Napuna Port,
The typically quiet and deserted was bustling with a lot of people today. Basil and Wilmot, the leaders of the rebellion, were among those who hurried to the port. They had arrived in the city and spent their time doing nothing but sleeping and recuperating. As rebels who were constantly on edge, it was a rare occasion to have a break. Therefore, they need to utilize it well and bring their body to top condition.
The salty air filled their nostrils. Their eyes stared out at the vast sea before them and fixed on the large silhouettes that slowly made their way towards them.
The silhouettes become clearer and they eventually identify the object approaching them.
It was a massive ship, unlike anything they had ever seen before. Their eyes widened with surprise and awe. But as the ship drew nearer, they began to feel a sense of fear and unease.
"What the hell was that?" Wilmot asked in bewilderment. His eyes were wide with shock.
"I don't know," Basil replied, equally perplexed. "Since when there's a ship moving without a sail in this world?"
The sheer size and power of the vessel was overwhelming. The sound of the engine was loud and unfamiliar to their ears and the towering smokestacks billowing clouds of smoke into the sky.
The steamboat's impressive size became more apparent as it drew nearer to the dock. Basil and Wilmot could see the crew members scurrying about on the deck, shouting commands and securing ropes.
At first, both of them were prepared to engage in any battle. However, the crimson red flag with a sword on it came into their sight. It was the flag of Ryntum, fluttering in the wind.
They heaved a sigh of relief. The sense of trepidation in their hearts gradually disappeared.
The soldiers began to disembark from the ship. They were well-equipped and wore a standardized red uniform. They moved with precision and discipline, securing the ship and setting up a perimeter around the dock.
They appeared to be on high alert, scanning the area and taking note of their surroundings.
Basil and Wilmot looked at each other. "Should we approach them?" asked Wilmot.
"Hmm..." Basil fell into deep thought. The king told them to retreat to Napuna but he never told them what to do next. Suddenly, his soldiers came to the port.
His intuition strongly believes the soldiers before them are somehow were send to them. "I think we should approach them first, did you bring the king's letter with you?"
"Yeah, it's here with me." Wilmot took it out and promptly show it to Basil.
"Good," Basil nodded.
He first steps forward and pushed his way through the crowds followed by Wilmot from behind. As he moved closer to the dock, he could feel the tension in the air. People whispered nervously to each other, casting furtive glances in the direction of the soldiers.
"Excuse me," Basil greets, keeping his head down to avoid drawing unwanted attention to himself.
"Hmm?" The commanding officer who watching the soldiers unloading the supplies turns around. He asked with a stern voice. "Who are you?"
"I'm Basil Beldavair and he's Wilmot Aymer."
"Basil? Wilmot?" The commanding officer murmured their name. His tone immediately changes. "Oh!! You're both here. Good! I don't have to waste my time finding both of you in this place. Here, take this." He handed them a letter with a royal seal on it.
Basil stretch out his hand and took the letter before promptly opening it up. His eyes scanned the page, taking in each word carefully. His expression changed from one of nervousness to one of relief and satisfaction. fre(e)webnovel.com
Finally, he folded the letter back up and slipped it into his pocket while a smile etched on his face. The letter contained good news.
"What is it? What's written in the letter?" Wilmot asked eagerly.
Basil turned to Wilmot. He speaks with a low yet intense voice. "Wilmot, I think the day of our revenge is drawing near." free(w)ebnovel(.)com
"Is that so?" Wilmot excitedly asked. "Is the king sending these soldiers for us?"
"Not quite accurate." The commanding officer chimed in. "You guys shouldn't get too full of yourselves. We are here to help Bagyarosia who is at the mercy of Barlia. There's no way the king would waste his manpower simply to help you out of goodwill. Though according to the king, we can lend you help, please keep in mind that everything comes with a price."
Basil asked, "And what is the price we have to pay?"
"I assume you guys know about Wemeywesto and its layout better than we do, right?"
Basil and Wilmot exchanged glances, a mixture of confusion on their faces. Nevertheless, both of them nodded their heads. "Yeah, we know it like the back of our hand."
"Good. You guys are going to help us out with that." The commanding officer then handed a pile of clothes to them, "For starters, gather your subordinates and change into our uniform. We'll march to the city as soon as possible. There's no time to waste so move fast."
They took the pile of clothes without saying a word and gathered their subordinates right away. The group of rebels who left Haugdak in a hurry dressed in nothing but worn torn clothes and with old and rusted weapons, mostly crude axes and swords. They are in no way in a condition to engage in battle.
The rebels were hesitant at first, but Basil and Wilmot quickly explain the situation and persuaded them. In the end, they trusted their leaders and comply.
Within a few minutes, the group had changed into Ryntum soldiers' uniforms. Unlike their prior attire, the clothes were clean and well-fitted. Not only that but they were also given the newly made steel weapon to replace the crude weapon in their hand.
"Good. You guys now look more like a group of soldiers than beggars." The commanding officer praised the rebels' clean appearance. He turns to Basil, "You've explained everything to them. right?"
"Yes, they're all aware of it." He stopped for a second, "However, may I ask how you guys intent to reach the capital?"
The commanding officer frown, seemingly not understanding. "Isn't it obvious? We'll march straight to the city by foot, of course."
"With due all respect, I would like to inform you that there's no direct road connecting Napuna to Wemeywesto. It'll take at least four days to reach the city through the undeveloped land."
"Then, do you have any other route where we can avoid the detection of enemies?" asked the commanding officer. Looking at the silent Basil and Wilmot, he knows they have no other viable option.
He sighed and continued, "It seems to me like you're too absorbed in your petty revenge that you guys are disconnected from the current developments in the region. Barlia is not the only one attacking the South; Blande is also joining them. As we speak, they are besieging Tetheswest in the North. Let me emphasize the gravity of the situation. Ryntum's soldiers will be moving right in the middle between two enemies. If they detect our presence, I have no doubt that they'll pin us from both sides. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." They both said in unison, somehow using a respectful tone when addressing the commanding officer.
"Good. If you don't have any stupid questions, we'll begin our march." The commanding officer looked around him, "I don't want to stay here any longer. We stand out like a sore thumb."
Basil and Wilmot look around as well. They get what he means. Hundreds of pairs of eyes are looking at them right now. This is definitely not good as the possibility of spies or informants lurking among the crowds is high.
Shortly thereafter, Basil, Wilmot, and the group of rebels marched alongside the Ryntum soldiers. The soldiers marched in a tight formation, with the commanding officer at the front and the rest of the troops following closely behind in column formation.
The rebels, however, were positioned all the way at the back of the line by the commanding officer. Even so, the leaders of the rebellion didn't mind such an arrangement.
From behind, they could see the disparity between the rebellion soldiers and Ryntum's soldiers. They display a disciplined precision in movement. Each time their boots thudded against the ground in perfect unison, the rebels were able to feel the ground vibrate.
Although the rebels receive a bit of training from Ryntum, they are nowhere near the level of the actual soldiers.
The army left rather quickly due to the commanding officer's eagerness to put as much distance between themselves and the prying eyes of the locals as possible.
As they left the city behind, they found themselves traversing flat terrain that stretch for kilometres away. Despite the relatively easy-to-traverse terrain, the sun beat down relentlessly on the soldiers and it will remain the same for the next for the next four days.
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