Chapter 173. I AM BORED!

Chapter 173: 173. I AM BORED!

The Restoration Acolyte was already arranging her case when Carlos came to the treatment space the next morning.

She had moved the table away from the wall so someone could stand on both sides. Folded cloth lay beside a shallow basin, and the small jars from her case had been placed where the passing workers would not brush against them.

"Anything missing?" Carlos asked.

"Only clean water for when you return. And people to help carry anyone who cannot walk, my lord."

"We have both." Carlos spoke and smiled. "What should I call you?"

"Ada, my lord."

Carlos nodded and showed her the path to the Conquest Portal. Ada looked at the distance, then asked that the approach to her table stay clear. He agreed before going to find Kaia.

Mira stopped him outside the kitchen first. The second renewed order was ready, and she wanted him to complete its transfer before the party gathered.

Carlos read the inspected twelve-meal record and sent the shipment. Iron x720 and Copper Coins x1,440 arrived, followed by the buyer’s confirmation. Yesterday’s order had been paid too. The third renewed delivery would be due tomorrow.

He showed Mira the completed record before asking about the food for their own party.

"The packed meals are ready," she said. "I counted everyone properly so you are not missing any meal."

"Good. What about the special meal for the bearkins?"

She opened its consumption check for the Bearkin Guardians. The cooked preparation was compatible, with the heat properly balanced so that it’s not too much for them.

Carlos asked her to serve one portion to each of the three going with him before they left.

Mira had prepared twelve retained portions that morning alongside the buyer’s order. The other nine went into Cold Storage.

Carlos wanted the rest of the residents to try it later, after their own suitability was checked.

The ordinary packed food still mattered. One excellent meal did not remove Brann’s need to eat five times in a day.

Kaia found him as he was closing the food container. They walked toward the Training Yard together, with Carlos looking toward the treatment table on the way.

"She is ready," he said. "We will choose the party now."

"I have checked their equipment. Garr can hold the territory while we are gone." Kaia spoke.

They had almost reached the yard when a voice came over the fence.

"I AM BORED!"

Carlos stopped. Brann stood in the middle of the ground with his hammer planted beside him. One of the younger Guardians had turned toward him, looking as if he had done something wrong.

"Nothing to do!" Brann shouted again. "Carry wood. Carry stone. Hit shields. No fight!"

Carlos looked at Kaia who was already looking at him.

He went through the entrance before Brann could decide to shout at the kitchen too.

"Don’t worry, big guy. Your timing cannot be better. We were just about to tell you we are going to a conquest soon."

Brann lifted his head with eyes literally sparking. "Today?"

"Today. If you let us finish talking."

The hammer came off the ground immediately. Brann walked toward him with such obvious happiness that Carlos could not help smiling.

"Ready," the Bearkin said.

"You haven’t even heard who is going."

"Me."

"Yes, you," Carlos replied. "Now stand here."

Brann obeyed, watching him closely. His mood had changed completely in a few seconds. Carlos was pleased about that too.

The Guardian had been working with every new troop they added, and he wanted him to have a fight worth remembering.

Kaia called the others forward. Carlos would take her, Brann, the two other older Bearkin Guardians, Nessa, the two Archers who had accompanied the fifth conquest, Two and one of the older Marsh Trolls. With Carlos, that made ten.

The new Troll stayed in Ironroot. It still needed training before Carlos took it into something like this.

Garr remained with the other older Troll, the new one and the newer Guardian. The Militia and newer Archers continued their positions around the gate and walls. Carlos spoke to Garr himself, then made sure the workers knew who to approach if the gate horn sounded.

"Nobody goes out to chase something alone," he said. "Keep the defense together. We aren’t taking the whole territory with us."

Garr rested his hammer against his shoulder and nodded. Carlos left him with the posted duties Kaia had prepared rather than a speech about everything that might happen.

They went to the tomato enclosure next. Rowan had inspected the two new plantings, but Carlos asked for fruit from the original vine. He was not waiting beside a young vine hoping it would hurry because he wanted a weapon.

Two ripe fruits were taken down carefully and inspected before Kaia put them into separate padded spaces. Their skin still held the orange lines Carlos recognised from the tests.

"Two," he said. "But be extra careful in your movements too. Try to get done with throwing them early so that you don’t have to hold back with your movements."

Kaia gave the container to one of the practised handlers among the Archers. He took both handles and moved it without swinging.

Rowan watched them leave the fence, then turned toward the pepper test. Its seed had been planted, but Carlos did not stop to ask for another result on his way to the portal. Sela was checking it already.

He collected his Reinforced Long Spear and iron shield, wearing the Ironweave Battle Coat before putting the food into his inventory. Both Troop Recovery Potions went where he could reach them quickly. The Warden Chain wrapped around his arm, its cold links settling beneath his sleeve.

Two bounced beside the party. Carlos checked the Slime’s supplies separately from the packed food, then looked toward Blue near the fields.

"Stay with Rowan and the others," he told it.

Blue nodded and drifted back toward the water path. Carlos waved once before turning to the black portal.

The panel opened when he approached.

--

[Conquest Level 6]

[Status: Available]

[Difficulty: Hellbound]

[Warning: Enemy forces will react to the challenger’s recognised development]

[Conquest area: Colossus Graveyard]

[Objective: Defeat the Graveyard Guardian]

[Recommended challengers: 12]

[Current party: 10]

[Enter conquest?]

--

Carlos read the area name a few times. There was no supply road written beneath it and nothing about another crossing.

"A graveyard," he said. "Different place this time."

Kaia adjusted her shield. Nessa checked the position of the carried basket, then told the Archer to keep it behind the front line when they arrived.

Everyone was engrossed with their own preparations.

Brann was watching the entrance rather than the words. Carlos could almost feel him waiting for permission to step through.

"You get your fight," Carlos told him. "Stay with us when it starts. Don’t get too excited; it’s getting tougher. Stay in the formation you have been taught."

He accepted and Carlos opened the portal. Brann was the first one that went in.

Carlos followed with the others and the ground beneath his boots changed to pale gravel. Dry wind struck his face, carrying a dusty smell through the openings of his coat.

Carlos looked up and stopped walking.

A rib curved over the arrival ground, taller than Brann by several times. Another rose beside it, followed by six more disappearing into the distance. They had arrived inside the remains of something enormous.

Beyond the ribs lay a plain filled with bones. Near its centre, a skull large enough to hold the Lord’s Hut rested on its side.

Brann stood nearby and stared at it.

Carlos tightened his hand around the spear. The sheer size made him remember the warden.