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Somewhere on the walls of Snegallits.
- And yet, Master, doesn't it seem reckless to you to let three of the four knights of our region go to the capital?
The space next to the gray-haired gentleman was occupied by a young warrior of heroic build, whose face was adorned with multiple scars, each of which testified to valor shown during battles with the monsters of the crater, serving as a kind of medals.
- Let them find satisfaction in a rare moment of carefreeness, it won't hurt them. Especially Rezare, the girl only thinks about our mission, that's not good.
- With all due respect, is that really so bad? Given the circumstances.
- True strength manifests itself only when you know exactly what you are fighting for. "For the future of all mankind", "for the kingdom", "for justice"... These are beautiful slogans, but in essence, at the level of an individual, they mean nothing.
- But Master, isn't it exactly about them that you constantly preach?
- Ho-ho, that is required by the social contract, and despite the semantic emptiness, they still have a function that unites all members of society.
- Hmm, I remember you said that the carrot is always stronger than the stick. Is that from the same series?
- Imagine a loving mother who, despite the limits of her body, frees a child from under the heavy weight of collapsed stones; a person ignoring severe wounds to protect a loved one; even a daring bandit risking his life in the hope of getting what he desires… Drill and ideology can only imitate a small fragment of such power, and it is this that makes a person stronger than all.
- So either you have this core, or you don't. I wonder if I have it? And you, Master?
- Besides, - Afortek did not answer the question and returned to the original topic, - it is also useful to observe social rituals - such a visit may draw attention to the situation on the border and who knows, perhaps it will lighten our burden.
- I confess, Deus does not inspire hope in me. Her backside has occupied the throne for several years now, but nothing substantial is heard about her, and besides…
A falcon armed with a small note lands on Lord Swordgard's shoulder. Gratefully stroking the bird on the head, he accepted the letter and read its contents.
- Grit, it's time to saddle the horses. We are moving out beyond the wall.
Somewhere northwest of Snegallits
The reason for the unexpected sortie of Lord Afortek and the Knight of Friendship was unexpected news that the construction of fortress structures had begun near the border. Initially, it was assumed that this could be the start of a military campaign by Afezeria, but the truth turned out to be far more terrible - the construction was being carried out by monsters from the crater. Those same dim-witted creatures, incapable of anything but destruction. During a cursory inspection, it was revealed that their work was of low quality and not particularly well thought out, but the fact of unpleasant changes remained a reality. Trying to uproot the threat before it took root, the northerners' squad cut through the first wave of creatures like a knife through butter, but soon encountered an unexpected obstacle.
All this monstrous action was led by a humanoid-looking creature.
- Master... - For a moment, my lord Grit Boundlessheart was speechless.
- Hoo, you are like Dumlal from Azumi, I presume? - Afortek, however, did not lose his composure, fixing his hawk-like gaze on the new enemy. - Well then, even if our acquaintance will not be long, I will allow you to hear my name - you are speaking with Afortek Transcend, Lord of Swordgard.
- I have no beginning and no end, human, I am merely a small fragment of a single whole. But you may call me Hot, if it is more convenient for your mind.
- Since when do the monsters of the north have reason?! - Driving fear from his heart, the Knight of Friendship suddenly roared at the mysterious creature. - Answer!!
- The Mother realized that brute force alone would not overcome humanity, so she had to create beings like me. Dumlal was a prototype.
- Hmm, for someone only just created, you have a rather substantial vocabulary. - With irony in his voice, Afortek praised the new acquaintance. - In that case, perhaps an agreement can be reached with you?
- I do not sense sincerity in your question, Afortek Transcend, Lord of Swordgard. You understand that this is impossible, yet you still ask?
- Villain! - The young man shouted again. - Do you even know how many human lives your kind has ruined? How many dreams were destroyed, how much potential was lost, how many tears were shed?
- The feeling of burning resentment, crushing frustration - this is well known to us, nameless human. It is precisely this that drives us. Can you imagine how many souls were destroyed when the old world was destroyed and a new one took its place? Each of them had dreams and hopes, now unattainable.
- Absurd! - The Knight blazed with even more hatred, but what he heard only made Afortek squint. - Expecting anything but madness from a monster was naive foolishness, Master, let us just get rid...
Distracted by his own speech, the Knight of Friendship did not notice a spear thrown at him, which a moment later ended up in the flesh of the lord who had stepped into its path.
- M-master...
The next moment, the intelligent creature was already a step away from the warrior, intending to crush him with a blow of its heavy fist, but despite his mortal wound, the lord severed its arm with a lightning-fast swing of his sword. By this time, other northern warriors had joined the battle against the arriving monsters, and chaos once again reigned in the would-be fortress...
In the end, the knight who had regained his composure and his wounded lord managed to defeat the enemy, but for Afortek Transcend this battle was his last - he will not have time to say goodbye to his daughters.