The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 130: Setting Up Camp

[00 Months: 14 Days: 11 Hours]

The sun was a smoky red orb on the horizon by the time we found a place to make camp for the night.

We had been riding all day, the rhythm of the horses' hooves on the earth a constant drumming in my ears. My body ached from hours in the saddle, but the end was not yet in sight.

We wouldn't reach the base of the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance until the following day at the earliest.

'I wonder how people ride these things for long hours…'

If not for the help of <Viscosity>, I thought my hips and crotch would give out.

Thankfully, I had Drius and Benard to keep me company, so while most of the ride was painfully boring, I had some fun moments with them.

After riding through fields of gold and sprawling forests, we eventually found a suitable spot to rest.

It was a clearing in the woods, large enough to accommodate our large group but surrounded by towering trees that provided a semblance of shelter and privacy. The trees stood like guards, their dark trunks stretching up to a sky slowly being conquered by the encroaching night.

The ground beneath was a mix of grass and soil, solid enough to set up our tents yet soft enough for the horses to graze.

A stream ran along one side of the clearing, the water sparkling in the waning light, a welcome sight for both man and beast after the long ride.

As I dismounted from my horse, I addressed the troops.

"Everyone," I called out, my voice echoing through the trees, "we will be making camp here for the night. Set up your tents, tend to your horses. We'll have a short break to rest and eat."

A ripple of assent spread through the crowd, tired bodies moving to unload the provisions and set up the campsite.

Benard was in charge of the Adventurer side of the camp, while Drius was helping me handle the Militia.

So far, there seemed to be order since the both of them were influential in their respective circle. It made things easier for me.

I nodded at thim, giving them a subtle sign of my gratitudes, and they nodded back, smiling.

'It's always good to make connections…'

"And remember," I added, "we need to leave early in the morning. Make sure to get some sleep."

As the camp came alive with activity, I looked out at the darkening sky, the first stars beginning to prick the canvas of the night.

The journey was far from over, but for now, we had a moment of respite.

**********

The Iron Spider party was a daunting force to be reckoned with, each member adorned with heavy armor and carrying a distinct aura of command.

They stood in a huddle, heads bowed in discussion. The subject of their discontent was obvious - Luke.

His appointment as the leader of the expedition had struck a chord of dissatisfaction among them, a sentiment shared by many other Adventurers present.

"Who does this Luke guy think he is?" grumbled Razer, a burly man with a tattooed neck, his tone loud enough to draw attention. "Why is he leading us, anyway?"

"He's just an adventurer like us, and he's not even S-rank!" added Lana, a petite woman with fierce eyes, her voice laced with sarcasm.

The leader of their party, Kendrick, a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard and piercing blue eyes, just listened, his gaze distant yet thoughtful.

The dissatisfaction of his team was mirrored in his own thoughts. His reputation as an adventurer was almost on par with Benard, the Guildmaster of Terance.

He, by all rights, should have been leading this expedition.

"Yeah, Kendrick should be the one leading us," chimed in Zane, the team's strategist, "He's got more experience, more skill."

The others voiced their agreement, fueling Kendrick's swelling ego.

"We aren't the only ones who think so," Lana added, nodding towards the other adventurers who were whispering amongst themselves, their eyes frequently darting in Kendrick's direction. "I bet most of the Adventurers here would prefer Kendrick as their leader."

At this, Kendrick looked around, noticing the gazes of the Adventurers nearby.

Their expressions varied between frustration and hope, and it didn't take him long to recognize what they were hoping for. He turned back to his team, his eyes ablaze with a newfound determination.

"Something needs to be done," he stated, his voice firm. His team looked at him, the flicker of rebellion in their eyes matching his own.

"And I'm just the person to do it."

*********

[00 Months: 14 Days: 13 Hours]

The cool night air swirled around us, carrying the aroma of the cooked meats and spices from the makeshift camp.

Drius, Benard and I huddled around a crude map, talking in hushed tones about the raid's strategy.

Our eyes were laser-focused on the parchment, fingers tracing invisible paths along the crisscrossing roads leading to the enemy's base.

Just then, I heard the crunch of approaching footsteps. Looking up, I saw Kendrick, his towering figure illuminated by the warm glow of the campfires. His eyes, cold and calculated, were fixed on me.

"Luke," he greeted, managing a sly grin.

'He's the leader of the Iron Spider Party… shouldn't he be with them or something?'

I decided to overlook the fact that he called me "Luke" instead of the "Leader" that everyone referred to me as.

As a leader himself, I was certain he had a certain amount of pride that prevented him from seeing me as his superior.

'As long as he doesn't cross the line… I'll ignore it.' Your journey continues at M V L

"Kendrick," I replied, matching his smile, "What can I do for you?"

"My body's feeling a bit stiff from the day's ride," he began, stretching his arms above his head for emphasis, "I thought a little exercise might help me warm up before the big day tomorrow. Would you care to join me?"

The implication was clear. This wasn't an invitation for a friendly stretch - it was a challenge.

I could see Drius and Benard stiffen, their eyes narrowing at Kendrick's bold proposal.

"Dueling right now isn't a good idea, Kendrick," Drius protested, his voice stern.

"Our Leade needs to be in top condition for tomorrow's raid, and so do you." Benard added, his brows furrowed in concern.

'Even Benard has enough tact to refer to me as "Leader", and his status is higher than this guy's…' The thought echoed within me.

Even Drius, a Grand Knight, was also according me with respect.

'Well, I suppose the both of them have a lot in common.'

They had both lost to me.

"Hahaha…" Rather than express dissatisfaction, I just laughed, standing up and brushing the dust from my trousers.

The confident smirk never left my face as I looked Kendrick in the eye. "Actually, I'm feeling a bit sore too," I said, cracking my knuckles.

"This might be just what I need."

Their objections fell on deaf ears as I stepped towards Kendrick, ready to put his doubts, and those of the others, to rest once and for all.

This duel, I knew, would decide more than just who's more skilled - it would establish the pecking order, the chain of command.

And I was more than ready to step up to the challenge.

'Once you lose to me… you'll also understand.'

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[A/N]

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Cheers!