Love At The Wrong Table

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1

If this dire situation continued without replenishing their dwindling food

supply, the entire army faced certain doom.

“Land in sight!” The cry echoed across the deck.

“Land in sight!” The joyful announcement rippled through the ranks like a

beacon of hope.

Amid this surge of optimism, a subordinate burst forth with a crucial update,

his voice tinged with urgency, “Commander, we’ve spotted land! Please give

the order to dock and resupply our provisions!”

“Excellent!” Emmanuel’s face lit up with relief and determination.

He immediately commanded the crew to anchor, their hearts swelling with

renewed hope. As they docked, a tense realization dawned upon them: the

island they had arrived at was a contentious territory, disputed between

Chanaea and a neighboring nation. Should the island still be under the

The Return to Freedom

control of the neighboring country, the arrival of Chanaea’s forces might

provoke its inhabitants, leading to potential hostility and even violent

expulsion.

#

Emmanuel approached the locals with diplomatic intent, but his efforts were

met with cold resistance. With no viable alternative, he issued a decisive

order. Three thousand elite warriors from Dark Night Island swiftly descended

upon the island, their presence imposing and their actions resolute. The

anti–Dragon forces were overwhelmed, subdued, and forced to kneel in

submission.

The island’s residents were astonished by the Chanaea forces‘ formidable

strength. Three thousand warriors were more than sufficient; even three

hundred would have been more than enough to overpower the island’s

entire armed contingent.

“Listen up!” Emmanuel’s voice rang out with authoritative clarity. “This island

now belongs to Chanaea! If you know what’s good for you, leave of your own

accord. Otherwise, we shall defeat you again every time we return!”

The fenum to Freedomm

Eager to return to his homeland, where his wife awaited the birth of their

child, Emmanuel had no time to waste with these disputes. He sought to

avoid provoking a significant international conflict, his focus solely on

returning home swiftly.

#

After three days of managing the situation and “borrowing necessary

provisions, they set sail once more, their journey continuing towards

Changea’s coastline. What would have been a mere half–day flight by plane

stretched into a grueling month at sea before they finally approached the

hore.

“Brothers!” Upon disembarking at the port, Emmanuel gathered his men, his

voice carrying the weight of their shared ordeal. “It has been an honor to fight

for freedom alongside you. I am profoundly grateful for your strength and

perseverance. At last, we have freedom! Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

*Freedom!” the soldiers shouted in unison, their voices a powerful chorus of

liberation. “We’ve finally set foot in the outside world! We no longer have to

fear for our lives every day! The outside world–the air is so fresh! The sky is

so blue! The sun is so bright!*

15.21 Sun, Oct 13 B.

€

༠ བུ 42%*

1888 The Return to Freedom

#

The exhilaration they had felt upon leaving Dark Night Island had evolved into

profound emotion. The harsh realities of their past seemed distant now,

overshadowed by the beauty of their newfound freedom. Some could not

contain their tears, overwhelmed by the contrast between their former

oppression and the boundless possibilities before them.

Only now, with their shackles cast away, did they fully grasp the weight of

their past sufferings and the extent to which their lives had been constrained.

Their eyes were opened to the vastness of the world, their spirits finally

unbound, and their understanding of life itself forever transformed.

Emmanuel’s voice resonated with sincerity as he continued, “Next, I will be

returning to Yeringham in Nuthana. If any of you, my brothers, find yourselves

without a home or wish to join me, I will take responsibility for your well–being,

come what may! However, if you desire to return to your own home or

venture elsewhere, you are free to do so. I shall not detain you.”

His declaration hung in the air, a moment of truth and choice. Hesitation

gripped nearly everyone, their faces reflecting the turmoil within their hearts.

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#t

Xarri and Quell, the indomitable brother and sister pair, stepped forward with

solemn dignity. They clasped their hands toward Emmanuel in a gesture of

deep respect and gratitude. “Emmanuel, we are deeply thankful for leading

us back to Chanaea. We must follow our paths, but if fortune allows, we shall

surely visit you and your wife in Yeringham one day.”

“Very well!” Emmanuel’s voice rang with a note of finality. “Let us part ways

her

nd may destiny guide our steps until we meet again.”

He did not attempt to detain them but instead watched with a heavy heart

as Xarri and Quell departed. Soon after, many others followed, each forging

their path.

Yet, a substantial number of them chose to remain behind, including Rhett,

who dedicated his life to safeguarding the current generation’s Saintess and

nurturing the next generation of Holy Guardians.

Moments later, a voice broke through the murmur of uncertainty.

“Commander, we wish to return home, but we have no means to do so. What

shall we do?”

15.21 Sun, Oct

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The Return to Freedom

“Yes! I wish to return as well, but I have lost all sense of where home even is,”

another voice echoed, laden with despair.

It became evident that nearly everyone was grappling with this predicament.

Emmanuel and Mackenzie, too, faced a dire situation–they were as destitute

as their companions. They found themselves at the port in Eldoria, Zovince of

Chanaea, a far cry from their destination in Yeringham, Nuthana. The journey

ome would be a formidable challenge for them all.

Just then, a voice emerged from the throng near the port, cutting through

the confusion. “Excuse me, who are you? From where do you come from, and

why have you docked at our port?”

Emmanuel and his followers turned in unison toward the source of the voice.

Two men in impeccably tailored suits approached, accompanied by a small

entourage.

The two men, upon recognizing Emmanuel as the leader, stepped forward

with a blend of curiosity and respect. “We are the port managers. I am Owen,

and this is my brother, Larry. May we inquire who you are and if you need any

(

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assistance?”

11

Owen extended a courteous gesture, his hands cupped in a traditional sign

of respect. He discerned that Emmanuel, and his men were no ordinary

individuals; their imposing presence and the sheer number of them

suggested a formidable strength. That being said, Owen was keenly aware of

the potential risks of offending such a powerful group, especially if they might

or the identity of pirates.