Three days had passed since we entered the Sverre Plains. Overall, we had no hassle upon crossing it, and now we finally reached the end of the grasslands as the terrain had changed into a woodland area. Dense Pine trees covered the vicinity canopy and underbrush coated the tract.
Although we had traveled for hours in this forest and night had fallen, there was no sign of them stopping. I presumed we were not so far away from the Refugee Camp.
I peeked out through the window and I could see torches burning in the distance. I clucked my tongue at the scene, reminiscent of the bitter yore.
Orange hue filled the space and I gazed at the lantern that was hung on the carriage ceiling, somehow it shook so much. I twirled my head when a moan entered my ears. A white-haired boy was sitting himself up whilst rubbing his eyes.
'See? He even wakes up because of how rough the road was.'
"You're awake?"
He glanced at me.
"...yeah."
"Here, catch."
I took out a bag of cookies from my magical sphere and threw it at him. The pouch landed on his lap and he looked at me.
"In the past three days, you keep giving me this. I was wondering, are you perhaps having unlimited cookies?"
"Pfft."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his silly question. Even though I knew it was sarcasm, I still found it funny in my opinion, or maybe it was just my sense of humor. Subsequently silencing my laugh, I shrugged my shoulders.
"Nah, just eat it."
"Thanks."
I nodded in response. He opened the pouch and withdrew a cookie. He ate it while looking outside the carriage. The corners of my mouth lifted and I turned to the window. Not long after, the carriage stopped and knocks were heard.
"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Refugee Camp."
My mind flew. I looked at my palms, for some reason they looked paler than usual.
"You're not coming?"
I spun my head and Damian was already outside the carriage.
"Coming."
I clenched my fists and took a deep breath to relieve my anguish.
'Let's... change the fate.'
With that, I rose from my seat and got off from the carriage. However, my steps came to a halt as the familiar sight was presented before me, thousands of people gathered and lined up nearly at the entrance of the camp. I turned to the boy that stood beside me.
"Would you like to address them?"
"No, thanks."
I could feel how my lips quivered in annoyance. Damian was resolutely against it. I rolled my eyes in animosity. He had to learn how to address people, he was the heir to the throne. But whatever--
'I'll let it slide this time.'
I stepped forward and people greeted us in unison. I gave a short speech and the ceremony ended without a hitch. They disbanded and made another line, waiting in queue for their dinner.
I swept my surroundings and finally, my eyes caught the person that I was expecting. Sir Sigmund and his subordinates were seen moving the provisions.
I dismissed my Knights and without wasting any time, I strode toward him. After a long and intense conversation, I bid him farewell as they must renew their journey.
I massaged my temple subconsciously before rubbing my face in frustration. There were so many things that needed to be done.
This time I moved to the Knights who wore the Coat of Arms of rank Imperial Knight Lieutenant but I stopped midway when the tail of my eyes captured a white-haired boy.
I twirled my body and when our eyes came across, I signaled him to approach me with my hand. I witnessed how discontented painted his face but still heeded my request anyway.
After making sure that brat came to me along with Fedel and Sir Ulrich, I turned and marched to the Knights. The Knights hastily bowed upon my arrival and without beating the bush I asked them a question.
"May I know who was in charge of the administration here?"
A Knight stepped forth and bent his back.
"My name is Wyatt of the 25th Knight Lieutenant and I'm in charge of the administration here."
"Could you show me the refugee data here?"
"As you wish."
He straightened his posture.
"This way, please."
And we followed him. My eyes glanced around and somehow there was no change here. The Refugee Camp was built at the foot of the mountain.
Huge tents were aligned neatly, estimated at around 40 or so. After a few minutes of walking, we entered a tent that was guarded by two knights.
"Please have a seat."
Sir Wyatt went to his desk and started assembling the information I wanted. Damian sat beside me and as we waited, a page boy served us tea.
Sir Wyatt returned with a big book in his hands and put it on the table. I took the book and started to flip it.
I stared him in the eyes.
"There's no Elementalist here?"
"There isn't."
--Tuk --Tuk --Tuk
I tapped on the armrest. With this amount, we definitely outnumbered them yet, we were onslaught. They used a dirty trick to divert our army and in the end, more than three thousand people died. I clutched my head at the sudden storm of headaches.
'Maybe I can make adult men partake in the battle but I don't think that is a decent strategy as they don't have any experience in fighting and will surely be butchered in no time when confronted by the enemy.'
I emitted a long sigh.
'Can I change the fate of these many people?'
Although I had memories with me, I didn't have the abilities I used to have. I did manage to relearn some of them, but it's still not enough to defeat them with my current ranks.
I glanced to the side and Damian stared at me apathetically. He was the only Elementalist here but I hastily rejected the idea that popped into my head.
'Goddammit, just look at his stick-like shape! He's out of options and I can't let him take part in this battle. Even if I can't change the fate here, honestly speaking, it doesn't matter, but losing that brat is another story.'
I switched my eyes back to the book in my hand.
'What's different right now is that we have a brutal assassin and a Swordmaster here. I don't know whether Fedel will help me or not, but Sir Ulrich without a doubt will help me. With a slight ray of hope, it's enough for me to keep going with the plan I have.'
I closed the book and put it back on the table. Seeing the abundance of digits written there made my head hurt even more. I leaned my back on the chair and crossed my hands whilst looking at Sir Wyatt.
"Do we have a doctor here? How many medications do we have? How about the weaponry? The armory? Do we have spares of them? If we have, how many of them? Also, how about the provision? How many days worth are they?"
Sir Wyatt opened and closed his mouth several times, he looked like a fish that came out of the water. I scanned the room and just realized that not only him who acted weird, everyone here does.
They looked at me in astonishment. I frowned at the event, I didn't see any problem with my questions. Eventually, he cleared his throat and started talking.
"Yes. We have doctors stationed here, about two hundred. Our medication is worth a month. As for weaponry and armory, we don't have that much. For provisions, they are two weeks worth."
"When is the provision's next delivery?"
"Once Sir Sigmund returns, we will send another Company to the Capital. We take turns in retrieving the provisions."
I nodded at his answer. However, I eyed him intently.
'Truthfully, I don't know how I should tell them about the raid. But, even if I told them about it, would they believe me? Maybe I could tell them in the Emperor's name so they can obey my words but, lo-and-behold it will reach Dariush's ears and I don't want to get involved with that man.'
"Say, Sir Wyatt, what will you do if the Yovanny Kingdom sends men to attack this camp?"
However, he just smiled at my question.
"I understand Your Highness' concern about the welfare of the people here. But please be at ease, those Yovannians will not dare to step into the Empire's grounds."
I smiled back at him.
'See? There's no point in telling them.'
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Can I take a look at the weaponry and the armory?"
"Sure, Your Highness. Please, this way."
We exited the tent and followed Sir Wyatt from behind.
"You know what--"
Damian's voice made me glance at him and our eyes met.
"--you looked like someone who was preparing for a war."
My step abruptly stopped as I heard his statements. I was stoned. Even my mind went blank for a moment. But eventually, I smiled at the boy.
"It's in your imagination."
With that, I turned around and resumed my stride. I couldn't help but utter profanity inwardly.
'You quick-witted bastard!'
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