Captain's house," he said to Aurelion.

"No," Aurelion replied.

Rolf turned to look at him, his expression questioning.

"Let's go to the garrison," Aurelion said. "So we can complete our mission."

"It might be better if you don't draw too much attention right now," Rolf advised.

Aurelion gestured openly toward the watching clan warriors. "It suits my purpose for them to see," he said while his voice was cold and clear. "I am not weaker than before because of this left eye."

Rolf stared at Aurelion for a long moment, then gave a slow nod of his head. A look of impressed resignation crossed his face. "Good spirit," he muttered.

He turned his horse toward the garrison. Aurelion followed, and trailing behind them both, a confused Finn muttered to himself, "What? How is he not weaker with a blind eye?"

They arrived at the familiar garrison grounds, stopping before the large building where the meeting with the clan leaders had taken place. They dismounted, and a few city guards came forward to take the horses.

The two Silver Guards stationed at the building's entrance watched the trio approach, their eyes fixing on Aurelion with faint surprise. When Aurelion stood before them, he looked at the guards and tilted his head slightly.

"We have come to see the Captain," he said and they continued the watch him. "Are you going to open the way or not?"

The guards grumbled under their breath but said nothing, stepping aside from the entrance.

As they passed, Rolf nodded to the guards. "We're here to report to the Captain on our mission. Have a good watch."

The guards gave a slight, appreciative nod in return, and the trio entered the building.

They walked through the quiet interior and up the stairs, heading toward the Captain's office. Outside the door, two guards in the rank of commander stood waiting. They were Deep Guards, clad in thin, black leather armor and cloaks.

Rolf approached the two of them.

Same time Aurelion looked at the two of them, his mind instantly supplying their names. "Erling and Soren..." he thought. "If these two are here, then the Deep Guard Captain, Lumi, must be inside."

Rolf stopped before them. "Commander Erling, Soren," he said, giving a respectful nod.

They both looked at him with flat, emotionless expressions and returned the nod in perfect sync. "Is the Captain available?" Rolf asked.

The twins spoke at the same time, their voices eerily similar. "Captain Roric is in a meeting with Deep Guard Captain Lumi."

Rolf nodded and turned back to the others. "We'll wait a bit," he began to say.

But Aurelion was already moving. He walked past Rolf, approached the large wooden door, and knocked once- loudly. Without waiting for a reply, he pushed the door open.

Inside, Roric and Lumi, who had been sitting on couches, turned to look at the intrusion. Roric looked as he always did, but Lumi, clad in thin black armor that contrasted with her snow white hair tied back in a bun, simply stared at Aurelion.

Lumi raised a single eyebrow. Roric, however, recovered from his surprise at Aurelion's ragged state his expression hardened. "We were in an important meeting, Aurelion. Since when do you burst into rooms without waiting for permission?"

Aurelion looked at Lumi for a moment, then turned his gaze to Roric. "I have interesting reports regarding the mission, Captain. I'm sure they are far more interesting than your conversation with the Deep Guard Captain."

"Is that so?" Lumi's voice was clear. "Since our meeting was interrupted for it, I believe I have a right to hear this more important topic." She looked at Roric.

"It is an important matter, but not one that concerns the Deep Guards," Aurelion said dismissively. He then turned his back on them and looked toward the door, where Rolf was watching him with a frown.

"Commander Rolf and Guard Finn have successfully brought me back," he announced to Roric. Then he added, "At the same time, for my wounds, Commander Rolf gave me a Rank 4 potion which belong to him."

Rolf's eyes turn slightly to the door and he looked at Rolf, who was slightly surprised. At that moment, Roric called out, "Commander Rolf, Wild Guard."

Rolf and Finn quickly entered the room, striking their fists against their chests in a salute.

"You can rest now. Your expenses will be covered," Roric said, looking at the two of them.

"Thank you, Captain," they said, then exited the room.

Aurelion looked back at Roric.

"Captain Lumi, please excuse the brat's manners," Roric said. "Let's continue our speak." He then gestured to the side of the room with his hand, indicating for Aurelion to wait there.

Aurelion walked to the spot Roric indicated. He was aware that he had pushed his boundaries far enough for one day, so he didn't protest further. He leaned against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest, and waited, his single eye fixed on Lumi, who was still looking at him.

"Where were we..." Roric began, turning his attention back to his guest. "Yes. The twins had advanced deep into the Storm Pass, I believe, Captain Lumi?"

Lumi finally pulled her gaze away from Aurelion and turned to Roric. "Yes, Captain," she said. "The twins, along with a few other Deep Guards, advanced into the pass as we planned. What they found inside was very different from what we've seen."

Roric nodded for her to continue.

"The reports I received state that while the cold is more intense deeper in the Storm Pass, the number of creatures is far less. The creatures attacking the pass are much weaker than those inside, and the ones we encountered within are far stronger for their respective ranks."

"How so?" Roric asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Captain..." Lumi began, her voice was low and serious, "the creatures in the inner parts of the pass are fewer, but they are all evolved creatures."

Roric stroked his beard, processing the information. "What were their ranks?"

"The attacking creatures are, as you know, Ranks 2, 3, and 4. But the ones inside are between Ranks 3, 4, and 5... and all of them are evolved."

"How much more numerous are the attackers compared to those inside?"

"Approximately six times as many, Captain," Lumi replied.

"This is not good," Roric muttered. "Evolved creatures are far more dangerous, even in smaller numbers. And you're saying there are creatures up to Rank 5. For creatures of that level, warriors of our own level are essential."

Lumi nodded in agreement.

Roric continued, "And is there any information about the source of the storm? The source must be connected to the evolution of these creatures."

"The deeper they went into the pass, the more intense the storm became, Captain," Lumi explained. "They couldn't advance past a certain point, but since it hasn't been fully explored, there's a possibility of Rank 6 creatures."

"Yes," Roric said, "but that's not the issue. Strong creatures have always been found deep in the pass, but they weren't evolved before. Something is evolving these creatures and intensifying the storm. We need more information."

At that moment, a thought occurred to Aurelion, and a slight smirk touched his lips.

Roric's eye caught the movement, and Lumi's gaze followed his, landing on the boy in the corner.

"I was just thought something, Captain," Aurelion said, while his expression turning neutral.

"Perhaps it is something that could enlighten us on this situation," Lumi said.

"It is nothing important that much," Aurelion replied, his tone was casual. "Primordia likes to play with the living things in this world. It might be related to that."