Chapter 350 Nora and the Melancholy king
Barbara acted as a witness as Chiron and Claudia sealed their marriage in the bedroom.
She even promised that she was going to be the godmother of the first child of the union.
Although a lot of things had happened, it all still ended up well.
Barbara, in her generosity, allowed Chiron three days to love his wife as well as say his goodbyes to his family.
After all, he had agreed to fight for her.
He was going to the battlefield.
The goodbye was a heartfelt one, with Claudia shedding tears and Old Magu comforting her throughout the period.
Promises were shared between the couple as Chiron kissed her head and followed after Barbara and Mani on a cored beast.
This core beast was a blue cored mountain bear with six limbs he had tamed.
Into the distance they left. Chiron held his sword hanging by the side of the core beast.
Even as the beast moved majestically, Barbara's eyes still remained on the Ancestral sword.
her greed for it was apparent. Throughout the three days that they had stayed at this village, she had found different means to find out important information about the sword.
After all, she had seen the wonders of the sword.
According to the rumors she had heard from the villagers, this sword was the reason why Chiron had grown in power so quickly. Even old Magu confirmed it.
One look at the Ancestral sword and one would not think that anything was special about it. After all, it looked like it had been made out of the most common materials.
But the sword gave out a vibe that even a very strong warrior like Barbara feared instinctively. There was also the fact that it instantly healed the wounds of its user.
That arrow that Chiron had taken on her behalf was already long healed.
In this manner, they moved together, traversing the mountains, and taking the opportunity to stalk the Vandorian army, and even kill a few of them in battle.
Barbara took the opportunity to observe Chiron closely. She observed his fighting technique and even his ability to be able to absorb pain and be resilient in battle.
The more she watched, the more her greed for the sword rose like the swell of the tides under the twin moons.
While she observed Chiron, he too also had his eyes on a target.
Although she was a bronze rank cultivator, Chiron's eyes were not on her. His eyes were on Mani, and he took advantage of every opportunity he could to ensure that he got close to Mani.
Mani, always being a loner since the event that happened with his wife was actually very welcoming of the company.
If it were others, he might have stayed away. However, he saw himself in Chiron.
Besides, Chiron was very young and talented. As far as he was concerned, Chiron was like him.
Especially when he heard Chiron's sad, sob-made-up story of how he had lost his family and how it was just his old Magu that he had left.
In the process, Mani also opened up a bit, shedding tears under the night sky as he spoke of the love he had for his best friend and wife that he lost.
Together, they had become a kindred spirit and this improved their trust as they fought against their enemies.
Barbara also noticed their growing bond but did not interfere.
in fact, she encouraged it.
After all, these two, she considered to be very useful tools. She was going to use them until they were dry of usefulness, and then she was going to take the opportunity to take the sword from Chiron's corpse.
At least, these were the thoughts that danced in her head.
It was on this journey back to Barbara's headquarters which was located in the middle of the Aura tribes that they came across a certain settlement that had been subjugated by Vandorian soldiers.
Under the vast expanse of the cerulean sky, Chiron, Barbara, and Mani watched from a vantage point the happening below. Their path had led them to a village nestled amidst rolling hills, a place that Barabara and Mani had passed on coming.
Back then, it was of free villagers but now this Orange tribe village stood silent, its spirit broken under the cruel yoke of Vandorian oppression.
The air hung heavy with the stench of sweat and fear as the villagers, their bodies gaunt and their faces etched with exhaustion toiled under the scorching sun.
Each swing of the pickaxe, each drop of sweat, resonated with the weight of their suffering.
Vandorian soldiers, their armor glinting ominously, stood watch over the villagers like vultures, their eyes cold and devoid of empathy. Shackled and bruised, the once-proud members of the Orange Aura Tribe now moved as mere shadows of their former selves.
Chiron gave an expression that made it seem like his heart ached at the sight of their agony.
And he clenched his fist in a fit of burning anger as his fingers clenched around the hilt of his sword, his muscles taut with the desire to help, to ease the burdens of the oppressed.
Turning to Barbara, his voice was filled with a quiet resolve, "We cannot turn a blind eye, Commander Barbara. We must do something, anything, to alleviate their suffering. These Vandorian scum are hurting our people and the highland energy. They are stealing Vasma steel from us."
Mani's eyes as sharp as a blade, surveyed the scene with a mixture of empathy and frustration. He understood the depth of Chiron's compassion, yet the practicality of their situation weighed heavily on his shoulders. "Chiron, I share your pain my brother, but rushing in without a plan would only lead to disaster. We cannot underestimate the strength of the Vandorian soldiers. We need a strategy," he stated his voice firm but laced with sorrow.
Mani was one who always wanted to help. He did not want the highlanders to suffer as he had. besides, he was originally from the Purple Aura tribe. this was the tribe of compassion.
Beside them, Barbara observed the scene with a deep sense of annoyance on her face. "There are many, and fighting this many, especially with the blessing of the bear mother is not advisable. They will see us coming even if it's a surprise attack. Besides, we are too few to suppress the bear mother's ability with our might. However..." she smiled, "this might be a good opportunity to try that thing."
She turned to Chiron, "What you are about to witness is secret!" She turned to Mani, "Bring out the Mirror Egg!"
Mani nodded and did as she instructed.
One look at the mirror Egg, and Chiron knew that this was the same Mirror egg that he had seen in Able's hands back when he was a captive in the Chanland kingdom.
"Now, for a good plan!" she muttered.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden glow upon the land, the trio deliberated, their voices hushed with the weight of their decisions.
The villagers' labored breaths and the distant clinking of shackles created a haunting melody, a reminder of the villagers' unyielding spirit amidst the darkness.
While Chiron, Mani, and Barbara laid down their plans to attack, something else happened back at the Vadorian kingdom.
....
In the peaceful garden, the king sat, his eyes fixed on the night sky. Above him, the twin moons shone brightly, casting a soft glow on everything below. The air smelled of blooming flowers, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient trees.
The king's heart felt heavy as he thought about his country, now torn apart by war and the decision of who would take over the throne.
The garden, once full of life, seemed sad and quiet. The flowers, once vibrant and colorful, drooped under the weight of sorrow. The song of a nightingale echoed the king's sadness, filling the air with a mournful tune.
The king looked at the stars, each one twinkling in the vast darkness. He thought about his people, their faces etched with pain and fear. He imagined the mothers worrying about their children, the fathers longing for peace, and the children who had lost their smiles.
Tears welled up in the king's eyes as he prayed for his country. He wished for an end to the suffering, for happiness to return to his people. In the quiet of the night, he felt a mixture of hope and sadness, hoping that one day, the stars would shine on a peaceful land once more.
Right now, he did not know what the war was about anymore. Initially, it was for revenge on the Chanland people for what they did to his people. And then the highlanders became brazen and rebelled. As if that was not enough, the beast kingdom began their assault too.
And now, his kingdom was fighting on all sides as the tide of the war had slowly become tilted to amassing wealth and resources.
Honestly, if he was asked, he would rather it all ended and everyone remained in their lands. However, the interest of the state came before his own.
At this moment, an innocent voice called out to him, "Grandfather, are you alright?"
The king turned to the beautiful sight of Nora, Chiron's younger sister.
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