As Tristan's forces navigated the city's ruins, an unsettling silence engulfed them. The spectacle of Thorian and his monstrous army's formidable might had instilled a palpable sense of dread. Eyes wide with shock, soldiers trembled at the mere thought of the havoc wreaked by the beasts.
General Henry, observing the fear-ridden faces, decided to intervene. With a sly wink at Tristan, he paused, turning to address the troops.
"I've noticed an unusual quiet among you, a typically boisterous crew," he began, his voice tinged with humor. "Perhaps I should thank those monsters for achieving what I couldn’t in years."
Tristan, taken aback by the General's levity in such grim circumstances, watched as a few soldiers responded with tentative chuckles. To slice through such tension with humor, the mark of a seasoned leader, he mused.
"Why the long faces?" General Henry continued, his laughter echoing amidst the rubble. "You should be celebrating. The guardians we were destined to confront have been vanquished with barely a scratch on our side."
His words, a blatant spin on their grim reality, drew laughter from the ranks, momentarily easing their anxiety.
"And as for those monsters," Henry added with confidence, "fear not. They've merely received their divine powers before us. But rest assured, we will soon rise to their level."
General Henry surveyed his troops, his eyes glinting with resolve. A broad smile spread across his face as he spoke, his tone imbued with hope. "Instead of fear, embrace anticipation. What we've witnessed is a preview of our own potential. Imagine wielding the elements, mastering the sword, summoning firestorms that could touch the heavens!" His voice soared with enthusiasm, then softened as he inhaled deeply. "I certainly aspire to that."
Seizing the moment, Tristan stepped forward, bolstering Henry's message. "General Henry speaks truth. Our path is clear: to vanquish monsters, to gain strength, to ascend in power. Soon, we will overtake those beasts, unnoticed until it's too late."
His words ignited a fire within the soldiers. Cheers and roars erupted, the air now electric with newfound energy and determination.
As the sounds of celebration faded, Tristan concluded, "Let us return to our mission. Today, we rid this city of its monstrous scourge."
Riding alongside General Henry, Tristan couldn't hide his admiration. "Sir Henry, your ability to transform morale is truly remarkable. I've never witnessed such leadership."
Henry replied with a knowing smirk, "I spoke only the truth." He then gestured to an elder soldier, Robert, to approach. "Seeing your ascension to power, Robert, has rekindled a flame in these weary bones."
Robert, humbled, shook his head. "Sir Henry, I can’t accept such honor."
General Henry's laughter rang out as he regarded Robert's formality. "Relax, Robert. There's no need for such rigid manners among us old-timers. Speak as you would with an old friend, and drop the Sir."
Robert paused, then acquiesced with a respectful nod, "Alright, Henry it is then."
As Robert was about to depart, Tristan beckoned him to stay. "Sir Robert, a moment, please. There's something I need to ask you."
Curious, Robert reined his horse beside the prince. "Yes, Your Grace?"
Tristan, with a hint of urgency, delved into his query. "Earlier, when confronting the monster king, you asked him a question. Did you recognize him?"
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Robert scratched his head, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Well, I'm not entirely sure, but he did remind me of the creature that captured me in the forest, just before the apocalypse."
"Captive?" Tristan's interest piqued.
"It was an odd encounter," Robert admitted. "We found them in the forest, and just when it seemed he would kill me and little Roo, he suddenly changed his mind. He demanded axes from the city, holding Roo as a guarantee. After I complied, we were held in a cave until nightfall."
Tristan pondered this. "He likely wanted to avoid early detection. Go on."
Nodding, Robert continued, "As night fell, he escorted us to the city gates. That's when he hinted about the plaza. I believe he knew the statues would manifest there."
Tristan's gaze was contemplative as he pondered the nature of the monster. "This creature exhibits a cunning and awareness uncommon even among humans. And his prior knowledge of the statues... Do you truly think the monster king is the same white-furred being you encountered?"
Robert chuckled, albeit with a hint of resignation. "I know that it sounds insane. But other than the fur, they do look very similar. More importantly, their presence and aura are exactly similar. That white-furred creature had that same dignity and kingly presence."
Tristan stroked his chin, deep in thought. "If your hunch is correct, it suggests these monsters might possess shape-shifting abilities, or perhaps this is a more advanced form. Intriguing... If we can indeed communicate with this king, it could alter our approach, especially if he's not inclined towards senseless violence."
Robert, however, cautioned, "Your graces, these are merely my thoughts. They could be wrong."
Tristan responded with a light chuckle. "And I, too, am merely pondering possibilities."
After a brief pause, Tristan locked eyes with Robert. "Sir Robert, it may be premature, but I have a request. Once we reclaim the city, I'd like you to serve as bodyguard to my brother, James."
Robert bowed slightly, "It would be my honor, Your Grace. But, may I ask if my grandson could accompany us? Our home is destroyed, and I fear for his safety."
"Absolutely," Tristan replied warmly. "James is quite fond of him. His frail health makes it challenging to find true companions."
Robert's expression lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, my lord. Your kindness is beyond words."
As Tristan turned his gaze forward, he announced, "We've arrived at our destination."
As Tristan and his entourage approached the city hall, the grandeur of the four towering statues in the plaza was a sight to behold. Their destination, however, lay beyond this impressive display.
Upon arrival, Tristan issued his command to the assembled forces: “Secure the perimeter, ensure no one, man or monster, breaches this area.”
“Immediately, Your Grace,” came the unified response from the knights.
Inside the city hall, Tristan led his group to the reception area. There, amidst a sea of parchments and tomes, sat the familiar elderly receptionist. His usual indifferent gaze now sparkled with a hint of curiosity.
Tristan stepped forward and cleared his throat, capturing the old man's attention. "We have completed the guardian quest," he declared.
The receptionist looked up, a rare gleam of interest in his eyes. "Indeed? That is quite unexpected," he said, rifling through his papers to find the relevant document. His aged hands moved with surprising agility as he marked the quest as complete.
As he did so, a subtle change permeated the room. The air shimmered faintly, and a sense of transformation hung unspoken among them.
Then, without warning, the ground shook violently, throwing Tristan and others off balance.
General Henry, regaining his footing amidst the tremors, exclaimed in frustration, "What on earth is happening?!"
As the quaking subsided, Oswald beckoned them urgently. "Everyone, over here!"
Tristan, following Oswald's lead to the window, was struck dumb by the spectacle unfolding before him. The city, once marred by destruction, was transforming. The debris of collapsed buildings dissolved into sparkling light, absorbed by the city walls. Before their eyes, the walls regenerated, stronger and more majestic than before, shimmering with an ethereal glow.
"The fortress system has been activated," the receptionist casually remarked, eyes still on his book. "Step outside for a clearer view."
With a nod to the receptionist, Tristan led the group outside, their astonishment only deepening.
Robert voiced the confusion they all felt. "What is happening?"
They stood, transfixed, as the once-familiar plaza underwent a dramatic change. The four statues that had adorned it were now replaced by four distinct buildings, each proudly bearing its own banner.