As the village began to disappear behind, Raiden looked around for his friends. Soon he found them traveling with their own families... all of them had been called to join the war.

Much to Raiden’s surprise, Iri didn’t look as excited as she usually would when leaving the village. She was fully aware that she was going to see some nasty things in the war instead of exploring more of the world.

Iri, as a healer, holds a deep-seated belief in the value of life and the importance of preserving it. This foundational belief created a significant moral conflict when it comes to participating in a war, even if it was to help the allies of the village.

Engaging in combat, where causing harm or even death is often inevitable, would directly contradict her principle of helping others. This could lead to feelings of guilt and internal conflict.

Healers typically see the value in every life, regardless of which side of a conflict someone is on. The idea of harming others, even in defense of her comrades, was deeply troubling to Iri, as it forced her to choose sides and devalue the lives of the enemy.

Witnessing the suffering and death that come with war could be emotionally devastating for someone who has dedicated their life to healing. The trauma of seeing comrades injured or killed, combined with the guilt of participating in violence, could weigh heavily on her.

"This is your first time leaving the village since you have come, right?" Iri asked.

"Isn’t that obvious?" Raiden asked.

"Nah, knowing you, I would have guessed that you would have sneaked out when no one was looking," Iri forced a smile.

"The me in your head has a lot of free time," Raiden furrowed his eyebrows.

"We are going to march for a while, so save your breath," Harth declared with a serious expression. "We will receive reports along the way and if something happens, we might have to increase our pace."

It was extremely rare for Harth to scold them, but that only showed that when he was working, he was almost a completely different person. That being said, just walking wasn’t a real problem for people who learned how to use their Aura Force .

In any case, it was a bit sad that their first family trip turned out to be something like that. Regardless, soon, Raiden got bored, thanks to the seriousness of the situation, and he decided to do some training. Using a lot of energy wasn’t good, but he could use a bit of time to improve his control over it, that was the thing he lacked the most right now, after all.

Although that was the initial plan, Raiden ended up losing focus when walking around and seeing the area changing. It seemed that the village was located north of a mountainous area and at the very end of it. Thanks to that, they were able to see a massive plain lands ahead.

"This is essentially our border with the kingdom of Lunaria," Iri explained. "These plain lands expand from east to west for hundreds of kilometers, and they are fifty kilometers wide."

"Had you gone to that kingdom before?" Raiden asked.

"Yes, remember the last mission?" Iri asked. "The one that we left you and Mom at home? We delivered a cargo to one of their most important towns. We didn’t have a lot of time to go sightseeing, though. Dad warned us that people there would think that we would be gathering intel to sell if we overstayed our welcome."

"I just say that we have to be mindful of those ways of thinking, that is all," Harth said and then sighed. "Anyway, I am going ahead, your mother might need my help at some point."

In the heart of the formation, amidst the veterans positioned strategically at the sides and front, Iri and Raiden found themselves surrounded by the next generation of warriors-in-training. Here, where the air hummed with anticipation and nervous energy, they stood shoulder to shoulder with young recruits and recent graduates, united in the common task of preparing for the impending campaign.

The veterans’ clear placement on the periphery symbolized their role as guardians and mentors, ready to guide and protect, while the young ones, with their inexperience tempered by the front lines, took on the pivotal role of preparing the essentials that would sustain them in battle.

As they moved amidst the crates and provisions, Raiden could feel the weight of responsibility mingled with a sense of camaraderie that transcended rank. Their presence in the midst of the formation was not just about physical preparation; it symbolized a passing of the torch, a continuity of service that bound generations of warriors together.

In the end, they began to cross the plainlands following a pretty well-maintained road, but it wasn’t large enough to keep their formation, so only the cargo used the path.

When noon came, the group kept moving without stopping and they only had time to drink water as well. Lenore made the choice to maximize their preparation time, sacrificing the usual midday break of lunch for everyone under her command. Her decision was not merely about skipping a meal but a calculated strategy to acclimatize her group to the realities and demands of impending conflict.

For Lenore, the act had a clear goal: to instill in her comrades the discipline and resilience necessary for the trials ahead. As they continued their preparations without pause, the absence of the usual break served as a stark reminder of the sacrifices demanded by war. It was a lesson in adaptability, conditioning them mentally and physically for the unpredictable challenges they would inevitably face.

When the sun began to set, Lenore decided to call for a break. The weather in the afternoon had been fine, and they crossed most of the plain lands as well, but it felt like it would rain at night... considering the terrain, that wouldn’t be a pleasant experience.

Regardless, everyone began to set up their camps and prepare their own dinner once they received their basic rations. Raiden wasn’t expecting much when he heard the word ration, but they actually got some decent ingredients from a pretty good stew. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Let’s set up our tents together. It will be better this way to avoid the rain," Iri said.

"I don’t think so," Raiden said and then furrowed his eyebrows. "We all need our privacy as well."

"Don’t say that I didn’t warn you then," Iri shrugged.

Things stayed pretty comfortable after dinner. Everyone ate a bit more to make up for the skipped lunch, but as soon as time passed, it began to rain, and the ground got damp. Although their improvised beds made them stay above the wet ground, it was still pretty cold to sleep while camping.

The next morning, the group awoke to a palpable sense of fatigue, the night’s heavy rain having disrupted their rest. The younger recruits, in particular, felt the burden of it, stirring from their makeshift beds with red eyes and weary expressions. It was as if they hadn’t slept at all, the relentless patter of rain and the dampness seeping into their bones, robbing them of the rest they desperately needed. In contrast, the seasoned veterans seemed unfazed, their hardened bodies and minds conditioned to withstand such discomforts with focus and endurance.

Raiden, while not as exhausted as the younger members, couldn’t escape the annoying sense of unease brought on by the restless night. His sleep had been intermittent, the rain’s unrelenting drumming a constant reminder of the harsh conditions they faced. Though he stood stronger than the recruits, he still felt a lingering weariness that he couldn’t quite shake off. Despite this, the veteran’s composed demeanor served as a silent encouragement, a testament to the resilience he aspired to embody fully.

As the morning progressed, the skies began to clear, the sun breaking through the clouds and casting a warm, rejuvenating light over the weary travelers. The shift in weather lifted spirits and renewed their sense of purpose. With the path ahead now bathed in sunlight, the group resumed their journey with cautious optimism, the challenges of the previous night serving as a reminder of their resilience and determination to face whatever lay ahead. The sunny sky heralded a fresh start, infusing them with the energy and resolve needed for another day of travel.

Around noon, they finally found the first village in the territory of Lunaria, and then they saw the people working on farms around the place. Raiden tried to look at it with interest, but they were keeping their distance from those places.

Mom sure is cautious..." Raiden thought.

Although that was the case, Raiden was still able to see the people and their appearance, and he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows while looking at the people there. They looked kind of frail since they were pretty slim, but the most distinguising feature they had was their pointy ears...