43 Half A Man (1/2)
He turned and asked. ”Why can't they just evacuate all the citizens through the tunnel and take them all to a different city? Yes, the city would be destroyed by the beast horde but it eliminates a certain element of risk if they did that.”
Ranga shook his head, ”Peasants like you would not understand but this King does, so let me explain it to you. The area in which each city is built has a specific mineral and or object that is needed, if they evacuate and leave the city unguarded then the city would be destroyed and mining would stop. This would cause the industry to collapse and the cost of most things that include weapons and other metal amenities would increase. The mines here not only produce the type of metal we need for weapons but they also produce these other gem stones called ngoda, which make jewellery for nobles and it is a very expensive material. If production stops the noblemen will not be too pleased. It would also cost way too much to rebuild the city itself and to start rebuilding the mines and all thnoddedr industries once they are destroyed.”
The Gutu were an honour bound people, and their served their nobility with an extreme fervor. Taku, having been raised on earth, had a different outlook on things, but he chose to do the wise thing.
He nodded in understanding and kept his mouth shut for the rest of the journey and so did everyone else. When they arrived at the base of the Ivory Guard two hours later, they were shocked at how barren it was. When they entered there was only one person sitting behind a desk, this person was a youth who had a cultivation base of the Tohwe level. The youth lifted up his head and stared at the five people who had just entered and proceeded to greeting them respectfully. The five returned his greeting and Taku handed him a piece of paper.
The young man read through the paper and then called out, ”Tinashe, the goods have arrived, you can now take them to the front lines.”
Just as he finished talking the door that was behind him swung open and an old man who looked old enough to be their great grandfather walked out with a smile on his face. He bowed tohordes Taku's team and thanked him for delivering his goods and turned tohordes the youth behind the desk, ”Tendai. How many times do I have to tell you to call me elder, I am already old enough to be your great grandfather's father.”
Tendai rolled his eyes, and then sent the man off with the goods, after the man had left he said, ”You guys should rest for a while, whether you are planning to go to the front lines or go back to the city you came from, it is still wise for you guys to get a bit of rest.”
They all nodded but before they left, Taku asked the youth if there was any way he could contact General Maka.
The youth was slightly shocked by this question but he quickly composed himself and answered, ”It is a bit tricky at the moment because she is at the front lines but if there was message you wanted to leave for her, you could leave it with me and I will tell her.”
Taku smiled wryly, ”That is not possible, this is something that I have to personally deliver to her myself, but if you could please send her a message that, Takunda Gumbo is looking for her, I would be grateful. ”
The youth nodded and promised to try his best, he then gave the team their contribution points and gold coins for completing the mission. Then the team left to look a place to rest, the team found an inn nearby and rented out five separate rooms. They had offered to pay for a room for the coachman but he had strongly declined and told them that he had other businesses to take care of.
He told them that if they needed to find him all they had to do was go to the City Lord's palace and look for a servant by the name of Tapuwa. Taku did not waste any time and headed straight for his room, he was tired and he needed some time to rest and cultivate later on. When he got into his room , he quickly took out his storage poach and the removed everything in it. As everything came out a lion which was about a meter in height jumped out.
Shumba stared at Taku with displeasure written all over his face, Taku was quick to notice this and apologised because he knew that he could have taken Shumba out at any time, but he had earnestly forgot him. Still looking displeased, Shumba went and lay down beneath the window. Taku fell on the bed, initially he wanted to look around the room to see where everything was but he was so tired he decided to just sleep.
He only woke up the next morning at sunrise. He looked around and he noticed that there was bathroom to his left. He got up and headed straight for the bathroom and took a very long, cold shower. After he was finished bathing and changing clothes, he went downstairs but was shocked to see that in the whole inn only he and his team mates where present. He decided not to think too much about it as he went downstairs and sat with the rest of his team mates who had woken up way ealier than he had. He found out they had already ordered food so he sat down and dug in. Took him about five minutes to finish his meal
As he finished Nyasha spoke, ”It seems like you and General Maka are pretty close. Just this morning Tendai came with a letter from her, the letter stated that if you wanted to meet her, you would have to come to the front lines in three days. The problem is this was the same day the beast horde will be attacking for the last time, which means that the beast horde will be at full strength.”
Taku nodded and said, ”During the next three days, try your best to raise your level; I know that we did not come here to fight but it is really important for me to meet up and talk with Maka. If any of you do not want to come with me, it is okay, you can stay in the inn or you can go back through the tunnel.”