The sun was beginning to set over the Northern Alliance territory, staining the sky with shades of orange and red that would have been beautiful if Lily wasn't so busy trying not to die.
"DELTA FORMATION!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos of combat. "Helga, reinforce the left flank! Sera, I need arrow cover in the center!"
The goblin attack had started twenty-five minutes ago, twenty-five minutes that felt like endless hours.
Lily spun on her heels, her short sword tracing a clean arc that intercepted a goblin's rusty spear; the impact vibrated in her arms, but she held her stance firm. She took a step back to deflect the next thrust and then advanced with a fluid movement that ended with her blade piercing the goblin's neck.
The creature fell with a wet gurgle, but there was no time to think about it as the next one was approaching.
"Captain, your right!" The voice of Thrain, one of her elf archers, arrived just in time.
Lily ducked as an arrow went whistling over her head and buried itself in the eye of a goblin that had been about to sink a knife into her ribs.
"Thanks, Thrain!" she shouted without looking back.
"You're welcome, Boss! But there are like twenty more coming!"
"I know!" Lily blocked another blow with her legs burning from the effort. "Helga, I need that shield wall NOW!"
"Coming, miss!" The deep voice of Helga Iron-Breaker resonated over the battlefield.
The dwarf appeared like a small but unstoppable force of nature, with her steel shield as big as herself shining under the sunset light. Behind her, Greta Swift-Hammer flanked with her own shield, forming a mobile metal barrier that advanced toward the goblin horde.
"SHIELD!" both dwarves roared in unison.
Their protections smashed against the first line of goblins with a sound like a giant gong, sending three goblins flying backward with their bones audibly crunching.
"Now, Sera! Thrain!" Lily shouted.
The arrows flew: one, two, three, four, and each one found its mark with surgical precision. Sera, the silver-haired elf, was the best archer Lily had recruited, while Thrain was second, though only by a minimal margin.
"Eight down!" Sera shouted from her elevated position on a rock. "There are... shit, they keep coming!"
Lily saw it too; behind the first wave of goblins, another dozen was emerging from the trees, and behind those, maybe a dozen more.
Her legs were trembling and her arms ached. She had a cut on her cheek she didn't remember receiving and felt something wet running down her left temple that was probably blood.
This is being a Lord, she thought as she dodged another attack. Blood, sweat, and the very real possibility of dying for ten tons of dirt.
Her bracelet vibrated.
The timing couldn't be worse.
"Captain, they're flanking!" Thrain shouted.
"I see it!" Lily spun to intercept a goblin that had managed to surround their formation; her sword found flesh, causing the creature to shriek before falling.
Her bracelet vibrated again.
Not now, she thought with frustration. Whatever it is, it can wait.
But it vibrated a third time, insistent.
Whoever it is, this better be a damn emergency.
"Helga! Give me thirty seconds!" she shouted.
"Thirty seconds, understood!" Helga planted her shield in the dirt and became a living wall. "Nobody passes through here while I breathe!"
Lily retreated three steps, taking momentary cover behind the formation of her dwarves, and with hands shaking from adrenaline and exhaustion, she lifted her bracelet.
The holographic screen unfolded with its characteristic blue glow.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD] [TERRITORY: ROTTING WOODS SWAMP - 847km away] [Network Latency: 0.3s]
Lily blinked. Renn? Now?
She opened the message.
> I finally have troops! 🎉 > [IMAGE ATTACHED]
The image loaded on her holographic screen and Lily went completely still.
The photograph showed Renn lying in what seemed to be mud, a lot of mud, with a silly smile on his dirty face. His hair was messy and his eyes shone with something Lily hadn't seen in months: genuine pride.
And on top of him, sleeping peacefully, were two cats.
One orange and fat that...
Lily narrowed her eyes.
That is Mr. Whiskers.
The other was purple, purple in a way that wasn't natural, with markings that glowed faintly even in the photograph.
Despite the chaos, despite the battle cries and the fact that there were literally goblins trying to kill her less than ten meters away, Lily smiled.
It was a big, genuine smile that spread across her face covered in sweat and blood.
"Miss..." Helga's voice came from ahead, mixed with the sound of metal clashing against metal. "Are you... smiling?"
Lily didn't answer, for her fingers were already moving over the holographic keyboard.
> RENN!!! OMG YOU DID IT!!! 😭💕 > Wait... is that Mr. Whiskers? > RENN > DID YOU SUMMON YOUR OWN RESCUE CAT???
She sent the message and looked at the photo again, feeling her smile grow even wider.
He did it. The idiot really did it.
"Captain!" Greta's voice pulled her out of her momentary trance. "We have company!"
Lily put away her bracelet and returned to combat with renewed energy; her sword felt lighter in her hands and her legs weren't shaking as much anymore.
"FORMATION!" she shouted, jumping back to the front line. "Thrain, Sera, concentrate fire on the leader! Helga, Greta, with me!"
The battle continued with ferocity, but something had changed. Lily moved with more confidence, her cuts were more precise and her smile never completely disappeared from her face.
"Boss!" Greta blocked a club that was heading straight for Lily's head. "You're fighting different!"
"Different how?" Lily ran through another goblin, spun and kicked a third one in the stomach.
"Happier!" Greta grunted, smashing her hammer against an enemy's skull. "Usually you have your 'this is serious work' face! Now it looks like you're at a party!"
"It's not a party!" Lily protested, though her expression betrayed her. "This is serious combat!"
"Aha!" Helga laughed between shield bashes. "And I am the Queen of Elves! Come on, miss, spit it out! What did that message say?"
Another arrow whistled over their heads and Sera shouted from her position: "Goblin leader down! They're starting to retreat!"
It was true. Without their boss, the goblins were beginning to disperse, transforming their shrieks of rage into grunts of panic.
"Press them!" Lily ordered. "But don't chase beyond the perimeter! I want a casualty count in five minutes!"
The battle ended ten minutes later. The survivors fled into the forest leaving behind their dead and wounded, so the battlefield fell silent except for occasional groans and the sound of Lily's troops regrouping.
Lily dropped onto a rock with her sword resting on her knees, feeling how every muscle in her body screamed in protest.
Her bracelet vibrated and this time she checked immediately.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> It's a long story > But yes > Technically I summoned two cats, although Mr. Whiskers already lived in my house... I guess feeding him and letting him stay in my house is like a kind of summoning??? > One is royalty apparently > My life is weird now
Lily let out a laugh that came out as a mix between a cackle and an exhausted sob.
"Miss." Helga approached, wiping goblin blood from her axe. "Are you okay?"
"I'm perfect, Helga." Lily looked up with a genuine smile. "Better than perfect, actually."
"The message?" The dwarf raised a bushy eyebrow. "Must have been something special to make you smile in the middle of a goblin raid."
"A friend..." Lily paused, looking for the right words. "A very important friend just achieved something incredible."
"Incredible like defeating a dragon?" Greta asked, approaching with a canteen she offered to Lily.
"Incredible like fulfilling a dream he chased for two years." Lily drank deeply, letting the cold water soothe her dry throat. "Thanks."
Thrain and Sera came down from their elevated positions with their bows still in hand but strings loosened.
"Boss," Thrain said with his characteristic soft elven accent, "we don't want to be nosy, but..."
"But we definitely are nosy," Sera interrupted with a smile. "Who is he?"
"Who said it's a 'he'?" Lily raised an eyebrow.
"Please." Sera sat on the ground with the natural grace of elves. "Nobody smiles like that over business or political news. That is a 'someone special did something special' smile."
Lily felt heat rise to her cheeks, which was ridiculous since she had been killing goblins five minutes ago. She had no right to blush over this.
"It's a friend," she admitted finally. "Someone who has... had difficulties with his summoning tower. And he just achieved his first summon."
"After how long?" Helga asked, sitting heavily on a nearby rock.
"Two years."
The silence that followed was eloquent.
"Two years," Thrain repeated slowly. "That is... unusual."
"It's impossible," Sera corrected. "The troop tower unlocks automatically in the first week. It's part of the System protocol."
"I know." Lily looked at her bracelet, where Renn's photo was still open. "But he is special, different. The System never worked for him the right way."
"And now it does?" Greta sounded skeptical.
"Apparently." Lily zoomed in on the image, studying the two cats. The orange one was definitely Mr. Whiskers, she would recognize that fat cat with an attitude anywhere, but the purple one was new. "Although he summoned... a cat."
"Cats?" The five troops spoke in unison.
"Cats," Lily confirmed, turning her bracelet to show them the photo.
There was another moment of silence while everyone processed the image.
"Okay," Sera said finally. "That is adorable but also very confusing."
"What is their classification?" Thrain asked, his tactical mindset taking control. "Common? Uncommon?"
"I don't know." Lily frowned. "He didn't mention it."
Her fingers moved over the holographic keyboard.
> Renn this is INCREDIBLE 😊 > But I need details > What is their classification? > Special abilities? > Was Mr. Whiskers ALWAYS a summon??? > How is that possible??? > I have SO MANY questions!
She sent the message and then added one more:
> By the way > I am very proud of you 💕 > I knew you would make it eventually
She leaned back against the rock, ignoring the curious looks from her troops.
Her bracelet vibrated almost immediately.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Okay I will answer in order: > 1. I have no idea about classification > 2. One of them can eliminate enemies with casual gestures > 3. Mr. Whiskers is TECHNICALLY a dimensional princess > 4. I have no idea how it is possible > 5. I also have many questions
Lily read the message three times.
> Wait > WAIT > Dimensional princess? > DIMENSIONAL?
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Yes > Apparently I adopted royalty by accident > Her real name is Lysandra Shadowmoon > Crown Princess of the Throne of Eternal Shadows > Or something like that > I stopped paying attention after "Royal Highness"
Lily laughed so hard her troops jumped.
"Miss?" Helga looked at her with genuine concern. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Lily wiped tears from her eyes. "It's just that... my friend accidentally adopted a dimensional princess and named her 'Mr. Whiskers'."
The silence that followed was absolute.
"That is," Sera began, "possibly the funniest thing I have heard in my life."
"A PRINCESS?" Greta laughed. "And he took her to a vet?"
"Probably." Lily couldn't stop smiling. "That sounds exactly like something Renn would do."
> Renn > Did you take a DIMENSIONAL PRINCESS to the vet?
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> ...maybe > In my defense I didn't KNOW she was a princess > I thought she was just a fat cat with attitude problems > He told me she needed to lose weight > Valeria (the other cat) says Her Highness is "less than pleased" with that
> Is Valeria the purple cat?
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Yes > First Sword of the Silent Shadows > Guardian of Ancient Secrets > And Sworn Protector of the Royal Line > She also knows 47 ways to kill someone without making noise > 48 if you count the dental floss one but she says that's more novelty than practical technique
Lily had to cover her mouth not to laugh harder.
"Boss," Thrain said softly, "with all due respect, your friend sounds absolutely insane."
"He's perfect," Lily said without thinking, and then blushed when she realized what she had said.
The knowing smiles of her troops didn't help dissipate her embarrassment.
> Okay then > You have a dimensional princess who pretended to be a stray cat > And an ancestral assassin who is also a cat > And neither of them has normal System classification
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Correct > Valeria said she is Celestial level > 50,000 power points > Princess Lysandra is apparently HIGHER than that > But the System can't classify her properly > It says "ERROR: CLASSIFICATION EXCEEDS PARAMETERS"
Lily felt her jaw go slack.
"Miss?" Helga's voice sounded distant. "You went very pale."
"Fifty thousand," Lily murmured. "Fifty thousand power points."
"What?" Sera jumped to her feet. "Who has fifty thousand points?"
"One of Renn's summons." Lily showed the screen with trembling fingers. "Celestial Level."
The whole group fell silent.
"Boss," Thrain finally said with an unusually serious voice, "does your friend realize what that means?"
"Probably not." Lily knew Renn; he could recite summoning theory from memory, but applying it to his own situation had always been his blind spot.
"For context," Sera said slowly, "we are Uncommon level. 250 points each."
"Helga and I are Rare level," Greta added. "500 points each."
"Fifty thousand points," Helga repeated, "are one hundred times more powerful than the two of us combined."
"It's the level of Legendary Heroes," Thrain added.
Lily nodded slowly, still processing the information.
> Renn > Do you understand what you just summoned?
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Adorable cats that sleep on my stomach?
> RENN > You summoned the equivalent of weapons of mass destruction > In the form of cats > HOW?
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Honestly I have no idea > Technically Princess Lysandra gave me temporary access to her authority > I am like her Substitute Lord > Which is humiliating but also > Finally I have troops??? > I am going to take this as a win
Lily laughed, letting out a sound mixed with relief and genuine happiness.
> It is > It is totally a win > Although technically you work FOR your pet now
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Don't remind me > My dignity suffered enough already > Valeria keeps calling me "Substitute Lord" > With that tone that implies I am adorably incompetent
> Well > To be fair
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Hey
> Sorry sorry 😂 > But you have to admit it's a little funny
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Okay > It is very funny > I am living a cosmic comedy > How was your day? > Probably more normal than mine
Lily looked around the battlefield; bodies of goblins were still scattered on the ground and there was blood on her sword, armor, and face, while her troops treated minor wounds, collected used arrows, and checked the perimeter.
> Just finished a goblin raid > Like 40 of them > Nobody died > So it was a good day
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> LILY > Are you OKAY? > FORTY GOBLINS?
> I'm fine I'm fine > It's part of the job > Goblins attack the territory every two weeks > I'm already used to it
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> "Used to it" > Lily that is not normal > That is extremely dangerous
> Says the guy who lost against a raccoon 😏
There was a long pause before the next response.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> ...valid point > But still > Be careful okay? > I don't want my best friend to die by dirt and water
Something warm expanded in Lily's chest upon reading those words.
> I'll be careful > Promise > You take care too > Especially now that you have troops to protect
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Technically THEY protect ME > But I get the point
> Renn
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Yes?
Lily typed and deleted her next message three times before finally sending it.
> I am really proud of you > I know the last two years were hard > But you never gave up > And now look where you are > You have Celestial level troops > You are probably one of the most powerful Lords of our generation > Even if technically you work for your cat
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Lily > Thank you > Seriously > That means a lot > Especially coming from you
> Why especially from me?
There was another long pause; Lily could imagine Renn on the other side, probably debating what to say.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Because you were the only one who never stopped believing in me > When everyone else wrote me off as a loser > You kept being my friend > I won't forget that
Lily felt her eyes sting and blinked rapidly.
"Miss," Helga's voice was unusually soft, "are you crying?"
"No," Lily lied, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "It's dust from combat."
"Uh-huh," her five troops said in unison, none believing her one bit.
> Renn you are an idiot > But you are MY idiot > And I will always believe in you > Even when you don't believe in yourself
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Okay now I AM crying > Thanks Lily > For everything
> You're welcome dummy 💕 > Now go take care of your cat princesses > I have to clean this battle mess
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Talk soon?
> Always
Lily lowered her bracelet with a permanent smile on her face despite the blood and exhaustion.
"Well," Sera said finally, "it's official."
"What is official?" Lily asked, although she had a suspicion she knew exactly where this was going.
"She is completely in love with him."
Lily felt her face turn red. "I am not!"
"Miss," Helga said with the patience of someone explaining something obvious to a child, "you just smiled during a goblin raid, cried reading text messages, and have that 'my favorite person in the world did something good' expression."
"That is not a real expression," Lily protested weakly.
"It is now," Thrain confirmed.
"And you have it," Greta added.
"Definitely," Sera agreed.
Lily opened her mouth to protest, but then closed it; what could she say? It wasn't like they were wrong.
"It's complicated," she said finally.
"Love always is," Sera responded with a knowing smile.
"I didn't say I loved him."
"You didn't have to, boss. It's written all over your face."
Lily sighed, but couldn't suppress her smile.
"Come on," she said, standing up and sheathing her sword. "We have a battlefield to clean and a report to make to the Alliance."
"Are you going to mention your boyfriend in the report?" Greta asked with fake innocence.
"He's not my boyfriend," Lily said automatically.
"Yet," her five troops added in unison.
Lily decided to ignore them, for it was easier than admitting that maybe, possibly, they had a point.
While she organized the battlefield cleanup, her bracelet vibrated one last time.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> [IMAGE ATTACHED]
It was another photo, but this time it showed Valeria in her humanoid form, an incredibly beautiful woman with purple crystal armor, holding Princess Lysandra as if she were a baby. The orange cat's expression was one of deep indignity.
The message read:
> Valeria insists I must "register appropriate documentation" > Princess Lysandra is "less than pleased" > Send help > Or cat food > Preferably both
Lily laughed so hard that Helga asked if she needed to sit down.
She didn't need to.
For the first time in weeks, Lily felt completely, genuinely happy.
Her best friend, her favorite person in the whole world, had finally found his way.
And if the universe had even a little sense of humor, maybe, just maybe, she would find the courage to tell him how she really felt.
But that was a problem for another day; for now, she had goblins to clean, a territory to protect, and a message to answer.
> Renn > That photo is the best thing I have seen in my life > I am saving it > Forever > I will never delete it
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> That is future blackmail isn't it
> Absolutely 😊
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> I knew you were evil > Under that sweet appearance > Pure evil
> I learned from the best 💕
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Hey
Lily saved her bracelet, her smile brighter than the setting sun.
Yes, she thought as she walked among her troops giving orders and checking wounds. I am definitely in love with that idiot.
But that was also a problem for another day.
For now, it was enough to know that he was okay, that he was finally moving forward, and that his dream of two years had finally come true.
"I want a full report in thirty minutes."
"Yes, captain," her troops responded in unison.
While they worked, Lily couldn't help but look at her bracelet one more time. The photo of Renn with the two cats was still open and something in his expression, that mix of silly pride and genuine happiness, made her smile again.
"Miss," Helga said approaching with her report notebook, "casualty count: zero deaths, three minor wounds, and one moderate. Thrain twisted his ankle but says he can walk. Sera has a cut on her arm but it is already bandaged."
"Resources collected?"
"Minimal. The goblins weren't carrying much of value." Helga frowned looking at her notes. "Some rusty metals, bad quality furs, and about half a kilo of edible mushrooms growing where the bodies fell."
"Better than nothing." Lily accepted the notebook and began reviewing the numbers. "Damage to the territory?"
"Two fallen trees, a trampled crop area, we estimate loss of about twenty kilos of vegetables, and the north well has some rubble we'll need to clean."
Lily nodded making mental notes. This raid had been relatively minor compared to others; last time they had lost almost fifty kilos of crops and Greta had ended up with a broken rib.
"Good job, Helga. Make sure everyone eats something before it gets completely dark."
"Understood." The dwarf paused and added with a small smile: "And miss, I'm glad to see you happy. We haven't seen you like this in a while."
Before Lily could answer, Helga had already walked away, shouting orders to Greta about the proper position to establish the night camp.
Lily stood there for a moment, watching her small team work with practiced efficiency. They were good, loyal, and she was lucky to have them.
Her bracelet vibrated again.
[NORTHERN ALLIANCE SYSTEM] [BATTLE REPORT REQUIRED] [Time Limit: 45 minutes]
Lily sighed; the administrative part of being a Lord was, possibly, worse than actual combat.
She activated the reporting interface, her fingers moving automatically through the required fields:
[INCIDENT TYPE: Goblin Raid - Minor Level] [ENEMIES ELIMINATED: 28 Common Goblins, 1 Uncommon Goblin Leader] [OWN CASUALTIES: 0 deaths, 4 wounded (3 minor, 1 moderate)] [RESOURCES LOST: 20kg crops, 2 trees, minor infrastructure damage] [RESOURCES GAINED: Various goblin materials - estimated value 15 resource points] [TERRITORY STATUS: Secure, defensible, operational]
She paused at the next field.
[ADDITIONAL NOTES: _____________]
Her fingers hovered over the holographic keyboard. The temptation to mention Renn was strong, she wanted to share her happiness with the whole world, but she also knew that would be selfish. Renn needed time to settle, to understand what he had summoned, and to prepare before the rest of the world found out.
And when Marcus and the others found out that Renn had summoned Celestial level troops...
Lily could imagine it: the mockery would turn into envy, and the envy into resentment. Marcus especially, he who had spent two years teasing Renn about his incompetence, would not take it well discovering that the "Lord of the Swamp" now had access to power he could never dream of reaching.
No, she decided. This stays private.
[ADDITIONAL NOTES: None]
She sent the report and closed the interface.
"Boss," Sera called from her new position on a high branch, acting as night watch, "we have a visitor."
Lily immediately put her hand on the hilt of her sword. "Hostile?"
"I don't think so. It's human. Northern Alliance flag."
A courier, then, or maybe an inspector verifying her battle report.
The figure emerged from the trees a minute later: a thin young man in the blue and silver uniform of the Alliance Messengers. He carried a leather bag crossed over his chest and walked with the confidence of someone under official protection.
"Lord Lily Thornwhisper?" he asked, although he clearly already knew the answer.
"That's me."
"Message from the Alliance Central Office." He pulled a sealed envelope from his bag. "Requires receipt confirmation."
Lily took the envelope, noting the red wax seal with the Alliance eagle emblem. Official, then. She pressed her thumb against the seal and it glowed briefly before breaking, confirming her identity.
"Receipt confirmed," the messenger said, making a note on his tablet. "Good evening, Lord Thornwhisper."
He left as quickly as he had arrived.
Lily opened the envelope, her eyes scanning the contents.
[NORTHERN ALLIANCE - CENTRAL OFFICE] [TO: Lord Lily Thornwhisper] [RE: Quarterly Evaluation and Resource Allocation]
Her quarterly evaluation. Lily had been waiting for this, every Lord in the Alliance received one every three months, measuring their contribution, battle efficiency, and resource production.
She read the numbers with growing satisfaction:
[RESOURCES DELIVERED: 128% of required quota] [COMBAT EFFICIENCY: Rank A-] [TROOP MORALE: High] [COMBAT LOSSES: Below average] [GENERAL EVALUATION: Excellent. Lord Thornwhisper continues to exceed expectations.]
And then, at the end:
[SPECIAL ALLOCATION: Due to outstanding performance, you have been granted priority access to the Alliance Summoning Market for the next two weeks. Use this privilege wisely.]
Lily felt a spark of excitement. The Summoning Market was where Lords could use contribution points to try to summon additional troops or upgrade existing ones. Priority access meant she would have first pick on any rare or epic summons that appeared.
"Good news, boss?" Thrain asked, limping slightly as he approached.
"Quarterly evaluation. We passed with excellence."
"Of course we did." The elf smiled. "With all due respect, miss, we are the best team in our division."
"Without the 'with all due respect', Thrain. It is simply a fact." Lily folded the paper and stored it in her belt pouch. "We also got priority access to the Market."
"Oh, that is good." Thrain's eyes lit up. "Are you planning to summon additional troops?"
"Maybe. Although honestly, I would prefer to upgrade our current equipment." Lily looked around her makeshift camp. "We need better armor. And Sera has been asking for enchanted arrows for months."
"Enchanted arrows are expensive," Thrain noted.
"I know. But after today..." Lily touched her bracelet thoughtfully. "I think we earned them."
Her bracelet vibrated, but this time it wasn't a message from Renn, but a System notification.
[LORD SYSTEM - UPDATE] [New Achievement Unlocked: "Consistent Protector"] [Requirement: Complete 50 successful territorial defenses without casualties] [Reward: +500 Contribution Points, +1 Guaranteed Summon Token (Rare Rank or higher)]
Lily blinked. She had been so focused on the day-to-day that she hadn't realized she was close to that achievement.
Fifty defenses. Fifty times she had protected her territory and kept her troops alive.
"Boss?" Thrain's voice sounded worried. "You went very still."
"I just unlocked 'Consistent Protector'," Lily said softly.
The silence that followed was reverent.
"Fifty defenses," Thrain murmured. "Gods, I hadn't realized we had been together that long."
"Me neither." Lily smiled, looking around her small camp where her troops rested, ate, and took care of each other. "But I am happy it is so."
"Us too, boss." Thrain made a small elven bow. "Us too."
The rest of the night passed in relative tranquility. They established rotating guards, ate a simple dinner of hard bread and dried meat, with the promise of a proper meal when they returned to base tomorrow, and gradually the camp fell silent, except for the occasional crackle of the fire and the soft murmur of conversation between the troops on guard.
Lily sat near the fire wrapped in her travel cloak, watching the stars above her. The sky of the Infinite World was different from Earth's sky, there were more stars and occasionally you saw glowing cracks where dimensions hadn't completely fused, leaving luminous scars on reality itself.
Her bracelet vibrated gently.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Still awake?
Lily smiled, typing quickly.
> Yes > Night watch > Although technically Sera and Greta have the first shift > I just can't sleep
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Me neither > Valeria says I should rest > But every time I close my eyes > I keep expecting to wake up and find out it was all a dream
> It is not a dream dummy > It is real > You have troops > Incredibly powerful troops > You are going to be fine
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> How can you be so sure?
Lily paused, considering her response carefully.
> Because I know you > I know your work ethic > I know your determination > And I know that when you really care about something > You don't give up > You have never given up Renn > Even when you probably should have > That is one of the things I admire most about you
There was a long pause before the response arrived.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Lily > Thank you > I don't know what I would do without you > Probably would be living under a bridge > With Mr. Whiskers judging my life choices
> Well Princess Lysandra > Technically
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> I will never get used to that > "Her Royal Highness Princess Lysandra" > Who I > Bathed > Twice
> With cat shampoo 😂
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Cheap cat shampoo > From the supermarket > Generic brand > Valeria says there are diplomatic protocols I violated > Apparently bathing royalty with generic products > Is "technically an act of lèse-majesté"
Lily had to cover her mouth not to laugh so hard she woke her sleeping troops.
> Renn > You are possibly the only person in history > Who has committed lèse-majesté > By accident > With cat shampoo
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> I should be in a record book > "Stupidest ways to insult royalty" > Chapter one: Renn Blackwood and the generic shampoo
> Chapter two: Renn Blackwood and the vet
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Please don't remind me > They told her she needed to lose weight > A PRINCESS > Needed to lose weight
> Well > To be fair > Mr. Whiskers WAS a little chubby
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Valeria just read that message to me > Princess Lysandra apparently heard "chubby" > She is looking at me > Lily > She is looking at me in that way > That way that says "I remember every insult"
> Good luck soldier 😂 > It was an honor knowing you
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Some friends are useful in crises > You clearly aren't one of them
> Hey I am VERY useful > I send you moral support > From a distance > A safe distance
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Coward
> Survivor > There is a difference
Lily smiled, feeling the warmth of the conversation wrapping around her like a blanket. This was what she had missed during the last few weeks, just talking to Renn without the weight of his failures between them, and now, finally, there was hope, real progress.
> Renn?
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Yes?
> I am really happy for you > And not just because now you have troops > But because I can hear in your messages > That you are happy > Really happy > And that makes me happy
The response took almost a full minute to arrive.
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Lily > You are the best > You know that right? > Like genuinely > The best person I know
Lily felt heat rise to her cheeks and was thankful it was dark and no one could see her face.
> You are a dummy > But you are my favorite dummy
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> I'll take that as a compliment
> You should > I don't call just anyone "favorite"
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Good > Because you are also my favorite > In case it wasn't obvious
Lily's heart did something strange in her chest: a jump, a skip, something that made her feel like she was fifteen again and receiving her first love message (although this technically wasn't a love message, she reminded herself firmly).
> Obvious or not > I like hearing it
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Then I will say it more often > Lily Thornwhisper > You are my favorite person > In the entire Infinite World > And probably on Earth too > Although technically I only know like 200 people > So the sample size is limited > But still > Favorite
Lily laughed, wiping something from her eyes that definitely wasn't tears.
> Renn you are ruining the moment > With your statistical clarifications
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> It's my specialty > Ruining moments > With unnecessary facts
> I know > And yet you are still my favorite > What does that say about me?
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> That you have terrible taste > But I appreciate it
> Idiot 💕
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Your idiot > Apparently
Lily stared at those two words for a long moment, feeling something warm, terrifying, and wonderful expand in her chest.
"Your idiot."
Two simple words that meant absolutely everything.
> Yes > My idiot > Now go to sleep dummy > Valeria is probably right > You need rest
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Only if you sleep too
> Deal > Goodnight Renn
[NEW MESSAGE - RENN BLACKWOOD]
> Goodnight Lily > Thank you > For everything
> Always 💕
Lily lowered her bracelet and leaned back against her backpack, watching the stars above her with a smile that she simply couldn't, and didn't want to, wipe from her face.
"Boss," Helga whispered from her guard position nearby, "she is definitely in love with him."
"Shut up, Helga," Lily murmured without any real heat in her voice.
"Just saying."
"Well stop saying."
"Is she going to confess someday?"
Lily paused, considering the question seriously.
"Maybe," she admitted finally. "When the moment is right."
"The right moment doesn't exist, boss. There are only the moments we take."
"That is surprisingly philosophical coming from you."
"We dwarves are deep," Helga responded with offended dignity. "Beneath our rough exterior there are layers of wisdom."
"Like onions."
"Exactly like... wait, onions smell bad."
"Your point?"
"...I retract my previous statement."
Lily smiled in the darkness. Yes, she thought as she closed her eyes, exhaustion finally catching up to her. Maybe someday she would find the courage to tell Renn how she really felt.
But for now, this was enough.
Knowing that he was okay, that he was finally moving forward, and that his dream of two years had come true.
And knowing that, of all the people in the Infinite World, she was his favorite.
For now, that was more than enough.
As she drifted off to sleep, her last conscious thought was a silent promise:
Someday, Renn Blackwood, I am going to tell you exactly how I feel.
But for now, I am going to make sure that no one, especially Marcus, ruins this for you.
You are my idiot, after all.
And I protect what is mine.
The rest could wait.
******
5800+ Words