Chapter 9 - Desperation

There is a settlement on the way, head towards there.. retreat from south for now.

Okay.. Aijemz nodded.. Let's move... company of constructed started moving rapidly.

The variations had its benefits, some jumped some flied, some ran, it overall made a cohesive unit, these were cultivators, not the mindless robots that otherwise they'd be. The unit really was effective, as previous battle shown.. They didn't that much of an advantage, yet they prevailed, this was because cultivators, especially mid level ones liked to work together when it wasn't any harm to them.. unlike the usual belief that they were all backstabbing
selfish loners.. Beyond the advancement opportunities, sometimes life of fighting could be fun, as rare as it is, it was up to them to enjoy it.

Should we make some kind of base, for them to come back ? and transfer prisoners and re supply.. ? councillors discussed..

What kind of benefits would that provide them ?

Not all battles are going to be so easy.. There will be phyrric battles too, what do they do then.. Ever thought about it, it'd be too late then to think and act..

You are right.. The elder were in thought.. What do you think Larchen..?

Well they are numbered very little.. This means they'll need to re supply sometimes regardless.. Besides its not wise to let any sort of troops be out in the field for long.. Their mind need rest as well.. We can even circle the ones to serve periodically for best effect..

Another elder chimed in, we should camouflage it as something else.. otherwise there are spies everywhere.. Stuff is getting stolen left and right too.. There must also be a way we can get news from outskirts of the city. It must be reliable and fast.. Lastly, there must be a way to process the many prisoners that is sure to come in...

Process ?

Menial work.. of course.. let them re-build what they wrecked.. There is no shortage of work. Besides, our trade lines are in horrible mess.. The cities burned.. my god.. Only the Busan survived in the region, thanks to Larchen.. They must be really angry at you... Larchen.. You even killed their dragon...

Well, I like surprising my enemies..

Don't be pompous Larchen, Fowliang whispered over.. Let me do the talking, you are so stupid, my god, what an imbecile...she went on

Ah, music to my ears, after that bitch kept attacking my all day..

So, what does the map show now ? They are moving.. north east ?

Yeah, there is a settlement there where the army passed, we don't know what the situation, let us check it.. or rather let them..

How many people there ?

A couple hundred houses.. But its not a dump, or a village, its a place of luxury... it has many rich denizens.. Ehm, it is a retreat, for the political rank of the city..where they rest and go on holidays.. It has a few taverns and other fun places.. Let us check out all the settlements in the area one by one.. Bring some detailed maps over here..

What is this place with the buck sign over ?

It is a religious hovel..some local cult or what not..

Fine, let us take a recess, it'll take a while for them to travel north..

...

Fowliang kissed Larchen, and continued kissing him big wet kisses..

Ehm, what's going on ? Larchen asked non chalantly..

For once you've kept your composure... and didn't go crazy and off the track, that's your reward.. for the stress you hate to endure..

But why are you so happy ?

It's cause these people are extremely important figures of this continent. You have no idea.. the status this brings me...

Ah, eat my face then.. as you like.. since its not just a polite holiday celebration..

...

Uh, what is this place ? A construct asked..

Its supposed to be a cult..

I'd say more like a gang.. the politicians are so used to use polite terms for everything.. So what do we do Aijemz...

Doesn't depend on me, Larchen told me to skip the villas for now.. We aren't running a free operation here...

Of course, so... what does the council suggest next ?

It is reputed that there is a person here who is talented in artificiating constructs, we must find her whereabouts.. Don't kill any woman, even if they attack you.. If you can't handle it, flee and retreat instead.

How do we cross the lake ? Construct looked over the large body of water...

We swim, Larchen said these things aren't effected by water..

Looks like something exploded in this water, perhaps a ship ?

Let's wait for orders, council will see it exactly from our eyes.. anyway.

...

Ignore the ship, go immediately for the lady engineer...

Ignore the ship, go immediately for the lady engineer... Aijemz ordered, lets move, be careful. Don't rush, keep reports coming.

They crossed the lake silently without making much noise..

Yeah but what does she look like ?

I don't know, I didn't ask..

....

Come on we are a few hours to the city, let's go, the solider said, to the boy...

The boy didnt say anything, he was probably trying to sleep on the carriage..

Hey, do you know anything about the place up north ? The soldier probed, as per orders.. Seen anything of the place near the lake ?

The boy got up.. my cousin saw the place, she said, there were machines all over the place.. And people treated him nice... Can i have something to eat ? I'm hungry..

Of course..

...

The place looks... unharmed.. But where is everyone ?

Look there is a crowd ahead..

Hey you, with the blue basket, where is everyone ? Isn't there a sect here ?

The villager didn't say anything...as she turned, her face was full of strange signs and large teeth.. she looked like a monster..

Retreat, retreat, Aijemz shouted, full retreat immediately, disengage..

The ground shook, as most of constructs took flight jumping back just in time, a few were caught as the ground shattered, with vines rising up.

There are nine, under the earth.. nine monsters or cultivators.. I can sense the bone element fully.. Aijemz shouted. Engage them if you see any.. He then dived under ground with the suit among the shocked looks of others.

Larchen how long can this thing keep going under ground ?

It depends on the amount of earth it can consume.. at least half an hour, but i didn't test it..

The stuff is blinking with warning..

Its normal.. the construct is resistant but it will be destroyed if you misuse it..

What does the council say ?

Nothing.. We are all watching.. but they seem unfazed.. what a bunch of pros.. my heart is going to flip from its cage.. yet they seem so content..

Figures..

...

There are.. some rock formation lines here.. under earth..

Do your best, our support and funding depends on your success, i'm sure as you know..

I wouldn't worry, we are very popular...

I see a symbol.. it looks southern script..

Let us see it..

It's a branch from the southern sect.. apparently.. Be very careful... those are probably guardians.. And the real sect is underground..

Should i call the others ?

Yeah..

....

I keep going around the same place.. its the fourth time i'm passing on this corner, my air's going to run out soon. Others are reporting technical problems, minor to major...

We are working on it.. We've called over some help, hang in there a bit..

Wait, i see a chest... it has some white runes on it...

They are storm runes.. open it...

It says, i'm not present right now, you won't find anything here either, we've so enmity so i've put an artifact in the chest, it is a storm reacting weapon..

Is it dated ?

Yeah, two weeks..

Acknowledged, retreat and return to base...

What base ?

We are setting it up, i'll describe you its location.. You should be here by night..

....

Chairman, surely you can see, this expedition was a success..

We should have checked the settlement first... What re we going to do with just a weapon ?

Don't worry so much.. Drink and be merry..

So who gets the weapon ?

One of us, of course.. So let us decide whom..

Larchen and me will not join the candidates, Fowliang said.. We feel that its inappropriate.. if we get rewarded...

Oh, you are so generous and wise..

Larchen had such a massive headache he felt like dying, this woman of hers.. was so dangerous, he sometimes felt like, he was standing near a revenant.. He was rarely afraid throughout his life, but for moments like these, which chilled him to the bone with fear.. There was never a worse pain than being desperate, and
he felt it at these moments. He felt desperation.