Unlike the others, who had brought every heavy hitter they could muster, Lina had acted differently. She had purposefully not called the strongest from her own faction to the front.
In fact, she didn't call any of her faction at all! Instead, she had left behind clear, rigid instructions for them to remain stationed at key junctions, ready to move at a moment's notice to any spot that might fall into danger.
Her faction was considered the smallest in the guild, lacking a primary territory to defend, and for once, that lack of responsibility worked perfectly for her. Her people were the crucial reserves, the invisible safety net for the guild, for the continent, for their world.
"You are here."
The greeting came from Ro, Berry, and Sara as the grand group finally reached the Scorching Lands town. They stood at the vanguard of their own forces, with the imposing figures of Panther and the grandfathers of Sara and Berry standing like pillars of stone behind them.
