035: Enemy Is At The Bay

Usually, the Undine Village was in festive mood when Mathilda's caravan arrived at village. They brought money, medicine, spices and other items from other kingdom beyond the Westcliff.

The caravan would stay in the village from Spring to Summer to trade with the villagers and bought a lot of resources, foods, provisions and many other items that the villagers had to offer. In this way, both parties will gain mutual profits.

For this particular morning, however, neither the caravan's members or the villagers were in the mood for trading as the humongous Pentagon Fortress suddenly appeared from the sky.

After Darius' order reached Maria's ears and was passed to Bjorn and Skallgard, the young and strong villagers were busy preparing the battlements and the five watch towers which were situated on the each side.

The one who welcomed the Caravan was none other than Maria herself.

Lockheed, the centaur warrior, Mathilda's second in command, returned her greetings. His hoof clip-clopping as he approached the young lady. Lockheed might look a brute centaur warrior with his dark steel armor and burly build, but he was actually a gentle and polite giant.

"Maria, does Lady Mathilda built this fortress with her magic? I saw the billowing shadow in the sky last night. Hence my early arrival."

"I don't know. I wasn't with her last night. Why don't you ask our new Village Chief?

As if it was cued, the Village Chief had appeared from the east, he strode in the main street with the rising sun shone brilliantly behind him.

"Long time no see, Lockheed , it's been a while." Darius politely greeted the centaur warrior.

Lockheed immediately noticed Darius' Mana Field. Although his Mana Field wasn't as strong as Mathilda's Mana Field, it was quite commendable for his young age.

"Little Darius, you have grown up! I can feel the vast Arcane Energy inside you now." Something clicked in his mind after he connected the dots. "Wait, did you built this fortress by yourself?"

Darius shrugged his shoulders. He simply didn't want to brag his accomplishment over nothing. Therefore, Mathilda spoke in his stead.

"Yes, he did built the fortress in one night. But of course, with the help of his big sister."

"I am not your little brother." Darius immediately rebutted.

"You ungrateful brat!" Mathilda landed a good knuckle on Darius head. "Of course you are! I did tell you that Arthur is my foster father and Selena is my teacher, right?"

"Well, if that's the case, you'd be my step-sister then." Darius touched his chin, gazing at the sky nonchalantly.

Both Maria and Lockheed chuckled, it was the first time for them to see Mathilda very frustrated. Darius might look like a stoic and soulless person from the outside, but he could be a very humorous one from time to time.

"Well," Lockheed said. "I have heard everything from the birds as traversed the desert about the raid and all. I am sorry, truly."

"No need to mention it. This village is recuperating as we speak, let the wound be healed." Darius remarked.

"Let us talk in the Village Hall and have some mead." Maria promptly ushered them.

Lockheed nodded, he then raised his hand to signal the caravan to settle down at the shore where they usually camped on. It would need at least a half day for the caravan which has 200 members in total to pitch their stalls and tents.

Darius, on the other hand, noticed the exited face of the villagers. They must have been waited for the caravan's arrival, partying, dancing to the music and drink Barley's stock of mead.

''Once the battlements are done, you can go help the caravan with their tents!"

"Yes, Chief!" They answered in unison.

"Hurry! This is the last batch of arrows! Distribute them into each battlements and we can call it a day!" Bjorn shouted from below the wall.

****

In the middle of the village hall, there was a long table where the villagers could wind down from their field work. But today, the Village Hall was exclusively used for the meeting.

Darius sat on his seat, which was slightly larger and more decorated than the others. Maria sat on the far side opposite of him. Meanwhile, Mathilda and the other villagers were on the side, except for the centaur warrior, he stood solemnly in the corner.

Fredrik, Anderson, Mr. Barley, Aunty Esther, and Lady Revna were honoured by the villagers to sit on the table as representative of their voice and opinions.

Before long, one of Mathilda's raven swoop down and perched on her shoulder. This time the raven's color was white. It seems like whispering something in Mathilda's ears.

"Hmm, hmm, and then? Two battleships? I see. Thank you."

After that, the white raven flew off elsewhere. The once joyous atmosphere in the Village Hall tensed within a second.

"Judging from your face, it seems like the Baron's force is already in our water territory, huh?" Darius sharply remarked.

"Indeed. That bastard brought at least ten Rank 1 Mages as well as a whole platoon of warriors as we speak. It seems like he won't let Maria to get away. Damn it! They must have sniffed our plan! They will arrive at the gulf by tomorrow morning."

Lockheed raised his hand, asking Darius' permission to speak his mind. Thus, Darius glanced at him and nodded.

"It might be inappropriate for a young lady to ride my back, however, if you would, I could bring you to the southern most border of Northean Kingdom within a day."

Maria stood from her seat, there was no hesitation in her eyes. "I'll prepare my saddle and belongings. Meet me in the south gate."

"Understood!" Lockheed left the Village Hall.

Darius, meanwhile, pondered what was the best strategy to counter the Baron's force which could annihilated the whole village in one single spell formation.

Amidst the conundrum, a beautiful howl sounded from the north. While the other villagers were shuddered in fear, Darius smirked wide from ear to ear.

"Hah! Old Fang is coming! Mr. Barley, ready your mead, let's get the party going!"