Chapter 164 - Hurricane Arkhawk (1/2)

On the way, it was the polar opposite of what they saw on their way here. Instead of the scenic beauties worth enjoying, it was just the parched and sweltering desert. The glaring sun, the merciless sandstorms, no water or food resources besides the ones they brought along. Even though their cultivation should suffice to ignore the temperature changes in the surroundings, the heat was still getting to them.

Beads of sweat were forming beneath the armor of the soldiers, the armors were light to them and proved no trouble, but it was causing their sweat to stick onto their skin. They felt uncomfortable, yet they were left helpless about it.

”Hey, do you think that we should ask the general if he has a way to deal with this? It might not affect me much, but the fatigue and heat might cause me to be unconcentrated if a fight breaks out.”

”You probably should, I'm sure that our brothers will agree with you as well.” The soldier replies through his dehydrated voice.

At this point of time, their body wasn't just reeking with sweat, cracks were forming on their lips in just the matter of a few hours. If this keeps up, they might be able to keep themselves conscious through constant hydration, but that's only a temporary measure which won't last long.

”Alright, I'll go ask the general for a method to keep ourselves hydrated on behalf of everyone.” The soldiers replies weakly as he approaches Nightin with slow steady footsteps.

Every step felt like him taking another step into hell even though there's a path known as heaven just beside it, but he wasn't doing it just for himself, he was doing it for his comrades as well.

Plucking up his courage, he calls out ”General, can you help everyone out?”

Nightin turns around, half curious and half unbothered by why the soldier called him, his eyes telling the soldier to speak up.

”General, most of us are dehydrated and if this continues, I'm afraid that most of us won't even make it to the bandits main headquarters before fainting.” The soldier explains briefly, hope reflecting in his eyes. Not those that begs for assistance, but one of trust that their general will do the best for them.

Smiling at the soldier, he says ”Don't worry, I may be unable to utilise the forces of the cooling ice or the soothing water, but I have the ability to command for the breezy wind which should be more than enough.”

Before the soldier can even react, cooling wind enveloped them. Their hair swayed along with the prevailing wind direction, their face shows a form of peace and unexpected tranquility.

The soldier who spoke to Nightin was about to get everyone to thank their general, but Nightin pats on his shoulder and whispers ”Don't let anyone know, I don't need everyone to think that I'm doing this just to help them because of my status.”

Ash knows as he says through telepathy ”Your soldiers are lucky to have a general like you.”

”Haha, then aren't your soldiers lucky that they have a general like me as well?” Nightin laughs back openly without any regard, his soldiers looked at him in curiosity, but none of them asked him why. They knew their general was sane and that's enough, as a soldier, their only obligation is to fulfill the given orders.

”Your soldiers, if only mine can match up to yours in temperament and behaviour.” Ash sighs, but his head is still raised and facing the front, his undaunting face making him seem courageous and brave but clueless about his future.

”But mine has already been with me since some time ago, even though I wasn't there with them when they won the battle, it was me who reignited the flames within their heart and won them the battle, it was me who gave them light, it was me who lead them towards the grand future.” Nightin says with a smile.

”You have been with this army before you even entered the Voyager kingdom? I guess it makes sense then. I may be gaining the recognition of my soldiers, but it's still the first time they're under my lead and my initial experience in leading an army to the battlefield.

”Don't worry, I'm sure that you'll make a great general.” Nightin replies back, rejecting the notion of telling Ash that he has been with the army since his time in the lower realm. He trusted him, but sometimes secrets should be left untold or they might bring about misfortune to those close to him, those who could have been safe if he didn't let them know about it.