The night was cold.
I remained standing on the mansion's balcony, watching the distant lights of the city of Vailor as the wind slowly drifted through the garden. It had only been a few days since we returned from the Kingdom of the Giants, but the feeling of peace no longer existed.
Everything felt far too quiet.
Even the guards patrolling the streets seemed more tense than before. There was movement around the city almost all night long. Blacksmiths were still working in several workshops. Soldiers walked through the main streets in groups. Carriages loaded with supplies constantly entered and left the city.
The entire kingdom could feel that something was approaching.
And so could I.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds.
The image from that dream was still vivid in my mind.
The First General.
That monstrous presence.
The overwhelming pressure that seemed capable of crushing everything around it simply by existing.
I slowly opened my eyes and let out a quiet sigh.
The reports sent by the kingdom's scouts had confirmed the same information since yesterday. The demonic army remained camped north of the Gray Mountains.
Three days.
That was the distance separating their army from Vailor.
And yet they still hadn't advanced.
That was what bothered me the most.
If they simply attacked, it would be easier to predict their movements. But remaining still like that meant they were waiting for something. Perhaps reinforcements. Perhaps an order. Or perhaps they simply wanted to increase the tension among the nations.
I tightened my grip slightly on the balcony railing.
"You're thinking too much."
I looked back when I heard Scarlett's voice.
She calmly walked toward me while adjusting her long red hair. She was wearing light sleepwear, and even so, she still carried that same unwavering posture as always.
Scarlett approached and rested her arms on the balcony beside me.
"Couldn't sleep?"
"Not at all."
"Because of the First General?"
I slowly nodded.
"I keep thinking about that dream."
Scarlett remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
"You know a battle against someone at that level won't be easy."
"I know."
"And you also know that putting all the pressure on yourself won't solve anything."
I let out a small, tired laugh.
"You always say that."
"Because you always do the same thing."
She was right.
Ever since I arrived in this world, I had usually tried to carry everything on my own. Maybe because I was always afraid that someone would end up dying because of me.
I looked toward the horizon once again.
"The soldiers said the army is still standing still."
"Yes."
"That bothers me."
Scarlett narrowed her eyes slightly.
"They're waiting for the right moment."
"Probably."
She turned to face me.
"But you've changed too, Takumi."
"What do you mean?"
"Before, you would've gone alone to attack their camp."
I couldn't help letting out a small laugh.
Maybe she was right.
Back then, I probably would have done exactly that.
But now things were different.
Now I had people who mattered beside me.
And I also had far greater responsibilities.
I heard footsteps behind us.
Liriel appeared carrying two small cups of hot tea as she calmly walked onto the balcony. Her long blond hair swayed gently in the night breeze.
"I figured you'd both still be awake."
She handed one cup to Scarlett and then gave the other to me.
"Thanks."
Liriel smiled faintly.
"The atmosphere feels heavy tonight."
"You noticed too?"
"It's hard not to."
She looked up at the sky for a few moments.
"The mana around the city has felt strange since yesterday."
That immediately caught my attention.
"Demonic mana?"
"Not much yet. But yes."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"They're getting closer little by little."
Liriel nodded.
"Probably."
I took a small sip of tea while remaining silent.
No matter how much I tried to stay calm, I knew the war was drawing closer.
And this time, it wouldn't be like the previous battles.
This time, we'd be facing someone far beyond our previous enemies.
Once again, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway.
Rai'kanna appeared first, followed by Vespera. Neither of them had probably been able to sleep either.
Rai'kanna was carrying several papers.
"So you're really still awake."
"You too."
She approached and placed the papers on the small table beside the balcony.
"Military reports."
Scarlett looked at her.
"Anything new?"
"More or less."
Rai'kanna took a deep breath before continuing.
"The scouts from the Demi-Dragon Kingdom confirmed movements in the north. Small groups of demons are constantly changing positions."
"But the main army is still standing still?" I asked.
"It is."
Vespera leaned against the wall beside the balcony while watching all of us.
"That doesn't look like defensive preparations."
I looked at her.
"What do you think?"
"They're waiting for something specific."
"Like what?"
"Maybe the First General hasn't fully arrived at the main camp yet."
Her comment made everyone fall silent for several seconds.
It was a possibility.
And honestly, I hoped that was the case.
Because if that army was already complete and still remained motionless, then something far worse was probably being planned.
Rai'kanna sighed.
"The kingdoms have begun moving troops discreetly."
"The dragons too?"
She nodded.
"My father sent reinforcements to the northern borders."
Scarlett closed her eyes for a moment.
"The war has already begun. We just haven't had the first clash yet."
No one answered.
Because everyone there knew she was right.
Silence once again settled over the balcony for a few moments as the wind slowly swept through the mansion's garden.
I looked at each of them.
Scarlett.
Liriel.
Rai'kanna.
Vespera.
They all looked worried.
And even so, they remained there beside me.
That feeling tightened my chest slightly.
I truly couldn't lose.
Not after everything we had gone through together.
I slowly took a deep breath.
"I need to become stronger."
Scarlett immediately looked at me.
"You already are strong."
"Not strong enough."
Liriel frowned slightly.
"Takumi..."
"I felt it in that dream. His presence was unlike anything I've ever faced."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"So what are you planning to do?"
I looked back toward the night sky.
"Train."
Vespera let out a quiet laugh.
"Of course that would be your answer."
"I'm not talking about ordinary training."
I looked back at them.
"I need to fight more. Face stronger monsters. Take more dangerous missions. Enter dungeons."
Scarlett raised an eyebrow.
"You want to gain real experience before the battle."
"Yes."
Liriel thought for a few moments before nodding slightly.
"That makes sense."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"So we're finally going back to more exciting missions."
"You sound excited."
"A little."
Vespera uncrossed her arms.
"As long as you don't do anything suicidal by yourself."
"I won't."
Scarlett looked directly into my eyes.
"You promise?"
I remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
"I promise."
She seemed a little more at ease after that.
The wind swept across the balcony once again while the city remained illuminated below us.
Despite the tension, that moment still felt peaceful in a way.
Perhaps because everyone there knew it might soon come to an end.
I looked at each of them once more.
"We're going to the guild early tomorrow morning."
Scarlett smiled faintly.
"So it finally begins."
"Yes."
I tightened my grip slightly on the cup in my hands as I stared toward the dark northern horizon.
The silence before the storm was coming to an end.