I was training as usual, learning new tactics about sword and war while fighting with my teacher. He was very good at it, always pointing out my mistakes and suggesting improvisations.
After the intense training, I was resting in my room. Some cooked meat was on the table in front of me with some weird spices sprinkled on it.
I chewed a piece of meat while wondering when the fateful war would arrive. I hoped our side wouldn't face many casualties; I had gotten attached to them after all these days.
Though I didn't want the other side to face such casualties either. They must be the same as the Draughts—very kind creatures.
I would prefer the end of the entire war instead of its continuation, even if the Draughts won. After all, war doesn't result in anything good but feelings of revenge and harm to each other.
Before long, I finished my thoughts. The meat in front of me was gone. I chugged down the water and started moving towards the training ground to train more, until a sharp and loud sound came from the borders.
Every Draught heard it and started approaching the border to see what the problem was. All the soldiers went into position.
Narrowing my eyes, I could see some black dots far away. The black dots were in large numbers—an entire army of them. I used the binoculars a fellow soldier lent me to see what those were, and now I could see them clearly. Several muscular, dark creatures rode on very fast-moving creatures were approaching us.
Were they the Naughts? Why were they approaching us instead of directly launching some heavy attack first? I had heard the power they practiced had a lot of destructive prowess.
There was a big carriage in the middle of the large horde. Were they carrying something? What could it be? A weapon? A suicidal bomb? Resources? It could be anything, I'm afraid, but it was for sure they weren't here to fight, since they had numerous opportunities to deal heavy damage beforehand.
I looked around myself. The Draughts who stood atop the walls were prepared with magical bows aimed towards them, mage swordsmen ready to pull out their swords, and mages ready with their incantations.
It was getting serious, and they were all waiting for my order. As for me, I was taking a very heavy gamble here. What if they are really here to attack us? Oh well, we will handle it, I'm pretty sure.
Not long after, the huge army of Naughts arrived near the border and climbed off their rides. "What is your purpose?" I shouted, trying to act bold to show no weakness in front of our enemy.
A man walked to the front of the army. He looked around, scanning others, and finally me. I didn't like what he was trying to do. Should I just command to attack them?
"We come here to discuss some crucial matter with the leader of the Draughts," the man in front spoke to me.
Discuss? What can we discuss with the enemy team? Are they proposing peace? That would be a good outcome for both of them, but it's suspicious.
I glared at them, scanning each member for any ulterior motives. Some were boldly looking in my direction; some were scared. They must be regular people.
Why were regular people of the Naughts here? If they had ulterior motives, they wouldn't want to risk their innocent people, no? Were they really here for peaceful talks?
The Draughts around me were looking at me, waiting for my judgement. Let me think for a while. If they have brought their non-combatant units into the war zone, it basically means their usual place isn't safe or something? Why would it be unsafe, though?
There were numerous reasons. Did they run out of food? It's impossible because food isn't a problem on this planet due to the overpopulation of fodder species. Internal conflict? It can't be, since they all look united right now. A mortal threat? How can it be? They are one of the strongest species this planet has ever seen. What could cause a mortal threat to them? There were a lot of unknown variables in play right now.
What should I do? This is a very serious decision I'm going to make, not to mention I don't know anything about what's inside that carriage they are bringing. Tch. Let's just get to it, I guess.
"Come in!" I shouted. I knew it was a very dangerous move, so I decided to put the entire military in the region at maximum security.
They started to enter in a line, looking around here and there, scanning everything they could see. I welcomed them around the entrance. The normal citizens of the Naughts were sent to healing camps, as they looked injured with some deep wounds here and there.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I didn't know you would be so kind to your enemies, leader of the Draughts," said a bulky man. He had wounds on his body as well; his dress was rough with holes and scratches everywhere.
They were under mortal threat indeed, it seemed. But what could harm them to begin with? "No need. Also, call me Sparx. By the way, I told you to go to the healing camps, didn't I?" Is this guy stupid? I'm giving his people free healing and food services, and he's still wary of me?
"Hahaha, it's just that there are a lot of injured citizens on our side that need healing right now. They should get healed first, I think. Anyways, as for the discussion we were about to have..." He looked around as some Naughts noticed him and went in the direction where the carriage was.
Soon, they brought the carriage along with them. "We need immediate help right now. Can you bring your top mages here?" What IS inside that carriage, anyway? And why do they need the top mages of this area? To assassinate all of us in one go? Suspicious.
I brought some mages along with me, and the sword mage I used to train with, in case the situation got bad. The Naught scanned us for a while and led us inside. Without even entering the carriage, the stench of blood was very heavy. Was there an injured person inside?
They lifted the veil of the carriage which was hiding the content inside, and what I saw inside was a familiar face I never thought I'd see here. What was she doing here!? Why is she like that!? Is she the leader of the Naughts? Did she get pulled into this planet along with me? Who is strong enough to harm her, anyway?
I had several questions in mind but no time for answers. I panicked and commanded the mages to start healing her ASAP. The barely breathing girl inside the carriage was alive—that was good news. But what brought her into that situation was another, very bad piece of news.