Chapter 41: A Busy Day Ahead

Chapter 41: A Busy Day Ahead

The next morning, Arthur and Airael got up bright and early.

According to the outcome of yesterday’s discussions, regardless of whether they would abandon Malong Fortress, someone from their group definitely had to lead the team back.

Ultimately, it was decided that Arthur would take the lead and head back first.

Today, Arthur needed to arrange things, and they would set off tomorrow.

Thus, today was bound to be a bustling day for Arthur—he couldn’t catch a break!

Meanwhile, Airael was still lounging about.

Due to yesterday’s happenings, she decided not to go out and train with Celia and the others, opting instead to stay in her room and meditate while trying to communicate with the Staff of Eternity.

As the day passed, the Staff of Eternity still ignored her.

Airael reassured herself not to rush: she had plenty of time.

By the time Arthur returned, it was already quite late.

Seeing Airael still awake in the living room, he was quite surprised.

“Ailia, you haven’t gone to sleep yet!”

“I just can’t sleep; it’s not like I’m waiting for you!” Airael replied, glancing at him.

Arthur replied, “I understand. Can you at least tell me why you’re unable to sleep?”

“Can’t! It’s just that I can’t sleep!” Airael responded with a look of stubbornness.

“Alright then, dear Ailia, would you care to join me in falling asleep?” Arthur said, bowing in a gentlemanly manner, extending his invitation.

“Sure!”

Seeing Arthur being so accommodating, Airael happily offered him her hand.

After taking Airael’s hand, Arthur effortlessly picked her up and walked towards the bedroom.

In the bedroom, Arthur gently laid Airael down on the bed and kissed her forehead, saying, “Ailia, we have to get up early tomorrow to hit the road, so let’s try to sleep quickly.”

“Okay!” Airael nodded lightly.

Arthur then changed into his nightwear and lay down beside her.

Just then, Airael spoke up, “Arthur, I’m still unable to sleep?”

“What’s wrong?” Arthur looked at her and asked.

“I’m wondering if the Dwarves are really that strong?”

Airael was lacking in information about the Dwarves.

She didn’t know how that race had developed since then. What were those powerful new weapons like? Were they really as impressive as the intel suggested?

During the day, she had focused on her training and hadn’t thought about this matter.

Now that night had fallen, she wanted to seize the opportunity to discuss it thoroughly with Arthur.

“Ailia, you probably don’t need to overthink the Dwarves. The fall of Georgia was swift, but that doesn’t mean it was all due to the Dwarves’ efforts.”

“Is there some other force involved?” Airael asked curiously.

“No, but I believe the Kingdom of Georgia itself had significant issues. I visited that country once before.”

“What did you think of the Georgia Kingdom?” Airael became interested all of a sudden.

“That country, while rich, has been too complacent in recent years.”

Upon hearing Arthur’s evaluation of the Georgia Kingdom, Airael found it easy to accept in her heart.

There’s a saying: “If one does not consider the distant, they will surely face immediate worries.”

The Georgia Kingdom resembled the Wu Kingdom of the past, while the Dwarves were like the Yue Kingdom.

The Wu Kingdom, basking in the glory of prior victories, had grown complacent, looking down on the defeated Yue Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Yue Kingdom was quietly working hard to improve itself, ultimately turning the tables.

“So, Ailia, don’t think too much about it. For now, just sleep well and recharge your energy for tomorrow’s journey with me.”

“Okay!” Airael agreed and then kept silent, trying her best to drift off to sleep.

Arthur also fell silent.

Though he had been comforting Airael just moments ago, shock still filled him regarding the Dwarves’ performance.

Even if Georgia faltered, it was unexpected for the Dwarves to drive them back to the capital so quickly.

And now, even the capital was on the verge of falling.

Another night passed.

After tidying up the next morning, the two took their belongings and left the room, heading towards the military camp.

Upon arriving at the camp, the soldiers had already gathered and were waiting for their arrival.

“Let’s move out!”

Arthur called out without any extra words, and the troops set off on their journey back.

Airael noticed that they weren’t carrying any heavy weapons; all the soldiers were lightly equipped.

“Those things would slow us down, and we don’t need them right now. If we need them later, we can have them made again,” Arthur explained, noticing Airael’s gaze.

Airael nodded, indicating that she understood.

With time being urgent, efficiency was key.

It was evident that the journey ahead wouldn’t be easy.

As Airael had surmised, returning from Malong Fortress to human territory was challenging, and due to the pressing time, they had to hurry back.

Thus, Arthur and the officers were brainstorming ways to improve the marching speed of the soldiers.

“Arthur, is it really necessary to push the soldiers so hard?!” Airael couldn’t bear to watch and said to Arthur.

“Ailia, if we don’t push harder now, it’ll be too late to make them work harder later,” Arthur replied.

He continued urging the soldiers to keep moving.

“Didn’t you eat enough? Where did all that meat I just gave you go? If you want meat for dinner, pick up the pace and don’t slow us down!”

Airael shook her head, not offering any more advice to Arthur.

He was steadfast in his decision; at a time like this, her urging wouldn’t change anything.

If he wanted to handle it this way, so be it!

In truth, it did have a little effect.

People are driven by food, and many join the army just to put food on the table.

As long as they received food, many would work hard and endure hardships.

Not to mention, there was the allure of meat.

However, since she had to keep an eye on the soldiers during the day to prevent overexertion, Airael and Arthur didn’t engage in any affectionate activities at night anymore.

This significantly hampered Airael’s plans.

How could she ever conceive a child this way?

But Arthur wouldn’t listen to her advice; she was at a loss!

She could only endure, once again feeling as if she had become a resentful wife in the military camp.

As for Arthur, fully engrossed in the army, he completely overlooked Airael.

Though Airael was filled with grievances, she never voiced them to Arthur, bottling them up inside.

This continued until they returned to Lanahl City.

And that was already more than half a month later.

Upon returning to Lanahl City, the entire army was weary from head to toe.

So, Arthur granted them a day off to relax and unwind.