It's been four days since I warned the old man about the impending danger. He still couldn't order an evacuation, but he accepted having Raynemor's warriors for extra protection around the village. I still can't believe Kaya trained so many warriors on her own. They kind of remind me of Valkyries.
I put Garm in charge of mapping out the quickest route for escape, and Naja's been working with Lumi for clues about the white coats. There's still no sign of them coming back, but I don't want to leave too quickly.
The Manavore has been staying in the old man's yard, though I had to use one of my mana stones to give him a little more mana to move around. Since he usually sleeps all the time, he's been needing more mana than normal just to walk around. I wanted to get him to the misty city to keep him safe, but Kaya advised me against it. Keeping him here will at least guarantee that we'll know where the white coats will attack.
The villagers seem to be less scared of him now. Some of the kids even play on all the stones on his back. As much as I want to believe an attack won't come, I can't shake this feeling that this is just the calm before the storm.
[Manavore] You should get some rest. You look exhausted.
[Sakyo] I'm fine, just a little on edge.
[Manavore] Your companions are working tirelessly all over this place. I see that you're quite good at rallying powerful allies.
[Sakyo] I just got lucky, but I can't let my guard down just because they're all capable. I don't want to fall behind anyone just yet.
[Manavore] I know you are worried, but what will you do if the white coats don't return for me?
[Sakyo] ...I don't know. These people have been on my mind for years. I had hoped I'd never have to deal with them again after losing Lumi's mother.
[Manavore] The midnight tiger variant is strong. She can hold her own, yet you protect her as if she's a cub.
[Sakyo] I've looked after her since she was one. This vest. These bands that made so many mana stones. Her mother gave me her body to use to protect her, and I won't break that promise I made to her. I won't let anyone else go through that.
[Manavore] By the way, there is something I've been wondering. The white-furred werewolf says you named him, but you still refer to me by my race. Is there a reason?
[Sakyo] Well, he asked me, and I didn't know if you already had a name or not. Plus you're still under my temporary contract. If I give you a name now, it'll make it permanent.
[Manavore] So you don't want me as a summon? Well, I'm both grateful and insulted.
This guy's just a tsundere.
[Sakyo] If you want a name, I don't mind giving you one.
[Manavore] I suppose there are worse things than being called on once in a while.
[Sakyo] Alright, then how about Vor?
[Manavore] ...You really didn't put any thought into that, did you?
It's actually just the short hand for a world boss in an idle game I used to play.
[Sakyo] It's actually a name I've heard in some old stories before. Short for Voragor, it's given to those who were born from magic. One legend I heard even had a being of shadows with this name, so it just kind of reminded me of when we first met.
[Manavore] Hmm, a being of magic and shadows. Very well, I shall accept the name Voragor.
System: [Notice: Manavore has accepted the name Voragor. You have successfully formed a pact with Manavore: Voragor.]
[Sakyo] Looks like the pact is made. You're under my protection now.
[Voragor] It seems so. If I have to be under a human's control, I believe you're not the worst option.
[Sakyo] Tsundere.
[Voragor] What?
[Sakyo] It means someone who acts cold, but is just a big softy underneath.
[Voragor] Then why would you use that to describe me?
[Sakyo] ...No reason.
...
Hours later, the sun has set and the night sky awakens. A full moon illuminates the world as stars twinkle all around. After a long day, everyone returns to give their reports for the day.
[Female Warrior] Lord Sakyo, our patrol unit has nothing out of the ordinary to report. Everything is as it was.
[Sakyo] Good. How's progress on the escape routes going?
[Garm] All routes have been accounted for, as well as a place to gather everyone to take to Raynemor in a worst case scenario.
[Sakyo] Nicely done. Anything on the ones who tried to kidnap the Manavore?
[Naja] Negative. I tried to look for clues, but the smell is too faded for me to pick up a trail. I would say these white coats have not been here for roughly two weeks.
[Sakyo] I see. Everyone, keep doing what you're doing. Remember to use your blowing horns if you spot anything. Those of you on patrol, stay vigilant. Those of you who aren't, make sure to get plenty of rest. That's all for tonight.
Mostly everyone leaves the meeting room that is Rohan's living room. Only Garm and Naja stay behind with Sakyo.
[Garm] Master, you really should get some rest. You look as if you have not slept.
[Naja] I agree, you are always tossing and turning in your sleep. It makes it very difficult to sleep on your chest.
[Sakyo] I'm fine, I've just had a lot on my mind with this.
[Garm] You are not alone. Kaya has been working tirelessly as well, making sure the warriors are all prepared for the possible battle.
[Sakyo] Makes sense, these might be the same people who made her a slave. I just hope she doesn't overwork herself.
[Naja] Boss, I may not know these people, but no matter what happens, I will stay by your side even if it kills me.
[Sakyo] I appreciate the thought, but I'd rather you put protecting your own life before mine.
He pets her head, though she seems confused as to why she would possibly value her own life above that of her mate. Garm watches the head pats with a lingering jealousy in his eyes.
[Garm] Master, I insist you get some rest before you collapse from your exhaustion.
[Sakyo] Fine, I'll go lay down for a bit. If anything happens, come get me right away.
Sakyo heads to his room with slight reluctance, leaving Garm and Naja in an awkward silence. Garm's cold glare isn't met as Naja is still staring at Sakyo's fading back. Once he's finally out of view, she turns to the one she calls her brother.
[Naja] So, I am guessing you wanted to talk.
[Garm] Listen here, snake. I do not trust you.
His voice is low, almost comparable to his growl. It's nothing like his calm, polite demeanor with Sakyo. Right now, Garm's voice is full of nothing but distain.
[Naja] I thought I had already proven my loyalty to Boss.
[Garm] You may be loyal to him, but I am not so blind to the fact you never cut off the snake pit. Your loyalties are still divided.
[Naja] That place is our home. I cannot just abandon it like you did.
[Garm] That place was never my home. It was merely the prison that man held me in after ripping me from my mother's arms.
[Naja] I still do not understand why you oppose father's rules. You were the strongest of us, the one said to inherit his place. Why did you abandon it?
[Garm] ...There is a difference between us. You were born in that place. I was caged in it. That man was never a father to me, and I no longer have any siblings. As far as I am concerned, they all died with me the day I lost my leg.
[Naja] You may try to put it behind you, but father will send more of our pack after you when he realizes I have joined Boss's pack. We are too important for him to leave alone.
[Garm] So, you still think you mean anything to him. That man only sees us as tools, not his children. He does not want his son back, just his "masterpiece." You and I are no different in that man's eyes. We are just weapons he forges to make himself feel like less of a failure.
[Naja] Father only wants to make us stronger, and you are in no position to talk about failure. At least I did not trade my place as an alpha's heir to become a beta.
[Garm] Tell yourself all the lies he burned into your mind, but I was given something better than a pack.
[Naja] Then tell me. What is it? What do you have now that is so much better? What made you step into the position of a beta?
[Garm] A family.
[Naja] We already have a family, the Snak-
[Garm] You still do not know anything. That place. Those people are not my family, and neither are you. We may share blood, but you are not my sister.
Garm stands up, making his way to the door. He's not angry. Not sad. At this moment, he doesn't feel anything, but pity for Naja.
[Naja] I-I am a member of father's pack, and a wife of your new alpha! You cannot shut me out like this! If you will not take your place, then-
Before she can finish, the sound of a single blowing horn echoes through the village. More horns follow its initial sound until the entire village can hear every horn at once. Sakyo comes running out of his room.
[Sakyo] That's the signal. Everyone, outside!
They all rush outside, Garm letting Sakyo go first, but not waiting for Naja to follow. Once outside, they look for the threat, but it doesn't take long to see why the horns blared.
[Garm] ...No, it cannot be. Not that....
Above the village, the moonlight is almost completely blocked by the gaping wingspan of a blood red wyvern. It's clear that this is the attack they've been waiting for as soon as Sakyo sees the black mist emanating from all over its body.