“Tell me Uther, are you one of those who will stand in my way.” Asked the 4th Prince as he looked straight at Uther.

Uther looked at the 4th Prince, he could tell, that if his answer was not satisfactory, things would go very badly for him. He sighed internally, got down on one knee, and with his eyes down on the ground, replied.

“Your Highness, It is true I have failed you, but it is also true that I am your most powerful asset. As the battalion commander, my actions have always been in the interest of the mission. Since I was tasked by General Korver to take your mission, I decided to complete the mission and prove my worth.”

It was at this time that Uther looked up directly at the prince, he could see that his words had little effect.

“However, the artefact in question, was not in that village. There are 3 other hidden human villages, but their location is a mystery.” Said Uther as he got up on his two feet.

“Even though I don’t have the location of the villages, I was able to acquire the location of their Oasis, my scouts have brought me the information that in 2 days’ time, all three villages are planning to go to the Oasis. It is likely that they somehow found out about our assault on the first village.”

“This gives us the opportunity to get them all at once and find the truth about the artefact.” Said Uther as the Prince also got up from his chair.

“I assume you want your command to be reinstated.” Said the 4th Prince as he approached Uther.

“That would make things easier, your highness.” Said Uther with a light smile.

“Very well, but be warned Cousin, if you fail me again, your end will be worse than the humans.” Said the 4th Prince as he walked past Uther and exited the tent.

************

“Koren, use your earth spiritual sense to keep watch” Said Haruki as he silently stepped into Sappa’s tent, followed by Koren and Enri.

Koren and Enri lightly tip toed behind Haruki. Koren was really taken aback by the pelts laid out on the ground. They were all pelts from sand beasts, like sand badgers and sand rodents. Koren could even feel spiritual energy from a few, meaning that they were taken off living spiritual beasts.

‘To be able to capture spiritual beasts alive, Uncle Sappa must be very strong.’ Thought Koren.

“Nah, he’s only Level 9.” Said Hope with a yawn, seeming bored with Haruki’s actions so far.

Koren was still impressed, To reach level 9 in this environment is very difficult, after all not everyone has Hope with them.

“Brother fatty what are you planning.” Whispered Enri.

“Senior Brother, we shouldn’t be here. What if we get caught. Uncle Sappa would probably starve you till you become as thin as me.” Murmured Koren.

“Don’t worry, that baldy’s got nothing on me.” Said Haruki as he made his way to a small wooden box next to the mattress. The box wasn’t locked, Haruki opened it and took out a cloth with some green herbs.

“hehe hehe, this is called spiritual tea. It can only be acquired by trading spiritual shards with the Raavi traders. The chief always gives some to the Spiritualists, I already had mine, but Sappa likes to enjoy his very slowly. Every morning after training, he comes here to pour some out.” Said Haruki, as he took out a small glass bottle, filled with a dark putrid liquid.

“Senior brother, this is?” Asked Koren.

“Hehe, I got this from Enri’s mother, it’s a laxative. All you need is a single drop mixed with some water, and that will do the trick. But not for the baldy, hehe” Replied Haruki with a snicker, followed by soaking all the tea leaves in the liquid.

“This guy, what an amateur plan.” Said Hope as she began to chuckle.

Haruki put the liquid away and placed the tea back in the wooden box. He gestured for Koren and Enri to follow him and then stepped out of the tent.

“OK, the baldy will be here soon, we only need to stay at my place and use earth spiritual sense to see him, hehe hehe.” Said Haruki as he entered his own tent which was right next to Sappa’s

Enri complained, she couldn’t use earth spiritual sense, since she was still level 1. “It’s fine Enri, I will tell you what happened.” Said Koren as he patted Enri’s hand.

“Oh he’s coming, hehe. It’s time for that baldy to meet his maker.” Said Haruki with an evil grin.

“Senior brother, there are others as well, two more people with Uncle Sappa.” Said Koren, as he could see further than Haruki.

“It’s the Chief and the Matriarch.” Said Haruki, as sweat began to drip from his forehead.

Sappa was joined by Village Chief Ipnak and his wife the village Matriarch Hera. The all walked into Sappa’s tent and took a seat on the mats. Koren could see Sappa go to the wooden box and pull out 3 clay cups and a pot.

“No, he never shares his tea. He won’t, no, no, NO WAY!” shrieked Haruki as he could ‘see’ Sappa prepare tea for three.

“Brother fatty you are in big trouble now.” Said Enri as she felt Haruki’s stress level rise.

“You were with me, you little pipsqueak. You have to share the burden.” Said Haruki, as he brought out a bun and started eating it hurriedly.

“Gotta eat, I know that old man will starve me for a week.” Said Haruki.

Koren was also surprised at the visit of the Chief and the matriarch, who he had only met once when he first arrived.

“Big sis, can you create a virtual image and try to pick up the sound, I want to know what they are talking about, it looks serious.” Koren asked Hope who was standing next to Haruki, dressing him up in a holographic clown dress.

“Yep, but you will need the Armor in endoskeleton mode, get ready.” Hope replied.

Koren felt the same feeling again, the Endo skeletal Armor solidified under his skin, and the display appeared in his pupils, a hint of gold appeared in the outer walls of his pupils.

************

“Is this our only course of action, must we do this.” Asked the matriarch as she looked at her husband.

“We have no other choice. If we wait longer, then all is lost.” Replied the chief.

“Teacher, the other villages have agreed to do the same.” Said Sappa as he began pouring the tea in the 3 cups.

“Sappa, you are still young, you will join them.” Said Chief Ipnak, in a somewhat emotional tone.

“Teacher, you know I want to keep my promise and protect Haruki, but I can’t abandon you and the village.” Said Sappa, as he handed Ipnak the tea cup.

“Nonsense, we will be fine, you must take the children and flee. The sword will remain with you, it cannot fall into their hand.” Said the Matriarch as she too took a cup and began to sip the tea.

“Tomorrow, you leave with the children, and go directly to the Raavi border. Stay in the border city of Kafir, there is a sizable human population there.” Said the Village chief, as he too took a sip.

“If… If by any chance we don’t make it back, don’t try to avenge us, just survive. And when the time is right, pass the sword on to Haruki, it is his birthright.” Murmured the Matriarch as she downed the remaining tea.

“I promised Sanam that I would treat her son as my little brother, even though he causes a lot of troubles, he’s still good at heart. Don’t worry teacher, he and all the other children will be safe.” Said Sappa as he put the empty cup down and bowed.

“We will go to the Oasis the day after tomorrow to meet up with the other 2 villages. The majority of the villagers will use what supplies we have and start the journey to the border.” Said Chief Ipnak.

“Dear, do you feel odd.” Asked the Matriarch.

“Now that you mention it, I do. Oh, Oh… Sappa what was in that tea, Oh” murmured the Chief, grabbing his tummy.

“Nothing this was just normal spiritual tea. It’s never caused any… oh… oh” Sappa mumbled as he too started to feel the ache.

“Oh no, I have to go. Honey, you will have to excuse me.” Said the matriarch as she rapidly rushed out of the tent.

“These tea leaves are wet, I didn’t add any water.” Said Sappa as he grabbed the remaining tea from the box.

The chief’s face changed, he got up and without saying a word, rushed out of the tent.

“HARUKI!!” Yelled Sappa as he too couldn’t hold it anymore, and rushed out like the wind.

************

Koren who had heard the whole exchange looked back to find both Enri and Haruki gone. Apparently Haruki had bolted the moment they started to sip the tea, and Enri had probably left much earlier.

“Koren, you better run off too, or do you want to get punished like chubby.” Yelled Hope, as Koren realised he was alone in the tent.

Koren turned around and ran out of the tent, he headed directly to the twin’s tent.

“Big sis, you heard what they said, does that mean they are afraid that the Draconians will attack the Oasis.” Asked Koren as he ran.

“That’s what I would do, I mean the villages are supposed to be hidden right, so you just have to find the Oasis.” Replied Hope, sensing the gloom in Koren’s voice.

“Big sis, is there any way we can help them. I know I am not strong enough, but I don’t want to see so many people die again.” Asked Koren, with clear desperation in his voice.

“ah Koren. OK, there is something we can do, but first you must break through to level 9. After you break through to level 9, I will allow you to use the Armor’s Combat Mode.” Replied Hope with slight reluctance.

“But sis, you said the Armor doesn’t have enough power.” said Koren with confusion.

“True, it doesn’t, but if we found the rest of the ore we found in those tunnels, we may have enough power. Also you have a lot of shards stored away, all of the chaotic energy has already been extracted by the Armor, and all that remains is pure spiritual energy. We will practice tonight and help you break through.” Said Hope.

“OK big sis, tonight I will breakthrough to Level 9.” Said Koren as he finally reached the twins tent.