Chapter 55 Towards Their Glittering Future, Towards Their Dreams...Towards The Sea
-- POV General --
As the sun slowly rose behind the mountains, Freya's camp was already almost empty. They had hundreds of half-humans working to make sure everything was ready, because departure was imminent.
To see such a large camp migrate to another destination was something incredible. Thanks to the carts recovered after the battle, it was possible to move many of the people present. One cart was reserved for the transportation of all the objects that could not be carried, while the other four were used for those who wanted to. The carts were particularly large because they had been taken for the purpose of transporting 250 people in cages, so there was enough room and no one was against using them. The 160 soldiers had decided to walk for training, and the safety of the others had to be taken care of anyway as they made their way through the forest. As everyone took their seats, the purple-eyed she-wolf was at the front of the procession waiting. There were three horses available, a huge black stallion that Freya was going to ride accompanied by Shiro, a gray mare for Gaya and the last one was simply used to carry some goods.
"Are we ready to go ?"
Freya was talking to Ynir who was at her side while she was petting her horse she had named Inferno. He had yellow eyes, was muscular, tall and shiny black. Since Grim's death he had not let anyone ride him and had been more than a little out of control. But when Freya introduced herself to him, she subdued him with a simple look and the stallion seemed to like his new mistress even more than his old master. As the she-wolf gently stroked his mane, Ynir bowed slightly in response to her question.
"Yes your Highness, though some are not completely ready, it should not be too much longer."
The Empress was waiting for everyone to pay attention before starting the journey, but a few people still seemed to be struggling to get organized in the back.
"Empress !"
A Kobold was running up to Freya with an alert look on his face as he stopped in front of her, taking the time to bow his head before continuing.
"I apologize for taking up your precious time but I don't know how to place myself."
The Empress had had the soldiers placed at the front and back of the procession to maximize security, however there were still a few half-human soldiers who seemed lost. For the first time they had to protect others and at the cost of their lives if necessary. Many of them were anxious because despite the training they had received, no one had gone beyond level 5 yet and no one had any real experience.
The soldier in front of Freya was a Kobold who was lost in the tide of people around him and having recognized the she-wolf, he had decided to ask her directly. None of the soldiers had seen the power of their Empress yet, which might explain this innocent if overly familiar approach. The Kobold had already been impressed by her presence and natural aura, but he had never seen her up close and personal before, and that's why he had ventured to ask her. As he raised his head, he could see that Freya was staring at him without saying a word while she frowned slightly. She was certainly much more pleasant than in her past life, but she didn't appreciate being addressed in this way, without introducing himself and with such familiarity.
For the first time the Kobold was facing the she-wolf with her eyes directly into his. At that moment his strength disappeared as he fell to his knees disoriented and trembling despite himself.
"I..."
Before the soldier could even formulate a sentence, a spear was already planted in the ground right in front of his nose. The Kobold gasped as Freya didn't move an eyelash as a lamia approached, speaking words in an irritated and cold voice.
"You ! Go to the back !"
"Yes ! At your orders Commander !"
This soldier was one of Nixia's soldiers, whom she ruled with an iron fist like all the others. As the Kobold ran to the back of the procession, too happy to have the opportunity to leave, Nixia bent down to apologize.
"Please forgive this soldier who did not know where to stand, I will make sure to inform them better from now on your Highness."
Freya still didn't speak as she simply nodded her head before seeing the lamia join her soldiers.
It was full daylight and everything was finally ready. The front soldiers were Commander Ynir, Commander Persea, Commander Emilia and Commander Thorunn, while the rear was in the hands of Commander Nixia, supported by Vice Commander Naia, Commander Ralph and Commander Luna. The medical section was among the travelers to monitor and the air section flew over them to keep an eye on them, trying not to be spotted.
In the silence that reigned in the mountains Freya, followed by Gaya and Shiro walked in front of the attentive crowd and as they stopped all eyes were turned to this Empress. No one dared to speak, fascinated by her beauty enhanced by the rays of the sun that fell on her white skin that seemed to glow. Freya was dressed as usual in a black shirt tucked into her black pants, a black jacket that she wore only over her shoulders giving her a confident and powerful air. Her hands were covered by white gloves that held her katana firmly in one hand and her daughter's hand in the other. Freya dressed in black with her masculine posture, penetrating gaze and commanding presence did not look like an Empress but rather a Demon King. The she-wolf's hair flew in the wind and her eyes, more intense than ever almost hidden by a few strands, scanned the crowd as she stuck the tip of her sword into the ground before speaking.
"Today we leave for the West, the journey will take all day but we can finally settle down for good. We will be venturing into the forest so everyone be very careful, no one must get hurt, no one must disappear and no one must disobey orders given during the journey. By now you all know the people in charge of the many positions so if there is any problem, please go to them rather than to me. If something important happens I will be alerted immediately but I am counting on you not to let that happen."
As she finished her sentence, Freya placed Shiro on Inferno's back before riding him gracefully in turn, holding the reins firmly. Gaya dressed in gray pants and a very feminine white top was on her horse at her side and smiling. The dragoness was to ride with them for a little while before she headed off in another direction, towards the Syn forest. The beautiful crimson haired woman was looking at her wife with pride and love as she listened to her speak again.
"To all cart drivers and soldiers, forward march !"
Suddenly all were marching, along with the one guiding them to their future. Most had a lump in their stomachs that represented the fear of walking through the woods but the excitement of finally landing somewhere to live happily and protected from all human cruelty. This procession of 286 people was moving towards their dreams all silently in the forest.
The journey had begun.
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It was almost noon when the travelers stopped to quickly eat what had been prepared by a few people given the situation. The 10 female commanders were gathered together, constantly watching and talking. Usually they were not the type to talk much, but lately they had all become really close and considered each other more as friends than colleagues. After all, going through a battle together and surviving it brings one closer.
"Her Highness had mentioned possible seconds for later when our ranks are larger. So, have you spotted any interesting soldiers lately ?"
Thorunn spoke while drinking the blood of an animal she had kept aside while Nixia spoke in her soft, cold voice.
"I don't know...there is definitely a girl I'm thinking about but I can't really figure out if she has potential because I can't evaluate her."
The lamia seemed to be in a dilemma as Ralph still answered with her somewhat naturally aggressive voice.
"Why ? It's not complicated, you attack her and see if she can avoid or counter and the matter is settled !"
The hybrid, like most of them, usually mute, was now speaking without worry with all the others, even if her silent personality reappeared once she became serious again. As for Luna, her eyes sparkled at Nixia's announcement and she couldn't help asking for details. Always discreet and also not very expressive, the half-panther had eyes that shone only when there was the Empress or when it concerned a pretty girl.
"Go on, explain in detail !"
She always had an expression that always contrasted with her natural face as she started to blush slightly despite her efforts to hide it. The lamia sighed, totally aware of Luna's thoughts as she explained to the others who this girl was.
"Sigh, she's an elf named Kurumi, always relaxed as if nothing could hurt her. At first she was no different from the others but as time goes by she seems to have found her way. I have the impression that she is good at fighting and born to be a warrior but her looks and personality don't match."
"That is -to say ?"
Ynir didn't understand what Nixia was getting at.
"Well...she's so nonchalant and always looks weak that it's hard for me to really gauge her strength. Of course she's not level 5 yet but I don't know...I have a feeling that she might be very strong in the future. If only I could get an idea of her overall strength."
"Mmmh, either way you'd like her to fight seriously. Aaand just to know....not that I care but, what does she look like ?"
The half-panther had spoken again, trying to sound disinterested while fishing for information. The other girls sighed as none were fooled enough to fall for it.
"She has pink hair and blue eyes and is quite small. However I warning you, you'd better not go to my soldiers, let alone hit on them !"
Luna flinched at her sentence as she tried to deny it while hiding her embarrassment as best she could.
"No, that's not true, what makes you think that I'd hit on someone ? You...you don't know me very well I...I'm disappointed !"
All the girls laughed in front of this young woman who despite a heart at first sight cold had a soft heart like no one else. The only female commander who cared for children next to her position was her.
"To return to the subject of the young elf, I advise you to wait. You'll see in time what happens. If you have any problems, don't hesitate to ask us for advice."
Persea, as maternal as ever, spoke these words with a wide smile on her face. Her flower crown was still on her head and made her look almost like a nature goddess. She was always gentle and never had too much trouble relating to others. While Trioa and Thorunn giggled next to each other almost choking, the atmosphere was joyful. Everyone was in a good mood and ate while continuing to joke around before they had to leave.
Freya on her side was only accompanied a little further by Gaya and Shiro who was dressed in a little white pants and a little white top. She was also laughing alongside her two happier than ever moms.
"Do you think I could put flowers next to my new bed ? I hope we will see the sea from the window, I have never been there ! Eh say, we'll see the sea ? And when I go to school I'll be with Kate right ?"
The little one had so many questions and was very excited to get to her destination. For the first time, little Shiro was going to have her own home, a healthy, protective and loving home. She couldn't stop talking without stopping as her mouth was full and stars were in her eyes.
"Itsch my firscht home hehe~! Are woue ghere yetch ?"
(it's my first home hehe~! Are we there yet)
Gaya was wiping Shiro's mouth as Freya looked at them in silence with her heart pounding. They were her family, the reason she was fighting and her reason to live. The lunch break was almost over and it wouldn't be long before Gaya would be separated from this group for several days. She had her own mission that she wanted to accomplish at all costs and was going to head to the forest where she had met Freya.
On their side, the citizens and the soldiers, led by the Empress, were heading with their soul at peace and full of joy towards their glittering future, towards their dreams...towards the sea.
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FULL STATUS
Name : Freya
Age : 0 years / Mentally : 25 years
Sex : Female
Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult
Race : Major Demon
Titles : Blessed by Titania, Goddess of endless Chaos and eternal frozen Hell.
Dragon tamer
Ruthless slayer
Level : 32/70
Exp needed for next level: 22 100 / 33 000
HP : 90 000 / 90 000 MP : 45 000 / 45 000
Strength : 390
Defense : 386
Agility : 400
Stamina : 403
Speed : 392
Intelligence : 390
Charisma : 410 (imperial she-wolf)
Attribute points to allocate : 0
Married to: Gaya
Daughter : Shiro
Kingdom (menu)
Subordinates : 385
Humans killed : 148
Elements: Ice / Chaos
Skills (all):
Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 5)
- Bite of hell (Lvl 5)
- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)
- Fighting techniques (lvl max)
- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)
- Demonic aura of the empress (lvl 5)
Defense - Ice demon wall (lvl 5)
- Demonic cloak (lvl 5)
Pain Resistance (lvl 3)
Attack/Defense - Domain of the Ice Empress "frozen wrath" (lvl 1) - (under condition)
Others - Humanoid form
- Ice creation (Lvl 4)
- Storage of chaos (Lvl 3)
- Devouring chaos (Lvl 4)
- Analysis
- Second soul (Lvl max) - unique
- Telepathy
Passives - Commander (lvl max)
- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]