246 Reinforcements??? (2/2)

'Way ahead of you.' Daliea's voice sounded out in Jack's mind, both startling him and causing him to smile.

'We've already been talking,' explained Rydel. 'By tomorrow afternoon we should be ready to start looking for the reinforcements.'

'Since you're already so prepared, where's the first place we'll go to search for the reinforcements?' Jack asked the focused Hunter.

'Well… We should definitely check the nearby towns. If the general's really daring, then we may have to check a couple of cities. We'll have to play things very carefully because even after the traps the army will only be delayed for an extra day. Then, that army is sure to meet up with reinforcements and attack Trodar before they suffer any serious casualties from their unknown enemy.'

'In other words, it can only get harder from here…' rephrased Jack. 'I guess each day will cost us more and more effort. At least we don't need to buy Trodar a week, but five days is still… difficult to manage.'

A halfhearted chuckle made Jack look back at Rydel. 'You know, anything could be waiting for us in those reinforcements. For all we know, a small band of reinforcements might be even more terrifying than that five thousand man army.'

'That's what I'm afraid of…'

'Well, that's what we agreed to. There is no reward worth any effort without some kind of risk. The reward of defeating Limneer won't be so easy to earn. Thousands of people have already risked their lives or lost them for such this cause, so why not ours. Compared to most members of the Trodan army we have a higher chance of survival behind enemy lines than they do on the battlefield.'

Mulling over Rydel's words, Jack again scratched his head. That thought made him feel a bit better about the task at hand but it also confirmed his worries. Nervously, Jack looked into the distance in the direction of the nearest town. 'I'm finally starting to understand why some people are willing to be so cruel…'

Curious, Rydel asked, 'Really? Why is that?'

'Some generals find it easier to be cruel toward an enemy population than it is to sacrifice the lives of their soldiers…'

'So you had the same idea, huh? But would you be willing to do that? Would you be able to live with that on your conscience?'

Jack took a deep breath. 'I… I don't know…'

'Then think of it this way. If you're willing to sacrifice a few hundred or a couple of thousand lives of your enemy, then you can guarantee that each of us will live through this,' reasoned Rydel. 'That's why only the most cutthroat people are allowed to lead the war effort. It would be the first time that Trodar's done this, but Limneer was the first to do it. Remember what happened to me and my family? It would only make sense to return the favor.'

As Rydel was getting more riled up, Jack got quieter and quieter. The hunter continued to ramble on about the many families he knew that were trapped inside of burning villages on Trodar's borders when Limneer first attacked. Limneer had always been the most aggressive and still was. Them seeking aid from Sandros already proved that.

Eventually, Rydel paused. 'So… What you plan to do, Jack?'

No answer was given. The moment passed as Jack slowly climbed down the tree and walked back toward the campsite.